Shortbread with Syllabub

Easter is almost upon us and this time of indulgence can be very hard on the waistline.

Shortbread is extremely easy to make and can be accompanied by a tangy syllabub for a stunning dessert.

Usually the epitome of luxury and decadence, syllabub is a creamy dessert that can really add on the pounds. However, this recipe cuts out the sugar and alcohol for a child friendly, more waist-friendly dish (sadly, still contains full amount of cream but a little now and then can be beneficial):
http://www.bukisa.com/how-to/make-shortbread-and-syllabub

So why not try this as an alternative to Easter eggs, which are almost pure fat and sugar. Just making the dish will work off many of the calories you ingest :D

Have a wonderful Easter and good baking!

Seasonal accompaniments

April is in bloom in the highlands and there are many flavours coming into season.

Lamb is now on the menu, as are sardines, oysters, rocket, venison is still in season, cockles, morel mushrooms, watercress and spring onions. Another flavoursome ingredient coming into season is wild garlic. This lovely herb can be used raw or cooked, as a garnish or part of a cooked/uncooked meal. have a look at this article for more on this useful and versatile ingredient: http://guides.wikinut.com/Wild-Garlic/-bu6j0_7/

The main focus for this blog is a word on what to put with what. Foods that grow/ripen/mature at the same time often go together, and ones that grow together usually do.

So what to have with the wild garlic mayo in the recipe above? What about lamb, or the morel mushrooms for vegetarians. Just as berries are a great accompaniment for duck at the end of August, so too are morels lovely with watercress.

Enjoy :D

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Hot Cross Buns

Its that time of year when we think Eastery thoughts. These tend to involve Easter eggs, real eggs, pancakes, hot cross buns and semnel cakes.

Treat your mum to a batch of hot cross buns this Mothers day (or any day thereafter)!
Follow this link to the recipe, a tasty treat for anyone, any time of year:

http://www.bukisa.com/how-to/make-hot-cross-buns

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

March and Spring food

March is a month of fish. Cockles, sardines, oysters and clams are all in season at the moment, not to mention sea bass and muscles. It really is the month of the fruits of the sea.

Complimenting these are spring onions, kale and blood oranges.

So why not opt for these sustainable ingredients that also happen to be good for your heart and general wellbeing!

Not sure what to have? How about a clam chowder, or sea bass baked on a bed of kale and spring onions with a splash of orange juice and zest? Garlicky mussels are wonderfully fresh at this time of year.

Vegetarian? Why not throw some kale, spring onions, orange zest with some pine nuts and bean-sprouts in a stir fry with the sauce of your choice!

It is a little early for lamb as yet. Personally, I do not eat lamb, preferring all animals to have had a good chance at life, but each to their own, I would never presume to tell others how to eat and would very much like that kindness returned.

Enjoy the ‘fruits’ of Spring.

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Our Relationship with Food

Our relationship with food is a mixed one. For some of us it is simply a necessity, while for others it is an obsession.

Like all things, food should be viewed in moderation. Unless we have allergies, there is no reason why we cannot have a little of what we fancy, as long as it is balanced out with healthy, essential food, such as fruit/veg/proteins and appropriate carbs.

Many people cut out salt completely, unaware that omitting salt completely from their diet can result in an underactive thyroid (table salt contains iodine, essential for a healthy thyroid gland). Alittle salt now and again will maintain your gland's health.

Fat is also essential in our diet, nutritionists recommending 20% of our daily diet to contain healthy fats (vegetable oils, such as canola, olive and sunflower seed oils). Avocado's contain extremely healthy oils.

Be good to yourself, try not to omit essential foods and have fun.

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Baking - An introduction

Photo credit: karpati from morguefile.com

An Introduction to Baking

Baking is one of the most daunting types of cookery. It looks so complicated, so much can go wrong and it’s not especially healthy.

However, starting simply is one of the best ways of beginning your baking passion (and it will become a passion).

This is a simple, fantastic, tasty recipe to get you going. There’s no fuss, no scales, little measuring (using mostly spoons) and it brings results quickly. http://www.bukisa.com/how-to/make-the-perfect-scone

Baking makes a house smell like a home. There is something innately comforting about the smell of home cooking and scones are especially aromatically pleasing.

While not the healthiest choice, a little of what you fancy is good for you. Everything in moderation is good advice and cutting all your favourite foods out is more likely to make you binge than cutting back. You could substitute half the flour for wholemeal and these scones would still taste wonderful. Oatmeal would be another excellent option.

If this has given you the baking bug why not try out a few other recipes, care of http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Mushroom Heaven! Tasty and Healthy

The mushroom is a gem of a food, highly underrated and packed full of flavour. Every culture on the planet uses some form of mushroom in their cooking.

They can be eaten cooked or raw and are so full of nutrients they are classed as a super food.

Rather than repeat what is in this article, I'll simply place the link for The Humble Crimini Mushroom here.

Not sure how to cook it, why not make a delicious soup BBC Food Mushroom Soup Recipe by James Tanner (can be used by vegetarians and (if substitute butter for marg), by vegans too.
Or how about Nick Nairn's quick and easy Stuffed Mushroom recipe, again, suitable for vegetarians (but not so much for vegans (unless happy to substitute cheese for a non-dairy cheese)).

Or why not try a quick salad with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, leafy greens, pine nuts and raw mushrooms with a home made vinegrette.

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin