POTATO HASH WITH POACHED EGG

Image Leave a comment 07/07/2021 the wee caledonian cook

This quick and hearty brunch or lunch brings the best out of a good Scottish Tattie (potato). Fluffy potatoes are only made better by the perfectly poached egg sitting on top. Sometimes I like to keep things simple and with this dish I didn’t add too many flavours as a good Scottish Tattie is flavoursome in it’s own right. With the warming flavour of cayenne pepper and a dash of Tabasco sauce, this is sure to keep you satisfied all day.

Cayenne Pepper is also said to be medicinal as capsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne peppers, is what gives them their medicinal properties. These peppers boast an impressive nutrition profile, which includes a variety of antioxidants that are beneficial for your health.

One tablespoon (5 grams) of cayenne pepper contains the following:

Calories: 17
Fat: 1 gram
Carbs: 3 grams
Fiber: 1.4 grams
Protein: 0.6 grams
Vitamin A: 44% of the RDI
Vitamin E: 8% of the RDI
Vitamin C: 7% of the RDI
Vitamin B6: 6% of the RDI
Vitamin K: 5% of the RDI
Manganese: 5% of the RDI
Potassium: 3% of the RDI
Riboflavin: 3% of the RDI

It also gives them their hot taste. In fact, how hot a cayenne pepper is depends on its capsaicin content. The more capsaicin it contains, the hotter it is.

Serves 2

4 Medium Potatoes, (peeled or unpeeled it’s up to you) diced into bite size pieces

1 Large or 2 Medium Onions, sliced into wedges

1 Tsp Cayenne Pepper

Salt to taste

1 Tbsp Olive Oil or Spray Oil

2 Large Eggs

Tabasco to taste

In a fry pan heat the oil, medium to high heat, add in the onions and cook for a couple of minutes to soften.
Add in the diced potatoes, season with salt & cayenne pepper, mix and place a lid over pan reduce to a low heat and cook for about 30 minutes until potatoes are softened. Give the potatoes a stir every 10 minutes.
5 minutes before potatoes are ready, bring a pan of water to the boil then reduce to a medium heat, crack in the eggs and poach through.
Serve potatoes and onions onto a plate, place the poached egg on top and sprinkle a few dashes of tabasco sauce over, season if required. Enjoy!

If you prefer a bit more flavour, below are a few choices that I have tried.

Smoked:- Add chopped spring onions and some smoked back bacon.
Mediterranean:- Add some spinach, handful tomatoes with 1 tsp all spice, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried coriander.
Spanish: Chopped chorizo, sweet potatoes, 1 tsp cumin, spring onions.

Potato & Chorizo Bake

Image Leave a comment 21/05/2020 the wee caledonian cook

Since we are still in lockdown, we fancied something special for lunch today, sun was shining through the window, temperature was rising, so we thought we’d treat ourselves to this lovely little dish. Oh & of course we had a cheeky glass of wine with our meal too, just to help wash it all down.

Serves 2 portions.

3 medium size potatoes – cut into small cubes

1 red onion – diced

80 g Chorizo – sliced

2 eggs

200g tin tomatoes

50g grated cheddar cheese

1 tsp dried chilli flakes

1 tsp paprika

Salt & pepper to taste

Spray oil

1 tbsp butter

Preheat oven to fan 190 deg.
Place cubed potatoes into a pan of salted water and bring to the boil, simmer for about 5 minutes. Drain.
Meanwhile, in a pan brown and cook the chorizo for a few minutes, remove with a slotted spoon.
Add the onion & chilli flakes to the chorizo pan and fry until browned, then add back to the pan the potatoes with tin tomatoes, butter & paprika, stir until combined and cook for a few minutes.
Place mixture into an oven proof dish, make 2 wells and crack the eggs in, season the eggs then sprinkle grated cheese over.
Bake in oven for 10-15 minutes depending on how you like your eggs.
Serve. Yummy!

