Author: Scottish Mum

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Mirror Mirror Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray this week.

Mirror Mirror releases on DVD this week.  We couldn’t make the premier when we were invited, so the lovely PR sent us a preview DVD to watch instead.

With a large bucket of snacks and all piled onto my bed on Sunday night, we sat down and watched the movie.  The kids rarely spoke and were quite surprised with the update to the story and how it unravelled.

The kids were suitable enthralled in nail biting fashion and egging on the Princess when she came to the rescue of the dwarfs.   I won’t spoil it by telling you too much about how it unravels.

There’s a fabulous trailer on YouTube that gives you an idea of how different it is to the traditional Snow White tale.

There’s still a Prince, and there’s still a wicked stepmother so there’s lots for everyone.

At first, I thought it might be a girlie only movie as the boys won’t watch the original Snow White, but they did enjoy this version.  It’s actually quite nice to see Julia Roberts in a wicked role.

From the Press Release

STUDIOCANAL are proud to announce the home entertainment release of the lavishly enchanting, UK Box Office smash hit, MIRROR MIRROR.

One of the most beloved stories of all time gets a modern make over and comes to life, in this spectacular motion picture event starring Oscar®-winner Julia Roberts as the evil Queen and Lily Collins (The Blind Side) as Snow White. A fresh and funny retelling of the classic fairy tale, the film also stars Armie Hammer (The Social Network) as the Prince, Sean Bean (“Game of Thrones”) as the King, and Nathan Lane (The Birdcage) as the Queen’s hapless and bungling servant, Brighton.

Following the mysterious disappearance of the beloved King, his ruthless wife and evil Queen (Roberts), seizes control of the kingdom and keeps her beautiful 18-year-old stepdaughter, Snow White (Collins), hidden away in the palace.

However, when the Princess attracts the attention of the young, handsome and wealthy, Prince Alcott (Hammer), the evil Queen is enraged with jealousy. Aided by witchcraft and her bumbling assistant Brighton (Lane) she plots to steal his heart, which includes banishing Snow White deep into the dark dangerous forest to perish.

Taken in by a band of rebellious but kind-hearted dwarfs living in the forest, Snow White blossoms into a brave young woman determined to save her country from the Queen. With the support of her new friends, she roars into action to reclaim her birth-right and break the Queen’s spell cast over her Prince in this visually stunning, magical adventure comedy that captured the hearts and imaginations of audiences the world over.

 

 

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Scottish Tablet (crumbly, melt in the mouth toffee) in the microwave.

tablet

Lots of people have asked for a recipe for Scottish tablet, so I think it’s about time I posted the simplest version of one online.  Home made Scottish tablet is wickedly sinful, but delicious.  It’s also quite difficult to make, and there are lots and lots of different ways to make it.  This version is in the microwave.

Please read all the comments below, before you decide to make this version of tablet.  Some people struggle with it.

If you only have a very small microwave, I’d be tempted to go for half these quantities.

I prefer to microwave to the melted stage as every time I try to do it in a pot, I burn it before the sugar is melted.

Lesley S Smith

Microwave Scottish Tablet Recipe

3.17 from 6 votes
Very sweet, and you do need to keep an eye on this. The cooking time does vary by microwave. Some people have not found success with this, but if you can make it work, it's fabulous.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 200 ml whole milk
  • 180 g butter
  • 800 g sugar preferably caster but I have used Demerara
  • 1 tin condensed milk - approx 400g

Method
 

  1. You need a large bowl that fits into your microwave. Some people may prefer to transfer into a thick bottomed pot to finish the tablet after the sugar is completely melted.
  2. With the butter, condensed milk, whole milk and sugar in the bowl, put in your microwave and melt the sugar at 1 minute intervals, while stirring in between. You don't want the mix to boil as it will rise up in the dish and spill over if you're not careful.
  3. When you think the sugar is completely boiled, use your finger on the back of your stirring spatula as it cools, to see if there are no sugar crystals left. You want the mix to be smooth.
  4. From the melting point, the mix will boil very quickly. I do mine in 30 second bursts as I have a high wattage microwave. If you have a lower wattage one, you might get away with 1 minute + bursts. Remember to keep an eye out for the mix rising up the bowl as if it spills you will have a gooey, hot and sticky mess. Stir quite vigorously each time you take the mix out for a few seconds.
  5. Keep going until the mix begins to turn from light brown to a darker brown. It could take 10 - 15 minutes to change.
  6. To find out if it is ready, use a cup of water and take a teaspoon of mix from the bowl. Leave it for a couple of minutes and if it forms a soft ball between your fingers if you roll it, then it is ready. With a very soft ball, the tablet will be softer. If you take a bit longer and have a slightly firmer ball, your tablet will have the traditional hard and crumbly texture that makes it so popular.
  7. This is the bit that makes the difference to how well it works. Take the mix out of the microwave and either use a hand whisk or a wooden spoon to beat the mix until it begins to cool and go slightly grainy. It takes anything from 5 - 10 minutes, depending on how large a batch you are making.
  8. Once the tablet begins to thicken, move it quickly into a pre foiled tray and spread it out.
  9. Put into the freezer for about 1 - 2 hours.
  10. Turn upside down on a chopping board and score the tablet with a knife.
  11. Cut or break the tablet into pieces.

Notes

I prefer to microwave to the melted stage as every time I try to do it in a pot, I burn it before the sugar is melted.
If you only have a very small microwave, I'd be tempted to go for half these quantities.
Cooking time will vary depending on the power of your microwave but could be anything from 15 - 30 minutes.
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Tattie, Cheese & Onion Rumpledethumps

Rumpledethumps

Traditionally in Scotland, Rumpledethumps recipes tend to be potatoes, turnip and other left over veg form the day before.  It can actually be used to use up any leftovers at all, in a similar way to the English Bubble and Squeak Recipe, or the Irish Colcannon.  There are a few times that I’ve wondered what Colcannon is, and now I know.

The one biggest ingredient tends to be left overs mashed up, but mashed tatties (potatoes) tends to make up the bulk of the dish, with vegetables and sometimes meats making up some of the rest.  It can be used as a side potato dish or on its own as a full meal.   For this recipe, I used our favourite Black Bomber Cheese, courtesy of @aberdeenbutcher on Twitter.

Lesley S Smith

Tattie, Cheese & Onion Rumpledethumps

An easily made dish and a fantastic way to use up leftovers from the previous day, or from a Sunday Roast. I made it as a stand alone dish for the kids supper.
Print Recipe
Servings: 6
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 5 lbs Tatties Potatoes They must be mashable potatoes, similar to king Edwards, Kestrels, Maris Pipers etc.
  • 2 Onions
  • Salt & Pepper
  • 200 g Grated Black Bomber Cheese
  • Rapeseed or Sunflower Oil

Method
 

  1. Mash boiled potatoes and do not add milk or butter, or the mash will become too soft to work with.
  2. Chop up the onions and lightly fry.
  3. Add the fried onions, salt, pepper, and the grated cheese to the potatoes.
  4. Make round patties with the potatoes.
  5. Add them to a pan with hot oil and shallow fry for 5 minutes each side, or until golden brown. If you are using leftovers, the goal is to reheat thoroughly all the way through.
  6. Serve as a side dish, an accompaniment, or even as a main dish with salad as a side.

Little Black Bomber Cheese courtesy of:

 

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Rainier Cherry Loaf Cake

The kids wanted to make a cake, so Cherry cake it was.

Initially, I thought this was a waste of my lovely (expensive) rainier cherries.  Nothing beats those for the look and taste.  I only buy them very rarely as a treat, but to keep the kids amused, I sacrificed my lovely fruit.

cherry-cake-4

 

Lesley S Smith

Rainier Cherry Loaf Cake

Gorgeously decadent Rainier cherries in a rich cake.
Print Recipe
Servings: 10 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Cake
  • 4 oz Rainier Cherries
  • 8 oz butter
  • 8 oz caster sugar
  • 8 oz self-raising flour
  • 4 medium eggs
  • 2 tablespoons condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
  • Buttercream Icing
  • 6 oz butter
  • 12 oz icing sugar

