Lancashire Food

Saturday, 23 February 2008

Squirrel Meat, is it good to eat?

Seeing that a top Lakeland restaurant is now serving Grey Squirrel on the menu, does anyone know of a butcher here in Lancashire that sells squirrel meat?

Wednesday, 5 December 2007

Euxton Mills, Euxton, Chorley

After driving past this pub at least twice a week for years, we finally paid a visit for Sunday lunch and were pleasantly surprised.

A traditional pub serving mainly home cooked food. Ok so its a pub, but its not trying too hard to be a gastro pub like a lot of other local venues and then failing badly. We opted for the roast dinner two course option which was very reasonably priced, we have the choice of lamb, beef or salmon. I chose the beef , my hubby the Salmon, both arrived hot and well cooked and with plenty of freshly cooked vegetables which still tasted of vegetables. A good indication of home cooking is when you are served cabbage as vegetable.

Dessert was cheesecake and applie pie. The pub appeared to be popular with locals which is always a good sign.

Sunday, 7 October 2007

The Red Cat - Modern Relaxed Dining

This weekend we visited the RED CAT at Wheelton for lunch , despite being rather quiet when we arrived the welcome was warm and friendly and the experience just got better and better. The resturant has a relaxed semi formal atmosphere and the decor is tasteful but not trying too hard. We both opted for the set menu and we were not disappointed, the food was excellent , well presented and delicious. My husband was particularly impressed with the background music as it featured John Martyn, special mention must also go to the fantastic lemon sole I had. We will be back very soon.

UPDATE:

We have just returned from our 4th visit to The Red Cat , this was for our lunchtime Christmas dinner outing. During the Christmas period the team at the Red cat have devised a stunning lunchtime menu which reflects the festive period but still gives a gourmet edge to the food. We choose from 4 starters, I enjoyed the Chicken liver parfait with fig chutney and toasted brioche, hubby opted for the split pea soup with chive creme fraiche. Both fantastic and well presented. On to the mains, braised beef , chive mash, roasted shallots, baby onions and bacon , thyme jus for Mr B, Turkey, sage dumpling, roasted roots and potato dauphnoise for me. Again excellent, especially the potato dauphnoise and the braised beef which both demonstrated the love and attention the kitchen had put in to the dishes. To follow Christmas pudding with the faieres ( I won't spoil the surprise), brandy butter, and white chocolate cheesecake, with cinnamon tuile, vanilla beignet and sherry syrup.

Stunning ! and for £18 per head fantastic value, a deserved award winner. Lancashire Life Casual dining venue 2007

Friday, 30 March 2007

Slice Of Sicily - Penworthham Italian Delicatessen

Two work colleagues and I paid a lunchtime visit to the cosy Italian deli in Penwortham. We each ordered something different of the menu of toasted ciabatta, soups and pasta. We all enjoyed the food and relaxed ambiance, we found it really difficult to go back to work after our lunch.

Slice of Sicily is a real Italian deli, run by a Sicilian family. The food is second to none, and many of the delicacies are made on the premises. The range also extends to ready meals and wine, and the shop has a few tables so you can sit in a have a coffee or light meal. A take-away service is also available.

Pay them a visit for a true taste experience.

Thursday, 29 March 2007

Hubbies Birthday - Lunch at Bullivants Deli

Today is my hubby’s birthday so we both had the day off work. We decided the occasion warranted a lunchtime visit to the new upstairs cafe @ Bullivants Deli in Chorley.

Lunch was the special house meat platter , a celebration of Italian and Spanish salami, meats and pate. Served with salad and bread on a stylish wooden platter. The wild boar pate was especially tasty. For a full menu, check out the Deli's Web page.

Talking to Mick during the meal, he informed us that the “upstairs” is open all week serving a full meal or just a cake and coffee. He also hoping to open on the occasional evenings during the week for theme nights and private parties such as birthdays, celebrations, etc. Another great idea he has come up with is to use the facility for afternoon business meetings. If you fancy a meeting with a meal give him a ring !!!!

Saturday, 20 January 2007

Chorley Market

In our quest for more local good food, we now regularly visit Chorley Market to buy a wide range of fresh foods.