Cod in Soft Corn Tacos

Image 4 Comments 02/06/2019 the wee caledonian cook

I love this recipe, another great find from PON

Quick & Easy to make, full of flavour, refreshing, light and only 190 Kcal per serving, whats not to like. We had these for lunch with a cheeky wee low cal beer. Yummy!

Serves 2

2 small Fresh cod Fillets cut into strips

1/4 tsp mild chilli powder

1/4 tsp garlic granules

1/4 tsp ground coriander

Salt & rainbow pepper

Handful of mixed leaves (I used watercress, spinach & rocket)

2 spring onions – finely chopped

4 small corn tortillas (or low calorie ones)

2 x Wedges of lime

4 tsp Low fat greek yoghurt

1 tsp chilli flakes

Heat a little oil in a pan on high heat.
Sprinkle Chilli powder, garlic and coriander over the fish slices and add the fish to the pan, cook for about 4 minutes then flip and cook for a further 3-4 minutes until slightly browned & crisp.
Meanwhile, heat your tortillas as per packet instructions and place the green leaves, chopped spring onion and a little coriander onto the tortilla.
Once fish is cooked through, place onto the green leaves, season with salt & pepper, add a dollop of yoghurt, sprinkle with chilli flakes and squeeze lime juice over, Serve. Yum Yum!

Poached Eggs with Spinach and Tomatoes

Image 2 Comments 12/11/2017 the wee caledonian cook

I just love Lazy Sunday mornings, no alarm, no rushing, relaxing healthy breakfast with a good fresh cup of coffee, no better way to start the day. This little breakfast is so tasty and quick to pull together but also very nutritional:-

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is one of incredible green-leafy vegetable often recognised as one of the functional foods for its health benefiting nutritional, antioxidants and anti-cancer composition. Its tender, crispy, dark-green leaves are one of the favorite ingredients of chefs all around the world. It is very low in calories and fats (100 g of raw leaves provide just 23 calories). Fresh 100 g of spinach contains about 25% of daily intake of iron, one of the highest for any green leafy vegetables. Fresh leaves are a rich source of several vital antioxidant vitamins like vitamin-A & vitamin-C.

Eggs Eggs are an all-natural source of high-quality protein and a number of other nutrients, all for 70 calories per large egg. One egg has varying amounts of 13 essential vitamins and minerals plus 6 grams of high-quality protein. The high-quality protein in an egg is essential for building and maintaining lean body mass.

Tomatoes are also an excellent source vitamin C, biotin, molybdenum and vitamin K. They are also a very good source of copper, potassium, manganese, dietary fiber, vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), vitamin B6, folate, niacin, vitamin E and phosphorus. They are usually red when mature, but can come in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, green and purple. The water content of tomatoes is around 95%. The other 5% consist mainly carbohydrates and fiber. One medium sized tomato (123 grams) contains only 22 calories.

2 Large eggs

100g Spinach

Mixture of tomatoes

Rainbow pepper

oil 1 tsp

Chopped Chilli (optional if you like a bit of spice)

Heat a little oil in a fry pan on medium to high heat, half tomatoes and place face down in pan, cook for about 4-5 minutes or until browned and softened.
Meanwhile bring a pan of water to boil then reduce to a simmer and place eggs in one at a time to poach, I make a swirling motion in water to help bring the egg together. Poach for about 3-4 minutes.
Add the spinach to the tomatoes and place a lid on for about 1-2 minutes until spinach is wilted.
Place spinach and tomatoes on to a plate, top with poached eggs and season with rainbow pepper and chilli. YUMMY!

Chorizo Egg Breakfast Muffins

Image Leave a comment 23/09/2017 the wee caledonian cook

Using some leftovers in my fridge, this is what I came up with for my brunch today. Yes brunch………I had a bit of a lay in this morning.”….I just love Saturday mornings……no alarms…..no rush to get up……no work……heaven.

