Alright, there have been a few weeks between rambles – mainly because I was in Melbourne celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary and 35th together-versary.
Anyways, I’m here today, but it will be a short catch-up. My darling dog, my shadow for the past 15 years, Best Dog In The World, isn’t well. She’s really not well. She’s gone from doing the cocker spaniel equivalent of a triple half pike with a front somersault at dinner (followed by a barking rampage around the lawn to let the neighbourhood know that she’s eaten very well) to no wag in the space of two or three days. It’s one thing to expect this in a dog her age, but it’s entirely another to be confronted with it. Those of you who know me know I adore my little dog more than most people in my life so the last few days have been a struggle to interact normally.
Suffice to say I’m not dealing with it at all well – but then, I suppose you don’t, do you? Kali and I have spent the morning at the vet, and as her blood tests are clear, we’re now off for an ultrasound - and my fingers and toes are crossed tightly.
If you’re of that persuasion and you have some prayers going spare, please send them Kali’s way.
I’ve been trying to write, but the words are getting stuck between my throat and fingers. So yesterday afternoon, I did what I do when I can’t concentrate on anything other than thoughts I’m desperately trying not to dwell on—I baked.
These Coffee Buns are an old Scottish recipe. My Glaswegian mother-in-law used to talk about getting them at bakeries when she was growing up. I remember her looking (in vain) for them when we took her to Scotland on our first trip almost 30 years ago. At the time, she’d said it would be her last visit “home”, and so it was. Although she passed away in 2020, she never did get on another plane.
Even though I never tasted the original, I’ve been looking for something similar and saw this recipe on Instagram (@rovinghaggis) the other day. They don’t look very pretty, but Grant swears they remind him of visiting his grandparents in Stirling when he was a boy.
As for the plate? It’s vintage Royal Doulton, the pattern is Somerset, and it dates back to the 1940s. I picked it up for $5 at a charity shop last week.
Scottish Coffee Buns
Makes 10 buns
· 60g softened butter
· 50g brown sugar
· 1/8 tsp each of cinnamon, ground cloves and ground cardamom
· 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
· Pinch of salt
· 1 egg at room temperature
· 45ml strong coffee
· 120g plain flour
· 1 tbsp rice flour
· 1 tsp baking powder
· 50g currants
Preheat the oven to 180C fan (that’s 200C conventional) and line a baking sheet/cookie tray/whatever you call it.
Beat the softened butter and sugar until light and creamy - I used handheld electric beaters rather than a stand mixer. Add the spices, vanilla, salt and the egg and beat again. If the mix looks like separating, add a tablespoon of flour to help it all emulsify. Add the coffee and, you guessed it, beat till incorporated. Mix through the currants, then sift in the rice flour, plain flour, and baking powder and mix well.
Make 10 piles onto a baking sheet, dividing the mixture roughly. Don’t be too precious about this. Bake for 15 minutes until they’re nicely browned.
I am so sorry to hear about Kali - our pets are part of the family and I hope she makes an improvement and gives you a few more years of love.
Coffee buns - well, I grew up in Scotland and have never seen one before, but they do sound good.
Baking soothes the soul. Best wishes for a speedy recovery