Forum Thermomix
Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: cookie1 on November 12, 2015, 12:21:53 am
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🎅🎅🎄🎄🎁🎁
Greetings to all. The shops have all their tinsel etc out so we are doing the same.
We would like you to participate in our Christmas Challenge. It's not hard, costs very little and you do not have to leave home.
We'd love you to share something about your Christmas. It could be the recipe for some favourite nibbles you make for the Festive Season. It could be the menu you are delivering to the hungry hordes this year, with a tried and tested recipe or two to share.
It may be the food you are taking to share with others at someone else's home, recipe included of course.
I guess it boils down to something you would like to share with forum members this Festive Season. Recipes included at all times of course.
Please join in with us and share something you like to make every year or just for this year.
(http://dl6.glitter-graphics.net/pub/28/28796xf3z4sbjdh.gif) (http://www.glitter-graphics.com)
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If we didn't realise Christmas is almost upon up cookie, we certainly do now. Once our Christmas challenge is up and running, the inspirational ideas start. Thanks for this.
For our newcomers, you might like to check out our running Christmas hamper ideas (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?board=41.0) thread. Some great ideas and photos there.
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It's still November! I'm not ready for Christmas yet!
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Me either Sarah. That's why I decided to seek inspiration from the wonderful forum members. ;D
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Both of you ... blink and it will be December! I am having to be very organised this year because December is going to be an incredibly hectic month for me.
I loved the one I tried last year, Cranberry Hootycreeks in a Jar ... it was really just the name that got me, but they were lovely cookies regardless. I thought I had put the recipe on here, but it doesn't look like it, so here (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cranberry-Hootycreeks/Detail.aspx?evt19=1&scale=18&ismetric=1)is where you will find them.
I am looking at maybe doing some body scrubs this year. I love the smell of Sistermixin's Wild Orange one, but think I might go for one of the coffee scrubs like this one (http://www.thermomama.com.au/thermomix-coffee-detox-body-scrub/) from thermomama. I am also attracted to wild orange whipped body cream (https://theinspiredlittlepot.wordpress.com/2015/07/22/wild-orange-whipped-body-cream/) by theinspiredlittlepot, but read somewhere that it may go rancid because there are no preservatives in it ... however, for people who go through lots of body creams this sounds very luxurious, or perhaps you could make them into lots of smaller gifts as part of a larger hamper.
To be honest, I have so many ideas whirring around in my brain at the moment I haven't actually started any preparations yet, but I must get onto that soon.
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Wild Orange Whipped Body Cream sounds fantastic. I love body creams, I sometimes wonder why I don't slide out of bed at night. DH sometimes comments 'that one stinks!' Not very often as I don't use highly perfumed ones.
Thanks Marina.
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Tracey and Jo of Sistermixin (http://www.sistermixin.com/flavoured-salts-the-perfect-gift/) have four recipes for flavoured salts and have presented them in very cute containers.
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Looking forward to all the ideas. Not ready for Xmas yet. Better get thinking. Usually make Xmas puds to give to close friends but not this year.
Cookie, thanks for the reminder.
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I'm hosting Christmas this year. I will be modifying all recipes to be Gluten Free, Dairy Free and Soy Free. Many of the recipes are prepared in advance so that the whole family can enjoy the day without worrying too much about cooking and cleaning up. We have a fairly traditional Christmas feast...
*Smoked Turkey Breast from a local smokehouse, Poacher's Pantry (http://www.poacherspantry.com.au/) (we reheat this on the day, so no stress about an underdone turkey!
*Stuffins from Emily Bites (http://www.emilybites.com/2012/11/stuffins-stuffing-muffins.html)
*Jamie Oliver's Get Ahead Gravy (http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/chicken-recipes/get-ahead-gravy/)
*Various baked and steamed vegetables
*Maple Glazed Ham from here (http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/23825/maple+glazed+ham) (picture below)
*Stephanie Alexander's Pavlova with a topping of pomegranite, blueberries, strawberries, mint (picture below)
When ever I'm asked to bring a plate, I usually take
*Chocolate Pistachio Fudge (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=14598.0) (forum recipe) (picture below)
*Christmas Tree Cupcakes using Creamy Vanilla Frosting (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=6722.0) (picture below)
I've included some photos of food I made last year :) I look forward to getting inspiration from everyone else :)
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That's a super effort Jamberie, are you sure it's stress free on the day ;D ;D I used to get stressed even thinking about feeding a mob even thought it always worked out on the day !
