21st century urban housewife

Carrot Cake..an I'm bored moment

2012-02-06T17:22:00.000Z

Sunday afternoon...the sun is shining...laundry is done...bread is proofing...hubby content...all caught up on my Danish dramas...what to do!?

I hadn't planned on baking cakes this weekend...it was (meant to be) all about the yeast...but then I got caught with a MAJOR case of the boreds. Bored bored bored...nothing to watch on tv...the book I am reading is horrible...nothing to knit...nothing nothing nothing to do (well I guess I could have scrubbed the grout in the bathroom)...so I wandered into the kitchen and aimlessly flipped through the most recent edition of delicious magazine...bored bored bored...carrot cake!! I have about 2kg of carrots in my crisper drawer just screaming to be used...so out they came...and then it was time to get creative! And I mean it!!

The recipe that caught my eye was Paul Hollywood's...but...there were a few things that I was missing from the ingredient list...so I used my honed 21st Century Urban Housewife skills and adapted the recipe to what I happened to have in the cupboard (which was pretty much bare!...poor urban mother hubbard)!

Self Raising Flour became 1/3 white flour, 1/3 whole wheat and 1/3 rye flour
1tsp baking powder became 1 1/2 heaping tsps
Nuts became sultanas
Satsuma zest became orange and lemon zest
I went a bit heavier on the mixed spice and ginger and less on the cinnamon
I upped the oil by 25ml because of the whole wheat and rye flours
I was tempted to throw in some wheat germ...but stopped there...

Once cooled I mixed up some icing sugar and milk and gave it a quick glaze, which makes the top have a nice crunch.

You know what?! It is pretty darn good if I do say so myself! When I eat it I feel super smug...smug because wholewheat and rye flours make it feel healthy...smug because I adapted the recipe to suit my needs...smug because it turned out...and smug because it is all MINE!

A Winter Apple Loaf

2012-02-05T10:20:00.000Z

I think it is safe to say I have gone bread baking mad. I think that over the last month I have settled into baking bread more often than cakes or cookies or anything else sweet...I feel that this year (as opposed to last year's resolution) I have really embraced baking bread from scratch.

On Saturday I had planned to make a cinnamon raisin loaf...something to toast in the mornings (I am a total bread warden when it comes to slicing the sandwich loaves) or to snack on with a cup of tea in the afternoons...but when I spied Dan Lepard's recipe for Winter Apple Loaf I immediately wrote myself a shopping list and ran out to Sainsburys.

There is no picture of this loaf in Short & Sweet...Dan's description totally drew me in...log fires...real ale...pulled pork sandwiches. Ok, ok, ok...not exactly the sweet raisin cinnamon bread I had in mind, but in my mind's eye I could just picture the roaring fire and me cuddled up on the couch with a hunk of this bread slathered in butter and cheese...or even honey.

This bread was interesting to make, you put all the wet ingredients into a large bowl and then add the flour on top. The dough was wet...really wet and I ended up adding some extra flour when I kneaded it...for longer than the recommended 10 seconds. I am totally on board with Lepard's gentle kneading routine, I just really didn't feel that this dough was right and seeing as there was no reference in the text to this being a wet dough I just went with my gut.

In the end the bread turned out amazing...but I have to admit I did agonise over it for the hour and 45 min it took to proof. If you do make this loaf I would suggest letting it cool completely before cutting into it...it is a dense loaf and felt a bit too moist when still warm...but later on, when completely cooled it was AMAZING!

mac n cheese...with a twist...and a crumb!

2012-01-31T17:20:00.000Z

I don't have to tell you how much I love mac n cheese...in fact I think that I have told you all more than enough how a meal or snack of mac n cheese just does it for me. I am not a huge fan of messing around with a classic like mac n cheese...i mean...if it ain't broke and all that...but when I saw this recipe for a funked up (no you didn't just read that...read it again...slowly...)version of my all time favourite I just knew that it was time to get off my mac n cheese snobby high horse and try something totally different (butternut squash AND a crust!!!).

This mac and cheese is fantastic! It is jammed packed with roasted butternut squash that just seems to flake apart when mixed with the cooked pasta...and then topped with a crunchy green crust. When I bought the ingredients to make this Mac I was prepared to follow the recipe to the T...but one thing lead to another, cheese got eaten, basil totally wilted and well...you know. So when it came down to actually making the Mac I had to get a little bit creative, actually a lot creative.

The crust was made by finely chopping a handful of broccoli tops and an end piece of seeded bread and mixing that with a fair shake of chilli flakes and some olive oil. The pasta was no problem, but seeing as I halved the recipe I decided that half the pasta wasn't going to be enough for my greedy guts and upped it to 200g. The cheesy mixture was 100g grated cheddar and then about 3/4 of a cup of sour cream (2 Tbsp just didn't seem enough). Everything else was followed more or less to the letter.

I will definitely be making this again and urge you to too!

Homemade Flour Tortillas

2012-01-29T09:22:00.000Z

Fajitas are something that I can easily gorge myself on. There is something so satisfying about that hot hot hot sizzle of meat, onions and peppers, the cool creamy sour cream and guac and...of course the chewy warm tortillas. Except that more often than not the experience is let down by the dry or cracked or cardboard textured store bought "wraps". Don't get me wrong, I love me a good wrap but unless they are totally fresh, or warmed through in the micro they just fall flat.

When I spied the recipe for Corn Oil Tortillas in Dan Lepard's Short & Sweet I knew fajitas were on the dinner horizon. Planning ahead, of course, it has taken a few weeks for fajitas to come up on my meal plan...but finally they arrived on Saturday night!

These tortillas are super easy to make and they taste unbelievably fresh... I can't believe I have never made them before. At first the dough was really stiff, but...after 10 mins resting it was super soft and easy to work with. The recipe isn't online, but I've had a quick look through quite a few and they seem pretty similar. Flour, salt, baking powder, hot water, milk and some kind of fat...these used Corn Oil. So easy.

Fajitas can actually be an expensive craving to satisfy if you go for the sachets of seasoning, store bought guac, and store bought wraps...not to mention the chicken, peppers, sour cream and tomatoes. I stopped buying fajita seasoning ages ago, after discovering Jamie's recipe in Ministry of Food, using smoked paprika and ground cumin instead (already in the cupboard). I never buy store made guac...but this means that the avocado have (bought about a week in advance) HAS to be perfect, or no guac for me! And now, I've discovered the homemade tortilla, also made with ingredients always in my cupboard!! This once expensive meal has become budget friendly, so I suspect we will see it on the meal plan more often!

ps Jamie uses 2 breasts, but I have found that if they are a decent size 1 is often enough for the 2 of us.

Weetabix Muffins

2012-01-23T17:02:00.000Z

If you've been reading for a while you will know that I am a sucker for a good muffin, especially one with a lovely rounded top. My "plan" to bake muffins on the weekend, stick them in the freezer and then eat at my leisure has not entirely gone to plan. I only have myself to blame...I've been lazy in the muffin department and it is purely down to getting back into making bread. While I wish that I could multi-task or spend all day in the kitchen baking...someone (ahem) says I have to work (spoil sport)...and so the muffins have been tossed aside.

Until...enter my new baking book, which needs no introduction, and the totally fantastic recipe for Weetabix muffins. The ingredient list promised me a healthy muffin jam-packed with flavour and it didn't disappoint.

These muffins are fantastic. They are moist, totally scrummy and the mixture of Weetabix and rye flour gives them a really distinct taste. I managed to squeeze a dozen out of the mix (recipe says makes 9) but perhaps my muffin tins are smaller (inconceivable)...the only criticism...they didn't rise as much as I would have liked. I was surprised considering the recipe called for 1.5 tsp of baking powder and the same of baking soda...but it must have something to do with the rye flour and the youghurt...or something.

Make them...you'll be amazed.

Caldo Verde...or cabbage soup with chorizo

2012-01-16T16:54:00.000Z

Cabbage, Potato, Beans, Chili and Chorizo how does that sound on a cold afternoon? Perfect? Perfect! Yesterday when I looked outside I just knew it was cold out. Hold up...rewind...that should read...yesterday when I looked outside (after I had wiped the rivers of condensation off my windows) I just new that it was cold outside. Perfect! I thought...Cabbage stew it is!

And so, while Davey baked his usual seeded loaf I got to making a huge pot of Caldo Verde, Portuguese green broth, using the recipe I spied in January's edition of delicious magazine (no link on website, sorry). Slices of Chorizo are fried with onions and garlic and a green chili, and then simmered with chunks of potato until just cooked. In goes slices of winter cabbage and a tin of haricot beans and that is all. Simple, rustic and perfect for a cold Sunday afternoon.

I am not sure why the chorizo went a bit anaemic looking...but the flavours were certainly there!

Random Recipe: New Year...New Book!

2012-01-14T10:29:00.000Z

New Year...New Books and back to the regular schedule, finally! I've been horrible about blogging and reading and commenting and it is purely down to being so busy that I barely had a chance to sit down to the computer over the last month. But...now that all our guests have departed and the house is almost back to normal I plan on re-discovering all my favourite blogs and challenges....starting with the always fabulous Dom over at Belleau Kitchen.

This month's challenge...New Year...New Book. It was easy to choose the book, seeing as Dan Lepard's Short & Sweet was the only cookbook I received this year. The recipe...Bourbon and Pecan Brownies.

This was a perfect Random Recipe for me...I rarely bake brownies...in fact I would never choose a brownie over cake or pastry...they are often dry or too claggy. Saying that, when flipping through the book on Christmas morning the word Bourbon had definitely caught my eye!

These brownies come together so easily (although I did have to use 3 bowls and a pot!) and take less than an hour from beginning to end. My budget doesn't stretch to buying a bottle of bourbon so I used some Canadian Rye Whisky and substituted walnuts for the pecans (had them left over from Christmas). The addition of the alcohol makes these brownies a real treat, they are boozy, chocolatey and gooey without being claggy in the centre.

If you have Short & Sweet makes these for your next dinner party!

Black Bread, Borscht and Back to Normality

2012-01-05T09:14:00.000Z

Hello! It has been a while! I don't think I have had a free second for the past three weeks...but seeing as my house guests are having a lie-in this morning I thought I would take advantage of the quiet house and sit down and share a little something.

The past three weeks have been full of family, good food, laughter, drinks, long walks, blustery winds and...well...overindulgence. I won't sit here and make you jealous with a long list of incredible food I've eaten and gifts I have received, but I will say that sitting under the tree just waiting for me was my much pined for copy of Dan Lepard's Short and Sweet. Finally!

It was at the top of my wish list (and mentioned in a few not-so-subtle notes left around the house) and lovely Davey took notice and there it was waiting for me on Christmas Morning. I asked for Short and Sweet in good faith...it has been touted all over the blogosphere for the past few months and Dan's Guardian recipes are mentioned over and over again on twitter. Asking for a book without perusing it first is a risk...but not in this case. I can honestly say that I anticipate making every recipe in the book...

And so I got started...

Yesterday's weather (and the weeks of overindulgence) had my body screaming for a supper of soup and bread and...nutrients. Thinking about it I am not sure what came to mind first...the bread or the soup...but either way they managed to compliment each other really nicely. Borscht and Dan Lepard's Black Bread.

On paper this bread sounds out of this world...for real...I mean the ingredient list includes treacle, coffee, cocoa, carrot and fennel seed...huh?? Well, I trust Dan (no photo of the loaf in the book...so I just had to dive right in) and I have to say I wasn't let down.

The dough is really sticky and I was a bit nervous about it actually being cooked through, but once it was cooled the bread turned into a really soft but dense loaf with a deep treacly flavour. Dan suggests substituting honey or golden syrup for the treacle and I think that I might try that next time. This bread can stand up to some really strong flavours, we had it slathered with cream cheese and topped with smoked peppered mackerel, cucumber and red onion...a sort of stand in for dark rye.

Served with a thick borscht and plain yoghurt with the wind and rain battering the windows I felt energised, I felt nourished, I felt back to normal.

Food Bloggers Unplugged

2011-12-19T17:01:00.001Z

During the week the lovely Alison over at Hungry Squirrel Cakes tweeted me to say that she had tagged me in her blog...which is totally drool worthy...I went over to have a look...and there was her Food Bloggers Unplugged post! Not only had she mentioned me in her post, but tagged me to take part too!

Over the last month or so I've really enjoyed learning more about the fantastic foodies whose recipes I swoon over and now...you can learn a little more about moi!

What or who inspired you to start your blog?

21st century urban housewife started as a creative outlet and a way for me to keep in touch with friends and family in Canada. When David and I moved in together (over 2 years ago now) my visa restrictions meant that I wasn't able to work...so I embraced my "housewife" role and decided to start this blog as a record of that experience. Since then, I've grown, it's grown, my cooking has improved and certainly developed, the blog has been neglected and then pampered to soothe any hurt feelings.

Who is your foodie inspiration?

In real life it has to be my mom and my Aunt Sandi...everything always done to perfection. In celebrity food world...the great Yotam Ottolenghi...his food is to.die.for...his recipes are to.die.for...the food styling is to.die.for...if I could convince David to graze and eat our way through platter after platter of middle eastern mezze I would be in heaven.

Your Greasiest most batter splattered cook book is?

This is really hard to tell...the cookbook in the worst condition is my Canadian Basics cookbook...broken spine, stuck together pages, missing index...This is my go to cookbook if I am unsure of something...how long to cook chicken, what the ratio of flour to milk is for pancakes...that kind of stuff. It also has a killer recipe for butter tarts.

The best thing you have ever eaten in another country, where was it and what was it?

In the spring of 2006 my mom came to visit me and we popped over to Paris for a week (as one does). The day we went to the Picasso Museum it was absolutely pouring with rain so we ducked into the nearest cafe for lunch...it was local, it was dark, it was crammed with people...it was atmospheric. Once we were seated it became very clear that the landlady was trying to offload the special...duck...she must have mentioned the Canard 5 or 6 times, but it worked! Mom had the Canard and I had the most incredible platter of goats cheese and beetroot salad with toasts. It certainly wasn't gourmet, but it was probably the closest I will ever come to having a home cooked french meal.

Another Food Blogger's table you would like to eat at?

I think this is probably the hardest question of the bunch. Right...in the UK it will have to be Dom over at Belleau Kitchen. I am consistently amazed at the stuff that he produces...and...they are his own recipes! I am no where near brave enough to experiment like he does. And...if I was jetting across the pond I would die for an invite to Sue's table from The View From the Great Island ...think seasonal, think comforting...think heaven!

What one kitchen gadget would you like from Santa? (Money no Object)

I'd love to say an AGA or an ice cream maker or something totally over the top...but in reality I'd love it if Santa brought me...a big balloon whisk (this is what I desperately need) and a set of electric beaters...I know it might seem strange but I don't have any!!!

Who taught you to cook?

My mom. She always allowed me to help...and was for the most part encouraging, except for that time with the chocolate mousse...when it never really set and dessert was ruined. When I was at university and living at home I cooked one meal a week for the family, I planned it...made the shopping list (and mom paid...chaaaachingggg) and then I cooked, somethings were great, somethings weren't so great. But I learnt a lot. I also spent a lot of time watching The Food Network in my spare time, so Mario , Jamie , Nigella and Ina...kudos to you too!

I'm coming for dinner, what is your signature dish?

Does cake count? I don't know what I would serve...depends on the season?!! I just know that I would finish it off with a big fat layered and iced devils food cake with ice cream!

What is your guilty food pleasure?

This is easy...and disgusting...Kraft Dinner (or Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, or Cheesey Pasta) with ketchup and a cold can of Coke. Or hot dogs in bread with Lays ketchup chips...

