Posted on 1 Comment

Simple Fruit Pasty Recipe

Have you ever wondered what to do with those leftover bits from tins of fruit?

How about this…

[fbvideo link=”https://www.facebook.com/ScottishMumBlog/videos/1279362062129739/” width=”500″ height=”400″ onlyvideo=”1″]

Fruit Pasty

Lesley Smith
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 Large

Ingredients
  

  • Half Tin Apples or 200g
  • 1-2 Pear Halves
  • 2 Peach Halves
  • 320 g Puff Pastry or 1 Puff Pastry Sheet
  • 1 Egg
  • 8 g Almond Butter
  • 2 Tablespoons Coconut Sugar

Instructions
 

  • Chop your fruit into smaller pieces, after draining as much fluid from them as possible. Sprinkle a tablespoon of coconut sugar on the top, spreading all over the fruit.

  • Roll your sheet out on a chopping board. I used a sheet. Slice into 4 portions.

  • Take each piece and roll it until it is a square.

  • Break an egg into a cup, add a tablespoon of coconut sugar and beat.

  • Mix the fruit and coconut sugar, which is likely to have broken down by now, until all mixed in, then add the almond butter and mix in.

  • Split your fruit into four sections. Put a quarter in the middle of each square, and then fold over, pressing at the edges to seal with your fingers.

  • Take a knife and slice some breathing holes into the top of each pasty.

  • Bake at 220C Oven, 220C Fan, Gas Mark 7, until brown on the top. Our ovens all vary, and for mine, it took around 20 minutes.

 

Posted on 2 Comments

Funky Foodies February 2013

STAR RECIPE WINNER – for January was : The Boy and Me with Slow Cooker Rice Pudding. It made me want to go and try some out.

Funky Foodies took a break in December, and is now open for February 2013.   Only 10 days to add your recipes, so get clicking.

THIS MONTHS FUNKY FOODIES LINKY IS OPEN AND THERE MUST BE LOADS OF RECIPES TO CHOOSE FROM.  

  • Is a monthly linkie, which will close on the last day of the month.
  • A medal will be awarded for the Star Recipe every month, and the fabulous trophy in the blog badge will be awarded at the end of a whole year of the Funky Foodies. If you want to find out more about it, read here.
  • All you have to do is share as many recipes from your own blog a month as you’d like. If you struggle to add your recipe, send me your link and I’ll add it for you.
  • Try to pop around and share the comment love with other funky foodies. We all like a little love and might come across some fabulous recipes.
If you want to host the linkie on your own blog as a blog hop, get the code here :

Simply add the link to your recipe on your own blog, and share your latest recipe with everyone taking part. If you don’t want to miss the linkie being opened, subscribe to RSS or by email in the blog header.

I’ll add recipes of mine to share, although I don’t count in the recipe challenge.

Feel free to copy the badge to use on your own blog, but you don’t have to.

Funky Foodies

If you want to add the blog hop to your own website,  get the InLinkz code

 Loading InLinkz …


Posted on 1 Comment

Funky Foodies January 2012

STAR RECIPE WINNER – for November was : Coombemill with her Apple and Cinnamon Festive Cakes as they look like something that we would love to eat all year round.

Funky Foodies took a break in December, and is now open for Janary 2013.   Only 10 days to add your recipes, so get clicking.

THIS MONTHS FUNKY FOODIES LINKY IS OPEN AND THERE MUST BE LOADS OF RECIPES TO CHOOSE FROM.  We didn’t run at Xmas, so feel free to add your xmas recipes too.

  • Is a monthly linkie, which will close on the last day of the month.
  • A medal will be awarded for the Star Recipe every month, and the fabulous trophy in the blog badge will be awarded at the end of a whole year of the Funky Foodies. If you want to find out more about it, read here.
  • All you have to do is share as many recipes from your own blog a month as you’d like. If you struggle to add your recipe, send me your link and I’ll add it for you.
  • Try to pop around and share the comment love with other funky foodies. We all like a little love and might come across some fabulous recipes.
If you want to host the linkie on your own blog as a blog hop, get the code here :

Simply add the link to your recipe on your own blog, and share your latest recipe with everyone taking part. If you don’t want to miss the linkie being opened, subscribe to RSS or by email in the blog header.

