Gifts for Christmas

Well the last market day is done and dusted for 2016.  So now it is time to rest and enjoy the remainder of the year.  Or not.

Every year there is an enormous amount of money spent worldwide in the name of Christmas.  In the developed countries, nearly everybody, wants for nothing in their everyday lives, so when it comes to buying Christmas gifts, instead of giving a token of love, friendship or appreciation to those close to us, it has become common to buy lavish gifts for everyone.

I was guilty of this for many years, but one July, about 10 years ago as I paid the last bit of my Christmas credit card debt from the previous year, I decided that this had to change.

Since then, every year, I give a hamper of homemade goodies to those that are close to me. My children and grandchildren do get a little extra something, but no longer does my credit card debt carry past January.

So now the fun begins.

Over the years, I have collected a large number of recipes for treats that I only make in December for my Christmas Boxes.

As well as the usual shortbread, fudge, nuts, ginger biscuits, almond bread, etc, I also like to include some of my homemade preserves.  Throughout the year, as I bottle each batch of jam or chutney, I fill a couple of tiny 100ml jars.  So when hamper time comes around, I can add 4 to 6 tiny bottles of Dotty’s Jam to each box.

This year, I have gone back into my recipe collection and found an oldie from about 20 to 30 years ago.  One Egg Meringues.  The recipe makes about 20 to 30 little meringues using only one egg white.  These were very useful as they kept in an airtight container in the pantry for a couple of weeks. Assuming that the kids didn’t find them.  I love them dotted on top of a trifle as decoration.

                       One Egg Meringues
1 egg white
3/4 cup castor sugar
2 tabs boiling water
1 teas vanilla extract
1 teas white vinegar
2 teas baking powder

Combine egg white, sugar, water, vanilla and water in small bowl of electric
mixer, beat on high speed for 10 to 15 minutes or until sugar is dissolved and
mixture is thick.  Fold in baking powder

Place mixture into a piping bag with a fluted tip.  Pipe stars 3cm in diameter
onto foil lined trays.  Sprinkle with hundreds and thousands (optional).

Bake in a slow oven (120 C to 150 C) for 1 hour. Cool in oven.  
Makes at least 30.