Gingerbread & Coconut Kisses

Image Leave a comment 29/11/2020 the wee caledonian cook

Oh yum…..these were so tasty. I do love experimenting with flavours and using up what I have in my cupboards, sometimes my best recipes come from emptying my cupboards and using whatever is in there and trying things out…lol!

As it is coming up to the festive season I wanted to try some festive flavours and of course gingerbread is almost one of the all time favourites. With the coconut I wanted to create a snowy feel/look. I call them kisses because of the Jam, when you bite in you get the lovely gingerbread flavour and then the Jam gently kisses the back of your throat….yum! Baked in under 15 minutes these are a perfect quick snack with a cuppa. Will be best up to 3 days stored in an air tight container.

Makes about 20-24

200g Self Raising Flour

100g Rice Flour

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

Pinch Salt

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

40g Softened Butter

100g Dark Brown Sugar

1 Egg

2 Tbsp Honey

Finely Grated Zest of 1 Orange

For the Spice: 1 Tbsp Ground Cinnamon, 1 1/2 Tsp Ground Ginger, 1/2 tsp Ground Cloves

100g Desiccated Coconut

Rasperberry (or any flavour) Jam

2 Tbsp Icing Sugar for decoration.

Preheat oven to 175 deg C Fan. Line Baking Trays with Greaseproof paper
In a bowl beat together the butter, dark sugar, honey, oil, egg and citrus zest until blended.
In a separate bowl mix together flours, salt, spice mix and baking powder. Spoon half of the flour into the wet mixture and bring together, add in the remaining flour mixture and mix until you have a soft dough. It will be slightly sticky, this is o.k., but if too sticky just add a little more flour. Let stand for a few minutes.
Take about 1 Tbsp of the dough and roll into small balls. Place coconut into a bowl and roll each ball into the coconut to cover. Place onto the baking tray and press down with your thumb or finger to make a well in the centre.
Place about 1/2 – 1 Tsp of Jam into the well and bake in the oven for approx 12 – 15 minutes until set. Remove and allow to cool for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack.
Finish off with a light dusting of Icing Sugar. Serve. Yum!

Nutty Energy Balls

Image Leave a comment 08/07/2020 the wee caledonian cook

As the Covid19 Lockdown is slowly and gently easing, we are now allowed to travel to the mountains again. We have longed to get back outdoors and into the picturesque landscape we call home. The Scottish Mountains are my headspace, a place where I grow, think, be at peace, laugh and get fitter…lol! To read more about the Scottish Munros, Corbetts, Grahams etc, head over to my travel post https://atomic-temporary-46532287.wpcomstaging.com/2020/07/08/a-list-of-scotlands-mountains/.

Anyway, back to food, my first passion. To walk or climb the Scottish Mountains you need energy firstly (then waterproofs…lol), so I made these to pack and take with us for a wee boost when needed. Great for a pre workout snack too & also Gluten Free.

Makes about 16

For the Balls:-

4 heaped tbsp of Crunchy Peanut Butter (good quality, I use Whole Earth)

200g chopped mixed nuts & raisins (I used a food processor to chop finely)

2 tbsp Icing sugar

Coating/Topping:-

Choice 1:-

Dark or Milk Chocolate, 1 tbsp Butter – Melted together

Chopped Pistachios

Choice 2:-

Butter icing – Icing Sugar 80-100g, 1 tbsp butter – Melted together

Desiccated Coconut

Place all ball ingredients into a bowl and mix together until combined. You may find it best to us clean hands for this. Take a tsp size and roll into a ball.
Dip the rolled balls into your wet mixture of choice and then roll into the coconut or pistachio toppings to coat. Place onto a greaseproof lined baking tray and refrigerate to harden.
These can be stored for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container. Enjoy!

Of course you can use any coating or topping you like.

Step by step images of nutty energy balls

Crispy Mint Squares

Image Leave a comment 04/07/2020 the wee caledonian cook

I was looking through all my recipes the other day and came across this one from my Gran’s old Cookbooks, one I hadn’t tried before. So with the wet weather to day was that day I was going to try these. Back in the day my gran always used margarine for baking, personally I think butter is a much better flavour so this was the 1 thing that I changed & I added in some pistachios to the base to give it a bit more crunch.

Makes about 16-20 squares (depends on how big a slice you want…lol!)

For the Base:-

200g Digestives, crushed

120g Butter

50g Light Brown Sugar

1 heaped tbsp Cocoa Powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 heaped tbsp desiccated coconut

40g Chopped Pistachios

1 egg beaten

For the Peppermint Centre:-

50g Butter

3 tbsp milk

1/2 tsp peppermint extract

230g Icing Sugar

Green Food Colouring

For the Chocolate:-

140g Milk Chocolate (55% cocoa) I use Lindt, definitely my favourite.

40g Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa)

1 tbsp butter

Use a 9″ square baking tin and line with baking paper or foil
In a saucepan over a low heat melt the butter, stir in sugar & cocoa powder, bring off the heat and whisk in the beaten egg, return to heat and whisk until thickened, this only take a minute or 2. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla extract, digestives, pistachios and coconut, mix together so everything is coated well. Using a spoon, spread the biscuit base mixture into you baking tin and smooth. Refrigerate for about 1 hour until hardened.
Using a mixer, stand or hand whichever you have, beat the butter until smooth. Add the icing sugar, milk, peppermint essence and food colouring and mix until blended. Smooth this mixture over the top of your biscuit base and return to the fridge to set for about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, melt your chocolate with the butter in a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water and allow to cool slightly. (about 5-10 minutes)
Pour chocolate over the buttercream and smooth, return to the fridge to allow chocolate to harden. (about 30 minutes).
Once chocolate has hardened you can now decorate (if you wish), I just drizzled some green icing over the top and returned to fridge to set.
To prevent the chocolate from breaking when cutting into slices, remove from fridge and bring to room temperature. I made that mistake of slicing too soon and my chocolate cracked.

Scottish Snowballs

Image Leave a comment 14/11/2018 the wee caledonian cook

These are a traditional little treat in Scotland, you can have them 2 ways:- 1 with marshmallow in the middle or as I’ve baked with jam. Either way they are lovely. These are perfect for Christmas time and they keep for up to 4 days in an air tight container.

Makes about 8-12

50g unsalted butter

50g caster sugar

pinch of salt

225g self raising flour, sifted

1 egg

1 tbsp milk

Good raspberry jam (I like Mackay’s)

confectioner’s (powdered) sugar (icing sugar)

unsweetened shredded coconut (do not use sweetened)

Pre heat oven to 200 deg
Cream the butter and sugar with the pinch of salt. Add the egg with the flour and mix well.
Stir in the milk and rest of flour to make a stiff dough
Divide into 16 equal pieces and roll into balls. Place on parchment or silicone sheet lined cookie trays, leaving a bit of space for them to grow. Press down a little. If you’d like smaller snowballs, divide into 24 pieces.
Bake for 8-10 minutes until very lightly golden brown.
Remove and cool
Sandwich each cookie together with raspberry jam (not too much)
Leave for half an hour for jam to set.
Combine about 1-2 cups of icing sugar with enough water or milk to make a runny glaze in which to dip the snowballs. Have a bowl of shredded coconut ready. Dip the snowballs in the glaze and allow extra glaze to drip off.
Next dip in the coconut and ensure fully covered, set aside.
Great holiday recipe as these will last 4-5 days.

Chocolate Coconut Macaroon Biscuits

Image 2 Comments 18/02/2018 the wee caledonian cook

I first saw this recipe on Pumpernickelandrye, they looked far too good not to give them a try…………………oh and how I was right, they were delicious, light and very moreish. A very simple recipe that packs flavour and satisfaction. Perfect with a cuppa. (or as my boyfriend says ‘perfect on their own too!’ lol!)

They are more like a biscuit or cookie with a little crunch.

Makes 12

80g Granulated Sugar

3 tbsp plain flour

1/4 tsp salt

200g shredded coconut

3 egg whites

1 tsp almond extract

100g chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 160 deg.
In a bowl mix sugar, flour and salt together then add the coconut.
In a separate bowl whisk together the egg whites and almond extract until foamy but not too stiff.
Pour the egg mixture into the dry mixture and combine until moist.
Lay parchment paper onto a baking sheet and take 1 heaped tbsp of the mixture and place onto sheet.
Bake in oven for about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, melt the chocolate drops in a microwave dish for about 30 seconds intervals until melted.
Once macaroons have baked and cooled completely, dip each one into the chocolate to cover base and set aside. I lay back on tray upside down.
Place the macaroons in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes to allow to chocolate to harden. Once hardened, remove and you can then drizzle more chocolate over the top of the bakes (if you have any left, I only had enough for 2……maybe 150g chocolate drops would be enough to do this.) Allow to harden in fridge.
Serve with a lovely cuppa. Oh so Yummy!

