Christmas reading list ....A work in Progress
I'm adding
The Necklace of Pearls by D.L.Sayers (from short story collection Hangman's Holiday)
I even found this site here explaining references in the story to those not in the know.
So now I know what the game "Clumps" is.
Mog's Christmas by Judith Kerr (Which I see is even available on kindle ! ) A family favourite.
today's Poetry addition is ...
Ceremonies for Christmas
by
Robert Herrick (1648)
Come, bring with a noise,
My merry, merry boys,
The Christmas log to the firing,
While my good dame, she
Bids ye all be free,
And drink to your heart’s desiring.
With the last year’s brand
Light the new block, and
For good success in his spending,
On your psalteries play,
That sweet luck may
Come while the log is a-tending.
Drink now the strong beer,
Cut the white loaf here,
The while the meat is a-shredding;
For the rare mince-pie,
And the plums stand by,
To fill the paste that’s a kneading.
by
Robert Herrick (1648)
Come, bring with a noise,
My merry, merry boys,
The Christmas log to the firing,
While my good dame, she
Bids ye all be free,
And drink to your heart’s desiring.
With the last year’s brand
Light the new block, and
For good success in his spending,
On your psalteries play,
That sweet luck may
Come while the log is a-tending.
Drink now the strong beer,
Cut the white loaf here,
The while the meat is a-shredding;
For the rare mince-pie,
And the plums stand by,
To fill the paste that’s a kneading.
and with that reminder of Christmas cooking a quick Chutney recipe ...made in the microwave
Christmas Chutney.
I fancied making some Chutney for Christmas ..I haven't found it to buy here so it's make some or miss out.
I decided to use what I have in store and make it in the microwave using my fall back recipe ...for "Mixed Fruit Chutney" but a half recipe. So I needed about 1 and a 1/2 pounds of Fruits and Vegetable mixed. 3-4oz of Brown sugar. 1/4 pint of Vinegar (the nicest you can find) Small handfull of raisins (I prefer Sultanas but can't find them to buy)
Method.
Dried apricots ( dried 4oz) finely chopped and then covered in boiling water (just) left to sit a while
( resulted in 8 to 9oz of plump pieces.)
Onion I used half of a fat onion about 7 oz ( chopped into small chunks)
Apple 1 dessert apple ( chopped into small chunks)
Fresh Ginger about an inch long piece peeled and sliced.
I put all these ingredients into a glass bowl and microwaved until soft.
I zapped them for 11 minutes.
Then added about 1/3rd of the Sugar, a pinch of salt, a shake of black pepper.
Oh and a small hand full of raisins.
Gave the mix a good stir.
Zapped for another 4 minutes.
Then added 1/4 pt Apple Cider Vinegar (any you like works fine ..just don't make the mistake I made once and tried a white vinegar that would've stripped paint ...it never mellowed)
Also the rest of the Sugar.
Give it a good stir and then
Zapped for another 11 minutes .
(Checking and stirring every so often.)
The aim is too lose some moisture and end up with a nice consistency.
Bottle in sterilized hot empty glass jars .
Cover and cool then label.
I decided to use what I have in store and make it in the microwave using my fall back recipe ...for "Mixed Fruit Chutney" but a half recipe. So I needed about 1 and a 1/2 pounds of Fruits and Vegetable mixed. 3-4oz of Brown sugar. 1/4 pint of Vinegar (the nicest you can find) Small handfull of raisins (I prefer Sultanas but can't find them to buy)
Method.
Dried apricots ( dried 4oz) finely chopped and then covered in boiling water (just) left to sit a while
( resulted in 8 to 9oz of plump pieces.)
Onion I used half of a fat onion about 7 oz ( chopped into small chunks)
Apple 1 dessert apple ( chopped into small chunks)
Fresh Ginger about an inch long piece peeled and sliced.
I put all these ingredients into a glass bowl and microwaved until soft.
I zapped them for 11 minutes.
Then added about 1/3rd of the Sugar, a pinch of salt, a shake of black pepper.
Oh and a small hand full of raisins.
Gave the mix a good stir.
Zapped for another 4 minutes.
Then added 1/4 pt Apple Cider Vinegar (any you like works fine ..just don't make the mistake I made once and tried a white vinegar that would've stripped paint ...it never mellowed)
Also the rest of the Sugar.
Give it a good stir and then
Zapped for another 11 minutes .
(Checking and stirring every so often.)
The aim is too lose some moisture and end up with a nice consistency.
Bottle in sterilized hot empty glass jars .
Cover and cool then label.
This worked really well...it's very yummy, quite a sweet chutney but the Ginger adds an interesting bite. I'm not sure how well it would keep? but this batch won't have the chance to find out ... it's not at all harsh and you can eat it straight away. We tested it with crusty bread and cheese.
Sainsburys are using Mog in their Christmas advertising this year. Lovely to see again.
ReplyDeleteI used white vinegar once. Made me realise how much the brown disguises it and makes it OK to eat.
Ohhh I found the ad Thanks :o)
DeleteYep never again with White Vinegar...if I can't tolerate it on Chips it's not going in my chutney ....lol
Oh well done you, with all the Christmas shopping. I wander round town aimlessly, waiting for inspiration to strike (which I hope it does soonish!). I did buy a Mog book for the newest family member though, at 13 weeks old, he can't actually read it (or anything else for that matter) yet. Bought myself a copy of Murder at the Old Vicarage. It's apparently an homage to Agatha Christie and had snow on the front cover so I couldn't resist.
ReplyDeleteWho can resist Mog! Isn't it lovely to find a nice new Christmas/Winter book :o)
DeleteLove the idea of making chutney in the microwave and ginger, yum. Might give this a go. AND Mog a firm family favourite here too x
ReplyDeleteI love making Jam and Chutney in my Grandmother's jam kettle ...but sometimes the microwave is really handy!
Delete