Manic Monday - Christmas Recipes

Welcome to our first Manic Monday post. Manic Monday will be a random assortment of whatever strikes my fancy. So today, to get everyone in the Christmas spirit, we're going to share some of our Lounge Vixen's favorite holiday recipes. We'll have more on Wednesday so stop back in and take a look.

First up though is our next shop feature. Now, if you haven't checked out our Christmas A Go-Go Giveaway yet make sure to go enter. There is a goodie bag filled with fabulous gifts from Laughing Vixen Lounge and 6 more great shops. We'll be doing shop features each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Each shop has given Christmas recipes and they will be posted in their features. Do you have a recipe to share? You'll find out how to on the giveaway page and you'll get yourself an extra 10 entries!

Our next shop feature is Miss Bohemia.
Miss Bohemia is run by Jen from the UK. I first came across Jen's shop on Twitter and just loved her Vampire, Gothic and Fairytale themes.

Vampire Fangs Blood Drops Bracelet 

She also has lots of Alice in Wonderland designs and these amazing Phantom of the Opera necklaces.

Phantom Of The Opera Pendant - Special Edition

You have a chance to win a great Winter themed gift from Miss Bohemia. Enter now on the giveaway page.

Once In A While....Fairytale Quote Magical Keepsake Box

Ice Queen Heart Of Glass Earrings

Stop by Miss Bohemia and take a look at more of Jen's beautiful designs. You might just find something you can't resist.

Each shop was asked what their favorite holiday movie or special is. Jen said Miracle on 34th Street and I agree. The original, in black and white, with Maureen O'Hara and little Natalie Wood is one of the best! I also like the remake from '94 with Elizabeth Perkins and Dylan McDermott.

Festive Salt Dough Decorations

Jen sent this fun recipe for making salt dough decorations. These really take me back as I remember them being very popular when I was growing up. They definitely remind me of Christmas long long ago 8)

These decorations are made from basic ingredients and easy to make!

Ingredients
2 cups of Plain Flour
1 cup of table salt
1 cup of water
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil

Decorations
Acrylic paints
Glitter
Ribbon
Mod podge (optional)
Embellishments (optional)
Cotton wool (optional)

METHOD

Preheat oven to 120°C.

Add the flour and salt and then the oil to a mixing bowl and gradually add the water, mixing with a wooden spoon to form a soft dough.

Sprinkle a little flour on the work surface and knead dough for 10 minutes into a smooth ball. Leave for 10 to 20 minutes.

Roll out dough (approx 0.5 to 1 cm high) and use Christmas cutters to make festive shapes or cut out circular shapes etc. Make a small hole near the top (so you can feed the hanging ribbon through later on) with the tip of a chopstick or similar object.

Line a tray with baking paper and transfer the decorations to the tray and bake until dry and firm (usually takes around 3 to 4 hours at 120°C (Gas Mark ¼).
Leave to cool.

Add a layer of acrylic paint and allow to dry. Add a second coat and sprinkle glitter on top. I usually add a layer of mod podge and then add the glitter and gems to the decorations. For Santa's hat I added some cotton wool! Feed ribbons through holes and voila they're ready to hang or display!

And now for a few recipes from a couple of our Lounge Vixens.


Easy Fruit Cobbler from BeWitchy


My favorite recipe is my Easy Fruit Cobbler that my grandma gave me.. it truly is very simple.


Need:
1 Cup Sugar (or Splenda), 1 TSP Baking Powder, 29 oz can of fruit, 1 stick margarine, 1 cup of flour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Heat the 20 oz fruit can (whatever flavor cobbler you want - I often make peach).Melt 1 stick of margarine Make batter of the flour, sugar, baking powder (mix dry ingredients first) then mix in 1 cup of water.

Pour butter in dish (I use one of those glass baking dishes), Pour in batter (I pour 3/4 in first then pour in the hot fruit and then put the last 1/4 of butter on top). Bake for about an hour, but keep an eye on it. It may be finished before the hour is up.

Classic Betty Crocker Stuffing from R.E.B.

My Classic Betty Crocker Stuffing Recipe, we make this for Thanksgiving every year, but I lessen the butter to just enough to saute in, only use poultry seasoning for herbs, add chicken broth for moisture/sticking together, and toast the bread before turning it into cubes.

From the Betty Crocker website

3/4 cup butter or margarine                                           

2 large stalks celery (with leaves), chopped (1 1/2 cups)

1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
9 cups soft bread cubes (about 15 slices bread)
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground sage   
1/4 teaspoon pepper

In 4-quart Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-high heat. Cook celery and onion in butter, stirring occasionally, until tender; remove from heat.

In large bowl, toss celery mixture and remaining ingredients. Use to stuff one 10- to 12-pound turkey.