I’ll add recipes of mine to share, although I don’t count in the recipe challenge.

Feel free to copy the badge or use the html in the widget at the bottom of the page to add the small blog badge to your own blog / post. It makes finding you easier for other funky foodies.

Funky Foodies

<img src=” http://scottishmum.com/wp-content/uploads/100-funky-foodies.jpg” border=”0″ alt=”Funky Foodies” />

If you want to add the blog hop to your own website,  get the InLinkz code


Posted on

Funky Foodies November 2012

STAR RECIPE WINNER – for October is Recipe Junkie, with the attack of the custard creams, and her Rum Brownie Recipe.  Lush rum brownies that look to die for are last month’s irresistible food.

THE NOVEMBER FUNKY FOODIES LINKY IS OPEN AND THERE ARE ONLY 9 DAYS TO GET YOUR RECIPES IN THIS MONTH. 

  • Is a monthly linkie, which will close on the last day of the month.
  • A medal will be awarded for the Star Recipe every month, and the fabulous trophy in the blog badge will be awarded at the end of a whole year of the Funky Foodies.   If you want to find out more about it, read here.
  • All you have to do is share as many recipes from your own blog a month as you’d like.  If you struggle to add your recipe, send me your link and I’ll add it for you.
  • Try to pop around and share the comment love with other funky foodies.  We all like a little love and might come across some fabulous recipes.
If you want to host the linkie on your own blog as a blog hop, get the code here :

Simply add the link to your recipe on your own blog, and share your latest recipe with everyone taking part.  If you don’t want to miss the linkie being opened, subscribe to RSS or by email in the blog header.

I’ll add recipes of mine to share, although I don’t count in the recipe challenge.

Feel free to copy the badge or use the html in the widget at the bottom of the page to add the small blog badge to your own blog / post.  It makes finding you easier for other funky foodies.

Funky Foodies

<img src=”  http://scottishmum.com/wp-content/uploads/100-funky-foodies.jpg” border=”0″ alt=”Funky Foodies” />

If you want to add the blog hop to your own website, get the InLinkz code get the InLinkz code and add the monthly code to a text widget or a post in html.


Posted on 8 Comments

Funky Foodies October & WINNER for September 2012

STAR RECIPE WINNER – for September is a tie.  I let my kids choose their favourites this week, and they pondered for a while, before saying they couldn’t decide between Foodie Quine’s Cake Pops and Susan Mann’s Patatas.  In the end, I have to declare it a joint draw, and they both get a mention (and a medal).

What the kids said..

Foodie Quine (Twitter @foodiequine) “Her cake pops are better than yours mum, because she used Dairy Milk”  

Susan K Mann (Twitter @susankmann) “They look like fine stovies”

THE OCTOBER FUNKY FOODIE LINKY IS OPEN

  • Is a monthly linkie, which will close on the last day of the month.
  • A medal will be awarded for the Star Recipe every month, and the fabulous trophy in the blog badge will be awarded at the end of a whole year of the Funky Foodies.   If you want to find out more about it, read here.
  • All you have to do is share as many recipes from your own blog a month as you’d like.  If you struggle to add your recipe, send me your link and I’ll add it for you.
  • Try to pop around and share the comment love with other funky foodies.  We all like a little love and might come across some fabulous recipes.
If you want to host the linkie on your own blog as a blog hop, get the code here :

Simply add the link to your recipe on your own blog, and share your latest recipe with everyone taking part.  If you don’t want to miss the linkie being opened, subscribe to RSS or by email in the blog header.

I’ll add recipes of mine to share, although I don’t count in the recipe challenge.

Feel free to copy the badge or use the html in the widget at the bottom of the page to add the small blog badge to your own blog / post.  It makes finding you easier for other funky foodies.

Funky Foodies

<img src=”  http://scottishmum.com/wp-content/uploads/100-funky-foodies.jpg” border=”0″ alt=”Funky Foodies” />

If you want to add the blog hop to your own website, get the InLinkz code and add the monthly code to a text widget or a post in html.