Strawberry, Banana Yoghurt Delight with little surprises.

Image Leave a comment 10/06/2016 the wee caledonian cook

Oh yum! Looking for something fresh and different for breakfast, I came up with this little Parfait, that was absolutely delicious! Once you take a spoonful you taste the strawberry yoghurt then you get the hit of the chocolate mint with the crunch of the oats, coconut and pistachio’s…….oh yummy!

Makes 1

4 tbsp Strawberry Yoghurt

4 tbsp Vanilla Yoghurt

4 Strawberries – sliced

1 small banana – sliced

2 tbsp toasted oats

2 tbsp toasted coconut

3 Chocolate mint leaves – chopped

1 tbsp of pistachio’s chopped

Place 2 tbsp of strawberry yoghurt in a glass, then top with 2 tbsp of vanilla yoghurt.
Place a layer of strawberries and bananas on top and sprinkle 1 tbsp oats and coconut on.
Sprinkle on the chocolate mint leaves
Then do above over again for a second layer.
Top with any remaining banana or strawberries and pistachio’s and serve! YUMMY!

Coconut & Turmeric Rice with Kale

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

This was inspired from a fellow blogger Ella. I loved the idea of the Turmeric and coconut together, and it really does go, this is a delicious mix of flavours. It is also full of protein and the superfood Kale!

Serves 2

For the rice:-
2 tsp olive oil for cooking
4 Shallots – chopped
2 tsp ginger
150g wholegrain brown rice
1 tsp turmeric
500ml vegetable stock
For the Kale:-
2 large Handfuls of Kale – red and green type
1 tbsp olive oil for cooking
1 tsp garlic
50ml vegetable stock
50ml coconut milk
30g toasted cashew nuts for topping
30g toasted coconut flakes for topping

Heat a pot over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stir in the ginger, cooking for one minute. Next, add in the rice and turmeric, toasting for one minute.
Measure in the vegetable stock and bring mixture to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and let cook for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the majority of liquid has been absorbed. Remove from heat and allow to sit for 10 minutes.

3. Towards the end of the rice being ready, heat the tablespoon of olive in a large, wide pot. Add in the garlic, cooking for roughly a minute. Add the chopped kale and stir to coat with the garlic. Add in the vegetable stock, cover, and let kale cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Add in the coconut milk and continue to cook kale, roughly 1 more minute more.

5. Add the kale mixture to the rice mixture and stir through.

6. Top with the cashews and coconut and serve.

Nutrition Facts

Coconut Turmeric Rice with Kale

Servings Per Recipe: 2

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 519

Total Fat: 20.6 g
Saturated Fat: 3.3 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 1098.3 mg
Total Carbs: 75.1 g
Dietary Fiber: 4.5 g
Sugars: 6.4 g
Protein: 11.1 g

Banana and Coconut Muffins

Image 1 Comment 24/01/2016 the wee caledonian cook

Today I woke up late after one of my friends 30th Birthday Party last night, surprisingly I felt really good and awake, after a shower and breakfast I suddenly got the urge to bake after my boyfriend saying he had the munchies…lol! So off I went into the kitchen, music on and feeling creative. Looking in my cupboards I came up with 2 different muffin recipes….so here goes the first one:-

Makes 6 muffins

125g Plain Flour

1 tbsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon powder

50g caster sugar

40g desiccated coconut

1 really ripe banana

90ml semi skimmed milk

1 egg beaten

50g butter melted

1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 180deg. Line a muffin tin with paper cases.
Sift the flour, cinnamon and pinch of salt into a mixing bowl. Stir in the sugar a 45g of coconut (leave a tbsp amount for after). Make a well in the middle.
Peel banana and mash 3/4 of it into a paste. Put 1/4 to side. Put banana paste into well of flour mix.
Lightly whisk milk, beaten egg, vanilla and melted butter together, pour into well of flour mix.
Mix all ingredients together but do not over mix.
Spoon mixture evenly into the 6 muffin cases.
Slice the remaining banana and place one or two slices on top and sprinkle remaining coconut over.
Place in oven and bake for about 20-25 mins until knife comes out clean. Leave to cool.

