Yesterday I gave a link to Laura’s cheese baskets. They kept me amused for an hour. If you want to see how they should look then follow the link.
They are harder than it would appear. I melted the cheese in a omelette pan and poured off the excess fat then remelted it and flipped it over a glass. Excellent fun.
With a little imagination it could be a basket.
I made two. I’m a growing lad……growing fat. Laura put Avocado and Spinach in her baskets. Avocado trees can’t be fruiting in Scotland so I used Prawns. I also sweated the Spinach in a drop of water and olive oil. The red bits are bell pepper and the runny stuff is a dressing made from mustard, lemon juice, some of the liquid I squeezed out of the spinach sugar and olive oil. Excellent it was and apparently healthy.
This morning dawned wet and windless. I decided to do a couple or three miles through the woods. I took both cameras one with a 135mm lens plus 2X teleconverter and the other with a prime 24mm. I was looking for Red Squirrel. Needless to say I never saw one.
This is a burn called Abainn Ruigh-eunachan. A wonderful name and it flows out of Coire na Ciste on Cairngorm and eventually into Loch Morlich. I’ll have a go at a phonetic spelling, more for amusement than any hope I may be correct. The first is- Avan Rue unackan and the second is- Kory na Ceest. I’ll have to get my Gallic tapes out again.
Although it keeps snowing it’s not settling. There is new growth on the heather. Black Grouse eat this and I didn’t see any of them either.
I did see three of my favourite birds.
The Dipper.
This is a different one about a mile further on.
Two happily together. Although they must get together now and again this is the first time I’ve seen two in the same territory.
I’ll lug Bertha and a tripod out on the next fine day. I’ll try for some video and some closer shots.
It’s snowing hard now but still not settling. The feeders are doing good business but still no Crossbills or Crested Tits.
If it drys up I will pop out and do some flashing in the woods this evening. There are several rotten trees that would look good flashed at.
I should be back tomorrow, have fun.
Beautiful, maybe, cheese. And, you have captured the Dipper, well done Adrian. Taken by Bertha it will look much better.
ReplyDeleteLots of Dippers Bob. They did well last year. Looking at the two together this year is looking good too.
DeleteI'll never make a birder but will go out with Bertha and a teleconverter. I will shoot some video. It covers my lack of skill. Black Grouse are Lecking. I have heard them but haven't found them yet.
Luckily those prawn trees were fruiting. Love the image of the burn. I don't think we have burns here in Oz. Thanks for the Gaellic lesson.
ReplyDeleteCarol, the prawn trees and their fruit are at their best here.
DeleteIt's just what the Scots call a stream and it wants cropping in from the right. It was almost dark and snowing when I edited it at lunch time.
My Gallic is awful. I used to pick up languages fast but now I struggle.
Rather than making baskets, I often just sprinkle grated cheese over baking paper on a tray and pop in the oven to make cheese crisps. Would be good to top your salads because they are crunchy.
DeleteI'll give it a go Carol.
DeleteLooks to be a tasty change from my usual melted cheese on toast. I must try adding prawns to it. There was a great section showing the dippers on Winterwatch last night.
ReplyDeleteJohn, we were on the opposite bank. Don't tell me they cut the footage of the dogs. They were trying to help.
DeleteLovely shot of the burn framed by the trees.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't crop it myself.
Okay Keith. I was in two minds.
DeleteI told Laura she is an artist with food. Now with your picture I have proof. :)
ReplyDeleteActually your second one is better than I could do and your dish looks good. You must be quite a good cook.
I guessed that a burn is a creek. Nice pictures. I like the colors.
David, Laura's presentation is better than mine.
DeleteStream, beck, burn they are all small rivers.
Looks like one fine meal you prepared there Adrian, is there no end to your talents?
ReplyDeleteThe burn looks lovely. I'm with Keith...don't crop that right hand side, it helps to lead the eye around the tree and down into the distance. Have you edited the post since I first read it a couple of hours ago?
I've heard of talking to, and hugging, trees...but flashing to them?...I'm sure you can speak to somebody about it and get some help?
Anyway...if you must, just go careful 'caus it's cold out there tonight!!...[;o)
Trevor, It was grand it made a change from beans on toast.
DeleteI am having enough trouble posting posts and comments without editing.
It was too wet early evening. I just nipped out for a quick tiddle and it's a beautiful night The stars are out and it's -4C. I just can't summon the energy to go out.
Well Adrian your basket may have been nice, but it looks quite something different.
ReplyDeleteBas it is worth a try with a mature Edam. The one in the orange skin.
DeleteWell done on the Dippers, can't wait to see what results you get with Mrs.Bertha
ReplyDeleteDouglas, Bertha is ready to roll and I am battery charging as it's going to be cold out.
DeleteFunny...the BBC's "Winterwatch" are up in the Cairngorms right now. They've shown dippers, crested tits, deer and even a golden eagle. Speaking of TV programmes, I understand that the BBC are looking out for yet another celebrity chef - but with some kind of twist. Your "angle" could be that you do your cooking in a camper van. Tentative title "Chef on the Run" but no flashing at lady guests and no red squirrel recipes!
ReplyDeleteYP, I have seen one episode. They were staying in the Fife Arms in Braemar. I saw the chap filming the dippers.
DeleteCooking is hard work. I'll do some flashing in the Attic.
I wouldn't mind doing some filming with that lass on WinterWatch
Michaela Strachan? Don't you mean foaming?
DeleteI've been out for over two hours playing 'The Scouting For Girls Song'. I failed to find her. I thought she might be interested in my Dipper.
DeleteI'm afraid if I tried the basket I would have a major mess on my hands..Pretty shot through the trees of the water. Have fun fishing.
ReplyDeleteTerri, cooking is all about mess. I was lucky with that shot it was almost too wet for pictures.
DeleteApplause Adrian!!! Looks great! I'm so happy that you made it!!!! really happy!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm happy that you find the taste good! :-)
I'm proud of you!
Laura, thank you for the recipe. It was well worth doing and didn't take long.
DeleteNot only do you experiment with the camera ... but :-) ... I'm sure it tasted nice.
ReplyDeleteJay, it was really good. not a winter recipe but for some perverse reason I'm eating several salads a week at the moment.
DeleteNow that's a salad! it looks delicious. I'm going to have to look for it here.
ReplyDeleteRed, I'll do it again. It is quick and not two hard.
DeleteLooks Yummy!
ReplyDeleteIt was excellent.
DeleteThat's funny you named this post "occupational therapy", because that is what I studied.
ReplyDeleteMaria, I suspect it's fact not theory for me.
DeleteWonderful birds are Dippers. I've hardly even seen one in Scotland. The Duddon Valley in Cumbria used to be a real haven for them. I think we've been through that before.
ReplyDeleteCheese baskets. That's definitely on my list of things to be tried.
Graham, I suspect they had a really good year. There were some at Foyers and plenty here.
ReplyDeleteThe Cheese baskets are well worth making, They are quick and good to eat.