Off to the Tower ! - Afternoon Tea at Hoghton Tower

It's not often you get invited to Afternoon Tea at a castle (well a Tower actually but what passes for a castle around these parts and very castle like too), reputed to be the location of where King James knighted his "Sir" loin of beef, the ancestral home to the De Hoghton family in situated on a rise in rolling Lancashire countryside just outside Preston, Chorley and Blackburn. Hoghton Tower and its grounds have magnificent views of the surrounding area and the venue plays host to many and varied events throughout the year including a very popular "Merchants of Hoghton Tower" farmers market.

We were recently invited to the relaunch of their Vaio tearoom (vaio due to the decoration on the walls of the tea room), the new Manager has carefully sourced lots of local producers for the tea room and the emphasis is definitely on a traditional English afternoon tea and tea time favourites.

We dined in splendour, sipping bubbles and being entertained by a string quartet, the canapes delicious and appetizing.

I particularly loved the abundant floral displays featuring garden and wild flowers, perfectly in keeping with the country castle ambiance of the venue.

The tea room also serves a selection of platters, the Tower platter being for the meat eater and featuring pies, meats and homemade chutneys. The Seafood platter celebrating some great local seafood all sourced carefully from local producers, many of which attend the Merchants event on a regular basis.

The tea room also have a "picnic menu" if you wish to organise a special celebration and will happily quote for outside and event catering as well.

Featuring cakes from Lathams of Broughton, homemade scones and cake of the week, there is a sweet treat to delight all.

Local bakers "All you knead" are supplying bread and baked goods, ice cream is being sourced from Mrs Dowsons just down the road. Cheese from Leagrams cheese.

Hoghton Tower is a great place for a visit and is bursting with history, I have enjoyed many visits over the years and you can even hold your wedding here.

We were  also featured in an Article in LEP , our local County paper in connection with the event.

Great Harwood Farmers Market

We're friendly folk in Lancashire you know, always giving a warm welcome to any visitor and it really is a place where everyone matters. This true Lancastrian spirit was on full display when we finally made our way to Great Harwood Farmers Market a couple of Sunday's ago,with lots of friendly and welcoming stall holders, this fantastic market has grown from humble beginnings (their first venue was the body shop of a local garage, I kid you not), the market initially the creation of Nick from Gaskell Motors as a way to raise funds for East Lancashire hospice the friendly market is growing from strength to strength month on month, so much so that the market is now held in the Town Square as the body shop couldn't cope with the volume of stalls wanting to take part.

Busy market 

So on a bright sunny and unseasonable warm day we arrived in Great Harwood, smack bang in the centre of town in the cute town square was the small but perfectly formed market. On chatting with the traders they all really love this market and its great because its all local Lancashire products or produce and their still raising money for some great causes too. Our senses were assailed by  loads of delightful aromas and lots of foodie tit bits to try, I agree with the traders, this is my kind of market and the prices are good too.

Delicious sausages from Porcus 

Great selection of bread from All you knead

Nick should be really proud of the market he's created and its not gone un-noticed by the powers that be either as this market was recently nominated for an award at a national level too. Nick is passionate about the good this market can do to help lift and re-energise Great Harwood, all I can say is Mary Portas step aside every town needs a Nick Gaskell ! I noticed that several local shops are also reaping the benefits of the market too, opening to service the customers coming from far and wide.

Sanwitches of Sabden - creators of the legendary "Malkin Pie"

The market features some great traders and frankly unlike some farmers market you can  actually get pretty much a full shop here. Bread, fish, meats, cheeses, beer, fudge, cakes, fruit and veg, chutneys,jams and lots lots more are available  The market is held on the 1st Sunday of the month, opening around 8.30 and closing at about 2pm or earlier if a stallholder sells out as many do at this popular market.

The best of local ales and beers 

I love Jams fine selection of jams and preserves

The Friendly ladies from I love Jam

On the day we visited we also spotted Stephen Lowe from BBC Radio Lancashire making a few purchases and also singing the praises of the market to anyone who would listen. All fees for the stalls are passed on to a number of local charities too, what a great idea.

El Gringo - Paul from Fatjax 

Nick and me

Fudge heaven from Fudge Village

So pay this market a visit soon, its well worth it and there is free parking too !

Hana Adams Mediterranean Cypriot Foods

On visiting Grimsargh farmers market recently, I met Hana Adams an euthiastic local food producer specialising in cypriot food. Hana thinks there is a gap in the market for this type of food. Hana is very knowledgeable about her product and we both chatted about our experiences on recently appearing on BBC Radio Lancashire.You can purchase her products via her website http://hanaadams.co.uk/

Hana's range includes sauces, salads and sweet biscuits. She is planning to retail these initially through farmers markets in the area.

Tomato and bell pepper sauce

A chunky tomato and bell pepper sauce, rich with vegetables this is a very well flavoured sauce, delicious served hot or cold. If serving cold this would be ideal with crudites or corn chips, the flavours are fresh with a slight citrussy twist , the sauce has a slight background heat. Warm for a couple of minutes in a pan or in the microwave the sauce works well with pasta, rice or sausages even. The sauce is fresh chilled so should last in the fridge for about 5 days.

Pastry fingers

Delicious , light delicate pastry fingers, not filo, not flaky , not shortcrust, sort of a mixture of all of them,which is sweet, crumbly and very moreish. They are great with coffee, but would also be ideal served with creamy puddings, yoghurt or ice cream. They disappeared very quickly.

Creamy spicy white onion sauce

I decided to serve this with a poached salmon fillet, warmed through in a pan for few minutes and poured over the salmon. Delicious,a warm spicy background to the sauce, yet creamy at the same time. A good alternative for fish instead of the usual hollandaise.The sauce could also be served over vegetables such as broccoli or even steak. The sauce comes in a plastic which is easily stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Bulgar wheat salad

Bulgar wheat and onion salad, gently swelled grains flavoured with a herby stock and veegtables. Very adaptable as it can be served hot or cold, the pot was microwaveable. The salad is light with a grain size larger than cous cous, fresh tasting and flavoursome. The ideal side dish to anything.

Chick pea salad

Soft earthy chickpeas,bite sized potato chunks, peppers, garlic, onion and herbs make up this tasty salad, warm with coriander and peppers this is ideal to serve alongside grilled fish , meat and salads. Hana sells this is generous pots which store easily in the fridge.