Archives for December 2013

Things have been rather busy round here but I couldn’t resist popping up a picture for Jac’s festive photo collection for this month’s No Crouton’s Required.

In December there really are no croutons required as Jac just asks everyone to submit a festive picture of their preparations for Christmas.

I thought I would share my nativity figures that come out every year. They’re a relatively recent addition to our Christmas decorations collection, I actually bought them one January when Ted was 2-3 years old and then it was another 11 months until we go to use them.

They’re a regular centrepiece now and although technically the baby Jesus and three kings shouldn’t be added until later on, I can never resist putting them all out at the start!

If I don’t get to post anything here again before Christmas I hope you have a good one!

It’s been a busy month for Credit Crunch Munch and here is the round up. Big thanks to Camilla at Fab Food 4 All and Helen at Fuss Free Flavours for letting Dinner With Crayons host this popular event thank you to everyone who took part.

Helen will be hosting Credit Crunch Munch herself in December – with a special challenge. Details at the bottom of this post.

First up in early November using up that post Halloween pumpkin was Pumpkin Fruit Cake by Fab Food 4 All

Winter warmer Frugal sausage and bean casserole by Anne’s Kitchen

Butternut with honey mustard yogurt dressing on gram flour pancakes in this Diwali Breakfast by Deena Kakaya

Super sounding mid week supper: Potato and sausage hubble bubble by Onions and Paper

Middle Eastern flavours in Lamb apricot tagine by Eat Your Veg

Packing 5 a day into Kids’ bolognaise by Eat Your Veg

Glamorous French cheese on toast: Tartine with Bacon, Goat’s Cheese and Caramelised Red Onion by Delicieux

Tempting chocolate drizzled apricot and walnut shortbread fingers by I’d Much Rather Bake Than

Spicy soup suggestion: Curried root vegetable soup by Fab Food 4 All

Vegetables in biscuits aren’t an obvious thing but these vegan parsnip and date cookies by Allotment 2 Kitchen look most tempting.

  

Homely yet sophisticated: Simply rye soda bread rolls by How to Cook Good Food

Quick pud in a jar: Instant orange cheesecakes by Fab Food 4 All

More than meringue: Rhubarb meringue tart by Pebble Soup

Amazing minestrone, chock full of veggies: Minestrone Super Soup by Eat Your Veg

Layers of flavour and texture in Nazima’s Roasted squash with crispy moong sprouts and coriander pistachio pesto at Franglais Kitchen

Healthy breakfast Stewed prunes with orange and cinnamon by Taste Space

Country style garlic mushroom parsley pasta by Allotment 2 Kitchen – is that the farmer?

Less obvious than lemon drizzle, easy iced lime cake by Fab Food 4 All

Asian style sweetcorn soup with cumin and coriander rice flour dumplings by Deena Kakaya

Loving the pastry details on these ham cheese and sweetcorn turnovers by Fab Food 4 All

My own contribution: Smokey cheese and parsnip mash by Dinner With Crayons (we just had these as a side with our Sunday lunch again!)

Pastry parcel of loveliness: cabbage coulibac at Onions and Paper.

Exotic flavours in Kim Chi Chickpea Flour Pancakes by TasteSpace

Alternative to mince pies – Christmas Cake Tarts by Laura at How to Cook Good Food

Most inviting cauliflower cheese soup by View from the Table

Restaurant worthy tagliatelle with lamb’s liver by Bangers & Mash

Soothing snack… sweetcorn fritters by Searching for Spice

and finally, a stonking roast chicken and ham pie with suet dumpling crust by Karen at Lavender and Lovage …hmm I have leftover cooked chicken and ham in my fridge and might have to try something like this.

Thanks to everyone who took part in this month’s Credit Crunch Munch!

December’s Credit Crunch Munch is being hosted by Helen at Fuss Free Flavours – Helen is setting a special challenge this month asking bloggers to make their recipes especially frugal this month and donate to their local food banks this Christmas.