Latest news with #KatherineMcPhillips
Edinburgh Live
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
I visited beautiful and underrated seaside town just 20 minutes from Edinburgh
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Edinburgh holds a special place in my heart, but there's no denying that the city can become rather bustling and loud during the summer months due to the International Festival. The array of performers, shows, and comedians are certainly entertaining, but if you're seeking a respite from the hubbub, why not venture to its stunning coastline? Many visitors to Edinburgh remain oblivious to the fact that just beyond the city limits lies Portobello, a delightful, historic seaside town that is actually part of the city itself. I have a particular fondness for Portobello with its beach and unique independent shops, making it an ideal recommendation for those looking for a tranquil retreat from the frenetic city centre. Portobello beach is renowned for its incredibly soft white sand, creating the perfect setting for a picnic or simply unwinding with a good book by the sea. My favourite thing about Portobello beach is its serene atmosphere during weekdays - but there's always some event taking place. (Image: Katherine McPhillips) (Image: Katherine McPhillips) From treasure hunts to photography sessions, yoga classes or even beach clean-ups, the community is highly active, fostering a warm, close-knit vibe, reports the Express. The promenade is also adorned with striking, gothic-style Victorian houses, and there's an abundance of charming little cafés and restaurants to explore. My top pick for dining at the beach has to be The Boathouse. Serving up the most delicious pizzas I've ever tasted, it's situated at the very end of the promenade, ensuring a peaceful dining experience. However, Portobello is brimming with fantastic dining options, making it worth exploring if you're after a quality dinner spot without the city centre price tag. My absolute favourite pastime is heading to Greek Artisan Pastries for lunch, a charming blue-and-white bakery that's easily spotted on the main street. (Image: Katherine McPhillips) (Image: Katherine McPhillips) I'm particularly fond of their savoury pies, which are always served warm and fresh. With such an extensive selection, I'm constantly spoilt for choice. One of the most welcoming coffee shops I've ever visited is Tanifiki, renowned for its African coffee blends. The owner is delightful, but the entire team is consistently friendly and incredibly helpful every time I pop in. Tanifiki boasts a wide array of sweet baked goods, alongside its luxurious coffee, making it impossible for me to resist stepping inside. On my last visit, I indulged in a sea salt brownie, but I'm also a big fan of their scones and can't recommend them enough. (Image: Katherine McPhillips) (Image: Katherine McPhillips) If you're in search of a drinking spot, make your way to the Foresters, which features a cosy beer garden and scrumptious pub grub. It serves up the best fish and chips and sticky toffee pudding I've ever tasted, and I find myself returning every few months just to relive the experience. Edinburgh is famed for its vast array of bookshops, but if you're a bibliophile, then a visit to The Portobello Bookshop is a must. This independent bookstore offers some of the best picks hand-selected by staff members, and I always manage to discover something unique to read whenever I drop by. They also boast a fantastic range of independent books and magazines, sure to pique your interest in subjects you'd never considered before. Portobello is an extraordinary location brimming with independent shops worth exploring, and I've barely begun to uncover the treasures of this under-appreciated coastal town. Portobello is just a 20-minute drive from Edinburgh city centre, or approximately 35 minutes on the bus journey. While you can walk there - it'll take you about an hour - I'd strongly recommend opting for public transport or a taxi if you're unfamiliar with the area.
