There’s just enough time for a little last minute baking before Christmas!
Here’s what’s on the agenda for today:
1. Another batch of spiced nuts – this wonderfully easy recipe is always a huge hit at Christmas! I use brazil nuts, almonds and walnuts, which are tossed in beaten egg white, brown sugar and spices, and then baked in a moderate oven. They’re the perfect Christmas nibbly, and a great hamper filler…
2. I’ll be baking up some of my frozen shortbread dough into cookies (they’re my mum and dad’s favourite)…
3. World Peace cookies have been on my mind for days now, so I’ll put that worm to rest and bake a batch today…
Our mini hampers are packed – each one has two jars of jam, biscotti and mixed nuts…
How are the Christmas preparations going on your end? I hope you’re all having fun – it’s been so mild in Sydney this year that it’s actually been a pleasure to play in the kitchen!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
I am definitely trying the nut recipe! Off to the market!
Maz
It’s great to have your blog. With no oven I cannot bake a single thing! But at least I can swoon over your creations while it is being repaired.
Maz, I know you’ll love it! :)
Gill, oh no!! Luckily I know what you can do with a bowl of chocolate and a microwave, girlfriend.. ;-)
I like the look of those nuts.
Those nuts look delicious!
Just wondering if the egg white is necessary in the recipe?
Deb, thank you!
Wasfieh, thank you! I think the egg white is necessary – it glues all the coating to the nuts!
Yum! I wish I was on your Christmas list. My hampers are nowhere near as fancy looking as yours but I’m still rather proud. No baking today but tomorrow I’ll be baking up a storm… flourless chocolate cake, macaroons, freezer cookies and maple walnuts.
Hi
Oh my gosh, I am very happy that I have found your blog!
I have been going through a very similar experience with a very similar recipe. THe Vanilias Kifli.
What happened was, all though mine and my sisters’ childhoods we would bake cookies with my Hungarian grandma every Christmas. Since we all started doing it so young she would always prepare the dough a head of time and we would do the assembling of the cookies when we arrived (this also gave the dough time to chill in the fridge). So, anyway, a few years back she gave my mom a book of Hungarian recipes that she had translated from here and there. It included almost all of our Christmas cookies.
About 3 years ago she passed away, which was very hard on all of us, but long story short…we have been attempting to make the cookies ourselves for the past three years. None of us had ever made ‘our’ cookie from scratch before. It has been A LOT of trial and error. First, we didn’t think about getting unsalted butter, then we didn’t think about shifting the flour, (and it also seems that the recipe calls for too much flour). Finally, we have been trying to figure out the ground almonds, since it isn’t specific. We have bought our own almonds in the past, blanched and peeled them, then ground them in the food processor…but that seems to add a lot of moisture…THis year we bought pre ground almonds but that sucks up a lot of moisture.
I like what you said about the almond meal…might have to try that…I’m wondering if maybe she had something for grinding almonds that we didn’t know about and we got rid of it when we cleaned out her apartment….
My sisters seems to have figured out their recipes, but mine seems to be being very finicky…surprising for such a seemingly simple recipe.
I’ve been searching online for any help/advice. But, that in itself has been hard since a lot of other vanilias kifli call for egg yolk and don’t say anything about almonds.
Anyway, any words of encouragement/advice would be very helpful…
P.S. We too also have struggled with trying to figure out the whole weight instead of volume thing :P
Tara, I’ve been over the road today drinking tea with June, and I told her about your comment. She said she never blanches the almonds before grinding, and she grinds them with the skins on through an old nut grinder she brought back with her from Hungary. Now we’ve since found unblanched almond meal from Santos Trading (an online Australian supplier) and it works very well – I usually mix the blanched and unblanched almond meals, but June likes to use all unblanched.
We definitely prefer the kifli without egg – it’s tender and crumbly like shortbread. I think the cooking time is critical, and that’s where the real skill and experience come in to play – they can’t be cooked a minute too long, or they’ll go crispy rather than tender. Ideally, I try to cook them so there’s no obvious brown bottom layer, just an even golden colour.
If you do try June’s recipe, I find it far more consistent to go by weight rather than cup measures, which can vary quite a bit depending on the weather and humidity. I know you won’t, but let me encourage you not to give up – “June bikkies” (as they’re known on our street) are legendary! :)
I saw that picture of the goodies on the table and it looks like a market stall! Amazing job Celia.We love spiced nuts too! :)
I think the nut recipe is a winner Celia – going to ‘go nuts’ & add these to my own mini hampers.
I have to agree with the temperatures this summer, its making pottering around cooking such a pleasure.
