Roast belly pork success

Many of you will know that I have lately been trying to visit supermarkets even less than normal.  I'm proud to report that last month I only visited one only once.  The source of my success lies in my monthly trip to Abbey Leys farmers market on the first Sunday of the month at High Legh and my weekly Thursday trips into Lymm village. My supermarket visit is simply a necessity to get the storecupboard items and other household purchases that we need.  So last weekend I peeked in the freezer to see which of my Abbey Leys goodies I was going defrost for a family roast dinner.  I retrieved the belly pork joint which I bought from Little Heath Farm shop stall, did a quick internet search and set about making a Jamie Oliver recipe with it.

http://www.channel4.com/4food/recipes/chefs/jamie-oliver/pork-belly-roast-recipe

It was quite simply divine.  My whole family just wolfed it down.  The layers of fat which naturally occur in this type of joint dissolved to make the meat mouth-wateringly tender.  I worried that the gravy would taste burnt since the veggies caught in the hot oven, but my worries were unfounded.  I served it with new Cheshire potatoes and steamed spring greens.  I had to guard the leftovers carefully from the hoards wanting seconds because I had plans for them as a mid-week meal later. 

When we visited America last summer we ate pulled pork several times.  It gave me the idea to use this really tender meat to serve on buns with barbeque sauce and a side salad or coleslaw in the USA style.  So while the pork was in the oven I used a ketchup recipe to make homemade sauce.  I added a teaspoon each of several ground spices to give it a barbeque flavour: smoked paprika, fennel, coriander, cumin and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne. 

We had enough for that meal and for several barbeques in the summer. 

The 1.3kg belly pork made 8 portions over the two meals, which works out at £1.10 per portion.  I will definitely use these two ideas again.  It will please my teenage son, who said of the pork on a bun meal that he could eat it every day because it is 'a nutritious, tasty, balanced meal'.  He was allowed second helpings of pudding for that!!

Lisa Reid

Time flies when you are having fun

Its true, isn't it?  And I can't believe it has been two weeks since I last blogged.  I have been having so much fun outdoors in this gorgeous weather that my computer has been gathering dust. 

I often help at Oughtrington Community Orchard (http://www.oughtrington.co.uk/orchard/) , and they let me know that some weeding was needed on the path and vegetable beds.  I made a start by clearing the old rotted woodchip from the path to make way for an expected delivery of more.  I then weeded the rest around the bench so it will be a lovely place to sit and enjoy looking at the spring sun.

 


















I made a start weeding the asparagus beds.  We planted those a couple of summers ago, so it will be our first year for harvesting this season.  On first arrival at an outdoor spot it can be daunting looking at the work that faces you, but if the sun comes out and you can sit a while to look at the blossom and the results of your labour, you suddenly gain perspective.

A couple of weeks ago I was bemoaning the fact that although the weather is great, the temperatures aren't really high enough for seeds to germinate outdoors yet.  I went to my allotment and the weeds are making their presence felt, so it was down to weeding there too.

I left the plastic covering the beds in the hope that after the school Easter holidays I can remove it to make a late start. 

I have been visiting some of the local food traders to find out what they have available for food lovers to buy this Easter.  Hopkinsons bucher will be open on Good Friday and the Saturday.  They will have new season local lamb as well as all the other usual high quality meat.  They are one of the generous local businesses supporting our Duckrace on Easter Monday, and will be feeding the crowds with their homemade burgers again.

Nancy's deli and Sexton's have some pretty Easter themed cakes in stock.  Sexton's told me they are fervent believers in a traditional hot cross bun, which uses a fermented dough but no fruit peel.  I love it when businesses keep the true traditions alive.  If you would like some high quality UK cheese for your cheeseboard, look no further because both these outlets stock it. Nancy will be open Easter Sunday as usual for anyone popping in for a stroll around the village to get an appetite for their roast dinner.

