Yam fries (also known as sweet potato but I have a bit of a semantic chip on my shoulder and insist on sticking with the word yam) are one of those elusive culinary curiosities that have stumped even the most die hard health conscious gourmand. Is it possible to create delicious crispy baked fries from […]
Moroccan mint tea
A few years ago I was lucky enough to spend a few days in Morocco. It was while I was sailing, so I arrived by sea at the fascinating fortified port town of Essaoira on the Atlantic coast of North Africa. It is an absolutely magical place, filled with colour, wonderful smells, music and a […]
Ancient grains with lentils
In my world, grains are having a serious moment. I am quite infatuated with the countless varieties of wholesome whole grains with their innumerable nutritional super powers. So today, while trying to think of what to make, I decided to whip up an extravaganza of grain-y goodness in the form of mixed ancient grains with […]
Rye and buckwheat granola
I love breakfast. I think it’s probably my favourite meal of the day. I love that feeling of waking up sleepy and hungry, sitting down with my family all together over some delicious food and a cup of coffee with radio Scotland on in the background. Also, you may have noticed, that I love grains. […]
Tattie scones
The first time I came to Shetland was in January of 2010. It was terrifying and exciting and thrilling. Buddy and I had been living on a tall ship since the spring of 2008, and had just got engaged in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia before Christmas. Coming to Shetland was coming to his home, not only […]
How to make fruit butter
I like the idea of preserves. The thought that you can take the best of a season and bottle it to enjoy months later is lovely. How excellent to be able to bring a little bit of summer with you into the cold and dark months at the beginning of the year, or that you […]
Creole peanut soup
I have a slightly shameful confession to make; I don’t like peanut butter. Having grown up in a nation of (for the most part) ardent peanut butter fanatics, people who would (and often do) eat the stuff straight from the jar, I’ve always felt like a little bit of a weirdo for my dislike of […]
Avocado chocolate pudding
Today I’m feeling grumpy. There, I admitted it… I sat down to write a post for today and started it about a dozen times trying to tap into the spirit of joyful magnificence that I’m striving for, but each time it just came out really contrived and a little insipid. So instead I’m coming out […]
Buttermilk asparagus quiche
Saturdays are wonderful. The week’s over, everyone’s together, and because there’s the whole of Sunday left for lolling about relaxing together then I always feel like it’s a perfect day for getting all of the little jobs done that you wouldn’t do during the week. It’s also a perfect day for an easily prepared dinner, […]
Rice pudding
Being from Canada, rice pudding is not something that I grew up with, or was even really familiar with as a child. In Canada we eat cake and doughnuts and pie and cinnamon buns and cookies. “Pudding” is something that you get in your packed lunch at school, it’s chocolate flavoured (don’t even mention the […]