ORANGE CINNAMON CHOCOLATE NUT CHRISTMAS TWIST

This uniquely attractive scone wreath stuffed with chocolate and nuts is the perfect go-to for special guests over the festive season...

Unexpectedly messy but delicious orangey, cinamonnynutty, chocolately Christmas treat for breakfast or tea

Some, perhaps getting a little bored with Cinnamon Rolls for Christmas Day breakfast, might want to serve this instead.

But whatever occasion you chose to present this lovely treat, it will go down like a bomb. It really is very very tasty with wonderful  textures.

The basic recipe is pretty easy -- sugar-free rich scone dough, cinnamon sugar,   chocolate pieces and chopped nuts.  

But you might find - as 67 did - cutting and twisting the components a tad messy.  

67 also made the mistake of baking the twist on a round tray instead of a flat tray,    which would have given the twisted segments plenty of room to spread.  

Still, the twist has multiple layers of gorgeousness and it's still possible to see where to cut the segments.  And frankly, it is so delicious, the Blogger was not ashamed to serve it as it was.  And the tasters certainly didn't mind

Start the night before and be prepared for chocolatey fingers.

Cost: £3.00 (Feb '23)

Makes: 16 pieces 

Ingredients:

Orange Butter:

150gm/5oz room temperature butter

zest of 2 decent sized oranges

1/8 tsp essence of orange

Sugar-free Rich Scone Dough (higher fibre without losing lightness):

350gm/12 oz plain flour (organic gives fantastic flavour)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

150 gm/5 oz very cold, cubed Orange Butter 

2 eggs, well beaten
7 tbsp very cold milk.

Layers:

cinnamon sugar:  70g/xxo brown sugar + 2 tb cinnamon

finely chopped dark chocolate: 125-150gm dark chocolate

walnuts : 90 gm/xxoz walnuts

Method:

Orange Butter (make at least 4 hours ahead; pref overnight)

1. Whizz together butter, orange zest & essence of orange until well blended
2. Spread into a flat container lined with cling film; level
3. Cover with cling film; leave in fridge 4 hours or until hard

Scones 

1. Preheat oven to very hot -- 210c; 410f
2. Finely chop chocolate; set aside
3. Mix cinnamon & sugar in a bowl; set aside
4. Chop walnuts into small pieces; set aside
5. Remove orange butter from container; take off cling film; cut into small cubes 
   
   
   
6. Sift dry ingred. into a bowl; rub or process in Orange Butter until mixture resembles peas - don't overdo it!
7. Beat eggs and milk. Make a well in the centre of the flour; pour in eggs & milk; stir lightly with a fork until mixture just holds together
8. Turn out onto a lightly floured board and press lightly and quickly into a rectangle about 1/2 inch (1 cm) thick.  Mentally divide the rectangle into three, lengthwise.  Fold the left hand side onto the middle; and the right hand side onto the middle & left sides.    Repeat twice, rolling lightly with a rolling pin between each folding,  handling dough as little as possible
9. Divide dough into 3 similar size pieces; making 1 circle slightly larger than the others. 
10. Roll out the three pieces to circles about 22cm/8inches at their widest
11. Line a baking tray with a silicone mat or greaseproof paper stuck down with some dough so it doesn't slide around.
12. Remove mat or greaseproof paper; place tray in oven
13. Gently lay the bottom (biggest) circle on the greaseproof paper/silicone mat. 
14. Spread a decent layer (don't overdo it) of cinnamon sugar over the bottom, using a pastry brush if necessary to even it out 
15. Cover with the second circle of dough,stretching edges slightly to cover; scatter over finely chopped chocolate as evenly as possible
16. Place final circle of dough on top; in the centre, place a circular cookie cutter
17. Cut the circle in half at its widest in both directions; you will have 4 quarters
18. Using a very sharp knife carefully cut each quarter in 4 pieces from the edge of the cookie cutter to the edge of the twist
19. Generously scatter walnuts over, gently press to hold them in place
20. Carefully lift each segment and twist to the right (or if you're artistic, work in pairs with both segments facing each other
21. Remove hot tray from oven; lift silicone mat or greaseproof paper onto the pan
22. Bake in the centre of the oven on an ungreased baking sheet 15-20 min until richly golden

Comments from friends, many of whom had second helpings:

'This is really good; I love the scone texture.'

