Like a boomerang’s inevitably looped journey, Christmas has come around again. This is my week to ramp up all things Christmassy as hell breaks loose on the work front in the lead-in to the festive season.
I have a renewed enthusiasm as I set about my annual tasks – I am attributing this to my new kitchen (well, my old one now extended). I am trying in earnest to match my new space, be a better and more improved, not necessarily larger version, of the former me.
Family meals, baking and parenting are all to be carefully executed in this beautiful new room – a clear vision based on good intentions being half the battle surely .
I am well organised on the baking front thus far. The Christmas cakes are made and well hidden from those who yell, “There’s no food in this house”, as they stand in front of the fridge, hand on open door. The puddings are steamed and stored.
So this weekend is dedicated to edible Christmas gifts that will join the fruit cake, nice bottle of wine and jar of chutney in my homemade hampers, which will be dispatched in the coming weeks. I sound like a proper domestic goddess do I not?
Please note that you’ll need a sugar thermometer to accurately judge the temperatures required for the brittle recipe, and to temper the chocolate for the mendiants.
On a recent trip to Paris, my magpie eyes focused in on these bejewelled discs of shiny, snappy chocolate which adorn the windows of Parisienne chocolatiers. I was no sooner off the plane in Ireland, when the melting, tempering and studding began.
In the kitchen recently, we were having the “What do you give children these days for Christmas?” chat while we were working at our stations .
“Time!” I shouted from my corner. What if you don’t like spending time with them, or words to that effect, was the retort grunted back from another corner. Eventually some common ground was found – cookie dough. A genius gift. DIY with the hard work removed. The recipient just needs to slice and bake and the results are wonderful. The baker will be delighted with the delicious results of their labour, not to mention a boost in kitchen confidence.
Photography: Shane O'Neill, aspectphotography.com Food styling: Leona Humphreys, onefineplate.com Props: Industry Home & Lifestyle, industrydesign.ie
