Last gasp of summer - berry burst

We made frozen yoghurt ices last weekend, and I remembered that I'd photographed them (prompted by those young Apprentices on the BBC last night!)

the lollies were very easy...
225g Raspberries, picked over to ensure no bugs/leaves
400g Greek Yoghurt
2 x 15ml spoons caster sugar

Just mix it up gently, but crush a half of the raspberries to get a lovely colour.  We did have ice lolly moulds which were filled, but the ones photographed were made in plastic cups, divided into 2
Then put in the freezer or icebox...They should be eaten within a few weeks of making for the best flavour ( but in our house won't last that long)

The sticks, buy the way, are the wooden stirrers (purloined from st*rbucks...other proprietary coffee shops are available).

It's National Baking Week!

I have the honour of being "hostess" for the monthly meeting of Galashiels Inner Wheel today, and so have taken the time to do some baking - co incidentially I discovered it's also  http://www.nationalbakingweek.co.uk/
so I'm on trend!

I have make my 2 bite mini cakes & chocolate brownies.... both of which have already featured on this blog..so just new photos today.
The brownies will be decorated with golden fairy sprinkle tomorrow, just before serving

I also discovered the lovely, meticulous Holly from TGBBO has a blog and she tweets - some great recipes ..here she is    http://www.recipesfromanormalmum.com/

Yet Again Haloumi saves the day - Magician Ingredient part 1

Butter bean and Haloumi Salad

Honestly, Haloumi cheese is the best fridge food ever! It has a great shelf life, and can turn an ordinary meal into something rather more special.  I would rate it with avocados as a "magician ingredient" to do such a thing!

This salad is terribly easy, using storecupboard ingredients and a few fresh salad items

What you need....

1 x 300g can butterbeans, drained and rinsed

2 x tomatoes, chopped or sliced

2 handfuls of fresh spinach leaves, rinsed and dried

1 red pepper, sliced thinly

25g fresh coriander, chopped

25g pitted black olives

Dressing, as desired

1 pack Haloumi cheese, sliced thickly into 8

How to...

Mix all the ingredients, except the cheese into a bowl, and toss with dressing
Dry fry the slices of Haloumi in a frying pan, over medium hot heat, on both sides until golden brown.
serve on top of the prepared salad
Delicious!



Windowsill of hope.. part 2

The basil in the mug is still going strong...pinched out regularly for a wee zing with tomatoes, the salad leaves just peeping through were used - when fully grown - in a super salad last week.
                              Chillis were not for me!
The window sill of hope is still going strong, with regular crop rotation, and now contains a fine specimen of red basil grown by Bella, from Eden Project seed.  Her pot of red basil won first prize for the Category "Culinary Herb" at the Melrose show 10th Sept. So proud!

Potato.....

Home grown chives adorn this potato salad.....

I combined chunks of cooked potato stirred into light mayonnaise and a spoonful of creme fraiche, with red onions adding a zing of flavour - they have to be very very thinly sliced.
Potato salad is my downfall!

Makes me think of summer....

Fwd: Butterbeer

Well, who'd have thunk it..!

I can't believe this worked, just a whim took us from watching to actually consuming!

For 2 small glasses (it's sweet, warm and fizzy so a small glass is PLENTY!)

1x15ml spoon golden syrup

  1x15ml spoon caramel ice cream topping

   2x15ml spoons butter

Cream soda, sparkling water or lemonade to top up glasses

Place syrup, topping and butter in a microwaveable container. Heat on high/med power until bubbling. Allow to cool slightly, stirring well. Divide &

Pour into 2 glasses, top up with the soda and stir well.

Serve immediately !

We used lemonade, but we think cream soda would give a better vanillary taste....careful though IT'S V V V SWEET!

Probably....The most delicious crab sandwich in the world

Lightly toasted wheaten bread, baby gem lettuce, avocado slices, cherry tomatoes - halved,  a dollop of seafood sauce, squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a sprinkle of sea salt & freshly ground black pepper and fresh white crab meat!  Dive in!