Wasn't January a drag? Whether you were teetotal, vegan, gin soaked or just plain bored, broke and miserable! Let's hope February brings better things - particularly as I spend a lot of January with serious toothache due to an abscess. Fingers crossed root canal treatment next week will put paid to all the aggro. My roundup post last month Edible Scottish Adventures - December 2017 seemed to go down pretty well so I'm going to keep going in a similar vein. 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. Here's what you may have missed that happened in January....
When it came to my logo It was farewell to the figgy pudding and roll out the haggis. 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. Won't be long until the Easter Egg puts in an appearance.
You must have been hiding under a rock if you didn't know about Veganuary. In my roll as Food Round-up Editor for Britmums I compiled a post with a selection of great Vegan Recipes from Top UK Food Bloggers including curries, stews, nut roasts, pulses, Mexican, Spanish and salads.
January is of course a time for reflection so I took a look back at my most popular recipes posts of 2017 with a countdown of the Top 10 Recipes of 2017 in true Top of the Pops fashion they were of course revealed in reverse order.
First recipe of the year was a revamp of an old favourite to celebrate National Spaghetti Day. Spaghetti Carbonara Frittata is a twist on the Italian favourite. The perfect midweek meal using eggs, ham and pasta (plus any other fridge leftovers). Wonderfully filling and works really well served cold for picnics or packed lunches.
Time for the serious Burns to commence and add to my Haggis recipe repertoire with Wee Sleekit Cheese and Haggis Birls. Only three ingredients in this tasty treat which is perfect for Burns Night, St Andrew's Day or Hogmanay. Haggis and Cheese go burlin in Puff Pastry for an oh so moreish savoury Scottish snack which is super quick and easy to make.
It was clear to see that I was participating in Ginuary rather than Dry January with my visit to the Eden Mill Gin Blending Experience at Rusacks St Andrews. A fun, informative and highly interactive experience that will be thoroughly enjoyed by any gin lover. Located within the historic 4 star Rusacks Hotel with views of the 18th green of the world famous Old Course and West Sands Beach. I really can't recommend this enough!
Prior to the 25th I compiled all my Haggis recipes together for those who fancied something a wee bit different than the traditional Neeps and Tatties. Including Pancakes, Meatloaf, Burgers, Waffles, Birls, Shepherd's Pie, Soup, Scotch Eggs, Toasties and even Chocolate Haggis! My Top 10 Haggis Recipes for Burns Night.
As part of the Chapelton Wellbeing Weekend I enjoyed an Ashtanga Yoga Class and Juice from The Juicing Company at an event located in the gorgeous Elsick House. Chapelton's February events will offer the community the chance to enjoy a tipple with local drinks businesses including Porter’s Gin, Cock O’ the North and Arbikie vodka.
Jumping on the bandwagon of the latest food trend I spent a fascinating Friday night at The Mixing Bowl Aberdeen participating in a fermentation workshop. I’ve now got a jar of sauerkraut and and a jar of kimchee bubbling away in my kitchen.
The final fortnight of the month saw my son undertaking his National 5 prelims. (How on earth can my baby be old enough for exams?!) To celebrate their completion we headed to two of our favourite local eateries. The Sushi Box Aberdeen and Almondine. I really can't recommend these two enough, they never fail to impress me.
When The Scotsman calls you for your thoughts on the Nutella Riots story and your 13 year old daughter steals all the limelight with her own comment column...
Read the full story at Scots eateries go nuts for treat which led to French supermarket riots.
Read the full story at Scots eateries go nuts for treat which led to French supermarket riots.
A final burns recipe for the season was my Haggis Soda Bread. Traditional or Vegetarian Haggis brings a Celtic connection to this quick and easy bread. No kneading, proving or yeast required in this fuss free bake.
Looking forward into February the inaugural Aberdeen Restaurant Week has kicked off. Running from 1st to 8th February it offers a 2 course Lunch £10 and a 3 course Dinner £20.18. There are 35 restaurants participating and full details can be found at aberdeenrestaurantweek.com If you are in town for this why not combine it with a trip to the Theatre to see Company or a visit to the Spectra Festival.
Until next month...
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