Page 32 - LOTN Spring Issue 49 2022

FAITH AND CULTURE

Dishes from the Diocese - Inverness

With Margaret Bradley

Geographically speaking, the Diocese of Aberdeen is one of the largest in Europe and encompasses a wide range of cooking
styles, traditions and recipes. In this new series Margaret Bradley, with the help of parishioners from around the Diocese, explores
some of the unique dishes to be found in our part of the world. From St. Mary's Church, Inverness, parishioner Heather Taylor
shares her recipe for buttered lemon chicken.

or many years Heather Taylor from St Mary's
Church, Inverness, has been part of a team of
parishioners known as the “Golden Girls”. The
F"Golden Girls" are a dedicated team of culinary
experts who cook celebratory three-course dinners for
a wide variety of parish events, including anniversaries,
ordinations and special Masses. One of her favourite
recipes is for buttered lemon chicken.
Heather explains, “I like this recipe because it is quick and
easy to prepare, and can easily be multiplied up to catering
quantities. It was one of the late Monsignor Robert MacDonald’s
favourite dishes and this particular recipe was made for up to 70
people for his 50-year Jubilee. Monsignor Robert MacDonald
was very fond of lemons and on one occasion, as a joke, the
team made a meal for him where all the courses included lemon,
starting with citrus cocktail followed by buttered lemon chicken
and finishing with trifle made with lemon and lime jellies and
sponge cake soaked in lemon liqueur, served with vanilla custard
and cream and decorated with orange and lemon sweets!” The late Monsignor Robert MacDonald
Before the “Golden Girls” catering team was established, the and then planned by the catering team, when they work out
late Mary Baxter headed a team of parishioners who organised adjustments for numbers and what they can or can’t do. Father
buffets for parish events. Parishioners donated cakes and Bell is an excellent cook and, besides his mushroom soup, he
finger food sandwiches and they also prepared pensioner and often cooks recipes from Africa where he served in a mission
Christmas dinners. When Father Bell arrived in the parish he when he was younger. Heather makes large celebration cakes
suggested expanding this service to provide three-course dinners when required, often with up to three tiers. Another member
for special events, with a starter, a main course and a pudding. of the team, Lillian Russell, makes lots of Samosas. Curries,
A catering team was formed of ladies from the parish which when required, are supplied by a parishioner who has a Thai
Monsignor Robert MacDonald named the “Golden Girls” restaurant in Inverness called "George’s". Other favourite dishes
because one day he saw them unloading groceries into the hall produced by the team include roast lamb and other traditional
from a yellow car and remarked, “Oh, the golden girls eh!” (after roasts served with all the trimmings, cottage pie, steak pie and
a then current TV programme of the same name). However, Cullen skink. They also prepare some popular vegetarian dishes,
there is also a male member of the team, Robert Gribben, not least their mushroom risotto, traditional Scottish cranachan
captain of a huge oil tanker, who helps when he is at home. and fresh fruit salad.
The menu for each dinner is usually suggested by Fr Bell The "Golden Girls" have been the driving force behind a

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