Haggis, Leek & Cheesy Potato Pie

Image Leave a comment 18/12/2021 the wee caledonian cook

This is definitely one for my Top 10 home comfort food dishes.

Love it or loathe it, haggis is firmly established as Scotland’s national dish – to the extent that it has become an indelible part of the nation’s cultural identity, along with whisky, bagpipes and shortbread.

The savoury meat pudding – consisting of sheep’s offal (most commonly lungs) mixed with suet, oatmeal, onion and spices, then boiled in a bag.

“Gie her a Haggis” – Robert Burns helped popularise haggis in Scotland

The Burns connection goes back to his 1786 poem ‘Address to a Haggis’, in which he immortalised the dish as the “great chieftain o the puddin’-race”.

In the 232 years since Burns committed his love of haggis to poetry, the dish has become a symbol of Scottishness, and is traditionally served with neeps and tatties (turnip & mashed potato) – along with a dram of Scotch of course.

My local butcher Forbes Raeburn in Huntly makes amazing Haggis & inspired by a chef in Dumfries from the Caven’s Arms, I just had to give this dish a try. Their Haggis, Leek & Cheese Melt is so tasty. I am now curious as to what other flavours compliment Haggis so watch this space.

Serves 4

600g Haggis

4 Leeks, sliced

4-5 Large Floury Potatoes, peeled and chopped into chunks. I used Scotty Brand (you could also use King Edward or Maris Piper)

100g Grated Cheese, I use Cambus O’May Cheese as it has a creamy texture and strong flavour, perfect for Haggis (any good Cheddar would also work)

3 Tbsp Butter

Salt & pepper to taste

Cook the Haggis as per packet instructions.
Melt 1 tbsp of butter in a pan on medium heat and saute the leeks until soft.
Place potatoes in a pan of water, bring to the boil then simmer until soft. Mash with 1 Tbsp of butter. Season.
Pre heat your oven to 180 deg.
Spread the cooked haggis into a casserole dish, then layer the leeks and mix, fork the potatoes over the haggis mixture and sprinkle over the grated cheese. Season with some cracked pepper then place into the oven and cook for about 20-25 minutes until the cheesy potato topping is slightly browned and crispy.
Serve with some fresh vegetables for a nutritious and filling meal.

Chicken & Bean Bagel Nachos

Image Leave a comment 12/09/2021 the wee caledonian cook

A Healthier Twist to your normal Nacho dish. I had some Bagels left and decided to give this a shot, it worked perfectly adding that little bit of crunch to the bake. Easy to make to & just 30 minutes to bake in total which makes this dish a great quick family meal. I served it with a refreshing homemade spicy salsa which was a great accompaniment.

Serves 4

2 Large Chicken Breasts, cut into bite size pieces

2 Bagels, cut into bite sized pieces

Small head of Broccoli, cut into small pieces

400g Tin of mixed beans (or baked beans)

200g Tin of tinned tomatoes

2 Tsp Smoked Paprika

2 Fresh Tomatoes, diced

1/2 Red Onion, diced

Small handful or chopped coriander

1 Chilli, diced

1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 Lime

1 Avocado, diced

100g Mature Cheddar (lighter option to make it healthier)

2 Tbsp Oil or spray oil

Preheat your oven to 190 deg. Drizzle the bagel pieces with 1 tbsp oil and place on a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake for 15 minutes tossing halfway to brown. Remove from oven.
Meanwhile, spray a fry pan with oil and heat to a medium heat, season the chicken and coat in the paprika then add to warm pan to brown, 10 minutes. Add in the broccoli and mix through for a few minutes. Next add in the beans and tin tomatoes, stir through. Transfer to a baking dish.
Top the chicken mixture with the baked bagels then top with the grated cheese. Place into the oven and bake for about 10 minutes until cheese is melted.
Meanwhile to make the salsa, put the diced tomatoes, chilli, onion, avocado, coriander into a bowl and mix, pour 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar along with half juice of lime and mix through.
Once ready serve with salsa and enjoy.

Cheesy Potato Stacks

Image Leave a comment 18/10/2020 the wee caledonian cook

These little Cheesy Potato Stacks are so tasty and so easy to make, a great little lunchtime snack or side dish for the whole family. You can also make it to suit your tastes, I used paprika spice and herbs but you could try Rosemary, Thyme or even Chilli. Great thing with these is you can freeze them and used them later in the week. Great snack box bites too.

Makes 12

3-4 Large Potatoes – I used King Edwards but Russet works well too.

