Christmas Doodle day

Debenhams
 
This week I did another live draw along session, this time your favourite things about Christmas. 
Here are some of my drawings requested by my followers on twitter and facebook.
Follow me to join in with the next one for a chance for me to draw your request 
and also get a free signed doodle from me!

Twitter @homewithashley
Facebook ashleythomasdesign

Stilton & Thyme Bread

baking
A Christmas inspired bread that's perfect for starters at dinner parties, or just a yummy treat for yourself once you've finished all your Christmas shopping!



You'll need...
For the dough...
1 cup of water (room temperature)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon skimmed milk powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar
2 1/2 cups white flour
1 teaspoon yeast

For the flavoring...
1 small egg, beaten
100g Stilton
A couple of sprigs of fresh thyme

Make your dough by mixing the above ingredients for the dough.
Knead together for 5 minutes
Place the dough in a clean bowl and cover with cling film, leave to rise in a warm place for about 30-40mins or until it has doubled in size. The dough should spring back when you poke it.

Knead the bread again for 2mins, then roll it out on a floured surface into an oblong shape.
Brush the dough with the egg and crumble your cheese over the top.
Then sprinkle the thyme leaves over one half of the dough.
Fold the dough it half enclosing the cheese and thyme, pinch the two sides together and push down gently to release any air.

Then leave it to prove, on a lined baking tray for 45mins and cover will a piece of oiled cling film.

Preheat the oven to 200oC
Brush the top of the dough with the rest of the egg.
Score the top of the dough with a knife a bake for 25mins or until golden.
Transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool for 10 mins.


Perfect Pressie - Brownie making kit

Christmas

Perfect pressie idea, a brownie making kit. Perfect for chocolate lovers and people who love to bake.

You'll need...
1 x mixing bowl
500g self raising flour
250g Cocoa powder
500g Caster sugar
250g Pistachio nuts
ribbon for decoration
1 printed recipe (see below)



Chocolate & Pistachio Brownies

You'll need...
250g butter
500g caster sugar
100g cocoa powder
4 beaten eggs
100g self raising flour
150g pistachio nuts

To make...
Place the butter, sugar and cocoa in a
saucepan over a gentle heat and stir
until the butter has melted.
Leave the mixture to cool a little.
Beat the eggs into the cocoa mixture.
Stir in the flour really well and then the
pistachios, pour into a prepared tin.
Bake in a preheated oven at 180oC for
around 25 mins, take care not to overcook them
they should be fudgy rather than cake like.
Leave to cool and cut into squares.




All I want for Christmas...

ashley thomas

I've just finished making my new Christmas hoops, which are now available online.
£14, ashleythomasdesign.co.uk

The illustration is digitally printed in england on to 100% cotton framed in a lovely vintage style embroidery hoop, perfect for adding a fun touch to an empty wall space.

This hoop is limited edition and designed in the Peak District and handmade in England it has a little metal hook for easy hanging. The hoop is lightweight so can be hung on the wall with just a small tack or pin nail.

Made from:
Digitally printed cotton and wood look hoop. Wipe clean only.

Dimensions:
The hoop measures 17cm

Easy mince pies

Ashley Thomas at home


  • You'll need...
  • 350g mincemeat
  • 225g plain flour
  • 2 tablespoons caster sugar
  • 125g butter
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • milk, to glaze
  • To make...
  • Mix the flour, sugar together and rub in the butter together until it resembling breadcrumbs, then stir in the egg
  • Roll the the mixture together into a ball, wrap in cling film and chill for an hour.
  • In the meantime lightly butter a 12 case  baking tray.
  • Roll out the pastry onto a floured surface. Cut out 12 circles with a pastry cutter, large enough to fill the cases in the baking tray. Press gently into each case, then fill evenly with the mincemeat.
  • Cut out another 12 slightly smaller circles and use to cover the mincemeat. Press the edges together with the end of a fork to seal. Make a small slit in the top of each, then brush lightly with milk.
  • Preheat the oven to 200 C. Bake the pies for 20 minutes until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack and serve warm.

Perfect Pressie - Tea for two

Ashley Thomas at home

I'll be posting some hand picked present ideas perfect for the special people in your life this Christmas over the next three weeks. Here's the first..

My tea for two, the perfect gift for that couple you not sure what to get, but don't want to do the same old bottle of wine and chocolates!

Debenhams, £22.50


Debenhams Oxford Street Store Opening

Debenhams
Yesterday I had the privilege of being part of the Debenhams Store Opening on London's Oxford Street. After a year of renovations and more than £25million spent, the department store is now fully open. I joined some of the biggest names in British design, including Abigail Ahern, Vicki Murdock, Henry Holland, Jenny Packham, Julien Macdonald and Jasper Conran on Oxford Street yesterday to help relaunch Debenhams’s flagship store. 
You can see my exclusive collection for Debenhams on the 4th floor.