Foodie Christmas presents?

[aero280 Profile]

Grandson and his wife got me a selection of waxed cheeses. I will reserve judgement as there have been very few "mixed up" cheeses that I have really enjoyed.

There's a Red Leicester which should be fine, and tonight's choice was "Charcoal Cheddar" . It was quite nice, with the charcoal taking the very sharp edge off the cheddar.

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The others may be an acquired taste. Mexican Sweet Chilli, Carnival (Rum & Pineapple), Margarita (Tomato, Garlic & Basil), Sunday Roast, and Jam Roly Poly!! Which says it is strawberry and cream flavoured.

We'll see what transpires.

[Stokey Sue Profile]

I've got a Godminster mini truckle that came in a selection, but the use by date is 14 July, so I'm keeping it on standby

I have bought these marked down early in previous new years, worth doing.

[Pepper Pig Profile]

I got a lot of chocolate this year. I think people remember I'm off the booze. Also two sets of Brasserie Blanc/WhiteBrasserie vouchers.

My Italian ex pupil turned up with a Pannettone, Marsala and some gorgeous candied things (I'll remember the name eventually) her mother made.

[Suelle Profile Website]

Posh chocolates from both my children and a Bundt cake tin from my daughter.

[Badger's Mate Profile]

I got a nice cookbook, some chilli-based preserves and a new pair of oven gloves. I asked for the first, the second was an easy and welcome decision. The last, though bought by a niece, was possibly something to do with Mrs B, given the speed and enthusiasm with which she has removed the old ones!

[Kacey Profile]

I did well for foodie presents this year.
6 cookbooks
A new microplane zester
A lovely set of serving spoons
A set of oven proof plates
A bottle of Wray & Nephew white rum
A bottle of 12 star Metaxa brandy
Godiva chocolates
These were all from my lovely OH

I also had a tofu press, wine and chocolates from others and my mum gave me a hefty Dunelm voucher.

Very pleased indeed with my haul.

[smitch Profile]

I got a spice grinder, some chocolate sprouts and a couple of cookbooks.

[chihuahua8 Profile]

I was given dark chocolates, but the best present was a large bottle of gin plus cans of tonic plus a big bag of mixed nuts. That's me sorted for New Year's Eve!
JeanT

[Stokey Sue Profile]

I don’t think I’ve ever got to twelve star Metaxa, only seven
Is it nice?

[aero280 Profile]

I forgot the voucher we got for a meal at Zedel’s Brasserie!

[Kacey Profile]

We bought the 12 star on our last Greek holiday (remember those days?). It was on offer and the same price as the 7 star. It tastes a tad smoother and a bit 'frutier'. OH got it from Amazon and the price difference between the two was negligible. From choice I'll stick with 12 star in the future

[Stokey Sue Profile]

Thanks Kacey, it’s probably around here somewhere

[Suffs Profile]

Hampers of posh chocolates, delicious cheeses, crackers, biscuits, mustards, relishes, medjool dates, stollen and bubbly .... we're not going to starve even if we don't go shopping for a month ... except we'll need more toothpaste!!!

[slimpersoninside Profile]

Two things to use with my Ooni pizza oven, a brush for cleaning the stone and a cast iron skillet.

[Gillthepainter Profile Website]

what thougthful gifts.

I got everything "cappuccino" for my morning coffee experience.

A bean to cup coffee machine - from lakeland, it's excellent and makes 3 x morning coffees
A beautiful hand made gold and black ceramic cup and saucer that came from a potter in Gaza
A proper milk heater and frother, it's ideal - but doesn't froth hemp/hazelnut or pea milk, only full fat.
Fine by me, it heats the others up without the foam.

And a chapatti maker which I am about to try .....

[KeenCook2 Profile]

What gorgeous pressies, everyone!

Mine were too!

A Cuisinart nut and spice grinder (I had requested this)

And surprises: OH got me Claudia Roden's new Med book, to add to our Claudia Roden collection, and our first Ottolenghi - Simple. Both look fab!

Anyone out there who does Otto's recipes regularly, do you always line your tins before roasting your veg, as he seems to suggest, at least, in all the recipes I've read?

I cannot understand why - if there is a culinary benefit please do enlighten me!

It just strikes me that it is using more paper. I frequently reuse paper I lined loaf tins with, when I bake loaf cakes, and I bought an absolutely brilliant large, non-stick roasting tin for roasting veggies, and often reuse the juices in the bottom the next couple of times I use it. But I can't see me reusing veg paper, also I don't have any wide enough to fit my tin.

I was also given a microwave veg and rice steamer. We've used it for veg but not sure about the correct quantities of water vs rice if we do that.

[Earthmaiden Profile]

What wonderful presents you've all had! We've tuned present giving right down and most friends know I no longer really want carbs or sugar (cheese would be most acceptable!). I've got a nice box of chocs, a small Lindt reindeer and a tin of coffee which had an in joke behind it. Oh and a set to make a gin cocktail.

KC2, I wonder if the paper is just to stop things sticking to the tin and thus making washing up easier? Obviously no good if you are careful to make the best of the tin gubbins!

[Stokey Sue Profile]

I nearly always line the tins with baking paper before roasting veg, the veg don't stick and both the veg and the tin do better in my experience
The exception if crisp roast potatoes, but anything likely to stay a bit sticky, I line the pan

[herbidacious Profile]

I didn't get any foodie Christmas presents... although I only got presents from husband.
I did buy myself that preserving book though. I like the idea of cooking with preserves and pickles, but there are some interesting and inspiring recipes for preserving in there too.

https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-mo ... 1787135383

(I got it on eBay at a considerably lower price.)