Events

Open Farm Sunday 2014 – Red Bank Farm

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The Cooktwit is blessed. No question, He is blessed. He lives near Red Bank Farm. Red Bank Farm is in Newton-le-Willows, a small industrial town, famous for locomotives, canals, arches, The Bulls Head and biscuit machinery! Sadly, all that has gone (including The Bulls Head!). It now has lots of houses, but, within a short scutch of its heart, rolling fields of grass and golf start to appear. Arguably the greatest use of this green bit of Newton-le-Willows is the provision of sheds and grazing pasture for an array of farm animals notably cattle, sheep and pigs. Red Bank Farm studiously manages the raising of these beasts and then rather thoughtfully, arranges to have them slaughtered and beautifully butchered for me to buy. I have tried many cuts over the years and never been less than stunned at the quality. So when a national initiative called ‘Open Farm Sunday’ breaks out it was the work of a moment to get down to Red Bank and see what happens.

A celebration of farming
A celebration of farming

Open Farm Sunday began in 2006. The idea quite simply is for participating farms to open up behind the scenes and allow visitors to wander round and see the animals and machinery that make it all happen. As you might expect the emphasis is on making all this appeal to families and in particular children. Whatever Red Bank Farm had laid on this year seemed to have worked. Newton was in gridlock as cars filled the makeshift carpark and lined the main A49 road into the town.

Crowds and machinery
Crowds and machinery

As myself and The Flame had walked it was a stress less entry to the hallowed grounds. I guess there was hundreds of people milling around the farm. Farm hands thoughtfully placed to explain to the children what the animals are and how they are managed. Shetland ponies gently sauntered, whilst all the remaining animals where caged but prominently displayed for the children to see and touch. Hefty, high tech machinery was strategically placed for child photo opportunities. I tried to get one myself but the flame wouldn’t let me! Birds of prey swooped in and out from up high, taking one child high up in the sky before letting him drop (no I made that up, just adding a bit of texture!!).

The stars of the show. The animals
The stars of the show. The animals

Highlight for me was the butchery demonstration. Scheduled for 1pm, big John, dressed in red in a red tent behind some red bunting stepped forward with a side of pig over his shoulder. The crowd went wild. Well the kids did anyway, I couldn’t get anywhere near. John started to hack, saw and slice his way through this wondrous pink carcass. The kids remained transfixed wondering why there wasn’t any blood! It was amazing to watch. The quality of the meat was clearly evident. John merely having to rest his knife on the flesh to create another saleable cut. After about twenty minutes the beast was left presented in trays. All yours for £100. A bargain.

Big Johns butchery demo
Big Johns butchery demo

The first Open Farm Sunday welcomed around 30,000 visitors. Since then, Open Farm Sunday has achieved visitor numbers of over 100,000 each year and on 9th June 2013 had a record 200,000 visitors! To date over one million people have attended Open Farm Sunday events since it began. I’m sure this year has been just as successful. The sun was shining and the cars kept coming even when we left.
Thankfully I can come back next week and keep on buying this amazing produce. I am immensely proud having been born in Newton that I can buy meat raised and butchered (by Nicola and Joanne) here in Newton as well. Having read Jay Rayner’s wonderful ‘Greedy man’ book, I accept that globally, communities cannot all sustain themselves and that I am extremely fortunate to be able to buy this produce locally and afford to buy it. At least I know by supporting local businesses I am helping in a small way for a local business to survive. Long may Red Bank Farm and all other farms continue. Use them or lose them, that’s what I say.

The produce
The produce

Red Bank Farm Shop,
Winwick Road,
Newton Le Willows,
WA12 8DU
Tel: 07824 369174
http://www.farmshopnorthwest.co.uk

 

 

Events

Southport Food and Drink Festival 2014

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He was feeling rather sorry for himself the Cooktwit this sunny Sunday. He was aimlessly reeling from the news that The Flame had bagged herself a day out with the girls. Despite it being ‘on the calendar for weeks’, there was still obviously far too little time to rustle up a couple of pals for an afternoon sesh. As we all know an off beat pint like that takes months and hundreds of texts to arrange. Despite this set back (and having touched the flame up for £20) The Cooktwit lurched onwards to the 2014 Southport Food and Drink Festival with a spring in his step and a gay song playing in his heart. In short things were on the up.