Reveal something about yourself that others would be surprised to learn

When I was in university I had a life sized cardboard cut out of Jamie Oliver in my room. Come to think of it, he only went into the recycling a year or so ago when I was at my parents' house and was forced to get rid of everything I had left there. Poor Jamie.

And now I have to tag 5 other Food Bloggers to answer these questions

Sue from The View From the Great Island

Katey at Edinburgh Eats

Cherry at Cherry Ann Art

Linda at Linda Wilks Art

and

Michael from Me, My Food and I

Mince Pies...the cause of a minor meltdown

2011-12-17T11:29:00.000Z

I've been waiting for this weekend for months and months and months! My parents arrive at some point on Saturday and then...the festivities begin!! In preparation for the big arrival I planned on making some luxurious mince pies...how better to welcome my parents to Christmas in Edinburgh than with fresh homemade mince pies.

I've never made mince pies...I've never made mincemeat, either...David's not a fan and I'm quite partial to the M&S Classic pies anyway.

A few weeks ago the fabulous Hilary over at My Monkfish posted an incredible looking recipe for mince pies...with a twist!! It was the twist that got me drooling (that and the WI seal of approval)...a little dollop of cream cheese under the lid!

Now...I think I need to insert a DISCLAIMER here...despite the disastrous escapade that ensued Friday night and the tears and flour throwing that inevitably occurred...these are HANDS DOWN the best pies I've tasted and EVEN DAVID LIKES THEM (which is saying a lot since previously he has insisted that I buy mini apple pies for him instead of mince pies).

Because David and I were barely home over the last week we agreed to a cleaning party on Friday night to prepare the flat for my parents' arrival...and Christmas...so I thought, I don't really have the time to make my own pastry and since these luxurious mince pies call for luxurious store bought mincemeat I thought surely I could use shop bought pastry...mistake number one...I was so so so upset with the way that everything turned out.

Wasted 1/2 a jar of mincemeat, 1/2 the batch of cream cheese...all the pastry...so out came the cold butter, out came the flour, out came the caster sugar and in went my WAY TOO HOT hands...and I got on with making my own flipping pastry...Mymonkfish's recipe uses orange rind and orange juice to make the dough (which I didn't have) so I added a cap full of almond extract...and...while the assembly leaves much to be desired...the taste is INCREDIBLE!

After moaning on twitter my spirits were lifted by the lovely Jac over at Tinned Tomatoes, thank you Jac! Rustic-looking surely is so much more welcoming than pristine Michelin Star Mince Pies!!!

Raisin Cinnamon Sugar Bread

2011-12-11T16:12:00.000Z

Last year at this time I was thinking about my new year's resolution...what changes in my life did I want to make...and while I didn't decide to actually give anything up or vow to be a better person or anything...I did, however, resolve to make a conscious effort to make my own bread. I haven't been very consistent, I'll admit it, and after our big move up to Edinburgh I have been spending every second of my free time exploring.

David's been really proactive the last few weekends, waking up early getting the dough going and I'll admit it, I've been slightly jealous of the loaves and buns he's produced. I wish I had baked more bread over the last year, I wish I had been brave enough to experiment.

This week David's been so busy studying for his exams that he "allowed" me to make the bread! I seized my chance and attempted a raisin cinnamon sugar bread.

I can't remember where I originally found the recipe, it is scribbled down in my recipe book as "White Loaf with variations", that's all the info I have..that and the instructions for making the dough using the dough hook on my KitchenAid.

It is a basic recipe...500g strong white flour, pinch of salt, 1/2 tsp sugar, 1 tsp yeast and 300ml warm water. Before adding the water I added 1/2 cup of raisins and upped the sugar to 1 Tbsp.

The KitchenAid was a no-go today (sob) since David studies in the kitchen and he has deemed it too noisy...weep. And so, I overcame my kneading by hand phobia and got on the with job...and BOY was it satisfying. The kneading was slightly exhausting but it was so so so enjoyable. I have been converted!

After the first rise (and the second kneading session) I rolled the dough out to a rectangle about 1inch thick, sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar and then folded the bread in thirds into a loaf shape and left to rest in the tin. Before popping it in the oven (200 degrees, 30-35 mins) I brushed it with milk and sprinkled again with sugar and cinnamon.

It tastes great...not sweet at all...but I think that next time I would just add the cinnamon at the beginning with a bit of extra sugar.

Mini Florentines

2011-12-10T10:46:00.000Z

My Christmas Menu has been set for a month or so now (ok ok ok a good FEW months) and I have just been waiting for the time to arrive when it is reasonable to START the baking and preparing and all that. I've ordered all the non-parishables and freezable goods to come early next week and all that is left to pick up are fresh veggies, cheeses and...of course...the smoked salmon (mum and dad's job) and now that it is only a couple of weeks until Christmas the baking has commenced!!

I made a batch of pretty sad looking gingerbread last weekend and have conceded that they will have to iced in some form (I am not a fan of iced gingerbread...but aesthetics demand it this time around I am afraid!) and yesterday afternoon I turned my hand to making mini florentines.

It took my practically all afternoon to turn out 3 and a half dozen chewy, buttery, chocolate coated two-bite florentines. And because they only bake for like 5 mins it was impossible to do anything else except sit in front of the oven...

I've seen florentines baked on tv and I wasn't too thrilled about the idea of the batter spreading (plus my baking sheet is dinky) so I used a mini muffin tin instead! It was great...but it meant that I had to wait for each batch to be totally cooled before I could pry them from the tin, which is what actually took the longest amount of time.

I halved the quantities from this recipe from BBC Good Food substituting Golden Syrup for the honey. I love the idea of pouring the mixture straight into a baking tray and then cutting out shapes, which I think I will try next time. I also have it on good authority that this recipe from The Pink Whisk is awesome as well.

These were a first for me. They were tricky only because they require a huge amount of patience and accuracy. Accurate measurements, accurate baking, patiently waiting for them to cool, patiently painting on the chocolate coating, patiently waiting to devour them at Christmas.

Buche de Noel disasssster

2011-12-06T09:00:00.001Z

I've been feeling pretty rotten lately. On Sunday I was feeling somewhat better and decide to really challenge myself (mistake number one) so out came the cookbooks...and the search began. I was searching for something chocolately, something to test, something that could be shortlisted for my Christmas meal. I was flipping through my books, my clippings and my basket of mags...and then I came across Stephane Reynaud's Buche de Noel from 365 Reasons to Sit Down and Eat. Perfect! Buche de Noel...with a choice of fillings- chocolate or chestnut cream.

Done done done! The filling had to be chocolate...David's request and well...my mum doesn't like chestnuts and I am already putting them in the stuffing and with the brussels...so she needs a break! The cake was easy to make (even after I realised that I had bought XL eggs...grrrr) and it rolled up really nicely. So...once cooled I got onto the chocolate cream filling....and this is where it all went wrong.

The instructions in this cookbook are minimal. For the most part there isn't much cook's intuition needed, but man I was waaaaay off on Sunday. The instructions say to melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler and then add in whipped cream. Not a word about letting the chocolate cool...I should have realised...I mean I kinda did...I let the chocolate cool a little...but well...I guess you can imagine what happened. The chocolate was too warm and totally melted the whipped cream!! So I tried to rescue it by whipping it all up again...but the butter made it a little bit greasy. Anyway, I managed to spread enough on the cake and roll it up, cover the top and get it all in the fridge to cool and set.

While it looks presentable it is not going on the Christmas dessert shortlist...back to the drawing board I go!

St. Andrew's Day and our first Haggis

2011-12-05T09:00:00.002Z

I was really looking forward to our first St. Andrew's Day in Edinburgh. Not that I was hoping to go out to a party or anything...I was simply looking forward to cooking haggis for the first time. I love haggis...there I've said it...in fact, both David and I love haggis so that isn't an issue. The issue is the Neeps! EURGH!!! There are few vegetables that I don't like, but unfortunately Swede a.k.a Rutabaga is one of them (along with Parsnips if you are interested)...so Neeps was most definitely off the St. Andrew's Day menu.

To make up for the dastardly Neeps I cooked up some carrots and mashed them into the tatties, along with some thinly shredded cooked cabbage...a kind of makeshift clapshot.

I'll admit that the Haggis was a name brand purchase from Waitrose...if I had had more time (and money) I would have ordered one from the local butcher...but...it is hard to get there afterwork on a cold and dreary Wednesday. Hold on...no excuses, the brand name one did us just fine. It was seasoned well, the texture was great and well...in the end it IS lamb offal so it can't really be that fancy!!

To bring it all together I made a whisky cream sauce by warming some cream and then adding whole grain mustard and a good shot of Wiser's 18 yr. Canadian Rye Whisky to it.

The great thing...we can do it all again in January on Burns night!!!

Hubby's buns!!! (oh and loaf)

2011-12-04T16:46:00.000Z

That David has done it again! I fear I am quickly being demoted to apprentice baker in this house as hubby soars up to master baker status!! Last weekend I watched as he skilfully measured out all the ingredients for his seeded loaf (new flour...Waitrose crunchy seeded white bread flour) kneaded it all together, left it to rise, lovingly moved the bowl to a warmer location, kneaded it again, popped into a loaf pan, built a temporary structure to rest it on beside the oven while it was heating up...and then baked it. It was like watching someone who had baked bread time and time again...but this was only his second loaf! I was in awe...and a little bit more in love (if that is even possible).

We agreed that this loaf was better than the first one. The texture was nicer, the crust was crunchier and because it was white flour it rose just that much more. We pretty much gobbled most of the loaf up with bowls of chunky leek and potato soup...but there was some left for the odd bit of toast!

This week he tried his hand at rolls...you know...buns (teeheee) with great success. I totally distracted him at the final stage (I was getting supper ready) and he forgot to brush milk over the tops so they are a bit "dull looking" (his words)...but man do they taste great!!!

Mummy's Kitchen Sink Cookies

2011-11-26T16:26:00.001Z

After a few weeks of cake I thought that this weekend I would mix it up a bit and try my hand at some of my mummy's signature Kitchen Sink Cookies...oats, chocolate chips, raisins, coconut, walnuts...all mixed together into a yummy scrummy cookie (or 4 dozen).

This is one of those cookie recipes that you can change up depending on what you have in the cupboard, or can find in the supermarket...or just fancy really. I know it looks like a load of ingredients, but the recipe makes around 4 dozen decent sized cookies...so it is totally worth the time and effort!

At the Edinburgh Cake Ladies event this week some of us were chatting about cookies and using American recipes and the conversation turned to butter...the quality of the butter...the consistency of the butter...the cost...keeping all this in mind, today I used President's Unsalted French Butter and I couldn't be happier with how the cookies turned out, not greasy at all!

I've just copied my mum's emailed recipe, so everything is in North American...conversions required!!!

KITCHEN SINK COOKIES

preheat oven to 350F

1) with a wooden spoon cream the following in a very large bowl:

1 cup butter

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

then add 2 eggs (one at a time)

and 1 tsp vanilla

2) in another bowl blend and add to bowl #1

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

3) in separate bowl mix the following and then add to bowl #1 :

2 cups oats

2 cups mini choc chips

1 cup shredded coconut

1 cup raisins or cranberries

1 cup chopped walnuts

* spoon walnut sized pieces of dough onto trays and push down slightly using either your hands or the floured bottom of a glass

* Bake at 350F for 11- 13 mins until just golden.

David bakes bread!!!

2011-11-22T17:42:00.000Z

Before David's wonky cake was even in the oven he said to me...next I want to try to make bread (!!!) I don't know what has come over him...but I am more than happy to sit back and watch him explore his new interest in baking...and if he likes bread making then he can do that and I can focus on the cakes!

For a first loaf I am really impressed....heck! For a millionth loaf I'd be really impressed. He used the end of the Waitrose Love Life Malted Seeded bread flour I bought last month and produced a really lovely loaf.

We both agreed that next weekend we will buy some special white bread flour (maybe seeded) and see the difference in the dough and the rise and everything...but we both really like this malted flour and will definitely be using it again. We were really good and let the loaf cool before cutting into it (I love freshly baked bread slathered with butter and jam) and enjoyed it as part of a very posh homemade ploughman's!

So, I'm thinking about getting David a bread making book for xmas...any suggestions? recommendations? must buys?

Chocolate Ginger Beer Cake

2011-11-20T09:41:00.000Z

I've been anticipating baking this cake all week. Actually, in all honestly I started anticipating baking this cake last weekend while David was slaving away on his wonky cake. It isn't that I wasn't interested in his cake it is just that I was flipping through the freebie Waitrose Weekend paper we had picked up when buying his ingredients and stumbled upon the most luscious looking cake...deep dark chocolate with a soft white icing...and then I read the title: Rich Chocolate & Ginger Beer Cake...that was it...I was sold (not to mention we had bought most of the ingredients already for David's cake)!

This cake is dense and moist, and totally chocolatey. The icing is made with mascarpone cheese, which gives it a really light flavour and texture, but it also meant that I needed to find room in my fridge for it!! The cake is lovely, but it wasn't gingery enough for me. I'm thinking about adding some candied ginger or ground ginger (or both) the next time. The icing is a golden colour because I've started using Billington's natural golden icing sugar . I think the soft gingery colour adds something extra to the presentation of the cake.

I'm posting the recipe for a couple of reasons; it isn't available on the Waitrose website, but I also changed the method to suit me and my stand mixer (I don't have a hand mixer).

Rich Chocolate & Ginger Beer Cake
adapted from Waitrose Weekend (10 November 2011)

Ingredients
300ml ginger beer (I used non alcoholic)
175g dark chocolate, broken into squares
50g cocoa powder
100g butter, softened
225g light brown sugar
2 eggs
200g plain flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder

Icing:
75g butter, softened
5 Tbsp ginger beer
125g icing sugar
250g mascarpone cheese

Method:

-Pre-Heat oven to 170 degrees C, and grease and line 2 20cm sandwich tins (or 1 20cm spring form pan).

-Put ginger beer, cocoa powder and chocolate in a heat proof bowl and place over a pan of simmering water. Leave until the chocolate has melted and everything is smooth and glossy, whisking every once in a while. Remove bowl from heat and leave to cool, about 15 mins.

-Sift flour and baking powder together into a small bowl.

-Once chocolate is cool cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, followed by flour. Mix until just combined. On low speed pour in about a 1/4 of the chocolate mixture and beat in to loosen batter. Add remainder of chocolate mixture.

-Pour batter into prepared tins and bake in oven for 25-30 mins (about 50 mins if making in one spring form pan). Cake should be just firm to the touch but tester should be clean.

-Leave to cool for 5 mins before loosening sides of cake from tins. Leave in tins to cool.

-Once completely cooled remove from tins and prepare for icing.

-For icing: cream butter and icing sugar together, slowly adding ginger beer. Beat until smooth and creamy. Add mascarpone cheese and beat until just combined. Use 1/2 of the mixture to sandwich the two cakes together and the rest to decorate the top.

**I baked this as one big cake (I don't have sandwich tins) and found cutting it in half pretty difficult, so would recommend baking as two cakes. I also had trouble with the icing, the butter reacted against the ginger beer and it took beating it all by hand (ouch my arm) for it to come together before adding in the mascarpone. Because of this I added about 3 Tbsp more icing sugar to help thicken it up. Regardless, this is a very easy cake to eat!!**

David's Wonky Cake

2011-11-13T17:26:00.000Z

Although last weekend's Beetroot Cake went down well with my colleagues...and my tummy...there was one person who was not convinced, not impressed and wouldn't even finish his piece! So...we made a deal. I would make him anything he wanted (Chocolate) but he had to help. And help he did...in fact David pretty much made the cake himself...with a little help from me. There was a lot of starting and stopping and double checking...but in the end...into the oven it went.