Makes 6

100g diced chorizo

5 eggs – whisked

4 spring onions – diced

1 orange pepper – diced

1 red onion – diced

6 cherry tomatoes – quartered

spray oil

parmesan cheese – about 2 tbsps

salt & rainbow peppercorns for seasoning

Preheat your oven to 180 deg
Fry in a little oil the chorizo and red onion – approx 5 minutes until browned
Grease a muffin tin
Place a spoonful of the chorizo in the tin, then sprinkle the peppers, spring onion and tomatoes into the tin.
Pour in the egg mixture into each tin and then grate a little parmesan cheese on top and season with salt and pepper
Bake for about 25 minutes
Allow to cool slightly remove from tin and serve……..so Yummy!

French Toast Baked Casserole

Image Leave a comment 25/06/2017 the wee caledonian cook

I had seen loads of recipes for this and keen to try it, so today was that day. It turned out really well and so delicious. I am a fan of Maple Syrup so anything with this ingredient I know I’m going to enjoy.

Makes about 4 portions

4 Slices of bread (you can use anything you like) – I used wholemeal.

4 eggs – beaten

150ml milk

1 tbsp cinnamon

1 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla essence

For the topping:-

1 tbsp cinnamon

3 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp nutmeg

pinch salt

3 tbsp Maple Syrup

1 tbsp butter

First oil a casserole dish.
Lay bread in casserole dish, layering up. I broke my bread into chunks.
Mix together egg, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and salt and pour over bread in dish
Leave overnight in fridge to soak or for at least 3 hours.
Next morning………..preheat oven to 180 deg.
To make the topping mix together sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup and 1 tbsp butter in a pan until melted together then pour over bread mixture.
Bake in oven for 40 minutes. It will rise slightly.
Serve with loads of Maple Syrup….Yummy!

French Toast Stack with Maple Syrup

Image Leave a comment 22/01/2017 the wee caledonian cook

I’ve seen posts about Baked French Toast and always wondered how it tastes, so today was that day that I would give it a go. I normally fry my eggy bread so I was intrigued. It tasted amazing with the Maple Syrup and a great Sunday Brunch recipe.

Serves 4-6

6 slices of thick white bread (it has to be white, I’ve tried wholemeal in the past and it just doesn’t work)

5 eggs

1 cup Milk

1 tsp vanilla essence

2 tbsp sugar (brown or white, your choice)

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tbsp butter – melted

Maple Syrup to serve

Preheat oven to 180 deg
Cut bread into long slices. Mix sugar and cinnamon and set aside.
Whisk together eggs, milk and vanilla
Soak the bread in the egg mixture and let excess drip off
Place some greaseproof or parchment paper on a baking tray and lay the bread strips on top, leaving a small space in between
Using the melted butter, brush the tops of the slices then sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon
Bake in oven for 15 minutes
Remove and turn over the slices, repeat with the butter and sugar and bake for a further 15 mins.
Allow to cool slightly, plate up and drizzle with Maple Syrup…..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!

Avocado and Spinach Breakfast Muffins

Image Leave a comment 15/10/2016 the wee caledonian cook

A great way to start your day, or a fab brunch recipe. Nice and healthy and full of superfoods, what could be better?

Makes 4

4 eggs

Handful of Spinach

Handful of smoked pancetta cubes

2 tbsp of sweetcorn

1/2 avocado – chopped

Grated cheese – Handful

Salt & pepper to taste

Grease your muffin tin and preheat oven to 180 deg.
Roughly fry your pancetta cubes in a little oil and pat dry
Lay the spinach leaves at the bottom of your muffin tin
Then add in the pancetta, avocado and sweetcorn
Whisk the eggs and season with salt & pepper
Pour into the muffin tin then top with some cheese and chopped spinach.
Bake for approx 20 mins. Yummy!

Kedgeree

Image Leave a comment 20/08/2016 the wee caledonian cook

Always seen this but never tried it, really don;t know why as I love every ingredient that’s involved. This recipe was inspired by J.O., after watching him on TV I decided to give it a go and I have to say it was absolutely delicious. It is normally classed as a breakfast item however we decided to have it for dinner, yummy and so tasty and filling.

