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NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT

Stock up early for the kids this Christmas with Mrs Crunch’s bargain toys and some delicious seasonal chutney recipes

Mrs Crunch has shopped around for the best bargain buys for your tots this holiday season from the high street

WITH just three months until you-know-what, make present-buying child’s play by stocking up on great deals on kids’ favourite toys.

From Play-Doh to Playmobil and Scalextric to Nerf, I have found some brilliant bargain buys to tuck away until Christmas.

With only three months to go it's best to nab the bargains before they're all gone
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With only three months to go it's best to nab the bargains before they're all goneCredit: Alamy

If you feel in a pickle about presents, make some seasonal chutneys now to give as gifts.

This week I have two great recipes from to get you started.

Rev up. . .Little boy racers will love the Vroom Planet My First Garage, £17 from Morrisons while stocks last
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Rev up. . .Little boy racers will love the Vroom Planet My First Garage, £17 from Morrisons while stocks last
Press their buttons . . . Get a VTech Baby Play & Learn activity Table for half price at The Entertainer, now costing £24.99, see thetoyshop.com
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Press their buttons . . . Get a VTech Baby Play & Learn activity Table for half price at The Entertainer, now costing £24.99, see thetoyshop.com
Tea's up. . . Morrisons Deluxe 27-piece Tea Pot set, down from £7 to £4.53
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Tea's up. . . Morrisons Deluxe 27-piece Tea Pot set, down from £7 to £4.53
Streets ahead . . . Buy My Monopoly Game for just £7.33, down from £22 at The Entertainer
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Streets ahead . . . Buy My Monopoly Game for just £7.33, down from £22 at The Entertainer
Just Magic . . . Playmobil Fairies with Toadstool House, £20 at Morrisons with stocks last
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Just Magic . . . Playmobil Fairies with Toadstool House, £20 at Morrisons with stocks last
Builder's Fun . . . Toy trolley with bricks, £12.99 at Aldi, while stocks last
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Builder's Fun . . . Toy trolley with bricks, £12.99 at Aldi, while stocks last
Jump to it . . . Heatons Spider-Man Space Hopper is down from £13.99 to £5.50 at sportsdirect.com
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 Jump to it . . . Heatons Spider-Man Space Hopper is down from £13.99 to £5.50 at sportsdirect.com
Nerf NStrike Fire, £9.97, part of two-for-£14 deal, Asda
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Nerf NStrike Fire, £9.97, part of two-for-£14 deal, Asda
More doh for less dough . . . Fill stockings with single cans of Play-Doh, 79p, Aldi while stocks last
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More doh for less dough . . . Fill stockings with single cans of Play-Doh, 79p, Aldi while stocks last
Play-Doh Activity Trolley Backpack, £11, part of two for £14 deal, Asda
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Play-Doh Activity Trolley Backpack, £11, part of two for £14 deal, Asda
Wheel Deal . . . Scalextric C1343 Porsche Power-Slide, was £120 now £79.99 at Hawkin's Bazaar, hawkin.com
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Wheel Deal . . . Scalextric C1343 Porsche Power-Slide, was £120 now £79.99 at Hawkin's Bazaar, hawkin.com
For your model child . . . Play-Doh Let's Create Table, £17, Morrisons while stocks last
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For your model child . . . Play-Doh Let's Create Table, £17, Morrisons while stocks last
We heart art . . . Crayola Play 'N' Fold Art Studio £26, Morrisons
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We heart art . . . Crayola Play 'N' Fold Art Studio £26, Morrisons

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Apple and ginger chutney

 

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YOU NEED:

1kg cooking apples; peeled, cored and diced

75g stem ginger finely chopped

300g granulated sugar

400ml malt vinegar

2 tsp mixed spice

METHOD: Place the apples, sultanas, stem ginger, sugar, vinegar and mixed spice in a large pan and cook over a low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

Bring to the boil so the mixture bubbles then cook over a medium heat for about 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring from time to time until mixture is thick and syrupy.

To tell when the chutney is ready you should be able to draw a wooden spoon over the base of the pan so it leaves a channel behind that holds its shape for a few seconds.

Spiced plum chutney

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YOU NEED: 

1 ½ kg ripe plums

500g cooking apples

2 oranges

200g dried figs chopped

100g dried cranberries

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground cinnamon

300 ml red wine vinegar

500g demerara sugar

METHOD: Halve the plums and remove the stone, then peel, core and dice the apples.

Finely grate the zest from the oranges and squeeze the juice.

Place in a large pan with the plums and diced apples. Add the figs, cranberries, ginger, cinnamon, vinegar and sugar.

Cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for an hour, stirring from time to time, until thick and syrupy.

Wash two to three jam jars in warm soapy water, rinse in warm water and dry. Place in a moderate oven for five minutes to warm through.

Carefully ladle the syrup into the clean, warmed jars, cover the tops with a circle of wax paper and seal with a disc of cling film or the lid.

Allow the jars to cool and store in a cool place. Use within six months.


Go to the for more recipes.

 

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