http://ishbel.gather.com Recent Articles on Gather by Ishbel R. en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:04:36 GMT 2009-12-30T00:04:36Z en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 http://www.gather.com/images/header/logo_gather.gif http://www.gather.com/ http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977853752 The fact that she upset my friend,  Ina is bad enough...  but now she makes an excuse that she cannot spell Ina or Ishbel. Oh, and she said she was unsure how to pronounce my name - never . . . Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:28:21 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977853752 Ishbel R. 2009-10-14T21:28:21Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977845786 I've got a bumper harvest from our plum trees this year.  We've eaten so many, and I've baked pies, made crumbles added them to other fruit dishes - and I'm running out of ideas.  Then I was . . . Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:35:23 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977845786 Ishbel R. 2009-10-09T12:35:23Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977599600 This is a updated version of an article I wrote last year all about the British custom of Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday.  Next Tuesday will  be Shrove Tuesday. Traditionally in the UK, the . . . Thu, 19 Feb 2009 10:37:11 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977599600 Ishbel R. 2009-02-19T10:37:11Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977537855 I posted this last year, and as I'm making a couple of them tonight, I though it was worth reposting. This yule log is very popular in the UK, and is known in France as bouche Noel. 1 oz plain . . . Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:36:26 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977537855 Ishbel R. 2008-12-17T11:36:26Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977530218 I first ate these in Spain, more years ago than I care to mention, but have eaten similar sweetmeats in Portugal and in Greece - so I'm not sure of their ethnic origins.  I make them every . . . Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:19:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977530218 Ishbel R. 2008-12-09T12:19:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977523668 Christmas mincepies are traditionally eaten at Christmas, but I make my own mincemeat and serve it in different ways, throughout the year.  I use it with shortbread, to make mincemeat flans and to . . . Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:51:59 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977523668 Ishbel R. 2008-12-02T15:51:59Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977509015 I published this article last year, and thought it would be timely to republish it.  STIR UP SUNDAY Is the name given to the last Sunday before advent, and is so-called because it was (and . . . Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:49:05 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977509015 Ishbel R. 2008-11-17T14:49:05Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977470236 There are probably as many family recipes for this soup as there are Scots!  Here's mine.   350g red split lentils 3 tablespoons vegetable/sunflower oil A smoked ham hock or . . . Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:16:30 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977470236 Ishbel R. 2008-10-07T10:16:30Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977297930 This pudding was invented at the famous English public School - it is a taste of summer in a bowl! l lb fresh strawberries (or sometimes I use half/half strawberries and raspberries) 20 flu oz pot . . . Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:12:28 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977297930 Ishbel R. 2008-03-31T14:12:28Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977287496 3 - 4 lb lean, boned and rolled beef rib joint 2 large red onions, peeled, halved and sliced thinly 1 pint of an English beer (not a Guiness-type stout) or something like MacEwans Export . . . Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:08:01 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977287496 Ishbel R. 2008-03-18T16:08:01Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977281599 Lainie -  Here is another pudding recipe, especially for you!  It uses apples instead of only lemons as in traditional syllabub recipes and is light and delicious.   150ml . . . Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:53:43 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977281599 Ishbel R. 2008-03-11T13:53:43Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977280648 It is said that this dish was invented by members of a Scottish regiment stationed in India during the days of the Raj.  It used to be served as a weekend breakfast dish, now more commonly as a supper . . . Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:10:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977280648 Ishbel R. 2008-03-10T14:10:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977280637 Tried and tested and highly recommended by members of my family!   I can't remember the origins of the recipe, but suspect it might be from one of D, Smith's earliest books. 2 heaped . . . Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:56:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977280637 Ishbel R. 2008-03-10T13:56:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977277944 The early 'forced' rhubarb is in the shops now, most from the 'rhubarb triangle' in Yorkshire.   When it is young and tender and pale pink it is delicious to eat.  Rhubarb . . . Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:20:39 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977277944 Ishbel R. 2008-03-07T13:20:39Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977277073 Tracklement is an old-fashioned way of describing a condiment made to be eaten with hot or cold meats or as an accompaniment to cheese.  This is not a preserve, it will not keep for more than a few . . . Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:34:05 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977277073 Ishbel R. 2008-03-06T14:34:05Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977271730 A different 'take' on the old-fashioned British jam roly-poly pudding!  This recipe was from a give-away card at a local supermarket a few years ago. 250g self raising flour Pinch salt . . . Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:08:49 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977271730 Ishbel R. 2008-02-29T14:08:49Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977271601 Hot cross buns have been an Easter tradition in the UK for hundreds of years.  The origins are lost in the mists of time, but the version that I was taught was that the Anglo Saxons baked buns . . . Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:46:01 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977271601 Ishbel R. 2008-02-29T08:46:01Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977270775 This year, Mothering Sunday (2 March 08)  falls early because of the date of Easter. This is distinctly different to the US/rest of the world's 'Mother's Day'.  It was a day . . . Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:32:08 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977270775 Ishbel R. 2008-02-28T15:32:08Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977270623 This is the Scottish version of Irish soda bread, it orginates from Lorn in Argyllshire.  It's great eaten warm, spread with butter. 8 oz plain flour (sifted) 2 oz malted wholemeal flour . . . Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:20:38 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977270623 Ishbel R. 2008-02-28T11:20:38Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977270595 In honour of St Patrick's Day, which is rapidly approaching, here is a recipe for a modern 'take' on the old staple of Irish stew.  I cannot recall whether this recipe is adapted from . . . Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:31:07 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977270595 Ishbel R. 2008-02-28T10:31:07Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977259079 6 egg yolks, beaten 275g plain flour 175g caster sugar 200g unsalted butter, diced 2 teaspoons of milk Preheat oven to Gas mark 4, 350F, 180C.  Butter a 9 inch spring-form cake tin . . . Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:42:54 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977259079 Ishbel R. 2008-02-15T12:42:54Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977257364 Apart from having almost the most expensive petrol in the world here in the UK, from October 08, motorists with 4x4s, sports cars and some mainstream family cars will have to pay 25 GBP per day to . . . Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:16:59 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977257364 Ishbel R. 2008-02-13T10:16:59Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977248938 Traditionally, in the UK, the last Tuesday before Lent starts on Ash Wednesday is known as Shrove Tuesday or PANCAKE DAY.   Often pancake races  are held in various towns, villages and . . . Mon, 04 Feb 2008 12:35:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977248938 Ishbel R. 2008-02-04T12:35:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977244425   Brambles are what we in Scotland call blackberries - and this is a tart that I learned to make at a cookery course held at Nick Nairn's place at the Lake of Menteith.  He's one of my . . . Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:31:38 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977244425 Ishbel R. 2008-01-30T16:31:38Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977239674 Howtowdie is the old Scots language name for skirlie stuffed chicken, which was served on a bed of spinach with 'drappit eggs' (poached eggs) on top.   Nowadays, the eggs are usually omitted . . . Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:18:57 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977239674 Ishbel R. 2008-01-25T09:18:57Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977239305 Skirlie is a type of stuffing (used in the old Scots dish of Howtowdie, a chicken stuffed with skirlie) and is traditionally served with roast meats like roast beef, chicken or lamb. 4 oz oatmeal (not . . . Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:51:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977239305 Ishbel R. 2008-01-24T22:51:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977238881 I usually make this into loaves, but can baked as rolls, too. I kilo granary bread flour 50g butter 7g sachet of yeast 2 level teaspoons sugar 1.25 level teaspoon salt 550 . . . Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:07:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977238881 Ishbel R. 2008-01-24T14:07:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977238876 (Not quite vegetarian, though as it uses pancetta!)   I often make this when I'm alone for lunch -  although this makes 2 of my sized servings!  If I want it to be a little more . . . Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:57:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977238876 Ishbel R. 2008-01-24T13:57:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977238868 Makes 1 large or 2 small loaves 1 lb 4 oz 100 per cent wholewheat flour, plus a little extra to 'dust' the top of the bread 2 level teaspoons salt 1 level teaspoon soft light brown sugar . . . Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:47:41 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977238868 Ishbel R. 2008-01-24T13:47:41Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977236807 This is a fish soup, and is made with smoked fish.   The name originates from Cullen, a village in Morayshire where it originated.  'Skink' is a beef stew made from the shin . . . Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:52:49 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977236807 Ishbel R. 2008-01-22T14:52:49Z