C H R I S T M A S
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THE INTERIOR LOFT INTERIOR • RECIPES • CRAFTS
TIFFY & FLOW FEATURING HAVE HOW
DECOR TO
MUST
PIECES
MAKE
IMPORTANT STAR
RASAS
HER
&
ALL
CHRISTMAS
DECOR
FOR
HOME.
YOUR
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Perfecting the ideal Christmas Decor Our Editorial Edit featuring the beautiful home of Rasa from Tiffy and Flow.
08 All I want for Christmas Our instagram Followers were asked their plans for Christmas 2021 compared to 2020.
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Wreaths Whether you buy them in or make them yourselves, we have picked 3 beautiful arrangements that you can pick up from some small businesses from the comfort of your home.
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Interior Inspo A sneak peak into some of our favourite instagram accounts Christmas decor for some go too interior inspiration.
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The Gift Guide A selection of products perfect for loved ones this Christmas
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The Interior Loft Just some of our favourite pieces available instore to purchase.
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Get Crafting From hanging accessories to table decor it's time to get crafting.
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Christmas Reciepes Whether it's a festive drink or Christmas pudding with a twist, here you'll find several delicious recipes for your guests.
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PERFECTING THE IDEAL
Christmas Decor
Christmas has become a gaudy holiday, wrapped in tinsel and bright flashing lights. Blending minimalism, clean lines and functionality with 'hygge', an uniquely Danish concept of cosiness. Nordic Interiors are some of the most sought-after and recognisable in the world.
Rasa's home is inspirational and poetic combining an exploration of traditional Scandinavian christmas customs with clever DIY ideas and we've been lucky enough to interview her to get to the core of Christmas for herself, her family and her home. Keep reading to find
By Rasa
out more.
Photos by Tiffy and Flow NOMADIC | 24
Be sure to check her out on instagram @tiffyandflow.
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Firstly, we would like to ask what is important about Christmas to you? For me Christmas is all about spending time with my family and making unforgettable memories with my little girls.
Do you have any traditions from your childhood that you incorporate into your home for your children? We always decorate real Christmas trees as this was a tradition whilst I was growing up too and the fresh tree smell always brings back childhood memories. I also have glass Christmas Baubles from my grandmother that we still put on a Christmas tree every year. When it comes to the tree itself, the bigger the better!
Watching your account last year, I noticed you bring a lot of craft and sustainable items into your home. What does this mean to you? Sustainability is very important in my home and especially during the festive season. I love vintage decorations and always look out for them on my shopping trips. I also love making things with foraged plants, grasses, foliage especially door wreaths. From re-used coat hangers to all foliage in the garden or roadsides, my door wreath doesn't cost anything and is good for the environment. I also decorate the front door with foliage from the garden to have that welcoming feeling to the house. I love creating and making decorations and advent calendars for the girls too. I always remake my paper bag stars as they are so easy to make and look fab too. Also wrapping presents in recycled paper or even high street paper bags and adding beautiful ribbons work well too.
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Do you have a favourite piece you like to make each year? My favourite piece to make has to be my door wreath and the girls advent calendars. The door wreath, because it helps me to be in touch with nature as I find all the items in my garden. As for the advent calendars, its our little tradition we started with the girls when they were younger and hoping it will be passed on to the future generations to come.
Keeping it with Christmas decor, what is your must have decor piece to have at Christmas, brought in or made? It has to be my glass baubles and stars! Any
type of stars goes for me... paper, wooden or fabric. They bring so much magic and calm to any space!
And finally, last Christmas was a tough one for all. Will there be anything you will be doing differently this year to make it more special? Yes, we will be celebrating with our extended family! Lat year it was just the four of us and now I can't wait to celebrate with all my loved ones!
You can check out all of Rasa's Christmas decor and craft projects on instagram @tiffyandflow.
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Christmas is the day that holds all time together.
A L E X A N D E R
S M I T H
"It's the most wonderful time of the year".
