大象传媒

2 cups of grated soap from unscented bars (about 2 bars)

录 cup boiling water

1 tablespoon dried herbs

5-6 drops of matching essential oil (optional)

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Grate the soap using the wide holes on your kitchen grater.

Pour boiling water over the dried herbs and let them soak for 15 minutes.

Reheat the water and herb mix till bubbling and pour over the grated soap.

Mix well with an old spoon and shape into balls about the size of a golf ball.

Polish the soap balls with a few drops of essential oils on palms of your hands.

Set aside on greaseproof paper in warm place to dry out for 3-4 days.

Try these herbs; chamomile for delicate skin

Sage for oily skin

Rosemary as an astringent

Peppermint for refreshing

Thyme as antiseptic

Lavender for antiseptic and beautiful smell

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JAVA JIVE LIQUEUR

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900ml water

350g sugar

4 陆 tablespoons instant coffee

900ml vodka

2 vanilla pods

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Mix water sugar and coffee in pot and bring to high simmer but do not boil. Just want to see tiny bubbles popping on surface. Cover and simmer 1 hour

Cool completely and add vodka stirring well.

Pour into sterilised bottle and pop in vanilla pods.

Leave 2 weeks then take out pods.

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LEMONCELLO

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3 lemons

500ml vodka

100g sugar

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Scrub lemons well and pat dry to remove preservative wax. Peel off the rind avoiding bitter white pith.

Mix lemon peel juice and vodka in large jar with 1 litre water.

Mix the sugar with 125ml water in a small pan bring to boil to dissolve sugar, allow to cool slightly and then add to the vodka jar.

Cover and set aside for 24 hours in a cool place.

Strain through muslin/cheesecloth or kitchen paper and pour into sterilised bottle.

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FESTIVE RAGGY WREATH

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Mini wreath made with wire, tissue and scraps of fabric to hang on tree, doorknob or drawer pull.

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10鈥� piece of garden wire or from florists

1 sheet tissue paper or kitchen roll

20 10 x 2cm strips of scrap fabric.

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Make a loop with wire and bend over ends to form a closed ring.

Press the tissue against ring and tie fabric scraps at 4 points to hold paper in place.

Fill with remaining scraps and have all knots (single knots) facing forwards.

Trim ends

Add hanger and drops of essential oil to fragrance

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FESTIVE SIMMER

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star anise

Cinnamon sticks

Dried orange peel

Dried apple peel

Cloves

Allspice berries

Dried rosemary

Dried bay leaves

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Put all ingredients in a jar and add a lid.

Label saying use 2 tablespoons in a pan with about 500ml water leave uncovered and bring to boil, reduce to simmer and leave bubbling away to make the house smell fabulously festive and fragrant.

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CHOCOLATE BARK

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100g white chocolate

100g black chocolate

100g milk chocolate

Small packets of dried fruits

Nuts

Glace cherries

Mini marshmallows

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Melt the chocolate in separate bowls either in microwave or in glass bowl over bubbling water.

Pour chocolate on to lined baking try

While chocolate soft chop nuts and fruit and scatter over, add mini marshmallows for kids

Leave somewhere cool to set, not fridge as chocolate will go cloudy

Break into shards and pack in cellophane bags to give.

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SAVOURY OLIVES

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1 small tin green olives

1 small tin black olives

1 sprig rosemary

1 small dried red chilli pepper or 陆 teaspoon dried chilli flakes

6 black peppercorns

2 cloves garlic peeled

Olive oil to fill jar

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Drain the olives from their brine and rinse. Pat dry.

Pack olives into a wide mouthed sterilised jar

Add the chilli, peppercorns and rosemary and the garlic cloves

Pour over enough olive oil to fill the jar covering everything.

Pop on a lid. Keep in fridge, use after 24 hours. Will keep for 2 weeks.