Spreading the Christmas cheer

It's been quiet on this blog. Too quiet. Reason being, as those who know me will know, is that I've avoided experimenting too much with recipes over the last 6 months while working on dropping some weight. That, plus I've been a little slack. However, Christmas time in my family is always a time of special foods, and that slight over-indulgence. So here's 3 holiday recipes for Christmas gatherings (or any time, really).

Apricot Balls

This recipe I inherited from my mother who, in turn, inherited it from her mother. Apricot balls were my favourite treat growing up, and I just could never get enough of them. Be warned though that you will get messy making these. Mixing with a spoon just doesn't cut it.

Ingredients

makes about 45 balls

200g dried apricots, diced

200 ml sweetened condensed milk

1/4 cup desiccated coconut

1 packet Arnotts Morning Coffee biscuits (or milk arrowroot if you can't find them)

Extra desiccated coconut

Method

1. Process the biscuits into semi-fine crumbs using a food processor. Place in a mixing bowl and add the apricots and desiccated coconut and mix well using your hands.
2. Add the sweetened condensed milk and mix thoroughly. If the mix is a little dry, add 1 tbs of water and knead the mix until it's well bound.
3. Roll teaspoon-sized portions of the mix in your hands to form balls, then roll in the extra coconut to coat.
4. Once all balls have been created, place in the fridge for about an hour to allow them to set. Enjoy!

Rum Balls

This is another recipe which, like the apricot balls, I inherited from my grandmother. It's almost identical to the recipe above with just a few modifications and, in my family, often served alongside the apricot balls.

Ingredients

Makes about 35 balls

200 ml sweetened condensed milk

1/4 cup cocoa

1 packet Arnotts Morning Coffee biscuits

1 tbs dark rum

Desiccated coconut to coat

Method

1. Process the biscuits into semi-fine crumbs using a food processor. Place in a mixing bowl, add the cocoa, and mix well using your hands.
2. Add the sweetened condensed milk and the rum and mix thoroughly. Knead the mix until it's well bound.
3. Roll teaspoon-sized portions of the mix in your hands to form balls, then roll in the coconut to coat.
4. Once all balls have been created, place in the fridge for about an hour to allow them to set.

Home-made Irish Cream

This recipe came from one of my wife's workmates, and went down a treat at the gathering where I was first introduced to it about a week ago.

Ingredients

300 ml cream

200 ml sweetened condensed milk

2 tbs chocolate topping

3 eggs

1/2 tsp coconut essence

1 cup scotch or whiskey

Method

1. Place all ingredients in a bowl or jar and mix on low speed with an electric mixer or barmix until thoroughly combined.
2. Pour into a decanter or other container for serving.