All we want for
Christmas
With celebrations up in the air in 2020, I asked a selection of our instagram followers how they celebrated last Christmas & what they will be doing differently this year.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year’ Andy Williams in my opinion had it spot on.
We’d had such a rubbish year I was determined that covid wasn’t going to spoil Christmas. If we were going to spend it stuck at home then there was a need for operation turn the house into a magical Christmas grotto (while of course keeping it stylish)
We normally have around 12-14 for dinner but Christmas of 2020 was a more conservative 8 people. I love creating a tablescape. I still went all out and even went for a hanging wreath. When all the candles were lit on Christmas Day it looked magical. I’ve got big plans for the table this year too and will definitely be recreating the wreath. The living room was also transformed in a monochrome winter wonderland. This was the first year we’d had a fireplace so I made a Garland for the
@ourchanceryhome
fireplace with eucalyptus and it smelt unbelievable. This year I’m adding some olive greens as I’m slowly moving from neutrals to earthy tones.
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We spent Christmas last year with my husbands brother, partner and our niece at our house. Enjoying the celebrations as best as we could given the circumstances.
We will be having a big family Christmas this year at my parents house to make up for last year. It's definitely a time for family and friends.
@home.atnumber50 Last year we celebrated Christmas day as a family of 4 at home and very cosy with my mummy on Facetime. My mum is a widow as we lost daddy in Jan 2002 and she also had a stroke in Dec 2019 so a very emotional Christmas for various reasons. We then cooked a roast dinner for her and took it across late afternoon on Christmas Day. I can remember she was beaming as we drove up the driveway. We hadn’t seen her for a very long time and the smile lit up her face and the tears rolled down her cheeks (all of our cheeks actually). The four of us sat outside in a circle while she ate her Christmas dinner. It was lovely and despite everything we had a wonderful lunch and toast to dad. It was his favourite time of the year and although the last time I saw him was Dec 2001 Christmas Day, we still celebrate Christmas as a happy time because that’s what he would have wanted.
@bexbois17
This year, well…..more lights….more of a statement….bigger electricity bill!!! We are really going
for the celebrations – Mum is with us Christmas day and we are going to have the best time. Food, drink, games, reminiscing and laughter!
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I always love this time of year, there's something so nostalgic about those weeks leading up to the big day and normally I'm a busy bee! Going out for dinner and drinks with friends and family, shopping days and Christmas markets, baking and eating all the festive goodies. Last year was one for the books. The brakes were on and drinks and dinner turned into cosy nights in with a mulled wine, shopping online and we found a reignited love for christmas crafts. By the time the 25th arrived, the halls were well and truly decked and we spent a beautiful day just the 4 of us, taking our time to open gifts in the morning, watching festive favourites, playing games and eating and drinking ourselves into Christmas comas, ready for round 2 on boxing day.
@littlehomediaries
This year, I will be balancing out the madness with some new traditions after learning a lot from
2020s slower pace. A few more festive nights in and a whole load of Christmas crafts for sure! One thing will return though, some socials! I'm dying to hold my annual festive.birthday drinks with the girls, and get in the car to visit my family a little further away from home! Spending time with the people I love most is what makes this time of year magical for me, so ....bring it on!
Last Christmas we had family over to sit outside in the garden with a cosy fire pit and hot chocolates whilst opening presents, with festive music playing and fairy lights, to create the Hygge feel of being together, despite a difficult year and just enjoying being together. Keeping things simple and different means we have new Christmas memories we will never forget! It was a special, magical night.
This year we will be celebrating with our friends and families with extra cosy nights, filled with candles, music, beautiful food and creating thoughtful little Christmas hampers to add a special touch to each
@styling_honey_house
gift. Inspired by Scandi living, we hope to again
focus on keeping simplicity, making memories and buying gifts from small businesses as well as our tradition of buying a real tree from a local store who always creates an amazing festive atmosphere! Every year i love decorating my tree with lots of nostaligia of all the existing decorations Ive collected over the years. Its so magical with special memories and this is what christmas means to me!