Method
 

  1. I know I don't make cakes the way most do, as I never seem to have the time to potter. I use my mixer and throw it all in. The recipe below is the right way.
  2. I soften my butter in a microwave to make it easier to mix. Add the sugar and butter, cream together.
  3. Add eggs, vanilla essence and condensed milk, mix together until mix becomes smooth.
  4. Sift in flour and mix throughly.
  5. Wash, dry, and take out the pits of the cherries, chop them up and add them to the cake mix.
  6. Add mixture to a pre-greased cake tin.
  7. Bake at 160 for approximately 40 minutes. Your baking time may depend on the heat in your oven. I use a skewer to find out if my cake is ready. When you put the skewer into the centre of the cake and it comes out clean, with no cake mix on it, it's ready.
  8. When cake is cooked, allow it to cool, and then slice it through the middle.
  9. Cream the icing sugar with the butter, spread some on the middle of the cake (you could also add jam or cream instead).
  10. When the cake is ready, pipe some of the buttercream icing on the top and serve.

Notes

When my back was turned, my kids turned the cake gold with food spray. Sadly, I have no picture of it while it was pre-gold...

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My Gorgeous New Kettle from Palmers Department Store with an Unusual Result

A lovely email popped through last week, asking me to take a look at Palmers Department Store.  I hadn’t heard of it, so I had a pop over to see what they sell.

The lovely PR people sent me a gorgeous Morphy Richards Accents Kettle to test the service, which was very good all round.

The box came packed inside another sturdy box to give it plenty of protection on route to Scotland.    The kettle is slightly darker than it looks on the website pictures, but it’s still a lovely appliance and fits in well with my cream coloured kitchen.

I really do have to say a huge thanks to Palmers, and for more than the great delivery service.

The one thing that has really surprised me with the kettle is how much easier it is for me to lift than my old one.  My old kettle is a regular jug type kettle that means I have to turn my wrist side on to pick up.  With damage in my wrist that has caused some arthritic type pain, I find the movement quite painful at times, yet I never thought about changing my kettle.

With the Morphy Richards handle at the top, I can pick up and pour hot water by  moving my whole lower arm from the elbow, without twisting my wrist at all.   I was looking forward to a gorgeous new kettle, but I am really happy with the fact that my wrist can pour without any pain.   Why on earth I didn’t think about that before, I have no idea, but I won’t go back to a jug kettle now.

Thank you Palmers, you have no idea how much easier making a cuppa is now.

I’ve also got my eye on a fabulous Swan Stone Raclette in the future as the idea of asking the kids to sit and pick their food, and have them watch while it cooks appeals to me.   I better get my skates on and make some pennies to pay for one.

Palmers Department Store carries ranges for kitchens, bathrooms, living, dining and bedrooms.  There are also some unusual gifts, with some neat Jamie Oliver mugs.

Disclaimer:  I was provided a Morphy Richards Accents Kettle by Palmers Department Store.  I was not told what to write, and was given a choice as to whether to review.

 

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Scotty Brand Raspberries in a Raspberry Trifle with Double Cream

A delivery of Scotty Brand raspberries arrived and the raspberry making machine had to begin turning it’s wheel.  With some sponge cake left over from another day, I decided to make a lovely little glass of fast and delicious raspberry trifle.

The raspberry cheesecake from the Scotty Brand website looks amazing, and I think I will need to try that next.  Look at this…

Follow Scotty Brand on Facebook or Twitter to keep up with their newest recipes and news.

http://www.facebook.com/scottybrandltd

@scottybrand_ab

For now, my deceptively delicious raspberry trifle it is.

