Wild Garlic & Cheese Scones.

Today I reached a little milestone. I am currently participating in the #walk1000miles challenge , which I started in the New Year. I have just become a Proclaimer. I have walked 500 Miles! To celebrate, I thought I would do a little baking , so I made some Wild Garlic & Cheese Scones. Wild garlic has speer shaped leaves and is abundant in woodland at the moment. In fact it’s white pompom shaped flowers are just starting to appear. I foraged some leaves whilst out walking locally this afternoon.

Wild Garlic & Cheese Scones.

I found this recipe in the Ribble Valley Magazine and it is one of wild food forager James Woods , from www.totallywild.co.uk

Ingredients ( 8 Scones).

250g plain flour.

75g unsalted butter, small chunks.

1tsp baking powder.

1 tsp salt.

50g mature cheese, grated.

15-20 young wild garlic leaves and stems, finely chopped.

150ml milk.

Method.

Place the flour into a large bowl and add the butter. Rub the flour into the butter until it resembles fine bread crumbs.

Add the salt, baking powder, grated cheese, chopped wild garlic leaves and mix.

In the mixing bowl.

Make a well in the middle and add the milk, a little at a time, mix with your hands or a large spoon.

Flatten the dough into a thick round on a floured surface. Ok!

Remove and form it into a ball in your hands, then flatten the dough into a thick round on a floured surface and cut into eight wedges ( I only managed 6). Place on a lined baking tray.

Scones…..that actually look like bannocks. Ready to go in the oven.

Bake in the middle of a pre-heated oven, 180 C , for 15 to 20 minutes until risen and lightly browned.

Happy 500 Miles!

I found the scones to have a subtle garlic flavour. They are really good with butter! I think I should have tried to cut the wild garlic leaves finer, but all in all I am quite pleased with how they turned out. 😁

Heres to the next 500 miles!

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A Winter Warming Links & Likes.

 Hello my festive followers!  I thought I would post my last post before Christmas today and spread some Yuletide Blog Love.  ♡ Here is a Christmas Combo of some of my favourite posts through December , so do grab a Mince Pie with your brew and enjoy browsing through these winter warmers. 😁

 

Those Greedy Sisters make a boozy Mince Pie Martini. Sounds scrummy.

On Too Lazy To Weed some surprising Evergreens are found in the garden. 🌲

Meanwhile in New Zealand kristah’s Garden is bursting with Summer blooms and a recipe for Strawberry Shortcake. 🙂

 festive Tiffin on Mathilde Heart Manech.

From Sunshine to  Snow on Paula’s blog where her gorgeous part of the world has been transformed into a Winter-Wonderland.

Stunning pictures on Hike Minded when Santa visits the residents  of  a Berlin Wildlife Park. 🙂

Get an informative low-down on Winter Seasonal Veg over at Roots And Toots.

And heres a Simple Tasty Potato Stew on the Alfresco Family blog. 

Still looking for Christmas Gift Ideas ?  Lots and lots at the  Forkward Thinking Foodinista.

Very hygge pictures on Simple Natural Handmade.

 Simple Natural Handmade is a lovely blog to follow if you love pictures of cute dogs and crochet. 🙂 

 A Winter Walk isn’t quite the same without making one of Lisa’s yummy Walk And Eat recipes. Decembers treat is Festive Tiffin. 

And if you are out walking in the cold make sure you Layer up well !  The Helpful Hiker shows you how. 

 Fancy a winter break in Edinburgh? The Dickins Blog can show you how to spend a cosy day in this charming city. 🙂 

Stunning wildlife shots on Hike Minded.

The Glasgow Gallivanter shares her summer memories of a trip to a Scottish Island, I personally had never heard of.

 And last but not least , Christine shares her wonderful  Wildlife Moments of 2017.  🦋🦎

 Merry Christmas and thanks for reading. X

 

 

 

 

 

Links & Likes ~ October. ♡

Wow we are really rushing through October!  Everyone has been up to some good stuff this month. So please make yourself a nice hot drink and settle down for a read of these lovely blogs. ♡ 
Apparently BottomlessBrunch is the New Afternoon Tea ! Kellie gives it a try. Yum. 🙂

Theres a Quick and Easy French Toast Recipe on Wonderfully Bookish.

I had no idea that in Scotland Mums To Be recieve  a very useful and cute  Scottish Baby-Box.  Nina shows us whats in hers…

Apples galore on Christine’s blog.

Eunice shares a Missing Pooch Story  with a Yappy Ending. 🙂 

 Christine searches for her favourite Apple varieties at an Apple Festival in the Gorse Hill Nature Reserve. 

Fancy a mug of tea and a hike round Rufford Old Hall.   Melodie’s blog Tea Bee’s Trips explore’s the English countryside, holidays abroad and her tipple of choice  ‘ Tea.’  🙂

An Idylic Hideaway  in Bodmin  ~  My Little Country Life.

Emma stays at the most perfect little holiday cottage in Bodmin . I really want to book this place ! 

 I love the look of  this wonderful journal reviewed on  Made by Mi. 

And this delicious Ginger and Syrup Sponge on Emily Llou’s blog.

 

The Breathe journal is reviewed on Made by Mi.

 Theres a great little review on the recent H is for Hawk documentary on Only Natural, which I still need to watch.

I really must get round to visiting the  Yorkshire Sculpture Park which appears  on Down by the Dougie.

Lets end with the cats of Monmartre Cemetery

  in Paris, who live and prowl amongst the graves of famous Parisians.  
 

 Thanks for reading and hopefully see you soon. 🍁

 

 

Links & Likes ~ September.

 Links & Likes  this month is from our little hideaway for the week,  a cottage in the Western Lake District.    You are probably wondering why am I wasting a perfectly good morning blogging??  The truth is our car has decided to pack in, and we are stuck waiting for a recovery vehicle!  I will add a few pictures from my immediate vicinity.  Its not a bad place to have car trouble, if only we could go out and explore…..

A nice view for a brew. 🙂

I was so sad to hear that Bekki’s beautiful dog Hicks  passed away recently. Bekki who blogs at Dartmoor Yarns wrote a lovely tribute post to him , which brought tears to my eyes, but made me smile too. Will certainly miss hearing all about Mr Hicks , especially his muddy puddle antics. He was a Top dog. Xx

Jo’s Monday Walk  to Coverham Abbey is a feast for the eyes. Stone statues, colourful dahlias, a unique Knot Garden. A lovely place to take a wander. 🙂

 

I always love reading about Tommy’s life on Fair Isle and seeing all his fantastic wildlife pictures. 

Cosy Bedroom.

Books and Binoculars.

How about glamping in a boat in a forest in Fife?  Check out this post from Loving Life In Wellies. 

Lucy is on the trail of Anne of Green Gables in Prince Edward Island. 

A doggy day out in East Sussex on The Bluebell Railway  is an adventure for  My Little Country Life.

 

Mad March Hares above the fireplace.

Hugo the hound. 🙂

Chloe makes the best of a rainy Staycation in Anglesey and North Wales.

Love baking with Apples in Autumn? Polly’s Blog is fab for Apple pudding recipes. 🙂

 Here’s a Great Guide To The Northern Lights in Iceland on Unlocking Kiki. Its definitely time to visit! 

 

I have claimed this Gentleman’s Wardrobe as my own. Love all the different compartments for collars, hankerchiefs and fancy shirts.

The kitchen.

 

Thanks for dropping by. X

 

Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.

Hurrah for Macmillan Coffee Mornings !  Not only are they a brilliant and social way to raise money for a fantastic cause,  they are also pure heaven for those of us with a sweet tooth.  This morning I dropped in at my friend Nicola’s Macmillan Coffee morning…and stuffed myself with cake. Nicola , who is a Queen Baker ( as well as a busy Mum of 4! ) made all these goodies. 🙂

Lemon Drizzle.

Coffee Cake.

Chocolate Fudge Cake.

Take me to the Cake!

Our hostess got some recipe inspiration from the Macmillan Coffee Morning Recipe Page, which features quite a few recipes contributed by celebrities , such as Julie Walters and Amanda Holden.

Afternoon Tea anyone?

Ginger and Salted Caramel Cupcakes.

Victoria Sponge.

Pear and Ginger Cake. My personal favourite. 🙂

Cookies 🙂 The dark chocolate and ginger biscuits on the left, another favourite of mine , this recipe provided by Harry Potter star Rupert Grint. 🙂

Nicola was sent a Coffee Morning Kit when she signed up to host this event, and this  included table cloths, bunting & cake toppers etc, as well as ideas for fund raising games and raffles. She had such a successful morning that she raised an amazing £270!

Cake really is best enjoyed with friends.

You can host a Macmillan Coffee Morning whenever you like, and help raise funds to support people with cancer. The website is Here. 🙂

Twenty Things To Do This Autumn. :)

Autumn Leaves. Image via Pinterest.

