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.

CHEESY BEEF MINCE PASTA

Image Leave a comment 04/01/2021 the wee caledonian cook

My meal plan somehow didn’t go to plan this week as I seemed to run out of store cupboard essentials like tin chopped tomatoes etc. This dish was the result of that, having looked a what I had and what needed to be used up I decided on a simple, quick and one pot dish. This turned out so delicious that I am sharing it with you, not only is it an easy to make dish but one that could be made ahead of time and frozen for later. The flavours in this dish can be enjoyed with the whole family. The good thing about this dish is that you can add whatever vegetables you like, to be honest anything goes here.

Serves 2 – 3

250g Scottish Beef Mince (you could also use minced lamb)

1 Onion, chopped

1 tsp Ground Garlic Granules or 2 Garlic Cloves

100g Frozen Garden Peas

120g Pasta (I used fusilli but penne will do too)

400ml Beef Stock

2 Tbsp Tomato Paste

1 Tsp Dried Chilli Flakes

1 Tsp Smoked Paprika

Salt & Pepper to taste

1 Tbsp oil

100g Grated Cheddar Cheese

Handful of Chopped Parsley

Heat the oil in a pan on medium to high heat and fry the onions until softened and slightly browned
Add in the beef mince, season with salt & pepper & brown.
Add in the tomato paste, garlic, paprika, chilli flakes and frozen peas, mix through. Add in the pasta and beef stock, bring to the boil, reduce to a simmer and cook covered until pasta is cooked through, about 12-15 minutes.
Remove lid and sprinkle over the cheddar cheese and parsley, put lid back on, turn off heat and leave for 5 minutes. The heat in the pan will gently melt the cheese. Serve and Enjoy.

Black Pudding, Beetroot & goats cheese salad

Image Leave a comment 06/10/2020 the wee caledonian cook

Black Pudding, Beetroot Salad & Goats Cheese Salad

I’ve loads of Beetroot growing in my garden just now and perfect season for it too, so decided on a little treat for lunch today. Certainly beats the Ryvita’s….lol.

Beetroot is packed with essential nutrients, beetroots are a great source of fiber, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C. Beetroots and beetroot juice have been associated with numerous health benefits, including improved blood flow, lower blood pressure, and increased exercise performance.

Perfect pairing with Beetroot for me is definitely Stornoway Black Pudding & Goats Cheese, just so yummy! I served with some Homegrown Spinach too.

Serves 2

4 large Beetroots – Cooked and Sliced into bite size chunks

60g Goats Cheese

4 Slices of Black pudding

1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar

Pinch salt

1 tsp Mixed Herbs

Handful of Spinach – chopped

Sunflower & Pumpkin Seeds to top

Place Beetroot into a bowl, add balsamic vinegar, salt & mixed herbs and mix through.
Cook Black Pudding in a pan on medium to high heat for about 3-4 minutes each side with a little oil. Remove and pat dry, break up into bite size pieces and add to beetroot and mix through.
Chop up the spinach and lay on a plate, top with the beetroot and black pudding then tear the goats cheese over and serve with pumpkin & sunflower seeds.

Plate of Black pudding, Beetroot & Goats Cheese

Butterfly Chicken Pizza

Image Leave a comment 01/12/2018 the wee caledonian cook

Friday night is mostly pizza night in our house, but as I’m on my Detox this week it was finding an alternative for me and why not Butterfly chicken? I have to say this dish was so delicious and very healthy and nutritious too. Win, win for me!

Makes 2

2 x Chicken Breasts

1 onion – chopped

handful of sweet peppers – chopped

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp dried chilli flakes

1 tsp Italian herbs

1 tbsp tomato paste

Salt & pepper to taste

30g Goats Cheese

Butterfly your chicken and flatten the thicker part so it will cook evenly.
Add the chopped onion, peppers, chilli flakes, olive oil and all seasonings into a food bag and make sure all are coated.
Take 1 tsp and spread onto each chicken breast evenly
Next add the onion & pepper mix and spread evenly
Preheat your Crisperplate for 2 minutes on crisp setting then place the chicken breasts on and cook for 5-6 minutes (depending on size of your chicken)
Remove crisp plate and crumble on the goats cheese evenly, put back into the oven and cook on crisp for a further 3 minutes.
Serve. Yummy!

(If you don’t have a crisper plate, bake in oven at 200 deg for about 15-20 minutes)

Hash Browns and baked eggs

Image 1 Comment 04/11/2017 the wee caledonian cook

Breakfast at the weekends are my favourite……..long lazy mornings, the smell of fresh coffee, listening to some morning relaxing music on the radio, (oh I sound old…I should say Spotify!….lol!) a good homemade filling breakfast that sets you up for the day……sound perfect? It’s even more perfect when you have a gadget that simply works everytime, and only 1 pan to ever wash up….now that sounds perfect….does it not?

I’ve made hash browns before using a fry pan on hob, but thought I’d try on my crisper plate and wow, so easy, cooked to perfection, no oil used so therefore its healthier, no turning over and non stick………I’ve said it before but I love this little plate.

Makes 2

2 Potatoes – I used Maris Pipers with skin on, all the flavour is in the skin – don’t peel

Salt & pepper

Knob of Butter

Choice of spices or herbs (I used Turmeric for this one, 2 tsp) I’ve also made it with crushed red peppers for some spice and also a little curried powder.

Wash potatoes then grate using the large holes on a grater
Preheat the crisper plate on dynamic crisp for 3 minutes, remove from oven and put knob of butter in to melt.
Sprinkle the potatoes over the plate, leaving small gaps (like a spiders web), this allows the steam to escape and the potatoes to crisp up nicely
Season with Salt & pepper & your spices or herbs
Bake on dynamic crisp setting for 6 minutes
Remove from oven and crack 2 eggs on top of potatoes, put back in and bake for 1m30sec for runny and 2m for hard egg.
When you slide it off of the plate it should all stick together like a web.
Serve….yummy…yummy!

Crispy Parmesan Potato Slices with egg

Image 2 Comments 01/11/2017 the wee caledonian cook

Having some left over potatoes, I wanted something filling for lunch so decided on these little tasty bites. Again using my crisper plate they were ready on only 12 minutes. Quick lunch. Tasty lunch. I added a couple of eggs too for protein.

300g charlotte potatoes

50g parmesan cheese – hard

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp oregano dried

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

2 tbsp olive oil

Firstly grated the parmesan into a bowl, add in the oregano, paprika, salt, pepper and garlic powder and mix
Wash and slice the potatoes, I cut approx 1cm thick or just under. Pat dry with kitchen paper and toss in the olive oil to coat.
Put the potatoes into the parmesan mix to thoroughly coat
Preheat the crisper plate on dynamic crisp setting for 3 minutes, remove and empty the potates onto the plate
Bake on crisper setting for 12 minutes. If adding in the eggs….remove plate with 2 minutes left on clock and crack in the eggs. Cook further. If you like runner eggs, add in at 1.30 mins left.
Remove and serve…..yummy!

Italian Sausage Dinner on Crisper

Image Leave a comment 01/11/2017 the wee caledonian cook

I can’t tell you how this little crisper has changed my cooking methods and even given me quicker cooking times too. It is used in my Combination oven by Hotpoint, the microwave heats up the crisper plate and maintains the heat to cook and crisp from the bottom while the grill comes on to cook and crisp from the top……genius.

Serves 2

4 Italian Sausages (of course you can use any sausage flavour) – cut into thirds

6-8 charlotte potatoes – cut in half

1 red onion – cut into wedges

1 yellow and red pepper – sliced

1 clove garlic

Seasoning:- Pepper, Salt and rosemary

Preheat crisper plate using dynamic crisp setting for 3 minutes
Put all ingredients onto the plate and season
Cook using the metal round stand for about 10 minutes then remove, shake (ensuring sausages are getting browned all round) and put back in for another 10 minutes.
Remove and serve, if you like your sausages well cooked then put back in for another 5 minutes.
Just keep your eye on them.

Yummy quick dinner, NO pans, NO baking trays….simple cleaning up too!

Cherry Chocolate Mousse

Image 1 Comment 10/09/2017 the wee caledonian cook

This is my take on Jamie Olivers 5 Ingredient Recipe on his new Channel 4 TV Show and from his new book. It was really delicious and so easy to make.

Makes 6 small pots (or 4 big ones, if you’re like me….lol!)

200g Dark Chocolate

1 jar Black cherries (about 400g) I only used half.

4 eggs

2 tbsp golden cast sugar

200ml double cream

salt

First melt chocolate on Induction hob at No. 1 (or in a bowl over water) Keep 1 square of chocolate back for decoration.
Heat up the cherries in syrup gently for about 5-10 minutes
Divide the whites from the yolks into separate bowls
Mix the egg whites with a pinch of sea salt until stiff peaks
Mix the cream until slightly thick, then add egg yolks and sugar, mix to combine
Allow the cherries and chocolate to cool before adding
Gently add the chocolate to the cream mixture and fold together
Then gently fold in the egg whites to the chocolate mixture
Place mousse into a dish, then cherries, then mousse, then cherries……layer up as much as you want.
Grate some chocolate over top to finish……………devour!!!!

Black Pudding, Haggis & Apple pastry Rolls

Image Leave a comment 10/09/2017 the wee caledonian cook

Inspired by Scottish Foods and a visit to a food festival recently I decided to try these little rolls myself. So yummy!

Makes about 10 mini rolls

200g Stornoway Black Pudding

200g Haggis

2 x Granny Smith apples

1 shop bought ready rolled puff pastry (saves so much time)

Tomato or Brown sauce (whichever is your preference)

1 egg for wash

Salt & pepper to taste

Cook the black pudding and haggis as per instructions, about 4 minutes on each side.
Meanwhile peel off skin from apple and core, chop into small chunks. Caramelise the apple in a fry pan for about 15-20 mins.
Roll out pastry and cut length ways once
Once haggis and pudding are cooked, place in a bowl and mash up with apple and seasoning
Spread the pastry with your choice of sauce about 3 tbsp each length then fill the centre of each length with the pudding mixture
Brush the egg wash around the edges of the pastry then roll up the pastry and seal the edges. Use a knife of fork to seal gently.
You can now cut into the size you desire
I used my magic little Crisper plate to bake these but you can of course bake in a preheat oven of 190 deg for about 20 minutes. Using the crisper, preheat for 2 minutes on dynamic crisp setting. Bake on crisper for 8 minutes.
Serve….yummy!

Spanish Omelette

Image 2 Comments 25/06/2017 the wee caledonian cook

We decided to have a spanish afternoon and I was dying to try something different in my new Crisper Plate. Absolutely loved this recipe, healthy, tasty and only 12 minutes in my new crisper plate.

Perfectly served with some San Miguel…….we just needed the sunshine…lol!

Makes a 12 inch size – 4 portions

250g potatoes – sliced (I left skin on but it’s up to you)

4 eggs

1 tbsp butter or oil

Sliced onion (I used shallots – better flavour)

30ml milk

Salt & pepper to taste

Preheat crisp plate for 3 mins. Place butter on a allow to melt
Place potatoes onto plate.
Cook on Dynamic Crisp for 5 minutes.
Place the onion on top of potatoes and cook further for 3 minutes.
Meanwhile beat the eggs, milk and salt & pepper together then pour over potatoes.
Cook further for 3 minutes
Turn on grill and brown for about 2 minutes or until golden brown.
Serve. Yummy!