Setting the scene
Setting the scene

The sun was shining and good food beckoned. Working in Manchester the Cooktwit is used to aiming east from his suburban pile, but Southport is a heady forty five minutes west and the notorious single track highway that snakes into Southport is a known summer hotspot. Cunningly the newly acquired ‘satnav’ lead me through pastures new and avoided the tiresome thoroughfare. I was holed up in the £4 parking lot in no time.
I soon ventured under the ‘free’ entrance banner, yes, free! A welcome surprise. The large open space of Victoria Park had been grafted into a foody heaven by arranging nigh on eighty stalls in a huge square with a couple of sponsors tents in the middle. It made for a spacious and easily navigated experience, something not always possible in town centre food and market events.
As is tradition I do a first ‘mine sweep’ just to see what’s here. There’s nothing worse than blowing the budget early doors and then finding a diamond near the end!

Some of the booty. Beer, Mauritian treats, ham shanks, artisan bread
Some of the booty. Beer, Mauritian treats, ham shanks, artisan bread

The food producers were down one side while the street food vendors and bars were on the others. I swept down the produce and made a few notes. I ended up with a ‘Thai Pie’ which sounded good. I deliberately got a frozen one to cook myself. I’ll let you know how that goes. It should be good for £2.50. I also ended up with some cake, a ‘Mrs Shah’s Curry Mix’, a ‘Romana’ style herb and spice rub by ‘Simply Sprinkles’. Looking forward to trying that, could be good. I didn’t get much else in fairness but could have easily weighed in with cheese, meat, preserves and host of other goodies. One particular regret now is not getting a good stock of ‘Bobbies Bangers’. I’ve heard of these on twitter and their sausages didn’t half look good, especially the jalapeño ones. It’s a good job I have a good stock of my favourite ‘Red Bank Farm’ ones in the freezer.

Some of the street food stars
Some of the street food stars

For the street food the choice was incredible, and the quality looked good too. A couple of known favourites were on, including ‘Pizza Peddlers’ in their blue and cream H van and ‘Mr Meatballs’. I was negotiating a ‘chakalaka’ veggie wrap with ‘Safari’ only to be told they had sold out. They’re usual 5% of sales for veggies having upped to 15% over the weekend and caught them on the hop! In view of this I moved along to ‘The Wrap Shack’, which in fairness was sporting the most inventive stall. As the name suggests it was done up like a shack and as it had a Mexican theme, it piped in its menu with red, yellow and green hues. Striking it looked too. Not wishing to become overawed I opted for a small, smoked Mexican bean wrap for £5.50. It’s a good job I got the small, as I had to munch through a fair bit of beans, salad, jalapeños, olives and cheese just so I could actually start to create the wrap! Once ‘wrapped’ the thing was wolfed in a matter of minutes and the Cooktwit lunch was sorted. Very nice it was too.

The wrap shack, smoked bean wrap. No additives!
The wrap shack, smoked bean wrap. No additives!

A Lancaster blonde ale quenched the thirst and an apple, almond bakewell completed the alfresco feed.
One of the highlights for me at these events is the cooks demonstration tent which tend to feature one of the celeb chefs. Sadly there didn’t seem to much going on today. Reading through the blurb and on twitter it would seem an entertaining sesh had been had on Friday with Andrew Nutter. I would have liked to have seen that.

Simply Sprinkles, Bill and Ben, My haul.
Simply Sprinkles, Bill and Ben, My haul.

Sunday the last of the three day event was bathed almost constantly in warm sunshine. Naturally the crowds swelled to pleasing levels.  Families and couples of all ages were represented. Without counting I would guess we were talking hundreds if not thousands of people. I shudder how dented the figures would have been in England’s rain? But hey that’s looking at the half empty glass. It was a great day and I would definitely recommend it as one for the diary. Roll on the rest of the foody festival season.

The ambiance
The ambiance
Food Article

The Fast Diet – Intermittent Fasting to Lose Weight

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As any followers will know food for The Cooktwit is a way of life. Depending on which paper you read or which government you listen to there is always news of a new find in the food world that helps or hinders the standard human to achieve weight equilibrium.
After years of combining the balanced diet with some fairly hefty exercise, a sedentary workload has left the Cooktwit drifting upwards in the poundage stakes. After months of steady drift steps were taken.

Anecdotes from close family and friends were spouting the virtues of the fast diet or 5:2 diet. In conjunction with the TV teachings of Dr Michael Mosely the evidence was compelling enough for the Cooktwit to give this scheme a crack. I armed myself with the books ‘Fast Diet’ and ‘Fast Cook’, (a modest £13 for the pair). Doc Mosely heads up the male half of the story whilst Mimi Spencer, a journalist, provides the feline take. Mimi seems to be the one who conjures up some of the recipe ideas, whilst the Doc clips in with the technical bits. The books are a good in investment and set the scene well.