 

I thought I would get in the mood for Autumn, and the best way for me to do that, is to make a list of course! Enjoy. 🙂

 

 

1. Go for a woodland walk and admire the changing colours.

2. Refill your hanging baskets with Autumn favourites such as pansies, cyclamen and Ivy.

3. Fill your home with the scents of Autumn. Add cinnamon sticks,orange rind,whole cloves and bay leaves to water and simmer on the stove.

4. Go Blackberry picking and make a lovely crumble.

5. Autumn is the perfect time to get cosy on an Autumn Glamping Break. How about staying in a colourful Shepherd’s Hut  in the Lakes, a luxurious Safari Tent in the Trough of Bowland or a beautiful Showman’s Wagon in Cornwall.

Poetry. Image joana-duarte-23198-tumblr.com

6. Curl up with some Autumnal Poetry , such as Emily Bronte’s Fall, Leaves Fall.

7. Dust off the Slow Cooker and make some simple hearty stews.

8. Grab the girls and head out to the movies to see Bridget Jones Baby or A street Cat Named Bob. 🙂

9. Bring Nature indoors and decorate your Mantel Piece with leaves and fruits.

Autumn Fireplace Display by Rosalilium blog.

10. Rent a good gothic movie. How about Guillermo Del Toro’s Crimson Peak or Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow.

11. Jump in a big pile of leaves. 🙂

12. Fill a vase with colourful orange and gold blooms such as dahlias, crysanthemums and chinese lanterns.

Toasty.Image ~ The Londoner.

13. Grab cosy blankets, a camping stove, and toast marshmallows with friends.

14. Learn to crochet. I really need to do this!

15. Join in the fun at your local Apple Pressing Day.

16. Explore your local town on a spooky Ghost Walk.

17. Look out for an Autumn Themed Afternoon Tea to try out, or create your own..

18. Collect sloes and make boozy Sloe Gin.

Afternoon Tea. Image via Pinterest.

19. Practice your Apple Bobbin skills. 🙂

20. Get your mitts around a warming Pumpkin Spiced Latte.

What would you add to the list? X

#BEDM Rancheros Pie.

Today’s #BEDM prompt is to blog about a Mexican inspired recipe you like. The only thing I could think to blog about is this Rancheros Pie which I sometimes make in the Slow Cooker. It’s from the hamlyn 200 Slow Cooker Recipes book.

Ingredients.
1 tbs sunflower oil.
500g Minced beef.
1 Onion chopped.(I always use a handful of frozen chopped onions which you can buy in packets). Less tears!
2 garlic cloves ,finely chopped.
1 tsp cumin seeds.
Half tsp crushed dried red chillies.
Half tsp ground allspice.
1 tsp dried Oregano.
3 tbs sultanas.
400g can tomatoes chopped.
250 ml beef stock.
Salt & pepper.

Topping.
500g sweet potatoes thinly sliced.
25g butter.
few crushed dried red chillies.

Method.

Preheat slow cooker.Heat oil in frying pan.Add beef and onion & fry until browned.

Stir in garlic,spices,sultanas, tomatoes and stock.Add a little salt & pepper and bring to the boil stirring.Spoon into the slow cooker , cover with overlapping slices of sweet potato,dot with butter and sprinkle with dried chillies.

Cover with the lid and cook for 7-8 hours until the potato topping is tender.Lift the pot out using oven gloves and brown under a hot grill if desired.

I think this is my favourite Slow Cooker recipe.

Enjoy.:)

Rhubarb. :)

At the moment I am quite addicted to……….rhubarb. The tangy pink stalks can be turned into all sorts of captivating creations, including a mouthwatering recipe I found in The Simple Things magazine. Of course I completely cheated and instead of making the luscious looking rhubarb and ginger pavlova, I just made the topping and scooped it into a shop bought meringue nest with a generous dollop of whipped double cream. For the original recipe look Here. 🙂

The topping involves rhubarb,honey,juice and zest of an orange, vanilla pods and star anise baked on a tray in the oven for 30 minutes. As you can imagine the aroma was gorgeous.

I loved the tangy tart taste of the rhubarb offset by the added sweetness of honey and vanilla. The aniseed flavour of the star anise seems to go perfectly with it.

I recently came across a book that celebrates Northern food…and I admit that I didn’t even know that rhubarb was ( and still is) grown widely in West Yorkshire. According to the book the heavy clay soils and rainfall contribute to the area being the ideal place to grow the fruit. It thrives in the county , where the land is unsuitable for growing most other crops. The area is known as the Rhubarb Triangle.