Makes enough for 2

2 x Smoked Haddock pieces

2 x eggs

2 x Bay Leaves

2 tsp mustard seeds

2 tsp turmeric

Thumb size ginger – chop small pieces or 1 tsp powdered ginger

1 Red Chilli – chopped

4 Spring onions – chopped

Handful coriander – chopped

150ml natural yoghurt

1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce

1 packet of pre cooked wholemeal rice (used this for quickness)

Handful of peas

1 lemon

Bring large pan of water to boil, place smoked haddock, eggs and bay leaves and simmer for 10 mins.
Heat up a large fry pan to medium heat and add in mustard seeds, turmeric, ginger, chilli, spring onions, coriander and cook for few mins.
Add the precooked rice to fry pan, then add in the peas, squeeze lemon juice in and stir to mix through. Cook for 5 mins.
Remove fish and eggs from pan, remove egg shells and flake fish on a chopping board, the fish should easily come away.
Mix the yoghurt and sweet chilli in a small bowl and put to side.
Put the fish into the fry pan and mix through.
Serve kedgeree onto plates and slice egg in half and place onto of rice to serve. Serve with the yoghurt mix to the side as an option. Yummy!

Spicy Beetroot and Potato Rosti

Image Leave a comment 03/04/2016 the wee caledonian cook

Brunch Sunday!

Waking up late today and hungry I decided to use up leftover Beetroot and make some Rosti’s for brunch.

Makes 4 large

2 medium potatoes – peeled and grated

1 large Beetroot – peeled and grated

1 medium egg

Ground Black pepper and salt to taste

1 tsp parsley

1 tsp chilli’s – chopped very finely

1 small onion – grated.

Preheat oven to 200deg.
Mix Beetroot, potato, onion, egg, pepper, salt, chilli and parsley n a large bowl until combined.
Place a baking sheet onto an oven tray and using chef rings, spoon mixture into each ring and pat down.
Remove rings and bake in the oven for 25 mins.
I served with some Sweet Chilli sauce, however, you can serve with the following:-

Creme Fraiche and chive mix.

Put a fried egg on top also.

A simple side salad would make a lovely lunch

or just a simple mayo mix.

Yummy!

Homemade Healthy quick Pancakes

Image Leave a comment 31/05/2015 the wee caledonian cook

Approx 75 calories per pancake. Makes 4.

My boyfriend said he had a notion for something sweet, so a quick check in the cupboards and this is what I came up with.

For the Pancakes:-

2 medium eggs

1 banana

1 tbsp Desiccated Coconut

1tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp cocoa powder

For the banana, coconut and cinnamon pancakes:-

1. Mash up banana and add in 2 eggs then whisk together

2. Add in coconut and cinnamon, mix through

3. Heat a non stick pan then pour a small amount in and using the back of a spoon even out in pan. Cook for about 2-3mins on each side. I made 2 about 15cm diameter.

For the cocoa pancakes:-

1. With the remaining mixture I added tbsp of cocoa powder and cooked through. I made 2 approx 15cm in diameter.

You can pretty much add any flavour you like.

Serve with some Maple Syrup or ice cream for a tasty dessert.

My Smoked Baked Eggs

Image Leave a comment 23/02/2015 the wee caledonian cook

This is a brill Brunch dish. About 280 Calories per serving. (makes 2 servings)

40g Chorizo

1 onion finely chopped

500ml smooth tomato passata

1 tsp smoked paprika (or you can use chilli)

2 eggs

10g cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 200 deg. Chop Chorizo into slices or cubes and fry in a pan until juices run, then add in onion and cook until soft, 2-3 mins.

2. Pour in passata and smoked paprika, stir and bring to the boil, simmer for few mins only.

3. Pour mixture into 2 small ovenproof dishes, using a spoon make a well in the middle and crack egg in, making sure not to burst yolks, grate the cheese over the top and bake in the oven for 10-15 mins depending on how you like your eggs.

4. Serve straight from dish. You may like some crusty bread to mop up sauce. YUM!

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