Nice Things for Christmas!

Carole · Last edited by Carole on Sat Dec 08, 2007 7:19 pm; edited 1 time in total

I tought I would like to share a couple of little Chrismas 'tips' from Italy with you all... If you've heard of them already, then just indulge me in my fantasy world!!!

Mandarin Orange Table Lanterns:
Choose a mandarin or satsuma that has what I call a 'loose skin'. I'm sure you know what I mean. Carefully cut a line around it about 1/4 way down from the top with a little 'stalk button' in it. Remove the remaining peel taking great care NOT to break it. Ensure that the white fibrous stalk going up into the bottom of the fruit remains intact!
Place the 'bowl' on a saucer and trickle a little olive oil into it down the centre stalk...this is now the wick. Carefully light the wick and place the Mandarin Lantern on the table. These are spectacular in the dark and give out a wonderful perfume when alight.

Flaming Ice Cream:
Place individual portions of ice cream into small dishes, making sure the dish is NOT full to the brim. Place one or two sugar lumps on top of the ice cream. Pour a little brandy (or liqueur of choice) slowly over the sugar so it dribbles down and over the ice cream too.
Now quickly light the brandy soaked sugar knobs and serve (for best effect) in a darkend room...

Easy to make and a lot of fun. ENJOY!

SO NOW IT'S YOUR TURN - WHAT ARE YOUR 'TIPS' FOR CHRISTMAS?

Emmy · V.I.P. Joined: Jul 11, 2007 Posts: 1000 Location: Scotland

You serve the ice-cream-- I'll eat!!! Smile

Sounds delicious!!
Emmy

Carole · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:40 pm Post subject: Re: Nice Things for Christmas!

Emmy wrote:

;-) You serve the ice-cream-- I'll eat!!! Smile

Sounds delicious!!
Emmy

You're on.... Mine's coconut ice cream...and yours?

Emmy · V.I.P. Joined: Jul 11, 2007 Posts: 1000 Location: Scotland

One just like this would go down a treat right now!!

Emmy

Cathy · V.I.P. Joined: Jul 10, 2007 Posts: 2681

Carole wrote:

Emmy wrote:

;-) You serve the ice-cream-- I'll eat!!! Smile

Sounds delicious!!
Emmy

You're on.... Mine's coconut ice cream...and yours?

I like to pour Chambord (raspberry liquor) over Hagen Daas vanilla ice cream. YUM!

nuccia · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 3:00 pm Post subject: Re: Nice Things for Christmas!

Oh..I just came back from a children's Christmas party and had chocolate fudge brownies, 7 different ice creams covered in chocolate, caramel and/or butterscotch syrup whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. Man, talk about heaven!

Carole, I'm going to try your idea..looks awesome and I love candles.

Emmy · V.I.P. Joined: Jul 11, 2007 Posts: 1000 Location: Scotland

Nuccia I'm drooling Crying or Very sad

and I cant even go and treat myself here either!!!

But I am going to try the 'candles'

Hope I do it correctly - if I dont then you'll probably hear a loud clanging noise - Wink

that will be the fire engine coming to rescue me hide

Emmy

Emmy · V.I.P. Joined: Jul 11, 2007 Posts: 1000 Location: Scotland

Here is the proof of the pudding!! It works - used a lot of matches though -- and so far no fire engine!!;-) Wink

Emmy

Carole · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 7:17 pm Post subject: Re: Nice Things for Christmas!

I'm not sure Emmy, but it looks like you left the 'innards' inside the peel...(did you?)

The peel shoud be empty with the little 'wick' standing up in the middle all by itself. It's easier to light too generally!

But I'm glad you tried - they are rather nice, I must admit, on a table when you're eating...

nuccia · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 7:36 pm Post subject: Re: Nice Things for Christmas!

They're gorgeous! U can't wait to try it..after I finish cleaning this h*ll hole! Twisted Evil

Emmy · V.I.P. Joined: Jul 11, 2007 Posts: 1000 Location: Scotland

So that's why I had to keep topping up the oil!! Shocked

Never mind I had lovely roasted orange in the middle Very Happy

Emmy