cooking up a storm at the edge of the world
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
A vegan post workout protein smoothie. Dear Reader, I have a confession to make. I’ve become fat. I’d always been one of those skinny people. When I left high school I weighed just over 7 stone. I was very active: swimming, cycling, skateboarding, horseback riding, climbing (and falling out of) trees in the summer, skiiing, …
Remember, remember the 5th of November. I may lament about the scaled down UK Halloween and lack of trick or treaters (we only had two this year – they left with loads of sweeties) compared to my rural Canadian upbringing, but do you know what? Bonfire night totally makes up for it. I hadn’t even …
For a leisurely late morning breakfast. Nothing beats a leisurely late morning breakfast when you’ve got all the time in the world to enjoy it. Good coffee, home bakes, quality preserves and a cheeky glass of… Prosecco?! This is what my husband and I indulged in the other day.
Eat one… if you dare! I love Halloween. I mean, I seriously love Halloween. Unfortunately, Halloween in Shetland isn’t nearly on the same scale as the Halloween of my rural Canadian childhood, where houses would be decorated up inside and out (with some teenage twerp invariably blowing up our carefully carved jack o’lanterns with fire crackers). …
Savour the unique blend of rich chocolate and earthy roasted beetroot in these indulgent cupcakes. The beetroot’s natural sweetness enhances the deep cocoa flavour and adds a moist, tender texture. Finished with a luscious frosting, each bite offers a delightful surprise, combining indulgence with a playful twist on a classic dessert. Prep Time: 20 minutes …
I am a meat eater and I am not afraid to admit it. The media is filled with horror stories of animals being loaded, terrified and ill-treated, onto trucks and hurried through the abattoir process to meet targets. Animals are dying in crates before even making their destination, and lets not even begin to talk …
It took me a very long time to appreciate the awesomeness that is the humble avocado. I wasn’t introduced to the fruit until I was well into my twenties, I am sure, and my first response to it, served on its own, was blergh! I persevered though, and I began my love affair with the avocado …
Perfect with Shetland lamb chops or grilled sausages. Did you know that next week (the 6th – 12th of October) is National Potato Week in the UK? A whole week dedicated to the awesomeness of the potato! Potatoes, tatties, totties, taters, spuds… what do you call them? We are very lucky to be one of …
A gluten-free Autumnal skillet breakfast crumble. I have a confession to make. I love cold fruit crumble for breakfast in the morning. When the days begin to grow colder I start craving warm puddings like saucy hot fudge pudding, sticky toffee pudding or fruit crumbles. I will often scoff any leftover fruit crumble, cold, straight …
A vegan, all natural, refined sugar free frozen dessert. My ice cream machine died last year. It was a gruesome, horrible death with a cracked bowl and bright blue coolant oozing all over the contents of my freezer. This was the second time this happened (same model) and I haven’t replaced it yet. I’ve had …
