Scottish Seaweed – Superfood from Scotland’s Isle of Bute
Seaweed is one of the top superfoods yet remains a secret to many of us. Full of vitamin A, B, B12, C, E, K, iron and iodine it is now being farmed and marketed by a Scottish company – Just Seaweed – based on the Isle of Bute.
“Seaweed tastes fantastic”. That was the message of Iain McKellar, owner of Just Seaweed, when I met him at his busy exhibition stand at the recent BBC Good Food Show in Glasgow. Iain and his team hand cut fresh Scottish seaweed off the Isle of Bute
“Cooking with seaweed is just like cooking with anything else. You can boil, steam, bake or fry it. Dried seaweeds can be used straight from the packet or rehydrated in fresh cold water for 15 minutes, rinsed then cooked as normal.”
To ensure their freshness, purity and nutritional value seaweed needs to be harvested from pristine seas free from pollutants. The waters off the Isle of Bute are perfect and dulse, channel wrack, sea grass, sea lettuce, atlantic kelp and sugar kelp arejust a few of the varieties now available from Just Seaweed.
Humans have been eating seaweed for millennia. Living close to the shore early settlers on Scotland’s islands and west coast supplemented their shellfish and seafood diets with some of the local seaweeds. Japanese culture has developed seaweed cuisine to gourmet level and these flavours and textures that characterise Japanese food is making seaweed increasingly popular as a food in the west.
If the idea of eating seaweed doesn’t appeal then don’t worry. Pop it in your bath and enjoy a beneficial Thalassotherapy bath. Seaweed baths have great health benefits. Throw a few handfuls of bladderwrack or knotted kelp wrack in a bath of hot water and you are on your way to improving blood circulation, helping to release toxins, rejuvenating, toning and moisturising your skin.
Pass the loofa Janet!
Musa goes Gaga for Guga – First UK restaurant to serve Gannet
Musa Restaurant in Aberdeen is offering ‘guga’ to its diners. This controversial bird dish made from young Gannet is on the Musa menu this week. Musa becomes the first UK restaurant to serve this seabird delicacy in the UK.
Around 2000 baby gannets, known as gugas, are culled annually on Sula Sgeir, an uninhabited island 40 miles from the Isle of Lewis. Most UK seabirds are protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act, but guga hunters have a special licence from the Scottish Government. Musa in Aberdeen has secured a limited supply of the bird and intends to serve it to diners on request on 19th and 20th of October
Musa is described as a quirky little restaurant – a gastro gallery where food, music and art form an attractive and vibrant mix. A recent menu featured Scottish buffalo, haggis and apricot spring rolls as well as their innovative blue cheese ice cream. So I guess a side order of guga isn’t going to raise an eyebrow here!
Musa restaurant manager Jimmy Elliot is quoted as saying: “This is exciting for us. Musa has always tried to offer the exotic and the unusual, so to get our hands on some gannet was fantastic and our chefs are looking forward to seeing what they can make with it. Gordon Ramsay’s moment in the F Word when he tried gannet is still spoken about until this day. Even as Gordon discovered, it’s lovely but hard to get as it is only meant to be killed and eaten on the island. But not everyone can get to Lewis to try it so we’re delighted we’ve been able to legally source some and offer it to our customers. And if it proves popular we’ll do our best to get more in.”
The concept of eating Gannet hit the headlines in 2005 when celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay traveled to the Isle of Lewis for his F Word show.
Ed: We have reservations about culling and eating seabirds especially when there is so much excellent Scottish produce that deserves to reach a wider audience.
Porridge Champion Neal Robertson regains the Golden Spurtle
The winner of the 2010 world title and prestigious Golden Spurtle Trophy is Neal Robertson from the Tannochbrae Tearoom, Auchtermuchty. Neal believes the local water from the hills above Auchtermuchty and the use of his unique Spon rather than the traditional spurtle all help to make the winning porridge.
Neil is quoted as saying “It’s brilliant bringing the title home for Scotland. It was a wake-up call last year to see how seriously porridge is taken across Scotland and around the world.”
Last year the title was one by the United States but this year the ultimate prize in the porridge world returned to the home country thanks to Neal’s winning ways with porridge. Carrbridge man Ian Bishop, who competes every year and was the last Scot to win the title in 2008, also vied for the 2010 Golden Spurtle prize.