1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (choose a quality melting cheese)

Butter for Muffin Tin

Rainbow Peppercorns & Salt to season

1 tsp Smoked Paprika (or any other spice)

2 tsp Dried Mixed Herbs (or any other herbs)

Preheat your oven to 200 deg C fan (400 F)
In a bowl mix the grated cheese with salt, pepper & mixed herbs
Grease your muffin tin with a little butter
Wash & dry your potatoes thoroughly, keeping the skin on, thinly slice the potatoes, using a mandoline or slicer attachment is best. Pat dry the slices of potatoes, you don’t want them too moist or they won’t crisp up in oven.
Take about 2 slices and lay in bottom of muffin tin, next sprinkle over some of the cheese mix, then another layer of 2 slices of potato and so on, until the stack is just above the muffin tin, (I had about 6 layers), finishing with a sprinkle of cheese mix. (the potatoes will shrink when cooked)
Sprinkle on top a little pinch of paprika spice and cover loosely with kitchen tin foil and bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
Remove foil and continue to bake for a further 25-30 minutes or until the potatoes are soft and crisp.
Remove from oven and allow to cool in the muffin tin, this will make it easier to remove and hold their shape. Serve. Yum!

Chicken, Leek & Potato Gratin

Image Leave a comment 12/04/2020 the wee caledonian cook

Wanted some home comfort food today and trying to use up leftovers this little dish was perfect, tasty & filling.

Makes 2 servings

1 1/2 chicken breast (large)

1 Green Pepper

1 Large Leek

3 large Potatoes

250ml chicken stock

50ml Cream or milk

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp dried garlic granules

Salt & pepper to taste

Grated cheese (I used cheddar but Gruyere is nice if you have it)

Paprika to taste

Pre heat your oven to 180 deg (or if you have a class 9 Hotpoint use the Potato Gratin function)
Heat a little spray oil in a pan and slice the chicken into small strips, season with salt & pepper & nutmeg then brown, remove with a slotted spoon.
Heat a little butter in the pan, slice the leek and gently saute the leeks with the garlic until slightly browned, remove with a slotted spoon.
Add the peppers are cook until slightly softened and browned. Remove.
Peel and slice thinly the potatoes.
Lightly butter a baking dish and start by layering the potatoes then the chicken mix with vegetables then potatoes then chicken mix then potatoes. Pour in the stock and milk and finally finish off with the grated cheese sprinkled on top. Then sprinkle with the paprika to taste.
Bake for about 50-60 minutes.
Serve…Yummy!

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.

Hunters Chicken with Saffron Bean Rice

Image 1 Comment 02/09/2019 the wee caledonian cook

This is a classic dish in the U.K, good British pub food, I was keen to give it a go. Easy One pot cooking and can be slow cooked too. Traditionally its served with roast potatoes, however, having loads of rice to use up in my cupboard this was my preferred choice.

Serves 4

For the Chicken

4 Chicken Breasts

4 Bacon slices (smoked)

3 shallots, diced

2 tsp garlic granules or 2 cloves

1 400g tin chopped tomatoes

1 tbsp tomato puree

juice of 1/2 lemon

1 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp crushed chilli flakes

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 tbsp white wine vinegar

1 tbsp hot sauce

1 tsp mustard powder

1 tsp sugar

80g reduced fat cheddar (healthier option)

For the Rice

150g Wholemeal Log Grain Rice

1 x 400g tin of mixed beans

Pinch of Saffron

300ml Vegetable Stock

75-100g chopped Chorizo

Preheat oven to 180 deg.
Wrap each chicken breast with the bacon slice and secure with a cocktail stick
Put all of the other ingredients for the chicken into an ovenproof casserole dish with a tight lid.
Place the chicken on top of the ingredients, put lid on and cook for about 1-2 hours.
Remove from the oven and remove chicken breasts from the dish, set aside. Using a blender blitz the sauce until smooth.
Place chicken into a dish, cover with the sauce and sprinkle the cheese over the top, place under a hot grill to melt the cheese.
Place the rice, beans, chorizo, stock & saffron into the steam pot and cook on Steam setting for 20 minutes.
Serve. Yummy!

Black Bean Tacos

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

This is a very simple and quick satisfying dinner & a healthy nutritious one too. The added crispy onions on top just give it a lovely little crunch. I used Corn Tacos for extra flavour.

Makes enough for 6 tacos.

1 can Black Beans, rinsed (400g)

150g sweetcorn (fresh or frozen)

1 red pepper, diced

1 tsp dried chilli flakes or chilli powder

1 tbsp cumin

1/2 tsp onion granules

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Sour cream

Chopped Coriander

100g baby spinach

1 Lime

6 Corn Tacos

50g grated cheese (any of your choice)

4 tbsp crispy onions (for recipe click here)

Heat a little oil in a fry pan on medium to high heat
Add in the pepper and sweetcorn and cook for about 5 minutes
Add in the black beans, chilli, garlic, onion granules, cumin and pinch of salt, mix through and cook for about 5 minutes
Add in the baby spinach and 2 tbsp water, cover and let spinach wilt for about a minute of 2. Mix through. Finished with 2 tbsp coriander and juice from 1 lime.
To serve, heat up the corn tacos under a grill (or tortillas if using). 2 tbsp of bean mix, top with sour cream, cheese and crispy onions. Yummy!