I’m just wrapping my head around things today! I dropped the ball a bit after we cleaned up from our Xmas drinks party on Sunday evening. Up until then, all I could focus on was food and booze for 30-40 guests – whew – now that’s over I can think about Xmas day.
I wish I was you today! I turned the oven on this morning to finish my Gingerbreads and it caught fire!!!! It’s middlec’s birthday todaytoo, but at least I made her cake last night, but it has been an unusually quiet morning,then I realised the phones aren’t working! Internet is though, and yes, the bill is up to date, phone company is on it now thank goodness, but we might have to have a birthday BBQ instead of a baked dinner, but what about my lamb, pork, chicken and veggies planned for Christmas????? HELP!!!!
I’m so sorry to hear about the oven and the phone, love!! Any chance of getting it fixed before Christmas? Wish you were closer and you could come over and use my oven…
Wow Celia, well done. Where can I get one of those vaccum sealing machines? Your biscuits & nuts look perfect in them.
Have a very Happy & Safe Christmas and I hope you get to relax with your family.
Keri
Keri, I bought mine from Deals Direct ages ago – it’s only a real cheapie, but it seals everything up (vacuums too, but not always brilliantly, and the vacuum seal bags are very expensive). I buy bags from the local food supplier, and everything just looks so nice all sealed up and airtight. Here’s the link:
http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/eurolab-food-vacuum-sealer-keeps-food-fresh-longer/
Those nuts are magnificent!
I’m making those when I get home!
AND not to give away- to nibble all by ourselves!
With all your magnificent home-made goodies, you should open a little shop.
Have a fabulous Christmas.
:-) Mandy
I am *almost* finished with my family gifts. By tomorrow! I’ve never cut it this close before but such is life I guess. Friends out of state are getting their gifts late though as those have yet to be started. I like to think of it as extending Christmas into January. Or sometimes Feb. It’s the thought that counts…right? :)
Claire, that sounds fantastic! Have a very happy Christmas! :)
Lorraine, it’s nice to have it all laid out so I can see if there’s anything else we need to make! :)
Anna and Heidi, I hope you enjoy the nuts – I have to keep making them because I keep EATING them..hahaha
Amanda, food and booze for 40 is an amazing feat! I reckon I’d still be recovering.. :)
Mandy, thank you! Plenty to make just for friends and family though! :)
Preppy, absolutely it is the thought that counts! Especially for gorgeous homemade gifts! :)
Your hampers are looking gorgeous Celia!
I’m done with the kitchen, looking forward to a 24 hour break :-) (after which I will be aching to get back in to it…maybe.)
I’m loving the mild weather too.
Very impressive looking goodies Celia. You are such a star. The best part of your gifts is the fact that you have been planning what to make, and working on it with so much love and patience for so many weeks now. And that really shines through!
Oh I meant to add…I am sure they are all delicious too!
Celia, I was going to do your nuts for gifts this year as the ones I did earlier in the year were so successful, but am not going to manage those now. But they are such a good idea. Luckily I’m pleased with the biscotti and other things I’ve managed so I won’t feel too glum :)
If I don’t call by again before the holidays, I do hope you all have a very Merry and contented Christmas.
Those nuts are a fabulous idea! I’ll squirrel that one away for next years gifts. Your hampers are going to be magnificent – that photo looks like a production line :)
Whoo, my head is spinning with all you do at this time of year, Celia! Everything looks superb and I second the admiration for your little bags – very nice!! Have a wonderful Christmas, won’t you!! :)
I’m not a big cook but I may just try the nut recipe…
Celia, all I can say is I wished I lived near you…………… Wow. Have a very blessed Christmas season and a superb 2011. *Clink* to you all, with lots of Nigerian love from the Netherlands.
Thanks Brydie! The weather has been an absolute dream at this time of year!
SG, thank you! Nice to have you back in town after your trip away – in time for Christmas! :)
Choc, have a wonderful Christmas too! I hope the weather eases up for you!
Sarah, it has been a little production line, but it’s all done and dusted now. The boys and I have spent the last couple of days in the city, visiting art galleries and museums! :)
Christine, I’ll certainly be having a wonderful Christmas now, after getting a secret surprise Santa gift in the mail! Thank you!! :)
Cosmo, the nuts are delicious – hope you like them – but be warned, they’re very moreish! I can’t seem to stop eating them! :)
Oz, Merry Christmas to you too, love! Hope it’s truly wonderful, and all the best for 2011!! xx
What a beautiful Christmas spirit in all those delicious goodies! I just adore a good spicy nut mix! Merry Christmas!!