Recipe Clippings May Round up and June Linky

It's been a bit of a funny old month, I've been incredibly busy at work and also had some family matters that have taken up a lot of my time, so I've sadly neglected Recipe Clippings.

I have two recipes in the round up and I heartily thank Jane at Onions and Paper and Anukampa at A Pinch of Salt Make it all for joining me for Recipe Clippings this month.


Jane shared a very well used recipe clipping shared with her over 30 years ago by a Nepalese friend: Aludam, Nepalese Spiced Potatoes.  The recent earthquake in Nepal got Jane thinking about her friend and this recipe again.  Along with Jane I hope her friend was not hurt and did not lose any family in the earthquake.  This tasty recipe is definitely worth trying.

Anukampa has 'clipped' this recipe for Sweet and Savoury Pie from another blog and then altered this Russian recipe to suit the ingredients available in India, where she lives. The 'pies' are  made with a bread dough and stuffed either with vegetables or with a sweet mixture of sugar, coconut and raisins.  Both versions look delicious and were enjoyed by Anukampa's children.

It's an open theme for June - so any recipe clipping you have cooked up can be added to the Linky.


There are a number of different ways you can join in and cook up the recipes from your
#RecipeClippings.

Make a recipe from a magazine/newspaper clipping or note: 

• post a photograph and the recipe, or a link to a recipe, on your blog and add to the InLinkz linky at the bottom of this post. Link to Farmersgirl Kitchen in your blog post and include the #RecipeClippings logo OR
• post a photograph and description on Instagram tagging FarmersgirlCook and using #RecipeClippings OR
• post a photograph and description on Twitter tagging @FarmersgirlCook and using #RecipeClippings OR
• like and post a photograph and description on Farmersgirl Kitchen Facebook page using #RecipeClippings

YOU ONLY NEED TO DO ONE OF THESE, BUT YOU CAN DO MORE IF YOU WISH

Rules: 

• You may post recipes you have clipped from magazines, newspapers or have written down from friends and family.Please credit the author of the recipe or ask permission.
• Please say where the recipe came from.
• Three entries per month.
• I will re-share any posts and/or photos that are tagged
• Recipes must be added to the linky by the 28th of each month.

Labels: cook, Food, Linky party, Nepal, pies, potatoes, Recipe Clippings, share, spicy

posted by Janice @ 21:05 3 Comments

New Year, New Challenge - Recipe Clippings

#RecipeClippings

Do you have a folder full of recipes cut from magazines, copied from your mother, grandmother or friends?  I have four A4 folders stuffed full of recipes and those are the ones I'm prepared to own up to, as there are also various notebooks with recipes I wrote out by hand in my teens and twenties!


I hadn't intended to create a new blog event, it all came about through an instagram post  about my recipe clippings which seemed to strike a chord with some others.  I was going to keep it to instagram but, after thinking about it, I realised that it would be hard to keep track only through instagram and there would be a real chance that the whole thing would just fade away.

There are a number of ways you can join in and cook up the recipes from your #RecipeClippings


Make a recipe from a magazine/newspaper clipping or note: 

Labels: Bookmarked Recipes, challenge, facebook, Food, Instagram, recipe, Recipe Clippings, Twitter

posted by Janice @ 18:43 30 Comments

Happy New Year and the first Slow Cooked Challenge of 2015

It's been a year since I got my Slow Cooker for Christmas in 2014 and launched this challenge to learn more about slow cooking and share recipes with other slow cooking fans. So if you got a Slow Cooker as a gift or nabbed one in the sales, please do join in the rules are simple:

• Make your recipe in your Slow Cooker or use other slow cooking method and post a photograph and the recipe, or a link to a recipe, on your blog
• Link to Farmersgirl Kitchen
• Use the Slow Cooked Challenge logo in your post
• If you use twitter, tweet your post with @FarmersgirlCook and #SlowCookedChallenge and I will re-tweet it to my followers AND post your picture on the dedicated Pinterest Board. 