The book is called ‘From Eccles Cake to Hawkshead Wig’. If your interested Hawkshead Wig is a type of bread baked in the Cumbrian village. I can just see myself tucking the book under my arm as I galavant around the countryside trying out all the Northern England delicacies. 🙂

Anyhew, back to rhubarb!

Oooops the wrong rhubarb. ;))

My favourite beverage of the non alcoholic variety is Mr Fitzpatrick’s Rhubarb & Rosehip cordial. Seriously, I cannot get enough of this stuff.Its divine! Mr Fitzpatrick’s Temperance Bar in Rawtenstall, Lancashire is one of a very few Victorian temperance bars left in the whole country, its quirky vintage cordials such as Blood Tonic, Blackcurrant & Liquorice and Rhubarb & Rosehip hark back to a time when the movement sprang up to promote abstinence from the ‘demon drink’. Actually the rhubarb variety is very good with prosecco. 😉

What are your favourite rhubarb recipes?

Pear and Mint Chocolate Tartlets

Here’s a vintage cookery post from Cathy’s kitchen over at Red Rose Style. I love this cook book too so I think she may have inspired me to make something from it at last. Mouthwatering photography Cathy. 🙂

Red Rose Style

The Vintage Tea Party Year is the most beautiful cookbook that I own!The recipes are framed by delicious illustrations of partying animals going about their classy soirees. All of the food looks amazing, but it also often looks rather pricey and difficult to make; the first pie requires pigeon breast, and there are instructions on how to make swans out of choux pastry! Definitely above my skill level! But when there are fox ladies drinking champagne who needs to make the actual food!

However I decided that I should give at least one recipe a go, so I leafed through and picked out the ‘Pear and Mint Chocolate Tartlets’, mainly because the instructions seemed pretty straight forward and I recognised all of the ingredients and could pick them up from Morrisons!

So the first step was to poach four peeled pears in a red wine mixture flavoured with mint, cinnamon, vanilla…

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A Gift and Goulash.

A few weeks ago my lovely friend Sarah gifted us a set of Recipes Around The World cook books ( a small selection of them are pictured above). I was delighted as they have a little bit of sentimental value for the boyfriend and I.   Going back a couple of years, we found ourselves having to live apart  due to unforseen circumstances.  We stayed seperately with folks and friends and I guess in a way it was like being teenagers again. There wasn’t much opportunity to spend any alone time together. When Sarah asked us to house sit for a week ( and let us bring our dog too 🙂 ) we jumped at the chance. The small things we really took  for granted as a couple such as cuddling up on the sofa with a dvd or cooking tea together were ours again to appreciate. Every evening we made something from the interesting Around the World recipe books in Sarah’s bookshelf, a tasty tagine from Morocco, a delicous creamy curry from Thailand, a steaming Russian stew. It was good to be a family again. 🙂

Time has passed and we are once more settled in our own place. Our friend has gotten married and two households have merged into one. Hence a big clear out of her and her hubbys belongings. The books have found a new home with us 😀

Last week we dipped into one of the books  again and found a recipe for Hungarian Goulash. This was good timing actually as I had recently bought a tube of real Hungarian Paprika Puree from The Paprika Lady Company.

Ingredients ( serves 4 )

900g/2lb stewing beef
2 red peppers
50g/2oz butter
300ml/half pint beef stock
2 Onions
3 cloves garlic
4tbsp mild paprika
4tbsp olive oil
2tsp mild chilli powder
salt and freshly ground pepper
half tsp dried marjoram
3 bay leaves
1tsp cumin seeds

We substituted the paprika and chilli powder  with 1 tablespoon puree which was hot hot hot.:-)

Method

1) Preheat the oven to 150°C/300°F/ Gas 2. Cut the beef into large cubes. Core, de-seed and chop the peppers.Melt the butter.

2) Blend the peppers until smooth. Poor in the stock and blend for 1min until combined.

3) Peel and chop the onions. Peel and slice the garlic. Heat the oil in an ovenproof casserole dish and cook the beef and onion for 5-10 mins until meat is browned and onions are softened. Add the garlic,paprika,chilli powder and pureed pepper. Bring to the boil.

4) Stir in seasoning, marjoram, bay leaves and cumin and bring back to the boil. Cover and bake for 1and a half/-2 hours, stirring twice during cooking, until the beef is tender. Remove bay leaves before serving.

Enjoy!