White Cheese Sauce

Image 1 Comment 03/10/2020 the wee caledonian cook

A Simple basic recipe for White Cheese Sauce that can be used for Pasta Dishes, Fish Dishes, Vegetable Gratin dishes and so much more. The great thing is that it just takes 5 minutes to make, super simple and super quick.

Makes enough for 4 portions

500ml Milk

4 tbsp Plain Flour

70g Butter

150g Mature Cheddar Cheese (almost any grated cheese works like Gruyere to Emmental)

Rainbow pepper to taste

Place milk, butter and flour into a large pan and heat on medium to heat. Start to Whisk and continue to whisk fast until the sauce starts to bubble and thicken, continue to whisk for a few minutes until your desired consistency (I like it quite thick so about 3 mins).
Add the grated cheese to the mixture and whisk through until the cheese melts.
Season with some pepper and serve.

Mini Loaded Potato Jacket Bites

Image Leave a comment 08/02/2020 the wee caledonian cook

I do love creating with leftovers, I always amaze myself what you can do with leftovers in your cupboards or fridge. Today was a quick, tasty & filling lunch. With potatoes to be used up, I decided on mini loaded jackets. Using my Automatic Jacket Potato setting on my Hotpoint Class 9 Combi Microwave too they were ready in under 16 minutes too!

I made 4 small Jackets

4 medium sized Scottish Maris Piper Potatoes

2 tbsp butter

handful spinach – chopped

20-30g Cheddar Cheese – grated

Cracker Black Pepper

Salt to taste

First wash potatoes and prick with a fork
Place onto the Crisperplate or Microwave dish.
Set to Automatic, Recipes, Vegetarian Dishes, Baked Potatoes, Set weight and Extra Done. Start. Turn half way through.
When ready remove and allow to cool slightly
Cut potatoes in half lengthways and scoop out potato and put into a bowl then mash
Place butter and spinach into potato bowl and mix through & season
Spoon the potato mixture into the Jacket Potato skins and sprinkle with cheese then place under a high grill for a couple of minutes until cheese is melted. Season with some Cracked Black Pepper. Yum!
You could also add in some chilli and paprika for extra flavour & spice. Really anything of your choosing.

Omelette Pockets

Image Leave a comment 21/01/2018 the wee caledonian cook

Have I ever told you how much I love this Crisper Plate by Hotpoint, LOL!, and have I ever told you how much I love breakfast time? Well my saturday morning was a case of up and out so I need something quick but filling, this little omelette pocket only took 4 minutes to cook and so tasty and filling. Mission accomplished!

Serves 2

6 eggs

50g Spinach

5-6 slices of smoked cooked ham

handful of grated cheddar cheese

Salt & pepper to season

Chives (optional)

Preheat the crisper plate for 2 minutes
Beat eggs together with seasoning
Pour onto crisper plate, lay evenly the spinach, ham, cheese and season to taste (you can of course use any combination of filling you like)
Cook on dynamic crisp setting for 4 minutes or until eggs have set.
Cut in half and fold over, serve. Yummy!

My perfect Saturday morning Brekkie…..:)

Potato, Cheese & Ham Souffle

Image Leave a comment 27/12/2016 the wee caledonian cook

Hope everyone had a Good Christmas!

With left over Ham I decided to make some potato Souffles with it and they turned out a nice wee delicious lunch treat.

Makes 2

2 medium size potatoes – boiled and mashed

4 Spring onions – chopped finely

Grated Cheddar Cheese – depends on your taste (I used a good handful)

Leftover Cooked Ham

2 eggs

1 Tbsp Flour to bind

butter to coat ramekins

Salt & Pepper

1 tsp Paprika

Add mashed potatoes, spring onions, ham and cheese to a mixing bowl and mix together.
Separate eggs yolks from whites and add yolks to mixing bowl and mix together with some seasoning. If mixture is too wet add a little flour to help combine.
Whisk up egg Whites until stiff peaks form.
Fold the egg whites into the mixture then pour into some buttered ramekins. Sprinkle some paprika on top.
Cook in a preheated oven at 220 deg for about 15-20 mins or until golden brown on top.

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!