Here is a link for you to make your own mince pies.
If you don’t have time to make your own, don’t worry, you will be able to buy these at the local grocery store as well.
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Mincepies
Here is a link for you to make your own mince pies.
If you don’t have time to make your own, don’t worry, you will be able to buy these at the local grocery store as well.
Mill Road Winter Fair
I was not sure what to expect but when I got there, it was busy, the restaurants had food stalls in front and I couldn't resist having a burger from the steakhouse which I didn't know existed (it was great!). There were so many craft stalls so a great place to buy some Christmas gifts. There were choirs and dancing. A real celebration!
They had a parade and it was amasing to see how this community came together to put this on. You often think that Cambridge lacks a sense of community like the villages have but this is proof that it even it exists here.
Christmas Pudding
Traditionally Christmas Pudding is served on Christmas day but made weeks in advance and fed regularly with alcohol which allows the flavours to develop. Why don't you try to bring in this tradition to your home and make a Christmas Pudding. Make it a few weeks in advance! Alternatively you can buy one from the grocery store. Here is a recipe on how to make your own:
Preparation time: 1-2 hours/Cooking time: over 2 hours/Serves 6-8
Ingredients
- 225g/8oz golden caster sugar
- 225g/8oz vegetarian suet
- 340g/12oz sultanas
- 340g/12oz raisins
- 225g/8oz currants
- 110g/4oz candied peel, chopped
- 110g/4oz plain flour
- 110g/4oz fresh white breadcrumbs
- 55g/2oz flaked almonds
- 1 lemon, zest only
- 5 eggs, beaten
- 1 evel tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 level tsp mixed spice
- 5g/1 level tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- pinch of salt
- 150ml/5fl oz brandy or rum
- Lightly grease 2x1.2 litre/2 pint pudding basins (glass bowl.
- Mix all the dry ingredients and stir in the eggs and brandy and mix well.
- Spoon the mix into basins. Put a circle of baking paper and foil over the top of each basin and tie securely with string. Make a string handle from one side of the basin to the other so it is easier to pick the basin out of the pan after cooking.
- Put the basins in a large steamer of boiling water and cover with a lid. Boil for 5-6 hours, topping the boiling water up from time to time, if necessary. If you do not have a steamer, put the basins in a large pan on inverted saucers on the base. Pour in boiling water to come a third of the way up the sides of the pudding bowls. Cover and steam as before.
- Cool. Change the baking parchment and foil covers for fresh ones and tie up as before. Store in a cool cupboard until Christmas Day.
- To serve: steam for 2 hours and serve with brandy butter, rum sauce, cream or homemade custard.
Enjoy!
Thankful for the Markets
I don't really use the markets as much as I should. I am currently taking part in a course called, Carbon Conversations, so that I can reduce the amount of carbon I contribute, I know I am just one person but I want to do my bit. Buying local food not only reduces the distance you food travels, but then you can eat foods that are in season and help out the local farms and business people, sounds like a win-win to me!
I am very fortunate that Cambridge has their market everyday of the week. I went last week to get my bits for Thanksgiving (yup, I still celebrate it) and really got some good fresh vegetables. I was trying to make a pumpkin pie but I have two problems, one- you can't get the pumpkin pie filling in the can and two- I am allergic to milk and soya so I couldn't have it if I can get it. So I initially was going to try it with butternut squash but they had cooking pumpkins (suggested by the stall holder). I like that being able to talk to someone which seems rare in today's world when you need some help. It turned out okay but its not the same but I wouldn't expect it to be most dairy-free recipes are close but never exactly the same. The good thing is all my guests were British so they didn't know what it should taste like:)
I got my other bits and had bought the turkey from the local butcher. Who was very knowledgeable and has helped me to cook two perfect turkeys.
Where I work now, they have bus that will take you into the centre of town at lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I get off early on Fridays so I think I might have to make using the markets a more regular things.
That way I can know that not only am I reducing my carbon footprint, helping out the locals but I am getting good food that is very fresh.
So maybe you can't make it every week, but do try to use the local markets for your fruit and vegetables. I think that they are also cheaper than what you will get in the supermarkets and definitely fresher than the produce you will find on base.
