You would think that after the stollen incident I would have learned that this is not the season to experiment and try new recipes... but you'd be wrong! Every year I make Delia's Cranberry and Orange Relish to accompany our Christmas lunch. It is tart, spicy and everyone likes it. But this year I fancied a change and made Nigella's "Redder than Red Cranberry Sauce"
Well it is certainly red... but oh so sweet and sickly! The book says "if you find it too sweet, which is unlikely, just spritz in some lemon". I put in the juice of a whole lemon and it was still far too sweet. I've made cranberry jam! So there was nothing for it but to start again and go back to the tried and trusted recipe, which has more cranberries but less than half the amount of sugar. Much better!
But all was not lost and the cranberry jam came to the rescue. The mince pies have all been eaten and the mincemeat is all used up so instead I used the cranberry jam with the almond mince pie recipe...
And have made cranberry almond pies which have been declared a success.
Although the glitter may have been a step to far.
(My excuse is I get excited this time of year)
I'll be back tomorrow for one last post before Christmas for those of you who have stuck with me throughout December... although I rather suspect there are less of you now than at the beginning of the month!
Your mince pies look delicious - I must try the recipe!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Good use of the jam! I think at this time of year a bit of bling on your pastry is allowed. You've done very well posting every day, I was going to try and comment every day but fear I missed a few, but I have read them all!
ReplyDeleteOh no, we are still with you every step of the way! And these look absolutely delish!
ReplyDeleteAt this time of year Gina, glitter is never a step too far!! :)
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Those pies look gorgeous. As I'm bound to have some cranberry relish left over I think I might try making some after the big day. Have a great Christmas.
ReplyDeleteGlitter is seldom a step too far, and never at Christmas! Tasty looking pies...
ReplyDeleteI'm still here! Glad you rescued the cranberry sauce - I hate wasting things too. You are the second person who has been disappointed by a Nigella recipe - we'd better all stick to good old Delia!!
ReplyDeleteThose pies look so good I want to go and eat one of mine now.
Still reading. And another vote for cranberries that are not forced into icky sweet suits!!
ReplyDeleteStill here, just! Those cranberry and almond pies sound lovely
ReplyDeleteYou must live in a different sort of time zone to me, one with twice the number of hours at least! I did make a Nigella jam of my own today, though - chilli jam. It's hot, but very sweet. I'll solve the problem of what to do with it by giving it away!
ReplyDeleteGina, if you keep up this delicious display of your Christmas baking and invention, I am going to have to see if I can hitchhike over to your house in Santa's sleigh tomorrow night!
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas! xo
I'm still here Gina living vicariously through your culinary experiments. Now you've proved it that Delia is the queen of Christmas although I love watching Nigella in action and always wonder what the electric bill must be like after Christmas with all those lights. Still, I suspect she does not worry about that one iota. Roll on Day 24!!
ReplyDeleteI'm still here too Gina. Oooh I can smell the cooking from here as well. Probably because I've been making caramelised oranges this morning. Doesn't the kitchen smell wonderful at Christmas.
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