The fast cook book and the Fast Diet book
The fast cook book and the Fast Diet book

The premise of this diet is that you fast for two days a week (or more accurately consume a max of 600 cals), eating normally for the remaining five days. A more accurate tag is ‘intermittent fasting’. Losing a modest one pound a week in weight is predicted using this practice.
Whilst at first you first may think that it is a obvious you would lose weight if you simply starve yourself for two days a week, the added bonus quoted, is that this idea of fasting provides a health benefit. The benefit latches on to the adage that as former cavemen we are not built to eat as regularly and as substantially as we do and that by fasting we give our system and in particular the pancreas a much needed rest.

Whilst by no means ‘morbidly obese’, the Cooktwit nonetheless started this binge with a bmi of 27.2 which is in the ‘overweight’ section of the dreaded chart. Another pointer often quoted by the weight Gestapo is that the male species should start to look over their shoulder at the grim reaper if the waist girth creeps north of 38″. The cook twits’ was gingerly noted at 41″. The fast diet seemed like a scheme worth considering. Whilst starving was not something I would naturally embrace I was intrigued to see if the associated ‘health benefits’ would manifest themselves. I’ve always fancied a healthy pancreas!

The BMI chart
The BMI chart

I have started this system choosing two work days as the dreaded fasting days. Monday and Wednesday seemed to be the days most favoured for the torture. For the first fasting day rather than my usual cereal with semi skimmed milk, I took a small sachet of ‘oats so simple’ porridge and a pear. Working in an office we have a small kitchenette equipped with all the mod cons associated with warming up some porridge and cutting a pear up! I ate that at 8.30am and from then on I was on my own. Water, black coffee, fruit tea was then consumed at regular intervals to stave off the hunger pains when they came. To be fair the ‘hunger pains’ are not that bad. The discomfort seems to heighten to a certain point but then stops. The most displeasure I felt was the lack of taste in the mouth and an above average thirst, but nothing that a hardy will can’t overcome.

Salad & sardines 220 cals, Asparagus, haddock & egg, Chilli on cauliflower. Rice, Veggie stew with cod
Salad & sardines 220 cals, Asparagus, haddock & egg, Chilli on cauliflower. Rice, Veggie stew with cod

As the weeks moved on the desire and ease at which the fast day approaches comes as quite a surprise. Whilst I can’t honestly say I look forward to a fast day, it does nonetheless come around with less dread. As a passionate amateur cook I have found the hunt for tasty, low calorie meals a source of interest and have managed in the first few weeks to create some fairly decent meals. The trick really is to use plenty of herbs and spices to give meals a kick. Dressings and chilli based flavourings being a fast dieters friend.
Ive created a few dishes over the weeks. Cauliflower Rice has been a staple carb replacer (see link). I’ve used it as an accompaniment with a light chilli and various veggie stews. Another good option is smoked haddock. Low calories, but high on flavour. Eggs score well, they’re packed with protein, low calorie and filling.

As I write I’m six weeks in and indeed it does appear to do what it says on the tin. Six weeks equals a weight loss of six pounds. I’m happy with that! Reading the book there are anecdotes suggesting that the fast day is something you start to look forward to. I can’t say I’ve got to that yet! I will admit to some mild euphoria at the end of the second day, when you realise you can crack on and eat what you want into the weekend though!

I think part of the reason it works is that you don’t actually eat what you want when you get the chance. I think moderation still plays its part as you don’t want to ruin the sacrifice you have made. Nonetheless it does the job. I’m off on holiday next week. I’m undecided what I will do, will I keep it going while I’m away? I’ll let you know in a few weeks. But in the meantime if anyone out there needs to shed a few pounds or indeed a few stones I would recommend this method. I will reblog in a few more weeks to see if I can validate the health benefits. So far so good.

http://www.fastdiet.co.uk

Eating Out Reviews

Gorilla – Manchester

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Always had a soft spot for Gorilla in Manchester. Set across from former ‘grab a granny haunt’ The Ritz, it is the natural port of call when The Cooktwit indulges in one of his other passions – rock music. Having been a nightclub, The Ritz has now morphed into a fully fledged, live rock venue. If a former rock titan has seen fit to grace The Ritz on their way down from the lofty heights of success, The Cooktwit and his chums have been there ready and waiting, air guitar in hand.