Chilli Steak Cheesy Fries

Image 1 Comment 26/01/2019 the wee caledonian cook

O.M.G! This little dish was delicious, rich and very tasty. Saw this on a social media video, my salavating at the video simply meant I had to give it a go. Changed the recipe slightly to suit our tastes.

Makes for 2

2 sirloin steaks – sliced into 1cm strips

2 tbsp plain flour

Salt & pepper to taste

1 large red onion

2 garlic cloves crushed

1 tsp chilli flakes

200ml beef stock

100ml red wine (I used shiraz)

1 tbsp tomato paste

2 large handfuls of grated cheddar

2 large handfuls of french fries

Heat a little oil in a fry pan to a medium to high heat
Place the steak strips into the pan and brown all over, add the flour, salt & pepper until coated and soaked up the juices then remove and set aside.
Place another tbsp of oil in the pan and cook the onion with the garlic until softened.
Add in the tomato paste, chilli flakes, beef stock & red wine, gently bring to boil then reduce to a very low simmer.
Add back to the pan the beef strips and cook slow for about 1 hour (pan covered).
Remove pan lid 10 minutes before serving and bring heat up a little to thicken the sauce if needed.
Meanwhile, cook the french fries as per packet instructions.
Place the fries on a plate, top with the cheese and melt under a hot grill for a few seconds then top with the beef strips….Serve. Oh so yummy!

It definitely makes a difference if you’ve got some good quality meat and cheese.

Chicken, Bacon & Spinach cheesy pasta

Image Leave a comment 16/06/2018 the wee caledonian cook

Oh yum….that’s all I’m going to say.

I do love one pot meals, quick and easy cooking, especially on a Friday…..you’ve just finished work, weather is awful outside and you just need some home comforts and home comfort food. This is one of my go to recipes just for that occasion. Serve with a chilled glass of chardonnay and its perfection friday.

Makes 2

100g pasta – I used pasta twists but you can use any type

2 chicken breasts – cut into bite size pieces

200g Smoked Bacon Lardons

100g Spinach

1 white onion – chopped finely

salt & pepper

1 tsp crushed garlic

1 tsp spiced red pepper

low cal spray oil

1 cup milk (about 150ml)

1 large handful of grated cheese (I used cheddar), it is also delicious with parmesan.

Spray a little oil in a pan. Fry off the bacon until slightly crispy, add the onion and fry until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon.
Fry the chicken until browned all over.
Add back to the pan the bacon and onion, add the garlic, red pepper, salt & pepper and mix through.
Add in the spinach and mix until slightly wilted
Pour in the milk and bring to the boil, then reduce slightly and simmer until pasta is cooked about 10-12 mins.
Add in the cheese and mix through until melted.
Serve.

Delicious!

6 Layer Wrap

Image Leave a comment 18/07/2017 the wee caledonian cook

Why not? 6 Layer fillings? Hungry?

This is full of flavour and very filling, great for a dinner or lunch. With the weather being rather warm of late I was looking for alternatives for a refreshing cool dinner and this certainly filled my expectations. Fresh, light, cooling, filling and flavoursome.

Makes 6 wraps.

6 Wholemeal Wraps (shop bought)

1 large avocado

1 can refried beans

Handful of lettuce leaves – your choice as anything goes. (I used peppery leaves)

Chorizo – chopped into small chunks

1 tbsp olive oil

Handful fresh parsley – chopped

1 tbsp lime juice

2 Handfuls of cheddar cheese – grated

1 small cup of sour cream

1/2 cucumber – chopped finely

1 yellow pepper – chopped finely

3 spring onions – chopped finely

pinch of Salt

1 chilli or jalapeno – finely chopped

Cook the chorizo in a pan over medium heat until browned, remove and allow to cool
Mash the avocado, lime juice, parsley and salt together until smooth
Prepare the wraps as per packet instructions.
Now the exciting and messy bit…….the assembly:-

1. Spread 1 tbsp of sour cream onto wrap

2. Then spread 2 tbsp of refried beans

3. Spread 1 tbsp of the avocado mix

4. Sprinkle some Chorizo over top

5. Lay the salad toppings – lettuce, cucumber, pepper and spring onions

6. Finally the cheese and sprinkle of chopped spice (chilli or jalapenos)

7. Roll up into a manageable wrap. Yummy!