Writing and thoughts from NE Scotland
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”
Whenever I think about making pastry I never bother because most people say it’s not worth the effort. Even TV chefs commonly say on their programmes that there’s little point when the ready-made product is so good and easy to use. That might be the case for the fiddly stuff like filo or puff but I figured shortcrust pastry was worth a try. Plus, with game season in full swing a visit to the farmer’s market supplied me with some fantastic red deer venison. Shortcrust pastry and some excellent meat is a great excuse to make another pie. Continue reading “Shortcrust Venison Pie”
I shouldn’t be allowed to go into supermarkets on my own. At least not into nice ones like Sainsbury’s. Tescos is probably safe enough if I avoid the world foods aisle – which also contains their specialist cooking ingredients. Or even the little Morrisons in Banchory as it’s got a pretty sparse range of food.
The other day I went to Sainsbury’s to pick up some cat litter and returned home with 2 poussins and a couple of tins of chestnuts. Not to mention the tub of deli olives, cat treats, two cat toys and the aforementioned bags of litter. There would have been more spur of the moment purchases but the beer aisle was closed. Continue reading “Roast poussin with chestnut and crouton stuffing”
Chestnuts are one of those things you see in the supermarket at this time of year but never get round to actually buying. Well, this week I put those conkers in my trolley. I had some sprouts left over and wanted to try them with the chestnuts and some bacon. It sounded like a great companion for some pigeon breasts I had in the freezer. Continue reading “Pigeon breast with sprouts, bacon and chestnuts”
Mince and Skirlie 