And out of the oven it came...

Um....not too sure what happened here, well actually we have a pretty good idea what happened...the springfrom pan wasn't assembled properly...resulting in a wonky cake and burnt cake batter on the floor of the oven.

Never mind though...a thick layer of ganache and no one's the wiser!

David's Wonky Cake is a combination of two of our favourite cake recipes, Tessa Kiros's Marble Cake from her book Apples for Jam, and Nigella's Ganache from her Devil's Food Cake recipe in Kitchen. We halved the ganache recipe and there was just enough to cover this wonky 8" cake.

I am hoping that one day I will come home to a cake made just for me!

Nigella's Sweet Potato Supper

2011-11-12T12:59:00.000Z

This meal, although really easy to throw together, is slightly grander than most of our regular Friday night dinners....you know...pizza...burgers...trashy "it's the weekend" kind of grub.

Bright orange sweet potatoes roasted with asparagus, pancetta and cloves of garlic...what is not to love? The recipe comes from Nigella's Kitchen...recipe sadly not online...you basically wash and dry the sweet potatoes, cut them into 1/4s (rounds) and then roast with asparagus spears, whole cloves of garlic (in skin) and cubes of pancetta...all tossed in a few Tbsp of rapeseed oil. The recipe says to roast it all for 30 mins and then turn sweet potatoes over and put it all back into the oven for another 30 mins.

When it came out the sweet potatoes were tender and caramelised and just gorgeous...the asparagus was crispy....it wasn't inedible, but it was pretty crispy. I'd say it was down to the spears being too thin for the length of time they were in the oven...or they were in the oven too long...next time (and there will be a next time) I'm going to toss the asparagus in a little oil and add them after the first 30 mins.

This dish is sweet and salty and...crispy, and surprisingly filling.

Random Recipes does No Croutons Required!!

2011-11-11T18:04:00.000Z

What a totally fantastic challenge this month! Kudos to both Dom and Jac for being brave enough to host this joint challenge! The theme this month...soup! Perfect for the weather, perfect for the time of year and perfect for me! I try really hard to make at least one big batch of soup a week...something to serve for a meal and then to stretch out over 2 or 3 lunches at work.

Keeping that in mind, my choice wasn't entirely random...it was planned...but it was one of those last minute selections that required a trip out to the grocery store.

The link for this month's recipe comes from one of my favourite time wasting websites, Tastespotting. I spied it last weekend when I had a spare hour or so to surf and came across this recipe on Elana's Pantry for Butternut Squash and Apple Soup.

This soup is easy to prepare, you just chuck it all in and sauté for a bit until adding the stock. I made it with veggie stock, making it veggie...but use chicken stock if you like. The cinnamon was a really nice, seasonal addition...but I think next time I would use less...and maybe less apple.

Beetroot Poppy Seed Cake...perfect Autumnal Baking

2011-11-06T16:59:00.000Z

When Nigel Slater baked this cake on his tv show last year I couldn't wait to try it, and for some reason it has taken me until now to actually do it! It is not like I haven't looked at the recipe about a million times...sheesh...I just haven't managed to do anything about it. But I have been thinking extra hard about it over the last couple of weeks, especially after seeing all the fat beetroots on display at the farmer markets here in Edinburgh. And so...this weekend...it finally happened!

Good ol' Nige says that the beetroot in this cake acts like carrots in carrot cake...you can't really taste them. Well, I don't quite agree. This cake has a deep earthy flavour...which does taste like beetroot. But, that's fine with me...cause it tastes great! The poppy seeds add a great texture and the cake itself is really moist. The glaze on top is a icing sugar and lemon juice mix. I've been using unrefined icing sugar...and although it looks white in the picture, is actually a tan colour (the poppy seeds really cover it up though!).

I'm entering this cake for Karen and Kate's Tea Time Treats challenge for November. I think it is a bit of a stretch on the Ginger and Bonfire treats theme...but...if I had been on task it would have been made yesterday for Bonfire Night...and it is so earthy, and smokey and Autumny! I'm also entering it for Jac from Tinned Tomatoes Bookmarked Recipes November round up.

Bonfire Chilli for a chilly bonfire night!

2011-11-06T08:56:00.000Z

It gets dark early up here in Edinburgh. By 4:30 last night the sky was almost completely dark and the first fireworks could be heard (but not seen...weep) and although I wasn't going out to a bonfire party I thought I'd prepare a warming chilli full of heat and a little BANG!

I had been looking at Nigella's Cheesy Chilli recipe from Kitchen, she uses some ingredients like chorizo and cocoa that I wasn't prepared to go out and buy especially for this recipe...so I compared it to the quick chilli recipe in my stand-by Canadian Basics cookbook and another in Jamie's Ministry of Food and thought...hey! I can do this...

It wasn't like that gloopy...possibly from a tin...chilli you get at pubs on baked potatoes, it was chunky and tasted fresh (if I do say so myself). I basically softened a finely chopped onion and finely chopped green pepper in a little bit of oil and then added a couple of really fat cloves of minced garlic and the spices....smoked paprika (to replace Nigella's chorizo), cayenne pepper, ground coriander and cumin, and a little dribble of oil to keep the spices from burning. Once that was all mixed up I chucked in the mince, browned it all and then a tin of tomatoes, about 125ml of water and a tin of kidney beans (drained). After 15mins of boiling with the lid on I added a grated carrot and a really fat green chilli sliced into rounds. That all simmered with the lid off for about 30 mins, until it was thick and everything was soft...and then...salt and pepper and chopped coriander (which I found lurking in the back of the fridge...still fresh!).

I have to say I just eyeballed the measurements. The recipes I looked at all called for one tin of tomatoes and about 125ml of water or stock to 500g meat. I used about 2 tsp of paprika and a good sprinkle of cayenne. I doubted the amount of heat...but thought...well I can always add Tabasco later...I didn't need it though!!

Served with tortillas, plain yoghurt and grated cheese this warmed me right up! The only thing missing...the guac :( I had a huge serving and still managed a little bit left for lunch today and 3/4 of a large ice cream tub full in the freezer for another night!

Wholewheat Pizza Crust...a Friday night treat!

2011-11-05T08:03:00.000Z

David and I used to treat our selves to delivery pizza a lot when we lived in Chelmsford. Sure, it was a treat...but it seemed to happen pretty often...you know, often enough that we started to get coupons mailed to us personally...anyway...once in a while I would make my own dough from scratch, but now that we've moved up here I have been making it more often.

I remember my mum making fresh pizza dough when I was little...mixing the dough up in the morning, putting it into a covered bowl and letting it rise all day on top of the fridge. Simple right? how more simple does it need to be? Well...I haven't quite managed to master the making the dough in the morning bit...but in reality pizza dough tends to have more yeast in it than bread anyway...so it doesn't need more than 45 mins to rise...

So...in the door...warm water, sugar and yeast mixed together before even taking off my coat...and then relax for 10 mins (take off coat...unpack bags...etc etc etc.) Once the yeasty water mixture is all frothy you just add it to a couple of cups of flour, with a pinch of salt, and mix...adding a bit of flour at a time until soft and doughy. Then...you have a good 45 mins while it rises to get toppings ready...unload the dishwasher...put on a load of laundry...etc. etc. etc.

Last night I used 1 3/4 cup white flour and 1 cup wholewheat flour to make my dough, and once the dough had pretty much come together in the bowl I kneaded it for about 5 extra mins by hand...you know...get that gluten working.

I wouldn't say the dough doubled in size...but I suspect that was due to the combination of flours. I will say that it was soft and stretchy and...once cooked...really light.

When I plan on making a pizza I like to buy a jar of spicy tomato pasta sauce (something chunky more than saucy)...I use about half and then freeze then rest for next time...same with pepperoni...use half, freeze half. It might seem a bit stingy, but it means that for about £2.50 I can sauce and meat two pizzas...the rest of the toppings...a few mushrooms and a bit of green pepper were left overs from during the week. For this pizza (number 2) the only thing I had to buy especially for it, was the cheese.

Thrifty and tasty!

Dan Lepard's Honey Nut Muffins

2011-10-30T12:49:00.000Z

I've been so jealous of everyone tweeting about Dan Lepard's new book, Short and Sweet. It is at the top of my Christmas List and I just don't know if I can wait wait wait all those weeks to get my hot little hands on it.

Lucky me though...Dan is also the baking guy for the Guardian, so I think I will just about manage to hold out until Christmas. During the week he tweeted a teaser for this weekend's recipe... Honey Nut Banana Muffins...well I was hooked! Not only did I have some sad looking bananas at home...but as well all know, Muffins are my "thang".

I've been pretty lax in my muffin making lately, so I thought...what a great way to get back into the routine! These muffins are easy to make....like all muffins, you pretty much just mix it all into one big bowl. The batter is nice and thick, making filling the muffin cups easy (about two spoonfuls in each cup) and they puffed up a treat!

Try them...you will be so happy with the result!

Malted Cluster Bread

2011-10-23T14:50:00.000+01:00

OH I am so happy that I've gotten back into making bread. After the success of Dom's pumpkin bread earlier this week I thought that I'd use some more of the Waitrose Love Life malted seeded flour to make another cluster bread, minus the pumpkin.

I used my standard Kitchen Aid recipe; 500g flour, 1tsp yeast, pinch of salt and 250ml warm water so the loaf was smaller than the pumpkin loaf (20cm tin instead of 23cm), making the rolls slightly more manageable. We aren't really a sandwich household...much prefer a hunk of bread with butter and cheese than a neatly made sandwich, so a cluster loaf suits me just fine! Plus...I can freeze the individual rolls.

I'm not sure what Paul Hollywood would say about the texture and crumb etc. but I think it's great!

yum yum aubergine with buttermilk sauce

2011-10-22T21:49:00.001+01:00

My visit to Ottolenghi last weekend has had me furiously flipping through Plenty selecting and prioritising new recipes to try. Hands down number one just had to Aubergines with Buttermilk Sauce especially after the amazing aubergines I had last Sunday.

I love aubergines, but sometimes I find that I have trouble cooking them just right...you know, so that they are soft and not spongey or bitter...anyway, this recipe is simple to follow and totally worth the effort it takes to bash the pomegranate seeds out.

This dish is meant to be served as a starter, but it is so easy to eat as a main course with some...oh I don't know...falafel or couscous...I halved the recipe, seeing as I'm home alone this weekend...but kept the whole clove of garlic in the sauce (good thing I'm sleeping alone...that's all I have to say)! I can't wait to eat the leftovers tomorrow!

It's a little chilly up here...

2011-10-21T09:42:00.000+01:00

Chunky Beret to keep my head warm (and stylish!)

I knit this really comfy and warm beret over a few hours yesterday afternoon. Knit using Rowan Cocoon merino/mohair mix this beret is luxurious and bound to keep my head warm this winter!

Quick Chicken

2011-10-21T09:17:00.001+01:00

I've had this past week off from work and have managed to get all sorts of housewifey things done in that time. Don't get me wrong, I love my job...but sometimes I secretly yearn for the days when my visa prohibited me from working...those were the days that I could potter in the kitchen, I could make grand meals, I could bake during the week...sure sure I was bored out of my mind half the time and miserable being on such a tight budget...but still...

Wednesday night I made one of those dishes...those I've-been-at-home-all-day-so-I-have-the-time dishes. Except it turns out it didn't take me all day, it took an hour...when I planned the meal I just assumed that it was a dish a couple hours in the making...and then when I took a peek at it Wednesday afternoon...well it turns out I only needed to start it at 5. The recipe is a scrap stuck into one of my notebooks, it might be from delicious or olive magazine...

This truly is a one pot dish...and with some selective shopping, it needs very little "prep". Chicken pieces, baby new potatoes, trimmed green beans and a creme fraiche mustard sauce. On Wednesday I added in some chunks of butternut squash left over from making Pumpkin Cluster Bread earlier in the day, and did have to cut the thighs away from the drumsticks...so a little bit of work, but in theory all you have to do is...

Place 6-8 chicken thighs in a baking dish, scatter about 500g baby new potatoes and a large handful of trimmed green beans around the dish and then pour over the sauce...mix together: 150ml chicken stock, 4Tbsp creme fraiche, 2 Tbsp honey, 2 Tbsp grainy mustard, and salt and pepper. Bake in 200 degree oven for about 40-45 mins, until juices run clear.

When we sat down and started to eat I said to David..."see what I can do if I don't have to work..." and he said "I was just thinking that..." and, well, I couldn't tell a lie..."actually, it only took me an hour start to finish..."

I'll be back at work on Monday.

Belleau Kitchen Pumpkin Bread to bring me back to baking...

2011-10-20T09:14:00.001+01:00

When I saw Dom's post for pumpkin cluster bread last week I knew that I was finally going to get back into bread making. For weeks...no months...I have been saying "I really should bake some bread" blah, blah, blah...and finally, with some time off and some fantastic inspiration I settled into making some pretty spectacular bread.

Making this bread reminded me why I should be making my own bread...why it is such a fantastic skill and experience. Whenever I make bread...I doubt myself. I get this sinking feeling in my stomach for the first 20 mins when the dough is rising...and then, after an hour when it has doubled in size (if it has doubled) I am in awe of the magic, of the rise, of myself.

I substituted butternut squash for pumpkin and used Waitrose's new Love Life Malted Seeded white flour, and was really happy with the results. I had forgotten the salt completely, but I think the maltiness of the flour made up for that. After about 30 mins in the oven I took the bread out of its tin and continued to bake it on a baking sheet to crisp up the outside and bottom.

This is such a great loaf to get me back into baking, the anxiety alone gave me such a rush. I've filed the recipe away for special occasions...I think it will be amazing along side a huge bowl of homemade soup after a long country walk and I've put half the rolls into the freezer for another day...

Ottolenghi cravings satisfied...

2011-10-18T09:43:00.000+01:00

After work on Friday I hopped on a train, armed with 4 slices of cake, and made my way down to London for...what I can only describe as...a weekend of food, friends, and laughs. It was my first real trip back to London since we moved up here, and I realised that there are a few things I really do miss about the city...and a heck of a lot of things that I don't...but in the short time I was there I managed to visit a few favourite haunts and discover one or two newbies.

I won't bore you with all the details...but highlights include Lebanese dinner at Meza Restaurant in Tooting Bec (highly recommend...you must book ahead), a not so relaxing wander around Borough Market with a chorizo sandwich and still cider, a 45 minute queue for Monmouth Coffee, homemade cottage pie (thank you Hannah), a posh night out in Putney, battling the Arsenal fans at Highbury & Islington station, buying veg at Newington Green Fruit and Veg...and finally an incredible lunch at Ottolenghi Islington.

Those of you have been following for a while will know (and appreciate) my total obsession with Ottolenghi's food...making it at home and devouring it as take away or in the restaurant. There is something just so magical about the platters of gorgeous salads and equally hypnotising cakes displayed in huge piles in the windows. How could you NOT stop in?

Imagine standing in a queue for an hour with this within easy reach? I am surprised I didn't clammer over the servers and start my feeding frenzy! I did manage to control myself and mentally prepare all the different combinations of possible meals...once seated I was able to really focus on the task at hand and select the ultimate salad combination...

If you haven't been to Ottolenghi before there are basically 4 options for a sit down meal...3 or 4 salads or 2 or 3 salads with a main. The portions are totally generous (I had been watching with my eagle eyes while in line remember) and with an amazing selection of desserts 3 salads is my ultimate option. I've had a main before...and while they are totally yummy and offer a meat option...I prefer to gorge myself on aubergines and tahini and squash and lentils and cheeses and all those amazing ingredients...plus...did I mention the desserts??

Roasted Butternut Squash with figs and feta, aubergine with tahini (to.die.for) and a red cabbage, beetroot and apple slaw...really hard to decide the best of the three. In most cases aubergine wins hands down every time, just because it is something that I find really hard to get just right at home...but in this case I think the butternut squash and figs came out on top...figs are a total budget blowing treat!

Dessert was my all time favourite flour-less lemon polenta cake...for which the recipe is a closely guarded secret! This cake is amazing, and I have sung its praises before...moist, pistachio filled and so lemony...perfectly teamed with a latte.

Dearest Yotam...please oh please come up to Edinburgh and open a restaurant...it would be welcome with open arms, eyes, tummies and mouths!

For those of you in London, or passing through...if you haven't experienced Ottolenghi yet...just do it! But be prepared to queue (it is totally worth it)! For now I am saving my pennies for my next trip...they have recently opened a Brasserie off of Regent Street called Nopi and from the menus on line it looks like I will be breaking into the piggy bank!

Shhhhh it's a secret...the 3rd meeting of the Edinburgh Cake Ladies

2011-10-17T15:50:00.001+01:00

It is hardly a secret...the word is well and truly out...the Edinburgh Cake Ladies are in print! Last Thursday I attended the 3rd meeting of the Edinburgh Cakes Ladies, hosted by the wonderful Hilary of My Monkfish fame.

The theme this time...Bake Your Fear...

And my fear I did bake...I've been nervous about making this pumpkin roll with orange cream for a while. The recipe was given to me by my brother's girlfriend...who just happens to be a fantastic baker. While the original recipe is for a gluten free treat there are instructions for regular flour.

I've never made a swiss roll/roulade cake before so I was pretty nervous...and the fact that a large group of spectacular bakers was going to be sampling something I had not made before...yikes! Well...I tell a small lie, I did practice the cake over Thanksgiving weekend...mere days before the ACTUAL event.

Now...to the event itself...what an evening! There was a fantastic sugary buzz in the air all night and I managed to try more cakes than I did at the previous event, where I ashamedly only ate 3 slices...shame shame. The selection of cakes were incredible and I was totally in awe of each and every one of them. I loved the selection, I loved the effort everyone made, and I loved loved loved the cake.

If the baking of a new "fearful" cake wasn't enough...a journalist from Scotland on Sunday was writing a feature about the EVENT and there was a photographer shooting what seemed like billions of snaps...

Read the Official Blog for links to other member's entries...and for further info about the spectacular Edinburgh Cake Ladies!!

Oh! The groovy photo of my cake was taken for the Facebook album...can you believe I didn't get one decent snap of my cake??

Happy Birthday Hubby!

2011-10-13T17:21:00.000+01:00

Poor David has to share his birthday with Thanksgiving...last year I made a pumpkin pie for his birthday/thanksgiving dinner...this year he asked if i could make him something not pumpkin for his birthday.

Me: Not pumpkin?? But it is Thanksgiving!!!???

Downtrodden Hubby: But...it is my birthday...

Me: oh...right...ahem...whatever you want the light of my life (I'll just make me a pumpkin something anyway!)

Downtrodden Hubby: That's chocolate cheesecake that model made on TV yesterday looked good?

Me: As you wish...

The 'model' he was talking about is Lorriane Pascale. I have to say I'm not a huge fan of the show's format, but for the most part her recipes are simple, homily, and...as I found out on Monday night...totally doable!

This no bake chocolate cheesecake was a cinch to put together. The only difficulty I had was piping the white chocolate on the top and then swirling the STILL WARM icing...it had cooled too much (thank you makeshift piping bag malfunction)...but it still tasted good. For a no-bake cheesecake I was really happy with the outcome. The biscuit base is thick and crunchy, the cream cheese middle is pretty creamy...I think it needed a bit more chocolate...but still tasty...and the top firmed up nicely.

Thanksgiving Tourtiere

2011-10-12T17:57:00.000+01:00

No turkey at my house for Thanksgiving this year...very hard to source up here in Scotland this time of year (surprisingly, turkey drumsticks are in abundance but not the actual bird)...and...well...for two people one bird is quite possibly just too much (i know leftovers are even better...but...).

This year I decided to try something new, but something that I knew I would like...Tourtiere. For those of you born outside of Canada or the northern United States a Tourtiere is a classic French Canadian meat pie filled with minced pork.

The recipe I used came from the Canadian Basics cookbook and was pretty simple to follow. You basically braise minced pork with some onion and celery, dried savoury, thyme, sage and a bay leaf until the mince is tender and then you add in some mashed potato to hold it all together, let it cool and then fill the pie.

gobble gobble indeed!

Belleau Kitchen Random Recipe Challenge...I'll show you mine...

2011-10-10T17:49:00.000+01:00

That Dom has done it again! This month he totally upped his game...getting us all to pair up and choose for each other! No cheating here...not that I would of course...well...ahem...

I got teamed up with the totally inspiring Michael over at Me, My Food and I and after a few emails and random numbers assigned I was faced with the continually avoided recipe for Minted Peas from Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food.

I say continually avoided...because...well...while I totally love Ministry of Food and would recommend it to anyone starting out in the kitchen...or just as a good go-to for homily meals...the veggie sides have never really inspired or enticed me. Well! Isn't this what Random Recipes is all about? trying something new...

Now I have tried it, I can't say that I will try it again. The peas are cooked with shredded lettuce and spring onions and chicken stock and finished with mint...they weren't great...they looked great...but I didn't like them.

Saturday nights in...

2011-10-09T14:11:00.000+01:00

I think that it is safe to say, and I am not ashamed to admit it, that from now until Christmas I can be found in front of the telly on Saturday nights. Between Strictly, Harry Hill, XFactor and Wossy Saturday nights are well and truly full.

To kick the 12 week marathon off last night I whipped up a batch of Jamie's Chicken Fajitas from his Ministry of Food cookbook. These are simple to make (made even simpler by buying a pack of mini chicken fillets) and even simpler (yet messy) to eat. If I didn't have to share I would easily pack away the whole thing!

Annoyingly the avocado I bought last week in preparation was totally over ripe...although still hard...grrrr. But served with sour cream, shredded iceberg lettuce and the suggested tomato and chilli salsa I easily forgot about the rotten (totally rotten) avocado and therefore lack of guac.

Burgh Bakes Marshmallows

2011-10-03T19:03:00.001+01:00

Katey over at Edinburgh Eats got me drooling last month when she posted about the luscious marshmallow treats served up by the Marshmallow Lady, Nicole at Burgh Bakes. I'd been lucky enough to nab a bag of these totally legit marshmallows months ago on my first visit to Edinburgh Larder...and have been craving some ever since!

I love love love marshmallows (have yet to make my own) and have not been bowled over with the sticky overly sweet pink and white ones I often come across here in the UK. I pine for the light as air marshmallows from home...the giant bags...the marshmallow eating competitions.

Burgh Bakes's Marshmallows are not for eating competitions (at £3.00 a bag,I am savouring every last one! Totally worth stretching my budget for!) but there is certainly a competition of willpower going on at our house. Yesterday, after David speedily ran the Great Edinburgh Run (and I stood at the finish line in my wellies sipping coffee from my Cath Kidston flask) we treated ourselves to brunch at The Edinburgh Larder...where I couldn't stop myself from picking up a bag of Millionaires Shortbread Marshmallows.

David and I agreed to eat just two each last night with our cup of tea, I actually took the plate into the kitchen after my second...just to make sure there were some left for tonight. Read Katey's review...visit the facebook page...order some...you won't regret it!

teenie weenie

2011-10-01T15:37:00.000+01:00

One of my colleagues is having a baby...

Tofu Stir-fry

2011-09-30T15:46:00.000+01:00

Chinese take out is probably the one take out David and I treat ourselves to regularly. We rarely order in indian or pizza...sweet and sour chicken balls wins out every time! The stir-frys I have been making at home lately have really only been my favourite stand-by...cabbage and cashew. This week I thought I would put a bit more effort into my chopping and made a tofu and vegetable chow mein to rival our local take out restaurant.

What is your favourite take out order?

Spanakopita...a delicious experiment

2011-09-23T14:40:00.000+01:00

It still amazes me how many times I find myself typing the words "I have never made a..." The great thing about this blogosphere and all the wonderful foody blogs I'm reading is that I am constantly looking for new recipes to try...classic dishes I haven't been brave enough to...new techniques...and even new ingredients.

Last night's supper was yet another example of all this...

First, the (original recipe) surfaced during the aftermath of the random selection for Belleau Kitchen's monthly challenge...a hastily scribbled recipe for Spinach Pie from Donna Hay's Instant Cook (I suspect I was either babysitting and having a nosey through the cookbooks...or visiting my parents) with yet another note (in a different pen colour underneath) suggesting the addition of Filo pastry...which brings me to the second point, having never baked with filo pastry before...and then thirdly, the new techniques that go along with that...damp towels, brushing melted butter, working quickly.

In the end I totally made it up as I went along...using frozen spinach I defrosted it and squeezed all the extra water out and then added it to a sauteed chopped shallot and 4 crushed cloves of garlic, some dried oregano and some freshly chopped basil...the added in crumbled feta and a tub of ricotta...mixed it all up...seasoned (I could have eaten it right out of the bowl)...and then prepared to FILO...

Really simple salad last night, but the plan is to eat the left overs cold tonight with hot buttery new baby potatoes!

Coastal road trip with my dad!

2011-09-22T17:54:00.001+01:00

My dad has been visiting for the last couple of weeks and this past weekend we embarked on a loooong drive from Edinburgh to the North Norfolk coast.

Upon our arrival at the border the weather turned foggy and rainy and miserable...but the sun came out by the time we reached North Norfolk. We ate really well...fish pie, pork belly, roast chicken, cooked breakfasts and enjoyed many a take away coffee (my dad totally spoils me). But I think my most favourite meal was the lunch we prepared the afternoon before I came back up to Edinburgh.

On Sunday afternoon we ate at a really nice country pub in Stiffkey, Norfolk called The Red Lion. They serve local mussels when in season (they weren't), which I've had before...and this time...I was torn...half and lobster or fish pie? hmmmmmmmm...believe it or not....I opted for the fish pie...I wasn't sure about the lobster...well it appeared the almost every other diner was having the lobster! I felt like I had missed out, but then my dad said to me..."If lobsters are in season we can see if the crab guy around the corner has any tomorrow morning after our walk..."

Well...there was! The fishermen had caught 3 lobsters that morning with their crab haul. Now...Rick Stein says, in his English Seafood Cookery, that you should never buy pre-cooked lobster...he says you don't know how long they have been sitting on the counter and you don't know how long they have been cooked for. Well...considering there is a gigantic picture of Rick Stein with the owners of the crab shack hanging on the wall of the shop...we weren't too concerned.

Coupled with half a dressed Cromer Crab and some salad we gobbled that (lady) lobster right up...in the sun on the back patio! What a fantastic end to a lovely September weekend.

Belleau Kitchen Random Recipe Challenge...magazines, cuttings and pullouts!

2011-09-15T17:14:00.000+01:00

When Dom over at Belleau Kitchen announced the theme of this month's challenge I practically leapt off my chair and dumped out the basket of clippings I have waiting waiting waiting to be tried. I love picking up those freebie magazines and leaflets at the supermarket...but more often than not they tend to lay in a pile by the sofa...collecting dust...until I feel the need for something different...and then I dust them off...and every once in a while I actually go through and ~~cut out~~ rip out things that might be tempting...

The thing is...my mom lovingly does the same thing...FOR ME! She's been sending me photocopies and torn out recipes for years now...so the pile grows and grows. And so...as I dumped out the basket and randomly selected my meal for the challenge...I also selectively chose 10 more recipes to fill out the rest of my two week shop...

This Sausage and Mushroom Penne Gratin recipe comes from a photocopy of Gourmet Magazine from November 2008, sent to me by my mum. The heading reads....Gourmet Everyday Ten-Minute Mains...I'll tell you now...it wasn't 10 mins...heck it wasn't even the 30 mins "start to finish"...and not really gourmet...but it tasted good!!

While you cook the penne you brown some sausages (pork with caramelised onions for us...also a meat meal to satisfy my dad) sort of breaking them up as you go along...to that you add sliced mushrooms (I used a 250g pack of white mushrooms...I think that the whole point is to use ready sliced...but you know me and chopping...) and cook those until the mushrooms are golden. To the sausage mushroom mix you add 1 cup of double cream and some salt and pepper and let it bubble away until thick...then toss in the drained pasta, a little bit of the cooking water, 1/2 a cup of grated parmesan (I used hard goats cheese...don't tell my dad) and 1/2 a ball of mozzarella torn up into little pieces. Mix it all up so that the sauce coasts the pasta and then tip it into a baking dish and top with the rest of the mozzarella and some parmesan (or...hard goats cheese). That goes under the grill until bubbly and golden...

Some of the other clipping meals I'll be trying over the next week include...Carrot Lentil Soup from a recipe scribbled on a piece of kitchen roll...Minestrone of Broad Beans from what looks like maybe River Cafe Green (hand written on a piece of notepaper)...Baked Eggs with Ham and Cheese from no idea...Spinach Pie copied out of Donna Hay's Instant Cook....and Baked White fish from Delia's How to Cheat.

And so...as always...thanks Dom for the inspiration!

Cheese and Onion Pie

2011-09-08T17:05:00.000+01:00

I went a bit The Good Cook mad when I planned my meals for this week...not that that is a bad thing...I like his style and most of the recipes from his last series were things I would try...and so after the success of the tattie soup Tuesday night I clicked through to the recipe for Cheese and Onion Pie.

I'll admit right now...I didn't make my own pastry...I bought a block of ready made shortcrust pastry...I have no shame in it...have you seen the price of butter???

So...readymade pastry at hand I cooked up the onions, grated the cheese and assembled. The preparation part was pretty easy...the putting it together part...not so much. I found it really difficult using pastry in my cake pan...I found it difficult to get the top on properly...let alone seal it with the back of a fork....but...in the end....it turned out pretty good...nothing like the picture on the website...but pretty good.

I also substituted Red Leicester cheese (that was about as "regional" it got on the internet shop selection)...which doesn't seem to get overly gooey in the oven and still has a sharpness to it.

The pie tasted great...and the couple of slices we managed to leave were excellent cold today from the fridge.

Tattie Soup and a good ol' fashioned club sandwich

2011-09-07T17:25:00.000+01:00

Brrrrrrrrrr....September has arrived and with it...wind...rain...and cold nights! Last night, to warm us up, I made a double batch of The Good Cook's Potato Soup put half in the freezer, a quarter into bowls and the last quarter into a container to take to work. A pretty good streeeetch I'd say...for 2 onions, 1kg of tatties and 1.5 litres of stock...oh and the 6 rashers of bacon...

When I watched Simon Hopkinson make this soup a month or so ago I couldn't wait to try it for myself...and yesterday's weather meant that it was time to peel the tatties! The soup is easy to make, and it was simple to double. I don't have a vegetable mill so used the stick blender to puree it so the texture was pretty thin...but still tasty. To season the soup you fry some bacon, leave it to boil in the soup broth and then remove it from the soup before blending. I decided to crisp the rashers up in a skillet and then made club sandwiches using the left over roast chicken from the weekend....a pretty budget friendly meal.

Veggie burgers...and a moment to relax

2011-09-03T09:26:00.001+01:00

Last night we managed to have a moment to relax in between visitors and work and our other commitments. Friday nights at our little pad is normally reserved for a pizza party or burger night...our schedule has been a little out of whack lately with guests and stuff so last night it was a welcome treat to return to normal...except for the running around trying to hang out bedding to dry, tidying and general catching up on other chores...

I am slightly spoiled...work finishes at 12:45 on a Friday, allowing me some "me" time to catch up on some tv I've missed during the week that David isn't interested in...some knitting...and giving me the time to actually take my time to prepare dinner. Not that last night's dinner needed much time to prepare...

I've been searching for a good go-to Veggie burger for a while...I often just grill giant portobello mushrooms with some garlic, thyme, oil and vinegar...but after Sue's Soyburger Post last month I've been craving a proper beany chunky burger. I searched as hard as I could manage to find dried soy beans, with no luck (there are two organic markets I need to try when I have the time)...but remembered I had bookmarked the incredible looking Ultimate Veggie Burger post over at 101 cookbooks...ages ago...

I've settled for chickpeas this time around...but am determined to find those evasive soy beans for the next time.

Using both recipes as inspiration and guidance I whipped up a batch of 8 burgers in no time...6 wrapped and popped into the freezer and 2 chilled until it was time to EAT! I used 2 tins of chickpeas, drained and rinsed...I don't have a food processor (yet) so I whizzed up one tin with my stick blender and kept the other tin of chickpeas whole...to those I added 4 eggs, about 3/4 of a cup of breadcrumbs ( i just kept adding them until it seemed like the right consistency), one giant carrot grated, 1 red onion chipped finely and a huge handful of chopped coriander and chopped basil....oh and some salt and cayenne pepper. The mixture was wet, but I was really happy with the end result.

Slathered with mayo and topped with lettuce, avocado and sauteed mushrooms this burger totally hit the spot! No buns this time around...owing to a disastrous internet shop (itty bitty buns instead of burger sized!). Served with crinkle cut oven chips this burger was a great, and indulgent, way to end the week.

Our next guests arrive in 3 hours....

Tapas....Scottish Style at Howie's Cellar

2011-08-31T17:47:00.000+01:00

The revolving door of guests keeps going...around...and around...and around...when will it stop?...nobody knows!! Despite not being used to entertaining day after day I have been so happy to be welcoming our friends and family to our new home and...new city.

This past weekend we fell victim to the classic mistake...late lunch...with reservations for an early dinner (had to get off to the tattoo)...the late lunch is something that I have yet to master. I always find myself thinking...hmmm soup or something light would be best seeing as dinner is not far off...and without fail...BAM! giant sandwich with chips and mayonnaise and dessert appears before me...and, of course, I wolf it all down...every last crumb.

Saturday afternoon was no exception...and then, at 5:30 I was faced with the nightmare of not really being hungry, but knowing I had to eat before going to our 7:30 show...luckily, I had made reservations for us at Howies Cellar in Alva Street..where small dishes are in abundance! I've not been to any of the Howies yet, but they had a good write up in the Food and Drink magazine and I couldn't wait to try one...

The focus at Howies Cellar is Scottish ingredients and recipes in tapas style dishes. Well...wasn't THAT just the answer for four not-so-hungry stomachs...

7 dishes and some bread was perfect...black pudding and potato bravas, fried brie and chutney, grilled sardine salad, braised beef casserole, penne with scottish beef meatballs in spicy tomato sauce, haggis fritters, and smoked mackerel mousse.

For the most part it was all pretty good...some dishes divided up well, some not so well (the sardine was really small).

And, in the end...somehow...I found room for dessert!

guests...a new job...and more guests!

2011-08-24T18:00:00.000+01:00

Last weekend saw the beginning of our house guest season....6 weeks in a row of visitors...oh and the start of my new job. It looks like I am going to be super duper busy over the next little while, but will try to stay creative and continue to explore...

The weekend started with an amazing meal of curried cream mussels at Seadogs with chips (and a black ale...followed by raspberry, whisky and honey parfait). The mussels were to.die.for...I had to hold myself back (a bit) from licking the curried cream off of the shells while I was greedily stuffing my face. As always, Seadogs did not disappoint. Drinks were flowing all weekend...including a Canadian Club Rye and Ginger Ale that I was surprised to find on offer at a pretty grubby student bar...as well as some refreshing G+Ts...lots of ice...not your standard Dot Branning tipple.

After eating burgers and chips and onion rings and more crap crap crap us girls lined up for the "healthy" baked potato alternative on Sunday....and when I say lined up....I truly mean it. The line outside The Baked Potato Shop on Cockburn Street wasn't long enough to put us off...and the boys politely gobbled their Oink rolls (hog roast with stuffing and apple sauce) while waiting for us to go in...order...and emerge laden with baked potato vegetarian goodness.

This place has endless possibilities...and after much humming and hawing I chose Vegetarian Haggis and a greek spinach salad with butter (of course) to fill the two (!!!) baked potatoes that make up the medium option. With topping options like hummus, couscous salad, avocado, vegetarian curry and the bog standard beans and cheese it is no wonder it took a while to choose...but MAN was it worth the wait in line.

As I write this the rain is pelting my window...it looks as if the few days of sun we've just had are over. Keeping my fingers crossed for good weather for the rest of our guests...

Berry Muffins...Mary Berry...and a berry cute hat!

2011-08-17T21:12:00.000+01:00

I am so excited for the new season of The Great British Bake Off on BBC 2 starring the lovely Mary Berry!! The first episode did not disappoint, and in anticipation (and to while away the terrible weather) I baked up a batch of my favourite muffins with Summer berries and coconut.

The coconut adds an interesting texture...and I am not entirely in lust with it...but the berries were nice for a frozen mix (strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, black and red currants) and they rose really well.

And...over the weekend I knit this cute little berry pink hat for the impending autumn...

Belleau Kitchen Random Recipe Challenge: Back to Basics

2011-08-15T14:12:00.002+01:00

This month Dom over at Belleau Kitchen asked us to go back to basics....to randomly select a cookbook and then randomly select a recipe...no theme...just random. Poor (but lucky) Dom is in kitchen reno-land this month...but still managing to serve up some pretty brilliant dishes (not so sure about the baked risotto though!).

Our kitchen here in Edinburgh is such a breath of fresh air compared to the box I was cooking in in Chelmsford, there is counter space, there is floor space, there are drawers...heck there is even a table! I don't know how I'll ever cope with an itty bitty kitchen again (let's hope I never have to).

This month I well and truly played by the rules...randomly selecting the Canadian Basics Cookbook (randomly fitting the Basics theme)...and letting the cookbook do the recipe selecting for me (the spine is well and truly broken)...

Black Bean Soup

Simple to make if you can find tinned black beans, which I couldn't...but I did find them dried and soaked and cooked those up...and once that fiasco was over it really was just a case of sautéing some onion, carrot, celery and garlic with ground cumin, chilli flakes...adding in the cooked beans and some stock...simmering and then whizzing up.

Totally back to basics!

Addendum: Regarding the baked risotto comment...I've tried Dom's recipes before with great success and it is my own sheer need to stir risottos that has lead to panic attacks just with the thought of a baked risotto...this is my cross to bear...mine and mine alone.

My new favourite tipple

2011-08-15T09:10:00.000+01:00

Canadian Rye and Root Beer over ice

Blasted fridge door!

2011-08-11T09:31:00.000+01:00

The morning after we received our grocery delivery last week we woke up to the fridge door open and everything inside hot hot hot...not just warm....hot!! Bloomin 'eck! Out come the bin bags (and expletives) and in goes the food...all the food...well, except for the veggies...and the butter which was nicely softened...and the few jars that were cool enough.

There wasn't really that much, in the end, that needed to be tossed out...but there were some pretty major elements...a huge pot of double cream, sandwich meats, cheese...you know, the more expensive elements of my grocery budget. Out of everything I had to chuck, there were two major purchases that totally broke my heart...A lovely polish kielbasa smoked sausage and a package of sauerkraut ordered with the anticipation of making one of my mum's favourite meals...Sauerkraut and Kielbasa Stew.

I had a terrible time trying to find replacement ingredients in my little enclave of Edinburgh...actually, it wasn't too difficult to find the sauerkraut...it was the sausage that was really difficult, and in the end I had to settle for substituting a name brand smoked sausage.

Sauerkraut, carrots, potatoes, smoked sausage, onion, garlic and tomato paste with water...it was as close to my mum's as I could get it without the proper sausage (although this name brand smoked sausage wasn't too bad...just not quite right)...but it totally hit the spot with enough leftovers to brighten up today's miserable weather!

Chocolate Chunk Muffins

2011-08-10T14:42:00.001+01:00

Rain rain go away...no...actually...don't go away...this relentless rain has been the perfect excuse to be a little bit naughty with my new favourite healthier muffin recipe. The plan, as it stands, with the muffins is to bake a batch, freeze half and then defrost them as the week goes on...providing me with a fresh muffin for my morning coffee commute...that's the plan at least...whether it happens or not is anybody's guess. I have made a list of other breakfast baked goods that I could also prepare in advance (granola bars tops the alternative list) for my morning commute, but then again...I could just mix up the muffin filling to keep things exciting. Today's rain (and the end of the blueberry muffins on Monday) forced my hand a bit, I was going to wait until the weekend...but the chocolate chunks and warmth of the oven were calling...

Using my new favourite muffin recipe I substituted 100g of chocolate chunks (about 3/4 of a cup) reserving about 30 for the topping for the muffins. I took care when filling the cases this time and judged them to be about 2 heaped TBSP of batter each...about 3/4 of the way full. Once they are cooled half will go in the freezer, to await their fate!

Mac n Cheese

2011-08-10T09:59:00.000+01:00

Anybody who really knows me knows that I love mac n cheese. For me it is the quintessential comfort food...it can be gourmet or...not...it can be made from scratch...or come from a box...it is just perfect. If I were to even write a cookbook there would be a whole chapter dedicated to mac n cheese (I'd even include my gourmet recipe for KD)...I just love love love it.

Monday night, as the wind was whipping against our windows I whipped up Stephane Reynauld's mac n cheese from his 365 Good Reasons to Sit Down and Eat. The method was slightly different from what I've done in the past...but it was easy. The recipe serves 6 (children...which seemed to escape my mind) so I halved it, and it did us...barely...but once I looked at the recipe again and saw the key word...children...oopsie...I registered my mistake and lamented the fact that there would be no leftovers for lunch...weep weep.

The method...I've got two tried and tested mac n cheese methods. The first....the family recipe...is layers of cooked macaroni and grated cheddar cheese, covered with some milk and baked in the oven. The second...making a cheese sauce to mix the macaroni into and then baked.

This one is a sort of combination...you cook up the macaroni...and while that is cooking you combine double cream (150ml for 3 children) with grated Gruyere (or 150g of whatever cheese)...2/3 of that is mixed into the cooked/drained pasta...that is then layered with slices of thick ham and topped with the last 1/3 of the creamy grated cheese mixture.

The combination of Gruyere and cream alone was enough to break my budget...imagine if I had made the whole recipe...and...in all honesty, while I love the taste of Gruyere, it made the mac a bit too greasy for my liking (and normally I do not mind a little grease)...but I did like the method and the layers of ham.

Rick Stein's Spanish Lentils..perfect for a weekend lunch!

2011-08-09T09:22:00.000+01:00

I love Rick Stein. I've been watching his Rick Stein's Spain greedily over the last few weeks and, at the end of every programme I say to David...we really have to go to Spain...sadly, we can't...well, not right now at least.

In the last episode Rick made a gorgeous looking lentil dish with spanish ham and tomatoes and all I could think of was...I need a big scoop of that! The recipe calls for a few ingredients that I wasn't prepared to go out and buy (budget budget), like wine and Serrano ham, however...with a few 21st century urban housewife tweaks I was able to substitute chicken stock for wine, and streaky bacon for the ham. As for the lentils, I already had a huge bag of Puy lentils at home, so used those instead of the larger, flatter brown lentils suggested...so, perhaps not entirely authentically Spanish, but...tasty nonetheless.

We devoured these lentils with toast and sardines, it was perfect!

Baking Success! Blueberry Muffins...

2011-08-08T09:22:00.001+01:00

Following the taste testing of my banana nut loaf last weekend, where I mixed plain flour with brown bread flour, wheat germ and oatmeal, I thought I might try and substitute some brown bread flour and wheat germ to make guilt free muffins over the weekend.

After the disastrous cornmeal blueberry muffins last month I wasn't entirely confident in my decision to experiment...but I did some research on substituting brown flour and, in the end, just closed my eyes and hoped for the best!

Not to brag, but these muffins are incredible! They are light, they are moist, they are packed with bursts of blueberries and they rose beautifully. Success!!

I am doubly excited because these muffins have another purpose..they are a practice round...I start a new job in a week and will be eating breakfast on the run...well on the bus...muffins and coffee...maybe not the best way to start the morning but it is sounding pretty good to me...especially if it is these muffins!

My New Favourite Muffins
adapted from the New Canadian Basics cookbook

1 cup white flour

3/4 cup brown bread flour

1/4 cup wheat germ

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1TBSP + 1/4 tsp Baking Powder (I read somewhere that brown bread flour needs a little extra ooompf)

1cup blueberries (next time I'm going to try frozen summer fruits)

2 eggs

250ml + splash milk (I read somewhere that when substituting wheat germ add a little extra liquid)

1/4 cup flavourless oil

Preheat oven to 200C

In a large mixing bowl mix together dry ingredients

Add fruit and gently mix

In a separate bowl combine wet ingredients

Add to dry ingredients and gently mix (it is ok if there are some lumps) and be careful not to smoosh berries!

Fill 12 muffin cups 3/4 way full, bake 20-25 mins until golden.

Cool...and enjoy!

Super Lemony Pasta

2011-08-05T09:20:00.000+01:00

Lemon, Cream, Parsley, Butter, Parmesan, Pasta...it doesn't get much more simple than that.

Last night I made this quick no-brainer pasta dish from the fantastic River Cafe Cookbook Green. I don't actually have the cookbook...I have a number of recipes furiously scribbled on scraps of paper. Following my copied out recipe this dish took the time it takes to cook the pasta to bring together...so it is important to make sure that your lovely hubby is actually home and ready to sit down at the table...other than that, it is so easy!

The original recipe serves 4, so I just halved it and it worked a treat...For two lovely people...cook up 200g of dried egg tagliatelle. While the pasta is cooking gently warm 150ml of double cream (small pot) in a saucepan, when it starts to bubble just chuck in 60g of butter and the juice and grated rind of two lemons. Remove the cream from the heat and stir until butter is melted. By this point the pasta should be cooked...drain it (reserve a little cooking water) and combine with creamy sauce and a huge handful of parsley, salt and pepper and a generous grating of parmesan cheese (if the sauce seems a bit thick add some of the reserved cooking water). Serve...enjoy...and lick the plate!

Tasty Taters...a not so quick light supper

2011-08-04T09:17:00.000+01:00

Wednesdays after work David plays football with his new friends from work...so dinner is delayed and after running around for 90 mins he doesn't really want much more than a quick bite. On nights like that I like to find something that isn't too filling but not necessarily quick to make...seeing as I have an extra two hours to make dinner and often more time on my hands than I can bare!

Last night I made my version of something my MIL makes...that I love! Stuffed baked potatoes...yum yum!

These are by no means quick...they took an hour and a half to make...but, they are super easy and super lazy. Just pop the taters in the oven and leave to bake for about an hour or so until super soft (nothing worse than half cooked middle tater) and then scoop out the inside...mash it up really good and add in whatever you want! Last night we had red pepper, spring onion and goats cheese. I brush a little bit of oil over the top of the taters just to make sure they crisp up...and pop them under the grill!

A perfect and light dinner taking up just enough time to keep me busy until David came home.

Where I went today...

2011-08-02T17:04:00.000+01:00

National Museum of Scotland: Royal Museum

Really...Good...(but not as good as the ROM...)

Squirrel Nutkin's Banana Nut Loaf

2011-08-01T11:48:00.000+01:00

We've been going through bananas super quickly lately...so quickly that I haven't been able to grab a couple and set them aside for banana bread...but yesterday I was on the ball...two left sitting in the bowl, one slightly bruised on one side (superficial)...so I announced...I think I'll make a banana loaf this afternoon...which was met with a happy grin.

I normally make my mom's banana bread recipe, which is a pretty simple one bowl recipe. But I felt like I wanted to make something a little bit different and remembered the amazing loaf recipe from Peter Rabbit's Natural Foods Cookbook that my mom used to make every once and a while. Aren't I so lucky that I was given this cute cookbook to take with me when I left home?

Squirrel Nutkin's Banana Nut Loaf recipe calls for 3 cups of white flour, or a mixture of white, brown, oatmeal and wheat germ...I opted to mix it up a bit...

The combination of oats and wheat germ with the flour gives this loaf a great texture...you have to forgive the bulging middle (this is not a case of cakes resembling their makers) I tossed out my loaf tin before we moved to Edinburgh since the non-stick coating was coming off (nothing worse than that coming off on the bottom of a cake) and only had a silicone loaf mould at hand...which, of course, didn't stop the batter from spreading out (instead of up!)...the bulge is minimal anyway.

Homemade Naan

2011-07-31T09:27:00.000+01:00

I've been really bad about baking bread since we moved to Edinburgh...I am not sure why, it isn't like I haven't had the time...I just haven't been doing it. I am trying to get focused and get motivated and have been looking at soda bread recipes, multi grain recipes, baking with rye flour...different things to get me going again. To ease myself back into it (like it is so hard....) I made this easy Naan recipe on Friday night to help streeeeetch our left over curry.

I was actually really pleased with myself. These Naan were puffy, had a good texture and tasted pretty close to the real thing (except that the bottom wasn't as nicely toasted as the top...maybe a quick flip over next time). The dough was tough when I was kneading it, and I wasn't really convinced that it was going to rise at all...but sure enough after 15 mins resting it had risen a bit and was soft when I poked it. Divided into 4 pieces, it rolled out surprisingly well. I topped these Naan with nigella, black mustard and cumin seeds and then brushed them with a little oil once they had baked. Easy Peasy...and oh so tasty!

coffee and scones...at home!

2011-07-29T09:54:00.000+01:00

As I wandered around town yesterday looking in the windows of different cafes, counting my pennies in my pocket, my mind turned to the half container of buttermilk in my fridge (from the disastrous cornmeal blueberry muffins). I need to use that up...why pay for a scone and a cup of coffee when I can make some at home??

So home I went...evaluated the supplies in the kitchen and got down to the task of finding a recipe. My standby scone recipe from Canadian Basics called for one egg...I had no eggs...so on to the next recipe for Classic Scones from delicious magazine a few months ago. It is WI approved so I had to give it a try!

Looking at the ingredient list I couldn't help but feel a bit dubious...there were only 3 ingredients...self raising flour, butter and milk...no sugar, no egg...the proof is in the pudding, or so they say. So I followed the recipe (substituting buttermilk for whole milk) and the results were great! Light, moist, tasty.

Best scones in Edinburgh?...I don't know.
Best coffee?...definitely not.

My take on Pasta alla Norma

2011-07-28T09:32:00.000+01:00

I first ordered Pasta alla Norma at a little Italian Restaurant off the Blvd. Saint-Germain in Paris and instantly fell in love with it...soft aubergines stewed in tomato sauce and topped with ricotta cheese (at least I think it was soft ricotta). Aubergines are something that I am forever trying to make taste great at home (when I have the courage and time) but more often than not they tend to taste better (for me) when cooked in a restaurant...so when we go out for Indian, Chinese, Italian...I often order something with aubergines.

Last week I made a salad with aubergine and last night I tried my hand at my own version of Pasta all Norma, substituting the ricotta for goats cheese.

Please forgive the splatters on the side of the bowl...I barley had time to snap this pic...I was starving!

My Norma sauce is made by sautéing half a chopped onion in olive oil until soft, ( I've started adding a Tbsp or two of boiling water from the pasta pot to the onions at this point...it is supposed to help break them down...I've been watching Lidia Bastianich on Food Network and she always adds some water to the onions) then in with half an aubergine cut into little cubes (spongey middle bit cut off) and a pinch of chili flakes, and fry that (stirring, stirring) for about 5 mins until soft and just starting to turn golden. Then in with half a tin of chopped tomatoes and a pinch of sugar, and simmer until the aubergine is nice and soft (I usually add a few Tbsp of pasta water now and a again as the sauce cooks down). While the sauce is simmering I cook the pasta, and just before it is ready to come together I stir in about 50g of soft goats cheese and a handful of basil leaves. The goats cheese makes the sauce really creamy and gives the sauce that little zing....you know....that zing that goats cheese has.

Belleau Kitchen Random Recipe Challenge: My Favourite Cookbook

2011-07-27T09:23:00.000+01:00

This month's Random Recipe Challenge, hosted by the wonderfully talented Dom over at Belleau Kitchen, saw me fickly tossing cookbooks aside to choose my favourite. Seriously...this was one tough decision...I love all my cookbooks equally (I do) and I tend to obsess over one at a time, greedily flipping thorough pages and selectively cooking my way from cover to cover.

Currently, as you know, I am obsessed with Denis Cotter's For the Love of Food...but I can't say that it is my favourite...just my flavour of the month. Sticking with the veggie theme...I can't deny that my mostest favouritest cookbook on my shelf is....the fabulous...Plenty by the incredible Yotam Ottolenghi. Many of you will know that I publicly drooled my way through this book when I was gifted it last year, and have been quietly exploring recipes missed out the first time round. I have a few standby recipes...soba noodles with aubergine, stuffed onions, broad bean burgers...you know...standbys.

I have to admit now...that I kinda sorta cheated a bit...sorry Dom. The original random recipe that was chosen (gimme a number David...) was OKRA....I'm sorry...I just couldn't do it...I couldn't...so random selection number two was the incredible looking Multi-Vegetable Paella. I hadn't made this recipe yet, so that was a bonus!!

I am not a huge fan of paella...I find that the rice is never cooked properly for me...even in a restaurant. Then again, I have never been to Spain...so I reserve final judgement for when (and if) that day ever comes. This recipe was alright. In theory I loved it...lovely rice cooked with onions and peppers then topped with grilled artichoke hearts, cherry tomatoes, olives and broad beans (Ottolenghi loves broad beans)...I just wasn't convinced....but I think that comes down to my genetic disposition to stir rice...I can let long grain rice mellow...but when it comes to Paella and Risotto...anything slowly cooked in stock...I need to stir (I'm half Italian...so...it figures).

Final verdict....I still love Ottolenghi, and this dish looked stunning...it just wasn't for me. I would, however, take the different components and transfer them to a risotto without cheese (or is that sacrilege?).

Baking Disaster...Blueberry Cornmeal Muffins

2011-07-25T09:45:00.000+01:00

Oh dear...

The oven wasn't set high enough...I don't know if I looked at the fan temperature but didn't set the oven to fan...or just didn't set it high enough...or what. Needless to say...these gorgeous Blueberry Cornmeal muffins didn't rise...they spread...and they spread faaaaaar. What a disaster!

At least they still taste good...sigh.

A Wilderness Adventure, River-side Picnic and a Gorgeous Tart

2011-07-25T09:34:00.000+01:00

What an adventure! We took the bus out to Dalkeith Country Estate this weekend and spent a good chunk of time wandering (sometimes aimlessly) around the trails and through the forest and fields and along the riverbank. We managed to take a wrong turn at some point...and there was a moment where I was like...ok just keep following the river...we'll be ok...and then...the next trail marker appeared out of nowhere! Phew!

We made the wrong turn after we had stopped for our picnic lunch on the banks of the river. I'd like to think that the reason for the wrong turn was because we were still talking about how great our picnic was...but it probably was because we had been turned around and weren't really paying attention.

Picnic Grub: Toast with butter, picante sardines, lemon sardines and rice salad...and raspberries picked from the hedgerows along the path!

Returning home exhausted, hot, sweaty and a little bit grubby neither of us felt much like eating. I had planned to make a quiche and salad for supper (to last us two nights) so I went ahead and made it thinking that if we didn't eat any it was no big deal...

Needless to say by 7:15 we were both more than happy to sit down and stuff our faces!! This quiche is made with ricotta cheese, it is light and fluffy and creamy. The pastry is smeared with dijon mustard (mummy's trick),topped with chopped cooked spinach, the ricotta mixture (3 eggs, 250g ricotta, 1tbsp chopped basil and 100ml milk) and then finished with halved cherry tomatoes.

For two people who weren't hungry...we still managed to eat half of it!

Weekender Breakfast

2011-07-23T12:41:00.000+01:00

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day...we all know this...but during the week it is hard to manage more than a bowl of corn flakes (sometimes with half a banananana on top) or a slice of toast with peanut butter...it is not like I am rushing to get to work (not yet at least), I just don't have the desire or hunger to eat much more at 7:30 in the morning!

On the weekend...however...I feel differently. Even if I am up with the sun I manage to actually FEEL like breakfast...something different...but not necessarily a fry up, besides we rarely have fry up essentials in our fridge just waiting to be used (everything has a purpose...everything has been rationed...budget budget budget).

After my inspiring treats at Edinburgh Larder and Leo's Beanery I've started to make my own porridge with milk (a real treat) on the weekends and jazz it up with fruit and honey and molasses sugar and...well anything, really.

This morning it was Banana, Nectarine and Blueberries with Molasses Sugar (and some more milk) with a large cup of coffee...just the thing to get me ready for the weekend.

If you are interested in more obscure ways to jazz up your porridge...check out the Oatmeal Project on Tastespotting...with salmon and avocado...or as a base for eggs benedict...

Veggies Veggies Veggies (and a bit of cake!)

2011-07-21T09:20:00.001+01:00

Yesterday was all about the veggies...well...anything not sweet. I think I actually had a headache from sugar withdraw!! I only managed four small slices at the Cake Club but that was enough to totally crash my system...amazing!

I turned to the trusty For the Love of Food and greedily flipped through the salad pages to find something...anything...that would restore balance to my body (and prepare me for a cake treat in the evening...yes I managed to hold off until then!). The weather somewhat forced my hand (cold, wet, dreary) to choose Denis Cotter's Warm Broccoli, Aubergine and Chickpea Salad.

Like most of the recipes in this book the ingredient list is exhaustive, and I used pretty much every pot and pan in my cupboard...but the finished product was...as always...amazing!

The aubergine is roasted in the oven until soft (and crispy?), the broccoli is steamed, and the chickpeas are warmed through with garlic, chilli and cumin seeds...this is all tossed together with bulgur, spring onions and chopped tomatoes and then dressed with a yummy lemon yoghurt dressing.

My favourite bit was the addition of toasted sunflower seeds coated with soy sauce...amazing in this salad and a new "trick" to add to my repertoire.

DO NOT FEAR Cake Eaters...we enjoyed two largish portions of left over devil's food cake last night! Enough to return me to a sugar coma...

SHHHHHH it's a secret...Edinburgh Clandestine Cake Club

2011-07-20T09:38:00.000+01:00

Edinburgh ladies (and gent) sure know how to make cake...and eat it too! Yesterday evening I attended (with some trepidation) the second meeting of Edinburgh Cakes Ladies' Clandestine Cake Club at Frederick's Coffee House. I will not lie...I was nervous...as I tenderly wrapped my cake in foil and slowly made my way over the cobbled streets so as not to damage the icing too much I couldn't help but think about how my cake might stack up...was it really Cake Club worthy? Only one way to find out...

The event was themed...The Last Cake on Earth...and the only stipulation...cakes must be full sized (no cupcakes). I actually had a lot of trouble deciding what to make...lemon...vanilla...red velvet...chocolate? I finally settled on Nigella's Devil's Food Cake from her Kitchen book. I love Devil's Food Cake...rich, moist chocolate cake with a thick, glossy chocolate ganache icing. I'll be perfectly honest, before "practicing" for this event, I had only made Devil's Food Cake from a mix...sometimes Duncan Hines really is THE only option...but, I am converted, this cake is light, it is moist, it is full on chocolatey and the ganache is easy to make and even easier to devour!

Walking up the stairs to the cafe I was nervous...seriously...but upon seeing the tables of cake laid out before me and all the lovely ladies (and gent) snapping away like the paparazzi my nerves subsided somewhat.

At six o'clock on the dot the feasting began...and boy do these ladies (and gent) know how to eat cake! I was totally embarrassed by my lack of cake eating skills...seriously! I managed to make my way slowly through 4 slices...Lemon coconut, Red Velvet, Carrot Cake and then a lovely berry loaf cake. I'll be honest, I couldn't even FINISH them all. There was something like 25 cakes brought in total...it was incredible.

My cake club virginity truly became evident when people started taking tupperware containers out of their bags and choosing slices to take home....TAKE HOME! I hadn't even thought that there would be cake leftovers! I honestly underestimated the sheer amount of cake. I snagged a largish slice of ginger cake, another bit of carrot cake and a little bit of my own to take home to enjoy when I can pace myself!

A big thank you to Allison for organising and to Frederick's for the venue (I'll be back...) and, of course to all the amazing bakers and eaters!!

bowls...

2011-07-14T08:40:00.000+01:00

I love eating out of bowls...actually, I rather eat out of a bowl....even with a fork and knife! Weird, I know! The problem is...the bowls I have...just aren't big enough! Seriously, they aren't....I need some largish shallow bowls...I'm on a mission now to find some.

Yesterday I made a perfect bowl meal...Denis Cotter's Crushed New Potatoes with Courgettes, Cherry Tomatoes and Broad Beans. Like most of the recipes I've made from For the Love of Food the ingredient list is long, and I used two pots and one large pan...a true labour of love (for food!).

The new potatoes are crushed with melted butter and sauteed spring onions (yum in its own right) and then topped with a sort of summer stew. For the veggies (which are also delicious in their own right...maybe over couscous? maybe served with fish?...) sautee thinly sliced courgettes in a couple of Tbsp olive oil for a few minutes until they start to look soft, then add in a sliced red onion, handful of cherry tomatoes cut in half and a few cloves of garlic thinly sliced...sautee it all for a few mins longer until soft and tomatoes are breaking down...add in 1/2 a cup or so of water and some chopped basil and let stew...then put it all together and devour!

chilly july

2011-07-12T09:11:00.000+01:00

Don't get me wrong...I much prefer the cold to the heat...I love snuggling up under blankets and wearing big chunky sweaters and wooly socks...but JULY!! you gotta be kidding me...

I was knitting these socks in preparation for the fall...but my feet are happy in them now...in July.

Purple purple purple (with green and white)

2011-07-11T09:05:00.000+01:00

Purple is my favourite colour...it always has been. Sure, I've dabbled with green and orange and red...but purple always comes up tops. A week or so ago, Dom over at Belleau Kitchen posted a gorgeous blog about the beautiful purple carrots and purple gooseberries he's been growing in his garden...and I was so jealous...I miss my little garden (not that I had exotic purple carrots growing).

