Merry Christmas!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND BEST WISHES FOR 2016!!!!!!

Christmas stockings!

I'm only just learning how to use a sewing machine so it's all new to me! I found some spare Harris Tweed and decided to have a go at making something, since it's nearly Christmas what's better than making some Christmas stockings! Very pleased with how they have turned out... practice makes perfect!!

Getting into the Christmas spirit... already!

I recently went to a creative evening with a few friends to support the Cancer Research Charity, here's my creation... Christmas cup lights!

Winter Warmer!

As the days and nights are getting colder, what's better than a lovely warming soup to warm you up?!

Here's my leek and potato soup!

2 large potatoes
1 medium leek
1 carrot
1 onion
1 stick of celery
4 X tbsp of bouillon powder
Salt
Pepper
Water

Spray a pan with fry light, add all the veg and soften. Add the bouillon powder and boiling water. Blitz with a hand blender until smooth add more water until you get the consistency you like and season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy

Cupcakes galore!

Well I recently went to a cupcake decorating workshop... here's my creations using different icing techniques.

Lemon and ginger pot

For our Sunday night treat I've made this lemon and ginger pot.

It's a ginger biscuit crushed and put into the bottom of the glass. Then mix 0% total Greek yoghurt with sweetner and lemon curd and cover the crushed ginger biscuit. Add a few chocolate chips to decorate.... Enjoy!

Egg Pudding

Lovely pudding after our tea tonight, made by my future husband! 💍

Egg Pudding and Rhubarb crumble!

I've added the recipe to the 'Favourite Recipe' section 

Recipe #4 - Crulla

This recipe is mainly associated with Aberdeen and is thought to be linked with doughnuts that were brought into Scotland by the Dutch fishing fleets. Reminded me of a waffle and a doughnut... very yummy and quite easy to make!!

Making the dough into plaits 

Frying the first batch  

Dusted with a little bit of icing sugar and ready to enjoy!!! 

Rhubarb, rhubarb and more rhubarb!

Well, I've had a busy day in the Croft 2a kitchen. I've spent most of the day making rhubarb crumbles and rhubarb tarts. I've had a go at making rhubarb and vanilla jam and rhubarb and ginger jam, not sure if it will set but I'll let it cool and see what happens!!

Mountain of Rhubarb

Rhubarb Lattice Tarts

Today's creations

Trying to make the jam

There's even enough rhubarb left to make some chutney tomorrow!

Recipe #3 - Marmalade Cake

Here is my third recipe from the 'Simply Scottish' book. Marmalade Cake using homemade marmalade made by my future mother-in-law!

Trying out a Harris Tweed patterned label

Recipe #2 - Millionaires Shortbread

Here is my second recipe from the 'Simply Scottish' recipe book.

I have to admit, this is one of my favourites... lovely with a nice cuppa!!

Recipe #1 - Glamis Cake

Well my first recipe from the 'Simply Scottish' recipe book is Glamis Cake, this is a variation of Date and Walnut cake and is named after Glamis Castle which is the birthplace of the Queen Mother.

I've even made labels for what I create thanks to my old work colleagues for the stamp and pad (From the kitchen of Croft 2a). I'm getting the practice in as at Croft 2a we are thinking about starting to sell our produce at the agricultural shows that take place up and down the island.... watch this space!!

Glamis Cake 

The stamp that my old work colleagues have me!

I'm back!!

After a couple of months off blogging due to work and generally being busy I thought I'd get back to it. I recently celebrated my 33rd birthday on which my Fiancé bought me a Scottish Baking book! As I am currently at the beginning of my new life living on the Isle of Lewis in the Western Isles of Scotland I thought I'd kick start my blog with some traditional Scottish recipes.

So, my plan is to work through all of the recipes in this book... happy baking!!

Triple Chocolate Muffins

These are Chocolate Sponge with milk chocolate chip muffins decorated with chocolate icing and white chocolate chunks!

Any chocoholics dream!!

Fruity Flapjack

Fruity flapjack... yum!

The recipe for this is in the 'Favourite Recipes' section.

Chocolate chip and Walnut muffins

These are milk chocolate chip and walnut muffins with chocolate icing and white chocolate chunks!

Cherry Bakewell Muffins

Been in the kitchen again today... love baking!!!
Here are my Cherry Bakewell inspired muffins. They are cherry with a hint of almond flavoured muffins, drizzled with almond flavoured icing and decorated with chopped cherries!

Lemon Cheesecake Pudding (inspired by Slimming World)

I absolutely love lemon cheesecake, so for pud this evening I've made one inspired by Slimming World.

Crumble one Alpen light bar (I've used Double Chocolate) and place it into a dish. Mix some quark with one tbsp of sweetener and 2 tsp of lemon curd. (2 syns and half of my healthy extra b, if you don't use it as an healthy extra it will be 5 syns) decorate with a strawberry and enjoy!

Time for Brekkie!

I love porridge but since the weather is getting better I thought I'd try something different. 'Overnight Oats'

Weigh out 35g of porridge oats (Healthy extra B, if you are following the Slimming World plan) layer in a bowl with Mullerlight yoghurt and Frozen mixed fruits... then leave it in the fridge overnight... in the morning enjoy!!

Curry Night!

I fancied a curry for tea tonight, so cooked a Syn Free Chicken Curry with loads of vegetables. I also had a go at making Syn Free Onion Bhajis. I've added the recipe to the 'Favourite Recipes' section.

Cherry and Marzipan Cake!

I baked this cake over the Christmas period... I know its a little late, but only just found the photo of it. It's very yummy and full of flavour. 

Cherry and Marzipan Cake

I've also added the recipe into the 'Favourite Recipe' section. 

Coffee and Walnut... one of my favourites!

Here is one of my very favourite flavour combinations... Coffee and Walnut... Yum!

Death by Chocolate!

Spent the last two hours in the kitchen, making some Cupcakes/Muffins.
These are Chocolate Sponge with dark chocolate chips, covered in milk chocolate with white chocolate chips to decorate!

Any chocoholics dream!!!

Happy Easter!

Been busy again in the kitchen and out on Croft 2a. Here is my Easter Cake, Victoria Sponge sandwiched together with Strawberry Jam and Vanilla Butter cream, a layer of Chocolate on top and Mini eggs to decorate.... cant wait to try a slice with a nice cuppa!!

Spanish Tortilla

Had tea cooked for me tonight! Using duck eggs from Croft 2a my Fiancé cooked Spanish Tortilla, served it with a side salad and cooked Macaroni pudding for dessert, YUM! ... I've been spoilt!

Battenburg Cake!

I had a look in the Co-operative Food magazine and spotted the recipe for a Battenburg Cake. Since my Fiancé loves Marzipan I thought I'd have a go at making one.  So, here is my attempt!

I used red food colouring to make pink which the batter was before baking, but it then turned a grey colour :(
A little disappointed with the presentation because of the dodgy colour but it tastes great!