Chicken & Bacon Hotpot

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Chicken & Bacon Hotpot

It is my favourite time of the year, Autumn, the colours on the trees, the fresh crisp air, walks in the park, comfy jumpers and warming food. What’s not to like? After harvesting some of my vegetables from the garden today I decided to use them in this warming Hotpot. Nothing says home comfort food that a big pot a deliciousness & straight from the garden too.

The good thing with this recipe is that you can use just about any root vegetable and it will work just as good.

Some of my winter harvest this morning. Parsnips, Carrots & Potatoes

Makes enough for 2 large portions

4 Large Potatoes, cut into bite size pieces

2 Large carrots, cut into bite size pieces

2 Parsnips, peeled and cut into bite size pieces

1 Onion, sliced into wedges

6-8 Rashers of Smoked Bacon, sliced

2 Chicken Breasts, cut into chunks

500ml Chicken Stock

1 tsp oil

1 tsp Nutmeg

1 garlic clove, crushed

Salt & Pepper to taste

Cornflour to thicken sauce if needed.

1 tbsp flour

  1. First coat the chicken with seasoning and the flour, heat the oil in a large pot or casserole dish then brown the chicken and remove.
  2. Add in the garlic & nutmeg along with the onion and fry until softened then add the bacon and fry until cooked slightly, few minutes.
  3. Add to the pan the potatoes, carrots, parsnips and mix, then add in the chicken stock & bring to the boil.
  4. Reduce to a low simmer and cook covered for about 2 hours. Alternatively you can cook in the oven at 140 deg for about 2 hours.
  5. Remove lid and if you like a thick sauce like me just add a little cornflour and stir through. 1 tsp mixed with water should be enough.
  6. Serve with some lovely fresh crusty bread. Or if you are Scottish it has to be Plain Bread!
Chicken & Bacon Hotpot

Scottish Salmon & Sweet Potato Chowder

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I do love my salmon. This was a last minute little dish as I was going to have steamed teriyaki salmon and sweet potato fries tonight for dinner, but changed my mind as I fancied a warming soup type dish. It was delicious and with the lemon zest added that extra bit of flavour.

 

Makes 2 portions

2 Salmon Fillets – cut into chunks

1 large sweet potato – cut in 1 cm chunks

1 cup sweetcorn (I used frozen)

1 cup baby carrots ( I used frozen)

1 cup garden peas (I used frozen)

1 onion – chopped finely

1 tbsp butter

1 tsp dried dill

Salt & Pepper

200ml water

2 tbsp flour

150ml Milk

Grated Lemon zest and juice of 1 lemon

 

  1. In a large pot, melt the butter and saute the onion.
  2. Add in the sweet potato, sweetcorn, peas, carrots, dried dill, salt & pepper and mix.
  3. Pour in the water and bring to the boil, reduce and simmer covered for about 10 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender.
  4. Whisk the flour into the milk and slowly add to the pan while stirring through.
  5. Add in the chunks of Salmon, remove the lid and simmer uncovered for about 5 minutes or until salmon is opaque. Be gentle but stir every now and again but watch not to beak up the salmon pieces.
  6. Squeeze in lemon juice and grated lemon zest. Serve with a turn of rainbow peppercorns.

 

 

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Rainbow Carrot Fritters

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I bought some lovely Rainbow Carrots from the Glasgow Food Assembly this week, they were grown locally by Gordon Caldwell, from Caldwells, Ayrshire Kitchen Garden in Turnberry, Ayrshire, himself and his team work all year round growing vegetables that are in tune with our lovely Scottish seasons. They grow everything from Turnips, Cabbage, Beetroots to Kale and much more. Here is my idea and recipe for the lovely carrots. Even better this recipe is very low in calories and fat.

 

Makes 8 fritters

3 large carrots – grated

4 Spring onions – chopped finely

2 medium eggs

1 tbsp flour

100ml cream

Salt & pepper to taste

Handful of fresh coriander or 1 tbsp dried

Handful of grated cheddar cheese or you can use Parmesan

Olive oil for cooking

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  1. Grated the carrots into a large bowl. Add in the spring onions and coriander.   20160313_135846
  2. Add in the eggs, flour and cheese, this allows the mixture to bind together. Also add in the cream and seasoning and mix together.    20160313_140405  20160313_140547
  3. Taking a small handful, squeeze the excess liquid out then form into a thin round fritter shape. By removing the excess liquid this will allow the mixture to bind together better.
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  5. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and fry for about 3-4 minute each side or until browned, try not to move the fritters while cooking as they may come apart, just leave to cook and turn over gently.
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  7. Remove and serve. Yummy!!!!

These are great on their own for lunch with a salad, or even as an side dish with grilled meat or fish. I served these today for lunch with some Sweet Chilli Sauce which I have to say went fantastically.