Winter Warmers to Whip Up at Home

We’re not entirely sure how it happened but it’s December, which means two things: it’s officially okay to play Christmas songs in the office, and it’s equally acceptable to crack open the festive food!

Okay, okay, so we’re not quite there on the turkey front yet (give us a few weeks), but we’ll certainly be purchasing a pack or two of mince pies and maybe even a bottle of mulled wine – any excuse!

And because we’re feeling a little bit Christmassy here at My Appliances, we’re bringing you some winter warmers you can whip up from the comfort of your own kitchen. That’s right; there’s absolutely no need to get all wrapped up and head out for your usual takeaway coffee. Instead, we’ve got you covered here on the blog – Call it our early Christmas present to you…

Perfectly Pepperminty Hot Chocolate (Serves 3)

What could be more festive than a delicious hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream and brimming with marshmallows?

If you fancy a change from a standard hot chocolate, try this peppermint version, which has us feeling all warm and fuzzy inside the minute we taste it.

You’ll Need

• 100g plain chocolate
• 300ml milk
• 75ml pot double cream
• Sugar, to taste
• Three peppermint candy canes

To Make

It’s really the peppermint candy canes that give this hot chocolate its minty taste, but you could also add peppermint oil to your cocoa mixture for an added kick.

• Start by putting the chocolate into a pan with the milk, gently heating and stirring until the chocolate has melted. Continue until the milk is steaming, before removing from the heat and gently stirring in the cream
• Dividing the hot chocolate between three mugs, add sugar to taste and perch a candy cane on the edge of a side plate or in the hot chocolate itself. Now, simply sip and enjoy!

Why not put a deconstructed hot chocolate together as a fun gift for the foodie in your family, adding a sachet of luxurious cocoa powder to a festive mug, and a small bag of mini marshmallows?

Jamie Oliver’s Pumpkin and Ginger Soup

A great choice for this time of year, Jamie Oliver’s warming pumpkin and ginger soup makes the perfect festive fare for Christmas day itself.

It’s relatively easy to make, too – simply click the link above to be taken to the full recipe. And if you’re thinking of giving it a go on December 25, make sure you do a practice run first!

Mulled Wine

So we mentioned mulled wine earlier and it was for a reason! As we say, we don’t need any excuse at all to open a bottle – and there’s even more reason to dig out your wine glasses if you’re having a go at making it yourself. Here’s what to do:

You’ll Need

• A bottle of wine
• Half an orange
• A dry bay leaf
• Grated nutmeg
• 60g demerara sugar
• A cinnamon stick

To Make

• In a saucepan, add the wine, sugar, bayleaf, spices and the orange, heating gently until the sugar has dissolved. You might decide at this point that you’d like more sugar, so simply add in some more to your taste
• Strain the warmed mixture into heatproof glasses and serve straight away – yum!

 

Like these festive recipes? Get more inspiration over on our Facebook page – and don’t forget to say hello on Twitter, too!

Until next time…