Awards Galore for Vintage Cross
It has been a vintage year for The Cross at Kingussie, the VisitScotland Gold Restaurant with Rooms in the Cairngorms National Park.
Following last September’s announcement that The Cross had won the 2009/10 AA Wine Award for Scotland, their wine list was recently voted best in Scotland at the inaugural Louis Roederer Wine List of the Year awards held in London. And last month The Cross was a highly commended finalist in the SLTN Wine Award. Owners David and Katie Young are delighted that their efforts have been recognised. “We’ve spent a lot of thought, time and money on putting together a list that offers a very personal selection of around 300 wines, most from small producers, many organic or bio-dynamically made, and almost all at under £50 per bottle. The accommodation, service and food we provide at The Cross continue to win awards but we feel it’s also important to have a great wine list”, said David.
So why not sample the award winning hospitality and wines at The Cross and choose from two special promotions for November and December:
A Romantic Break (CODE RB10)
From £420 per couple includes accommodation, dinner, and breakfast for two consecutive nights, plus a bottle of champagne on arrival.
Fall into Winter (CODE FW10)
From £530 per couple includes accommodation, dinner and breakfast for three consecutive midweek nights.
There is now only very limited availability for the three night Highland Hogmanay Package (CODE HH10) arrival on 30 December 2010 – one twin (or could be a very cosy double) room remaining at £995 per couple.
All packages are subject to availability. Not available on-line unless specified. Must quote promotional code to qualify.
All details on www.thecross.co.uk. Or email relax@thecross.co.uk
Telephone Enquiries: 01540 661166.
Celebrate St Andrew’s Night in style at Taycreggan Hotel
Who could resist celebrating a St Andrews Night Celebration with a menu consisting of an appetiser of Fish and Chips, Salt & Vinegar followed bu Haggis Fritters with Turnip Chutney, Crisp Salad & Toasted Potato Bread, Cullen Skink served with Warm Bunnocks, Saddle of Highland Venison with Pearl Barley, Glazed Pears, Baby Vegetables & Port Jus, Cranachan Pannacotta with Raspberry Jelly & Oatmeal Cookies or Plated Scottish Cheese with Apple & Grapes. Continue Reading >>
More Dates for CookingMania
By popular demand, Cookingmania have added more dates to their Express Entertaining classes – ‘get ready for Christmas’ right up until Christmas.
Cookingmania is an Edinburgh cookery school initially designed solely for kids but now widening its reach and building a huge following. They are cooking up a storm in their new premises in Stockbridge and have expanding both in terms of size and classes offered for both adults and children in the day and evening – adding hugely successful courses such as ‘men only’ cooking evenings, express entertaining, ‘dad and me’ and International Flavours.
The aim of these classes is to show participants how to produce good, tasty, home-cooked meal both for day to day eating and entertaining friends as well as preparing for the festive season with a range of dishes and flavours from around the world to suit everyone. Participants cook two dishes and learn new techniques and methods – all skills which are transferable to other dishes too. The sessions are hands-on, giving you the opportunity to try out your new skills in Cookingmania’s vast kitchen.
The ‘Ready for Christmas’ classes are being held on Wednesday evenings between now and Christmas from 7pm to 9pm – good food – fun place!
Price are from £50 per person
If you would be interested in attending a class please contact us at info@cookingmania.co.uk
St Andrews Festival Tasting features Scotland’s Finest Foods
St Andrews Festival have announced a special food and wine event ‘A Taste of Scotland’ for their forthcoming celebrations – part of the year of Food & Drink Scotland 2010.
Scotland’s finest foods will be matched alongside a selection of fine wines from around the world hosted by Rose Murray Brown, Master of Wine. The event will take place on Friday 26 November 2010 in the luxurious surroundings of the world famous Fairmont St Andrews. Continue Reading >>
October News – Awards, Chocolate & Chefs
This month our news blog gets off to a busy start with the announcement of some well deserved Awards for Boath House and Martin Wishart … congratulations. We have news of Ardross Farm Shops progress towards the finals of the ‘Own & Local’ Award. Cringletie Hotel’s young chef is put in the spotlight and we suggest celebrating National Chocolate Week with some homemade Scottish Chocolate. Enjoy!