'Lovely.'

'What's in it again?  It's good!'

'I'm happily breaking my diet for this.  It's great but the orange flavour is a tad overwhelming; maybe a bit more cinnamon to balance?'

'It would be wonderful with icing!'

Tips:

• Replace 50gm/1.7oz plain white flour with wholemeal for added fibre without loss of texture

 

Please leave a comment in the box below

This recipe has been developed by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and  may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.

 

FESTIVE SIDES OF BREAD AND CRACKERS FROM BUDGET TO INDULGENCE from the ARCHIVE

CHRISTMAS DINNER SIDES 

Festive Fan Rolls: Cream cheese makes these attractive pull-apart rolls so soft and rich they melt in the mouth. Serve with sensational Orange Butter.  Instructions are simple and clear; tweenagers love making them.  0ption for double size rolls

 'Midi' Soda Breads for Singletons & Small Households

Quick & Easy rustic soda breads are terrifically versatile and egg & butter free (left: Olive, Walnuts & Seeds, Dried Cherry with Nuts & Seeds)

Thrifty More-ish Soda Bread with Oatmeal & Seeds:

Irish Soda Breads are a lifesaver in busy households: there's no kneading or rising; no preservative and the amount of salt is controlled. And it's uber tasty and beautifully textured - make it top of your home baking list. 

SIDES FOR CHEESE: 

Cranberry Nut Oatmeal Molasses Bread: gorgeous with cheese; easy-peasy

Luxury Date & Nut Cheese Crackers: vegetarian indulgence, Vegan opt, fat-free.

The stuff of heaven, a crispy take on fruit and nut breads.  Crunchy and delicately earthy; the crackers require a bit of a financial outlay if you haven't a store of nuts and seeds on hand.  That said, the recipe makes a good 50-70 crackers.  Prep ahead

 

Exquisite home-made cream crackers: 
egg-free, prep ahead; crisp & white, they are a stunning surprise, so far above shop-bought in taste and texture as to be a different animal.  As easy to put together as scones; the  dough can be frozen for a month.

Cheese & Chive Crackers: 

an Indulgence but so, so good!  And so easy to make.  Tasters said: 'so light and fragile; the taste explosion is total!'

AND JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE SO SENSATIONAL AND EASY

Make-ahead No-Knead Cinnamon Rolls

There's not much better than good home-made cinnamon rolls and the easy prep is a bonus!  Tasters said they were the 'best-ever'.  

SIMPLE BREADS & ROLLS: quick prep: even tweenagers can make them

There is nothing like bread made with your very own hands, warm from the oven and smelling divine.  And even better if you can cut out the kneading and rising stages and still have wonderfully textured bread that fills the house with eat-me-now! aromas.

Try these easy loaves/buns, as wonderful to make for the beginner as for the seasoned baker.  They're all pretty simple and all are deliciously more-ish.

Cheese & Nut Light Wholemeal Loaf

This one is an easy-peasy - give-it-a-stir-and-it's-ready-for-the-oven - - light healthy loaf.  It's perfect warm from the oven for breakfast, lunch or dinner. 

Lower-sugar Sweet Bread/Rolls

This bread is sweeteded  with dried fruit not sugar and is for a leisurely holiday breakfast/brunch with family & guests gathered round the table

No-knead Olive Foccacia

This one is for foccacia-lovers who don't like kneading and will wait 24 hours for the dough to rest overnight.  (It's worth it!!)

ROLLS

Almost Instant Bagels
This frugal fun one is for the kids to help shape; they're no-boil, no fat, yeast or sugar.  And who can tell they're home made in minutes?

The Easiest Cheese Muffins Ever? (egg-free)

This one is for when you're out of eggs but want the texture and taste of muffins.   They're unbelievably light & beautifully flavoured; cholesterol-phobes should restrict portions.