Posted on 5 Comments

Funky Foodies September (Month 4) & WINNER for August 2012

STAR RECIPE WINNER – for August 2012 is My Darlings and Me, who was chosen by July Winner, The Vegetarian Casserole Queen.   This months winner was a recipe for decadent Caramel Dime Bar Cupcakes.

Here’s what The Vegetarian Casserole Queen had to say about the Star Recipe for August:

“This recipe is packed with caramel goodness – from the frosting to the filling – punctuated with chocolate in the cake and the Dime bar topping.  I can’t wait to give it a try!”

THE SEPTEMBER FUNKY FOODIE LINKY IS OPEN

  • Is a monthly linkie, which will close on the last day of the month.
  • A medal will be awarded for the Star Recipe every month, and the fabulous trophy in the blog badge will be awarded at the end of a whole year of the Funky Foodies.   If you want to find out more about it, read here.
  • All you have to do is share as many recipes from your own blog a month as you’d like.  If you struggle to add your recipe, send me your link and I’ll add it for you.
  • Try to pop around and share the comment love with other funky foodies.  We all like a little love and might come across some fabulous recipes.
If you want to host the linkie on your own blog as a blog hop, get the code here :

Simply add the link to your recipe on your own blog, and share your latest recipe with everyone taking part.  If you don’t want to miss the linkie being opened, subscribe to RSS or by email in the blog header.

The code is below if you want to add the badge to your post or your blog.  I’ll add recipes of mine to share, although I don’t count in the recipe challenge.

Funky Foodies

Feel free to copy the badge or use the html in the widget at the bottom of the page to add the small blog badge to your own blog / post.  It makes finding you easier for other funky foodies.

If you want to add the blog hop to your own website, get the InLinkz code and add the monthly code to a text widget or a post in html.


>

Posted on 22 Comments

Funky Foodies August (Month 3) & WINNER for July 2012

STAR RECIPE WINNER – for August 2012 is The Vegetarian Casserole Queen, who was chosen by June Winner Mama Cook.  The recipe was for a gorgeous peach salad.

Here’s what Mama Cook had to say about the Star Recipe for July:

“Interesting ingredients for a start but the photography has been thought through.  Texture in the mat and plate, the depth of field set so the background is slightly out of focus.  Definitely a cool shot and I am intrigued to taste what peach, honey, feta and mint tastes like all together!”

THE AUGUST FUNKY FOODIE LINKY IS OPEN

  • Is a monthly linkie, which will close on the last day of the month.
  • A medal will be awarded for the Star Recipe every month, and the fabulous trophy in the blog badge will be awarded at the end of a whole year of the Funky Foodies.   If you want to find out more about it, read here.
  • All you have to do is share as many recipes from your own blog a month as you’d like.  If you struggle to add your recipe, send me your link and I’ll add it for you.
  • Try to pop around and share the comment love with other funky foodies.  We all like a little love and might come across some fabulous recipes.
If you want to host the linkie on your own blog as a blog hop, get the code here :

Simply add the link to your recipe on your own blog, and share your latest recipe with everyone taking part.  If you don’t want to miss the linkie being opened, subscribe to RSS or by email in the blog header.

The code is below if you want to add the badge to your post or your blog.  I’ll add recipes of mine to share, although I don’t count in the recipe challenge.

Funky Foodies

Feel free to copy the badge or use the html in the widget at the bottom of the page to add the small blog badge to your own blog / post.  It makes finding you easier for other funky foodies.

If you want to add the blog hop to your own website, get the InLinkz code and add the monthly code to a text widget or a post in html.


Posted on 30 Comments

Funky Foodies July (Month 2) & WINNER for June 2012

STAR RECIPE WINNER – for June 2012 is Mama Cook with her recipe for :  Spanakopita (spinach and feta pies) for the whole family.  Congratulations.

JULY FUNKY FOODIE LINKY IS OPEN

Apologies for being a couple of days late with the start of the linky.

