Twisted Christmas Bread Wreath

Line the base and sides of 2, 10 x 20cm loaf pans, or 4, 6 x 12cm mini loaf pans.
For topping choice Rum ‘n Raisin, combine raisins, rum and cinnamon in a bowl and set aside until required.
Place chocolate in a glass bowl and heat in the microwave in 30 second increments until half chocolate is melted. Stir chocolate constantly until all the chocolate is melted.
Pour chocolate evenly between pans and whilst still in melted form, working quickly, decorate with preferred toppings. Allow to set at room temperature and store in an airtight container when set. Wrap and give away as gifts.

Place tomatoes, onion, sugar, vinegar, raisins, spices and salt into a large saucepan. Heat over low heat until sugar has dissolved. Increased heat and bring to a simmer, cooking for approximately 1 hour, until thickened and reduced. Stirring often throughout cooking time to prevent sticking to the bottom.
Place washed and rinsed jars into an oven so they are hot. Remove to a benchtop and pour chutney between the jars. Wipe clear covers with vinegar and place over the top of each jar, sealing with an elastic band. Allow to cool before screwing jar lids on and decorating for giving as gifts.

Once opened, store chutney in the refrigerator.

Place butter, sugar and golden syrup in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat until creamy. Add egg and mix until well combined.
Gently fold in the flour, almond meal and spices until a dough has formed. Shape into a flattened ball and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Pre-heat oven to 180C (160C fan-forced). Roll the dough out onto a floured surface to 5mm thickness. Using star and round shaped cutters, cut shapes and transfer to lined oven trays. Using a small piping nozzle, cut a hole in the top of each shape prior to baking. Re-roll the dough offcuts until all has been used.
Bake for 12-14 minutes, until golden. Allow to cool on trays for 5 minutes before removing to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Once cool, decorate the biscuits with icing and currants. Thread lengths of ribbon through the holes and tie. Decorate your Christmas tree or give as gifts.

Alternative option: Prior to baking, press flaked almonds or slivered almonds into the dough and bake. Once cooked and cool, dust with icing sugar.

Pre-heat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced).

Combine sultanas and juice in a small bowl and set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, milk, sugar and vanilla.
Sprinkle some of the sultanas and chocolate over the base of a rectangular baking dish. Arrange half of croissants in the baking dish, slightly overlapping. Sprinkle with more of the sultanas and chocolate. Top with remaining croissants, sultanas and chocolate.
Pour egg mixture over croissants allowing time for it to be absorbed, approximately 30 minutes. Sprinkle with almonds.
Bake pudding for 35-40 minutes or until set. Serve warm with cream or ice-cream.

Preheat oven to 200°C

Sieve plain flour and mixed spice. Rub butter into the flour until well incorporated and add dry yeast, castor sugar, sultanas, currants and chocolate dots. Add the milk and eggs and mix well. Place on a floured surface and gently knead dough for ten minutes until smooth and velvety. Cover and leave to rise for one hour or until mixture has doubled in size.
Gently knead for 2 minutes then divide into 12. Gently knead into balls and shape into buns. Arrange in a greased baking tin and leave to rise again for 15 minutes.
Combine ingredients for flour paste crosses and place in a piping bag. Pipe crosses onto buns.
Bake for 10 minutes; reduce heat to 170°C and bake for a further 20 minutes.
Turn onto a wire rack, serve hot with butter, if desired

Heat half of the oil in a large frying pan, add onion, garlic and ginger, cook for 3-4 minutes until tender. Add rogan josh paste and cook a further minute until fragrant. Add to the pot of a slow cooker.
Using the remaining oil, sear lamb in batches until well browned. Add to the slow cooker with the tomatoes and water. Cook on low heat for 8 hours. Stir in garam masala and season well.
Serve lamb with almonds, coriander and papadums.*For a faster cooking time, cook on High heat for 4 hours.

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