Latin American Cornbread with niblets, chilli & spring onions;  tender and slightly sweet but with a definite kick of heat; it's a one bowl wonder that's low-sugar, yeast-free and comes in slices or muffins; perfect for brunch, dinner with old friends and pot-luck get togethers

Please leave a Comment in the box below 

These recipe haven't  been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.

KEEPING WARM IN SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES WITHOUT SPENDING A BOMB

Layering your clothing in wintertime without looking like a Michelin Man is an art but is worth the effort. The key is plenty of light layers which trap pockets of warm air.  Don't pack away summer vests and t-shirts; use them against the skin and save yourself the costs of yet more therrmal underwear!  

updated Dec 2023 

Remember this from 2017?? Primrose Hill in a striking white-out 

Pretty but potentially harmful for some

DRESSING INDOORS AND OUT

Bottoms:

• Warm tights/leggings/pyjama bottoms beneath trousers/skirts/jogging pants
• Thermal socks or two pairs of socks, 1 thick, 1 thin

Tops (as needed):

• Use summer vests as a first layer, then..
• A close-fitting thermal polo/turtle neck then...
• Shirt or blouse, light or fleece, then...
• Jumper, wool, if you really feel the cold, then...
• Shawl/Wrap/Blanket

Venturing Out: 

• Head: hats prevent heat loss 
• Neck: Long scarves wrapped twice around the neck and chin make the cold more bearable
• Coats: look for a neck which can be raised at back and front, cuffs and waists that keep out the chill/wind, deep pockets for gloves that won't need to be replaced 
• Feet. Thermal socks can be found at very reasonable prices (eg £12 for 3 pairs) at camping/outdoor shops like Mountain Warehouse though prices will likely go up this year. Also Uniqlo. 
• Snow Boots: Outdoor wear shops like Mountain Warehouse (& occasionally  Blacks) stock thrifty snow-friendly wellies & other options.  Jogging shoes with a deep ridged rubber sole may be sufficient if the snow is not too deep.  Catering shoes designed to prevent slipping also have a deep ridged rubber sole and sturdy uppers but are not necessarily waterproof. (£35 upwards at Denny's Hospitality, Berman Street, Fitzrovia - between Oxford Circus & Tottenham Court Road, London -  also phone orders 01372 377904).  

Stockists: Nearly every respectable department store will stock some or all of these items at reasonable prices.  Recommended for thermals: Uniqlo (but sells out fast), M&S, John Lewis.  

• Uniqlo: Fashionable Heat-tech Thermal polo necks & Jumpers (turtle neck & other designs), leggings/long johns, gloves, hats & scarves in pretty colours/designs and in various weights
• M&S: Thermal underwear; also gloves, socks 
• Outdoor/hiking outlets like Mountain Warehouse (& less so Blacks) offer serviceable budget-friendly winter woolies including thermal gloves, thermal socks, scarves & hats; thick jogging trousers  £7-8 upwards depending on item but certain styles are often on offer.  Kids' snow boots, too. Register online for latest deals.  
• Draft-blocking high pile Ultra Warm Hooded Dressing Gown: Futon Shop & most department stores £40'ish (Aug 22).  Or try the super enveloping over-sized ponchos with or without hoods, online.
• Thermal Coats: Reasonably priced full-length and short fashionable: John Lewis has a good selection of must-have brands including Barbour (which often go on sale in the) summer; also have a look at Uniqlo, H&M & Revolut.  AT least 1 of M&S's winter coats become an in-demand  fashion winners every year. but get there fast!   