  • Funky Foodies is a monthly linkie, which will be opened on the first day of the month and will close on the last day.
  • A medal will be awarded for the Star Recipe every month, and the fabulous trophy in the blog badge will be awarded at the end of a whole year of the Funky Foodies.   If you want to find out more about it, read here.
  • All you have to do is share as many recipes from your own blog a month as you’d like.  If you struggle to add your recipe, send me your link and I’ll add it for you.
  • Try to pop around and share the comment love with other funky foodies.  We all like a little love and might come across some fabulous recipes.
Simply add the link to your recipe on your own blog, and share your latest recipe with everyone taking part.  If you don’t want to miss the linkie being opened, subscribe to RSS or by email in the blog header.

I’ll add recipes of mine to share, although I don’t count in the recipe challenge.

Funky Foodies

Feel free to copy the badge or use the html in the widget at the bottom of the page to add the small blog badge to your own blog / post.  It makes finding you easier for other funky foodies.

If you want to add the July blog hop to your own recipe, get the InLinkz code and add to the html.


Posted on 10 Comments

Funky Foodies June – Month 1

Funky Foodies

Funky Foodies is here on the Scottish Mum Blog:

  • It is a monthly linkie, which will be opened on the first day of the month and will close on the last day.
  • A medal will be awarded for the Star Recipe every month, and the fabulous trophy in the blog badge will be awarded at the end of a whole year of the Funky Foodies.   If you want to find out more about it, read here.
  • All you have to do is share a recipe from your own blog and link it up to qualify.
  • Try to pop around and share the comment love with other funky foodies.  We all like a little love and might come across some fabulous recipes.
If you want to host the linkie on your own blog as a blog hop, get the code here :     get the InLinkz code

Simply add the link to your recipe on your own blog, and share your latest recipe with everyone taking part.  If you don’t want to miss the linkie being opened, subscribe to RSS or by email in the blog header.  I’m looking forward to sending off the first medal.  The code is below if you want to add the badge to your post or your blog.  I’ll add recipes of mine to share, although I don’t count in the recipe challenge.

Funky Foodies

Feel free to copy the text in bold into a text widget or the html of your post if you’d like to add the small blog badge to your own blog / post.  It makes finding you easier for other funky foodies.

<img src=”  http://scottishmum.com/wp-content/uploads/100-funky-foodies.jpg” border=”0″ alt=”Funky Foodies” />


Posted on 109 Comments

Littlewoods Christmas Giveaway….. Ends 15th November 2011 – Goodie Basket

It’s that time again, and Christmas is just around the corner.

I know, I know, I can hear you all sigh, groan, stamp your feet and run for the hills at the mention of Christmas in October and Early November.  The reality is that we either get moving and organise our Christmas presents, or we run around at the last-minute like headless chickens.

I watched this video a few times to write this post, and it made me smile.   Littlewoods seem to have captured a Christmas family favourite to showcase their Christmas gift ideas.

Littlewoods also have some fabulous 3 for 2 offers on jewellery & beauty, and some toys with as much as half price reductions.

Competition

To launch their christmas ideas advert, Littlewoods are offering a fabulous christmas giveaway for one of my readers.

The prize is going to be a goodie basket with the gifts in the picture for a mum and her child.

To enter.

  • Watch the video at the top of this post.
  • Leave a comment here saying which gift in the video would be your favourite surprise gift on Christmas day and why.  Any funny stories will be greatly welcomed to help spread Christmas Cheer around.
  • Make sure you leave your twitter id, or email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win.
  • If you would like to tweet the competition, I would be very grateful if you would click the retweet me icon on the page.

We will end the competition on the 15th November, and the Littlewoods representative and I will choose a lucky winner to receive the basket.

The winner will have 3 days to claim their prize and send their address details to me, or we will re-draw by random generator.

Good Luck and Happy Video Watching
Scottish Mum
x

 

Posted on 1 Comment

Thank you to the lovely @amelielovesthis on Twitter for the Lovely L’Occitane Basket

Winning Basket from L'Occitane

Winning Basket from L'Occitane

I have to show you all this lovely basket I won from L’Occitane En Provence

It is a fabulous prize with lovely shampoo, conditioner, eau de cologne, soaps, face, body and foot creams, and more.   It is an absolutely fabulous gift.  I don’t win things very often, so this is a very welcome prize.

