Towers of Terrific Tray Bakes–Take Two

Last nights ‘theme’ for the Edinburgh Bakers was a repeat of one from last year – Towers of Terrific Tray bakes.  Our hosts for the evening where the lovely Ingrid and Stuart from Bon Papilion (you’ve got to try Stuart’s epic scones and the belly busting bacon rolls!) Here are some of the magnificent tray…

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Japan Part 3: Kyoto and Nara

Ok, so this post has been a long time coming (almost 10 months in fact!).  After our stay on Miyajima we hopped on a train up to Kyoto.  I was really looking forward to going here, I had read so much about it and the history (geeky I know) and wanted to see these places…

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Polenta Chips

I am not sure when I first discovered polenta chips, but I’m glad I did.  They are a tasty alternative to ordinary potato chips, and the bonus is there is an easy way to make them and a slightly less easy way! Both recipes serve 4. Easy Polenta Chips Ingredients 1 Block of Ready-made Polenta1…

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Cafe Blue Bear

Earlier this week I arranged to meet a couple of friends for brunch today.  One of them suggested Cafe Blue Bear, a new cafe which has been open for about 6 weeks in Canonmills, which I have been trying to try out since then!  One thing I hadn’t planned on was the massive hangover that…

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The Inn at Torbrex

Back in December, my Father-in-law introduced us to The Inn at Torbrex, a new bar / restaurant tucked away in the Torbrex area of Stirling (luckily Stuart’s an ex-local so knows where he is going!). A few weeks ago when it was quite rainy and miserable, we decided to cheer ourselves up by getting out…

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Mary Berry's Coffee and Walnut Cake

A couple of weekends ago the theme for the Sunday Baking Club was Retro  Bakes.  The easy option would have been a Victoria Sponge, however I went for the second easiest option – Coffee and Walnut Cake! A favourite of my mums and mine when I was growing up.  I chose this recipe from Mary…

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Whisky with Love

Normally on Valentines Day we like to keep it low key, cook something special at home or be lazy and get a takeaway! This year I was whisked away to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society on Queen Street for a spot of Blind Whisky and Champagne Tasting , two of my favourite drinks! The evening…

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Pancakes!

I love pancakes, and we often make them at the weekends as part of a lazy breakfast.  So, given today is officially Pancake day it would seem unsporting not to indulge! I had a wonderful stack of pancakes during the summer in Cornwall, and I decided to recreate them this morning.  I used the following…

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Kung Hei Fat Choy!

Today Celebrates the Chinese New Year, we are leaving the Year of the Dragon behind and moving into the Year of the Snake.  Apparently those who were born in the year of the Snake are regarded as intelligent, but can also be somewhat unscrupulous! Having never really cooked any Chinese food (except for the odd…

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Orange and Almond Tea Cakes

Or an adaption of Lily Vanilli’s Pink Grapefruit, Almond and Brown Sugar Tea Cakes, as it really should be!  I recently bought Lily Vanilli’s Sweet Tooth as a post Christmas gift to myself! I was tempted by the colourful, pretty cover as well the reviews I’ve read of it and having seen the bakery for…

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