The best butchers we have found locally is Brown’s, situated on the side of the permanent market stalls. Nominated as a Local Food Hero byUKTV Food and you can see why. You can get any meat from Brown’s, the staff are very helpful, friendly and know there stuff. Of special note are the Steak Puddings, Haggis and sausages.

Chorley is also very lucky in having one of the best cheese stall’s in all of Lancashire – Pats, (another Local Food Hero nominee) where you can get practically any cheese you want, but her selection of Lancashire cheese is second to none, from Leagrams’ soft baby Lancashire to Mrs Kirkhams , and everything between.

The market also has an excellent wet fish stall, Livesey Bros (almost opposite to Brown’s) and several good fruit and vegetable stalls.

Friday, 19 January 2007

Bullivant’s Delicatessen

After seeing an article in the Chorley Guardian for a new deli in Chorley, you can imagine our surprise when we discovered the new deli was owned by none other than one of my husband’s old friends – Mick Bullivant. Mick has recently returned to Chorley from travelling and working for many years across Europe.

The deli is a real coo for Chorley and stocks a wide range of continental delicacies, olives, cheese and the like. Bullivants also provide an interesting range of sandwiches and tortillas, served with fair trade teas and coffees to takeaway and soon to be served on the premises.
Bullivants can also supply your lunchtime buffet, the menu being way more interesting than the usual caterers choice, and for lazy or the discerning Bullivants can also cook for you at home, for that special dinner or celebration.

As Mike say's on one of his flyers

"We at Bullivants only believe in one thing, food satisfaction. We have gone to extreme lengths to source the best food from all over Italy, Spain, Sardinia and indeed England, for your enjoyment at home. We will show you our range of exciting foods and will be happy to try and stock food from other countries. So if we don't have it, tell us and we will, just for you"

So why not give a local lad a try:-

Bullivant’s Delicatessen,

47 Chapel Street, Chorley

Tel 012572 67360

Sunday, 24 September 2006

Butter Pie aka Friday pie or catholic pie

Today saw an attempt at "Butter Pie" - traditional Lancashire delicacy. Or for those not in the know, potato and onion pie, traditionally served on a Friday so as to comply with the catholic rule of not eating meat on a Friday. Apparently my version is a little dry when compared with commercial avaliable versions, but very tasty all the same, of course should be served with HP or Heinz tomato sauce if liked, pickled red cabbage or beetroot all work well.

To make the shortcrust pastry

Ingredients

8oz of plain flour
2oz butter
20z white fat (dripping / lard or veg fat)

Method

Blend in food processor and then drizzle in just enough cold water to make the pastry form a ball.

Leave in the fridge to rest for 1/2 an hour

In the mean time, peel 3 large potatoes and 1 onion, cut the potato into large chunks and the onion in to half moon rings. Parboil for approx 20 mins until potatoes are just soft but still holding there shape. Drain and slice into your pie dish , into which you have rolled out a bottom layer, layer in the onions, salt and pepper and flecks of butter. Top off with your top layer of pastry. Bake at 180 degrees for approx 1/2 hour until golden. Serve immediately with your preferred condiment.

Cedar Farm Galleries - Mawdsley

Hubby suggested a walk yesterday, so on our way to Lancashire Wildlife trusts reserve at Mere Sands Wood, we called in for lunch at Cedar Farm Galleries, Mawdsley. The food in the cafe is excellent , modern and freshly produced. Well worth a visit if you are in the area. Also the galleries showcasing local arts and crafts provide interesting browsing for an hour or so. We also purchased some superb oolong tea from Roberts & Co, apparently this supposed to help with high blood pressure and weightloss.

Saturday, 16 September 2006

Three fishes - Mitton

Today we had lunch at the best pub in Lancashire, the "three fishes" at Mitton nr Whalley. Owned and operated by Northcote Manor this is the place to experience superb Lancashire food in relaxed and informal atomosphere. The website is on the links on this page.

Sunday, 3 September 2006

Blackberries & Apples

Whilst in the garden today dodging the showers, discovered some blackberry on the thorn less blackberry “Loch Ness”. I decided I would make a cobbler with them and also use some apples from the garden.

