Salmon, Beetroot & Caramelised Onion Quiche

Image Leave a comment 26/08/2021 the wee caledonian cook

I was inspired to make this by a recipe posted to Instagram from @theweelarder https://www.instagram.com/theweelarder/?hl=en. As I didn’t have the Tomato Chutney, I decided to use caramelised red onions as I just made a batch from my garden, this dish was so delicious and the sweet flavour from the onions went perfectly with the salmon.

This dish is perfect for these long summer days especially when served with a fresh salad. Can be eaten warm or cold.

Serves 4-6

For the Pastry:-

250g Plain Flour

Pinch Salt

100g Cold Butter

2Tbsps water

For the Filling:-

2 pieces of Fresh Salmon or 250g Pre-packed Smoked Salmon, flaked

4 Tbsp of Caramelised Onion (see here for my homemade recipe https://cookingwithluce.wordpress.com/?p=9446 )

1 large Cooked Beetroot, chopped into small bite size pieces

Handful of finely chopped Spinach (uncooked)

4 Large Eggs

80ml of Single Cream

100ml Milk

2 Tbsp Chopped Dill

Seasoning, Salt & Pepper

To make the Pastry, Sift the plain flour into a bowl and add the butter cubes and salt, with your fingers rub butter into flour to form breadcrumbs. Add 2 tbsp water and bring to together to make a stiff dough. Cover in cling film and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
Once pastry is ready, bring to room temperature and roll out onto a floured surface and lay over your quiche tin pressing the pastry to the sides, trim off any excess. Place a piece of greaseproof paper over the pastry and pour in some baking beads to weigh down.
Preheat your oven to 180 deg fan and place pastry in oven for about 15 minutes. Remove the beads and paper, brush the pastry with some egg wash then return the pastry to the oven and bake for a further 5 minutes. Remove and allow to cool.
Whisk up the eggs with the cream & the milk.
Sprinkle some flaked salmon into your pastry case then some spinach then another layer of salmon then spinach and finally the caramelised onion, pour over the egg mixture evenly, season with salt, pepper & dill then dot pieces of the beetroot over.
Place into a preheated oven at 170 deg fan for 30 minutes.
Slice & serve….Yummy!

SCOTTISH NEW YEARS DAY STEAK PIE

Image Leave a comment 30/12/2020 the wee caledonian cook

The steak pie became the national New Year’s dinner dish in Scotland because New Year’s Day was not traditionally taken as a holiday, (Western society has only been celebrating New Year for the past 400 years.) Families were too busy to cook and bought big steak pies from their local butcher instead. It was in 1871 that Scotland declared January 1st as a national holiday and then wasn’t until 1971 that Scotland got January 2 as another bank holiday.

Butcher-bought steak pie remains popular today, I suspect partly because most Scots are too hung-over to think about cooking on New Year’s Day. Hogmanay & New Years Day is about more than seeing in the bells with a dram of whisky and the best New Year street party in the world, the traditional celebrations continue well into the next day. In fact, it’s probably partly due to the over indulgence of alcohol that the ritual Ne’erday dinner continues to be such a vital part of New Year for so many Scots. The Traditional Steak Pie is round or oval in shape, which symbolises the end of one year with the seamless beginning of the next.

I do like to make my own steak pie and this recipe dates back to my Grannies and Aunties recipes. They key to a good steak pie is the meat, good quality Scottish Beef is key and it’s important to slow cook until it falls apart. I always make the night before too, this allows the gravy/juices to soak into the meat for an amazing flavour.

Serves 2-3

500g Braising or Stewing Steak (rump steak is also good)

1 Large Onion, Chopped

1 Carrot, Peeled & Sliced

400ml Beef Stock

1-2 Tbsp Beef Gravy Granules

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

Salt & Black Pepper

2 Tbsp Cornflour

1 egg beaten for wash

1 Ready to Roll Puff Pastry

Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large pan on medium to high heat. Pat dry the meat and coat with the cornflour and season. Brown the meat in the pan, remove with a slotted spoon.
Add 1 Tbsp oil to the pan and add in the onions, cook for a few minutes to soften and brown. Add back to the pan the meat and the carrots along with the beef stock, bring to the boil and reduce to a gentle simmer (very low heat), cover with a lid and slow cook for about 2 hours.
With a slotted spoon carefully remove the meat & vegetables and decant into an oven proof pie dish, with the gravy still in the pan add the gravy granules and mix through on medium heat to thicken up the gravy slightly. (You don’t want it too thick as it will thicken overnight) Pour the gravy over the meat in the oven dish, allow to cool, cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
When ready to bake, roll your pastry out and using a pastry brush, brush egg wash around the edge of your pie dish, take the pastry and lay over the dish, pressing the edges to seal. Trim any excess pastry. (which you could use for a wee design) Using a knife, make a small hole in the middle to allow the steam to escape. Brush the pastry with the remaining egg wash and bake in a pre heated oven at 200 deg C for about 25-30 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and cooked.
Serve with your choice of sides. My favourite is Roast Potatoes for New Years Day (perfect Roasties recipe here:-https://cookingwithluce.wordpress.com/2020/12/09/the-best-crispy-roast-potatoes/) and selection of Vegetables. Or any other day we have Mash Potatoes.

Vegetarian Cottage Pie

Image Leave a comment 07/02/2020 the wee caledonian cook

Oh yum, this little dish was delicious! Looking to be more healthier this year, so I decided on a veggie pie rather than meat. Super delicious and filling too.

Serves 3/4

1 onion, finely chopped
3 carrots, finely chopped
2 celery sticks, finely chopped
2 tsp tomato purée
3 tsp plain flour, 1 tsp thyme
Vegetable stock pot, made up to 200ml
2 x 400g tin kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 x 400g tin adzuki beans
1kg Potatoes peeled and halved
75ml milk
25g butter
75g mature Cheddar, grated
1 tbsp English mustard
75ml milk

To cook the Soffrito (A soffrito is a flavourful mix of diced onion, carrot and celery gently fried in oil. It forms the basis of many dishes, including soups, stews and sauces. Add chopped garlic or herbs for even more flavour, if you like.) Heat a little oil in a pan and cook the celery, onion & carrot for a few minutes.
Cut a piece of baking paper the same diameter as your pan and lay on top of the veg, cook for a further 10 mins. ( The circle of baking paper helps to keep the vegetables moist and retain their flavour as they cook. It’s also useful when cooking the base of curries, soups and stews, but you can do without if you don’t have baking paper.)
Add the tomato puree and stir through the add the flour and combine.
Pour in the stock, beans & thyme and bring to the boil then reduce and simmer for about 20-25 minutes.
Transfer to an oven proof dish and allow to cool. Preheat your oven to 170deg fan.
Meanwhile, to make the rarebit mash:- Boil the potatoes until tender and mash.
Stir in 75ml milk & 25g butter
In a separate bowl mix the 75g grated cheese and mustard together. Slowly stir in the 75ml milk, until smooth.
Stir in the cheese mixture to your potatoes.
Spoon the mash over the pie mixture evenly. Note: (The bean mixture should have formed a thin skin while cooling. Don’t stir it before adding the mash because this helps keep the layers separate while the pie bakes).
Sprinkle with some thyme and bake for about 30-40 minutes until golden brown. I have a browning setting on my oven and its great for things like this.

Chilli Skulls

Image Leave a comment 08/12/2019 the wee caledonian cook

I have seen Pizza Skulls on social media and gave me the idea to make these for my Horror theme Hogmany coming up. I changed it from Pizza filling to a Chilli Con Carne filling. These are amazing and so much fun too. I got my pan from Nordic Ware and opted for Black & Red dough too using Red Malt flour and Activated Charcoal powder.

