I spent the best part of the day in the kitchen yesterday, one of my favourite places to be. I had Christmas carols and songs playing in the background which made for a great seasonal experience. The pandemic has made us rethink what is important at this time of year and to this end Christmas has been toned down considerably. Food will still play an important role so I made a start and enjoyed the process.
Mince pies, sausage rolls and cranberry and walnut scones.
All ready for the freezer to be pulled out when needed. I also mixed up some cookie dough ready to pull out when we want it.
I went on to make some mini meat loaves, two of which were used for our dinner last night. They were so tasty and it is a comfort to know that there are more in the freezer.
We had the meatloaf with root vegetable mash, (carrot/swede/parsnip/potato) and kale, it was so tasty.
It is the time of year for hot chocolate so I made some hot chocolate spoons, another one of our traditions. It is so nice to be a little decadent at this time of year.
Some topped with mini marchmallows, some with crushed candy cane. I enjoy both...
Whilst the chocolate was out I made some little chocolate gingerbread men and candy canes to use as toppers either for some cupcakes or to use to add to the gingerbread house. Another tradition, usually made on Christmas eve.
My apologies for the quality of the photos but I think you get the idea of it. I also had the bread maker going to use a packet bread mix I had in that was nearing its best before date. We don't usually eat much white bread but it was all I could get when we were in lockdown earlier in the year.
Have you made a start on your baking or do you prefer to buy it all? There are some great bakeries about I do wonder if it is worth all the effort, but I do enjoy the process.
Thank you all for your visit to the blog and your uplifting comments. Take care and stay safe.
See you soon.
You have been really busy preparing food for the freezer. The meat loaves look beautiful. Love the chocolate gingerbread men and candy canes.
ReplyDeleteWell, you have motivated me. We are not having our usual family gatherings this year, and I was contemplating baking and doing a few porch drops. I am just now making out a meal list for Christmas for just the 4 of us.
ReplyDeleteIt all looks so delicious. The mini meat loaves is such a nice idea and the chocolate spoons for hot chocolate. I've never heard of this idea. You have inspired me to do the same.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas.
Thelma.
I usually enjoy the proc s as well. I have now decided to do a small amount of baking.
ReplyDelete*process*
DeleteAll those goodies look delicious. I've been baking in smaller batches this year. In fact, I've just enjoyed a gingerbread cookie with my mug of hot blackcurrant. X
ReplyDeleteYou're going to be eating well over Christmas. I think part of baking your own goodies is the joy you get out of it so definitely worth doing.
ReplyDeleteThat all looks scrummy. I'm not sure what to do about baking this year as there will only be two of us at home and one of us doesn't like anything containing dried fruit so it hardly seems worth it just for me. However, I like the idea of a gingerbread house and I think he might eat that, so perhaps I could do that next week. I've never done it before but I really fancy it. x
ReplyDeleteEverything looks delicious !!!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice evening !
Anna
I make all our cookies,I only have 3 different kinds made. I am "considering" making angel wings. An endeavor for me. My Mom used to make them and my MIL every year.
ReplyDeleteps....all of your goodies and meals look very good, and time saving is such a wonderful idea for this time of year especially.
ReplyDeleteMouthwatering warmness. I love your drinking chocolate idea my girls would love to make those. I have done pigs in blankets and gray which is all tucked away in the freezer. Jo x
ReplyDeleteI doubt I will be baking much but I will bake something! I agree that food is a big part of this simplified Christmas :)
ReplyDeleteI usually bake a bit and plan on making a few things this weekend but since it will only be me and one friend for Christmas I have bought a few things rather than have too much hanging around.
ReplyDeleteI must try those scones!
That all looks so good. You will be eating well. I used to bake about 20 different kinds of treats and cookies when the children were home. Dennis took platters of cookies to work every week and I gave them out to the neighbors. I've gradually made less and less since it's just the two of us and so many don't seem to want sweets anymore.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to bake a few things this year but although I have three ovens in the RV, none bake very well.
Alex's fiance brought us mince pies last year and they were SO good. I would like to try my hand at them someday when I have a good oven again.
I hope you have a wonderful and blessed day Lorraine.
Blessings and love,
Betsy
Wow, you continue to amaze me. It all looks lovely...
ReplyDeleteOh My...everything looks wonderful. I prefer baking my own sweets and find that often bought goodies look great but sometimes disappoint. I am less motivated when it comes to savoury foods but I do manage to put supper on the table every day. I wonder if my DH would like me to make some mini meatloaves similar to yours?
ReplyDeleteYou have definitely been busy in the kitchen. I like to bake, but I don't love cooking. I like those mini meatloaves to have in the freezer. I do that every once in while for my mother.
ReplyDeleteI like baking, but don't do it often as I am the only one to eat it. That's dangerous! I like the idea of wrapping meatloaf with bacon...sounds so flavorful. Keep having happy times in the kitchen!
ReplyDeleteYour home must smell divine with all those beautiful baked goods. I enjoy baking very much, but have been on a low carb diet for two years. I will be making Christmas cookies for the family and a few low carb treats as well.
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing all the goodies you've made.. oh those chocolates! We bake some things and buy some things but I can attest, the homemade is best, no comparison. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDelete❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
*M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
Scrumptious!
ReplyDeleteAll of these are stunning! Best homemade food prepared with love😊 I have to try these chocolate spoons too, very nice idea!
ReplyDeleteI think I put on a few kgs only by looking at your pictures !! I have never baked cookies, although it is the use in Germany that you have to make your Christmas cookies yourself. My mother was good in it ! My hubby is not a fan of cookies and I neither so it was never worthwhile to bake ! The only thing I do is baking bread but with a machine ! I have no Christmas feelings at all ! The lockdown makes us all sick !
ReplyDeleteYour baking always looks so delicious. I made a few mince pies last week and the pudding is done too:)
ReplyDeleteYum.
ReplyDeleteI have been told by Harvey no more baking (except I could make another tray of the bars we both love). However I plan on making some gingersnaps.
God bless.
Your time in the kitchen has resulted in some delicious looking food. Yes, I bake all of our cookies. I have most of them tucked away in the freezer now, but plan to do another batch of shortbread. It will be just the two of us here at home, but I plan to drop off baking treats at our children's homes.
ReplyDeleteI have baked some cookies the past few weeks, but only enough for us to enjoy several while watching a holiday movie in the evening. None will be going in the freezer. Those mini meatloaves looked so good and your must have a very large freezer to store them all, along with the baked goods. How nice to have such treats when you need them. Lorraine.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of chocolate spoons! I would have to make these during our Winter time though as they would melt rapidly during our Summer christmas times. Meg🎄
ReplyDeleteEverything looks so good :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan