cooking up a storm at the edge of the world
Going back in time to a Middle Devonian lake bottom! It’s the Easter Holidays. I completely forgot about the Easter Holidays until the Thursday before the schools broke up for the Spring Break. This meant that I had to take the kids to work with me (there being no childminders around where I live, and …
“These gluten free brownies give my tummy a hug!” Gluten-free brownies Brownies come in a variety of textures, and everyone has their favourite version. Some like them cakey, some like them fudgy. Some think they should have frosting and some prefer them without nuts. At this time of year (Easter) some like them with copious …
An adventure story involving an airplane! Have you ever had one of those days where you say to yourself (and anyone else who will listen) – I love my life! Monday was one of those days for me, when my adventures took me to Fair Isle, a tiny island midway between the Orkney and Shetland …
This pastitsio recipe is a Greek-style macaroni cheese, which I’ve been told numerous times does not remotely resemble the authentic Greek recipe. However, this is how my father taught me to make it. In this easy family favourite recipe, layers of ooey, gooey macaroni cheese sandwich a spiced lamb mince, and it’s been a go-to …
A fantastic Mother’s Day adventure out! The Muckle Roe lighthouse has long been on my bucket list of places to visit, by land, when I first saw it from the sea: an intriguing beacon of light warning sailors of the dangerous cliffs ahead and marking the entrance to Swarbacks Minn. I’ve explored the base of the …
Freeganism: the practice of reclaiming and eating food that has been discarded. Regular readers might be aware of an appalling lack of recipe posts on my blog as of late. This is for several reasons: a) This past winter has been a long and dark one and I have found the poor light quality caused …
A cheat’s bread machine focaccia recipe PLUS a fantastic giveaway! Despite the fact I feel like I never stop moving at all in a day, I am ultimately quite a lazy person. I love bread, but after a day at work the last thing I want to do is to start hand kneading and proving …
This is a rich, warmly spiced gingerbread cake recipe from my Canadian childhood. This remarkably light and fluffy cake is served with a generous spoonful of warm lemon sauce, just as they did in the village potluck suppers I used to attend as a child. Prep Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 35 minutes Difficulty: Easy …
In collaboration with Dr. Oetker Baking. I absolutely love organizing and throwing birthday parties for my children. It’s one of those things I can get completely immersed in what with all the planning and creativity. I also might be overcompensating for the fact I’ve never had a birthday party of my own! They don’t get …
Impress your guests before they even get to the party with these DIY Super Mario Birthday Party invitations! Pull the tab at the bottom of this fun, double-slider birthday party invitation and a 1UP pops out of the top! Prep Time: 1 hour Makes: 4 invitations Difficulty: Easy A Super Mario Bros Birthday Party I …
A grain-free pancake recipe packed with protein! We’re pancake fiends in this house. With three growing children I can stand at the cooker making a batch and they’re devoured within seconds of coming out of the pan. I can barely keep up! Regular readers will know I’m one for trying new things, so when my …
Our House of Spice – an authenic Indian masala curry spice blend with a medium spiced tomato and onion sauce. I absolutely love spicy food; not too spicy that you can’t taste the flavours in the dish, but spicy enough to get those taste buds going and warm up the cockles on a cold, windy …
Around the world in 50 fun, healthy, creative recipes the whole family can cook together. As the mother of three noodle-obsessed children I was delighted when I received the email from the Quarto book publishers announcing the soon-to-be-released-in-the-UK cookery book Noodle Kids. Developed by award-winning American chef Jonathan Sawyer this book boasts 50 recipes that the …
This half batch of deliciously spiced blueberry muffins is made with leftover Weetabix and other store-cupboard ingredients; perfect for a weekend brunch or after-school snack. Prep Time: 25 minutes Cooking Time: 35 minutes Difficulty: Easy The pre-recipe blurb no one actually reads I really don’t like Weetabix* I’m all for the low-sugar, high-fibre thing they’re …
aka: what to do with all those ignored vegetables at the bottom of the fridge! Let’s talk Lego! My husband, bless his cotton socks, doesn’t do a lot of cooking. He can peer into a full refrigerator and not come up with a single idea for dinner. Shelves of vibrant vegetables get ignored in favour …
I’m sorry, ye old weather gods, I’ve come to the realization that I have taken you for granted. I have paid the price of this negligence; the result of a mighty fine summer 2014 spent mostly indoors writing and trying to meet copy deadlines. I am truly sorry. This atrocious winter you have precipitated on me …
Post commissioned by Galloway Cheddar – the family’s favourite Scottish cheddar! Cheese on toast has to be one of the best comfort foods. Ooey gooey creamy melted hot cheese on crispy toast with a soft, fluffy interior – there is definitely a time and place when this meal is required. Grilled cheese sandwiches were a regular …
Because sometimes chocolate chunk cookies are required. I’ve made cookies! Regular readers will be aware that it’s been ages since I’ve posted anything even remotely sweet and indulgent like a cookie or cake recipe. That’s because I’ve not been making such treats, or anything even hinting at calorific as I attempt to lose the extra …
Whole grain and gluten free! Blinis are small pancakes made with buckwheat flour, traditionally served with melted butter, soured cream and other garnishes such as caviar. They originate from Russia, but their popularity has spread the world over. Way back in August last year I was sent a parcel filled with some gorgeous Dove’s Farm …
An adventure had in between hurricane force winds. No, this post isn’t about that film of the same name Between Weathers, which was allegedly supposed to have been filmed here in Shetland years ago (what ever happened to those plans?!); it’s about how we, as a family, escaped the confines of our house for one …
