I'm spending Christmas as usual with my family in Germany this year and have been here for nearly a week already. Therefore apologies for my posting and leaving comments still being rather sporadic. As I have said before, once I'm back in the UK in January my intentions are to get back to blogging more regularly and also to get back into making time to leave comments on all your wonderful blogs out there!!!!!
I'll be cooking Rolled Stuffed Loin of Pork with Rubied Gravy from Nigella's Christmas book, Roast Potatoes and Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots for our family Christmas dinner tomorrow. There'll be eight of us, so please cross your fingers that it all goes swimmingly and without disasters, so that nobody has to go hungry.
I'm not sure when I'll get to share the pictures and recipe with you, as I have brought my camera, but I'm not sure I can edit the pihotos on my Dad's computer. So, it might have to wait until January. We'll see.
For now, let me wish you all a Merry Christmas and
Frohe Weihnachten and leave you with a recipe for a lovely party snack, that's easy and quick to make and perfect for any of the parties that seem to be happening at this time of the year.
Ham and Leek Roll Ups
1 block of frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 package cream cheese
1 package cream cheese with herbs
125gr ham, chopped
1 leek, cleaned and sliced finely
150gr gouda, grated
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
Preheat your oven to 200C/Gas 6.
In a bowl mix all ingredients, except the puff pastry and set aside.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the block of puff pastry into a large rectangle. To make it a little easier, I divide the block into two and roll out two rectangles.
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the pastry.
Starting from the long side, carefully roll up the pastry.
With a sharp knife cut the roll into 1/2 inch thick slices and place them cut side down onto a non-stick baking tray.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.
Allow to cool on a wire rack, before serving.
These can be made a day ahead.
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
Merry Christmas from Germany
Saturday, 13 December 2008
Mexi Cashews
The party is over, the place is tidy once more, all the dishes are washed, just my headache hasn't quite stopped yet. It doesn't matter though, it was a lovely evening and I think everyone else enjoyed it, too.
So, I'm not up to much writing today, but thought I'd share this really easy recipe for some great, slightly spicy cashew nuts.
Mexi Cashews
1 egg white
2 1/2 cups cashews
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
Preheat oven to 150C.
Line a baking sheet with baking paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk the egg white with a few drops of water until frothy.
Add the nuts to the egg white and toss to mix.
Transfer the nuts to a large bowl, using a slotted spoon to get rid of any excess egg whites.
Mix all the spices and sprinkle over the nuts. Toss to coat evenly.
Spread the nut in a single layer on the baking sheet.
Bake for 25-35 minutes, stirring once after about 15 minutes to make sure they get toasted evenly.
Place the nuts onto a cool surface to cool and crisp up.
