Last Minute Tips And Dips [To Dye For]

This one is probably too late for this year - but you can use it next year! If you use the sort of home hair colouring where you get a cute little pot with latex gloves in it, you can reuse them for more than one dyeing session. 
So put unused sets away somewhere, and then when you need to 'massage your Christmas ham' a la Jamie and Nigella, you can wear the gloves and dispose of them afterwards. 

I realise that this looks like a scene out of Psycho or something! But rubbing black treacle into raw meat is the sort of messy task that justifies the use of disposable gloves, I think!
My other tip is one I think I have published before, but I got so many comments at the Open House on Monday, I am sharing it again.


If you need a couple of quick dips for a party, or unexpected guests drop round and you want to serve something other than mince pies, try these.

Mix three parts Mayo [Sainsbury's Basics is fine, and lower fat than Hellmans!] to one part natural yogurt [again, basics] plus one or two finely chopped spring onions [white and green parts. Add salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice. 
And add a few snipped chives if you have some!

That works out at about 50p for a jam jar full
The second dip is red pepper and chickpeas. Drain a can of chickpeas, but reserve the liquid. Add about a quarter of a jar of roasted red peppers [not the spicy one] a squeeze of ketchup and some salt and pepper. Blitz in a processor till almost smooth but with a bit of texture. That comes in around 65p for a jam jar full. These will keep in a sealed jar for a couple of days in the fridge.

Yogurt dip and red pepper houmous for a quarter of the price of bought stuff- and made with store cupboard ingredients. A plate of crudites [peppers, celery, carrots, tomatoes] and a bowl of tortillas [or basic pittas split,cut into triangles and toasted] and you have one very inexpensive but tasty refreshments!