Christmas Gift Store

Ok,I have updated the blog to 2.8,checked that things are ok
One or 2 problems,UK store needs more updating after losing data base

US is now complete,for now
CA store has run away,am actively looking for it,hopefully back some time next week
Will also add AU store in near future

72 days to go and the never ending question on what to get

Usual things, books,dvd’s, cd’s some sort of jewellery,I have been probing with sly questions, “is there anything special you would like” type

One title for a book ,Dawn French autobio, saw that whileshopping earlier

Another thing,unusal beads,so hobby craft visit in order, there may even be other ideas there

So there we are, a few minutes musing and we get some where closer to actually buying some thing

This will be added no doubt

In the run up to Christmas I intend to publish a few recipes as well,.enjoy

Chestnut & Chocolate Ice-Cream with Apricot Sauce
225g bitter chocolate
4 x 15ml spoons maple syrup
225g canned chestnut purée
1.2 Lt. double cream, whipped
2 x 15ml spoons kirsch
3 free range egg whites (optional)
225g whole canned chestnuts in syrup, drained (save a few for decoration)

1. Melt the chocolate into maple syrup, over a pan of hot water. Blend well together and stir into the chestnut purée. Beat in the cream and kirsch.
Whisk the egg whites until stiff and then fold into the mixture (optional). Freeze for two hours in a shallow tray covered with foil.

2. Scrape out and blend in a mixer until smooth. Put in a bowl and stir in the chopped chestnuts. Spoon into a mould, cover and freeze for 30 minutes before serving. Loosen the mould by slipping into hot water.
Turn onto serving dish, decorate with reserved chestnuts, cut in half, and apricot sauce.

For the Sauce

450g tinned apricots in natural juice
2 x 15ml spoons apple juice concentrate

3. Strain the apricots from their juice in the tin.
Place apricots and apple juice concentrate together, and blend in food processor until smooth (should be a runny purée consistency).

4. Serve with ice-cream. Enough for ten portions, small amounts as it is very sweet.

Shocked

Yes 83 shopping days to Christmas

As an aid I will add more bits and pieces to this over the coming days