DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

  San Miguel de Allende was founded in 1542 by Fray Juan de San Miguel when he built a mission to serve the many Indian groups in the area. It became known as San Miguel el Grande. The main church in town is the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. Naturally the town takes great pride in celebrating the Feast Day of San Miguel, the patron saint. San Miguel de Allende can put on some great Fiestas and for this one they go all out. The feast day of San Miguel is September 29 but the actual celebration can last a week or more. The modern custom is to have the major part of the Fiesta on the weekend following Sept. 29 but the actual day is also celebrated.    San Miguel, or Saint Michael the Archangel as he is known to the English speaking world, is noted for his warrior role. When Lucifer revolted against the rule of God it was San Miguel Archangel who was sent to do battle with Lucifer and banish him to Hades. San Miguel is often invoked as a protector ...

A group of vampires has variously been call a clutch, brood, coven, pack or clan. (a clan if their Scottish!) The Muppet vampire, Count von Count from Sesame Street, is based on actual vampire myth. One way to supposedly deter a vampire is to throw seeds ( usually mustard) outside a door or place fishing net outside a window. Vampires are compelled to count the seeds on the holes in the net, delaying them until the sun comes up. A rare disease called  porphyria  vampire like symptoms, such as an extreme sensitivity to sunlight and sometimes hairiness. In extreme cases, teeth might be stained reddish brown, and eventually the patient may go mad. One of the most famous "true vampires" was Countess Elizabeth Bathory (1560-1614) who was accused of biting the flesh of girls while torturing them and bathing in their blood to retain her youthful beauty. She was by all accounts a very attractive woman. Vampire legends may have been based on Vlad of Walachia, also know...

Ingredients for the base: 250 grams of biscuits gingernut 80 g of unsalted butter 1 tsp mixed spice Process biscuits until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.  Add butter and mixed spice, process until just combined.  Line the bottom of the 23 cm tin with baking paper.  Press crumb mixture evenly over the base and side of 23 cm baking tin.  Refrigerate 30 minutes or until companies. Wrap the tin with aluminum foil twice. Ingredients for the cheesecake mixture: 750 g curd cheese, minced  250 g mascarpone cheese 3 eggs 3 egg yolks 2 Tbs lemon juice 3 Tbs potato flour (cornstarch) 1 Tbs plain flour 190 g caster sugar 425 g pumpkin puree 2 tsp mixed spice Should be all ingredients at room temperature. Put all ingredients in a large bowl with electric mixer and beat until smooth. Set oven to 170 º C.  Pour cheesecake mixture into tin.  Place the roasting tin in a trey and pour hot water wrapped around the ti...