Lesley Smith

Scotty Brand Raspberries in a Raspberry Trifle with Double Cream

You don't have to be precise with this recipe, as it really is a simply cheats way to make a gorgeously tasty dessert in a few minutes.
Print Recipe
Servings: 2
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 200 g raspberries.
  • 200 g double cream. Half for whipping and half for use as pouring cream.
  • 200 g left over sponge cake.
  • 2 tablespoons jam

Method
 

  1. Add washed raspberries to the bottom of the glass.
  2. Slice sponge down the middle and spread with whipped cream and jam.
  3. Cut the sponge into chunks and place on top of the raspberries.
  4. Pour the remaining pouring cream over the top of the dessert, to allow it to soak into the sponge and the raspberries.
  5. Serve immediately.
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Scotty Brand Ayrshire New Potatoes with Sour Cream and Parsley

Sometimes, I think we overthink our cooking.  What’s wrong with some plain and simple boiled new potatoes, served with some sour cream and a topping of parsley like my grandmother would make.

This is just so simple to make and the sour cream tastes lovely over the newly cooked spuds.

Follow Scotty Brand on Facebook or Twitter to keep up with their newest recipes and news.

http://www.facebook.com/scottybrandltd

@scottybrand_ab

Lesley Smith

Ayreshire New Potatoes with Sour Cream and Parsley

New potatoes with sour cream and parsley.
Print Recipe
Servings: 6
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bag of Ayrshire new potatoes from Scotty Brand
  • 4 tablespoons of sour cream
  • Sprinkling of parsley

Method
 

  1. Wash and scrub the new potatoes.
  2. Simmer in boiled water for 10 - 15 minutes.
  3. Serve hot in a separate dish from the main course.
  4. Add one tablespoon of sour cream for each portion of potatoes.
  5. Sprinkle the top of the potatoes with parsley for a pretty finish.

 

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Princes Wild Alaskan Pink Salmon Toasted Sandwiches

Princes sent the Scottish Mum household a box of Alaskan salmon with the request to create our own recipe and report back.

They also kindly sent us a lovely salmon recipes book, and a couple of our tins of Wild Pink Salmon are going to be made into salmon fish cakes as the recipe in the book looks so absolutely and deliciously tasty.   Having salmon in a can is handy for those meals where the kitchen cupboard is looking a little bare and we struggle for something good, nutritious and filling to feed our families.

Inspired by the Wild Alaskan Salmon French Toast Sandwiches in the recipe book, I went to work.

 

Lesley Smith

Princes Wild Alaskan Pink Salmon Toasted Sandwiches

Serve as a snack, or a main meal. I use a panini press, but you could use a regular sandwich maker, or make them under the grill.
Print Recipe
Servings: 6
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 x 213g can pink wild Alaska salmon
  • 4 heaped tablespoons of mayonnaise
  • 12 slices bread
  • butter
  • salt and pepper
  • lettuce
  • cherry tomatoes
  • coleslaw

Method
 

  1. Drain the can of wild Alaskan salmon.
  2. I removed skin and bones from the can as I know my kids won't eat these, but you can choose to keep them in.
  3. Mash the salmon and add the mayonnaise. Use a fork to mix the mayonnaise thoroughly with the salmon.
  4. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and mix that in gently.
  5. Lay out bread for making the sandwiches. I butter on one side only.
  6. Spread the salmon and mayonnaise mix on the buttered side of the bread, and top with lettuce and sliced cherry tomatoes.
  7. Place the top piece of bread on and put in the panini press to cook.
  8. After approximately 4 - 5 minutes, or when the bread is a lovely golden colour, remove from panini press, slice, and serve with cherry tomatoes and coleslaw on the side.

 

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Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Challenge from Britmums

Kelloggs sent us a big pack of Rice Krispies, with a fab case of colouring pens, colour changers, glitter glues and more.  The colouring pack alone has kept my kids entertained for a few days now, and they’ve rediscovered an enjoyment of colouring in again.

Middler has learning difficulties, but he likes to colour in.  His older brother helped him to do the figures and they made a pretty tidy job of it as a team.

The next picture is my entry for the Britmums #ColourMeInRK competition, sponsored by Kelloggs.  The prize is £500, or a year’s supply of Rice Krispies.  When I mentioned a prize, the kids took colouring in very seriously indeed…..

There is also the opportunity for 10 entries to be put on a T-shirt for the child to wear.

Lots of bloggy fingers crossed.
The Scottish Mum Kids

If you want to enter, visit the Britmums Linky and link up a blog post entry of your own.