 

Trendy, The Ritz, trendy roof and upstairs diner,
Trendy, The Ritz, trendy roof and upstairs diner,

 

Gorilla is also a hop, skip and a jump from Oxford Road rail station, meaning our merry throng can be on the train home with ‘The Final Countdown’ encore still ringing in our ears.
However, a little ritual has developed, the Gorilla bar provides a thirsty rock troupe with good beer and has even given way to provide a pre gig snack in the shape of a trusty burger, shaped and seasoned by the fair hand of Chorlton butchering legend WH Frost. I have ventured these delights on to the palate of a good few of the ‘hoi poloi’ and have all agreed these are the work of an angel. They are juicy, pink and sized correctly for a fine feed.

The cocktail bar
The cocktail bar

In the guise of ‘Billy no mates’ I have on several occasions ventured alone into Gorilla. I’ve always found it to be a friendly and welcoming den. The bar tenders, encapsulated behind their three sided counter, often festooned in either facial hair, tats or piercings, or all three, are never anything other than friendly, efficient, jolly and professional. Indeed it’s quite a treat to watch them conjuring up their extensive cocktails.
But it was a different occasion this time. This time I trooped in with The Flame. We had just been up the road to The Opera House to watch an afternoon performance of ‘Rock Of Ages’. It was basically a spectacular romp through all the 80’s hair metal tunes you can think of, coupled to a series of jokes and raunchy dance routines. Indeed being a gentleman of a certain age and feeling somewhat hot under the collar, it was critical to reach Gorilla (the nearest bar) to cool the shock of seeing over a dozen power ballads and a veritable phalanx of near naked ladies clasped to the gills in suspenders belts! We arrived just after five and bagged a table right by the window facing out to the infamous Ritz. An American ‘Red Hook’ Pale ale was quickly acquired to apply the ‘cooling’!

The menu
The menu

The Gorilla decor ticks all the trendy bar boxes. In fairness to Gorilla I reckon they wrote the trendy bar book. Unmatched, up cycled furniture, craft beer, industrial lighting, exposed ceilings, retro branding, food served on wooden planks, plenty of organic, veggie, lentily stuff on the menu. The menu itself, along with a vintage drink booklet, is thoughtfully printed on lined paper with an old ‘typewriter’ font. So the trendy bar boxes all ticked, it’s all here and I think its great, and thankfully so did The Flame.
As great as the burgers are I decided to have a change this time. I went for a simple chargrilled half a chicken (£12). It had been marinated in thyme, garlic and lemon and I have to say without any doubt this was the finest piece of chicken I have had in years, if not ever. To say it was succulent, moist and tasty is not really doing it justice but it’s all I can think of. It came with a handful of watercress, on a plank, with two wonderful dips. A garlic mayo one and a chimmichurri (herby, olive oily) one, both very nice. I had some fries on the side (£3).

The chargrilled chicken, dips, chamoula kebab, the lot
The chargrilled chicken, dips, chamoula kebab, the lot

The Flame had a Chermoula Chicken Kebab (£10) which was toasted in an African spice rub, it came with a puy lentil, tomato, cucumber, and green herb salad, harissa yoghurt and a grilled flat bread. She had a roasted squash side to keep it company. Though I say so myself it looked the business and was absolutely bang on to how The Flame likes her food. She was well chuffed. We swapped a little bit. To be fair even she admitted my chicken was best, but I had half a wrap with all the trimmings and it was heavenly. All in all two great mains.
As is the norm I was forced to have a desert for research purposes, so I had the pecan pie and whipped cream (£4.50) while the flame had a standard black coffee in a mug. The pie was ‘delish’ although the base was a little tough and needed a good hacking with a fork. The bill came to £44.60 for the two of us with the drinks.

Pecan pie and beer
Pecan pie and beer

I think we all know Manchester has plenty of gourmet burger outfits who all do a grand job, but spare a thought for Gorilla. As I mentioned I’ve had quite a few here and they have been consistently superb. Judging by the number of them being carried aloft from the kitchen they are still hitting the spot. So there you have it, another recommendation, Gorilla it is!

Gorilla
54-56 Whitworth Street
Manchester
M1 5WW
http://www.thisisgorilla.com
0161 407 0301

Recipes

Grilled Marinated Hanger Steak

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I am fortunate to live within a short stroll away from a superb local butcher. The thought of buying meat that has come from animals born and bred in my home town adds a proper meaning to the term ‘shop local’.

It was during one of my regular jaunts that I noticed a long streak of muscle nestling in a tray on the top shelf of The Red Bank Farm shop display. A short enquiry with the host revealed that this luvicious, pink lump to be what’s known as a ‘hanger’ steak. I was intrigued and so it was the work of a moment to thrash out the deal and bag me a pound of prime.

