Rum Raisin Popcorn Balls Food

CHOCOLATE RUM BALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Arrange the almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in the center of the oven. Toast the almonds until golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Let cool. Arrange the almonds on a flat surface and coarsely chop them with a large knife. Set aside.
• In a medium metal bowl, combine the chocolates. Create a makeshift double boiler by filling a pot that will hold the bowl snugly with about 2 inches of water. (The bowl should not touch the water.) Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat so that the water is simmering. Set the bowl of chocolate over the pot, stirring with a heatproof spatula from time to time, until the chocolate is melted, 3 to 5 minutes.
• In a small pan, simmer the honey over medium heat until it bubbles, froths and turns amber brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and gently stir the honey into the chocolate.
• Use a strainer or sifter to sift the powdered sugar over the chocolate-honey mixture and stir it in, along with the almonds, rum and vanilla, until smooth.
• Place the sprinkles in a cookie tin or container with a fitted lid. Roll the chocolate mixture into small balls (about 1 1/2 inches) and arrange on a baking sheet. Spill the sprinkles over the chocolates and press the sprinkles into the exterior of each to make them stick.
• When all are rolled, sprinkle them with salt and store them in the container nestled in the remaining sprinkles. Refrigerate, if needed, but serve closer to room temperature.

SUPERFOOD ENERGY BALLS

Steps:

• Place the almonds, walnuts and pepitas in a food processor and process until only small pieces remain. Add in the maca powder, chia seeds and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and grind to a coarse consistency.
• Add in the dates and continue to pulse 10 to 15 times until broken down. Add in the almond butter and pulse until a dough forms. (You should be able to pinch the dough between your fingers. If it's too crumbly, add it in a bit more almond butter.)
• Place the dough in the fridge to firm up, 10 minutes. Pinch off about 1 tablespoon dough and roll into a ball. Repeat with the remaining dough. Place in the fridge to firm up for another 5 to 10 minutes.

SUGAR PLUM POPCORN BALLS

Steps:

• Bring 1/4 cup light corn syrup, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 cup confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup plum jam, 1 cup mini marshmallows and 1 tablespoon water to a boil in a large pot over medium heat, stirring. Add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and a pinch of salt. Remove from the heat; using a rubber spatula, stir in 12 cups popcorn until coated. Butter your hands, then shape into balls and roll in coarse sugar.

RUM & RAISIN PUDDINGS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Mix the dates with the hot milk and set aside for 20 mins. Mix the raisins with the rum and do the same. Grease 9 dariole or small pudding moulds and sit them in a deep roasting tin or baking dish. Put the kettle on.
• Whizz the dates and milk together in a food processor until you have a smooth purée, then scrape into a large bowl and mix with the oil and eggs, before stirring in the bicarbonate of soda, flour and sugar. Finally fold in the rum-soaked raisins and any rum left in the bowl. Divide between the darioles, then carefully pour boiling water into the tin or dish so it comes two-thirds to halfway up the sides of the darioles. Bake for 20-25 mins on a low shelf in the oven.
• Check the puds are done with a skewer, then lift out and cool a little. For the sauce melt the butter, sugar and cream together, then turn up the heat until it bubbles and comes together into a smooth, shiny sauce. Stir in the rum and raisins and cool. Turn out the puddings from the moulds, scraping around the sides of each with a blunt cutlery knife first. Line up in a shallow baking dish and cover with cling film. Keep the puds and sauce somewhere cool for up to 24 hrs.
• To serve spoon a little sauce and raisins over each pud, then pour the rest around (if the sauce has separated a little just gently reheat and stir back together). Cover the whole dish with a tent of foil. When the Christmas dinner is ready turn the oven down to 120C/100C fan/gas ¼ and reheat puddings for about 30-40 mins until hot. Serve with crème fraîche.