Ardross Farm Shop Flying the Flag at UK Farm Shop Awards
Ardross Farm Shop is flying the flag for Scotland as the only Scottish finalist in the UK Farm Shop Awards 2011 from the National Farmers’ Retail & Markets Association.
The Ardross farm shop will now be competing against four other farm shops across the UK for the ‘Own & Local’ Award, which recognises the retailer’s dedication to selling genuinely local food to local people. The business is also one of just three finalists in the ‘Environmental’ Award category. The UK winners will be announced on 25 January 2011 at FARM & MORE, the farm retail sector’s conference.
Ardross Farm Shop, near Elie in Fife, has come a long way since it first opened in 2005 to sell its own beef and vegetables to the public. Continue Reading >>
Scottish Chocolate Makers – Pick of the Box
National Chocolate Week runs from 11th to 17th October and throughout the UK there will much munching, nibbling, tastings, talks, demonstrations and exhibitions. Full details at the official Chocolate Week web site:
www.chocolate-week.co.uk/chocolate-unwrapped
Scotland is no stranger to chocolate and familiar names such as Lees and Tunnocks have for many years thrived on Scotland’s love of chocolate and other confectionery. What is strange is the emergence of small independent chocolate makers here is Scotland who are building innovative business through the creation of handmade chocolate and designer confection.
As our contribution to National Chocolate Week we have listed just a few of our favourites. (see below)
ED: And, If we happen to receive any samples for enthusiastic chocolate makers, I promise to raffle them in next months newsletter!
CELEBRATE CHOCOLATE WEEK WITH SCOTTISH CHOCOLATE
Lime Tree Larder at Auchencloigh Farm in Ayrshire
http://www.limetreelarder.co.uk/
Handmade Chocolates from Inhouse Chocolates at Castle Douglas
http://www.inhousechocolates.co.uk/
(Check out their Chocolate Club)
Cocoa Mountain up north in Sutherland
www.cocoamountain.co.uk
Vanilla Skye in Portree on the Isle of Skye
http://www.vanillaskye.co.uk/
The Oban Chocolate Company – watch out for the chillis!
http://www.obanchocolate.co.uk/
(Shortlisted for the 2010 Thistle Awards)
Award Winning Chocolatier based in Edinburgh
http://www.hotchocolates.biz/
Fresh Wild Scottish Salmon on your plate in 24 hrs
Imagine enjoying the best of wild Scottish salmon caught in the North Sea and onto your plate within 24 hours.With prior arrangement that is exactly what Usan Salmon offers.
Established in the 1960’s, this family business operates Salmon Fisheries in various locations throughout Scotland, netting prime condition wild salmon and sea trout along the Angus coast. Maintaining links with their heritage, Usan salmon use traditional Scottish bag nets, environmentally friendly and ensuring the highest quality.
Although Usan Salmon specialise in supplying the trade, their customers range from individuals to some of the finest smokehouse in the UK. Usan sells wild salmon and sea trout throughout Europe and can be found graced on the tables in some of the most famous restaurants and hotels throughout the UK
Some of Usan’s catch is transformed into Smoked Wild Scottish Salmon using only salt for curing and oak chips for smoking – an age old method guaranteed to give the fish its distinctive flavour, aroma and texture.
For more information and the chance to order online check out http://www.usansalmon.com
Eclectic Wines – Great Tastes what ever your Budget
Eclectic Wines offer you every wine imaginable – from easy drinking bargains, barbeque wines, new world favourites to classic classed growths and everything in between.
The company was founded by Roger Sleigh, in response to unrelenting supply of mass-produced characterless wines and beers on offer in the UK’s large retail outlets
Working abroad in the USA, Austria and Belgium, Roger and his wife Alison were exposed to the type of high quality, locally produced food and drink not freely available in the UK.
Their dream of running a wine outlet started to take shape in 2005 and today, from premises in Perth, Eclectic provides customers, whatever the budget, with a range of interesting wines, beers and spirits from around the world which best reflect the traditions of those area of production.
Rather than focusing on deals involving multiple bottle purchases, Roger and Alison aim to offer all single bottles at competitive prices.
Ed: We like that idea and I hope some of our readers can visit Eclectic Wines and discover some exciting new favourites – ours is Castel de Bouza Albarino.