Ingredients

4 oz Blackberries
2 eating apples peeled, cored and chopped in to small chunks
1 tsp cinnamon
2tbsp caster sugar
1tbsp cornflour - Mix all these together in an open proof bowl

6 oz Self-raising flour
3 oz butter, chopped in to small chunks
125ml plain low fat yoghurt3 oz caster sugar

Method

Mix in the food processor until you have a sticky mixture, place this on top of the blackberry and apple mixture, sprinkle top with some extra caster sugar and cook in the oven @ 180 deg C, for approx 40 mins. Serve with custard or cream

Hubby took a picture of the final result; the resulting cobbler was a nice rustic dessert, light and very moreish.

Saturday, 2 September 2006

Beetroot soup after the farmers market

Today saw hubby, my brother, nephew and myself all visiting the local farmers market in the rain. The market at Cedar Farm Gallery, Mawdsley is on the first Saturday in the month. The market is well attended and you can get all sorts there. This was my brother's and nephews first visit and both really enjoyed the atmosphere and the resultant goodies they left with.

Several of the producers have been nominated for UKTVfood "Food Hero" awards and the black pudding supplier is even a Rick Stein hero. On returning with some excellent lamb and local Lancashire cheese I decided to make soup with some of the beetroot in the garden.

The beetroot is not the usual purple type and is the striped "choggia" version, still tastes the same though. I also grated an onion, 2 carrots and added half a dozen leaves from a Savoy cabbage. I then simmered this for approx 40 mins with beef stock and some tomato puree. Result a fairly textured soup when liquidised but with a fairly distinct beetroot tang.

Monday, 28 August 2006

Bank Holiday Baking - Malt Loaf

Today’s foodie interlude for the bank holiday was to bake a malt loaf, I’ll need to let in rest in a tin for a couple of days before it will be at its best. All sticky and juicy, I experimented slightly as the recipe said syrup but I had run out so substituted treacle and honey instead. Hopefully the flavour will be ok. The recipe makes a 2lb loaf tin.

Ingredients

8oz Self-raising flour
Pinch of salt
2tbsp Dark brown sugar
6oz Dried fruit
2tbsp Syrup or Treacle or Honey 2tbsp Malt extract
¼ pint milk

Method

Put the flour, salt, fruit and sugar in a bowl, then place the milk, malt and syrup (or whatever you are using) in a pan, melt together and then mix in to the flour. Beat until thoroughly mixed, pour into a greased and based lined loaf tin and bake for approx 1 1 ¼ hour @ 170 degrees. Cool on a wire rack, when cool wrap in foil and store for a couple of days until sticky if you can wait that long. Serve in thick slices, buttered if preferred.

Sunday, 27 August 2006

Raspberry Sorbet & other things !!!

Today I have been experimenting with a simple Raspberry Sorbet using local raspberries. I simply blitzed the raspberries and then pushed the puree through a sieve to remove the seeds. I then made a sugar syrup using ½ cup of sugar to the same quantity of water. I was really surprised as the vivid colour of the puree, especially once it was churned in the ice cream maker, really bright pink. The resulting sorbet after 20 minutes churning is delicious with a really clean bright flavour.

The sorbet instantly reminded me of the raspberry sorbet we enjoyed at the fantastic OCC (Otto’s creative catering) in Dunworley, southern Ireland. If you are every in the area you must partake of OCC. A fantastic organic/ local food / slow food / restaurant / cookery school. The food is amazing all fresh, seasonal and prepared with love. Book a table and experience some of the best food in your life.

Saturday, 26 August 2006

A place that thyme forgot

I am currently reading the above book, which is the record of the travels of William Black in search of local delicacies from around Britain. Amazingly enough he starts with Preston - England's newest city, my place of work. He bemoans the demise of Tripe - one of the beloved delicacies of Lancashire. I can't really remember it much from my childhood but my husband waxes lyrically about the UCP, on the strength of this reminisance I visited Preston market and found the tripe stall as mentioned in the book still thriving. I also later the same week whilst visiting Booths (heroic north west regional supermarket) was amazed to find tripe for sale in a packet on the butchery section.

I am yet to pluck up courage to try it, but I am told its best served with lashings of malt vinegar. I will let you know how I go on. This month has also seen samphire( succulent seaweed) being pickled, something I haven't done before. I remember fondly picking samphire on a day out at the seaside with my late Granddad and pickling it when we got home. The taste is still the same but I can't perfect the stripping of the branches with your teeth when you eat it, just leaving the stringy core.