We’ve rounded up your favourite reads this month and served them to you on a platter.
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In the month where we could finally see the light at the end of the lockdown tunnel, pasta and flour were back in abundance on the supermarket shelves and a wealth of seasonal Scottish produce made its way into our bakes and our diets, we look back at the top 10 food and drink stories you enjoyed reading the most these past 30 days.
1. Say goodbye to the buffet: Malmaison chief gives glimpse into what diners and guests can expect when hotels reopen
With hotels set to reopen on July 15, our food and drink team leader Clare Johnston spoke to Malmaison Hotel chief operating officer Scott Harper about the future of the group and what the new normal for hotels may look like post-lockdown. Disclaimer: don’t read if you’re a fan of hotel buffets.
2. Coronavirus: As scientists study role of vitamin K we look at its many benefits
Nope I didn’t know much about vitamin K either, or at least I didn’t until I caught up with nutritionist Louise Blanchfield. Thousands of you read this article which looks at vitamin k’s blood-thinning properties and why scientists have been focusing on it more these past few weeks.
Coronavirus: As scientists study role of vitamin K we look at its many benefits
3. Why we’ve gained weight during lockdown and what to do about it
So this article’s popularity may have been down to me reading it at least once an hour in the hope that I am doing the right thing in trying to get rid of the six extra chins I have gained these past few weeks. Nonetheless it was the third most read article by our foodie fans in June (i.e me).
Why we’ve gained weight during lockdown and what to do about it
4. The buttery goes global: Local favourite is being enjoyed from Texas to Dubai and beyond
Fellow food and drink writer Julia Bryce brought us this tasty number earlier in the month when she revealed her previous recipe for the beloved buttery was being made as far away as Texas and Dubai. Their popularity just proves that we hold our delicacies very close to our heart.
The buttery goes global: Local favourite is being enjoyed from Texas to Dubai and beyond
5. Popular Aberdeenshire eatery relaunches fine dining ‘takeaway’ and virtual dinner party experiences
Another hit from Julia Bryce was this article revealing that popular eatery Eat on the Green was launching a virtual dinner party experience with The Kilted Chef, also known as Craig Wilson, from the comfort of our homes. The fact it proved so popular was no surprise to us. Kilt wearing is optional.
Popular Aberdeenshire eatery relaunches fine dining ‘takeaway’ and virtual dinner party experiences
6. Aunt Kate’s Kitchen: Two scone recipes from the early 1900s that will taste just as good in 2020
She became a household name from the late 1880s to the early 1960s as an advice and recipe columnist in The People’s Journal and People’s Friend. We’ve been bringing back her recipes from her 1933 baking book these past few weeks and they’ve proved to be just as much of a staple in our kitchens today as they were back then. This one with two of Aunt Kate’s scone recipes came in as our sixth most read.
Aunt Kate’s Kitchen: Two scone recipes from the early 1900s that will taste just as good in 2020
7. Coronavirus: Why the pandemic has to be a wake-up call for Scots when it comes to diet
After learning about why we’d gained weight in lockdown (see entry number three above) Clare Johnston took an in-depth look at how the pandemic has exposed some of the health risks Scots face in their everyday lives.
Coronavirus: Why the pandemic has to be a wake-up call for Scots when it comes to diet
8. Cereal thrillers: How to use your breakfast favourites in these delicious bakes
Just as we suspected, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, which is perhaps why this article proved popular among our readers this month, complete with recipes from Nestle and Kellogs. Here at food and drink HQ we are more than happy to try out some – read that as “all” – of your creations as breakfast is just as important to us too.
Cereal thrillers: How to use your breakfast favourites in these delicious bakes
9. Aunt Kate’s Kitchen: These tea-cake recipes from the 1930s are sure to liven up your coffee breaks
Yet another of Aunt Kate’s bakes proved popular this month, but this time it was these delicious tea-cake recipes. Again, we are more than happy to try out your creations. But, if you’d prefer, send us a picture of your Aunt Kate’s bakes to foodanddrink@dctmedia.co.uk, purely just because we like seeing pictures of food. And puppies.
Aunt Kate’s Kitchen: These tea-cake recipes from the 1930s are sure to liven up your coffee breaks
10. Friday Fakeaway: KFC-style breaded chicken with McDonald’s fries
And last, but by no means least (especially not if my six extra chins have anything to say about it), was this most recent recipe from our very own Brian Stormont as part of his Friday Fakeaway series. Instead of queuing for hours on end to get your takeaway favourites, making them in your own home is ridiculously easy, as this recipe shows.
Friday Fakeaway: KFC-style breaded chicken with McDonald’s fries