To quell the green eyed monster I planned a labour-intensive beetroot risotto for the weekend. The recipe comes from Denis Cotter's For the Love of Food (I just can't get enough of it)...easy-ish to follow (lots of steps) and promises to deliver a proper beetroot coloured risotto (unlike some which are washed out pink). To get the intensive purpley colour you have to boil and then roast the beetroot and then puree half of it to add to the stock. The puree was a gorgeous deep purple colour (and tasted amazing) but when I added it to the stock...it turned pink....hmmmm. I figure either I had too much stock or too weak a stock...or...

The risotto is finished with cooked and peeled broad beans (to add a nice bite), drops of creamy goats cheese (we all know how well goats cheese goes with beetroot), and a drizzle of lemon fennel oil. Not as deep a purple colour as I would have liked, but really tasty.

I've been naughty...Part 2

2011-07-07T17:42:00.000+01:00

I hate bureaucracy...I am sure we all do...waiting in line...waiting on hold....waiting for a letter...waiting, waiting, waiting...

For the last six years my life has been dictated by forms and people on the other end of helplines or behind counters...I thought it was almost over...I was wrong.

Today I spent 45 mins waiting...waiting for my number to be called...waiting to go into a little office...

Do not frett! The outcome was satisfactory, sure I'm out of pocket...and I'll never get those 45 mins back...and I have to wait for something to come in the post...but...at least I've done my part. Ugh...the bast way to cure the bureaucratic blues?? Why...coffee of course!!

After a quick stop at the Museum of Childhood for a poke around I wandered back home via Leo's Beanery in Stockbridge. This cafe is so...perfect. Like Wellington Coffee, Leo's in the basement with tables outside as well. It was busy inside, but the sun was shining (for the moment) so I took a seat outside. The staff are lovely and were able to help me make up my scattered mind...for instance should I have a small latte or a large latte? Why not a flat white if you like a stronger coffee? The barista suggested (is it still "a" if it is a guy?)...perfect!!

Not as smooth as Wellington Coffee, but tasty and hot. I wasn't going to have anything to eat (second treat of the week and all that...) but I was tempted by the breakfast menu, and again was helped to decide...scone or porridge? tough decision...I was told. Porridge it was (seeing as I had a scone yesterday and rain was definitely on the horizon). The porridge is made with milk and served with scottish honey and then a choice of toppings...berries it was for me today!

Warmed bananas, blackberries, raspberries and black currants, a wonderful way to energise my day! Leo's Beanery is somewhat out of the way...or at least off the main stretch of shops etc., but it is well worth checking out.

I've been naughty...Part 1

2011-07-07T17:21:00.000+01:00

Two coffee treats in one week! The first one was planned...the second...a sort-of reward for battling with the powers that be (well deserved I may add...the treat...not the battle).

Wednesday I wandered along the Royal Mile, visited the Museum of Edinburgh and popped into Always Sunday for a coffee treat. I've read a heap of rave reviews on the internet and blogs and although I am not a fan of cafes in the middle of tourist heaven I thought I would give it a go. If it hadn't been raining I would have sat outside, but...it was raining so I took cover inside. It wasn't packed to the rafters, but it was busy. A large party of mum's and babies in the front, a couple of groups of business people and some backpackers filled pretty much all the tables. You have to queue to order, which...if you are in a group is ok...but when you are solo you run the risk of not having a space to seat once you are served.

I ordered a latte and an apple cinnamon scone with butter. I was handed a cafeteria style tray with my scone (drinks to be brought to the table) and I only JUST managed to snag a table...right by the condiments, right by the cash register.

The scone was pretty good, it was definitely cinnamon...not really apple-y, but...it was light and still warm and a really decent size. The latte...was...frothy milk...I am talking froth halfway down the mug...not impressed. But, you know what...it was packed, and it stayed packed...and in the half hour I was there people just kept coming and going.

I am not going to say I won't go back...I would give it another chance (the plain french press coffee looked really good...and the scones were alright) but...there are other places around the Royal Mile that I would rather take my visitors to. Plus marks for serving the latte in a mug though, and a good selection of cakes and food.

Harsh? maybe...

More fresh green food!

2011-07-06T18:13:00.000+01:00

Looking back on the last few dishes I have posted I am met with a gallery of beautiful and bold green veggies looking back at me. Broad beans, courgettes and spring cabbages to name a few...and...do not fear...I will not fail you today! Green is on the menu, it seems.

Last night I made yet another fabulous pasta dish from Denis Cotter's For the Love of Food. Sauteed thinly sliced fennel, courgettes, spring onions and capers tossed in a little olive oil, added to rigatoni and topped with heaps of grated parmesan cheese. Absolutely perfect for a stormy summer night!

spring broth for a warm-ish july evening

2011-07-05T09:30:00.000+01:00

Enjoyed a really wonderful weekend so full of picnics and sunshine and the tennis that by the time Sunday dinner time came neither of us could manage to eat much of the roast pork I had cooked. That's ok...leftovers are so much better I think...so into the fridge went the leftovers just waiting for Monday night's supper.

Over the weekend I picked up a booklet of recipes from Waitrose (free) highlighting their new Love Life range (health food) and spied this gorgeous looking bowl of soup. Of course the recipe called for a range of Waitrose ingredients...frozen stock shots, pulled ham hock...but after a few 21st century urban housewife tweaks here and there we had an equally as stunning meal in front of us.

I substituted the ham hock with the left over roast pork from Sunday night and was really happy with the result. AND just enough left over for my lunch today!!

Wellington Coffee, Edinburgh...must stop scone treat!

2011-07-01T09:29:00.000+01:00

I am overwhelmed with the number of independent coffee shops and cafes lining the streets of Edinburgh. It is becoming difficult to choose where to visit next, I've got my list...gleaned from online reviews and blogs...and I am slowly making my way through. Yesterday I set out on a walk...to explore...in the direction of one highly praised cafe...long story short...I wasn't impressed when I walked in the door, so I walked out again...simple as that. I won't name and shame...mostly because of all the rave reviews I have read, and also because I am not about being negative. So...I continued to walk along and followed my nose to Wellington Coffee.

I walk by Wellington Coffee on most days...it is always packed (lunch time) and I always clock the big chalk board outside with the sweetest words...Fresh Scones...hooked!

So, in I went.

Inside the cafe is small, there is limited seating but at 11:30 in the morning I was early for the lunch time rush. Patio seating was full (sunny and warm) but the large basement windows were opened all the way so, after ordering, I plopped myself on a stool by the window and watched the world go by.

Wellington Coffee is owned and...from what I could tell...staffed by Kiwis and DAMN do they know how to make a good coffee. My Flat White was perfect, it was warm enough, smooth and...a big plus...did not need sugar (unlike some chain coffee stores who consistently burn their coffee...oops what happened to not being negative?).

Now, let's talk about that gigantic scone. There were two choices, fruit or apricot. I went for apricot, which came with bramble jelly and clotted cream. Ok this scone was probably the biggest I have ever seen, and not only was it wiiiiide...it was taaaaallllll. The texture was really lovely, and the apricots were a nice change to sultanas. The biggest plus...the more than generous serving of clotted cream.

David saw the picture and immediately said...can you take me there? Need I say more?

Wellington Coffee

Another salad...for dinner

2011-06-30T14:54:00.000+01:00

15 degrees and sunny....apparently it is summer and my salad packed menu plan finally starting to make sense!! Last night I made yet another salad from the fabulous For the Love of Food. This salad took a bit of time preparing...cooking lentils, sautéing onions and garlic, roasting courgettes, cooking peas and beans...but, I was home alone, had the time and...well...I just love being in the kitchen anyway!

I decided...at the last minute to add the end of the bag of orecchiette that I had opened earlier in the week. The addition of the pasta made this salad more substantial, but I will definitely try as it was meant to be...at some point...in the future. The dressing is a simple yoghurt, oil and lemon juice combination that...I think could have benefitted from some heat (next time)...otherwise...totally yummy!

Small Ears with Broad Beans

2011-06-28T09:23:00.000+01:00

I have been drooling over my two new cookbooks, meal planning and thinking ahead. One recipe that jumped right out at me was Denis Cotter's Orecchiette with Broad Beans and Courgettes, a simple, fresh and gorgeous looking pasta dish.

I was immediately drawn to the bright green broad beans (cooked and then skins peeled off) and the use of orecchiette, two things that I would never have thought to put together. Sometimes I makes these new dishes and then, when I am wolfing them down, I realise...hey! this is a variation of something I already make!...but with x, y and z...and this was one of those things...one of my standby summer dinners is spaghetti with courgettes...cooked exactly the same way as this dish (but with added lemon zest and chilli flakes). Anyway...it was fantastic and brought a little bit of sunshine to yesterday's dreary day.

Belleau Kitchen Random Recipe Challenge: My New Cookbook

2011-06-23T09:03:00.000+01:00

When Dom at Belleau Kitchen posted his June Challenge, My New Cookbook, I had to bide my time...it was days before my birthday and I was hoping for some new cookbooks (no word of a lie I haven't had a new cookbook since July last year).

Well...didn't I just luck out...two new cookbooks in my hot little hands!! Denis Cotter's "for the love of food" an incredible vegetarian cookbook with recipes that remind me of Ottolenghi's Plenty (think long ingredient lists with incredible results) and Stephane Reynaud's "365 good reasons to sit down and eat", which has a seasonal, french recipe for every day of the year.

What to make first? Such a hard decision.

I plan my meals for a fortnight and when I made this week's plan I was thinking...end of June, sun, heat, time for salads!! Denis Cotter has a whole chapter dedicated to salads that eat like a meal and I greedily chose a handful to fill my meal plan.

So, have you been enjoying the sun in Edinburgh? I hear you ask...um....no. It has rained for about a week straight...and it's been chilly....hardly salad weather.

Sticking to my meal plan last night, with a quick tweak (or two), I made this easy warm pea salad with cherry tomatoes, basil, red onions and garlic. The first tweak was my choice of pea...the recipe calls for sugar snaps but I used a huge heap of freshly podded peas instead. The second tweak? serving it with some baked fish, pita and hummus...much more weather friendly.

Edinburgh Larder...a fantastic escape from the rain

2011-06-21T14:53:00.000+01:00

This blog didn't set out to offer reviews of restaurants and cafes...it is meant to be a log of my adventures in the kitchen and around the house...but since we've relocated to Edinburgh I can't help but want to SHARE with you some of the fantastic little (and large) finds I've...well...found!

It's a wonder I have any pennies left...coffee isn't expensive, but...I've been trying to limit my new experiences to once a week...it is only Tuesday and I've spent my coffee money for the week already!! Blame it on the rain (cue milli vanilli), blame it on my unemployment, blame it on the need to be out of the house for a few hours during the day...what ever I blame it on, the fact is...

Pottering equals coffee treat every time.

I found myself wandering around old town this morning (after a stop at the library and post office...no mail to Canada....strike) with a knapsack full of books, some un-mailable mail and the heavens threatening to open at any minute. I can't say that today's cafe treat happened entirely by accident, I WAS on the hunt for a cafe...BUT the cafe that I had actually WANTED to try was CLOSED!!

So back along the Royal Mile I started walking (in the rain) past totally over priced tourist traps, wondering where I would be able to take cover...when I had to stop at the corner of a pretty small street to let a truck turn...and there I could just about make out a really lovely looking sign (awesome font and colours) for a cafe...Edinburgh Larder.

When I walked in I fell in love instantly...lovely wooden tables, big glass cooler case of salads, rustic breads...local produce...

I had a seat in the window, so I could watch the rain and the backpackers tumble out of the hostel opposite. The windowsill was covered in cookbooks, some marked, some dogeared, some new...and a collection of cookery writing books as well...if I had all day I would have just sat there reading and eating and copying out recipes.

I had a huge bowl of porridge (cooked in milk....yum!) with brown sugar and a latte. Major bonus points for the latte served in a mug...not a glass...hey! I am picky (I quizzed the guy working there...and he agreed with me) and yes, it would have made a difference.

Anyway, if you find yourself in Edinburgh old town close to the Royal Mile and North Bridge it is worth the detour to Blackfriars street. I'll be checking them out for lunch next!

Edinburgh Larder

Sand Between My Toes

2011-06-21T09:08:00.000+01:00

Back from a relaxing and (mostly) sunny holiday on the North Norfolk Coast...sand in the bottom of my bag...in my socks...in my toothbrush...everywhere!

I ate really well while I was away...a lot of crab and a lot of mayo...so needed something full of veggies, and warming when I arrived back in Edinburgh (to the grey skies and rain). I bought a tin of beans, a few extra vegetables and...voila...

Cloudy and wet today...and just enough soup left for lunch!

kedgeree leftovers...quick afternoon lunch

2011-06-10T17:26:00.000+01:00

I whipped up a batch of indian spiced crepes (crepe batter minus the sugar and plus garam masala spice mix and some curry powder) and filled them with the left over kedgeree...so yummy!

Tea at the Balmoral...a birthday treat

2011-06-10T11:41:00.000+01:00

David totally spoiled me this birthday...I mean...totally...he's been studying hard for his accountancy exams the past couple of weeks, and I am pretty used to exams conflicting with my birthday...but this year...he took the day off from studying and spoiled me rotten! He's been pretty sneaky too...collecting the mail and hiding away anything resembling a birthday card...which meant I had a pile of cards to open with my coffee in bed on the morning of my birthday....followed by a scavenger hunt through the flat to "find" my pressies....followed by waffles with butter and maple syrup for brekkie...and then...the best bit...Tea at the Balmoral Hotel in the afternoon.

The Balmoral's tea room is gorgeous, high ceilings, harpist, beautiful tables and linens, gigantic napkins...totally lovely. We had the champagne tea and toasted my birth, our families and friends. Then we got stuck in!

Finger sandwiches, fruit and plain scones, pastries and shortbread...this girl's perfect afternoon!

Post Birthday Kedgeree

2011-06-09T15:41:00.000+01:00

There is nothing quite like a curry chilli hit to dust those old woman cobwebs out of my head!

Last night I made my own sort-of store cupboard Kedgeree. While usually reserved as a breakfast dish, I love kedgeree for dinner...I love a big bowl of it, with lots of coriander and a blob of yoghurt, eaten snuggled up on the couch...perfection. Yeah yeah...it took 2 pots and one pan to make...but it is so so so easy! Rice goes on...fish (I used 2 defrosted coley portions...cheaper than un-dyed smoked haddock) and eggs into another pot to poach/hard boil...and then you just throw it all together with a gently fried sliced onion, a red chilli, a handful of frozen peas, a couple of tablespoons of curry paste and some lemon juice!

I have a feeling 31 is going to be a good year!

Strawberry and Pimms Cupcakes...don't mind if I do!

2011-06-08T11:48:00.000+01:00

Even though it was only about 10 degrees in Edinburgh this weekend, and cloudy, and overcast, and spitting...the beginning of the summer harvest is upon us! On Saturday, with David's head stuck in a revision book, I wandered over to the farmers' market to drool over the cheeses and meats and baked goods and produce and preserves. Limited to £10 I selected my goodies carefully...a bunch of asparagus, punnet of strawberries, potted thyme plant, 2 individual scotch pies, baby yellow tomatoes...and a latte (of course)! Pretty good for less than (well not much less than) £10!

At home the thyme plant was planted, scotch pies were devoured for lunch and I set about making a batch of Strawberry cupcakes spiked with Pimms for Two Hippos Cupcake Challenge. Actually, they weren't JUST for the challenge...they were also my birthday treat to me (along with the fabulous glass bowl)!!