Bedding:

• Prevent hypothermia: if all spare blankets/duvets/sleeping bags are in use, a winter coat spread on top of the duvet is effective
• Though 67 has not not yet tested Emergency Foil Blankets (EFBs) - the kind given out during Marathons and in driving/hiking/mountainside emergencies  - they are said to be excellent at retaining heat when placed on top of the bedcovers. EFB's are cheap and can be used more than once.  Packed in tidy packets, they take up very little space.  If you're worried about keeping kids warm at night, stock up and store for coldest nights.   
• Electric blankets/underblankets can be helpful to some but dangerous to others, even if they come with an automatic cut-off switch.  And that's presuming you have - for can afford - electricity! 
• Inexpensive hot water bottles can be lovely if there's no danger of spillage while filling the bottle or warming the bed 
• If you can afford it, brushed cotton bedding (the modern equivalent of flannel sheets) is a joy to slide into at bedtime and adds extra warmth.  A double duvet cover is around £40 & pillowcases are £5 each (2023) at John Lewis.  Some (not all) brushed cotton is heavier than you think -- like an extra blanket, really -- and could take longer to dry. 
• The classic solution: share the body heat of a loved one! Have young children share a bed; they'll love it.

B Lee/Bright Sun Enterprises accept no liability for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.

AIR FRIED SPROUTS WITH PEARS & TANGY MUSTARD SAUCE: vegan, easy-peasy, eat hot or cold

This recipe for sprouts bathed in a creamy mustard sauce is an exciting iteration of the usual Christmas side dish...

Sophisticated Sprouts: Eat hot, cold or at room temp
(see kid's version below) 

The dish seems an unusual combo of ingredients for the festive season but was so intriguing, 67goingon50 investigated.  

The original, found on the Cotter Crunch page, inspired 67 to experiment; voila and a version with fresh fruit and smaller chunks of sprouts.  This recipe does Double Duty with potential for a sophisticated adult dish and a more child-friendly treat.  

  

But there is no doubt about it; Cotter's sauce is a harmony of lovely flavours and adds a wonderful something-something to any dish.  Be generous without going overboard.

The salad is not difficult to make and since it can be eaten hot or cold, leftovers are a godsend.

Substitutions are provided so don't worry about following the recipe exactly.  

Ingreds:

Sprouts:

4 cups washed and trimmed

1/3 cup red onion slices

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar.

Salt and pepper

1 small pear, juicy but not too ripe, peeled, cored & in bite sized chunks 

Sauce: (this makes a fair amount; half will probably do)

1/2 cup mayonnaise/Hummus/thick plain yoghurt (67 advises 2 tbsps hummous, if using, then half mayo & half thick plain yoghurt )

1/4 cup dijon or whole-grain mustard

1/2 tsp onion powder or granules 

1/4 tsp sweet paprika (or smoked paprika with generous pinch sugar)

1 tsp lemon or other fruit juice

1/4 cup olive oil

Options:

1-2 tsp honey or maple syrup

1 tsp dried herbs

salt and pepper

Method:

SPROUT SIDES & GLORIOUS FIRST COURSE SOUPS

Christmas Dinner can be frantic and the temptation to cut out a course or 2 is strong...

Our favourite meal of the year - Christmas Dinner - will be here before you know it

67 confesses to occasionally considering not having sprouts or a first course soup just to save on time and effort.

With sprouts, it's because it's not easy to find a new low-fat recipe every year that tastes good, pleases the tastebuds and intrigues the entire family.  And yet, year after year, 67  manages to find something.  This year's treat Fruity Air-fried Sprouts with Tangy Mustard Dressing is no exception: it's  imaginative, tasty and satisfying.  Find it here.

67goingon50's first course soups for Christmas dinner are strongly recommended.  Usually part or wholly make-ahead, they can be a jewel in the crown and reward  effort with sensational first class flavours and textures.

Here  are some of the Blogger's classic, favourite recipes:

FIRST COURSE SOUPS 

These superb 67 soups are a grand first act, taking the edge off the appetite but preparing the palate for the feast to come.   

Silky Mushroom & Sherry Potage, sophisticated, no cream or potato; Vegetarian and kids' options 

 CELERIAC & APPLE POTAGE: (No.1 fav of all time) Silky, delicate, heavenly, dairy-free 

Veloute of Smoked Haddock: a special occasional indulgence; creamy with little dairy, rich thick & saatisfying

SPROUTS

Air Fried Sprouts with tangy mustard sauce

Oven-roasted Sprouts, Parsnips & Baby Corn: VEGAN one tray wonder; perfect consistency

Christmas Slaw: Sprout, Pear, Walnut & Cranberries, kids  love this 

Sensational Simple Sprouts: the cook's best friend in the frantic minutes before the food hits the table; easiest sprout recipe ever; popular with all ages

Stir-fried Sprouts & Corn: kid-ult pleaser; quick, easy & healthy

 

SOME FRUGAL OPTIONS FOR THE BUDGET CONSCIOUS OR LUNCHES DURING CHRISTMAS WEEK

 

 

White Bean Soup, VEGAN, Dairy Free with Veggie Bacon Bits; lovely!

