Emma Kathryn Wild Witchcraft

I like to make things, and this extends to food and drink (to be fair, these are probably my faves).

I think winter is the perfect time to get busy in the kitchen. There’s something about the growing dark and cold that makes me want to feed those I care about, and these festive foods and drinks are perfect to share. I also think that in this age of consumerism and over consumption, food and drink make great gifts, and when they are homemade, they are extra special. Give these recipes a try, you will not be disappointed!

Summer Fruit Vodka

Starting strong, this is a nice drink poured over lots of ice with tonic water. If you’ve foraged and grown fruits over the summer and have some in the freezer, than it makes perfect sense to use these. If not, frozen fruits are pretty cheap to buy.

You will need:

• 700ml Vodka
• frozen summer berries
• 50g sugar
• large clean jar or bottle.

Simply pop the fruit into a clean jar and add the sugar before adding the vodka. Put the lid on and give it a good old shake. Keep on the worktop for about a week, shaking each day so that the sugar dissolves. Strain into a clean bottle.

Spiced Rum

A personal favourite, this is lovely at Christmas and Yule, served over lots of ice with ginger beer.

You will need:

• 700ml dark rum
• Rind of 1 orange, sliced,
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 5 or 6 roughly crushed allspice berries
• 5 or 6 roughly crushed juniper berries
• 1 star anise
• 1 vanilla pod split open
• 50g muscovado sugar
• Clean jar with lid

Put all the spices and orange peel into a jar along with the sugar and pour over the rum. Put the lid on and give it all a good shake. I like to leave this to steep for 2 weeks but 1 will suffice, shaking daily. Strain into a clean bottle.

Fruity Spiced Soda Bread Loaf

Now I know sourdough bread seems to be the celebrity of the bread world, but soda bread is so deliciously simple and quick to make and that makes it a winner in my book. This recipe is a festive delight, so why not give it a go.

You will need:

• 2 cups of plain flour
• 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1/2 cup of dried fruit (I used a mix of raisins, sultanas and cranberries, but you can add whatever you like)
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 1 tablespoon ginger
• 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
• baking tray lined with baking paper

Preheat the oven to around 180 degrees celsius (fan oven). Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl, including the fruit. Slowly add the milk until it forms a soft but not sticky dough (if you need more milk, add it slowly, and if you use too much, just add a little more flour). Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and give it a quick knead before shaping into a slightly flat ball shape. Place on the tray and bake for around half and hour. When it’s cooked, if you knock the bottom, it should sound hollow. Allow to cool and enjoy with lashings of butter.

These recipes are so quick and easy and totally delicious, leaving you plenty of time to relax and enjoy them!