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Great idea Cookie. I need some inspiration and motivation :P I have done hampers in the past but probably won't this year. We will be away a lot prior to Christmas.
Wow Jam that is a feast 8)
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Fabulous menu Jamberie :)
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Your meal looks great Jamberie. Our day is always pretty stress free as it is cold food prepared earlier. This year DD is working so I'm not sure about lunch, we may have MIL for lunch and open gifts etc and have a larger meal in the evening with DD. It will be very quiet. I can nap and read in the pm.
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Lovely menu Jamberie - What are you substituting the cream with on the pav?
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Jam, that looks and sounds wonderful.
Michele, maybe Jam could have Cashew cream. Ral and I shared a Chocolate brownie recently at a Paleo cafe. It was served with Cashew cream. The brownie was sweet potato and potato flour based. Delicious.
Small gathering for Xmas this year as DS, DIL and GC will be in Canada skiing. Hope DD will do Xmas.
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Wow jam that's awesome.
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Made an extra pot of Cake Release, which will be a Xmas gift for a friend.
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I made a batch of Tenina's Confit of Garlic. If I do any hampers, this will go in otherwise I'll keep them for my own use.
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I'm thinking of doing that one, but there was a reason I wasn't sure. Can't remember why.
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I love it Sarah and never use ordinary garlic anymore. It keeps in the fridge for ages, perhaps you wondered about that?
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MM has put this (http://www.bakeplaysmile.com/) site up on our FB page, check it out for the gorgeous little marshmallow pops. Non-TMX but some nice recipes there.
You don't need to be a FB member to access our site, just click on the FB symbol which is up the top under Home on the home page.
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I have made my Rum Balls, and I made some ginger rum balls too. ;D
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No food but these are the Chrissy invitations I made for our ward party this year.
This is a mock version - the names, address and phone number is made up but we are having a band and Indian cuisine on the 12th.
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Very pretty Michele.You are clever. :)
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They are indeed, well done Michele and I hope you all have a great time.
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Thankyou girls. They are fairly basic but at the end of the day they will end up in the bin. As we do, otherwise we would be up to pussy's bow in stuff.
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They look great Mich.
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Jamberie that is a wonderful list. Im new to the gf scene as DD has just been diagnosed as Coeliac. With Jamies gravy what would be the substitute for the flour?
Michele, very pretty invitation.
I have a quirky xmas secret cake club to cook for on Sunday and I'm madly trying to come up with something gluten free!!
The menu for family Xmas is on the back burner for the moment.
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Jamberie that is a wonderful list. Im new to the gf scene as DD has just been diagnosed as Coeliac. With Jamies gravy what would be the substitute for the flour?
Michele, very pretty invitation.
I have a quirky xmas secret cake club to cook for on Sunday and I'm madly trying to come up with something gluten free!!
The menu for family Xmas is on the back burner for the moment.
Kea, I use the White Wings gf flour whenever regular flour is called for, it is the best gf flour mix I have found.
The magic bean cake is an excellent gf cake. I never tell people about the beans til after they've eaten it.
Thank you for the kind comments regarding our Christmas menu 😊 apologies for not replying earlier but Tapatalk doesn't like this post because of the emoji in the title :(
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Michele, they look lovely. Even if they end up in the bin , it is nice to receive something pretty.
Kezza , what sort of GF stuff are you looking for. .? With the gravy, potato flour or corn flour may do.
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Gee you drew the short straw Kezza ;) What about the Torta Caprese in the EDC? It has cornflour but that may be GF?
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Made a batch of Peppermint Crisp Fudge today. Don't think it will last till Christmas as we love it!!
