Recipes – Page 4 – Lauren Gemmell

Fennel, Orange and Pecan Quinoa Salad

On 4th February 2010

In January most people start to detox a little after all the Christmas indulgences, I say most people because I did not. I ate my way through all the chocolate and cakes, and then bought or made more. While it was amazing at the time I am starting to notice the negative impacts of all my fun and relaxing.

So here we go. First step a healthy lunch for tomorrow at work.

When I thought about healthy eating I thought salad – but lettuce leaves are boring, or pasta but it’s a bit carb-elicious, then Quinoa came to mind. Quinoa is a great source of protein so it is especially good for vegans and vegetarians (although I am obviously neither).

Beetroot and Pumpkin Salad

By lauren

On 1st February 2010

In Recipes

Last night I roasted a huge bunch of vegetables – I plan to use them for all kinds of things over the next couple of days. But I thought I start simply to bring out the great flavours of the ingredients.

100 posts

By lauren

On 31st January 2010

In Recipes

I think when you hit 100 posts, it’s time to really admit to yourself “You are a food blogger”. You don’t get to one hundred without truly enjoying the whole process of making, photographing and writing.

Back in March when I started this blog, I didn’t know very much, it’s been a steep but enjoyable learning curve. Back then I had never baked a loaf of bread, I didn’t know what to do with a Kohlrabi and I didn’t even now there was any difference between a macaroon and a macaron, let alone about feet!

Cannellini beans, Tomato and Kale Soup

By lauren

On 23rd January 2010

In Recipes

I feel like being rather lazy this weekend, to hibernate away from the cold drizzle. On days where you need the main light on during the peak sunlight hours, I find it particularly difficult to remember that Spring does come. That soon I won’t come home from work in the dark, and that I’ll venture outside without a jacket on – but today that feels awfully far away.

Sweet Beet Soup

By lauren

On 21st January 2010

In Recipes

I make a lot of soups, they are perfect for me to take into work, reheat in the microwave and are healthier than whatever I would normally buy. Often I get questions from my work mates about the soups I bring in, “What’s in it?” and “Where did you buy it?”. But no soup has had quite the response that this one does.

My usual soup repertoire of basics like Bacon, Tomato and Kale Soup and Carrot and Coriander Soup smell and taste wonderful but in no way elicit the same eye popping response of this purple Sweet Beet Soup.

Gin and Tonic Cocktail

By lauren

On 31st December 2009

In Recipes

When planning for my New Years Eve dinner party the first part of the menu I decided on was this Gin and Tonic Cocktail. It’s perfect because my friends love G&Ts and I know my limits with spirits!

Hosting a New Years Eve Dinner Party

By lauren

On 30th December 2009

In Recipes

This year I am hosting a New Years Eve dinner party, cooking for 11 people (at last count) and to be perfectly honest – I am terrified.

My main worry is making enough food, what if I underestimate and everyone is still hungry and there is nothing left? What if it burns? What if people won’t eat it?

I have chosen to host my first dinner party on the one night of the year that people want to be “perfect”. Arrgh.

Bacon, Tomato and Kale Soup

By lauren

On 27th December 2009

In Recipes

Welcome! If you like this post, please subscribe to the Coffee Muffins RSS feed.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, I am still spending some time with my parents. This however means that more new posts might be thin on the ground for a little while – I haven’t done any cooking or baking in 5 days!

This is a soup I made just before Christmas and it was wonderfully tasty, and so simple. As with lots of good things it came from the necessity to use up things I had to hand and from no specific recipe. The week before Christmas, for me, is a time to try to use up anything left in the fridge or from the veggie box. I still had a plentiful supply of the soup basics: onions, leeks and carrots. Add to this fresh black kale, a tin of tomatoes and some leftover crispy bacon, and you have the makings of the perfect winter warmer.

St Andrew's Day

By lauren

On 30th November 2009

In Recipes

The 30th of November is St Andrew’s day, which is the National Day of Scotland. I had lots of grand plans of what I could post, different Scottish inspired cakes, main courses, at one point I was even planning a whole menu. Alas I ran out of time, so instead I have picked some of my favourite pictures of Scotland from the past year to show to you.

Earlier this year I went up on my first trip to the north of Scotland, where we spent 5 days in and around Banffshire. The weather was beautiful and some of the bluest skies I had ever seen.

Walking along the beach, taking photos of our footprints in the sand.

Turnip Chips

By lauren

On 15th November 2009

In Recipes

This week when my organic veggie box arrived it contained one turnip, I also had half a turnip in the cupboard and so much in the freezer that I have no room for anything else.

“Enough is enough”, I said to myself. I have to find something more interesting to do with turnip. Scouring the web I found recipes for turnip curry and turnip stew, but lets face it – neither of those sound particularly appealing.

Then I read that turnips can be used as a replacement for potatoes for those on low carb diets, although dieting is not a word in my vocabulary, I had my eureka moment. Maybe I can use turnips just like potatoes…

Lauren Gemmell

Food, Fitness, and Technology

Category: Recipes (Page 4 of 6)

Fennel, Orange and Pecan Quinoa Salad

Beetroot and Pumpkin Salad

100 posts

Cannellini beans, Tomato and Kale Soup

Sweet Beet Soup

Gin and Tonic Cocktail

Hosting a New Years Eve Dinner Party

Bacon, Tomato and Kale Soup

St Andrew's Day

Turnip Chips

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