Thank you to all my loyal readers.
My wee commi chef and I wish you a healthy and happy year in 2013.
January 2012
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 |
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
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
What a lovely round up Jac. And a gorgeous photo of Cooper! Wishing you all a healthy and happy new year!
ReplyDeleteThank you Charlotte and a happy new year to you too x
ReplyDeleteFIFTY TWO THOUSAND PAGE VIEWS for your diet salad!!! Insane! I'm still salivating over your Vic Sponge with lemon curd! ( I have a new kitchen Aid mixer AND some luxury lemon curd .... Guess what I'll be doing today
ReplyDeleteI know, it's crazy! Everyone went a bit mad for it in the beginning.
DeleteOh and enjoy your cake :)
DeleteI hope that 2013 brings you and your family untold riches in experiences Jacqueline. Have a safe and hsppy New Year and see you next year!
ReplyDeleteYou too Val. happy New Year when it comes x
DeleteLovely round-up of 2012 Jac. I'm very tempted to do a "your favourite posts" post too, but my stats aren't anywhere near as impressive as yours. Cooper's picture is one to treasure. I hope you all have a very happy and successful New Year.
ReplyDeleteThank you also for all the help, support and kindness you've given me and so many other bloggers.
Ahhh, now wasn't meaning to post, I am just nosey and like to see stats myself. Thought it interesting to see what catches peoples attention too. Thanks for you kind words, all the bet for the new year xx
DeleteHaha that should have read boast not post. Darn iPad.
DeleteWhat a wonderful round up! Definitely need to add a recipe index to my blog!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Let me know if you need any help Pam. Happy New Year !
DeleteLovely round up Jac, just posted mine last night, never thought to add page views though, that was a nifty idea! Happy New Year! Karen xxx
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Karen xx
DeleteForgot to say, Happy Birthday Cooper! xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen, he has had a great day.
DeleteWonderful stuff but the most wonderful is that gorgeous child of yours!
ReplyDeleteAll in the best in 2013!
Thanks Joan, and all te best to you and your family in 2013 x
DeleteGolly you've done SO much! I meant to make that Marian Keyes snickers cheesecake and forgot all about it - thanks for the reminder. Have a happy healthy 2013 xx
ReplyDeleteHappy 2013 to you and your family Sarah x
DeleteLovely round up Jac. Happy Birthday to Cooper, I'm sure 2013 will be a good year for you, you will make it so!
ReplyDeleteThanks Janice, he had a great birthday and really ejoyed the Moscow State Circus. Happy 2013 to you and your family xx
DeleteDelicious! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Mary x
Deletehappy new year and happy birthday to cooper! Hope you have had some fun celebrations!
ReplyDeletethis is a great idea for a post - your stats on the 5:2 diet are amazing - seems you really struck a chord there (I even passed the posts on to some friends). I think the snickers cheesecake is the dish I must want to eat but the one I most want to make is the turkish fritters
Thanks for the good wishes Johanna, we did have fun and I am glad I skipped the stress of a new year party for him this year. We were all able to relax and have fun.
DeleteWow - it's been a busy year!
ReplyDeleteHappy new year
It has indeed CC. I wonder how I fit it all in sometimes.
DeleteHappy New Year x
So many memories, like the time you posted my pics of your Turkish Zuchini Fritters and I was so ecstatic and flattered! And I made your Vegetable and Lentil Stew which might get made tomorrow as I have half bottle of red wine that one of our guests left behind last night! You've been such a generous blogger and I loved hearing your tips from the convention you went to, I still use the cling film over camera tip which baking!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful New Year and a big hug for Cooper:-) Love Camilla
PS: There might just be a wee mention of you in my round up of 2012!
I was amazed you made those fritters so quickly after I posted them. Awww thanks Camilla, big hugs to you too x
DeleteGreat round up of the year. Happy New Year to you and your family xx
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you too :)
DeleteI have viewed them all more than once and made at least three of those lovely things over the festive period, still have some Snickers Cheescake in the fridge but sadly, no more After Eight Cake.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Jac and Happy Birthday Cooper xx
P.S. That is the most beautiful picture of the Birthday Boy so far - he is soooo cute!!!!