The raw hanger steak
The raw hanger steak

There is only one hanger steak per animal. As the name suggests it ‘hangs’ from the diaphragm and is attached to the spine and the last rib (sounds like you know what you’re on about! – Ed). It normally weighs between a pound and a pound and a half (450 to 675g). It’s reckoned it is the tenderest cut on an animal and is best marinated and cooked quickly over high heat and served rare or medium rare, to avoid toughness.

The recipe I have cadged here is by Anne Burrell who seemingly pops up on a show called ‘Secrets of a Restaurant Chef’. It’s quite simple really, the keys seems to be to marinate the meat overnight. The ingredients below are for 2 steaks which I reckon would feed 4. I actually cooked one for me and The Flame.

Marinating ingredients and then smeared in readiness
Marinating ingredients and then smeared in readiness

Ingredients
4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped
Pinch crushed pepper
2 sprigs rosemary, picked and finely chopped
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
2 (1 1/2-pound each) hanger steaks, trimmed, membrane removed and cut in half lengthwise
salt
Rapeseed oil

Directions
In a small bowl, combine the Dijon, garlic, rosemary, lemon juice and zest, and crushed pepper. Smear the steaks with this deliciousness and let them hang out in the fridge overnight or up to 2 hours in the fridge.

You could grill the steaks on a barbecue or indoor grill. I did mine on the hob in my trusty grill pan. I seasoned the steaks with salt before setting on the hot, lightly oiled grill pan. I seared each side for about three minutes each and then rested for 5 – 10 minutes in a warm oven. You could cover with foil I reckon.

Grilling and resting
Grilling and resting

Alternatively using Anne’s recipe she does it on a flame grill. When the grill is hot, brush and oil the grill. When the flames have dissipated place the steaks on a hot spot on the grill. Brush with the excess marinade and move the steaks out of the flame if there is a flare up. Grill the steak for 4 to 5 minutes on each side for medium rare. Remove the steaks from the grill and let them rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

One rested I sliced mine and served immediately with chips and salad. I have to say it was pretty good. The marinade really comes through and gives the meat plenty of flavour. I’d definitely do it again. And after all it is a fairly cheap cut.

The final result, sliced served with chips, sausage and salad
The final result, sliced served with chips, sausage and salad

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/anne-burrell/marinated-grilled-hanger-steak-recipe.html

I got the hanger steak from
Red Bank Farm Shop, Winwick Road,
Newton Le Willows, Warrington, WA12 8DU
Tel: 07824 369174
http://www.farmshopnorthwest.co.uk

Eating Out Reviews

War Of The Roses – Lancashire v Yorkshire :-)

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It’s just a jape, don’t worry, nothing too serious. Let me explain.

Last year The Flame and I beckoned friends across the border from Yorkshire to enjoy some Lancastrian hospitality. Yours truly tasked with organising the binge played his ace. He tripped the team into the beautiful Trough of Bowland and set up a Sunday afternoon sesh in The Parkers Arms. Full details of the sumptuous scran are already available elsewhere on the blog. It was a triumphant scheme, Charlie The Greek and his lovely wife Julie were bowled over and considered it the best meal they had in years.
Last week a return leg was organised. The Yorkshire troop were convinced that a repeat performance could be arranged. The Cooktwit decided to run a friendly competition, could Yorkshire overcome the lofty bar that had been set by Lancashire’s Bowland crew?

Parkers Arms, The Cross Keys
Parkers Arms, The Cross Keys

The planned set up was to quaff and stuff on Saturday night at The Cross Keys in Leeds and then round off with a Sunday lunch at The Roebuck in Otley. First off it was into the up and coming trendy enclave of the Leeds granary wharf basin. Saturday night at The Cross Keys was Yorkshires first effort to lever the crown. Set in a run of terracing it has been spruced from the front with the obligatory tin of Farrow and Ball. And rather pleasant it looks too. It didn’t disappoint inside either. Trad gastro pub fittings downstairs with a swirling, rickety staircase up to the dining room above. A pint of Kirkstall ‘North Prototype’, a light, golden ale soon had The Cook Twit settled and raring for his Yorkshire feed.

Crab parfait, cheese soufflé - Parkers, Squid, hens egg and asparagus - Cross Keys
Crab parfait, cheese soufflé – Parkers, Squid, hens egg and asparagus – Cross Keys

I opened at The Keys with pan fried squid, black pudding, beef dripping croutons with a lemon emulsion! Whilst the flame chipped in with a glorious deep fried hens egg on fresh asparagus. I wasn’t sure about the croutons as they had a strong taste of the oil. The hens egg worked well, it spurned its yolk over the greens right on cue.