Rules: 

• Please do not publish recipes from cookbooks on your blog without permission, they are copyright.
• If you are using recipes from another website, please link to the recipe on the website rather than publishing the recipe.
• One entry per blog.
• Recipes must be added to the linky by the 28th of each month.

Labels: challenge, Citrus, Cooking, Food, Slow Cooked Challenge, slow cooker

posted by Janice @ 09:00 18 Comments

Vegetable Burritos and a Box of Delights

These Vegetable Burritos are easy to make and make a great for all the family, they are packed with vegetables and helped along with a 'shot' of spices which I'll tell you about in a moment, but first...
Let me tell you about the Degustabox I received which inspired the Vegetable Burritos.  Degustabox is a monthly subscription food box which costs £12.99 a month including delivery.  Each month there is a new box of delights for you to try, with between 9 and 12 products for you to try, great for a bit of inspiration.  Degustabox make sure that you will pay less for these products than you would in the shops.  A subscription to a monthly Degustabox would make a great present, it would be like Christmas every month!

• My box contained Kettle Chips in Salsa and Mesquite flavour a combination of tomatoes, chillies and peppers and the aroma of barbecues. £2.19
• The small cans contain Cool Dawn Recovery drink a herbal detox drink that helps to prevent and cure hangovers.  It presents a complex an unique combination of citrus and liquorice flavours and does not contain stimulants. Very handy to have around after your Christmas parties. £1.49 each
• Five little Lindor My Melting Moments, well you can't go wrong with chocolate and the snowflake shaped Lindor My Melting Moment melts in your mouth. £0.65 each
• Kent's Kitchen flavour shots are a a quick and easy way to jazz up diced meat or prawns, or in my case vegetables for the burritos.  £1.85 for pack of four shots

• We all know Branston Pickle but now there is a new chutney from Branston, Mediterranean Tomato which goes well with smoky meats, cheddar and biscuits.  We love chutney and this one is chopped nice and small so perfect for sandwiches.  £1.50
• Pip Organic produce pure organic juices and smoothies. The Pip Organic Cloudy Apple Juice tasted good, but not outstanding and I felt it was expensive at £1.50 for a small bottle. 
• More apples, but this time fermented into cider. Montano is Italian Cider made from apples grown in the foothills of Trentino region of Northern Italy, it's refreshing and medium dry, a good price at £2.79.
• For that work night when you need good food in a hurry, the sachets of Holy Cow authentic Indian Curry Sauce are ideal.  They are made from all natural ingredients with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.  And a bonus that they are gluten free and suitable for vegetarians and coeliacs, just add your own ingredients to the sauce and serve with rice, naan bread or chapattis £1.89 each 

There was also  a Sample Present of a sachet of Drink Me Chai, a blend of exotic spices milk and sweetened tea, just add water or milk.  I haven't tried this as I don't like sweetened or milky tea, but it may be popped in someones Christmas stocking!



Vegetable Burritos
serves 4

1 tbsp sunflower oil
1 large onion, sliced
1 green pepper, sliced into strips
1/2 red pepper, sliced into strips
1/2 yellow pepper, sliced into strips
2 courgettes, cut into batons
100g sliced mushrooms
2 Kent's Kitchen Fajita Flavour Shots
400g can kidney beans
8 flour tortillas
100g cheese, grated

for the Tomato Sauce
1 tbsp sunflower oil
3 cloves of garlic, sliced
400g can tomatoes, crushed
salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Heat the oil in a large pan and add the onion, cook on a low heat for about 5 minutes until it starts to become translucent. Add the peppers and courgette batons and stir round, cook for a couple of minutes then add the mushrooms and the Fajita Flavour Shots.
2. Cook until the mushrooms soften, then add the kidney beans.
3. While the vegetables are cooking, heat the oil in a separate pan and gently cook the sliced garlic, then add the crushed tomatoes, cook on a medium heat for about 10 minutes until slightly reduced and the flavours have combined.
4. Fill each tortilla with the spiced vegetable mixture, roll and place in a large ovenproof dish. Once all eight tortillas have been filled, if there is any vegetable mix left pile it on top of the tortillas, then cover with the tomato sauce and sprinkle with grated cheese.
5. Bake in the oven at 180C for 20-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden.