There will be UK vegetables available at Lymm market as usual on Thursday.  They will soon be getting UK asparagus and new potatoes.  Fingers crossed they come in time for all our Easter feasts.  I have been loving their curly kale, which is ideal paired with new potatoes and local carrots with a roast dinner.  The leftovers make good bubble and squeak the next day too.

My most enjoyable foodie outing this month has been to the 10th anniversary Abbey Leys farmers market.  Can you believe it - 10 years supporting all our local farmers?  Janet and Tim had even organised a cake to celebrate.

 

It was a cracking atmosphere.  I met The Chocolate Tailor (chocolatetailor.co.uk) for the first time when I bought a pretty cranberry easter egg.  As well as the wares she brings along to the market, she can do a bespoke service, which caters to seasonal or personal interest.  Everything is made by hand from good Belgian couverture chocolate.  All ingredients are good quality and simple.

 

I am disappointed to be away for the next Lymm Artisan Market (email them at info@marketfairs.co.uk) at the Youth and Community centre on Easter Sunday, but I'm told they are doing a super job revitalising that monthly market.  I hope to catch up with them in May.

 

Lisa Reid

Free seeds for a season of sprinkles

Sprinkles
I don't know about you but I find that the visual impact of food has a massive impact on how enthusiastic diners are about eating it?  That can be a disadvantage with some of the root vegetables, as I have found over the last few weeks.  If they are a fairly bland colour, the way swede or squash can be, it is harder to make them look appetising at first glance.  I found warm red spices helped me with roasting vegetables last week, and when sprinkled atop my risotto they were greeted with at least an open mind by my family.  This 'sprinkling' idea often works with uncooked foods too.  I find that when I cook minestrone soup, if I place a couple of bowls of sprinkles on the table for people to customise their bowl, it makes for a happier crowd of eaters.  For example, I chop celery leaves or loosen pesto with a little olive oil. 

 

Likewise when serving this Moroccan soup, I omitted the chilli from the recipe, but offered a pot of chilli jam at the table.  That way, people can make it as hot as they like, and it looks prettier.

 

 

 

Microgreens

If you a regular visitor to this blog, you will know that I have recently tried microgreens.  Last week, I drilled holes in the bottom of some inexpensive plastic tubs and placed the lids underneath them to catch any water that drains out.  I half filled them with compost, wet the soil and sprinkled some seeds on top.  The rocket seeds germinated in just a few days.  I chopped a few last night and sprinkled onto a salad.  It was a good way to get an extra kick of flavour.  I found that a plain salad dressing was best, so the sprinkles and dressing weren't having a flavour fight!  The basil ones on the left are germinating more slowly, so we will try those later this week.  Most seed suppliers will now stock microgreens (try Suttons or Thompson & Morgan online).  I was advised by another supplier to harvest the whole plant, but I found it a bit too difficult to effectively clean all the soil from the roots, so I will just snip them next time as I would cress.

 

Salad days

On the subject of salads (I seem to be obsessed with them at the moment because the weather is becoming sunnier)  I read an interesting article in Saturday's Guardian.  (http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/mar/28/how-to-grow-own-salad-alys-fowler)

Alys Fowler, one of their gardening columnists, has issued a challenge:  that anyone can grow great salads even if they only have room for a few pots.  So sure is she that she is right, that they have offered 5 packets of seeds plus a dibber tool worth £13.44 for free.  I have just completed my order, and I couldn't find a catch.  I could opt out of marketing via email and I only had to pay £2.30 postage.  The offer includes rocket (yum), lettuce, radish, peas and the dibber.  I have to admit, that my main reason for taking up the offer is the dibber tool...who hasn't always wanted a dibber?!!  Just using the word makes me feel like a proper gardener.

 

I can't wait to try the new seeds.  If you have ever been to Wagamama (http://www.wagamama.com/our-menu/teriyaki-chicken-donburi), you'll know how good pea shoots are when sprinkled on top of any food.  So fresh and fragrant.  Do leave comments about your salad or sprinkling successes below.

 

Lisa Reid