Makes 6

For the Pizza Dough (I made extra, which I stored for later use)

3 x 350g Wholemeal Bread Flour (you can use strong white too)

3 x 1 tsp salt

3 x 1 tsp caster sugar

3 x 3 tsp baking powder

3 x 170ml warm water

20g Red Malt Flour, plus 1 tsp red food colouring for the Red

3 tbsp charcoal powder plus 1 tsp black food colouring for the Black

Mix everything using a mixer until it come together like dough, wrap in cling film and refrigerate for a couple of hours. Mix 3 lots ie: plain, black & Red
Once ready to use, cut amount you need and store the rest. Place on a floured surface and roll out, not too thing or too thick. It will be stretchy, just keep stretching it until you have the size you need. Approx 7 x 4″
Brush your skull pan with melted butter and lay the dough into each skull pressing gently. Place the filling in and fold over the excess dough, if you have too much just trim.

For the Chilli

350g Scottish Beef Mince

1 Red onion, finely chopped

1 Red pepper, finely chopped

1 tsp garlic granules

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp dried chilli flakes (omit if you don’t like it too hot)

2 tsp chilli powder

200g Tin tomatoes

200g Kidney beans

200ml beef stock

light fry oil

Salt & pepper to taste

Grated Cheese of your choice.

Heat the fry oil on medium to high heat
Fry the onions and pepper with the garlic until softened
Add the beef and brown
Add in chilli powder, cumin, salt & pepper with chilli flakes (if using) mix through to coat
Add in the tin tomatoes, kidney beans and stock, bring to the boil and simmer for 30 minutes cover. The uncovered for 10 minutes to thicken sauce. Allow to cool.

Once skulls are filled, refrigerate for 30 minutes then bake at 200 deg for 25 minutes. Serve.

Hazelnut Chocolate Tart

Image Leave a comment 04/08/2019 the wee caledonian cook

I was watching James Martin on Saturday morning and he made a raspberry chocolate tart, we sat there dying to try a bit. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any raspberries so a hazelnut version it was.

I decided to do a hazelnut nut pastry just to add extra flavour.

For the Pastry:-

125g Plain Flour

50g Icing Sugar

50g Crushed Toasted Hazelnuts (plus 10g for decoration)

Pinch of salt

80g Butter, cold, diced

1 egg yolk

For the Filling:-

300ml Double Cream

125ml Whole Milk

200g Dark Chocolate or Milk Chocolate with at least 40% cocoa solids

2 eggs

50g golden caster sugar

pinch salt

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

To make the pastry, sift the flour and icing sugar into a food processor, add the hazelnuts and blitz together. Add the butter and pulse briefly until mixture looks like breadcrumbs, don’t overmix. Add the egg yolk and pulse until dough comes together. Shape dough into a flat disc, wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
Roll the dough out onto a floured surface. Using a loose bottomed tart tin, grease tin then line the tart tin with the pastry pressing into all corners. Trim any loose pastry. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 160 deg. Prick the bottom of the pastry and line with greaseproof paper and baking beans. Bake for 25 minutes, remove the baking paper and beans and return to the oven for a further 10 minutes.
Remove and trim the edges in line with the tart tin.
Meanwhile, to make the filling, place milk & cream into a pan and bring to just below boiling point, do not boil. Take of heat and stir in the chocolate to melt.
In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, sugar, salt and vanilla. Gradually whisk in the chocolate mix, whisking constantly.
Pour the mixture into the pastry case and bake on a wire rack in the oven for about 25 minutes until the filling has a slight wobble. Remove and sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts. Allow to cool in the tin before removing.
Slice to serve. Yummy!

Easy Sweet Pastry

Image Leave a comment 11/07/2019 the wee caledonian cook

This was my first attempt at sweet pastry, it was actually quite simple and tasted amazing. I was making a bakewell tart. (recipe to follow)

250g plain flour

50g icing sugar

125g unsalted butter, cool

1 tsp vanilla essence

1 large egg

Splash of milk

Sieve the flour and icing sugar into a bowl
Chop the butter into cubes and gently work it through the four mixture so that it resembles breadcrumbs
Beat the egg with the milk and vanilla essence, add to the flour mixture and bring together to create a ball of pastry. Do not over work.
Sprinkle a little flour onto a work surface and flatten pastry to about 2.5cm thick, wrap in cling film and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Using a 25cm spring form tart tin, lightly oil all over.
Dust a work surface with flour and roll out the pastry to about 1/2 cm thick. Using the rolling pin wrap pastry around and unroll over the tart tin. Ease the pastry into the tin pushing to the sides. Trim of any excess pastry.
Prick the base with a fork and put in freezer for 30 minutes.
Remove and line baking paper over the pastry, fill with baking beans and blind bake for 10 minutes at 180 deg. Remove the paper and beans and continue to bake for a further 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to fully cool.

Spinach, Asparagus & Tomato Tart

Image Leave a comment 09/07/2019 the wee caledonian cook

Another home comfort food dish, delicious for lunch or dinner, hot or cold.

Serves 4

Butter for greasing tin

1 Roll ready made shortcrust pastry

1 bunch of asparagus spears

250g Spinach leaves

3 large eggs

150ml double cream

1 garlic clove, crushed

10 small cherry tomatoes

handful fresh basil, chopped

40g grated cheddar cheese (or you could use parmesan)

Salt & pepper

Pre heat oven to 190 deg on convection bake setting.
Grease a 10-12 inch tart tin with the butter, roll out the pastry and line the tin, trimming of excess.
Cover the pastry with greaseproof paper and fill with baking beans. Blind bake for about 20 minutes until lightly browned. Remove and allow to cool slightly. Reduce oven to 180 deg.
Meanwhile, bend the asparagus spears until they snap and discard woody bases.
Bring a large pan of slightly salted water to the boil and blanch the asparagus for 1 minute, remove. Using the same water put the spinach in then remove immediately. Drain well and squeeze excess moisture out.
Mix the eggs, cream & garlic together in a bowl and season with salt & pepper.
Lay the spinach into the pastry case, then the asparagus and tomatoes cut side up, sprinkle with the basil. Pour the egg mixture into the case and sprinkle the grated cheese over evenly.
Transfer to the oven and bake for about 35 minutes, remove and leave to cool to room temperature, serve.

Cabbage & Chorizo Filo Roll

Image 1 Comment 25/06/2019 the wee caledonian cook

This was a recipe I put together trying to use up leftovers in my fridge. It was absolutely delicious, if I do say so myself. Next time, I would probably use 2 less filo sheets though and maybe omit the panko breadcrumbs.

Makes 1 roll (about 8 slices)

6-8 filo sheets

1/2 a large white cabbage – finely sliced

1 carrot – shredded

2-3 orange sweet peppers – finely sliced

60g chopped chorizo

small handful of panko breadcrumbs

Salt & rainbow pepper to taste

1 tbsp butter – melted

1 tbsp dried onion granules

Preheat your oven to 190 deg. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.
Heat a little spray oil in a pan on medium to high heat and add in the onion granules, cook for about 30 seconds.
Add in the cabbage, peppers and carrot and stir through for about 10 minutes.
Then add in the chorizo and continue to cook for about 5 minutes or until everything is softened and slightly browned. Allow to cool.
Meanwhile, unroll the filo pastry and with the melted butter brush lightly on 1 filo then sprinkle some panko breadcrumbs, then lay another filo sheet onto, then brush with butter, then sprinkle some breadcrumbs over, then another filo sheet on top and so on and on until you have used all the sheets.
Take the cooled cabbage mixture and place in the middle of the sheets, leave about a 2″ border all the way and brush with melted butter.
Take the 2 short ends and fold into the mixture
Then gently roll up the filo pastry, place onto the baking tray and bake for about 30 minutes.
Remove, slice and enjoy. (Beware, it is very crumbly..lol)

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Baklava

Image 2 Comments 24/06/2019 the wee caledonian cook

I’ve been dying to try this recipe for a long time & it was just as dreamy as I thought. I love peanut butter, so any recipe with it in I simply have to try.

This was so easy and quick to make, just 3 ingredients.

1 packet of Filo Pastry (I only used 8 sheets)

3 tbsp Peanut Butter (I used crunchy but you could use smooth if preferred)

3 tbsp Nutella (got to be Nutella…lol)

Line a baking tray with baking paper and preheat oven to 220 deg
Place 4 filo sheets onto tray and gently spread nutella chocolate over the sheet, lay another 4 sheets of filo over the chocolate spread and then gently spread the peanut butter over.
Gently roll up the filo (not too tight) and bake in the oven for about 20-30 minutes.

Slice up and serve.

Scottish Sausage Rolls

Image Leave a comment 09/03/2019 the wee caledonian cook

Oh Yummy! I had some left over puff pastry in the fridge, the weather was very rainy and cold outside, so nothing better than throwing together a home comfort bite to eat. I have had this recipe for scottish meat rolls for a while now, so decided to give it a go, thank you to christinas cucina .

Scottish Sausage Rolls are traditionally made with Beef, where as English sausage rolls are made with pork, which is the main difference. Then it’s your choice of spices that make it.

Makes 6-8

1 Roll of puff pastry (about 300g)

500g ground Scottish Beef

a little water

1 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp rainbow peppercorns

3/4 tsp dried coriander

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 cup of fine breadcrumbs

1 egg beaten for pastry.

Preheat your oven to 200 deg.
In a large bowl mix the spices, breadcrumbs and seasoning, then add in the meat. Pour in a little water and with your hands mix together, the mixture should hold together when squeezed, not too wet.
Place the puff pastry on a floured surface and cut into 5″ approx rectangles.
Take some of the mixture and roll into a sausage shape, lay onto the puff pastry 3/4 way down. With your finger wet the short edge of the pastry to help seal and roll up. Then with a fork crimp the seal along to seal. Make a few light cuts on top.
Place rolls onto a greaseproof tray and brush with the egg wash.
Bake for about 25 minutes.
Serve with chips & beans…..my personal fav for a proper home comfort meal.

Eggy Puff Breakfast Baskets

Image Leave a comment 25/11/2018 the wee caledonian cook

Another quick yummy breakfast for a sunday morning. I always try to use up leftovers, so having some puff pastry left this is what I decided to do this morning. Again I used my lovely little Crisperplate to cook these. Have I told you how much I love this little bit of Technology?? I do love gadgets that simply work in your favour to help save time in the kitchen. You can get more information here

Makes 6

1 Roll of Puff Pastry

7 eggs (1 for wash)

Grated Cheddar Cheese (I used 1 tbsp per basket)

Salt & pepper

Flavourings as per your choice (I used smoked paprika, but you could use chives, chilli, parsley, the list is endless)

Preheat your Crisperplate for 2 minutes on Crisper setting.
Place a sheet of greaseproof on the plate once heated.
Roll out the pastry and using a round cutter, cut out 6 circles.
Using a smaller circle cutter, gently press into the middle of the circle pastry – dont cut right through. (This makes the outer edge of the basket)
Using a fork, press the centre to prevent it from rising too much. Brush with egg wash.
Place the pastry onto the crisper plate and cook for 4 minutes.
Remove and gently edge the inner circle using a spoon and press down to make bottom of basket.
Place your cheese into the basket and flatten, crack the egg in, gently using a knife pierce the yolk (this prevents it from popping) and season with your flavourings.
Place back into the Combi Oven and bake for a further 2.5 mins – 3.5 mins, depends how you like your eggs cooked. Serve. Yummy!

Puff Pizza

Image Leave a comment 17/11/2018 the wee caledonian cook

I know, I’m going to tell you all about my Crisperplate again….lol! Just 7 minutes bake time for these quick and easy puff pastry pizzas, compared to an oven bake (20 mins), the Crisper does it in more than half the time with the same results.

One my own this afternoon I just wanted a quick lunch, so this was perfect. I decided to use up things in my fridge, so I went for this combo, but you can make any combination you like. (times may vary)

Makes 2

1 roll puff pastry (use half if making 2) – cut in half or quarter if making 4

2 tbsp tomato paste

Seasoning

Grated Mozzarella

Mushrooms – I used Chestnut

Little olive oil

Pre heat your crisper plate for 2 minutes
Roll out pastry and with each half, score a 1cm border all the way around.
Score a couple of diagonal lines in the middle (do not go right through) then place onto crisper plate.
Place grated mozzarella into the middle, evenly but not too thick. Season.
Then place the mushrooms in a layer evenly and drizzle a little oil over. Season
Cook on Crisper setting for 7-8 minutes or until your desired brownness level.
Yummy!

Square Sausage Puffs

Image Leave a comment 17/09/2018 the wee caledonian cook

So having made my square sausages, which were so tasty, I now wanted to try more than just putting it on a morning roll or using in a breakfast. Having some puff pastry in the fridge, little square sausage puffs it was. Super tasty and proper comfort food.

Makes 3

1 packet of pre rolled puff pastry

3 square sausages, Get my recipe here :- Square Sausage

Tomato Ketchup or Brown Sauce (whichever is your favourite)

1 egg – whisked for wash

Preheat your oven to 200 deg.
Roll our pastry and cut into 3 sections
Egg wash edges of each section of pastry and place 1 tbsp of choosen sauce in centre.
Place 1 square sausage onto pastry and then fold over and seal edges with a fork.
Place onto a pre-heated baking tray and brush with the egg wash for a good glaze finish.
Bake for about 30-35 minutes of until golden brown all over.
Remove and serve. I love baked beans with sausages.

Bacon & Vegetable Quiche

Image Leave a comment 19/08/2018 the wee caledonian cook

Sometimes you want home cooked food without the hassle of trying to decided how to cook it and what temperatures etc to use, this was one of those days for me. Sundays are generally my lazy days, a day for recharging the batteries so to speak. I wanted a good home cooked quiche and decided to let my oven do the rest of the work and thinking. Hotpoint have designed a range of ovens with Automatic Recipe settings, the settings are already pre-programmed to control temperature, function and browning control……amazing, I know….right? Oven Range

I used the quiche setting and it was cooked and evenly browned perfectly due to the Multiflow Technology

I also used the Combination Oven with the Crisperplate to cook crispy potato wedges in just 12 minutes, perfect with a tasty quiche.

Makes 1 quiche

1 ready roll puff pastry

200g smoked bacon – diced

1 leek – sliced

handful of asparagus – chopped

200ml milk

200ml single cream

150g grated Gouda cheese

4 eggs

Salt, Pepper & Paprika to season

Grease a quiche tin and lay pastry in covering base and edges.
Gently fry the smoked bacon until slightly browned, remove from pan. Add to the pan the leek and saute for a few minutes.
Meanwhile blanch the asparagus in a pan of salted boiling water.
In a bowl whisk the eggs with the milk and cream.
Start to layer up the bacon and vegetables on pastry, then some of the cheese
Then pour in the egg/milk mixture and rest of the cheese to top, generously season with salt, pepper and paprika
Place on shelf 3 in oven and select auto recipes, quiche setting. The oven comes up 43 minutes but will sense temerature and auto adjust if necessary.

8. Serve….Yum!

Pastry Cinnamon Swirls

Image Leave a comment 05/08/2018 the wee caledonian cook

I had some pastry left over and decided to give these quick little bites a try, the flavour was amazing so sweet. I drizzled with a little Maple Syrup and I have to say it went really well, but so would chocolate…Mmmmmmm!

I used my little Crisper plate to bake and it only took 5 minutes……..what could be better? 5 minute bites!

1 sheet puff pastry

5 tbsp Golden Caster Sugar

3 tbsp cinnamon

1 egg for wash

Mix the caster sugar & cinnamon together in a bowl (you can use quantities to your own taste)
Lay out the pastry and sprinkle the sugar mix all over, then fold in half lengthways, seal with a little water
Cut the pastry with a sharp knife or pizza cutter into long strips about 1cm wide
Take both ends of strip and slowly start to twist, not too tightly or the pastry won’t puff up.
Then gently wrap around into a swirl shape and seal the end underneath to the centre. Make sure to seal tightly or they will unravel as some of mine did while cooking. Brush with the egg wash and place onto the preheated crisper plate. Cook onto Dynamic crisp for 5-6 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.
Serve with our favourite topping.

Egg, Bacon & Spinach Pastry Bites

Image Leave a comment 04/08/2018 the wee caledonian cook

OMG!, these were absolutely delicious. I don’t normally eat pastries but I was trying out some new recipes for an event and my first idea didn’t go to well, so I got my thinking cap on and tried out these instead……oh wow! they were so tasty. I was so naughty though as I couldn’t stop my hand from grabbing one then another then another….lol! But we are allowed on occassions……aren’t we?

Makes 12

1 x ready rolled puff pastry

2 tbsp grated gruyere cheese

1 tbsp creme friache

4-6 smoked bacon rashers – chopped into bite size pieces

100g baby spinach

2 large eggs

Salt & pepper to taste

Heat a little spray oil in a pan and cook bacon until slightly brown, remove with slotted spoon and keep to the side.
Place spinach into the bacon and wilt down (will take a few minutes)
Meanwhile mix the grated cheese with creme friache
Beat the eggs and season well, pour over the wilted spinach and stir until scrambled in pan, remove from heat.
Cut the pastry into 12 small squares about 4″ x 4″ roughly
Place 1 tsp of the cheese mixture on base, then top with bacon and spinach mix, season well.
Wet your finger in water and run your finger along outer edge of pastry square, carefully lift 1 corner and pull over mixture making a diamond like shape, take the opposite corner and pull over the pastry corner you have just moved and seal. Make sure they are sealed well or they will open when cooking.
Refrigerate for about 10 minutes as this will help the pastry puff better.
When ready to cook preheat your crisper plate for 2 minutes on dynamic crisp setting and then bake for 7 minutes or until browned. If you don’t have one of these, then you could cook on baking tray at 200 deg for about 16-18 minutes or until golden.

Spinach & Pesto Stuffed Puff Chicken

Image Leave a comment 28/05/2018 the wee caledonian cook

This was Inspired by Jamie Oliver’s 5 Ingredient Programme. It looked and sounded too good not to try. However, I decided to put my own slight twist to it. This dish is so yummy and very filling too.

I think I’m going to try it next with Red pesto and chilli. Mmmmmmmm!

Makes 4

4 Chicken Breasts

1 Roll Puff Pastry

4 tbsp Green Pesto

1 egg for wash

Bag of baby spinach

Sat & pepper to season

Cherry tomatoes or vine.

Preheat oven to 220 deg. Lightly oil a baking sheet.
Firstly flatten out chicken breasts with a rolling pin, just so the fattest part is even with rest of the chicken as you want it to cook evenly through.
Slice each chicken breast horizontally and stuff with some spinach leaves.
Cut the puff pastry lengthways once, then vertically 6 times to make 14 small rectangles.
Spoon 1 tbsp of pesto onto the chicken breast and place onto the backing sheet.
Take the puff pastry strips and wrap around the chicken, overlapping each time. Brush with egg wash.
Place the chicken breasts on the centre shelf (No.3) then place the tomatoes in a pan on shelf level below (No. 1). Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Meanwhile steam cook the rest of the spinach. (3 minutes)
Slice the chicken breasts and serve…….yummy!

Choux Bun Doughnuts

Image 2 Comments 27/05/2018 the wee caledonian cook

Looking for something nice to have with a coffee this afternoon, I decided to have a go at Choux Pastry again. The first time I tried they didn’t puff up, so I was so pleased when these came out lovely and airy. Thought I would try doughnut shape instead of the traditional way. Very tricky to eat this way but then again I did make extra large man size ones……lol! They were absolutely delicious. Perfect for our afternoon coffee.

Makes 4

115g Strong Flour

4 tbsp milk

80ml water

Pinch of salt

Pinch of caster sugar

55g unsalted butter

3 medium eggs

Filling

300ml double cream

100g icing sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract (or any other flavouring you wish)

100g Chocolate (if using on top)

Preheat your oven to 200 deg.
Line a baking tray with parchment paper and flour
Put the water, milk, salt, sugar and butter into a pan and bring to the boil on a medium heat until the butter is melted.
Remove from the heat and sieve in the flour and beat vigorously until it forms a dough then cook on a very low heat for 5 minutes.
Leave to cool slightly. Beat the eggs then add in little at a time beating well between each egg. You want a smooth glossy finished dough.
Spoon the dough into a piping bag with a star nozzle and pipe 4 rings, approx 4 inch diameter onto the baking tray.
Bake for 15 minutes at 200 deg then turn down to 170 deg for 10 minutes or until they have risen well and golden brown. Remove and allow to cool on a wire rack.
Meanwhile, pour the cream and vanilla into a bowl and whisk until just slightly thickened, then add the icing sugar and continue to whisk until desired thickness. Spoon into a piping bag with the star nozzle.
Cut the cooked Choux in half and pipe the cream into the middle then place the top on. Dust with some icing sugar. If using chocolate, melt chocolate in a microwave for 2 minutes then spoon on top and refrigerate to harden (about 10 minutes). Serve.

Breakfast Tartlets

Image Leave a comment 13/05/2018 the wee caledonian cook

This was a quick throw together breakfast this morning. Being out the night before, we woke quite hungry and a simple bowl of cereal or toast was not going to cut it….lol! It’s amazing sometimes what you can put together when you just take 2 minutes to look in your fridge and cupboards! Using my crisper plate these little tartlets baked in just 8 minutes.

Makes 4

1 Roll of Puff Pastry

4 Chipolata Sausages or Wee willy winkies (cocktails sausages!)

4 tsp tomato pasta with Chilli

4 medium eggs

handful of tomatoes (small) halved

8 rashers of smoked bacon

Salt & pepper to season

Preheat the crisper plate for 2 minutes.
Place bacon and sausages onto plate and cook for about 3 minutes
Meanwhile, cut the pastry into squares and with a sharp knife score a 1cm border around the pastry, like a picture frame. Do not cut all the way through.
Remove the bacon and sausages to a plate and wipe dry the crisper plate
Spoon 1 tsp of tomato paste over the centre of the pastry.
Chop the cooked bacon and sausages into small pieces and place onto the tomato paste, leave room in the middle for the egg later.
Place onto crisper plate and bake for 6 minutes, the edges will start to puff up.
Remove plate and crack the egg into the middle of the pastry, add the tomatoes and season. Bake for a further 2m 30 secs. or until desired egg setting.
Remove and devour! Yummy!

Apple & Raisin Filo Parcels

Image Leave a comment 28/01/2018 the wee caledonian cook

I had some left over apples and filo in my kitchen so it was obvious it had to be little apple parcels. These were so tasty and so quick to cook using my little crisper plate……..oh did I tell you how much I love this little crisper? lol!

Makes 4

2 Granny smith apples – chopped into small chunks

3 sheets of filo pastry

1 beaten egg for wash

small handful of raisins

70g light brown caster sugar

2 tsp ground cinnamon

Fry oil – light

2 tbsps Icing sugar to finish

Spray a fry pan with oil on a medium heat
Gently fry the apple, sugar, cinnamon and raisins until just caramalised (about 8-10 mins) Remove and allow to cool.
Lay your first sheet of filo on a worktop and brush with the egg wash, then take your 2nd sheet and lay onto, brush with egg wash, and then your 3rd sheet as above. Then cut vertically into 4 sections.
Preheat your crisper plate for 3 minutes on dynamic crisp setting
Once cooked, remove from plate and allow to cool slightly. Sieve some icing sugar over the parcels and serve. These are lovely with ice cream, whipped cream or even caramel sauce. oh so yummy!

You can of course bake these in a 190 deg oven for about 20 minutes.

Apple Strudel on Crisper

Image 2 Comments 01/11/2017 the wee caledonian cook

Oh yes, its that time of year when the apple, cinnamon and warm comfort food come out. Thought I’d try a warming pastry using my little crisper, amazing, this would normally take about 40 minutes in an traditional oven, but on the crisper……just 16 minutes…YES! 16 minutes. Amazing.

Makes 6-8 servings

1 pre rolled puff pastry (all butter)

3-4 apples

1 orange (peel only)

50g walnuts – chopped

50g pine nuts – chopped

1 tsp cinnamon powder

50g sultanas

50ml dark rum

50g light brown sugar

100g breadcrumbs

1 egg and 50ml milk for brushing

Icing sugar for decoration

Soak the sultanas in the rum (preferably overnight or at least 4 hours)
Peel and slice the apple, then mix them with the walnuts, pine nuts, sugar, cinnamon and orange peel, mix well.
Add in the sultanas and breadcrumbs to the apple mixture and mix
Roll out the pastry
Pour the apple mixture onto the pastry then roll up lengthwise. Seal with egg and milk and press with either finger or fork to seal.
Preheat the Crisper Plate for 3 minutes on Dynamic Crisp setting, remove from oven and gently place the apple roll onto he plate. Brush the roll with Egg wash mixture and make a few small cuts on top of pastry to allow steam out.
Bake on the Crisper setting for about 16 mins, if you feel it is browning too quickly cover the top with some baking sheet.

Black Pudding, Haggis & Apple pastry Rolls

Image Leave a comment 10/09/2017 the wee caledonian cook

Inspired by Scottish Foods and a visit to a food festival recently I decided to try these little rolls myself. So yummy!

Makes about 10 mini rolls

200g Stornoway Black Pudding

200g Haggis

2 x Granny Smith apples

1 shop bought ready rolled puff pastry (saves so much time)

Tomato or Brown sauce (whichever is your preference)

1 egg for wash

Salt & pepper to taste

Cook the black pudding and haggis as per instructions, about 4 minutes on each side.
Meanwhile peel off skin from apple and core, chop into small chunks. Caramelise the apple in a fry pan for about 15-20 mins.
Roll out pastry and cut length ways once
Once haggis and pudding are cooked, place in a bowl and mash up with apple and seasoning
Spread the pastry with your choice of sauce about 3 tbsp each length then fill the centre of each length with the pudding mixture
Brush the egg wash around the edges of the pastry then roll up the pastry and seal the edges. Use a knife of fork to seal gently.
You can now cut into the size you desire
I used my magic little Crisper plate to bake these but you can of course bake in a preheat oven of 190 deg for about 20 minutes. Using the crisper, preheat for 2 minutes on dynamic crisp setting. Bake on crisper for 8 minutes.
Serve….yummy!

Fish Puff Parcels

Image Leave a comment 03/09/2017 the wee caledonian cook

These little fish puff parcels are just so yummy and a great quick snack.

I was trying out my little cooking gadgets that I got with my Hotpoint oven and I am amazed everytime I do, another quick tasty meal.

1 roll puff pastry

Fresh cod – approx 250g

Scottish Fresh salmon – approx 250g

50g goats cheese

1 rind lemon and 1 rind lime

spring onions – finely chopped

pepper to taste

egg for wash

First using the steam pot, place cod and salmon into pot and steam cook for 6 minutes
Pre heat the crisper plate
Cut the pastry into long rectangles
Place the citrus rind and spring onions into the middle of the pastry, then the cheese then place small pieces of cod and salmon. season with pepper
Using egg wash brush the edges of the pastry and fold the pastry over to make a parcel then seal the edges with a fork.
Finally egg wash the parcels and place a small hole in the middle for steam to escape
Cook on dynamic crisp setting for 8 minutes.
Serve with some balsamic tomatoes….yummy!

Jamie Olivers 5 ingredient Almond Puff

Image Leave a comment 03/09/2017 the wee caledonian cook

I started watching Jamie Oliver’s new 5 Ingredient TV Show and liked the sound of the Almond Puff Pastry. Using my little magic Crisper Plate, thought I would give this a go.

All butter puff pastry

100g ground almonds or whole and blitz

Icing Sugar

2 eggs (1 for wash)

1 tbsp double cream

Roll out puff pastry into 2 circles
Blitz almonds in a processor, or if using ground add to a mixing bowl, add 1 spoon icing sugar, 1 tbsp cream and egg and mix together until blended
Place 1 circle onto preheated crisper plate and fill the centre with the mixture leaving approx 1 inch all round
Place the other pastry circle on top and seal the edges with a fork
Brush will egg wash and put small knife hole in the middle
Cook on Dynamic Crisp setting for about 10 minutes.
Remove and dust with some icing sugar then serve with some fresh cream……oh so yummy!

Vegetable Quiche

Image Leave a comment 03/09/2017 the wee caledonian cook

I love quiche and with this little magic crisper plate of mine I just had to give it a try. Amazing results in just 16 minutes with a lovely crusty bottom. I also got my creativity on and designed little patterns with the vegetables…….I just love playing around with food…lol!

1 x roll of puff pastry (shop bought)

2 eggs

2 large spoonfuls of ricotta cheese

1 large spoonful of parmesan cheese

1 tsp nutmeg

pinch salt

handful of grated Mozzarella cheese

1 tsp oregano

1 courgette

1 red pepper, green pepper

1 carrot

1 red onion

tsp olive oil

Roll out pastry and place onto preheated crisper plate. (or tart tin)
Mix together, eggs, all cheeses, nutmeg, salt, oregano in a bowl
Slice courgette and carrot lengthways and wide, slice onion finely and peppers into circle shapes.
Spoon cheese mixture into the pastry tin or plate evenly
Sprinkle the red onion evenly over, place the pepper circles into mix.
Roll up your courgettes and carrots and place into the cheese mix to decorate evenly.
Glaze with olive oil on top of vegetables
Cook on Dynamic Crisp setting for 16 minutes or in an oven at 190 deg for 45 minutes
Serve…..yummy!

Cinnamon Swirls

Image 4 Comments 20/11/2016 the wee caledonian cook

Oh it’s that time of the year where cinnamon is a staple ingredient in your household and no better way to use it than to make cinnamon glazed swirls……oh so yummy!

For the swirls:-

1 puff pastry sheet

spoonful of butter melted

3 tbsp caster sugar

3 tbsp brown sugar

1 tbsp cinnamon

For the Glaze:-

1/2 cup icing sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

10ml milk

Pre-heat oven to 190deg
Roll out pastry sheet, brush with butter then sprinkle sugars and cinnamon evenly over pastry sheet
Carefully start to roll the pastry up not too tight but not too loose
Using a sharp knife, slice the roll into 6 or 7 sections evenly.
Grease a baking tin or tray and place the swirls upright leaving a little space between each to allow for expansion of pastry.
Bake for approx 20-25 mins until golden brown
Meanwhile to make the glaze, mix the milk and vanilla essence with the icing sugar until you have a thick but not too thick consistencey, if too runny just keep adding more icing sugar. Using a spoon drizzle over swirls once removed from oven, allow to harden and serve……oh so yummy!