I am very fortunate that Cambridge has their market everyday of the week. I went last week to get my bits for Thanksgiving (yup, I still celebrate it) and really got some good fresh vegetables. I was trying to make a pumpkin pie but I have two problems, one- you can't get the pumpkin pie filling in the can and two- I am allergic to milk and soya so I couldn't have it if I can get it. So I initially was going to try it with butternut squash but they had cooking pumpkins (suggested by the stall holder). I like that being able to talk to someone which seems rare in today's world when you need some help. It turned out okay but its not the same but I wouldn't expect it to be most dairy-free recipes are close but never exactly the same. The good thing is all my guests were British so they didn't know what it should taste like:)
I got my other bits and had bought the turkey from the local butcher. Who was very knowledgeable and has helped me to cook two perfect turkeys.
Where I work now, they have bus that will take you into the centre of town at lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I get off early on Fridays so I think I might have to make using the markets a more regular things.
That way I can know that not only am I reducing my carbon footprint, helping out the locals but I am getting good food that is very fresh.
So maybe you can't make it every week, but do try to use the local markets for your fruit and vegetables. I think that they are also cheaper than what you will get in the supermarkets and definitely fresher than the produce you will find on base.
Whitby
This year Jon and I both had a few days left of holiday to use and for whatever reason, I got Whitby in my head, so that is where we headed.
Whitby is about a 4 hour drive from Cambridge. It is located up in Yorkshire and is along the coast. Its a lovely little sleepy coastal town with the river lined with lobster traps.
Whitby was a monastery in the 7th Century and you can see the beautiful Whitby Abbey on top of the hill looking down on the town. The abbey allows dogs on leads and is an English Heritage property. It inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula. You might be surprised to learn that this is also known as the English Gothic capital. At the top of the 199 steps is a church. I thought it was very unique because the pews were like boxes and had names of places on them, worth a visit before or after the abbey.
You can also buy a lucky ducky from the Whitby Lucky Duck shop as recommended to me by Jane. It also asks that if you do win something after buying this duck to let them know and you will be sent a presentation duck.
A lot of the cafes and pubs allow dogs in them which was nice for us as it rained everyday except the last day we were there!
Another attraction is the Magpie Cafe. My friend said that during the summer time there are queues to get into this place but lucky for us, it wasn't as busy in the winter. I have a milk allergy and had decided when I saw the lobster traps here, I had to have some. I asked them if they could make it without butter, and they did, when restaurants do this and make me feel comfortable, I always have to mention them. I do write them and let them know how much it means to me.
I have to mention the lovely cottage that we stayed in whilst we were here. It was an 1th century cottage with steps leading down to the main street. It allowed dogs and was walking distance to everything, we didn't drive at all while we were here. Whitby is also a great launching place to stay in and venture to nearby villages.
Looking to get away, here is a great option!
Christmas Eve at Kings' College
Jane and I went to the service in 2011. We got there around 8 am and were able to get in. There was a lovely couple who were in line in front of us and they do it every year. If the waiting puts you off, it went by very quickly and the atmosphere was lovely. There are toilets and a cafe on the grounds. We brought little stools to sit on and blankets to wrap up and there are facilities to put these aside during the service. One thing that we learned was when it snowed in 2010 there were a lot of empty seats because people would not wait in that weather so if you think you might not make it in, it is worth going to see how long the line is. They will not admit more people than the chapel can hold.
If you would like to be a part of this you will need to join the line at King's College Chapel via main gate on King's Parade, the earlier (no earlier than 7:30 a.m. you get there the more likely you will get in (they say usually people who queue by 9 a.m. will get in). You won't be let in until 1:30 p.m. and the service starts at 3 p.m. This is not suitable for young children.
For more information, go here.
Hope to see you there!
Christmas Traditions
- My family has crackers (filled with paperhats, toys and jokes and you pull both ends until they pop!) on Christmas that we open by holding the end of one cracker and pulling your neighbor's end. We wear the hats that come in the crackers until the end of the Queen's Christmas Broadcast. The cracker was designed by Thomas J. Smith in London in 1847.
- England is a Christian country. Families go to midnight mass or to church on Christmas morning to celebrate the birth of Christ and many churches hold carol services.
- Most families eat their Christmas dinner in the early afternoon and have a light meal in the evening on Christmas.
- A Christmas meal usually consists of roast turkey, roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts, gravy, cranberries and bread sauce. Afterwards they will have Christmas pudding and mince pies.
- They don't say "Happy Holidays" here, they say "Merry Christmas".
- They send Christmas cards too. Which were commission by Sir Henry Cole in London in 1843 which came to America in 1875.
