FESTIVE SIDES OF BREAD AND CRACKERS FROM BUDGET TO INDULGENCE from the ARCHIVE 2023

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

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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...and they don't take up oven space!

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  --a version with fresh fruit and smaller chunks of sprouts.  This recipe does Double Duty; a sophisticated adult dish or 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 (opt) or quartered walnuts

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 dairy or plant 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.