CHRISTMAS GIFTS ~ CHILLI OIL

Good Morning to you,

We are heading towards the end of October and my thoughts are drifting towards Christmas.

Oh dear, do you feel it is too soon to talk about Christmas?

I am sorry if you do, but this is the time, when I usually gather the ingredients to make my Christmas cake and Christmas pudding, but this year, we are going to have a pared down Christmas, as our family are not able to be with us, to celebrate.

Please don't think that I am not excited about Christmas, because I am, I love Christmas, and all it entails.

So instead of thinking about Christmas cake and pudding, I need to start thinking about making home made gifts, so I thought in the coming weeks I would share some of my ideas with you.

I love flavoured oils and the one I am going to make today is,

Chilli Oil.  Making home made gifts is such a pleasure, but it is the time element which is important, as the last thing you want is to run out of time and have just a few weeks to make gifts.  Planning in advance makes life a little simpler..... yes, honestly, you did read correctly, I did say, planning.... as you know, planning is not my strongest point.

First, I go out and about to find some nice bottles for the chilli oil. 

Once I have found

the bottle I like, 

I then choose a tag,

a length of

red ribbon 

and

a gorgeous Christmas bag,

yes 

it has to be gorgeous.

When the bottles have been filled with chilli oil, 

 I then decorate the bottles with ribbon 

and 

a tag.

I also include

 instructions for storing the oil. 

I also add

a

Christmas tree decoration.

I love Christmas tree decorations

and each year I buy a new one for the tree.

If I can find something a little different

so much the better.

Do you like these Christmas tree decorations

which were bought in India?

I think this makes a lovely Christmas present

for a friend.

So now, it's on with the pinnie and the music I am listening to, takes me back to my youth,

the Beatles White Album.  Now, here's the thing, I could not photograph the front of the album, because of course the album is white with just The BEATLES, highlighted on the album cover, but not enough so that you could see it in the photograph.  So I decided to photograph the list of songs instead.

There are so many Beatles songs to love, but my absolute favourite, is,

 'I Will',

 I love, love, love it. 

Also listen to

 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'

 and

 'Blackbird'

Once you have listened to these songs, I just know you will be listening to your own favourite Beatles songs.

So whilst I am listening to 'Revolution', I will organise my ingredients.

INGREDIENTS 

TO 

MAKE

CHILLI OIL

Olive Oil

(enough to fill your chosen bottles)

pinch of chilli flakes

6 small dried red chillies

HOW 

TO 

MAKE

CHILLI OIL

Decide on the bottle

you wish to use

and

sterilize 

the bottle or bottles.

Place the olive oil

in a pan

and

gently heat to

80C.

Add the 

dried chilli flakes

and

the

dried chillies.

Stir,

then

leave to cool.

Using a funnel,

pour the olive oil

with the chillies

and

chilli flakes

into the bottle.

You might need a spoon to remove the

chilli flakes from the pan.

Pop the lid on

and

store in a dark, cool place

for at least three weeks.

The longer you leave the oil,

the more intense the flavour.

Once a week, give the olive oil

a little shake.

I also make oregano oil

using 

dried oregano.

Also lemon oil

and

rosemary oil.

Just a thought, you need to know that the chilli oil will turn a shade of red, the longer it is left to mature. So please don't think that something dreadful is happening to the chilli oil.

I have added 6 very small, red, dried chillies to my oil, because I know this is the perfect flavour for me, but if you feel this is too many chillies, then reduce the amount to suit your taste.

Do you have friends in mind who, you know, would love to receive a gift of chilli oil..... I know I do.

Now I am not a connoisseur of chillies, in fact, I really know very little about them, but if you are interested in learning more, pop over and visit MJ's Kitchen who knows everything there is to know about chillies.... and you will also find a lovely recipe for Tarragon, Lemon Quick Bread.

Take care and I will see you on Sunday.