What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.
A G N E S
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P A H R O
Photography and wreath kit The Suffolk Nest £55
Festive Florals
Festive finish - Wreaths At the beginning of Christmas, we are all full of good intentions. However, as things go on and time runs out and to do lists grow, real life can get in the way of searching the right materials and finding the time to make wreaths. So we have put together some of our fav pre-mades and kits from the gram, each one bringing something different to your door! Hoops and Home is a small business run by Samantha who specialises in designing and creating bespoke artificial floral hoops and wreaths.
They are the perfect decor for celebrations such as weddings, birthdays and baby showers. Alternatively, they can be displayed in your homes, perhaps in a little girls bedroom? Or simply create some beautiful curb appeal and display on your front door as on trend seasonal decor.
Prices start upward of £45 and will vary depending on size, style and flowers/foliage required.
@hoops_and_home
This years Christmas Wreath Kit is bursting with festive flora and fauna and contains everything you need to create a truly stunning and unique Christmas wreath. You will receive an abundance of fresh foliage like Normandy blue Spruce, Eucalyptus, Pine and Conifer which have all been carefully chosen to create a wild and incredibly textured wreath.
As always there will be a pre-recorded video tutorial which will help you master the wreath making technique whilst bringing the magic of Christmas alive.
£55
www.thesuffolknest.com @the_suffolk_nest
Beautiful handmade , handcrafted faux and dried foliage and floral wreath….
Approx 17/18" in size. This wreath is suitable for outside but MUST be kept under shelter to get the best from it. If stored away safely it can last for years.
This wreath is pre order only and will not be dispatched until mid November.
£55
www.fleurandgrey.co.uk @fleurandgrey
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HOMES & TRENDS
PLAN YOUR DECOR THEMES & PEEK INSIDE SOME BEAUTIFUL INSTAGRAM HOMES
Whilst some of us like the familiarity of bringing out the same decorations each year with the occasional new accessory, others enjoy trying whole new colour schemes and themes, such as Snow Mountain, Scandinavian woodlands, Farmhouse Christmas, Noel, French Country and Silver and Gold. We've gathered some of our favourite homes on instagram to show you their Christmas decor for 2020. 14.
If your yet to check out Michaela's instagram then your certainly in for a treat. Most of their beautiful home is created with unlimited hacks and DIY creations. Bringing in natural forage and recycled sustainable pieces. Minimal touches creating the most beautiful nordic feel. @mishkashoe
Minimalism
Julie from @aldridgejulie always captures the most enchanted photos. From woodland features and rustic detailing. Bringing the outside in. Full of ambiance and warmth.
Enchanted Forest
@poppyloveyou captures so many beautiful details from florals to reclaimed, hand crafts to rustic details. Nordic vs wabi sabi.
Hygge
If your a fan of neutrals then be sure to check out @umevagen instagram. Full of candle light and earthy tones, we love how simple yet effective her Christmas decor is. Little ceramic houses, a simple star and the scent of the fir tree.
Nordic Glow
1. @our_kentish_life | 2. @gullfjaeren | 3. @whatdecoratesmyday | 4. @scandinaviskinteriorakademi | 5. @cb_loves_interiors | 6. @foreverhome_no1
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THE GIFT GUIDE An assortment of gifts to give the females of your life, this Christmas.
1. Hot water Bottle @studiogem_ - £23 | 2. Glacier Trio @mooicandleco - £20 | 3. The Pure Silk Sleep Collection @thesilkcollectionuk- £65 | 4. Mugs from our store - £14.95 | 5. Soap & Dish Christmas Gift set @botanicandblush - £22.50 6. Sleep aromatherapy reed diffuser set @naturalise - £46 | 7. Everly Dried Bouquet @fluerandgrey- £35 | 8. Spa Night giftset @wildandwood- £25 | 9. Super soft wool socks instore - £18
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THE GIFT GUIDE Smart, stylish and original gift ideas for the men in your life this Christmas.
