#but that makes it better imo even tho i love custard

[tau1tvec]

I don’t usually buy packaged food without windows, but I bit into this and began sobbing, it’s so good. 😭

[garlicbutterclutter]

Haven't posted any cooking on this blog for a while but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy!

First up, all the things I made for various homemade Christmas baskets for family/loved ones.

Top picture is the basket for my mum, I had two of these baskets and some other simpler (and cheaper) ones for other people.

Next row is mince pies, made using Delia Smith's recipe, my dad has been making these for years and they're always great, way better than shop-bought. Unfortunately I still have an excess since I haven't really felt much like eating them this year. And then we have shortbread - White chocolate + lemon (made to go with the lemon curd) and chocolate + orange (made to go with the marmalade). They're pretty tasty but I cut them quite small and the texture of the biscuit isn't the greatest imo.

Next row down are onion bhajis (always great, although could probably have done with a little more spice, but nice addition to the mango chutney in my parents' baskets) and scotch eggs (went down very well with my gf's parents, pretty awesome although maybe could have done with a bit more/evener sausage meat. The egg yolk was nice and slightly runny tho).

And now we come to the preserves. Red onion marmalade, which I added too much butter to (bc I prepped the onion and the butter the day before - planned to make it that day but gave myself too much to do - so decided to add more butter when cooking the onions.) Hopefully it tasted OK but the extra fat made it look a bit unpleasant. Pickled red cabbage, which was pretty straightforward and went pretty well, again went down a treat with my gf's dad and hopefully the friends I gave the excess to (THREE jars of pickled cabbage from HALF a red cabbage, you get a lot of bang for your buck).

And finally, we have the lemon curd, of which the least was made but it went very well, it's pretty much a custard but it tasted so lemony and good. Orange marmalade which also went very well, a longer and more complex process but it was worth it, could maybe have cut the orange peel a little thinner? But my grandparents who I gave it to like thick cut so I think that's OK. It really jammed up nicely as well. And the mango chutney, which was the first thing I made. Not sure it tastes quite right and mango could have maybe done with being cut a bit smaller? But still pretty decent.

That's my Christmas present cooking! Was overall a success I think, have had good feedback from everyone about it. Not sure I'd necessarily do it again to this extent (or variety) but it was pretty enjoyable and a good way of trying a lot of different things! Most recipes were from BBC good food (except the mince pies), but some were modified slightly. More to come bc I've done a fair bit of other cooking (and also got some great ingredients/utensils/gadgets for Christmas)