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Bloggers Saving Lives – Share Niger – Child 6 – Welcome Hapsatou

A warm welcome to Hapsatou from the Child 6 team, organised by @merrilyme to sponsor children for #shareniger on Twitter.

I’ve previously blogged about the campaign and the journey by Sian To to Niger earlier this year.  Read more here.

The campaign has so far managed to raise enough money to sponsor 11 children and help with the food crisis for the next year.  Most of us couldn’t afford to sponsor a whole child by ourselves, so we’ve done child shares, which World Vision UK has allowed, and the lives of 11 families and their villages will improve thanks to blogger power.

The Child 6 Team as it was, but who are now the Hapsatou team are @geekmummy @frugalfamily, @danielleGparker and I.

Didn’t we all do well….

 

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My scabby lounge makeover – before and after. What this blog paid for.

Who says blogging doesn’t pay for anything…  My lounge was badly in need of a makeover.  Actually, it’s badly been needing a makeover for a few years now, but with the kids, and middlers propensity for temper tantrums and trashing things when his medication wears off, I really didn’t see the point of doing it.

The front lounge was last done roughly about 12 years ago and the carpet never, ever, showed any dirt.  I had no real excuse to replace it.

The lounge had deteriorated to such an extent, that the single chair in this picture had to be thrown out about six weeks ago.  Middler in a nervous mood one day, picked at it until the leather broke and then pulled it apart.  It was beyond saving.   There was a three seater which is out of view, but sadly this is the only image I can find of my lounge as it was (that tells you how I felt about it).  Boring, old fashioned and unbelievably tired.

I began to get embarrassed about it when people came to the house and that’s never good.  I didn’t want to spend blogging money on necessities as it would have disappeared into the general pot of daily living, so a new makeover was planned and executed in less than 10 days from start to finish.

Here are the pix of the end results.  Ok, the suites are not what I would choose ideally, but they fitted within my budget and were immediately available.   The TV is NOT going back into this room and it’s going to be my chill out and reading room, or a visitors only place.  It’s too light a carpet for anything else and it smells all nice and new.  I wonder how long we will be able to keep it up though.

The man was determined to lay it himself and bought a kicker to do the job.  It took him a couple of hours and saved me £120 from the original bill.

 

I just need to add a photo wall next.

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Simple Lemon Chicken Recipe for a Toasted Sandwich / Panini

A simple lemon chicken recipe for using in a toasted sandwich or panini is a lovely, light and zingy taste.   The mix also qualifies under quick chicken recipes, and can be sued with rice, potatoes, nan bread or polento to mix up the meal a little.

Lesley Smith

Lemon Chicken Toasted Panini Style Sandwich

Quick and easy, we use toasted chicken panini recipes for sandwiches when I'm in a hurry and don't have enough time to make a full meal.
Print Recipe
Servings: 4 - 8 depending on how much filling is used
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g chicken fillets / breasts
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons caramelised onions
  • 2 tablespoons mango chutney
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 100 g lettuce
  • salt to taste
  • rapeseed oil to cook chicken

Method
 

  1. I use a heavy and very large cast iron saute pan for cooking frying pan style. If you only have a small frying pan, it might be easier to cook the caramelised onions and chicken separately. Add rapeseed oil to your pan. I add the full sized pieces of chicken and cook both sides for a few minutes before taking them out of the pan and cutting them into smaller pieces.
  2. When the chicken is cooked through, add the mango chutney, black peppercorns and caramelised onions. Allow the mix to cook slowly for five minutes, turning frequently to stop it burning.
  3. While the mix is cooking, squeeze the lemon and add the juice to the pan.
  4. Prepare the bread for the filling by buttering one side if you spreads (I have a Kenwood panini maker which gets used for lots of different things, but doesn’t need butter on the outside of the bread in the way that some sandwich makers do).
  5. Top the bread with sandwich filling and simply add the second slice of bread.
  6. Toast in the panini maker for a few minutes until ready. (you might use a sandwich maker or simply put it under the grill, but grilling will mean you need to turn it over half way through).
  7. Garnish and serve.