In comparison at The Parkers we recalled a sublime crab parfait and a three cheese soufflé, both crafted and presented with aplomb.

Starters : Lancashire 8/10 Yorkshire 7/10

Pheasant, venison pasty - Parkers, Hanger Steak, Mutton pie - Cross Keys, Roebuck
Pheasant, venison pasty – Parkers, Hanger Steak, Mutton pie – Cross Keys, Roebuck

For the main event I’ve had to bring a selection of the best from Yorkshire to compete with Lancashire. According to our Canadian waitress Jen, The Crosskeys menu changes almost daily depending on what has been acquired from the area. A laudable aim I’m sure you’ll agree. However, out of eight dishes, three were pig based, two were veggie, which left us a little short on variety.
I had the hanger steak on Saturday night, a cut I’ve only read about before. It came rare and covered with two bone marrow butter discs. The butter was used in small doses to add further flavour and moisture to what was a decent steak. For Sunday lunch The Roebuck pub in Otley served up a minted, mutton pie which I’d have to say was pushing hard against the Great Northern Pie Co efforts that I occasionally imbibe as a treat. It came with a lovely gravy to set it off. Given the rabbit pie that I originally ordered had run out it was a cracking back up. The waitress pointed out that they had the rabbits but had not turned them into pies yet!
Sadly for Yorkshire all this had to stack up against Stosie’s boned pheasant done two ways, the leg in a pasty the breast rolled in a ballotine. A good effort from Yorkshire but….

Mains : Lancashire 10/10 Yorkshire 8/10

Plum sponge, Wet Nellie - Parkers, Coffee treat, sticky berry fool - Roebuck, Cross Keys
Plum sponge, Wet Nellie – Parkers, Coffee treat, sticky berry fool – Roebuck, Cross Keys

Despite being absolutely rammed The Cook Twit (purely for research purposes) stepped up to the plate and devoured a desert on Saturday night and Sunday lunch. The Cross Keys put up a strange but nonetheless tasty offering of sticky toffee berry fool. Essentially a glass bowl of sticky toffee pudding swimming in a berry compote with berries on top. It was too much really. Could have been a smaller portion with some ice cream. The Roebuck presented some real quality. Labelled as ‘coffee sweet treats’ it turned out to be a coffee with a selection of four of the deserts. An Eton mess, sliver of lemon tart, chocolate Ganesh and a sensational local banana ice cream. I managed to take down the lemon and the ice cream but got stawed with the rest.
The Parkers tipped up with a Victorian plum sponge, and it’s famous wet Nellie. Two stonking deserts. It’s a close call but I think Lancashire seals it again. The Roebucks offer nearly taking it.

Sweets : Lancashire 8/10. Yorkshire 7/10

Hen Harrier, Northern Prototype, Saltaire
Hen Harrier, Northern Prototype, Saltaire

Service and surroundings both hit the rustic mark. Open fires at The Parkers, whilst tudor beams support The Cross Keys. All three pubs offered quality real ale. As you would expect The Parkers Arms opened its account with a Bowland effort called Hen Harrier. A lovely golden ale, but I’d have to say the Yorkshire twins offered the Kirkstall brew and then one called ‘Saltaire’. Both were absolutely superb, light session ales that I could have quaffed all day. Yorkshire steals the ale comp.

Beer : Lancashire 7/10 Yorkshire 9/10

So there you have it Lancsahire 33/40, Yorkshire 31/40 a splendid effort. A word to The Cross Keys and The Roebuck it’s no disgrace finishing behind The Parkers Arms. There’s an experienced team there serving amazing food.
We had a great time in Leeds and we certainly ate and drank well. We would definately go back to both places. They are both on our radar. I notice today there is chicken on the menu at The Cross Keys. The Flame would have been a little happier.

Parkers Arms
Newton-in-Bowland
Nr Clitheroe
Lancashire
BB7 3DY
01200 446236
http://www.parkersarms.co.uk

The Cross Keys
107 Water Lane, leeds LS11 5WD
Tel: 0113 243 3711
http://www.the-crosskeys.com

The Roebuck Pub
Roebuck Terrace
Otley
West Yorkshire
LS21 2EY
Telephone: 01943 463063
http://www.Roebuckpub.co.uk

Eating Out Reviews

Splendid Sausage Company – Manchester

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It’s Friday, it’s raining, I’m carousing the alleyways of Manchester, the objective, something, quick and tasty to keep the cook twit ticking along until the toil of honest graft (you work in an office! – Ed) switches into a torrent of unbridled wonderlust that heralds a new weekend.