- It is bad luck to have your Christmas tree up past the 5th of January. The Christmas tree comes from 15th century Livonia (Estonia and Latvia). The Christmas tree became popular in England in 1841. Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, bought on from Germany and it was illustrated in a newspaper with them standing around it wither their children. The Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square is provided by Norway since 1947 to say thank you for the support in WWII.
- They believe in Santa but call him Father Christmas. He wears a red suit but in Victorian and Tudor times he wore a green suit. Father Christmas started creeping up in Victorian times along with cards. The concept of Santa originates from Turkey. The children leave mince pies and brandy for Father Christmas and a carrot for the reindeer.
- Christmas stockings became popular in 1870. Coins are usually found in the bottom of the stockings because Father Christmas used to drop coins down the chimney and the stockings would catch them.
- Christmas Eve Superstitions
o
An old wives' tale says that bread baked on
Christmas Eve will never go mouldy.
o
At midnight, a certain rose slowly opens and
re-closes its petals to salute the birthday of Jesus.
o
Also at midnight, all the sheep in the fields
turn and bow towards the East.
Mincepies
Here is a link for you to make your own mince pies.
If you don’t have time to make your own, don’t worry, you will be able to buy these at the local grocery store as well.
Hampton Court
This is a property that you can spend at least 5 hours at so plan for it. It is bigger than any other property I have ever been to, so allow yourself enough time to take it all in.
Hampton Court was originally built for Cardinal Wolsey (Henry VIII's adviser during his divorce to his first wife, Catherine of Aragon), but he offered this to the king when he fell out of favour with him. Catherine Howard (5th wife) married Henry VIII and was later arrested here before being sent to the Tower of London for beheading. Hampton Court was extended when William III and Mary took they over the monarchy and luckily they ran out of money when they extended it because their intentions were to tear down the existing palace.
I really liked this property and wished that we arrived a lot earlier because towards the end it became a bit rushed. I love the mix of Tudor and Baroque styles. My favourite is the chimneys, they are all different. They have audio tour guides that take you around the various places. My suggestion of order is Young Henry VIII's story, Henry VIII's kitchen, Henry VIII's apartments, William III apartments and finally the Georgian Private Apartments.
This is a property that is a must-see. Make sure you go here during your time here. It gives a great overview of history and is well worth a visit.
Pantomime
Around Christmas, people go to pantomimes. These are plays that from an outsider looking in is a bit weird but I love going to them. They began in the 19th century.
The audience is expected to participate such as booing when the bad guys come out. The main characters are a woman playing a man's role and man playing a woman's role "Pantomime Dame".
This is a great thing to bring the children to, they will have loads of fun!
Why not check out what Pantomimes are going on around here?
The audience is expected to participate such as booing when the bad guys come out. The main characters are a woman playing a man's role and man playing a woman's role "Pantomime Dame".
This is a great thing to bring the children to, they will have loads of fun!
Why not check out what Pantomimes are going on around here?
- Cambridge Arts Theatre
- Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds
- Nomads Theatre in Newmarket
Christmas Pudding
Preparation time: 1-2 hours/Cooking time: over 2 hours/Serves 6-8
Ingredients
- 225g/8oz golden caster sugar
- 225g/8oz vegetarian suet
- 340g/12oz sultanas
- 340g/12oz raisins
- 225g/8oz currants
- 110g/4oz candied peel, chopped
- 110g/4oz plain flour
- 110g/4oz fresh white breadcrumbs
- 55g/2oz flaked almonds
- 1 lemon, zest only
- 5 eggs, beaten
- 1 level tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 level tsp mixed spice
- 5g/1 level tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- pinch of salt
- 150ml/5fl oz brandy or rum
- Lightly grease 2x1.2 litre/2 pint pudding basins (glass bowl.
- Mix all the dry ingredients and stir in the eggs and brandy and mix well.
- Spoon the mix into basins. Put a circle of baking paper and foil over the top of each basin and tie securely with string. Make a string handle from one side of the basin to the other so it is easier to pick the basin out of the pan after cooking.
- Put the basins in a large steamer of boiling water and cover with a lid. Boil for 5-6 hours, topping the boiling water up from time to time, if necessary. If you do not have a steamer, put the basins in a large pan on inverted saucers on the base. Pour in boiling water to come a third of the way up the sides of the pudding bowls. Cover and steam as before.
- Cool. Change the baking parchment and foil covers for fresh ones and tie up as before. Store in a cool cupboard until Christmas Day.
- To serve: steam for 2 hours and serve with brandy butter, rum sauce, cream or homemade custard.
Enjoy!
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