Who has started Christmas shopping already?

Another thing about early shopping. Every year I get enthused by the latest Christmas treats (especially Lidl's offers). I stash them in a cupboard in the hall, vowing to leave them alone. Within hours, they sprout voices like Alice's fantasies - 'try me' 'eat me' 'drink me.' Each year I succumb, then have to buy the greater part again. This year I've, so far, I've bought a tin of chocolates, a bottle of Napoleon brandy, made Rowan jelly for the turkey and raspberry jam for jam tarts. But those persistent voices . Anyone have similar experiences? Any ideas to prevent?

Why prevent? Just enjoy in moderation

We are already on our second tin of chocolates, M&S big mix, they are so good. My husband eats most of them. I just have a couple every now and then.

I have a picture of homemade jam tarts in my head now.

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Lonehare12 said:

I have a picture of homemade jam tarts in my head now.

apple pies - I've discovered the secret is arrowroot to thicken the juices and prevent 'soggy bottoms.'

Lonehare12 said:

I have a picture of homemade jam tarts in my head now.

apple pies - I've discovered the secret is arrowroot to thicken the juices and prevent 'soggy bottoms.'

Thanks Marianne72 

Nah, not a fan of cranberries.

I've tried Tesco ready made pastry and didn't like it.

I was thinking of cook books and programs earlier and strating a thread on them, you've beaten me to it, lol.

I've got my own recipe book, of recipes I've collected ovr the years, it's the only thing my son wants to inherit.

I think my favourite tv chef, was Keith Floyd, I learnt so much from watchng him and reading his books.

ah, arrowroot must be horrible that way but it's very fine texture and makes great sauces. I use egg in shortcrust sometimes, not always. I always use Tesco ready-made puff. I've got an injury to both shoulders so find it difficult to manoeuvre anything that has to be hand made. Nut roast Wellington sounds great - adding cranberries is nice for Christmas. I love cranberries in anything. Sainsbury have fresh and frozen in stock.

The best cookbooks are Good Housekeeping :

The Baking Book - all cakes, puds, dough etc

Cookery -everything else 

These have all the basic recipes, fully illustrated. At a few pounds for second hand Amazon copies, a bargain. 

happy cooking  

Euwwww, arrow root, I remember my Nan feeding me arrow root porridge for a squitty botty when I was small, it was horrible!

I do make my own puff pastry, I quite often make a nut roast wellington for xmas dinner and it would cost me a bomb to buy enough puff pastry to cover it and the sheets are quite small. I'm not a fan of the taste of the shop bought ones either, where do you get yours from?

Here's a bit of controvercy, do you use an egg yolk in your shortcrust pastry? I never do, just water, I did try binding it with an egg yolk once and found the dough to be sticky and hard to work.

Okay, I may try to make my own. I'll do a bit of research on it. 

Thank you 

Enjoy your apple pies!! BTW

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Depends how much energy I have. These were Tesco shortcrust. I never make puff - even Mary Berry uses shop bought puff pastry! Shop stuff is very good and very easy. Sadly, they contain palm oil - I salve my conscience by writing to manufacturers asking them to find a substitute. 

Nice!! (⁠•⁠‿⁠•⁠)

Do you make your own pastry? If so is it worth the effort or is the bought stuff just as good.

I thought about making some mince pies.