Author: minceandskirlie

Writer, poet, musician, and sometime IT professional in the North East of Scotland.
Health and fitness, Snapshots

Punishment and reward

minceandskirlie

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On saturday I was up bright and early to take part in the 5k parkrun race at Aberdeen beach. Despite the bitter cold making for a very frosty route, it was a beautiful clear morning and I was very happy with a time of 26 minutes. Not bad for my first time at the race and something to build on for the next time.

Later on as a reward for my efforts we nipped over to Buchanan’s for lunch. For the second time I was thwarted in my plan to try their awesome looking meat hotpots by them switching to a chicken pot for that day’s menu. Instead I went for a ragout of chestnuts, mushrooms, aubergine and haricot beans. This was one if the most delicious veggie dishes I’ve ever had! Very rich and filling. If I ever turn my back on meat I’d be happy knowing I could eat food like this.

Snapshots

My favourite whisky

minceandskirlie

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I adore Balvenie and I especially adore the signature edition. Unfortunately this is the last large dram from the bottle I got on my birthday.

Food and drink

Black Pudding, Apple and Green Bean Salad

minceandskirlie

On Saturday I found myself standing in the co-op staring blankly at a wall of ready-made sandwiches contemplating lunch. I eat a lot of ready-made sandwiches – mostly during the working week – and they’re almost universally disappointing. Faced with this sad choice again I looked around for something a little different and as I paced up and down the aisle I noticed a packet of trimmed green beans sitting in the veg section. Seeing the packet made me think of a warm salad of black pudding, apple and beans that I’d had a year ago in an Edinburgh restaurant and really enjoyed. It was just the kind of dish that would make a really quick and easy weekend lunch. Continue reading “Black Pudding, Apple and Green Bean Salad” →

Food and drink

Chestnust and Pancetta Barley Risotto

minceandskirlie

For the last few years I’ve taken over making the starter for our Christmas dinner. It helps take some of the pressure of my Mum on the day and gives me a chance to show off a bit. In the past I’ve done stuffed mushrooms, chicken pate and last year I made smoked mackerel pate. This year I’m going to make this chestnut and pancetta barley risotto. Continue reading “Chestnust and Pancetta Barley Risotto” →

Recipe

Tarte Tatin

minceandskirlie

You know a few years ago I hardly ever ate dessert. It just wasn’t something I was into. I never saw the appeal of ice cream, tarts or cooked fruit. Exceptions were made for chocolate based desserts of course. Over the last couple of years I’ve been slowly converted to the dessert cause and now its one of the main reasons I have to do so much exercise!

I absolutely adore warm apple tarts with cold vanilla ice cream. A great tarte tatin with caramelised apples and crisp pastry is a cause of much delight especially when it’s served hot with a great big lump of ice cream melting all over it. When I received a copy of Michelle Roux’s Pastry for my birthday recently this had to be the first recipe I tried. Continue reading “Tarte Tatin” →