Find out more about Degustabox on their website, on Facebook and follow them on Twitter


I was not paid for this review and all opinions are my own. 

Labels: Branston, Burritos, Cool Dawn Drink me Chai, degustabox, Food, food box, food delivery, food products, Holy Cow Curry, Kent's Kitchen Flavour Shots, Kettle Chips, Lindor, Montano, Pip Organic, vegetable, vegetarian

posted by Janice @ 07:00 9 Comments

Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood at BBC Good Food Show Scotland 2014

Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood

Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood were definitely the stars of the BBC Good Food Show Scotland this year. I attended the show on Friday 17th October, this was my first show in Scotland and the first time as a GFS Blogger, so let me tell you all about my experience.

Mary and Paul opening the show and at the Supertheatre

The show was opened by guess who?  Yes, Mary and Paul stepped up with the giant scissors to cut the ribbon and start the show.  They were also first up at the Supertheatre where they entertained the packed theatre with great recipes and the kind of banter that you have come to expect from watching The Great British Bake Off and the spin off  Masterclasses.

The Showguide and Recipe Collection

I was super-impressed by the Showguide and Recipe Collection.  Not only was it well laid out, with the floor plan and event timetables, featured right at the front, but it was also full of recipes featured in the shows and some extras too.  There was a full A-Z listing of all the producers and a product guide which was also helpful.

The Good Food Show Bloggers

Just a few of the producers at the BBC Good Food Show, Scotland clockwise from the top left Heck Food (fabulous sausages which previously featured at Farmersgirl Kitchen in some chorizo burgers I made from a Nigel Slater recipe); local to me in the SW of Scotland,  Waulkmill Cider from Langholm;  Seed and Bean Chocolate from Cornwall  and Award winning David's Chilli Oil.

Across the top:  sauces, mayonnaise, mutard chutney and relishes from Le Mesurier;  The Little Veg Company, a veg box delivery company in Glasgow and the West of Scotland;  Scotia Spice, authentic Punjabi Cookery School and Spice Kits and the bottom photo shows Gusto Artisan Foods purveyors of a wide range of oils and vinegars.


Once I knew I was going to the BBC Good Food Show, I was on a mission to get my 30+ year old Fast Cakes by Mary Berry signed by Queen Mary herself.  Although I have been baking since I was a child, this is the book that really gave me confidence to bake and also the understanding of baking to allow me to experiment and create my own cakes and bakes.

The rules for book signings are pretty strict and only certain books could be signed.  I saw one poor girl who had stood for 30 minutes turned away because she had a Bake Off Book rather than a Mary Berry book.  I bought Mary's latest book, Mary Berry Cooks the Perfect,  to be signed and given as a gift (that's why I'm not showing it here) and slid my old, cake batter splattered and scribbled on book underneath.  I was nervous as I approached the table, wondering if I would be refused the signature.  However, I need not have worried, as I handed over the new book, I explained about Fast Cakes and there was no problem at all.  Mary signed and gave me a big smile, then continued working her way through the long queue.

Janice meets Paul Hollwood

After the 2.30 pm Supertheatre show, the bloggers had the opportunity to go back stage for a photo opportunity with Paul Hollywood.  There was no opportunity to speak to Paul or to Mary, who was there only fleetingly, on her way to the Interview stage.  I have to say I was hugely impressed by Mary Berry's stamina, she had few breaks and still looked fresh - she is the ultimate professional.

Overall it was a great day out and I can thoroughly recommend it.  The Scottish show is over for this year, but there are still loads more BBC Good Food Shows that you can visit in the coming months.

