Beetroot & Goats Cheese Bites

Image Leave a comment 03/11/2020 the wee caledonian cook

I recently visited Transylvania Shop & Coffee in Glasgow, https://www.transylvaniashopandcoffee.co.uk/, the shop opened this year and they are so passionate about their home produce and Country. Everything that you could wish for from Transylvania, Romania, they have it. Their selection is vast and all excellent quality produce, from grocery store to a cake store to even coffee, yes they have it all. If you are a foodie and love seeking out new products then this shop is for you. If you are a massive Dracula fan, like me, and just love everything Transylvanian then you must visit this shop, you will not be disappointed.

On my visit I decided to try out some Romanian Meats, Cheeses, Coffee and of course their awesome selection of cakes, honestly, I have never seen anything like it……mouth watering flavours and designs that just take your breath away.

Coming soon is a season of get togethers and this gives us the opportunity to share all things food. I believe food brings people together, whether it’s just around the table in your home or different families & friends coming together for a celebration, there is always food around. With the recent Lockdown situations this year it has definitely given people more time to spend at home and to find their new love of food, be it baking with the kids or experimenting on using up store cupboard essentials to create new recipes, we have all tried something new. I would like to help with this journey and give you some new ideas. Please have a look around my blog, hopefully you will find your inner chef too!

This recipe brings both of the above together, I used a fabulous Romania Goats Cheese from the Transylvania shop and harvested some Beetroot from my garden to make these little bites, they are perfect for that get together event, or even just a simple snack for something different with the family in your home.

Beetroot Harvest — Romanian Goats Cheese

Makes about 20

About 4 Medium Sized Beetroots – Pre cooked

100g Goats Cheese (preferably the LaColline)

Handful of Pistachio’s or Walnuts, chopped

Cocktails sticks to hold together and a choice of your cutter shape (I used a star from my cookie cutter selection)

Using a cutter, cut out the beetroot and goats cheese into your desired shape. Make sure the Beetroot is slightly bigger than the goats cheese. Stack the goats cheese on top of the beetroot, sprinkle your choice of nuts/seeds and secure with a cocktail stick. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Crunchy Crackers

Image Leave a comment 30/10/2018 the wee caledonian cook

These are so easy to make and perfect for parties and get together’s. With a lovely dip of your choice they are perfect little nibbles.

Makes about 60 crackers

125g Plain Flour

125g Strong White Flour

15g Lard – melted

7g dried yeast

150ml warm water

Pinch of salt

Olive oil

Mix flours, yeast, water & lard in a mixer bowl then add in the salt and mix until you have a smooth dough.
Allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1.5 hrs – 2 hrs.
Preheat oven to 210 deg on a convection bake setting.
Cut the dough into 3 or 4 pieces and flatten with your hand, using a pasta maker, put through and roll until you have a very thin sheet. I used No. 1, No. 3 then No. 5 setting on my Kitchen Aid mixer pasta roller.
Using a pizza cutter, cut into thin slices about 3″ x 1.5″, mine were all different sizes, so its really whatever size you want, but not too small or too big.
Place onto a baking tray and brush each cracker with the olive oil, then bake for about 5-7 minutes or until bubbled and slightly browned.
Remove and allow to cool.
Serve with some yummy dips.

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!