Carrot Cake

January 20, 2007 By Leave a Comment
carrotcake

I remember the day I had carrot cake for the very first time. I was in hospital. There were no other options left. I was devastated because all the chocolate cake and Manchester Tart had gone. But I was depressed and wanted something sweet. Despite my adoration of all things vegetable I eyed the carrot cake with apprehension. I was prepared to hate it. Then I took my first mouthful, and it was like a party on my tastebuds. The combination of flavours, textures and delightful vanilla cream … [Read more...]

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Austrian Coffee Cake

January 17, 2007 By Leave a Comment
coffee-cake

There are some coffee delights in this world that cannot be matched - and this Austrian coffee cake is one of them. Wonderful served with coffee at any time of the day. Delightful served as an after dinner treat. Ingredients: 6 ounces Butter - softened 6 ounces Caster Sugar 6 ounces Self Raising Flour 1 pinch Salt 3 large Eggs Coffee Sugar Brandy ½ pint Double Cream Flaked Almonds Method Cream butter and sugar together until light and creamy, add the eggs one at a time and … [Read more...]

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Scottish Shortbread

December 31, 2006 By Leave a Comment
scottish-shortbread

For a family who tended to bake their own we always seemed to buy Scottish shortbread in a large tin at Christmas. As a child I could never understand why this was the case, but I am told it was simply a family tradition - and that the tins they came in were utilised as storage for our own baking. So, I suppose, with that in mind they were considered useful. To this day I rarely bake shortbread myself, I tend to buy it from a traditional shortbread company known as Walkers. For me, it feels … [Read more...]

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Seed Cake

December 31, 2006 By Leave a Comment
dundee-cake

New Year or Hogmanay is still well celebrated in Scotland. I was blessed to spend one winter there and partake in their fine traditions. It truly is far more magical than Christmas, and there is nothing more wonderful to me than to hear the Scottish pipes playing. I find that these days I do become emotional at the thought of my New Year there, and each once since I have missed the playing of the pipes. Also eaten around Hogmanay is a traditional seed cake, served with tea or … [Read more...]

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Black Bun

December 31, 2006 By Leave a Comment
Black_bun_cut_open

A Scottish treat traditionally eaten at Hogmanay [New Year]. Its a little late to make it for this year, as it needs to be made several weeks in advance to allow it to mature. I love Black Bun, its a dense fruit filled cake wrapped in pastry. Its extremely heavy but suited for the cold winters of Scotland - especially the Highlands where the winters can be harsh and bitter. For me, Scotland truly is a magical place to be, and most importantly to experience. Ingredients for Pastry Case: 12 … [Read more...]

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Ginger Pudding

December 24, 2006 By Leave a Comment
sticky-ginger-pudding

Whilst many people complained about the dinners on offer at their school I still hang on to some very fond memories of ginger puddings, manchester tart and chocolate custard. My school was a very traditional primary school with a extremely traditional take on school dinners. One of my long standing favourites was always steamed ginger pudding served with lashings of custard. I discovered this recipe sometime ago, and finally got around to making it. My first attempt was not exactly as I … [Read more...]

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Traditional Mincemeat

December 23, 2006 By Leave a Comment
Traditional Mincemeat

My family would make dozens of Mince Pies at Christmas, and we would often give them away as gifts to our friends, family and neighbours. As a result of course Christmas just would not be Christmas without a mincepie. Obviously my mince pies have evolved a bit since my Grandma´s recipe – she believed in mass production over quality, whereas I strongly believe in this case – less with more filling is better than more with a thin spreading! But first, here is my recipe for traditional … [Read more...]

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Traditional Christmas Pudding

December 23, 2006 By Leave a Comment
christmas-pudding

We would always have a traditional homemade christmas pudding at christmas - served with cream, custard or my personal favourite rum sauce. The pudding would always have been made a few weeks in advance and left to mature, and I do believe to this day that the almost daily brushing of alcohol is what made it so very special. I personally do not take well this tradition of setting fire to the pudding just before serving - yes, it looks impressive. But it always leaves a bitter taste to the … [Read more...]

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Scottish Clootie Dumpling

December 23, 2006 By Leave a Comment
clootie-with-jug-of-custard

Clootie Puddings are traditional rich fruit puddings which line the ribs and protect you from the harsh winters of Scotland. Traditionally made for special occasions like a birthday, Hogmanay or at Christmas time when trinkets, coins and lucky gifts were dropped into the mixture, wrapped in greaseproof paper. Ingredients 10oz plain flour 5 oz suet 6 oz dark brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 1 teaspoon cream of tartar 8 oz sultanas 1/2 pint of milk 6 oz currants 1 … [Read more...]

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Boozy Christmas Pudding

December 19, 2006 By Leave a Comment
christmas-pudding

Makes 2 puddings. Ingredients 8 oz moist sugar (use soft brown ) 8 oz suet 8 oz sultanas cleaned 8 oz raisins halved and stoned 4 oz currants washed and dried 4 oz shredded mixed candied peel 4 oz of plain flour 4 oz breadcrumbs 2 oz almonds blanched and shredded the grated rind of a 1 lemon 3 eggs a salt spoonful of nutmeg grated half a teaspoon of salt quarter pint of milk 2tbs Brandy, 2tbs Whiskey & 2bs Sherry Instructions Grease two one pound pudding … [Read more...]

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