Edinburgh Live
11-05-2025
- Edinburgh Live
I live in Edinburgh — tourists always make one big mistake when visiting
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Edinburgh, often hailed as one of the UK's most beautiful cities due to its striking medieval architecture, is a must-visit. However, many tourists make a common error when photographing the city's most iconic landmark, Edinburgh Castle. As a lifelong resident of Edinburgh, I frequently observe visitors snapping pictures of the castle. Yet, there's a simple way to capture a superior photo and enjoy an impressive city view without contending with crowds. Many tourists flock to the Waterstones bookshop on Princes Street, drawn by the cafe's renowned window view of the castle. A quick social media search for Edinburgh Castle will reveal numerous photos taken from Waterstones, making it so popular that some locals steer clear of the cafe. While I'm a fan of Waterstones, I wouldn't choose it as a spot to photograph the castle or unwind, given its popularity. The limited space at the window - just three tables - can make it challenging to secure a good shot, especially when it's bustling and noisy. For a fantastic photograph of Edinburgh Castle, I'd instead suggest heading to the Willow Tea Rooms, conveniently located just a few shops down from Waterstones. (Image: Katherine McPhillips) Many visitors to Edinburgh often overlook the Willow Tea Room, primarily because its doors are frequently closed and you have to ascend a flight of stairs to reach the dining area. However, it's one of my top spots. The Willow Tea Room boasts enormous windows that, in my view, offer a superior vista of Edinburgh Castle compared to Waterstones. These expansive windows ensure a stunning castle view from any seat, so you won't be disturbing anyone while snapping photos. I'm a big fan of the Willow Tea Rooms as it's typically peaceful despite its location on Edinburgh's main street, and the staff have consistently been delightful during my visits. The highlight of the Willow Tea Rooms is their afternoon tea service and an impressive array of cakes for those feeling a bit peckish. (Image: Katherine McPhillips) It's perfect for a simple cuppa, but with an extensive menu, it's also a fantastic choice if you're seeking a dinner spot or wanting to sample a Scottish breakfast. One of my favourite self-indulgences is to pop into Waterstones for a book, then spend an hour at the Willow Tea Room, one of the city centre's cosiest and most comfortable spots. If you're after a quieter place to enjoy the view of Edinburgh Castle and capture some breathtaking photos, I'd highly recommend the Willow Tea Room over the more frequented Waterstones.
Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Woman's simple ingredient in scrambled eggs to make them taste creamier
If you're looking to make your scrambled eggs fluffier and creamier, one woman has shared a simple ingredient you can add to the mix that will make them taste better than ever before Scrambled eggs are a common feature in many households due to their easy preparation. However, did you know that skipping the milk can make them even tastier? While it's a British tradition to add milk to your egg mix, writer Katherine McPhillips discovered that this can lead to somewhat soggy eggs and can dull their natural flavour. She found that adding liquid to scrambled eggs prolongs their cooking time, increasing the chance of ending up with rubbery, overcooked eggs. But while flicking through a cookbook, Katherine came across a breakfast recipe that suggested using cornstarch to improve the texture of the eggs. She revealed: "Intrigued, I decided to give it a whirl during a recent breakfast preparation. To my delight, I found that my scrambled eggs were not only fluffier but also had a creamier taste. "After some further online research, I learned that cornstarch acts as a protective layer for the egg proteins, helping them keep moisture and preventing them from coagulating too quickly. "This results in a smoother, silkier texture without the need for cream or milk, meaning you can enjoy tastier eggs with minimal extra effort." Creamy scrambled egg recipe Start by cracking two eggs into a bowl and add a generous tablespoon of cornstarch. Stir the ingredients together until the white, floury appearance of the cornstarch is no longer visible in your mixture, according to the Express. Katherine shared her culinary secret, saying: "I began by melting a bit of butter in a frying pan. Although adding butter to the scrambled egg mix can enhance their flavour, my eggs were delicious even without it. "I'm partial to using smoked paprika-flavoured butter from Tesco for an extra kick, but that's purely optional." After the butter had completely melted, she poured in the egg mixture and started stirring immediately to ensure even cooking. When the scrambled eggs were almost done, Katherine took them off the heat to let them sit for a minute, allowing them to continue cooking in the residual heat and retain moisture. She then plated her scrambled eggs, seasoned with pepper, and waited for her toast. Katherine explained her seasoning technique: "I prefer to add pepper or any other seasoning at the end of the cooking process to better manage the flavour, as certain spices can extract moisture from the eggs and alter their texture if added too soon." Reflecting on the outcome, Katherine was pleased: "My scrambled eggs turned out tender, rich, and, in my view, far tastier than the way I usually prepare them." She concluded with a new conviction: "I'm now a firm believer that cornstarch enhances the taste of scrambled eggs, and it's become my preferred method of making them."
