Christmas Baking/Cooking Inspiration: What are you making this year?

I feel so inadequate, I have baked nothing this year at all! I was going to make some kind of cake for Xmas day but then when I got to Tesco it seemed a lot easier just to buy a frozen raspberry brulee cheesecake! My excuse is the lights in our kitchen have been out and only got fixed yesterday. For our lunch on Xmas day, the boys will have a stuffed turkey joint and I am having a nut roast. Served with roast potatoes, yorkshire pud, roast butternnut, green beans and carrots. And of course gravy, for which my secret ingredient is kallo garlic stock cubes.

ps I STILL can't bring myself to watch Nigella, I have not got over her father's reign of destruction in the 80s. 

I feel so inadequate, I have baked nothing this year at all! I was going to make some kind of cake for Xmas day but then when I got to Tesco it seemed a lot easier just to buy a frozen raspberry brulee cheesecake! My excuse is the lights in our kitchen have been out and only got fixed yesterday. For our lunch on Xmas day, the boys will have a stuffed turkey joint and I am having a nut roast. Served with roast potatoes, yorkshire pud, roast butternnut, green beans and carrots. And of course gravy, for which my secret ingredient is kallo garlic stock cubes.

ps I STILL can't bring myself to watch Nigella, I have not got over her father's reign of destruction in the 80s. 

Yes, but you have an excuse for not baking!!  Don't feel guilty at all!!

I find I can't watch Nigella very often.  She is so incredibly pretentious. And the sounds of the food slopping into the dishes gets a bit tiresome after a while.

ps I STILL can't bring myself to watch Nigella, I have not got over her father's reign of destruction in the 80s. 

she cant be blamed for the sins of the father!     

(i love her! )

This year's Christmas Day menu includes:

Glazed Ham
Buttered sprouts with pancetta
Creamy mash with roasted garlic
Steamed broccoli & carrots
Mature cheddar & onion pudding

For afters ...

Orange & chocolate cake with custard
Panettone & custard
Assorted Christmas cookies

here we go!  i use trex instead of shortening and it works fine. 

miuncemeat drop cookies

.5 cup shortening
.5 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup mincemeat
1.5 cup plain flour
.5 teaqspon baking soda
.25 teaspon salt

cream shortening.  gradually add sugar, beating at max speed w/electric mixer till light and fluffy.  add egg, beat well.  add mincement, mix well.  combine flour, soda and salt, stir into creamed mixture.

drop by teaspoonful on cooking sheets aqnd back at 350 (i use 180 w/fan-assisted over) for 16-18 mins.

i originally made these to get more fruit into stubborn toddler, but they're such a hit i do them lots!

I told DH about these and he insists i make them.  He loves anything mincemeat!  Thanks for posting this!