1. Brew Dog Elvis Juice Beer Making Kit @firebox_ - £39.99 | 2. Levitation Smart Moon Lamp @notonthehighstreet - £135 | 3. Recorder Suitcase @cuckooland- £79.95 | 4. The Kind Gift Box Set @thekindstoreuk - £5| 5. Leather Bifold Wallet @farrartanner- £20 6. Eco Shaver Set @roryandruby £45 | 7. Retro punch bag @iwootofficial - £29.99 | 8. Mens suede slippers @thewhitecompany - £59.99 | 9. Large Chocolate dipping adventure @hotelchocolat - £35
THE GIFT GUIDE From tots to tweens, give the children a bug surprise with our pick of gifts.
1. Winter Fair mini Kit @organisedchaoswithkids_ - £15 | 2. Moonie Organic Humming Bear @bambinostores - £68 | 3. Clay Pom Pom Personalised Bunting @noavko- £8+ | 4. The Statement Silk Scrunchie @thesilkcollectionuk - £12.50 | 5. Miniature Bunny Doll @arabella_andbee_- £16.50 6. Autumn Stripe Terry Towel set @another.fox - £38| 7. Cam cam play kitchen @scandiborn- £199.95 | 8. Heatless curling collection @silkenberry - £38 | 9. Nobodinoz Nevada Teepee @themodernnursery £159.95
THE GIFT GUIDE From Christmas accessories to tablescapes, its time to gift the home with these beautiful picks.
1. Personalised Christmas Sacks @lucie.the.label _ - £13.99 | 2. Christmas Trees @fleurandgrey - from £12.50 | 3. Wooden houses in store - From £9.50 | 4. Scandi Christmas Tree Wax melt holder from our store - £10.99 | 5. Bamboo hanger in store - £12.99 | 6. The Winter Range from @mooicandleco From £15 | 7. Selection of wreath's @aliceandthorn - please contact | 8. A selection of candle and t.light holders from our store- from £9.50 | 9. Concrete & wood Christmas Trees @micahdaniel - from £7.50
The Interior Loft A selection of candle holders 1.no85 & no87 tlight houses, rustic metal candle holder. 2. Scandi christmas tree wax melter
3. wooden houses and dough bowl candle in various scents. 4. A selection of mugs and reclaimed chapati boards. 5. Gift box ideas - bath time collection shown.
6. Rustic wooden bed tables. 7. A selection of glassware perfect for the table.
www.theinteriorloft.com 24.
Table accessories 1. Rustic Terracotta Rose Pots perfect for candles 2. Pair of glass cup & saucers and tapas serving plates.
3. Antique Display Plate & petra candle holders. 4. Cast Iron candle holder with long handle. 5. Wooden candle stick holders.
6. Mango wooden Board 7. Brown hand blown Glass Cover
Gifts and homeware
Christmas Crafts
Crafting Christmas Crafts perfect for any home.
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Snowflake Christmas Decorations You will need: 1. 6 wooden Pegs 2. Glue Gun 3. White Paint 4. Paintbrush 5. Twine 6. Sharp Scissors
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Remove the wire part of each of the pegs by twisting
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Glue together the flat sides of the pegs.
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Place in a snowflake shape with the narrow points facing out.
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Glue together and wait until it is set.
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Paint white. You can use chalk paint, spray paint can also work.
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If you want these to hang then cut off a length of twine and attach to create a hanging loop.
@acton.life.and.home
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Paper Bag Stars You will need: 1. Paper Bags 2. Glue 3. Scissors 4. Hole Punch 5. String or Fishing wire
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Count out your bags. If using lunch bags, use 7-9, I usually recommend between 8-9. For smaller sized bags, you will need between 12-14.
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add glue to the back of each bag along the top and through the centre and then stack the bags on top of each other.
