On September 22nd, the first official day of autumn, I returned home from a 9-day adventure in Scotland armed with a ton of foodie inspiration. However, this trip was anything but relaxing. In fact it was a bit of a financial splurge that we really had no business spending at this particular juncture. So we were determined to make the most of it within the budget and time that we had. As enjoyable as it was, the 5-hour time difference and go-go-go pace took its toll. But now I am full of renewed energy, ready to get back in the swing of things here on the blog.

Scotland is a beautiful country with an interesting food scene. High tea and black pudding are what usually come to mind when the subject of food mixes with Scotland. And not to be forgotten - haggis, neeps and tatties. For those not in the know, neeps stand for turnips and tatties is short for potatoes. Unless they're mashed potatoes in which case they just refer to them as mash. And haggis...well lets just say that a visual encounter with an uncooked batch in a highland gas station put me off to it. But Scotland has so much more to offer. At the hearty end of the menu, choices include steak & Scottish ale pie with a side of mash, golden fried haddock and chips with peas, chicken-bacon-mushroom pie topped with flaky puff pastry or Yorkshire pudding stuffed with seasoned meat and smothered in gravy - to name a few.

Choosing the healthier option was a bit of challenge. Not to suggest that Scotland lacked lighter fare. Nearly every meal came with either a side salad or some sort of cooked vegetable. It was easy to find a vegetarian soup served with a slice of brown bread, an omelette with smoked salmon and a side of greens or a spicy bean burger. And particularly in the cities, there were organic grab-n-go establishments such as the one that inspired this recipe.

Unfortunately, I never had the chance to try the original version of this protein pot which was composed of crayfish, some variety of rice mixed into the quinoa and a seasoning blend. Instead, I chose a boiled egg and baby spinach pot - boring I know - but just what I needed after several heavy meals. My shrimp pot is much more flavorful with the added bonus of portability.

On a side note for those traveling to Scotland for the first time, I will soon be offering an ebook guide with a specific, easy to follow, budget-minded itinerary. This outline will provide an overview of Scotland without trying to fit the entire country, which is actually quite large, into one trip. Additionally, it will provide tips on how to easily travel within Scotland, what to expect in various regions, how to reduce flight and lodging costs, where to eat and how to avoid being turned away, Scottish recipes and much more. ​

Ingredients:
1 cup cooked red quinoa
1/2 cup cooked peas
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
2 tablespoons fresh mint, minced
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
lemon vinaigrette*
8 large cooked shrimp, peeled 
2 hardboiled eggs, shelled and halved lengthwise
1/8 cup seed mixture: pumpkin, sunflower, hemp
lemon wedges

Lemon Vinaigrette:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 garlic clove, minced
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
For the vinaigrette, mix all of the ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

Combine the quinoa, peas, parsley, mint, salt, and pepper. Divide the quinoa mixture into four small mason jars or containers. Drizzle with the vinaigrette. Top each quinoa portion with two shrimp and half an egg. Sprinkle with seed mixture and garnish with a lemon wedges.

Yield: 4 servings

Today on the blog is the base for my homemade lo mein. As written, it usually serves as a side dish with dinner, while the leftovers make a versatile lunch tossed with shrimp, chicken, or additional vegetables.

At its heart is the sauce, composed of four very necessary components: Chinese cooking wine, tamari, oyster sauce and honey. After much experimentation, my conclusion is that something will always be missing if one of these is left out.

Chinese Cooking Wine: not to be confused with sweet Japanese mirin, this product is a savory wine made from rice, salt and water. Most often found in asian specialty markets, it is increasingly sold in national grocery chains.

Tamari: is a (generally) gluten-free alternative to soy sauce. Be sure to check the ingredient list, as some brands do contain small amounts of wheat, though comparatively less than soy sauce which is typically 40-60% wheat. Additionally, tamari is milder in flavor. My preferred brand is San-J low sodium tamari.

Oyster Sauce: frequently used in Chinese cooking, this is a must for lo mein. Look for a brand that does not use chemicals, such as Kikkoman.

Honey: the purpose of the honey is to cut the saltiness of the sauce, not to overly sweeten it. If possible, use a pure local honey rather than mass produced brands which typically contain corn syrup and preservatives.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup Chinese cooking wine
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
3 tablespoons low sodium tamari sauce
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil, *optional
1 heaping tablespoon honey
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon freshly grated or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 small yellow onion, sliced
1 large carrot, julienned
3 scallions, julienned
16 ounce package gluten-free brown rice spaghetti

Directions:
Combine the wine, broth, tamari, oyster sauce, sesame oil if using, honey, garlic and ginger. Set aside.

Using a saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high and cook the onion and carrots for 5-7 minutes, until softened. Add the scallion and sauce, continuing to cook another 2-3 minutes.

Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package directions, usually about 7-10 minutes. Strain and rinse under cold water to avoid overcooking. Return the spaghetti to the pot and toss with the sauce.

​Yield: 8 servings