These are a few of your favourite things 2012

 

Janice over at Farmersgirl Kitchen tempted me to look back over the year with her review post. As imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, or so they say. I decided to do one too. So here is a year in the life of Tinned Tomatoes blog with my reader's favourite posts. I will include the pageviews as I always love statistics.

Thank you to all my loyal readers.

My wee commi chef and I wish you a healthy and happy year in 2013.

January 2012

 Mini Savoury Mince Pies

These little pies are easy to put together and are a really tasty snack. 

Or why not make a large one for your whole family to enjoy. 

2,086 pageviews

How to add a Recipe Index to your Blog

A recipe index makes it much easier for your readers to find a recipe. 

Especially when there are hundreds to choose from. 

If you don't have one yet, have a look at my simple tutorial. 

If you get stuck, I will be happy to help if you send me an email.

2,331 pageviews

February 2012

Victoria Sponge with Lemon Curd Cream

This recipe makes the lightest victoria sponge and it never lets me down.

I filled it with a generous layer of my carmelised nectarine jam and cream mixed with lemon curd.

Not the best photo, but utterly delicious.

2,335 pageviews

Scotch or Scottish Pancakes

As you can see I served these soft pancakes with maple syrup and bananas.

These are the traditional pancake of Scotland. 

It's the type of recipe that is passed from grandmother, to mother to daughter.

2,834 pageviews

March 2012

Sangria at La Tasca

La Tasca in Glasgow kindly invited myself and a few other Scottish bloggers along to their restaurant to learn how to make traditional Spanish Sangria and to try their new menu.

A good time was had by all.

929 pageviews

Decorating Cupcakes at the Scarlet Bakery

In March I learned how to decorate cupcakes at The Scarlet Bakery in Dundee.

Along with photos from the session, I shared the all tips I picked up.

1,082 pageviews

April 2012

Spiced Potato and Lentil Soup

Scotty Brand kindly sent me some of their Scottish Kestral potatoes to try, so I made soup.

A chunky potato soup with red lentils, ginger, cumin, turmeric and chilli powder.

1,113 pageviews

Rumbledethumps

A traditional Scottish dish made with cooked mashed potato and cabbage mixed with butter and chives, then topped with grated cheddar cheese and baked until golden and crisp on top.

1,207 pageviews

May 2012

Triple Chocolate Cookies

In May, Dominos challenged me to make better triple chocolate cookies than they do.

How could I resist a challenge like that?

My cookies are the ones on the left and excellent, if I do say so myself.

Their cookies looked dreadful, but actually packed a chocolate punch.

I'll leave you to decide.

1,116 pageviews

Snickers Cheesecake Loaf

I got this recipe from Saved By Cake by Marion Keyes and it proved really popular.

My hubby loved it! I'd only recommend a small slice, it's very calorific.

2,373 pageviews

June 2012

Deep Strawberry Cheesecake

I was in Cyprus for a good part of June, but I still managed a few posts.

This cheesecake didn't quite work out as I wanted it to, it was too soft.

I decided to post it anyway, along with ideas on how it could be improved.

816 pageviews

Cheese Scones in Cyprus 

While we were in Cyprus, Cooper made these traditional cheese scones with his Baba Anne.

These scones came from an very old cookbook in my mother-in-law's collection.

The post features step-by-step photos of Cooper making the scones.

1,388 pageviews

July 2012

Scottish Tattie Scones

These are a traditional Scottish recipe made from mashed potatoes, flour, butter, baking powder and salt.

Served here with a fried egg and beans, but the choice is yours.

A good frugal dish made in minutes with leftover mashed potato.

Pop over to the post to see Cooper getting stuck into his plateful.

2,061 pageviews

Turkish Zucchini Fritters

These are a great recipe for using up a glut of courgettes/zucchini.

These fritters are made extra special with the addition of lots of fresh dill and parsley.

A great recipe to tempt children to eat courgettes.

3,367 pageviews

August 2012

230 Calorie Fridge Salad

In August I started my 5:2 Diet after watching the BBC documentary Eat, Fast and Live Longer, presented by Doctor Michael Mosley. Everyone went crazy for this diet and it's still popular.

My friend Louise and I are following the diet, although I'm having a break for Christmas.

I've lost 12 lbs so far, but I don't dare weigh myself after the excesses of Christmas.

52,662 pageviews

Spicy Low Calorie Tomato and Lentil Soup

In this post I explained what the 5:2 Diet is and how it works.

The soup is tasty and filling and well worth trying.

Just 123 calories per portion.

72,525 pageviews

September 2012

Moist Chocolate After Eight Cake

Going from low calorie to calorific and probably confusing some of my new readers too!

The great thing about the 5:2 diet, is 5 days a week you can eat what you like. Cake it is then!

A lovely, moist chocolate cake sandwiched together with peppermint buttercream, then topped with chocolate buttercream, sprinkles and after eight mint creams.

1,603 pageviews

Vegetable and Lentil Stew

I was particualrly pleased with this comforting winter stew.

I was even more pleased when I worked the portions out and realised it was only 242 calories per portion.

4,535 pageviews

October 2012

Savoury Puffs

I made these savoury puffs for bonfire night. The main ingredient is spicy veggie haggis.

I loved these puffs, but have mixed feelings about the post as I remember being in acute pain from a scratched eyeball. I wouldn't recommend it. Very painful!

Cooper loved bonfire night. I missed most of it as I had my eyes shut. 

The fireworks were too painful to watch.

763 pageviews

Simple Tomato Sauce

This sauce is a staple in this house, but it's so basic I never bothered to post it before.

Olive oil, onion, garlic, tomatoes, tomato puree and basil.

Oh and I usually add a glug of red wine.

1,253 pageviews

November 2012

Cheddar and Kale Bubble and Squeak

Another great frugal dish to make with leftovers, although this is so good I'd happily make it from scratch.

Bubble and squeak is usually made with mashed potato and cabbage.

I made mine with mashed potato, kale, sweetcorn and cheddar, then topped it off with a soft poached egg.

557 pageviews

Vegetarian Christmas

Above is my Christmas table. 

This was a trial run, in the end there were 4 place settings as my parents were too poorly to make it.

In this post I give a selection of ideas for a vegetarian Christmas.

Starters, main courses, side dishes and desserts.

1,611 pageviews

December 2012

photo: Innocent

Pineapple and Ginger Sparkler 

December has been dominated by my 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Bonanza, so not many recipes and these two got a bit lost in among all the giveaway madness, but they are keepers. 

193 pageviews 

Lemonade Quenchers 

These are lemonade biscuits/cookies. Soft, tart and buttery inside and sweet and crisp on the outside.

I'll be back to writing recipes again once all my giveaway winners have been announced.

277 pageviews

Happy New Year!

And a happy 3rd birthday to my beautiful wee Cooper.

xxx