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Once all the bags are glued together, cut the tops off forming a point and then open the bags to make sure ends meet. You can add more bags if needed.
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Cut small triangles or other shapes into the sides of the bags to create designs if you would like.
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Once the bags are cut as desired, add more glue to one side. Open bags and hold sides together for a minute to let the glue dry.
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Punch hole in the bag, loop string and tie off.
Wooden Icicles You will need: 1. Twine 2. Sharp Scissors 3. Wooden Beads
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Cut off a length of twine and tie a knot in the end.
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Thread on your beads. This can be in any pattern you like. I used 3 different sizes.
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Loop over the top and make a loose knot.
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Pull the knot down and tighten, so that it holds the beads tight in place.
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Cut off any excess twine.
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And hang.
@acton.life.and.home
RICH
Fig date & orange Christmas pudding By Aimee Twigger @twiggstudios
If you are not a fan of the traditional Christmas puddings like me then you may like this one. It has less alcohol and is a bit lighter. It is fragrant and with a floral hint of orange blossom. Ingredients
• 180g dried figs finely chopped
• 175g dates chopped
• 85g candied peel chopped
• 80g golden sultanas
• juice and zest of one navel orange
• 100ml Cointreau or orange liqueur
• 1 and a half tsp orange blossom water
• 1 small ball or stem ginger in syrup chopped
• 100g unsalted butter at room temp
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 65g blanched whole or flaked almonds chopped
• 1 tsp ground cardamom or 8 cardamom pods ground with a pestle and mortar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 100g dark muscovado sugar
• 85g brioche bread crumbs
• 50g self raising flour
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 large figs and a large navel orange to line the basin - optional, N O M A Dadd I C 15g | 2 4more bread crumbs if adding this
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• Lightly grease your pudding basin and add a disk of baking paper at the bottom, you will need a 1.75 Litre/20 cm basin, or a slightly smaller one will also work (1.3 litre at least)
• In a pan add the chopped figs, dates, mixed peel, golden sultanas and the chopped stem ginger. Add the zest of one orange and the juice and then add the orange blossom water and orange liqueur. Gently simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until the liquid has absorbed into the fruits and it has become sticky. Leave to cool.
• Cut the crusts off some brioche bread and discard them, then make breadcrumbs in a food processor with the rest until fine and weigh out 85g.
• Roughly chop the almonds into small chunks and add to a bowl with the breadcrumbs and put to one side.
• In a bowl whisk the butter for a minute to soften it then add the sugar, eggs and whisk, then add flour, salt, and dried spices and whisk again until creamy. Add the cooled fruit and breadcrumbs, chopped almonds, and mix.
• Using a sharp knife slice the fig and orange as thinly as possible and stick to the inside of the basin, then spoon in the mixture.
• Cover with a layer of baking parchment, pleating it to allow for expansion, then add a layer of tin foil on top. Tie with string (keep the paper in place with a rubber band while tying). Trim off any excess paper.
• Then tie some more string to create a handle so you can easily lift out the pudding.
• Place an upturned saucer or some balled up tin foil at the bottom of a large pan and place the basin on top. This ensures the pudding is not touching the base of the pan.
• Then boil a kettle and pour water in so it comes to halfway up the size of the basin, then cover and steam for 3 hours, topping up with boiling water every now and then. Leave it to cool.
• Store in a cool place for up to 1 week, or serve right away.
To serve: Steam the pudding in a pan of boiling water in the same way for 1 hour, to warm it through or remove foil and cover basin with plastic wrap and microwave for three minutes, then let stand for two minutes and turn out.
Serve with clotted cream or custard.
NOMADIC | 24
TRENDING
Moscow Mule By Half Baked Harvest
Vodka mixed with fresh lime juice, a squeeze of grapefruit juice, pomegranate juice, spicy jalapeños, and topped off with ginger beer for a touch of sweetness and a little bit of bubbly! It’s both festive and warming, perfect for holiday parties and cold winter nights.