Spinach, Tomato and Egg Pastry Breakfast Square

Image Leave a comment 20/11/2016 the wee caledonian cook

With some puff pastry left in the fridge and looking for a tasty Sunday brunch thought I’d have a go at a puff pastry tart. Such a simple and easy yet tasty delight. The fillings are endless too, I now have so many ideas going on in my head for next time…….goats cheese being one of my favourites.

1 sheet of puff pastry

1 egg whisked for the wash

2 egg yolks

handful cherry tomatoes – halved

handful of spinach

salt & pepper to taste

Firstly cut your pastry into a square, about 5″ x 5″, using a sharp knife draw a square around the pastry about 1 cm in, be careful not to cut right through.
Brush the pastry with the egg wash.
Place the spinach in the square then the cherry tomatoes around the edge.
Place into a preheated oven at 190 deg for approx 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, pour the remaining egg wash into the centre and then place the egg yolks in the middle, put back in oven and continue to cook for approx 10-15mins.
Remove and serve……Yum!

Malteser Pie – Simply Heavenly

Image Leave a comment 08/10/2016 the wee caledonian cook

O.M.G. What can I say….delicious, moreish, delightful, dessert heaven….oh the list goes on, simply delicious!

Tip: Remove base from tray before putting filling in! (I had a terrible time trying to get it out)

Bake tin size – 26cm

450g Maltesers – leave a handful for decorating at end

110g butter – melted

100g caster sugar

4 egg yolks

200g dark or milk chocolate

400ml whole milk

3 tbsp malt powder

300ml double cream

1 tsp vanilla extract

Blitz the maltesers in a food processor until crumb like. Empty into a bowl.
Melt the butter and add to the maltesers, mix through until coated.
Grease the baking tin, push down the crushed malteser into the pan evenly, make sure that you go up the sides as it will need to hold a filling.
Put in the fridge to harden.
For the filling, in a pan heat gently the milk, sugar, egg yolks and malt powder until thickened. then add in the melted chocolate, stir through.
Once base has set, remove from tin and fill with the chocolate mixture. Place in fridge overnight to set.
When you are ready to serve, then we make the cream topping.
Pour cream and vanilla extract into a bowl and whisk until thick, then top the pie.
Using the left over maltesers, crush and sprinkle on top of pie. oh yeah….Yum…Yum!

Empanadas with Soffritto Filling

Image 1 Comment 06/08/2016 the wee caledonian cook

So Rio 2016 is upon us, to help celebrate I decided to try my hand at a Brazilian themed dinner. I was so pleased with my results, so tasty! Here you are, my recipes:-

Empanadas are little pockets of leftovers, I filled mine with Soffritto, Mince and Black beans filling.

Traditional Empanada dough is made a bit like an unsweetened tart crust: flour, salt (and any other seasonings), and butter are mixed to combine, then eggs and water are added until the dough comes together. However, I cheated for quickness and used shop bought ready rolled shortcrust pastry.

For the Soffritto:-

1 carrot

3 celery sticks

1 large white onion

1 tbsp olive oil

Chop all the ingredients into very fine pieces (cubes).
Heat the oil in a pan and add the onion, cook until translucent and slightly browned. Then add in the carrot and celery, reduce to a low heat and cook for approx 1 hour until its all browned. The flavour that comes from the vegetables is amazing and almost caramelised like.
At this stage you can eat it on its own or add any other meats or flavourings.

For my filling for the Empanada’s I added to the Soffritto mix:-

200g Browned mince

200g Black beans

2 tbsp Chopped Chilli

1 tsp salt & pepper to season

When the filling is ready, you are now ready to make your Empanadas

Roll out your pasty into circular shapes, I used a 4″ pastry cutter.
Take a dessert spoonful of the filling and put onto pastry
Wet you finger and wet the edges of the pastry, fold over the pastry into a half moon shape and seal with your finger or a fork.
Place on a greaseproof paper baking tray and brush with either milk or egg wash.
Bake in a preheated oven at 200 deg for 25 minutes.

Also check out my Brazilian Cheesy Bread here:- https://atomic-temporary-46532287.wpcomstaging.com/2016/08/06/brazilian-cheesy-bread/

Banoffee Custard Tarts with Toffee Cream

Image 1 Comment 22/05/2016 the wee caledonian cook

This was a recipe I picked up from fellow blogger https://greencookingblog.wordpress.com/ , I just loved the sound of it as I love Banoffee…my ultimate fav! They turned out very tasty indeed, although I think I’ll get deeper trays the next time as I would have loved them to be bigger…lol! I wasn’t sure what to serve with it, I had some cream and toffee left so……yep…voila…toffee cream….and it just went so well.

Makes 12

250g granulated sugar
100g butter
200ml double cream
a pinch of salt
1 ripe banana
1 pack Shortcrust pastry (you can alternatively make your own)
3 egg yolks
300ml milk
1tsp nutmeg

In a medium saucepan, add 200g of the sugar and heat on a medium heat, stirring continuously…..please be patient as this can take about 10 mins but it will start to brown and dissolve. This was after 5 mins. This was after about 8 mins. Then 10 mins….
When all the sugar has dissolved to form a dark brown liquid, add the butter (cut into 5 chunks) and stir rapidly until mixed
Heat for a further 1 minute, and then slowly add 100ml of cream, stirring continuously
Bring the mix to the boil and then remove from the heat, adding the salt and stirring for a couple of minutes until cooler
Allow the caramel to stand for around 15 minutes before placing in the fridge to cool
Take the pastry and roll out so that it is around 1cm in thickness – cut out tart shapes and place these in a muffin tray.
Cover each pastry case with greaseproof paper and add baking beans, or alternatively prick with a fork
Bake the pastry blind for around 10 minutes at 200C/ 180C Fan
Remove the pastry cases from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Then remove the greaseproof paper
Cut the banana into small chunks and divide between the 12 pastry cases. Add 1tsp caramel on top of the banana
In a saucepan, heat the milk until it starts to boil. Whilst doing this, add the egg yolks and remaining 50g of sugar to a bowl and whisk until combined
Slowly add the boiling milk to the egg yolk and sugar, stirring with a whisk continuously
Divide the custard mix between the 12 pastry cases and then sprinkle some nutmeg over the top of each tart
Put in the oven for around 15 minutes – the custard should have browned on the top and started to set
With the left over cream (100ml and toffee (about 2 tbsp), whisk up in a bowl with 1 tsp of vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
Serve….oh so yummy!

Homemade Steak Pie

Image 2 Comments 24/04/2016 the wee caledonian cook

That’s when you know they are homemade when they aren’t quite perfectly put together…..Ooops!, my second one, the top shrunk a bit, however, they are still very, very tasty!

Makes 2 – 9.5cm pies

400g Scottish Stewing Steak

Pre-rolled shortcrust pastry

1 red onion – sliced

1 carrot – sliced

400ml Beef Stock

2 tbsp gravy granules

salt & pepper

Bay leaf

1 tsp Thyme

Pre-heat your oven to 180 deg, or if you have a pastry setting, set that.
Press the pastry into 2 9.5cm pie tins, and blind bake for 10 mins. Leaving some pastry aside for your top. Remove and allow to cool.
Meanwhile, brown your steak in a little olive oil in a pan and season with salt & pepper.
Add in the onion and brown, then add in the carrot, beef stock and bay leaf, bring to the boil, then simmer for 2 hours until meat is tender.
Stir in the gravy granules the meat pot to thicken up the sauce.
Now fill up your pastry cups with the meat mixture and sprinkle some thyme on top.
Cut out 2 round lids from pastry and press onto bases making sure you press the sides and attached to the base. Brush with a little egg.
Bake in an oven at 180 deg for 30 mins.
Remove from tins, and serve….Yummy!

