Happy Cheesemas!

Anybody who knows me well, knows I love cheese and the festive period is the perfect excuse to get involved with the smelly stuff. My Auntie Sue puts on a particular great selection with the help of Marks and Spencers and my nan's homemade redcurrent jelly.

Family Christmas Dinner

Oh, it was good! I better start exercising it off now it is January!

Reinvention of the Mince Pie

After watching Jamie and Gennaro making these mince pie's on 'Jamie'e Best Ever Christmas' my Sister gave them a go. I LOVE mince pies but I would say these are nicer.

Because the mincemeat is rolled within a puff pastry to make a sausage roll you get a little bit of each in every mouthful.

Then the slices of mine meat and puff pastry are placed in filo 'cups' which give you a nice crunch.

If you fancy giving it a go then you can find out everything you need to know here.

Pre-Christmas Dinner

I know I have been a bit quiet for a week or two on the blog but I am going to blame all the snow we had over the festive period.... oh and the fact I have been too busy eating and drinking!

Before Christmas we decided to have a friends pre-Christmas 'full trimmings but pork Christmas' dinner. On the day we all woke to a winter wonderland which nearly scuppered our plans! But through tube delays, a foot or two of snow and buses not turning up we all made it.

My friends Hayley and Chris hosted and we all brought a different course, see the earlier pate post!

The table was beautifully laid 'a la Hayley' and we started with mulled wine, a snowball fight, snowman (and snowrabbit) making. We then got stuck into the chicken and orange pate, followed by the best butternut squash soup I have ever made. We broke up the first starter and main course with some champagne and secret santa pressies! Chris then did us proud with dinner serving five different cuts of pig! Followed by Debbie's yummy pudding selection and Louise brought the cheese. We played Kranium and the boys cheated making it feel like a perfect Christmas day!

Hangover cure - The Scottie's Sausage Sandwich

After a very drunken Christmas party last night the only thing to sort out the hangover is a sausage sandwich from a family-run Italian cafe around the corner from my work called Scottie's.

Apparently their busiest day is always the day after our work Christmas party as everyone stops off on the way into work to help make the day more bearable!

I ♥ Mince Pies

So far Co-op Luxury Mince Pies are the winners of 'Best Mince Pie of 2010' but I think these homemade ones may beat them. Sean on pastry duty, and me on filling and baking.

Let the Festive Feasting Commence

It's only three weeks until so My Sister's 'Christmas Pudding Cupcakes' marks the start of the festive feasting. Hopefully will make another appearance before Christmas Day :-)