Scottish Trifle

Raspberry Scottish Trifle

Ingredients:

4 cups chilled heavy whipping cream, divided
12 ounces Lindt white chocolate, chopped
1 1/4 teaspoons almond extract, divided
2 Tablespoons confectioners sugar
2/3 cups sugar
2/3 cups water
1 (7 ounce) package of crisp ladyfinger cookies
1 cup seedless raspberry jam - melted, divided
1 1/2 12-ounce packages frozen unsweetened raspberries, partially thawed, divided
1 6-ounce container fresh raspberries
3/4 cups sliced almonds
2 Tablespoons sugar

Directions:

1. Bring one cup cream to just a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat.
2. Pour simmering cream over chopped white chocolate in a bowl and stir until the mixture is creamy and has no lumps.
3. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until barely lukewarm.
4. Combine 2/3 cups water and 2/3 cups sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add 3/4 teaspoon almond extract. Set syrup aside to cool.
5. In an electric mixer, mix 3 cups heavy cream, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and 2 Tablespoons confectioners sugar until the mixture reaches stiff peaks.
6. Gently fold white chocolate mixture into beaten cream a little at a time until the mixture is all combined.
7. Melt raspberry jam.
8. Combine sliced almonds and 2 Tablespoons sugar in a small frying pan. Cook over medium high heat until the sugar melts and the almonds just start to brown.
9. Turn the candied almonds out onto a plate to cool.
10. To assemble submerge a ladyfinger in the almond sugar syrup quickly and place in bottom of trifle dish. Repeat with enough ladyfingers to cover bottom of dish.
11. Spread 1/3 of melted jam over ladyfingers.
12. Spread 1/2 package of thawed raspberries with juices.
13. Spread 1/3 white chocolate mousse over top.
14. repeat the ladyfingers, jam, berries and mousse 2 more times until bowl is filled.
15. Mound the fresh raspberries in the center and sprinkle candied almonds around edge.

Made a day ahead to let the juices soak into the ladyfingers. Serve chilled. Serves 12

Atholl Brose

Atholl Brose is a traditional Scottish Whiskey Drink

Ingredients:

1 750 ml bottle Scottish Whiskey
4 1/2 cups hot water
1 cup quick cooking oats
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup honey
1 can sweetened condensed milk

4 glass bottles with tops to cure the drink in

Directions:

1. Heat 4 1/2 cups water to a boil and pour over oats in a heat proof bowl.
2. Let oats sit for at least 4 hours and then drain - reserving liquid and discarding oats.
3. Combine whiskey, 3 cups of oat liquid, heavy cream, honey and sweetened condensed milk.
4. Stir to combine well and pour into 4 clean glass bottles. Screw caps on tightly.
5. Store bottles in a cold place for a week, shaking everyday.
6. Serve either cold or at room temperature.

Scotch Broth

Scotch Broth - traditional first course at Burns Night Supper

Serves 6-8

2 medium onions, chopped
2 carrots, sliced into 1/2 thick rounds
1 leek, white parts only, sliced
1 small rutabaga, chopped
1 rib of celery, sliced
1 Bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
5 cups beef broth - either low sodium or homemade
2 cups water
1/2 cup barley - not quick cooking
1/2 pound kale - stems and center ribs removed and leaves finely chopped ~ 2 cups

Directions
1. Place all ingredients in a soup pot except for the kale.
2. Bring soup to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.
3. Add kale and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve hot.