Labels: BBC Good Food Show, chilli, chocolate, Christina's Cucuna, Food, Glasgow, Mary Berry, Paul Hollywood, Scotland

posted by Janice @ 19:48 13 Comments

Brodies of Moffat - my foodie adventure for Scottish Food Fortnight

Labels: black pudding, Brodies, duck, Food, Moffat, restaurant review, Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight, smoked trout

posted by Janice @ 19:34 12 Comments

July Slow Cooker Challenge and a cookbook giveaway

Summer is a time when most people in the UK put their slow cooker away in a cupboard, only to rediscover it sometime about the end of October.  But this is not the case in warmer climes, where the Slow Cooker or Crockpot is seen as the perfect way to cook without literally sweating over a hot stove.  I also think that it's perfect for days out at the beach or the park or even in the garden. as you can  load it up in the morning and head off knowing you will be coming home to a meal you simply have to serve.

Your challenge, for July, is to come up with the perfect SUMMER Slow Cooker meal. Add your link to the InLinkz tool at the bottom of this post.

While I'm here I'm going to tell you about The Slow Cooker Cookbook by Gina Steer




About the Author: GINA STEER is an established and experienced food writer and stylist. After receiving her diploma for Home Economics, she wrote for many leading women’s magazines and was Cookery Editor for a leading women’s weekly publication. She is now a freelance food writer and editor. She has written a number of cookery books and had a regular feature on London’s LBC Radio. She has always been a great lover of hearty, slow cooked meals, ensuring they are accessible to all.

The Slow Cooker Cookbook starts with advice about buying a slow cooker and some tips on food preparation and cooker care. However, this is a short chapter and you are soon into the recipe chapters.

Starters and Sauces contains some really interesting recipes that I am keen to make like Sunburst Soup, Lentil and Squash Broth, Duck Pate, Cheesy Bean Dip and Tangy Tomato Sauce.

Fish and Seafood covers a wide range of different types of fish, I was drawn to Salmon with Sweet Chile Glaze, Scallop, Prawn and Saffron Rice and Tuna with Mango Salsa.

Meat those of you with a slow cooker will know just how good it is at cooking meat, this chapter covers traditional dishes like Braised Beef, Lamb Hot Pot and Braised Lamb Shanks as well as recipes for Lemon Pork with Cumin, Lamb Fillet with Plum Sauce and Sweet and Sour Ham.

I cook at lot of chicken, so am always looking for different ways to cook it, and in the Poultry chapter there are plenty to choose from.  What about Mexican Chicken Drumsticks, Chicken with 40 Garlic Gloves and Chicken Gumbo Supper, other poultry also features including Duck with Cherries, Guinea Hen with Orange Sauce and Turkey Tagine.

In the Vegetable chapter there are plenty of meat free dishes to enjoy including Stuffed Peppers, Warm Bean and Pumpkin Salad, Stuffed Acorn Squash and Spicy Vegetables with Coconut.

I have still to make any Desserts in my Slow Cooker, I think the first might just come from this book.  I'm finding it hard to resist Sticky Date and Toffee Bake, Maple Syrup Dessert and Gingerbread.

The Slow Cooker Cookbook
Gina Steer
Apple Press RRP £9.99

If you like a chance to WIN this book, enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway by leaving a comment and following the instructions.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Labels: #review, Apple Press, cookbook, Cooking, Food, Gina Steer, giveaway, slow cooker, Slow Cooker Challenge

posted by Janice @ 06:30 19 Comments

Vistaprint Photobook - Review

Have you have looked at photobooks in online advertising and thought, what a great idea they are?  I have, but  have never quite got round to uploading my photos and purchasing a photobook. 

We were recently on a river cruise in the south of France so I was delighted when Vistaprint contacted me and asked me to review one of their photobooks, and even more delighted when I received the photobook, what a superb memento of our holiday. Vistaprint is Europe's largest printing specialist with a  wide range of products.


