A Christmas tradition....

Each year we gather in my Mum's kitchen to

"STIR THE PUD"

It's part of our family's Christmas Tradition

( Even if you aren't able to be there physically -

you "stir the pud" by proxy - usually over the phone )

My Mum makes her family's recipe for her boiled ( in calico)

Christmas Pudding

~ complete with 7 threepences and 2 sixpences ~

which, when found you must return in exchange for modern

currency so that the tradition can continue next year!

( I should also add at this point - that one of the steps in the recipe

calls for a couple of tablespoons of Guinness.... now, my Mum is

a HUGE fan of Guinness 

 [ and not solely for medicinal purposes either!!]

This year, she [proudly] declared that you can't just buy

a four pack of cans of Guinness any more -

so she HAD to buy a six pack!!!!!

Maybe that's her secret for looking so good at nearly 80!)

 

We each take a turn of making a wish

as we stir the coins into the pudding mixture

I was first this year

It was great to see Finn so actively involved and excited

- he was keen to learn the little verse that MUST be recited

as we stir....

Nanny helped him

 "I wish, I wish,my wish comes true....

I wish, I wish the same to you!"

I can't wait to continue this tradition

and hope that it will continue through the generations

What are your family traditions

at Christmas time ?

Danni xx



Insta-cookies

I know it's not April.

I know it's not ANZAC Day.

But

The Big Cheese requested that I make some of his all time favourite cookies.
I hadn't made them since high school, but thought I'd give them a go.
So I Googled : Chewy ( a requirement - apparently) Anzac Cookie recipes and took pot luck ( there were soooo many to choose from)
These weren't bad - they got the thumbs up from the Big Cheese and I guess that's the main thing... but I think I can do better....

 I documented the experiment using Instagram App because the photos are SO much more forgiving than real life ( and I think they look pretty!)

Ok... tools at the ready

My rare, high-tech and very impressive sifting device

The dry ingredients

I just LOVED the moment the BiCarb hit the butter

and golden syrup melting in the saucepan -

like a volcano erupting, it looked so cool

This....

Became this.....

They smelt so good but at this stage I had visions of

them all melting into one giant tray of cookie!

Voila!

Maybe not quite as "chewy" as requested

Of Course someone had to be the taste-tester

Lest we forget.

Danni xx