Cooks' Corner

[Maggi Young]

Ian does that with butternut squash, Lesley before making a tasty soup. I think it adds more flavour to the squash, too.

It's not something I do because I'm not crazy about pumpkins or squash  - but I'm happy to eat and enjoy the fruits of someone else's labours !

[Lesley Cox]

 Well I did it, but maybe won't do it that way again. The pumpkin peeled all right but in such tiny slivers that it was a real nuisance. As well, the outer waxy layer came off but left the inner grey layer so that the soup had a slightly grubby look to it, instead of bright orange. I cooked the pumpkin in a baking bish just covered with foil. Maybe it would have been better in a roasting pan with some water and properly covered so that it steamed rather than baked. Tasted OK though.

[johnw]

For Maggi and the other chocolate addicts out there.  My favourite local pastry shop. 

They must have some Scottish clientele as I see these on their website or else Maggi is notorious in the choco world:

Highlander:
Ivory and Dark Chocolate Mousse, Wild Blueberry Marmalade. No Nuts

Cranberry Loch Ness:
Orange Financier Biscuit, French Vanilla Beans Bavaroise,
Cranberry Marmalade. Nuts

Warning  - scratching at the monitor screen can cause damage to both screen and nails.

johnw

[Anthony Darby]

Awww. They look fantastic. Do they do recipes?

[Lesley Cox]

I'm hoping there will be a shop like that in Tabor or Prague.

[Anthony Darby]

Name dropper Lesley.

[Lesley Cox]

Well I have to, don't I? It's like my two very nice rings (both from mother and grandmother, diamond and emerald). If I don't wear them, who's to know I have them?

[Maggi Young]

Following a visit the other day from some SRGC chums, who came bearing plants, wine and cake (wonderful people)
I have been given this simple and very tasty recipe for a Honey and Lemon Loaf:
I am told that the loaf recipe comes from a book of Traditional Scottish Honey Recipes – sounds good in itself!

Margaret's Honey and Lemon Loaf


120g margarine

60g caster sugar

Grated rind of a lemon

2 level tbsps. honey

2 eggs

150g self-raising flour

 

Cream margarine, sugar, lemon rind and honey then beat in the eggs with a little of the flour.
Fold in the remaining flour, put in loaf tin and bake at 180 degrees C for 30 mins. 
Heat the lemon juice with 2 more tablespoons of honey till boiling and spoon over the cake.


I suppose it is a variation on a lemon drizzle cake - but the honey give a yummy kick!

[Brian Ellis]

Surprise, surprise, I like the sound of that one.  Must give it a try as one of our friends is always giving us pots of honey from his hives.

[Maggi Young]

 I thought that might be one for you, Brian - you have such exquisite taste

We thought it very good - Margaret's cake was very light with a scrummy taste and a good moist  texture that made it decidedly "moreish'.

[David King]

Be a change from biscuits.

[Brian Ellis]

Be a change from biscuits.

Some people are never satisfied!

[Maggi Young]

Are those home-made biscuits David's complaining about, Brian?

He should be put on restricted access to one shop-bought dry biscuit a day for a week- that'll teach him the error of his ways!

[Brian Ellis]

Indeed they are Maggi, they have to be home-made as he won't buy any when he goes to the supermarket

Anyway they taste better

[David King]

He should be put on restricted access to one shop-bought dry biscuit a day for a week- that'll teach him the error of his ways!

Could find himself on the wrong end of the deal if he does as I do the cooking!  Was Salmon en-croute tonight.