Using Martha Stewart's Basic Yellow Butter Cupcake recipe I added about a cup of chopped strawberries and about 60ml of Pimms. The cupcakes rose really well...I had been stressing over them a bit...baking with fruit...and the added Pimms...but....they puffed up nicely. The icing was a bit more difficult. I don't know why, but it is always hit and miss for me with buttercream. I think I am not patient enough, I always question the HUGE amount of icing sugar, and well...this weekend was a definite miss! Instead of milk I addd strawberry puree to the butter and icing sugar...in hind sight I think I should have made a regular buttercream and then added in the puree to that. It tasted great and looked fab, it just wasn't thick enough. So after icing all the cupcakes I ended up putting them in the fridge to firm up....no biggie seeing as I like cold cakes anyway!

oh...just incase you were wondering...the tomatoes and asparagus were roasted with some pancetta and then tossed with fresh pasta and lots of parmesan for dinner!! yum yum!

a few more words...

2011-06-06T15:01:00.000+01:00

First, thank you for all your "jealous" comments... I am totally jealous of myself too!!

I've been toying with the idea of getting a second bowl for my stand mixer pretty much since the day I wonderful David carried it home through Chelmsford town centre. Ok, two bowls might seem a bit...luxurious...but, I don't have a hand mixer...I don't have a food processor...I only have my glorious stand mixer....meaning that those recipes that call for eggs whites to be whisked separately are totally annoying...they require more planning than I am prepared to do. So a second bowl it is. I decided on the glass bowl because...well...it is just simply gorgeous. Saying that, it is flipping difficult to find in the UK!

After some web searches I was beginning to fear that the only way to fulfil my Kitchen Aid dream was going to be through an online purchase. I went to John Lewis and asked for help...no luck...I went to Debenhams...no luck...finally, on a whim I popped into the cute Creative Cookware Shop on Edinburgh's Rose Street, where I found the friendliest staff I've come face to face with in a long time. I asked...and was so happy to discover that while Kitchen Aid accessories weren't stocked in store they could be ordered!! It might take a while to be delivered, I was told...I am in no hurry...says I.

Just over one week later...My kitchen counter looks so much more happy!

two words...

2011-06-05T10:04:00.000+01:00

Glass Bowl

slumming it...

2011-06-03T15:42:00.000+01:00

Sometimes whipped cream in a can is the only thing that can turn a tough day around.

Exploring Edinburgh's Cupcake Offerings Stop 1

2011-06-01T16:44:00.000+01:00

I was spoiled for choice in London...famous cupcakes minutes from work...easy to stop by at lunch, or for a special occasion(al) treat. Now, in a new city...I find myself starting back at square one.

I've made a list of cupcake shops to visit over the next few weeks to try to suss out Edinburgh's ultimate cupcake shop...starting with a stop at Bibi's Bakery located just off Rose Street in Edinburgh's New Town. The bakery is in the back, and can be seen from the sidewalk through a huge window on the side of the building. We (I didn't have to drag David out on this errand) stopped by late in the day, so the red velvet were all gone :( weep...but managed to eventually decide on a Cookies and Cream and a Double Chocolate cupcake. With our choices packaged up in a little box we zoomed home and put on the kettle.

The cupcakes were good and it was especially nice that the cookies and cream had chunks of Oreo mixed through the batter. I prefer my cupcakes to have risen above the cases, which these hadn't...but...that's just my own hangup. I certainly wouldn't be disappointed if a box of these magically appeared on my table (hint hint).

I'm not going to bother with a grading system...I don't know if I can really compare cupcakes with a scientific method. Ultimately, it is all down to personal choice...and I know what I like...

First set of house-guests!!!

2011-05-30T10:48:00.000+01:00

We welcomed our first set of house-guests this past weekend!! David's mummy and sister made the quick trip up from Essex on Friday night and we got down to the business of exploring the city...after a filling, and wonderful evening at the Seadogs restaurant (my fave). We must have walked every inch of the city centre, up and down the hills, up and down the volcano, up and down everything. They truly saw Edinburgh from every angle!

What better way to recuperate after all that walking?? Cake, of course!! Oh, and tea...or wine...

In preparation for our guests I made a Mary Berry "fast cake" recipe for an easy apple cake. This cake WAS super easy, and FAST to prepare...but it bakes for 1 1/4 hours...so...

Even so, it was super easy to make. There didn't appear to be enough batter, but because Mary Berry uses self-raising flour and baking powder the cake rose and spread really nicely. So, yes, quick to make...you put all the dry ingredients into one bowl and then mix in eggs, almond extract and MELTED butter (so no worrying about taking the butter out of the fridge the night before!) I used a mixture of sliced pears and sliced apples, which I think made the cake a bit too moist...the pears were pretty juicy to begin with...but still more than edible!

Belleau Kitchen Random Recipe Challenge:JUST Desserts

2011-05-23T12:35:00.000+01:00

Dom over at Belleau Kitchen started the Random Recipe blogging challenge a few months ago and...one thing after another has stopped me from remembering to participate...but not this month!! This month's challenge?? desserts...or...in my case baked treats :) Sorry Dom...I didn't cheat...I just misinterpreted the 'desserts' as a sweet baked goods...honest.

So...and surprisingly...I don't actually have ANY cookbooks dedicated to desserts (although I do have my eye on Bake! by Rachel Allen and the Great British Book of Baking from last year's Great British Bake Off...hint...hint....ahem...birthday approaching...ahem...) so I closed my eyes and chose a book...

Peter Rabbit's Natural Foods Cookbook by Arnold Dobrin (complete with BP illustrations!) leading to the random selection of...

Tommy Brock and Mr. Tod's Wheat Germ Muffins

This recipe is so simple and comes together really quickly. The muffins bake at a high temperature, 220C. I didn't take that into consideration when I was mixing up the batter, and had to WAIT for the oven to finish heating up!! SO next time...I'll make sure the oven is almost there before I get mixing. Also, to make them a bit more interesting I added a handful of sultanas, and now that I think about it... I am going to try some grated pear and apple next time.

A bit of fish for Sunday

2011-05-23T09:07:00.000+01:00

Recently I've been making my big weekend meals on a Saturday...I am not sure why, it just seems to have slotted into our routine better than Sundays. The past couple of Sundays have been spent walking and exploring...leaving less time to prepare a traditional Sunday meal.

Yesterday, after our adventures, I popped some baking potatoes in the oven as soon as we walked in the door and left them to do their thing while we enjoyed a cup of tea and a movie. To go with the-best-baked-potatoes-I-have-ever-made I topped some pollock fillets with a mixture of fresh breadcrumbs, a bit of oil and chopped herbs and green chilli...popped them under a medium grill for about 10 mins until cooked through and crispy...and mixed up a quick avocado and cherry tomato salad.

Not to toot my own horn...but I was really pleased by how well this turned out. Not only were the baked potatoes absolutely perfect...but the fish was a big surprise. The original recipe called for fresh mackerel fillets, which were WAY out of my price range this week...so I opted for the 'basics' pack of fresh pollock fillets...you know...odd shapes, mixed sizes etc. 1/3 of the price and actually really good. I was worried it was going to be rubbery, I was worried it was going to be too fishy..but I needn't have worried.

Gobi Dal

2011-05-21T17:25:00.000+01:00

Fact: I bought a head of cauliflower for 54 pence last weekend

I know...54 pence...crazy....and...grown in Lincolnshire. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it...I just knew I couldn't pass up such a great deal. Inspiration came in the form of Come Dine with Me on Sunday. Sometimes inspiration comes from the least likely of places...but for me, 4 episodes of curry after curry I had a craving for something spicy and something currylicious.

In my recipe scrapbook (that's right...I scrapbook recipes/cooking tips) I found a "everyday value" recipe from Olive Magazine, which I have also found for you here on their website.

I cooked this down for about 20 mins longer than the recipe called for because the lentils were still pretty chewy and I wanted a really soft lentil base for the cauliflower...think indian take-away dal consistency. As an extra special treat (considering the whole dish cost me about £1) I made a batch of the baked onion bhajis I blogged about way back in Jan 2010.

Indian Salmon Cakes...another quickie (sheesh)

2011-05-19T15:38:00.000+01:00

I made these a while back and totally forgot about them until I was going through my memory card to delete the images....

Another quick, easy, store cupboard after work quickie...mashed sweet potato mixed with a heaping tbsp of curry paste, tin of salmon, some breadcrumbs and a huge handful of chopped coriander...pat into patties, chill and then pan fry for about 3 mins on each side...served with wilted spinach and yoghurt mixed with mint and coriander.

Super easy veggie main

2011-05-19T15:19:00.000+01:00

This is the kind of mid-week dinner that is great if you are rushed off your feet with work...except...I am not...rushed off my feet or otherwise. I am currently in the land of the great unemployed, and while I enjoy MOST of the time I spend tidying, cleaning and exploring...I am totally craving getting back into the stressful, busy, exhausting world of work. I am serious...the cheesy afternoon tv movies are starting to repeat...and if I haven't seen them before...I know what is going to happen anyway....sigh.

So, my point? Well, last night's dinner was yummy...but way to quick to prepare. I should be spending this time unemployed by slow roasting a piglet or something...not by slapping together a quickie, even if that quickie was totally scrummy.

The recipe for these roasted peppers came from an insert in the latest copy of delicious magazine. You slice up some courgette, cherry tomatoes, garlic and red onion and toss it all in some olive oil. Then fill the halves of your peppers, put them in a baking dish and top with goats cheese. Into the oven it goes (at 180C) for about 30 mins, until everything is soft and the cheese is melted and gooey. Meanwhile I made some couscous and mixed it with a huge handful of chopped herbs (mint, basil and parsley).

That's it...35 mins

You could even get it ready in the morning and then pop it into the oven when you get home...

no eggs...no milk...but NEED to bake!

2011-05-16T15:16:00.000+01:00

Do you ever get that craving to bake...or to eat baked goods...and find that you are totally unprepared? No soft butter, no eggs, no milk...no nothing? well I do...and often. Usually I can motivate myself enough to get into some presentable clothes and wander down to the shops...sometimes...though...I cannot!

Friday was one of those days. I had a giant craving for Chocolate Cake...and no milk or eggs (luckily there was butter on hand)...and...the rain did not look like it was going to give up. So...a few quick internet searches later I found this forum thread with an easy (and recommended) recipe for chocolate cake.

This cake was really easy to bring all together and it baked pretty well too! I've made cakes without butter, using oil instead, and without milk, but never without eggs. The texture was a little bit chewy...but in under an hour I had prepared, baked and cooled this craving filling chocolate cake.

ps...drenched in double cream you wouldn't know the difference!!!

selkirk bannock...embracing my new culinary surroundings

2011-05-07T11:35:00.000+01:00

Almost a month ago we packed up our little house in Chelmsford and started on our amazing new adventure in Edinburgh. David's been working hard in his new job, mentally exhausted every night...and I have been exploring my new city and thinking up ways to amuse myself while he is at work. Until we magically got the internet last week a lot of that consisted of going to the library and using their computers, browsing the book shelves and...reading a heck of a lot of novels....and bringing home two battered (not deep fried) and stained (in a good way) scottish cookbooks, which I have been flipping through like mad.

My grandmother's family is Scottish so I grew up with an eclectic mix of Anglo-Scots-Canadian cuisine (her shortbread are to.die.for...and don't get me started on the cherry pound cake) and coupled with the huge waves of Scottish immigration to Canada (and mostly similar climate) there are lots of foodstuffs I recognise in these books. A lot of them are hearty....good stick to yer bones kind of food...and with the warm weather upon us here I can't see me making many stews over the next few months....so those recipes will have to wait.

What I did challenge myself to tackle this week was a yeast bread called Bannock. It is basically a fruit bread enriched with butter (not highly authentic...but a modern version of a classic). Apparently every region used to have its own version made with whatever grain was milled locally. This Bannock, originally made in Selkirk (about an hour south of Edinburgh, close to the English border) is still made today and is mass produced and sold in stores...so...keep an eye out!

On a class trip in primary school we went to Historic Fort York in downtown Toronto and I remember making Bannock dough and then moulding it around the end of a stick and then "roasting" it over an open fire...in my cookbook it says that sometimes this dough was griddled....me?? I baked it, in a spring-form baking tin, and once cooled...slathered with butter (from a packet...not churned by hand, like at Fort York).

Looking forward to discovering more Scottish delights!

Easy Peasey pea soup

2011-05-04T09:18:00.000+01:00

Things are "almost" back on track here in 21st century urban housewife land....the menu for the next couple of weeks has been set, the groceries ordered and delivered...the sun is shining and my kitchen is totally my favourite room in my new flat!

It is quite possibly 1 million times bigger than the Chelmsford kitchen...and...check out that window! I have more counter space than I could ever dream of...plus...that gorgeous country kitchen table! oh...and did I mention the window??

So...things are getting back to normal...I am enjoying exploring my new surrounds...and have managed to squeeze myself back into my tights and ballet leotard and am dancing my little heart out!! 21st century urban housewife takes on the world!! Not quite...but...I am feeling great!

So...in anticipation of my (very late) dance class last night...I made this simple yet filling pea soup...

This pea, pancetta and mint soup comes from the April issue of Olive magazine...from the 7 meals for £35 section...cheap and easy!!

Basically, in your soup pot you fry up a pack of those pancetta cubes until they are crisp and then take out whatever you want for the garnish. To the fried pancetta you add one medium potato, in cubes and 500ml of chicken stock...bubble that away until the potato is totally cooked and then add in 250g of frozen peas. Simmer that for a few minutes and then turn off the heat, stir in a handful of chopped mint and then blitz it all up until smooth. Served topped with some plain yoghurt and the reserved pancetta.

This recipe makes enough for 2 big bowls, but it would be easy to double the recipe...which I am definitely going to do next time. Also..the pancetta is salty so the soup needs no seasoning at all!!! yum yum yummmmmmo!

Royal Housewife!

2011-05-03T15:44:00.001+01:00

Kate Middleton...ahem....I mean the Duchess of Cambridge has announced she is going to focus on being a housewife for the time being!! While my new flat here in Edinburgh might not be quite as remote as her romantic cottage in Wales and the paparazzi isn't exactly following me around...I totally appreciate the feeling of wanting to "housewife"and I am sure she will be a brilliant 21st century housewife. I wonder how I can make her aware of my blog??

I have no shame in declaring that I have been literally anticipating this union for the last however many months. I'll admit I didn't go Royal Wedding tat crazy...but I did have my brunch menu planned for...oh...about 3 months!! Seriously...Kate...call me!

My Ultimate Royal Wedding Brunch:

Scones with cream and jam, Deviled Eggs, Smoked Salmon

Coronation Chicken sandwiches, cheese and pate platter, Pork Pie

and Bubbly.

Many happy returns Kate and Wills!

Finally...connected

2011-04-28T13:49:00.000+01:00

Dear All,

I hope that you haven't given up on me and...what feels like an eternity of waiting (if you have been waiting...cause I sure have been!).

The news is...

21st century housewife and wonderful hubby have made the move from itty bitty chelmsford to NORF of the border!! We're in Edinburgh and lovin it!!!

Now that the internet is doing its thing and we are unpacked and things have started to calm down...oh and the internet is connected (did I mention that already) I can get back to my 21st century urban housewife life...in a whole new (and let's face it, more exciting) city!!!

For now though, I will leave you with the gorgeous site of our first proper meal in our new flat...

Stuffed Roast Pork with roasted onions, broc and baked sweet potatoes