Christmas!

IT'S CHRISTMAS SOON.

I adore Christmas.


I tend to go a little crazy around this time. Christmas has always been a huge deal in my family, my wonderful Mum spoilt us rotten and we usually celebrate the most over the top Christmas for the whole month, we do carols, ridiculous feasts, lights and the most horrendous t-shirts we can find. I love it all. I'm having my very first Christmas away from my family, i usually fly to Melbourne and spend it with them for a few days. This year I'm Christmas with Spomes family, then our friends are all meeting back at our place in the evening (hopefully laden with plates of left overs from their lunches) and we will all eat, drink and generally fall into a comfortable Christmas coma.

For gifts this year I'm trying to make a little something for everyone, I've been stocking up the fridge and cupboards with as much produce that can fit in our house. Yesterday marked the first day of my Christmas extravaganza.



The grand haul, Kitten not included in the purchases.


For the next few posts I'll be going through all the deliciousness that i make and also how to make it.

Here is quick list of maybes.


Easy Spiced Apple and Onion Chutney.
Cranberry and Orange Preserve.
Roma Tomato and Onion Relish.
Apple Butter.
Cinnamon Apple Jelly.
Store cupboard Chutney.
Lavender Jelly.
Green Tea and Lime Jelly.
Spicy Chili Fudge.
Cherry Chocolate Fudge.
Peppermint fudge.
Lemon Shortbread
Christmas Cake.


and maybe some Plum and Cinnamon Jam.
(If i have the time!)

Wish me Luck! Let the countdown begin.

Spicy Savory Muffins.

Spicy Lamb and Cheese Muffins.




I knocked these babies up yesterday when i realised i had way too much cheese in my fridge and only a few more days to eat it. They are such a simple muffin to make and packed with flavour and that extra spicy kick, great for a bit of a change in the lunchbox. The great thing about them is you can pretty much use whatever savoury ingredients are left in the fridge, I've made bacon and spinach ones and also a four cheese and leek variety. Delicious.


Ingredients

50gm butter
1/2 red onion, finely diced
360gm plain flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tsp cayenne pepper
250gm grated cheese (I used Gruyere, Cheddar, Gouda and some Red Leicester)
220ml milk
1 egg
103gm baby spinach leaves, roughly chopped
500gm lamb mince
salt, pepper and some dried rosemary
2 tbs pesto

(Makes 12 giant muffins)



Here's what i did.



Preheat oven to 180.
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, fry the onions until soft, remove from pan and set aside for later.
Add lamb mince to the warm pan, brown and season with salt, pepper and rosemary to taste then set aside with onion.

Put the flour, baking powder, cayenne and cheese into a large bowl and combine.
In a jug, whisk the milk and egg together and slowly pour into the flour mixture. (I used a wooden spoon and the mixture is way too thick for any sort of whisk or electric mixer)

Once the ingredients are combined (in a sticky mess) add the pesto, onion, mince and spinach and mix.

Spoon the mixture into paper cases and bake in the oven for around 30 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a skewer comes out clean.
Let them cool on a rack and store in the fridge.

I recommend eating them slightly warm (fifteen seconds in the microwave) with a nice dollop of butter or cream cheese.




Keep away from curious kittens.