Hark, what have we here? It’s the old Jack Spratt gaff with a new sign. It’s now called ‘The Splendid Sausage Company’. I wonder if it is splendid? Let’s find out. I gingerly headed in alone. There wasn’t many people in. A sprightly young waitress, decked in black, with a large white moustache emblazoned across her chest, bound to my rescue. Still doubting whether this was a good move I asked to see the menu. The young blade quickly explained that what we sell here are Gourmet sausages, locally produced as well. I was made to feel rather special and so I thought why not? I nestled onto a small table by the door and ordered a diet coke (Well we don’t want to overdo it do we?).

A Moustache and an OSB banquette
A Moustache and an OSB banquette

As much as I liked the Jack Spratt grub the decor was a little strange to be honest. The bits of foliage that used to straggle round the large front windows have gone. It would appear the red paint shop has done well. Most of the walls get the treatment along with sporadic members of the chair department. The old banquettes down the left have now been clad in (wait for this) ‘Orientated Strand Board’ or OSB, (I checked this up at B&Q!) to limited effect. The statement piece of the new set is the moustache specials board, the joke moustache seemingly the splendid sausages playful marketing tag. Whilst still on the decor a little bird tells me the red ceiling in the ladies loo is quite something! All in all it looks jolly enough and suits the mood and the menu.

The loo ceiling! (Library pic)
The loo ceiling! (Library pic)

And so to the menu!. Let’s not beat about the bush it sells hot dogs so it’s a simple affair. The first side (of the two sided sugar paper print out) explains the routine you need to go through to enhance your hot dog experience. 1) chose your sausage, of which there are ten, including a veggie one. They seem to build up from the humble pork sausage up to a spicy one via a bit of Spain, France and Morocco. 2) from there you add two toppings. Alternatively if your a bit lazy and you can’t be bothered choosing, side two of the tablet quotes some custom built combinations (I think you mean ‘combos’, get down with the kids – Ed) with names like ‘Danger Dog’ and ‘The King’. Rather like an ‘Almost Famous’ menu you then get numbers by the side, like 8.5 and 9. Sadly these are not marks out of ten. A short inquiry with one of the mustachioed crew revealed these numbers represent the price in pounds sterling! £9 for a hot dog!

The simple menu
The simple menu

I went for the Spanish version which contained peppers and sun dried tomatoes. I topped it with caramelised onions and spicy red and green peppers. I then lashed on some PB mustard for an extra edge. I washed it down with my can of coke complete with straw! The whole ensemble complete with the now obligatory brioche bun, came resplendent in its own plastic basket (another nod to Almost Famous, are they related?). If I’m brutally honest a hot dog would be pretty far down my list of gourmet food. But to be fair it was pretty good as hot dogs go. A far cry from the rubbery fairground version. The sausage was nice and spicy, the toppings plentiful and tasty.

The Spanish Dog
The Spanish Dog

The bill total was £9. Seven for the dog, two for the coke. Was it worth £9? I’m struggling a bit there. It was all over in a few minutes. The desert menu looked good though and I understand it gets a bit more grown up later in the day selling decent cocktails. Would I go again? I may try a Danger Dog but I think that would be it for me. I think its one for the kids this. It did fill up while I was eating and was pretty much full just after one o clock so it seems to be catching the imagination. So good luck to it I say, keep the dogs barking!

the splendid sausage company
unit c
11 st james’ square
john dalton street
manchester
m2 6wh

http://www.splendidsausages.co.uk

Eating Out Reviews

Beef and Pudding – Manchester

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“No puddings were harmed in the making of this blog”.

I had to start with this, ever since the twitteratti declared ‘Beef and Pudding’ as the hot ticket in town images of the now infamous ‘Beef and Barbon Fell venison suet pudding’ have graced the timelines of foodies far and wide. And all for good reason, as many have declared it a splendid thing.

The post box!!
The post box!!

I know as blogs go for Beef and Pudding I’m a bit late really. It has been open for a few weeks now. The reviews have been flowing from the ether ever since. Whilst I work in Manchester, getting the planets to align sufficiently to waft the flame into the metrop and indulge in the latest of the New Moon Company pubs has proved more problematic than first envisaged.

