Fabulous Fish Watercolour

We tried something new this week, Fabulous Fish with sparkly, glittery iridescent paints.

We started the morning having a play with them, we had SAA paints in silver, pearl and gold plus some iridescent paint powder that we mixed with gum arabic before applying.

After we had chosen our 'fish' and sketched it onto the lovely heavyweight paper from St Cuthberts Mill, Claire demonstrated the first wash, 

below is one of the paintings with the fish and waterlilies drawn out with masking fluid on their outline and some beautiful colours in the wash

others made the fish their focus and worked on the painting of their fish, putting their colours on first

 

 

It was lovely to have the sunshine back today, I took time after the class to have a wander round the grounds to see what is starting to blossom.

Claire is back next week for Atmospheric Scottish Landscapes, we have some spaces available, come and join us, suitable for all levels including beginners.

9:30am - approx 3pm

£75

All materials, a 2 course lunch and a glass of wine included.

Aga Comfort and Casual Cooking Class

Sarah Whitaker was back on Friday for a very interesting and delicious Aga class.

The theme was Comfort and Casual, so we enjoyed a delicious roasted tomato and pepper soup, a creamy mushroom risotto, slow roasted salmon and a whole range of other delights that showed everyone how to use their Aga, how to retain the heat and how to juggle the ovens, along with showing us each cooking method alongside a delicious dish, ie the roasting, the simmering, the frying and so on.

There are so many tips to pick up along the way if you spend a morning with Sarah.

There is plenty of time to ask questions and time to enjoy a great tasting lunch of all the food Sarah has cooked, one of the puddings was "Caramel and Cholesterol Pie" it was soooooo good!

Bookings are underway for Sarah's return on Friday 18 May for Fabulous Fish

and Friday 21 September for Easy Entertaining.

The classes cost £65 and run from 9.45am - 1.30pm

A Great Aga Roasts and Puddings Class

The day may have started at -6, but we had a very cosy and warming Aga class here today.

Sarah was here to take us through Aga Roasts and Puddings.

It was all delicious.

We learnt how to slow roast ham, medium roast a leg of lamb and fast roast some pork, with great crackling.

Using different Aga ovens and different timings, it was lovely to see and taste the results.

Alongside the roast meats, we had roast potatoes, parsnips, vegetables, bread, gravies, apple sauce, onion sauce, the feast was huge!

Today's meal included three puds; a chocolate fudge pudding, a ginger and pear steamed pudding and a yummy raspberry tart.

After Sarah's demonstration, it's always lovely to sit down and enjoy a taste of all the foods cooked along with a glass of wine.  There is plenty of opportunity to ask Sarah Aga questions and chat with other Aga owners.

SARAH RETURNS:

Friday 18 May for Fabulous Fish

Friday 21 September for Effortless Entertaining

and Christmas Aga (Turkey) is on Friday 9 November.

Bookings are being taken now.

Aga - A Feast of Fish!

Sarah Whitaker was back on Friday the 13th for a Feast of Fish! Once we had covered a Feast of Rice Pudding, we got onto the Fish...... Sarah showed us 3 delicious ways to make Aga Rice Pudding. Heaven in a bowl!

Sarah spent some time talking about using the ovens, and how to ensure that you must keep the lids down as much as possible, as not only will that keep the heat in, it will keep your fuel bills down. Sarah cooked about 8 fish dishes, and managed to do most of it inside the ovens, the temperature didn't drop down at all.

The fish recipes covered tips on how to stir fry, bake, roast and also how to pop your squeezed orange and lemon shells into the simmering oven, and a few hours later, use them as kindling for your fire.

Lunch was delicious; it included king prawns, kedgeree, salmon, fish pie, plaice, prawns, trout........ and of course 3 types of Rice Pudding!

Sarah will be back again in November for Christmas Aga.

A Feast of Fish - Aga Class Friday 13 March 2009

Join Sarah Whitaker on Friday 13 March for a new class.  Feast of Fish, includes recipes such as Plaice Fillets with Lime Sauce,  Smoked Salmon and Spring Onion Tart and a Luxurious Fish Pie. These recipes will show you how to use the Aga to bake, simmer, stir fry, reduce sauces and cook pastry.  There will also be plenty of opportunity to ask Sarah any of your Aga questions.

The day starts at 9.45am, with a tasting lunch after the demonstration.  There is an opportunity to buy Aga products, Sarah's recipe books and other goodies after the lunch.  We usually finish by 1.30pm.  Places cost £55.  Please book asap.