During the festive season there’s nothing I love more than spending time in the kitchen, with a good Christmas movie on in the background. But sometimes it’s hard to let kids get involved unless you are prepared for mass destruction of the kitchen…and your food.
That’s where Usborne’s ’30 Things to Cook and Eat for Christmas’ comes in. Produced as a handy small hardback book which will survive the odd smearing of butter and dusting of flour these thirty recipes have the makings of a classic Christmas cookbook for the little ones, with easy to follow step-by-step illustrated instructions.
My favourites are the creamy chocolate fudge, which would make a lovely gift is presented in a box of tied in a clear bag twirled with christmas ribbons.
On Sunday I’ll be visiting the Winchester Christmas Market, held in the cathedral grounds. For those who have never been I think it comes second to Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland and in terms of the things sold in the stalls, it’s second to none. I’ll be walking round with a glass of mulled wine in hand looking for inspiration. Then in the afternoon I’ll be putting up the Christmas tree at home. Whilst we have far too many decorations to fit on the tree, I always like to do something a little homemade and this year I’ll be trying ‘Shining Star Biscuits’ from the book. These are simple ginger spiced biscuits baked with a boiled sweet in the middle of the biscuit to a create a stained glass appearance. These will look stunning against the twinkling lights. Check back Sunday evening for the results.
At just £5.99 this book is a steal for what you get from it; hours of festive fun in the kitchen and then a few minutes pleasure from eating all your hard work.
’30 Things to Cook and Eat for Christmas’ is published by Usborne £5.99
9780746087633
I’ve been planning to make my own gifts this Christmas, including fudge (as well as toffee and truffles), but all the recipes I’ve found are rather complicated, so maybe this book is what I need! I think it looks about the right level – not too fiddly!