Elizabeth's Kitchen Diary
cooking up a storm at the edge of the world
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 …
From worrying Mum to surgery in just a few hours. I am not a doctor. I do have a First Class Honours degree in Life Sciences and a basic understanding of anatomy and physiology but in no ways am I a medical professional. I’m just a Mum who watches far too much House MD on …
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 …
All the flavour and nearly half the calories! I love a hearty, creamy bowl of soup, me. Especially when the winds are howling outside and you want something warm and comforting. Alas, most creamy soup recipes use a ridiculous amount of double cream – something I just can’t afford to eat right now while I’m trying …
100% plant power! I absolutely love weight lifting. Lifting heavy weights is not something I ever thought would interest me when I was younger, when my active trim self never had to pass a moment’s thought about the food I put into my mouth. I stayed slim naturally. Age, growing three babies, laziness and a …
Packed with the flavour of lycopene rich tomatoes and slow roasted garlic. Nothing beats the humble tomato. Packed full of lycopene, its antioxidant properties and health benefits are well documented. Plus, a bowl of steaming hot tomato soup is the perfect comfort food, wouldn’t you agree? Especially when accompanied by a gorgeous, oozing, freshly made …
Christmas traditions from the island of Crete (a sponsored post) I’ve never been to Crete. For that matter, I’ve never been to Greece either. The closest I’ve ever been was to Sardinia, once, over a decade ago, for a whirlwind weekend adventure away. I do, however, love Greek food – the flavours of lemon, olive …
A great edible gift idea that the kids can make! When I was a little girl there was a Christmas sweetie tray on the kitchen counter at my grandmothers house. It was filled with American gum drops (you know, the big semi-hard ones covered in sugar), assorted chocolates and jelly beans. It was just there …
Icy cold peppermint candy cane flavoured milkshake – Santa’s favourite! Sometimes an idea just strikes. You’re sitting there, minding your own business and then wham! Discworld author Terry Pratchett reckoned that ideas are hurtling through space and time in little self contained units until bam, they hit a sentient being. Sometimes this being is a …
“This was the best birthday party I’ve ever been to!” – 8 year old party guest. This month saw my beautiful, clever and incredibly talented daughter turn eight years old. She doesn’t get a big birthday party celebration every year, but when she does I like to try and make it a little bit extra …
