Vocal Voices

I have been watching James Martin on the Food Network as he made Christmas cake.

It brought back memories because, apart from one ingredient, it was the exact copy of a recipe of the one mum used, and she nicked it from the Yorkshire Evening Post in about 1960.

The different ingredient - tea - for soaking the dried fruit. JM used whisk(e)y.

Mum used to make them, yes them - one big square one and two in 1lb loaf tins - in the August school holidays and then, after good soaking with sherry, wrap them in foil and lock them away in the drawer at the foot of the wardrobe. They began to get "fed" again with more booze in November.

JM's recipe: https://www.jamesmartinchef.co.uk/recip ... tmas-cake/

I used to make my own, maybe I should give it another go

Horrid stuff.

That and mince pies, work of the devil.

A remote 'Scouser' criticising tatsy food - now that's a first!

Avoid herbs and spices in your 'stews' because they could kill you.

Tarragon, oregano, basil, mace, cardamom, fenugreek and so on are deadly to Scousers.

Bland is best. - fry everything.

Already bought ours back in October

TheOstrich wrote:Already bought ours back in October

Feed it well, and do not drive after a slice.

Always made mine and feed it sherry yummy

Edward generally makes a small, light alcohol-free Christmas cake, mainly because we both like marzipan and royal icing but there is no point in making a big one when there is only the two of us. He makes our mincemeat using no alcohol or suet, but crushed pineapple which ferments nicely and makes a lighter mincemeat. Last weekend he used the remaining jar from last year’s batch.

I’ve never made one, I do love it though.

I stopped making my own when the children had all left home. Ed doesn't eat it so I started to buy a very small one from M&S, but stopped when I was diagnosed with diabetes. Must admit I can't go without mince pies so buy one box and treat myself to one or two spread over the Christmas week. Luckily Ed likes them, so I'm not tempted to go mad and eat them all