 

Spinach & Bean Soup: VEGAN, strikingly delicious,  quick & substantial

Egg-Flower Pea Soup, kids adore this vegetarian soup with vegan option; low-fat/cholesterol/salt 

More Christmas recipes on the How to...Page (Nav Bar above): Christmas Year by Year/Special Occasion, about 2/3 of the way down the page

Please leave a comment in the box below

These recipes were developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and  may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.

BEAT THE CURSE OF FRUGAL INGREDIENTS WITH YELLOW SPLIT PEA SOUP: low-salt, high protein

Want to know: 

Supper recipes the kids/partner can make during Nov/Dec?

Classic healthier 67goingon50 Christmas canapés?

How good are M&S's Chocolate & Hazelnut Mince Pies? 

It's all on on Welcome to the Blog (nav bar above) 

with the latest food & shopping news

***

3. WEIGHT LOSS/PREDIABETIC BUDGET RECIPE 

With food prices as they are, many cooks are beginning to find it's not easy to make budget ingredients taste wonderful, look good and reappear repeatedly without the family moaning. 

But this wonderful Canadian Yellow Split Pea soup - thick, rich and substantial - is an exception.  

Triple Duty Split Yellow-Pea Soup: Vegan base topped with cream cheese for vegetarians; with ham; with beef  

'Really comforting delicious high protein  soup.' Taster

67 can't stress enough how exceptionally flavourful this soup is, how comforting and how healthy. 

It is also delightfully low cost.   Split yellow peas are probably 1 of the cheapest pulses around: 28p for 100 gm or £1.40 for 500g (organic just 40p more per 500g).  25K bags (for sharing ) from Whole Foods is £32.25.

From a wellness point of view, thick soups with high-protein pulses ease stress, medically as well as financially, by calming and building up the body. 

Canadian Yellow Split Pea Soup is also Triple Duty: the easy vegan base  is topped or mixed with vegetarian or carnivore additions. It has endless varieties.  

Take your pick of cooking methods.  Cook it on a stovetop, in a slow cooker or a sturdy pot over an open fire.  Serve it chunky or blitzed to a puree.  

The soup's a 67 favourite and no apologies are offered for repeating it. Because we can too easily get used to 'good enough' when it comes to budget food.

Directions for the soup are easy but you will need a bit of time and organisation. There's a bit of chopping & a bit of measuring and you  need to soak the peas the night before.  On cooking day, your kitchen will be filled with the mouthwatering aromas.  

Cost: Not much, maybe £1.50; more for organic ingreds  
Feeds: 6 generously; leftovers freeze well 

Ingreds:

Split yellow peas:   

   1 cup dried yellow split peas

   tap water to cover

   2 tsp turmeric

   2 garlic cloves, unpeeled (opt) 
   
The soup:     

   med onion in med dice
   1 cup carrots, thinly sliced
   two sticks celery, coarsely chopped
   1 large potato or sweet potato in med dice (opt)

   1-2 tbsp olive oil

   1 garlic clove, grated or minced

   1/3 tsp smoked paprika
   1/4 tsp marjoram (opt)
   1/4 tsp dried basil
   1/8 tsp cumin
   1/4 tsp salt
   1/8 tsp pepper

   1/8 tsp dried thyme

   1 bay leaf

   
   1 litre vegetable stock 

(For Potage of Ham & Split Yellow Pea: ham bones and/or 110 gm/4 oz shredded ham hock OR back bacon with fat removed OR sliced ham)

Ham (buried in soup) & Split Pea Potage cooked to a luxurious thickness - you can stand a spoon up in it -  add stock to make it go further.

