Selected recipes

Whisky Punch

A lovely warm start to any winter occasion.

Ingredients for Hot Punch:

1 bottle of whisky (Blended is better-don't waste good malt!!)

1 pound of lump/cube sugar

2 pints of freshly made, hot, milkless tea

One thinly sliced lemon

Method for Hot Punch Heat but do not boil the whisky (Dangerous!). Pour the hot tea over the sugar and lemon and stir with a silver spoon until all the sugar has dissolved. Add the warm (but not boiling) whisky. Flame and serve.

Cranachan

This is one of my all time favourite dessert recipes. You can go heavy on the Whisky (but use a light whisky like Aberlour)

Ingredients: (Serves two)

» Approx 300g/101oz raspberries (strawberries can also be used).

» 280ml/10 floz/one cup double (heavy) cream.

» 2 tablespoons good quality honey.

» 2 tablespoons single malt whisky.

» 2-3 tablespoons of oatmeal.

Method:

1. Place the oatmeal in a cool, dry pan and turn on the heat to simmer. Stirring occasionally, toast the oatmeal until it is golden brown. This process could take between 10-20 minutes.

2. Once the oatmeal is brown, turn off the heat and let it cool in the pan.

3. Place the cream in a bowl and whisk up until soft and relatively thick.

4. Add the honey and single malt whisky and fold it in with a whisk, until it is soft and creamy.

5. Pick out some of the best raspberries for decoration and add three or four to the bottom of each serving glass, leaving a few for final decoration.

6. Add the rest of the raspberries to the cream mixture and fold in carefully, breaking up a few of the raspberries to obtain a slight colouring to the cream.

7. Spoon the mixture into the serving glasses, then add cream to the top to make an even base for the oatmeal.

8. By now the oatmeal will be cooler. Using a teaspoon, evenly sprinkle the oatmeal over the dessert. Add a raspberry for the finishing touch and chill for about three hours, or overnight.

Cranachan can be served on its own, or with double cream and more raspberries. For an extra treat, make up the cream and add the raspberries as in 3, 4 and 6 above. Then freeze in a container for a yogurty fresh ice cream.

Cock-a-Leekie Soup

The classic Scottish chicken soup. The most traditional recipes add prunes - soak overnight and add to soup about 15 minutes before serving

Ingredients:

1 small chicken (2-3lbs)

1 Chopped Onion

6 Leeks, cut into inch long pieces

2oz long grain rice

1 Small Carrot (grated)

1 Teaspoon salt

3 Pints Water

Salt & Pepper to taste

1 Tablespoon chopped parsley

Method:

Place the chicken, giblets and onion in a large saucepan. Add the water and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer for 1 & 1/2 hours until the chicken is tender.

Remove from the heat and skim off any white scum. Take out the giblets and discard. Take out the chicken and strip the meat from the bones. Discard the bones

Return the meat to the stock, then add the leeks, rice and grated carrot.

Bring back to the boil, cover and simmer for a further 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Add the parsley before serving.

Serves 4 - 6

Clapshot

This is a great alternative to traditional 'neeps and tatties' - essentially mashed potatoes Scottish style. You can make it a bit spicy/peppery

Ingredients:

½ k boiled

(and peeled)potatoes

½ k boiled turnip

1-2 tablespoons

chopped chives

1 Small Onion (finely chopped)

Salt and pepper

60g butter or margarine

Method:

Beat/Mash the Potatoes and Turnip together while still hot and mix in the butter, chives, small onion and seasoning in order to make a light consistency. Season well with salt and pepper.

Can be served as a meal with haggis or as an accompaniment to many stews or fried meats.

(hint: if you can't find turnips, substitute root vegetables (swedes, parsnips &carrots make good combination)