Go Forth and Make Jam!

Tis the season of the harvest, so I have made an enormous batch of plum and cinnamon jam. I had no idea it would make such a ridiculous amount, be warned!

But look at the colour-Mmm! This time of year is my absolute favourite, the colours of late summer/autumn are too beautiful. In the countryside the fields are maturing to a deep, relaxed ochre and the trees are beginning to turn their annual ambers and crimsons. It's enough to turn a girl romantic!

I am certainly mostly looking forward to the stodgy food of autumn, and the excuse to make plenty of fruit pies. Chutney is next on my list, a first timer to making it I hold no high expectations :)

Before I go, here is an image to remind us of the fading summer days before Autumn is completely upon us...Aaah Harris. This is Horgabost where we spent a few days camping on the dunes. This view is sorely missed as it was so refreshing to wake up to. Go to Harris!

Delia Sucks!

At last I have returned. Never again will praise for Delia's 'cheaty ways' be promoted on this blog. Chris (and most males his age) don't need any encouragement from a lazy old cook on how not to use any fresh ingredients.


So I have rebelled completely and created a freshness monster, a cake so large I had to cradle it between a large bowl and plate all the way home on the train. Now ladies, if ever you were needing a compliment pick me up try outdoor cake carrying. It's a bit like walking a dog, so many people (men) stop to compliment your prop and yourself :) I smiled all the way to Montrose.


This cake was taken from the far too mourish Divine Chocolate book that dear old Eliza gave me for christmas. It's a fresh strawberry (marinaded in orange and sugar), whipped cream, white chocolate cake. Strangely the white chocolate and butter were melted then added to the sponge, mmm. It was so generous and yummy I managed to sneak a corner home with me this morning. If anyone wants the recipe for this one just ask and I'll e-mail it to you. Well worth it.

Delia's dirty little cheat

Today was always planned as a quickie, as I had to nip off to play football in the eve. And so to one of my favourite quickies - tortillini filled with something (pesto on this occassion, it was meant to be spinich but I picked it up by mistake. Realised it doesn't matter though as this one tastes just the same). This was then mixed up with some kindly pre made tomato & mascarpone sauce. True to Delia's word the whole experience was over in under 10 minutes, including the eating part.

Some thought was put into the presentation however, you'll note the cheekily placed parsley (I think, could be some other herb) nestled on the side. Again, as with the butter yesterday this was merely a pose for the cameras.

A week and a day - Day 1

Hi, my name is Chris, and in Fe's absence I am hijacking this blog (it's ok, Fe knows) with my own tales of success and woes in the culinary world. From the content of this blog you would be right in assuming I don't have much influence on what goes on in the kitchen - but alas, with Fe away in London for a week I've been left to my own devices with full decision making authority.

So it is to Day 1 of my adventure. With little ingredients available until I went shopping later I was left with just the basics. I was however able to source an important item from the cupboard - potato, which was later to be mashed. Accompanying this was a hooped version of tinned spaghetti which I've been keeping spare for this very situation, and some peas. Please note the wedge of butter resting upon the peas - this was done purely for its photographic qualities.

Had I had fish fingers and gravy available, my all time favourite meal would have been before me (another time perhaps).

Flowers Please!

Hurray for Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall! You know I have never had a recipe of his turn out anything short of fantastic. Maybe it's down to my impeccable recipe choice, but probably it's because he is the best cook in the world!

This Thursday I have been inspired to conjure up some elderflower fritters which I thankfully shared with Chris and Alyssa (they're delicous but very filling). They are quite easy to make really. Once you have, like me become obsessed with noticing and memorising every local elderflower bush, you then need to make a batter:

125g Plain Flour

25g Caster Sugar

Pinch of Salt

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp Rum or Kirsch

150ml water

2 egg whites

8 Large, fresh and fragrant sprays of elderflowers

5cm groundnut or sunflower oil for frying

mix the flour with the salt, sugar, olive oil, rum/kirsch. Whisk in water stopping when it looks like very thick paint and thick enough to hold 2 egg whites. Cover and leave in a cool place for at least 30 mins.

Give your flowers a quick bug check but be careful not to lose too much pollen as this is the tasty bit. In a large, high sided pan or deep fat fryer. Heat until small cube of bread goes brown within a minute when thrown in. Lower heat to a simmer.

Meanwhile whisk 2 egg whites until they form soft peaks and gently fold them in to the batter. Dip your flowers in to the batter and lower them gently in to the pan. Turn them once or twice until puffed up and golden brown. Keep in low oven to keep warm.

Serve with sprinkled sugar and lemon-honestly they are sooo yum!

Strawberries for Celebration

As you can tell from our Harry Potter/ Wiccan gowns it was our graduation yesterday afternoon. And ofcourse how could an alchemist celebrate without ones champagne and strawberries?!

Viv Westwood herself was even in attendance looking more like a High Preistess than any body else there. What hair that woman has, I'd love to be able to carry off 'carrot' in my old age.

There was even a spot of general course reunion in the garden party (below). I cannot quite belive just how quickly four years has gone, warning to all those still at uni! I've been very lucky however and made some fantastic and often truly peculiar (in a good way) friends. Who I hope to bake for on a regular occasion. Speaking of which I really havn't been very creative this past month following the degree show. I must be all arted out...one more day of realxation can't hurt!

Spring is Fun!

Degree Show night has been and gone, as you can see from my two amigas here they had a thoroughly brilliant time. The stress of fourth year has now thankfully surpassed, hence the huge grins of glee, but I will miss my girls.

The week itself was a success with all my comrades having a gallery support them and selling the odd bit or two. It was a great excuse not to have one of us bake weekly, but daily!! This accounts for not losing any weight to stress throughout fourth year, a good nutritional tip to potential graduates. Eat home baked cake as much as your stomach will allow, it's good for you!

After all the glamour of degree show week I thought it best to take some time out in nature. This Spring has been exceptionally kind in terms of its sunshine. So generous infact I have been able to dine alfresco three days in a row, for Scotland this is a rarity. One of these occasions took me to Dunkeld where I found these happy scenes:

I had no idea Dunkeld had a bluebell wood! Incase you want to find it, it's behind the cathedral next to Papa Larch, the daddy of all perthshire larch trees. The wee chap on the left was a keen duck feeder despite them being a bit rough and beaky.

I hope spring is inspiring you all!