This is a bit of a new style of post for me, I'll give it a go for a few months to begin with and see what you all think. The basic premise is that it's a roundup of what I've been up to in the previous month. Lots of my Edible Scottish Adventures don't make it as far as my blog, featuring only on my social media accounts (find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter). However I know that Facebook in particular likes to play hide and seek so sometimes only a small percentage of my followers actually see my posts. So lets give a roundup post a try - here's what happened in December....
First up was the annual outing of my Christmas logo, as with all the versions of my branding this is by the fantastic Camilla Hammil. Find her at mimihammill.com where she's also rather good at silk scarves.
For the first 25 days of the month I was finally able to countdown with #CheeseNotChoc thanks to the the wonderful Cheese Advent Calendar from So Wrong it's Nom. There was a real panic as they were all sold out at the first Asda I went to. I phoned another store - only 4 left but they couldn’t keep one for me! Abandoned all other plans and drove at great speed to the second Asda. Christmas was saved!
There's a new Ice Cream Shop in town. December saw the opening of the Mackies 19.2 Ice Cream Parlour in Aberdeen's latest development - Marischal Square. Indoor and outdoor seating (with cosy blankets) selling ice cream (obvs!) waffles, crepes, chocolates, hot/cold drinks and more. The shop is located 19.2 miles from their farm where the ice cream is produced.
My first recipe of the month was Gingerbread Men Hot Chocolate Stirrers continuing my ongoing festive Gingerbread Man obsession!
I'm rather sad to have just taken down my special kitchen Christmas tree. As you may have guessed there is a food and drink theme to the decorations. Above are only a small selection. If you'd like to see more you can watch a Facebook Live tour of my Foodie Themed Christmas Tree. Please do tell me if you spot any decorations that I need for my collection, I'm on the lookout all year round (although I may need to get a bigger tree...)
The next recipe up was for a festive Cavolo Nero and Cranberry Nut Roast. However outwith December you can substitute dried cranberries for fresh. Nut loaf is for life - not just for Christmas.
Plenty of controversy caused when I asked my followers to rate their Christmas dinner. It seems that both Brussels Sprouts and Bread Sauce are most definitely Love/Hate items!
From the popularity of my post with 10 Christmas Gin Recipes I suspect that there were a number of my followers who had a very Merry Ginmas! I most certainly did. Also lovely to see the folks at Rock Rose making my Christmas Gincemeat with their very own gin.
Whilst at the same time Scottish Gin caused controversy when I shared a piece from The Herald. Revealed: Premium Scottish craft gins made in English factories.
Positively the last Gingerbread Men appearance of 2017 was my 'recipe' for Sledging Gingerbread Men
My After Eight and Candy Cane Fudge proved so popular that I had to make multiple batches and there was still none left come Christmas itself!
Final recipe before Christmas was Mincemeat Muffins. These are so good that I actually make them all year round.
I enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea (complete with Pink Fizz!) at Almondine on Christmas Eve Eve with the group of girls that I watch GBBO with. Everything they make is sublime and I can't recommend it enough, but you do need to book well in advance particularly if you want a Saturday. Their fame has clearly spread following their appearance on Bake Off Creme de la Creme.
Christmas Day itself was a feast full of delights from some fantastic local producers. Turkey from Barra Bronze, Epic Bacon from Piggery Smokery and Smoked Salmon from The Alexander Smokery. All three will again have my custom for Christmas 2018.
I must have been a very good quine as I received some amazing gifts from Santa, family and friends with more than a hint of Gin and a large dollop of Tunnock’s! (it's a suitcase not a fridge as someone thought!) I'm loving the Prue Leith book - its rather racy in comparison to Mary.
Bloody Mary with a side of maraschino cherry, pig in blanket, Brussels sprout, cornichon and gin olive is surely the Boxing Day breakfast of Champions! This may well become an annual tradition.
Irn Bru Ham was on the menu for Boxing Day and it seems that I was not alone. Again it was lovely to see and hear of others success with this ever popular recipe over Christmas.
My sister, aided and abetted by my two teenagers really excelled herself with this year's Gingerbread House. Stand alone blog post to follow but for now this is Camp Santa in all its glory. We finally demolished and ate it on New Year's Day.
Over 'Twixtmas' we headed down to Edinburgh for a couple of days to check out the Christmas Market. Plenty of mulled wine, hot chocolate and continental foodie treats on offer.
We also visited the Giant Lanterns of China at Edinburgh Zoo. These are absolutely amazing. Do visit if you can - you won't be dissapointed. They are there until 25th February - Chinese New Year
I ended the year with another rating game. Lets just say that the placement of Galaxy and Bounty caused almost as much consternation as that of Bread Sauce and Sprouts!
Lastly my best nine on Instagram from 2017. As per above - thanks for all those likes!
I enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea (complete with Pink Fizz!) at Almondine on Christmas Eve Eve with the group of girls that I watch GBBO with. Everything they make is sublime and I can't recommend it enough, but you do need to book well in advance particularly if you want a Saturday. Their fame has clearly spread following their appearance on Bake Off Creme de la Creme.
Christmas Day itself was a feast full of delights from some fantastic local producers. Turkey from Barra Bronze, Epic Bacon from Piggery Smokery and Smoked Salmon from The Alexander Smokery. All three will again have my custom for Christmas 2018.
I must have been a very good quine as I received some amazing gifts from Santa, family and friends with more than a hint of Gin and a large dollop of Tunnock’s! (it's a suitcase not a fridge as someone thought!) I'm loving the Prue Leith book - its rather racy in comparison to Mary.
Bloody Mary with a side of maraschino cherry, pig in blanket, Brussels sprout, cornichon and gin olive is surely the Boxing Day breakfast of Champions! This may well become an annual tradition.
Irn Bru Ham was on the menu for Boxing Day and it seems that I was not alone. Again it was lovely to see and hear of others success with this ever popular recipe over Christmas.
My sister, aided and abetted by my two teenagers really excelled herself with this year's Gingerbread House. Stand alone blog post to follow but for now this is Camp Santa in all its glory. We finally demolished and ate it on New Year's Day.
Over 'Twixtmas' we headed down to Edinburgh for a couple of days to check out the Christmas Market. Plenty of mulled wine, hot chocolate and continental foodie treats on offer.
We also visited the Giant Lanterns of China at Edinburgh Zoo. These are absolutely amazing. Do visit if you can - you won't be dissapointed. They are there until 25th February - Chinese New Year
I ended the year with another rating game. Lets just say that the placement of Galaxy and Bounty caused almost as much consternation as that of Bread Sauce and Sprouts!
Lastly my best nine on Instagram from 2017. As per above - thanks for all those likes!
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