After cooking is complete add all or some of:  

   pinch chilli flakes or a finely diced small chilli (opt)
   couple of generous handfuls spinach or kale
   1/3 cup button mushrooms, in large dice

Method:

1. PEAS.  Soak overnight in plenty of water; remove any bits floating on top; drain.  Cover peas with an inch of fresh water, add unpeeled garlic cloves & turmeric, bring to a boil.  Turn heat down to simmer; cook 20 mins.  Take off heat; remove garlic cloves; separate peas from liquid; set both aside & cool 1 hour.  Unless using straight away store in fridge 4 hours or overnight  (This step can be completed the day or morning before needed.  
2. When ready to prepare soup, put a large heavy-bottomed pot on high; when hot, add oil, onions, carrots, celery & potatoes; immediately reduce heat to low; stir; add garlic; cover pan partially with lid; cook 20 mins, stir occasionally 
3. Mix enough split pea cooking liquid and stock to make a litre;  add to pot with herbs and split peas 
4. Bring to a boil; skim off any froth; bubble 5 mins.  (Add ham bones/ham if using).  Then either...
5. Slow Cooker: cook on low 6-8 hours  OR
6. Stovetop: Simmer with lid slightly ajar 3-4 hours
7. Now and again, check the level of the liquid ; more stock may be needed.  The split peas are ready when they are soft but still  holding their shape 
8. Take half of the mix; coarsely puree and return to pot OR process all to a rough puree
9. Stir in zest & juice of lemon 
10. Serve piping hot with choice of additions and garnishes (below)
11. For a fullly rounded meal, add a side salad and/or chunky breads like easy-peasy Cheese & Walnut Soda Bread or Cornbread with Corn Niblets, Scallions & Chillis, simple toast or the ultra-frugal simple & delicious Breakfast Biscuits (doubling here as dinner rolls) 

1. Vegan/Vegetarian Garnishes:

• Memorable Crunchy Croutons 
• Vegan 'Bacon Bits 
• Spinach or kale:stir into completed soup, leave a further 20 mins or until kale is no longer raw
• Mushrooms: slice thickly; fry gently in oil until golden; scatter over or heap in centre of soup 
• Cream Cheese

2.  Carnivores/Pescatatarian Garnish:

• Shards of ham hock or sliced ham
• Mini beefballs blanched in boiling water 5 mins
• Flaked smoked fish.

Comments:

'It's a really comforting soup.' Semi-retired council administrator

'My all-time favourite is the ham & split pea potage: it has the flavour of ham but not the salt!  The vegan/vegetarian versions need something salty, crunchy or strongly flavoured to give it a kick; otherwise it gets boring.' Retired writer

Tip:

• Defrost frozen soup overnight, add a half cup of water or stock and heat gently until hot through
• Split peas are excellent for the histamine-sensitive* (usually the over 50's); split peas are low in histamines;lentils and pulses are high.  
• One suggested ratio for split peas to water is 2 litres of water/stock per each 500gm/18oz split yellow peas.

History: 

Long before lentils and beans were modern go-to ingredients, yellow and green split peas were a staple in poor Canadian provinces on the Atlantic Coast.  A single recipe, studded with plenty of root veg, would be stretched with stock/water and bits of protein or more veg as the days went on (the blogger never keeps soup longer than 3 days unless frozen). 

In the UK, split peas have not traditionally been used but are now readily available in supermarkets and health food shops.  Standard yellow split peas cost £2.80  per kilo; organic is a little  more. 

The potage is so good, you might want to share a 25 kilo bag of split yellow peas from Whole Foods with friends, splitting the £32.25 cost.  

NOTES ON HISTAMINES: Histamines are chemicals in the body responsible for allergic responses; they can't be avoided.  Histamine intolerance doesn't mean the body is sensitive to it but does indicate there's too much of it in the body.  Research into Histamine intolerance continues; it's poorly understood and not easy to diagnose.  However limiting foods which produce high levels of histamines can help.

More budget conscious on NavBar: Recipes 1/Frugal...

Please leave a Comment in the box below 

                                              

This recipe  has been developed by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.