7 ingredients
Produce
1/4 Grapefruit, juice from small 1 Jalapeno, slices 1/3 cup Pomegranate, juice 1 Pomegranate arils Drinks 1 Ginger beer
Beer, wine & spirits 2 oz Vodka Other juice from 1/2 lime juice
NOMADIC | 24
TASTY
Meringue Christmas Tree Tower
By Aimee Twigger @twiggstudios
A Christmas tree meringue tower. The perfect centre piece for the holidays
Its an easy wow factor dessert to serve your guests and you can fill it or decorate it however you like.
I used some little raspberry coconut truffles and some white chocolate stars and hidden between each layer its raspberry compote and fresh raspberries with lots of cream.
Lemon curd, whipped cream, berries and white chocolate could be a delicious alternative filling, use your favourite.
Ingredients
Meringue Ingredients
• 6 Large eggs (egg whites only)
• 370g caster sugar
• 1/2 tsp cornflour and a squeeze of lemon Filling idea raspberry and coconut
• 250g fresh or frozen raspberries for compote, plus 150g fresh raspberries for filling. (or any fruit you wish)
• 100g caster sugar
• 1 tbsp water
• 250ml double cream
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
• 100g coconut cream (place tin in the fridge the night before to make it firm
• 6 tbsp icing sugar (or more to your taste)
• 100g white chocolate for star decorations
• white coconut chocolate truffles
NOMADIC | 24
• Clean your bowl and dry it very well so there is no moisture. I like to rub the inside of the bowl with a cloth that has some lemon juice on it as an extra precaution. This helps to ensure the bowl has no traces of fat in it.
• preheat the oven to 110c
• separate the eggs carefully and add the egg whites into the bowl of a stand mixer with the balloon whisk attachment fitted. Turn the mixer on to a low/medium speed to start mixing them.
• Once the egg whites have become foamy, start adding the sugar a tablespoon at a time.
• Once you have added all the sugar, add the cornflour and a squeeze of lemon juice.
• Turn your mixer up to high speed and mix for 5 to 8 minutes until the meringue is glossy and stiff.
• You can check the meringue is mixed correctly by rubbing some of the mixture between your fingers. If you can still feel large sugar grains, keep mixing it for a bit longer.
• Now we need to create the layers
• For the base layer, which is the largest, first spoon on 1/2 cup of meringue in the centre of the baking tray in a neat circle.
• Fit a piping bag with a star nozzle and pipe a cross, then pipe a line in between creating a star with 6 points. then pipe more mixture so you have a large pavlova like layer in the shape of a star. Use the back of a spoon to make a well in the centre then make sure the top is flat.
• Then make the next layer the same way but slightly smaller, and the third.
• The next 2 layers can be thinner but still make a well in the centre.
• For the final layer make a little point on the top to look like the top of a tree.
• The smallest layers will need 1 and a half to 2 hours and the largest layers 2 and a half hours.
• let the meringues cool in the oven with the door ajar if you can.
Then assemble and fill with your choice of fillings, i used raspberry compote and sweetened cream, see below, though use whatever you like, lemon curd works well.
Filling ideas - Raspberry & Coconut • Add the raspberries, caster sugar and water in a pan and simmer until they become really juicy. reduce a little and then let cool in the fridge. (you can pour through a sieve to remove seeds before you reduce it if you wish)
• Add the cream in a bowl with icing sugar and mix until it just starts to thicken then add the coconut cream and vanilla and mix again until soft peaks form.
white chocolate stars
• Melt the white chocolate in a bowl over a pan of boiling water then add to a piping bag, snip the end off so you have a small hole and pipe stars onto some baking paper, spray with some gold lustre spray and leave to harden. Assembling it • Take the base layer and place on a large platter • Fill with some cream and then spoon on some compote and add some fresh raspberries then add the next layer. Best to be assembled right before serving.
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