Then eat to your hearts content! YUMMY!

Also check out my other Muffin recipe:- Maple Syrup and Chocolate!

https://cookingwithluce.wordpress.com/2016/01/24/maple-syrup-and-chocolate-muffins/

BEWARE!! your kitchen WILL get messy! lol!

Nutrition Facts

Banana and Coconut Muffins

Servings Per Recipe: 6

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 204

Total Fat: 8.1 g
Saturated Fat: 4.7 g
Trans Fat: 0.3 g
Cholesterol: 45.5 mg
Sodium: 87.8 mg
Total Carbs: 30.4 g
Dietary Fiber: 3.1 g
Sugars: 11.8 g
Protein: 4.5 g

Curried Cabbage with Salmon

Image Leave a comment 11/01/2016 the wee caledonian cook

Looking in Fridge I had to use the cabbage up but wondered how I could jazz it up! Looked in my spice rack and this is what I put together. Tasty absolutely sensational. This could also work with Cod and Chicken. It is also low in calories and fat….Result!

Serves 1

1/2 Savoy Cabbage – sliced
1 portion Salmon Fillet approx (150g)
1 clove Garlic – crushed
1 tsp Cumin
1/2 white onion – sliced
2 tbsp desiccated coconut
1 tsp curry powder
1 tsp Gram Masala
30g Lentil Sprouts (optional) I had these left over so I just put them in.

Mix the Gram Masala and Curry Powder together and rub into Salmon
Heat up a griddle pan with spray oil and place Salmon on to cook through (approx 10 mins)
Meanwhile, heat a wok to a high heat and cook the garlic and cumin with onion until soft (approx 2 mins)
Add to the wok the cabbage and coconut, stir through for about 5 mins. If adding the Lentil Sprouts put in 1 min before ready and mix just to heat through.
Plate the cabbage mix and place the salmon on top. Yum!

Nutrition Facts

Curried Cabbage with Salmon

Servings Per Recipe: 1

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 226

Total Fat: 2.4 g
Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 106.5 mg
Sodium: 229.7 mg
Total Carbs: 14 g
Dietary Fiber: 4.1 g
Sugars: 4.5 g
Protein: 36.9 g

Coconut and Banana Upside Down Cake

Image Leave a comment 11/10/2015 the wee caledonian cook

Makes 1 x 8 inch cake tin

I cheated slightly with this and used ready made cake mix.

200g Betty Crocker Vanilla Cake Mix

2 eggs

2 tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup sour cream – approx 75ml

1/4 cup water – 75ml

2 large bananas – sliced

100g shredded coconut

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tbsp butter

1 tbsp lemon juice

Preheat oven to 180 deg, grease the baking tin with spray oil.
With an electric mixer, beat cake mix, eggs, oil, water, and sour cream on low until combined. Beat on high for 2 minutes
Place banana slices evenly on bottom of tin.
In a small saucepan melt butter. Add brown sugar and lemon juice and heat until dissolved. (approx 40 secs) Pour the brown sugar mixture into the cake tin over the bananas. Sprinkle coconut over brown sugar sauce.
Pour over the cake mixture and spread evenly.
Bake in oven for approx 40 mins. (If you have a Hotpoint Luce oven, use the dessert setting to bake).
Let it cool for 5 mins then serve with some ice cream, custard or even just some whipped cream. 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.

THE WEE CALEDONIAN COOK

DISCOVERING MY INNER CHEF

coconut

Gingerbread & Coconut Kisses

Nutty Energy Balls

Crispy Mint Squares

Scottish Snowballs

Chocolate Coconut Macaroon Biscuits

Strawberry, Banana Yoghurt Delight with little surprises.

Coconut & Turmeric Rice with Kale

Banana and Coconut Muffins

Curried Cabbage with Salmon

Coconut and Banana Upside Down Cake

Homemade Healthy quick Pancakes