There are two ways you can work with Vistaprint, you can either upload the photos directly the online photo editor, or download the special software.  I decided to download the software which turned out to be really easy to use and I liked being able to work offline.There are various different sizes of photobook with different options for the cover and paper. You can have your photos automatically placed in your book or choose where to place them yourself.  I chose to place my own photos in the book.  Sometimes I used the provided templates but it's easy to move them around or  delete them from the page and add a full page photo.  I was also delighted with the way you could place a photo in the background and it would show faded.
Of course, I had far too many photos of food!  Which is why I created this double page packed with photos from a huge food hall in Lyon.
I also used a photo of a plate of food as a background for this photograph in the dining room of the river boat.
I chose the option of a photo cover and, as well as a photo on the front cover,  there is space for a a photo on the back cover.  The photobook I chose was the 'Large Landscape' which is 28cm x 21cm and currently costs £10.49.

People use photo books for a variety of things, such as capturing pictures of their holidays, creating wedding albums, as well as people using them as a creative way to keep hold of their precious recipes. Because you can insert images and text, it's a nice way to compile all your favourite recipes into a nice presentable book. You can then give them to friends as gifts, VistaPrint have even heard of one mum sending her daughter off to university with a basic recipe book!

Not only can you make photo books with Vistaprint there are lots of other ideas like calendars   mugs, photo magnets and even a photo iPhone cover.  If you are a blogger you might also want to have a look at their business cards to help promote your blog at foodie events.

I reviewed the process of making a photo book with Vistaprint and received the finished book in return.  I was not paid for this review and all opinons are my own.

Labels: Food, France, photo book, photos, Portraits of Southern France, Vistaprint

posted by Janice @ 11:00 1 Comments

Foodie Haul from France

We didn't have much space in our cases to bring back many foodie items, next time I'm taking a bigger case!  However here are the things I managed to squeeze in and fortunately not a single glass bottle or jar was broken in transit.

The two tins on the left contain Herbes de Provence and Sel de Camargue aux 3 poivres (salt from the Camargue region with three kinds of pepper).  I love the tins as well as their contents.  Next is the Truffle Oil Spray not quite sure how I'm going to use this yet, any suggestions very welcome. 

The two small bottles are miniatures of Poire William Eau de Vie (alcohol flavoured with pear) and a Chestnut liqueur, the large bottle is Framboise (Raspberry) liqueur which is divine and really tastes of fresh raspberries. It makes a great Raspberry Kir when served with chilled dry white wine.


There is a jar of Dijon Mustard bought in the cheese shop in Beaune which I showed you in the last photos, and there is a bag of culinary lavender which I'm looking forward to using.

In front of the bottles is some nougat and a bag of Praline de Lyon which is an almond praline made with coloured sugar, I'm hoping to use that to recreate some of the baking decorated with the praline that I saw in the markets and patisseries in Lyon.


Last but not least, I bought a lovely provencal style tablecloth which will be featuring in my photographs for some time before we actually get to use it on the table!

Labels: Chestnut Liqueur, Dijon Mustard, Food, France, French, Herbes de Provence, Poire William, Praline de Lyon, Sel de Camargue, Truffle oil

posted by Janice @ 21:31 9 Comments

French Foodie Foties #1

I've been in the South of France for the past week.  Eating delicious food and taking photographs of  more delicious food which I can share with you.  The photograph above show some of the delicious patisserie on sale in Beaune in the Burgundy region of France.

 I loved this piggie sign for the Charcuterie Artisanale, featuring the local delicacy of Jambon persille and Rosette au Marc du Bourgogne

Labels: Food, France, Fromagerie, Jambon Persille, macarons, tarte, Viking River Cruise, Wine tasting

posted by Janice @ 21:43 6 Comments

I love food!

Yes, I really love food and lots of different food. Just as well I like cooking too!

I'm going to share some of my favourite recipes here and tell you all about what I am cooking and eating. Maybe some cookery book reviews too, I have too many cookbooks and have a tendency to do too much reading and not enough cooking.

Janice

Labels: Book Reviews, Cooking, Food

posted by Janice @ 15:06 0 Comments