Occasionally I do still cook from these books and have some real favourites in the Apple book. It seems that I am not the only one with affection for these magazines as, every now and then, I get another comment on the 2009 post from someone who used to collect the magazines, seeking a particular recipe. This month I had a request for 'Princess Pudding', sadly I was unable to help, but yesterday I had a request from Clare in Canada, for the mincemeat recipe from Christmas from the Freezer and I am pleased to be able to oblige:
Mincemeat
Makes about 5lb (2.25kg)1 1/2 lb (675g cooking apples
1lb (450g) seedless raisins
8oz (225g) currants
6oz (150g) sultanas
2oz (50g) mixed peel, chopped
8oz (225g) shredded suet
10oz (275g) soft brown sugar
1 lemon, grated rind and juice
1/2 tsp mixed spice
4 tbsp brandy
1. Peel, core and slice apples. Cook genlty without water, stirring to pulp them. Cool.
2. Add dried fruits to all other ingredients, then stir in apple. Mix well.
3. Put into rigid containers. Keep 3-4 days in fridge to 'mature'.
To serve now: as required
To freeze: seal and label. Use within 3 months.
To serve from freezer: thaw overnight at room temperature.
Anyone who is seeking copies of Home and Freezer Digest would be advised to have a look on Ebay as there always seem to be a few copies of both the magazines and the little books available at pretty reasonable prices.
That mincemeat recipe is very similar to my boozy fat free mincemeat, it also has apples in it too and you cook them with the fruit! A lovely post and I had never heard of this magazine before until now. Karen
ReplyDeleteMy mother had that 'Complete Freezeaway Christmas' - I'm going to HAVE to hunt for one on Ebay now!!
ReplyDeleteHope you find it Sarah!
ReplyDeleteI used to love that magazine too. In fact I have several scrapbooks full of recipes cut out of it and many of our long standing family favourites first appeared in it.
ReplyDeleteWe had that booklet in the 70s. There was a recipe for ginger hollows. Biscuits that cooked with a hollow centre. They were delicious.
ReplyDeleteI stumbled across your blog whilst searching, in vain, for the "Home & Freezer Digest" recipe for Cranberry Relish. I have been making it all this time but am currently in Qatar and cannot find my copied recipe! I know exactly where my binders are at home but everyone is away for Christmas already. Can anyone help?
ReplyDeleteHi Heather
ReplyDeleteThere is a Cranberry Sauce recipe in each of the Christmas books:
450g cranberries
150g caster sugar
150ml water
Put all ingredients in a saucpan, cover an simmer for about 15 minutes until berries are tender. Serve hot or cold.
Cranberry Orange Sauce
150g granulated sugar
300ml water
1 orange, finely grated rind and juice
450g cranberries
Heat sugar in water slowly till dissolved stir in rind and juice and boil 5 mins. Add cranberries and simmer gently for about 10 mins till berries burst. Serve hot.
There's also a great cranberry relish recipe HERE
Thanks for your time and trouble, Janice.
ReplyDeleteThe recipe I was after used vinegar and cinnamon stick but I can't remember what else and in what proportions. It was a relish and definitely not like the 'jam' which passes for sauce. ;-)
Merry Christmas to all.
My mum still uses recipes from some of her very old books on a regular basis - latest to be used was the Sainsbury's Freezer Cookbook which contains her chicken liver pate recipe!
ReplyDeleteIs the brandy butter recipe in the "Christmas from the freezer" cook book. I remember using it & everyone loved it as it was entirely different from the usual brandy butter.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I don't have access to my cook books at the moment, they have all been put away while I get work done on the kitchen. I'll try to remember to come back and let you know when I can get to Christmas from the freezer, thanks for your interest
DeleteDo you have the recipes for stuffings that were in Christmas From The Freezer . I had a new kitchen fitted last year and hsve lost my copy of the cookbook. I have tried most of the christmas recipes over the years and am so unhappy that the book has got lost.
ReplyDeleteIf you email me farmersgirlkitchen@gmail.com I'll scan and send them to you. If you want a copy of the book, try eBay I've seen copies there.
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