Jewelled Cupcakes

I can never resist the opportunity to make cupcakes! They are so easy to make and kids and adults alike love them. As well as that cupcakes are so much fun to make because the options of icing and decorating them are endless! I am always on the lookout for some new ideas so when I was back home in Scotland in February I couldn't resist the latest issue of the magazine Cake Decorating which came with a silicone mould for creating your own stunning jewels. I had hoped to post these special cupcakes in time for Mother's Day but unfortunately the best made plans don't always work so here they are, a little late but still just as special for any celebration.

In the magazine they suggested covering the cakes with fondant icing then sticking the jewels on with edible glue. They looked amazing but I didn't have much fondant and no edible glue (although you could use royal icing I'm sure) so I went with the faster, easier option of topping the cakes with my standard Royal Icing then carefully placing the jewels and pearls on top. My only advice if using the same method as me is to make sure after putting the jewels on to let the icing set before moving as it will crack slightly.

I did use fondant for the jewels where they suggested Flower Paste so use whatever you have or can get your hands on.

Happy Halloween (& Our Party)

It's only a couple of days until Halloween – are you all ready for some trick or treating or guising? 

We decided to host our Halloween Party last weekend and it was SO much fun. I got a little carried away with decorating but it added to the party and got everyone in the 'spirit'!! Unfortunately I didn't manage/forgot to get photographs of everyone all dressed up and of the food (disaster I know!) but I have included some menu suggestions below and lots of pictures of the decorations.

Happy Halloween – I hope you all have a spooktacular time!!

Menu Ideas

Vampire Juice 
(I use my recipe for Cranberry Fizz and omit the alcohol for a Mocktail version)

Slime Dip
Goo
Bat Wings
Trolls Toes
Deviled Eggs (no recipe)
Zombie Fingers (Sausage Rolls - no recipe)

Thai Pumpkin Soup

Witches Hair with Bugs
Ghoul-lash
'Zombie Arm' Meatloaf (no recipe)

Creepy Crawly Mud Pie Cupcakes
Orange Jelly Pumpkins
Pumpkin Cupcakes
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Flower Pot Ice Cream Sundaes

When I was doing some research and looking for ideas for my sister's Harry Potter Grand Feast I came across some pictures on the internet of these fantastic Flower Pot Ice Cream Sundaes and I knew I had to make them. They look amazing – the perfect touch to a whimsical feast – but even better, they are super easy to make and of course, who doesn't want some ice cream during a feast!?!

For the party I was unfortunately unable to get some traditional terracotta pots so instead used some gold cups (which were used for the feast anyway) and they looked pretty good. But as soon as I bought these super cute individual flower pots (actually muffin cases which I'm sure you will see a lot more of on upcoming posts!) I knew I had to use them! So now I can make 6 individual flower pots – the perfect treat for a party for both children and adults alike!

Pulled Pork

One of my sister's (and her husbands) absolutely favourite things that she tried during her year in Canada was a Pulled Pork Sandwich! I have to say I can't blame her as you can't go wrong with the combination of succulent slowly cooked pork shredded into pieces then mixed with a delicious tangy barbecue sauce. Add it to a roll then top with some crunchy coleslaw and you have the most amazing meal!

Since she loves it so much I had to include it in our Harry Potter Grand Feast for her Hen Party which was a feast made up of some of her favourite dishes along with some slightly more whimsical HP inspired dishes (which will follow over the next few weeks!). For the party I made individual small rolls rather than the full ones pictured here as there was so much other food, it seemed right to keep things bite-sized!

The inspiration for this recipe came from Verses from my Kitchen which in turn came from Trish Magwood's book “My Mother's Kitchen”. I changed a few things to better suit our tastes and toned down the spice a little for Wee One (feel free to up it if you prefer more of a kick) and I love how it tastes. I also cook mine in the oven since I don't have a slow cooker but you could easily cook it in a slow cooker if you have one. Either way you will end up with the juiciest most succulent pork that is impossible not to pick away at as you are getting everything together!! The recipe for the sauce makes more than you will need but since I like a lot of sauce I tend to just serve some extra on the side for those that want it. Final note: for a crowd double the recipe for the pork but keep the sauce the same – you just won't have any extra!

Lauren this one is for you and Billy – now you can start using some of your beautiful new wedding gifts and enjoy some Pulled Pork back in Scotland!

Harry Potter Hen Weekend - Part 2

Drumlanrig Castle

So the morning of the big day of the hen party finally arrived and in true British style it was pouring rain. Determined not to be deflated by the weather we wrapped up and made sure everyone had an umbrella! After a quick bite to eat for breakfast the announcement was made that we were going to Drumlanrig Castle for a tour of the property and then off we went in convoy for the 25 minute drive. As soon as we arrived and drove up the drive to the castle the splendour and beauty immediately hit you – despite the rain! It was going to be a good day!

Running ahead, Jude (bridesmaid number 1!) and I went to meet our tour guide who knew exactly what we were planning and the 3 of us took off on a quick run around to plant the clues and treasures! Hayley (bridesmaid number 2!) stayed at the car park waiting for everyone and discretely handed out little cards to each guest and a stamp on their wrist – all without Lauren seeing!

Great British Summer!

Harry Potter Hen Weekend - Part 1

The beautiful Bride to |be arriving at the house!

When you think about a hen party or stagette you can't help but picture a flurry of girls in bright pink with obligatory veils, tiaras and L Plates on the bride to be and a few other things that over the years have become popular stagette attire. What you most likely wouldn't imagine would be a Harry Potter themed Hen Party yet that is exactly what we did for my sisters Hen Party Weekend! Now I can't be held entirely responsible as it was actually her other two bridesmaids that came up with the idea of perhaps dressing up as Harry Potter (HP) characters, I simply took the idea and ran a little with it....OK so perhaps I ran a lot with it.... to the point of a full blown marathon at high speed! I admit I went a little O.T.T but it was worth every minute!

The 12 Days of Christmas ~ Day 11: Smoked Salmon Dip

Day 11 of my 12 Days of Christmas and it's back to savoury with my Smoked Salmon Dip. Like a lot of people we always have Smoked Salmon at Christmas and so this is just a slightly different way to serve it. Even better, you can make it in advance so it's one less thing to do on Christmas Day! This is a perfect addition to your lunch or it makes an elegant and beautiful starter, especially when served with some extra smoked salmon on the side. Delicious.

100g cream cheese, softened

50g sour cream or Greek yogurt

Squeeze of lemon juice

1 tsp horseradish

1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

1 heaped tsp fresh dill, plus extra for garnish

Salt & Pepper

125g Smoked Salmon

Put the cream cheese in the bowl of a KitchenAid (or other electric mixer) and beat using the paddle attachment until completely softened and creamed. Add the sour cream (or Greek yogurt), lemon juice, horseradish, parsley and dill and beat until everything is well mixed. Finely chop the smoked salmon then add to the cream cheese mixture along with a little salt and a good grinding of black pepper. Mix one last time so that the salmon is evenly mixed in with everything else then taste to check the seasoning. Adjust if necessary, adding more lemon if needed then put into a serving bowl and keep in the fridge until needed. Serve with a little extra dill sprinkled on top and some crudites, crackers or even some thinly sliced crostini on the side. Perfect!

Or how about my Smoked Salmon on Spring Onion Pancakes,

or my hot and oozy Spinach and Artichoke Dip.