Ham and Stilton crumpets

I never imagined that I'd be a person who would make their own crumpets, let alone a person who would happen to have all the ingredients in the cupboard and fridge already, but it seems I am that person.  The ham I made on Christmas eve in the slow cooker with coke, forgot about it till Boxing day, when I then did the glazing and the first batch of eating - it was excellent for the leaving of the ham in the coke for a couple of days.  That this delight then went into these tasty little treats made me feel very domestic goddessy, and making my own crumpets already made me feel like one!  This foray into the world of crumpets has made me want to have another go, without the Stilton and ham, but rather with lots of butter.

A Christmas sausage roll

I can't get over how good this looks and not only was it a looker but tasted the business too.  I was worried about the 200g liver in this, having forever been put off liver at school in the 1970s, but I put my trust in Nigel and he didn't disappoint.  Rather than making pastry leaves as decoration with my excess pastry I made an individual sausage roll.  I think that the mixture would have benefitted from the addition of cranberries and my next go at this will contain just that.

Pigeon, parsnip and porcini pie

Well, this was quite special for a midweek meal.  The pigeon was gamey and the sauce was full or porcini flavoured deliciousness. And, despite containing the often maligned chestnut mushroom, the fully daughter both ate and enjoyed this offering - we've come a long way!  We both agreed that if I make this dish again (or more likely a version of it with beef rather than pigeon) I will double the quantity of cranberries as they really made this dish very good.