Thank you very much.

xx

 

 

Posted on 13 Comments

Making Soy Milk (Dairy Free) at Home Is this a Fabulous Food Find ??

Looking at the title of this post, I can imagine some of you are making some strange assumptions.

On Twitter, when I first mentioned it, there was a comment or two that arrived joking about cows in the garden.  The milk is dairy free so suitable for those who are lactose intolerant, but it is really the bees knees?

I buy a lot of shop bought soy milk so I reasoned to myself that making it out of the soy beans would be infinitely cheaper than buying ready-made soy milk every couple of days.

A dedicated milk making machine costs upwards of £100, so I attempted to make it by hand – which was easier than I first thought to do.

I am not kidding when I say that it is actually very easy to make the soy milk.  This is what I did, and I will share my thoughts at the end.

INGREDIENTS

125g white dried soy beans for “approximately” 1 litre of milk.   I bought Tesco soy beans to practice with.

METHOD

1 –  Soak the beans

The beans are dried, and they really need soaking overnight so that they are soft and pliable.  Cover the beans in a container with water.  Change  the water a couple of times if you can and then just leave them to do their magic.

Some recipes seem to say that it would be good to dehull the beans after they are soaked, but considering they are going to be liquidised later, I don’t see the need to do that.

Make sure you take out any discoloured or damaged beans as you don’t want to spoil the quality of your soy milk.  Soaking can probably be done from 6 – 24 hours to be able to use the beans, and they are ready when they are soft to the bite or soft and pliable when you squeeze them.

2 – Microwave the soy beans

Some recipes recommend heating up the soy beans before using them for milk as it takes away the beany taste.  I was not sure about that, but I did micro mine for about 2 minutes before doing anything else with them.

3 – Liquidise / Blend the Soy Beans

In a blender or liquidiser (or a coffee bean grinder which I used) put the beans AND 1 litre of water in if you can.  I had to do  mine little by little as I used the small grinder to do mine, but I would root out the blender next time and do it in one go.

     

4 – Boil the Liquid

As with any heated milk, it has the potential to froth up very quickly when you get it to boiling point.  Anyone who has heated milk in a pan for slightly too long will know what I mean by that.   It is a good idea to use a fairly big pan so that the milk doesn’t boil over the top as you will need to boil the mixture for about 5 – 10 minutes to get it right.

Stir the liquid while it is cooking all the way through.  I did not stop stirring with mine, just in case, but I imagine you could get away with some time away from the pot at a time, but I wouldn’t risk it.

As with any milk that you boil, if you are taken by surprise and it looks like it is going to boil over, add some cold water and the foam should shrink back into the pot.  If you don’t take care at this stage, you could end up with a right mess on your cooker top.

When it is ready, the milk will have separated from the curds and the mixture will look slightly grainy.

5 – Separating the curds from the milk.

To separate the curds (ochra) from the milk, use a fine sieve, or a cloth bag and strain the mixture.  A bit of squeezing of the mix, or using a spatula might get every last drop out of the mix.  The ochra can be used for soup, stews as a filler, but I just threw mine away.  In future, I might be tempted to give it a try to see what it tastes like and how it cooks.

     

——————————————————————————————————————————————

To end with it, I forgot to take a pretty picture of it in a glass to make it pretty – sorry.    Next time.  There will have to be a next time as I really did not get much milk out of my recipe.  I would guess that I needed much more water than I used and on my next attempt, I will add 2 litres of water to the mix.

I might also microwave it for much longer at my next attempt, as it tasted very very beany to me which I really didn’t like.  I’ve read that cows milk has a lot of salt added so I might try adding some sugar or salt to see if I can get to a taste that I find palatable for using in coffee, which is what I really use it for.  It looks idea for making tofu, so that might be an idea for the next time as well.   I definitely left mine too long and too much water boiled off.

Have a go yourself it really is quite easy.