Wednesday 22 December 2021

Christmas baking

Traditional Christmas food is not something I enjoy. I am a vegetarian, so no turkey.  I don't like dried fruit so no Mince pies, no Christmas pudding, no Christmas cake.  
However, I don't miss out!  Christmas dinner for us will be Linda McCartney Rosemary and red onion sausages, loads of yummy veg and then chocolate pudding with chocolate sauce. 
I did some baking ready for Christmas and the following week and made Grantham Gingerbreads (above).  These are a sweet gingery biscuit which are slightly risen with hollow areas inside.  They are traditionally from Grantham, (a town around twenty minutes away from us) and date from 1740, made by the baker, William Egglestone.  Mum has an old family recipe for them, but there are lots of recipes available and a company in Grantham has recently starting making them again.
I also made some shortbread, just butter, sugar and flour and I really like these biscuits with a cup of tea.  (I am trying to reduce the amount of palm oil we eat, so am now making my own biscuits every week.) Biscuits made, tick!

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12 comments:

  1. Sandy22 December 2021 at 18:55

    I'm the first to comment! Do I win a prize? I'm not a baker anytime of the year, so cookies here. No turkey either. When we all gather (30 ish of us) we do ham; but again this year we won't be doing a large family gathering and so hubby, darling daughter and I will have nice steaks on the grill.
    Sandy's Space

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    1. Ellie Foster22 December 2021 at 22:29

      Thanks, Sandy. Sadly, no prize for being the first commenter, but a big thank you from me! For a meat eater, that sounds like a nice change from turkey. I hope you have a lovely time, even if it isn't a big family gathering.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  2. Elephant's Child22 December 2021 at 19:08

    I am also a vegetarian but cater for a carnivore. My christmas treat is fruit salad. I will make a humungous bowl of it tomorrow and just about live on it for the next week or so. Mangoes, lichee, berries, peaches, apricots, nectarines, cherries...
    I made shortbread and also baked Christmas cakes for those that like them. Salads will be the order of the day here (with meat for those that want it).

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    1. Ellie Foster22 December 2021 at 22:32

      Thanks, EC. Chris isn't a vegetarian yet, but he has cut down on meat and he likes the sausages mentioned above (although they need to be braised in some gravy to give them the best flavour). Ooh, the fruit salad sounds delicious and very healthy. I tried the chocolate puddings out tonight (30 seconds in the microwave) and they worked very nicely, so we'll be having them again.
      Have a lovely Christmas celebration.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  3. crafty cat corner22 December 2021 at 19:56

    You make me want to make some of these, they look yummy.
    I can't get any enthusiasm up for Christmas food this year, I'm not sure if it comes with age or what but the food in the shops just isn't doing anything for me. I'm going to my daughters for Christmas day and she usually sends us home with some goodies, that will do me and then back to normal on the 27th.
    Enjoy your Christmas.
    Briony
    x

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    1. Ellie Foster22 December 2021 at 22:33

      Thanks, Briony. The biscuits are very yummy and pretty easy to make. I hope you have a lovely time with your daughter and enjoy your Christmas celebrations.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  4. The Feminine Energy22 December 2021 at 20:45

    The more plain a cookie is, the better I like it. These cookies look absolutely wonderful, Ellie. I know your meal will be a luscious one, no matter what you serve. Happy Holidays! ~Andrea xoxoxo

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    1. Ellie Foster22 December 2021 at 22:36

      Thanks, Andrea. I like that I know what went in to the cookies/biscuits and that they are really simple ingredients. They will keep us going and I may take a few to friends/family as well. I do enjoy a simple and tasty meal!
      I hope you have a lovely holiday too.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  5. sustainablemum23 December 2021 at 15:08

    I am with you on no Christmas cake, mince pies, Christmas pudding I find them all far too rich, I do like dried fruit though and found a recipe last year for a lighter Christmas cake which we all loved so will be making that again. I had it in mind to make today but have realised I need to soak the fruit before cooking so it will have to wait until tomorrow. I am vege to and am making a mushroom wellington for myself everyone else is having roast chicken.

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    1. Ellie Foster23 December 2021 at 17:29

      Thanks, sustainablemum. Ooh, mushroom wellington sounds delicious too. Hope the cake making goes well.
      Best wishes and enjoy your festive celebrations
      Ellie

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  6. Lulu25 December 2021 at 00:15

    Ooooh, I love ginger biscuits! They look delicious Ellie. Old family recipes are the best x

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    1. Ellie Foster25 December 2021 at 10:53

      Thanks, Lulu. I can confirm that they are both delicious! I really like ginger biscuits too.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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