This cookbook challenge recipe for slow roasted garlic and lemon chicken 
comes from Forever Summer by Nigella Lawson. The book previously belonged to my late Mother in law who sadly died in 2016. She had marked many recipes in this book but never got chance to make them all. In her memory I am working my way through some of the recipes she ear marked. This recipe struck me as a dish that would work in both summer and winter alike, just varying the accompanying dishes. Continue reading “Slow roasted garlic and lemon chicken”
Pastiera di Maccheroni
This Cookbook Challenge recipe for Pastiera di Maccheroni comes from 
Gino’s Pasta by Gino D’Acampo. I have cooked quite a few pasta recipes from this book and always had a great result. The methods of cooking are very traditional and relatively simple. The Pastiera di Maccheroni was a recipe I had just never got around to making. In simple terms it is a meaty macaroni bake. Continue reading “Pastiera di Maccheroni”
Christmas Cake
It still isn’t too late to make your own Christmas Cake. I usually make mine in
September and then spend the next few months “feeding”it. This loosely translates to pouring more brandy over it as it matures. My recipe for Christmas Cake is adaptable to your own tastes and preferences, which I’ll point out as we go. Continue reading “Christmas Cake”
Guinness Fruit Cake
The weather here on Skye has taken a turn for the better so after weeks of rain it’s time to get outside. We decided Saturday would be some gardening
and Sunday a hike. These plans meant I needed to bake a robust cake that would survive a trip in a rucksack, wrapped in tinfoil. It calls for a Guinness Fruit Cake, any stout, or very dark ale will do but we always have Guinness in the fridge.
If like me you aren’t a beer drinker fear not you will still enjoy this Guinness Fruit Cake. You taste the richness of the stout rather than the hoppy beer flavour!
Continue reading “Guinness Fruit Cake”
Toffee Apple Cake
As I made a Spiced Chocolate Cake last week it triggered the call for a Spiced Apple Cake, it is that time of year after all – Halloween and Bonfire Night! After a bit of encouraging on Twitter to create an Apple Cake here is my answer… Toffee Apple Cake.
This is a cake that looks impressive and seems as if it should be tricky to make. But fear not, this Toffee Apple Cake is easy to bake and uses the simplest of
ingredients. I’ve added an extra twist by covering it in Maple Syrup Buttercream and topping it with home-made Caramel Sauce. The best thing is you don’t need fresh apples, this Toffee Apple Cake keeps things simple by using shop bought apple sauce. It couldn’t be easier so lets get cracking… Continue reading “Toffee Apple Cake”
Chocolate Spice Cake
This week I dug out my 40th Edition Be-Ro book and did the Cookbook Challenge. It is a well thumbed recipe book so was hard to find something I
haven’t baked before but hiding away on page 53 is Chocolate Spice Cake.
This cake is suits Autumn perfectly, especially this week being Halloween and Bonfire Night. The Chocolate Spice Cake is lightly spiced with cloves, cinnamon and mixed spice so is a lovely alternative to parkin and gingerbread. Continue reading “Chocolate Spice Cake”
Cinnamon Buns
It has taken quite a while for me to get up the courage to make Cinnamon Buns. Don’t get me wrong I love eating Cinnamon Buns but dough is my
nemesis. Back in secondary school our bread lesson in Home Economics was interrupted by a fire alarm and all our hard work was ruined. I went home with wholemeal cannon balls rather than bread rolls. Continue reading “Cinnamon Buns”
Hairy Bikers Somerset Chicken
This weeks Cookbook Challenge comes courtesy of the Hairy Bikers. In 2009
the Hairy Bikers presented a cookery show where they toured Britain and cooked up dishes using local recipes and ingredients. I bought the accompanying book and have made a couple of the recipes religiously. However my cookbook challenge gives me the incentive to try something new so today it is Somerset Chicken. Continue reading “Hairy Bikers Somerset Chicken”
Empire Biscuits
Saturday 15th September 2018 sees the Isle of Skye host the start of the “I
would walk 500 miles” walk in support of a second Scottish Independence Referendum. A friend of ours is having a stall at the start and asked if I would bake some Empire Biscuits for the stall. With my baking credentials, how could I refuse. Traditionally Empire Biscuits are decorated with half a glacé cherry or jelly sweet such as a jelly tot. However these Empire Biscuits are adorned with an edible Saltire Flag to support the dedicated walkers who are heading just over 500 miles to Edinburgh. Continue reading “Empire Biscuits”
Rhubarb and Custard Cake
Whilst I know it isn’t Rhubarb season at the moment fear not this Rhubarb and Custard Cake isn’t made with fresh rhubarb! I have created this cake as I love the good old fashioned Rhubarb and Custard boiled sweets. That and I come from a long line of custard lovers. There is always a joke at a family gathering that we need extra custard served with our puddings. Luckily most
restaurants are only too happy to oblige.
The indulgent ingredient of this Rhubarb and Custard Cake is the subtle addition of Rhubarb and Ginger Liqueur from Edinburgh Gin both in the buttercream filling and the frosting. It is a simple Victoria Sponge recipe with a few twists so good for a quick and easy bake.