Chicken, Leek & Bacon Filo Pie

Image Leave a comment 17/04/2016 the wee caledonian cook

A Healthier and Lighter way for a truly scrumptious pie. Love this combination and love the fewer calories using filo. We do love our pie Sunday’s.

Makes 2 pies

2 Chicken Breasts – cubed

1 Leek – sliced finely

4 lean smoked bacon – sliced

300ml milk

1 Chicken Stock cube

2 tbsp flour

1 tbsp nutmeg

15g butter

Salt & pepper

Brown chicken in a medium heat pan, the remove from pan
In the same pan brown the bacon and remove from pan
Saute the leeks in the same pan and remove
Melt butter in the pan and gently stir in the flour to a smooth paste
Crumble the chicken stock cube into the milk and the slowly add to the pan little at a time stirring until thickened.
Add the chicken, leeks, and bacon, season and add nutmeg then simmer for 15 mins.
Brush the filo sheets with melted butter or a little olive oil.
Spoon the chicken mixture into an oven dish equally then scrunch each filo sheet and add to top of mixture in dish.
Bake in an oven 180 deg for 20-25 mins until golden brown.
Serve with some veg or potatoes….Yummy!

I always know I’ve made a perfect pie when my partner leaves nothing on the plate..lol.!

Toffee Apple Custard Tarts

Image Leave a comment 17/04/2016 the wee caledonian cook

I was inspired to try these by a local baker I met this week, I have to say I didn’t quite get the custard as I would have liked but they did taste absolutely divine.

Makes 6-8

For the filling:
3 large free range eggs, plus 2 large free range egg yolks, lightly beaten
1 pint of single cream (2 cups)
2 ounces caster sugar (a scant 1/4 cup)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 whole nutmegs, grated
1 tsp of softened butter

For the toffee sauce:

150g caster sugar

75ml pot double cream

25g butter

Base:-

3-4 sheets Filo Pastry

1/2 Lady Red Apple – sliced very thinly

Place the cream and vanilla into a saucepan and bring it up to a simmer.
Whisk the beaten eggs and sugar together in a large heatproof jug.
Slowly pour the hot cream over the beaten eggs, whisking continuously.
Whisk in half of the nutmeg.
Carefully pour the whisked mixture into the pastry case and scatter the rest of the nutmeg over top.
Bake for 10 minutes, then place the sliced apple on top carefully, place back in the oven for a further 20 mins or until the filling is golden brown, firm in the centre and slightly puffed.
Meanwhile, cut the filo pastry into squares, size to fit your muffin tin. Lightly grease your tin.
Brush the filo with melted butter and place 3 squares on top of each other to form a star shape, carefully press into muffin tin.
Now to make the toffee, tip the sugar into a heavy-based frying pan, stir in 4 tbsp water, then place over a medium heat until the sugar has dissolved.
Turn up the heat and bubble for 4-5 mins until you have caramel.
Take off the heat, then carefully stir in the cream and butter.
Once oven has finished, remove and spread the toffee over the top and allow to cool for about 1 hour. Serve! Yummy!

Homemade Profiteroles

Image Leave a comment 26/03/2016 the wee caledonian cook

I was inspired to try Choux Pastry by a chef called Vivan in Italy, I was on a training course with Kitchen Aid and he demonstrated Choux Pastry in one of their ovens which was amazing. My boyfriend loves Profiteroles so I thought I’d spend an afternoon in the kitchen today as it was rainy outside. My results were pretty good, considering it was my first time but definitely room for improvement.!

Makes 8

FOR THE CHOUX PASTRY

200ml cold water

100g Butter

130g Plain Flour

4 eggs

1 tsp Sugar

FOR THE CREAM FILLING

100ml double cream

1 tsp vanilla essence

20 g icing sugar

FOR THE TOPPING

100g Milk or Dark Chocolate

Bring to the boil water and butter together. Remove from heat.
Add in the sugar and flour and beat until mixture comes away from the sides of the pot.
Once cool, slowly add in beaten eggs, little at a time. It may seem the egg isn’t going to combine with dough but it will. Keep beating in until all egg mixture has been integrated.
Put mixture into a piping bag. I found it difficult to add and hold at the same time, so I used a measure jug to hold the bag while I put mixture in. (remember to fold bottom up or it might come out end).
Slowly pipe onto a baking sheet on a baking tray.
Put into a preheat oven at 220 deg and bake for about 15 mins or until golden brown.
Remove from oven and pierce a tiny hole underside to let steam out and prevent them from sinking, let cool on a wire rack or in fridge.
Meanwhile to make the cream. Empty 100ml cream, 20g icing sugar and 1 tsp vanilla essence into a bowl and whisk until thick and stiff.
Once pastry is cooled, make a small hole on underside and pipe in the cream.
Melt some chocolate and then spread on top of profiteroles, refrigerate to harden.
Serve with some yummy warm melted chocolate.

Lemon Puffs

Image 4 Comments 26/03/2016 the wee caledonian cook

I had some puff pastry left in the fridge and some cream, so, yep you guessed it…..cream puffs! Add a hint of lemon for an Easter flavour and voila……..Lemon Puffs were born! So Tasty, so easy, so happy!

1/2 sheet of ready made Puff Pastry

100ml double cream

25g icing

1 tsp vanilla essence

Juice of 1 lemon and Zest

Preheat oven to 180 deg.
Roll out Puff pastry as thin as you can without breaking.
Using a knife cut into strip about 2 inch wide and the cut lengthways about 6 inch long. Place onto greaseproof paper on a baking tray. Sift some icing sugar over pastry and refrigerate for about 5 mins.
Remove from fridge and bake for 10 mins or until golden brown and puffed up.
Allow to cool.
Meanwhile, to make cream, pour cream into a bowl, add icing sugar, vanilla essence and lemon juice and zest whisk until stiff and glossy.
Using a spatula put cream into a piping bag and then pipe dollops onto half of the puff pastry and using the other puff pastries make a stack, sift some icing sugar over and finish of with remainder of cream. You can do any design you like.

Yummy!!

Cinnamon and Apple Rose Bakes

Image 6 Comments 12/03/2016 the wee caledonian cook

I made these for my mum as she loves apple and cinnamon and a wee treat now and then. I first saw these on Pinterest and just had to give them a try. Not only do they look amazingly good they taste fantastic. Would be lovely served with some ice cream or cream.

Makes 6

Ready rolled Puff Pastry

2 tbsp Apricot Jam

2 Pink Lady Apples

Flour for rolling pastry

Juice from 1/2 lemon

Cinnamon Powder

little icing sugar to decorate

Firstly preheat oven to 180 deg.
Cut apples in half and remove core and any seeds, very thinly slice the apples to make arch like shapes.
Fill a bowl 1/2 full with water and squeeze the lemon juice in, place the apple slices in the water and microwave on full power for about 3-4 minutes until apples are soft and flexible.
Remove and allow to cool.
Mix apricot jam with 1 tbsp water and microwave for 1 minute on full power. Remove and allow to cool.
Roll out your pastry thinly, and cut into strips about 6-8 inches long and 2 inches wide.
Spread a little of the Apricot Jam onto pastry.
Lay the apple slices along the pastry overlapping them slightly, but placing them only half way down.
Sprinkle with cinnamon powder for extra flavour.
Take the bottom of the pastry and fold up onto the apples.
Then very gently and not too tight, take one end and roll the pastry up.
Once rolled, place into a lightly greased muffin tin.
Bake in the oven for about 35-40 minutes, until cooked and slightly browned.
Place into cake cases and lightly dust with icing sugar and serve. Yummy!!

Delicious Creamy Cheese Puff Twists!

Image Leave a comment 07/02/2016 the wee caledonian cook

I had some left over Pastry and creme Fraiche……….oh what to do………Creamy Cheese Puffs….oh yes that is the answer….these are absolutely delicious! Perfect for my lazy comfort Sunday afternoon.

1 Roll of lighter Puff Pastry

1 tub of creme fraiche (I only used half a tub)

Grated Chedder Cheese

1 egg beaten for glazing.

Roll out pastry sheet and brush with egg, cover half with the creme fraiche (you could of course use cream cheese too) Make sure not to put too much in or it will run out, just a light covering. Use back of a spoon to even out.
Sprinkle grated cheese on top of creme fraiche evenly.
Fold over the pastry to make a parcel, press down around all the edges. The cut into strips about 2.5cm wide.
Place a baking sheet onto a baking tray and preheat oven to 180 deg.
Holding both ends of the strips gently twist in opposite direction to create your twist. Lay onto baking sheet and glaze with remaining egg mixture. Place into warm oven and bake for approx 25 minutes.
Make yourself a cuppa and watch the magic happen!
Remove, allow to cool for a few minutes as they will be roasting hot in the middle. Simply Enjoy! Yummy!

Mini Cheese Puff snacks

Image Leave a comment 06/02/2016 the wee caledonian cook

Looking for a snack I thought I’d try my hand at a little mini puff! Made 2 versions, both very nice!

Makes as many as you want.

1 x roll of ready rolled puff pastry – I used the light version from Sainsburys to save on calories (still tastes good)

1 x Portion of Brie (I found a lovely creamy one from my local deli, made in the Scottish Highlands)

2 small Piccolo tomatoes – halved

Jar of Caramelised onion (I cheated, you could make your own)

Unroll pastry as per packing instructions. Grease a muffin tin. Preheat oven to 180 deg.
Using a cutter to size, cut out small circles and place at bottom of tin.
Slice Brie to size and place onto pastry.
Add your toppings, tomatoes can go straight on, but leave caramalised onion off until last 5 minutes as it burns quickly (as I discovered…….lol!)
Place into oven and cook for about 15-20 mins.

Yummy……little wee snacks.

Best Cakes in Dundee!

Image Leave a comment 26/01/2016 the wee caledonian cook

I was on my way to see one of my customers in Dundee today and after calling ahead, the designers asked if I would bring them in a Coffee Tower from Fisher & Donaldson Baker, so being the kind person I am and I was also intrigued as to what a Coffee Tower was! I thought I would treat them in the hope I would get a coffee after a long drive.

I decided to stop in at the Perth Rd, Bakers Shop at 9am this morning, walking through the door your are hit with the amazing smell of sweet and savoury that instantly makes you hungry. I was welcomed with a warm hello from the girl behind the counter, who was also very chirpy for 9am. (I am not a morning person!lol!) I asked for a Coffee Tower and she presented me with this deliciously looking Choux Bun filled with coffee flavoured cream and coffee glaze topping. Oh my it looked amazing, so I just had to get one for myself……..and oh boy…it was delicious! I had to stop myself going back in to get more……

The variety of cakes and breads they do was just amazing I couldn’t help wandering my eyes over the vast amount of selections they had. Here are a few:-

I would definitely come back here again and again. If you are in any of these areas that they have shops, please go in and try, you won’t be disappointed. Check out their website:- http://fisheranddonaldson.com/

They have stores in Cupar, Dundee and St. Andrews.

World Scotch Pie Winners Announced for 2016!

Leave a comment 14/01/2016 the wee caledonian cook

Stephen and Rona McAllister from The Kandy Bar of Saltcoats have won the World Scotch Pie Championship 2016. Having taken the title in 2014, the Scotch Pie Club is delighted to announce that the winner of the 17th World Scotch Pie Championship is The Kandy Bar of Saltcoats making them THE WORLD SCOTCH PIE CHAMPION OF 2016.

WELL DONE to:-

Stephen and Rona McAllister from The Kandy Bar of Saltcoats have won the World Scotch Pie Championship 2016.
Having taken the title in 2014, the Scotch Pie Club is delighted to announce that the winner of the 17th World Scotch Pie Championship is The Kandy Bar of Saltcoats making them THE WORLD SCOTCH PIE CHAMPION OF 2016.

Stephen McAllister, who owns and runs The Kandy Bar with his wife Rona and their dedicated team said “To win again, I cannot believe it! To have been given the ultimate accolade today and once again to be able to call our pie the WORLD CHAMPION as judged by a panel of experts is just fantastic. This award is proof that The Kandy Bar team is the best in the land. I am really looking forward to the year ahead and to selling more of our winning pies than ever.”

“The competition, which has run for 17 years, aims to highlight that bakers and butchers create high quality artisan pastry products. Recognising the “great and the good” in this way rewards excellence and raises the bar in the industry” says head judge Ian Nelson who oversaw the judging process to ensure only the best pies were recognised and that only the best of the best was crowned world champion.

There was a record entry of 100 butchers and bakers entering over 500 pies, pasties, sausage rolls, bridies, savouries and apple pies into the competition.

Stephen and Rona McAllister from The Kandy Bar of Saltcoats.

My Nutella French Patisserie Delight

Image 2 Comments 04/05/2015 the wee caledonian cook

Makes 8 portions

I cheated a bit with this one and bought shop bought pastry. (Jus-~Rol) 1 x box

1 Jar Nutella

1 egg for glazing

a little flour for rolling.

1. Take out pastry from packet and split into 4 or 5 sections, Roll each section out to desired size using a little flour on surface to prevent sticking, you don’t want the pastry too thick or too thin.

2. Take one section of the pastry and spread nutella evenly over top, take next section of pastry and lay on top, then again spread with nutella etc, etc, keep on layering and spreading until you come to your last pastry layer and just lay that on top.

3. Take a large cutter or something circular like a cake tin lid to cut around pastry stack and make nice and neat all the way around.

4. Now come the tricky bit, take a small glass and position in the middle, the cut out your sections evenly.

5. Now take each section pull towards you slightly and twist about 3 times and seal the end.

6. Once all sections have been done, brush with some egg wash for the glaze.

7. Bake in a preheated oven for about 15-20 mins or until golden brown. (or as per packet instructions)

8. Break up sections and serve once cooled….oh so yummy!!!!

Chicken and Leek Pie

Image Leave a comment 03/03/2013 the wee caledonian cook

I do love a good pie, well we are known for our pies up here in Scotland, especially our Scotch Pies.

SHORTCRUST CHICKEN AND LEEK PIE

2 chicken breasts – cut into chunks

1 Leek, finely chopped

300ml Milk

1 Chicken Stock Cube (Mix with milk)

Salt and pepper to season

2 tablespoons of plain flour

1 teaspoon of nutmeg

15g butter

1 roll of ready rolled pastry

1.Roll out and place pastry into tart tin.

2. Prick the base with a fork and lay greaseproof paper on top of pastry

3. Tip in the baking beans

4. Place in oven at 190 deg for 15 mins

5. While pastry in oven, gently fry off chicken until lightly browned then remove from pan

6. Saute the leeks for about 5 mins and remove from pan

7. Melt butter in a pan gently, stir in the flour until a smooth paste

8. Add stock cube to milk and add to pan little at a time until it thickens slightly

9. Add back the chicken and leeks

10. Add seasoning and nutmeg, stir and gently simmer covered for about 15 mins

11. Remove greaseproof paper and baking beans from pastry and add in the chicken, leek mix

12.Cover with pastry or lattice, brush with little milk

13. Select Shortcrust Pastry setting and cook or convection bake for about 40 mins.

Pastries and Pies