Also made the sponge for the base of a Lemon Mousse Cake - Not TM but it's something that we always have Christmas evening. LIght and lovely!
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I made that again today too. I want to make other flavours, but that one is great!
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Thanks Jamberie, Chookie and CP. Ive found a recipe for Champagne Truffles which I think are a bit quirky and Chrissy ! My DD has found a couple of good recipes with quinoa flour we will also use. My DD is gorgeous and Im happy to explore this new gf territory with her. Ill look at the torte recipe too CP for Xmas Day.
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Kezza, there is also the Lemon Feather Cake made with basically eggs and potato flour. The Guilt Free Cookies are GF and make a good nibble. Will post the recipe when I get a moment.
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All I have done so far is to make 8 jars of apricot jam. I make this every year to give to a lovely gentleman who looks after my computer for me.
We have a traditional Christmas dinner here with all the trimmings. It's what the family like so I'm not allowed to change it. :).
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Most years I go crazy and make all sorts of things for hampers for my family, friends and co-workers. This year I've decided not to and all I'm making is 2 or 3 things (like fudge, shortbread and beer chilli peanut brittle - recipe I found on the recipe community). Each person I give to will just get one item. Well that's my plan, hopefully I'm not going to go all silly closer to Xmas and change my mind.
SIL and her family are heading to Sydney for Xmas this year, so the in-laws Xmas meal and present swapping will be at my MIL's a week before Xmas. MIL always asks me to make something for every family gathering (9 times out of 10 I'm asked to make dessert). I'm hoping she'll ask me to bake bread (as I'm currently in a bread baking mood!) but I'll pretty sure I'll be asked to make desserts. If that's the case, I'll make bread and dessert!
Xmas day will be at our house - just Richard and I, my Mum, and MIL and FIL. If it's not hideously hot, we will have a traditional Xmas roast lunch. I'm thinking Chookie's Swedish ice-cream cheesecake for dessert (a great recipe to make in advance).
My sister and her family (husband and 3 kids) who live in Canberra, will probably be in Adelaide at Xmas (I say probably, as they are very disorganised and arrangements will only be confirmed right on Xmas). If they are they will come to our place for a meal on Boxing Day. Richard has suggested we make pizza's on the bbq pizza stones we have - everyone can make their own pizza.
Best thing about Xmas for me - is I get two weeks off work :D
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Sounds like you are all organised Katie.
Three smaller groups sounds good too. Everyone will be pleased with just item as a gift. I love receiving homemade gifts, especially baked goods.
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Katie, that sounds very good. I find people love home made bread. I also am going down the one item track. I saw a simple recipe for making a mix that you spray on fruit and veggies to kill bacteria and removes spray, before you eat them. Can mix it in the TMX and put it in squeeze bottles.
I have just made some of the Macadamia and cheese biscuits for a friend as a Xmas gift. She will be getting them today. Plus a frozen block that she can keep in the freezer and cook when required.
Some other friends will get a dozen, SD crumpets. Frozen.
DS and family are going to Canada for Xmas, Skiing. Ral and I are paying for their Xmas lunch which is being organised by an Aussie already there.
Have another friend who is allergic to nearly every thing except meat , fruit and veggies. Will make him some Raspberry and Muscat jam, recipe from new Tmix+ magazine.
BIL, Gentlemans Relish.
Think that about covers it, I hope.!
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It seems everyone is cutting down this year and I'm all for it. I may buy some tins and fill them with home made biscuits for a few people, I'm giving gift vouchers to family members as it is so much easier than racking my brain to come up with something different. Speaking to a check out operator the other day, a young girl who said her whole family is not giving gifts this year, they're going to donate to charity instead. A Probus friend said they only give a token gift to family and she is going to buy earrings from a local street fair this weekend for her sisters.
There seems to be a complete change in people's attitude this year.
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I thought of making some homemade hampers for everyone but short of time, so no hampers, a store bought hamper and home made cookies for my daughter's day care..
Bought a lot of gifts for my family though as we will be visiting them after almost 3 years...
Last year, I bought gifts for two kids from the Christmas wish tree and just loved that feeling, unfortunately will not be able to do it this year :(
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I will be making biscuits and fudge, perhaps jam too. We give gifts to the children, and token gifts to the adults. I always like to try to make something yummy, but I also stress that they think I'm cheap by not buying items. I don't know what everyone likes, and I don't want to give them something they don't want. My mum gives out scratchies and gift vouchers, but then I stress that they know exactly how much money I allotted them, and that it isn't enough. I'm not working and we're a single income family, so I don't want to spend much. But I'm happy to spend time and energy making things with love.
It all still fills me with terror though, that it won't be received well.
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Sarah, I am a bit like you, unsure and nervous whether people will think I am "cheap" giving them gifts I have made myself, but I give a great deal of thought to what I am making and giving to people and just hope they appreciate it and, if they don't .... well, they don't and that's just their hard luck.
At the moment (and this could change any number of times between now and Xmas) I plan on making wild orange moisturiser, mustard, salted caramel fudge and, perhaps, some kasundi and spicy nuts as well. Everything is quick and easy which is what I need this year due to work load tying me up over the holiday period.
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I agree with all here that people are cutting down this year. Hampers are wonderful but they can work out very costly. I like the idea of your tins for biscuits Judy. Most people like a gift of home made products and if they don't its tough because people put a lot of time and effort into making it. I agree about the vouchers and the recipient knowing how much you spend but most of us are not on large incomes and its the thought that counts.
I have made some chilli jam for a gift but that is all so far. Might go and get some nice tins now; thanks Judy.
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Chookie the spray you mention for veges sounds interesting; have you posted it on here. I have been trying to google the new tmx magazine but don't seem to be putting in the correct words so would love some help please. We were given a couple of bottles of muscat some years ago and as we don't drink it thought I would try the jam. I could also put it on a fruit cake as well.
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Troupie here is the link for the magazine.https://www.tmixplus.com/
It is in the newsagents and costs $19.95.
A few of my hamper recipients are no longer around. :'( :'( :'( This year it is vouchers for family (as usual) and some Strawberry Gin for one lot of friends with some jam and a loaf of SD. This is what they love, and I love to make for them.
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I make homemade food gifts for all my staff at Xmas and they love it. It says 'thank you' in a much more personal way than a box of chocolates. My 81 year old parents also love a home made hamper and look forward to the yummy things that they wouldn't bother to buy or make themselves (even though mum has a TM51!)
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When I get a moment , will post veggie spray recipe.
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To add to my little Christmas hampers, today I've made a kind of clinker Rocky Road, based on this recipe http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=1984.0, and a salted caramel fudge based on this one http://www.recipecommunity.com.au/baking-sweet-recipes/salted-caramel-fudge/163022.
The best bit has been cleaning out the jug after each thing ;)
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2 nice additions to your hampers Sarah.
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I'm planning to make that fudge tomorrow, Sarah. I just discovered that my golden syrup is "maple syrup" flavour, I am hoping this won't make a lot of difference.
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It's absolutely wonderful. I think even if it was a maple flavour, that wouldn't detract from it, it would just be a little bit different. It might become something you're known for!
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Things sound busy at your place Sarah. The fudge sounds lovely.
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You've been busy Sarah, yummy goodies.
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Great additions to your hampers Sarah. 8)
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I've just wrapped up the first lot of hampers. I've made a batch of refrigerator biscuits - choc Orange, walnut and cranberry chocolTe chip. I've also made slated caramel fudge and rosemary salt.
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Well done ES. Next week I will get my act together hopefully.
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It all looks good ES 8)
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I made the fudge last weekend but could not cut it tidily. I kept it in the fridge and used a hot knife then a cold knife but whatever I tried simply made a huge mess. Managed to get some pieces cut and had to toss them in icing sugar beause they were just too sticky to do anything with. Any hints on how to cut fudge would be gratefully received!
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They look good ES. So far I have only made strawberry jam and apricot jam. I'll make a start on the rest next week.
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Lovely hampers ES.
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Think I may have posted my Carrot dip in the wrong spot. Does it matter. .?
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I can move it Chookie.
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Lovely hampers ES.
Marina I don't make fudge very often and I use A recipe from here and it cut well.
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Judy, that would be good if you could shift the Carrot recipe. Thanks,
.I can move it Chookie.
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I made this Fruit Mince about a week ago. It is an orange sort of fruit mince and has Cointreau in it. It smells lovely.
This (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=16857.0) is the link to the recipe.
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It certainly looks moist and delicious Cookie. :)
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Is that your Mum's recipe cookie? Looks very nice.
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Cookie, I was reading that you can make Eccles cakes out of mince. Easier than tarts.
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No Judy it is one I saw in a magazine. I love the idea of making Eccles cakes, especially with this lot of mince as it is quite sticky.
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Here (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=16860.0) is the link to the Christmas Scrolls/buns I made.
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Thanks Cookie, they look delicious.
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Delicious Cookie.You are so clever with bread dough :)
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It's my favourite type of cooking.
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I love the idea of eccles cakes for all my fruit mince (which I love as well). ES your hampers are wonderful.
The spray would be good one day Chookie when you have time.
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I've done some more Christmas cooking - I've made more cranberry and choc chip shortbread and some FODMAP friendly oat, blueberry and choc chip biscuits.
I've also made rocky road with about 400g melted chocolate, a packet of raspberry lollies chopped in half, a packet of marshmallows chopped in half, and 3/4 cup rice bubbles. DS said that it was really good, but would be even better with some popping candy, so I've made another batch with popping candy added.
I made some rum and raisin truffles http://www.bakeplaysmile.com/rum-raisin-truffles/ (http://www.bakeplaysmile.com/rum-raisin-truffles/), FODMAP friendly Ferrero Rocher (but I used macadamia oil instead of coconut oil, and dipped them in dark choc) http://www.shecanteatwhat.com/fodmap-friendly-ferrero-rocher/ (http://www.shecanteatwhat.com/fodmap-friendly-ferrero-rocher/)and some Cointreau and GrandMarnier truffles.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/22/d76cd88bde953c7b055b90a125e8d335.jpg)
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What a wonderful selection of chocolate nibbles Sue.
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Nice cooking ES, those truffles etc look delicious.
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Lovely chocolate selection ES. I think the popping candy would be good too. :D
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This is the only Christmasy thing I've made this year and even then it was only 1/2 quantity. Skinnymixers raw lamington truffles, tasty little morsels. http://skinnymixers.com.au/skinnymixers-raw-lamington-truffle/
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Oh yum!! All these tasty morsels look delicious.Great cooking Sue and Judy.
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Judy, they certainly are tasty, I've made those a few times.
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Mmmmm lovely food. I made a few more fruit mince tarts. I had some lovely buttery pastry left from the quiche the other night. It made up beautifully for them.
I now have a stollen rising.
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Lovely treats ladies.
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I like the look of those lamington truffles, Judy, I think I will just have to make some some time very soon.
I was tossing up making the wild orange whipped body cream by theinspiredlittlepot (see page 1 of this thread) but wasn't sure whether I would or not. In the end I did and was really pleased. It took a while to cool down before the final whipping but it turned out very well - it is a beautiful, soft body moisturiser (in summer, anyway, in winter it will be firmer) and a pleasure to use. I had a little left over which I kept for myself ... a little goes a long way!
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It sounds well worth the effort Marina. I use sorbelene myself but only because my dermatologist said so. This would be nice and natural so I may give it a try.
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Beautiful food everyone.
After extensive taste testing, the tamari almonds have been pronounced delish and suitable for gifts ;D This is all the Christmas cooking I have done so far. Today is going to be busy :P
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Djinni, those nuts look yummy
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I like and understand the 'extensive testing.,' Merry Christmas Djinni.
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Thank you Cookie and right back at you :)
Lol the testing was rigorous. I can't stop eating them :P
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Lol the testing was rigorous. I can't stop eating them :P
We must all make these sacrifices from time to time, I admire your fortitude!