However, before finally sitting to eat, I was able to ghost in one Friday Eve to sample the atmosphere and a corking pint of Cheshire ale. During this stop over I happened upon genial host and joint owner David Mooney (or @Gobbychef as he is known on twitter). Stout of build with a luscious top lip he reminded me of a defrocked version of the fabled, comedic, letch Jimmy Edwards (ooh he won’t like that – Ed). My reward for this chance meet was a small insight into what makes ‘Beef and Pudding’ tick.

Joint owner David Mooney, comedy teacher Jimmy Edwards, the sign!
Joint owner David Mooney, comedy teacher Jimmy Edwards, the sign!

First point was that social media had the saved the twosome (he and joint owner Paul Newman) a small fortune in marketing. Basically twitter alone had ensured the venture hit it’s stride from day one and that the budget sheets had been ripped up, as the 150-200 covers a day had smashed predictions and left the two chaps very happy.

To be fair it’s easy to see why. Ever since the menu was released prior to opening my lips have been smacking. It is a cracking menu and unlike any other. There literally is something for everyone. Even Auntie Nell (her with the bad flatulance and distaste of anything green) would have no trouble finding anything on here. Traditional British classics mix with quality local dishes all done with aplomb.

The awesome menu
The awesome menu

The interior kit out for me is a revelation. As Jimmy errr I mean David pointed out, they take pictures of what they see as a good idea and keep it holed up ready to unleash on the public in their next venture. The large metal lights over the bar being a case in point. Sadly they were beaten to the industrial scaffolding divider by Reds BBQ, which meant a quick redesign, but it was all taken in good heart. The tan coloured booths and the tiled bull motif are a particular triumph. I did ask whether they’d had the post box installed outside, but apparently that was already there. It features on everyone’s outdoor pictures!

The inside, and reflected logo in a taxi window
The inside, and reflected logo in a taxi window

But, I’m wittering on a bit here what about the grub I hear you cry. Well it was great, it met all expectations. For starters I had the ‘tempura monkfish cheeks’ (£8.95) which came with a glorious tandoori mayo and a homemade lime pickle. The flame romped in with a seared chicken, smoked bacon and avocado salad (£7.95) It was plentiful, colourful and very tasty. Even I got to try some chicken!

Monkfish cheeks, chicken salad, strawberry and vanilla fizz
Monkfish cheeks, chicken salad, strawberry and vanilla fizz

Despite the amazing menu believe it or not we both plundered our mains from the specials iPad! For mains the flame had two wonderful pieces of hake (£16.95) which came aboard green beans, new potatoes and then smothered in local brown shrimp. It was devine, perfectly cooked and hot.
I had a wondrous, trimmed rack of pink local lamb (£16.95). Bathed in a deep jus and nestled on potatoes and green beans. I love lamb and loved this. The meat needed the merest tease to lift it away from its bony frame.

Hake and lamb
Hake and lamb

And then there was the pudding! Or ‘The Pudding Plank’ (£14.95) which is what we had. This is basically as it says on the tin. It is a plank with pudding on. In a ‘frenchy’ bistro it might be known as an ‘assiette’, the plank is used to present hefty slivers of most of the standard dessert offerings. We got a cheese glazed Eccles cake, a banoffee cheesecake, a sticky toffee pudding, a chocolate tart, a chocolate brownie and star of the show a cherry bakewell pie. All this shared with a quenelle of cream and a goblet of luscious custard. It was a true sweet treat. We signed off with a decent coffee.

The Pudding Plank
The Pudding Plank

One of the objectives of ‘the beef’ explained by @gobbychef was to launch an outfit on the Manchester scene that served decent ale, decent wine, decent cocktails and great locally produced food. It seems to have carried it off. Im not a great afficianado of the grape but we had a rather agreeable gourmet Shiraz at £16.95 all after a couple of sizzling cocktails. The whole shebang came in at £107 which for an ‘urban pub’ is on the top end. That said we had the dearest items on the menu and wouldn’t normally have the cocktails so I reckon you could knock thirty or forty quid off that if you were concerned.

Wine, even the gents are nice, desert menu
Wine, even the gents are nice, desert menu

If we was to quibble we could argue about our table. As the late Michael Winner would say “he books a table not a restaurant” and ours placed by the meet and greet station at the entrance presented for the flame a constant view of the maître d’s and servers typing in the orders which she found a little distracting. Nonetheless we will definitely be back but we will be asking for one of those wonderful booths facing into the eating room where all the action is. This is a great addition to the Manchester restaurant wars. It’s great for a drink and as well as dinner serves food for breakfast, brunch and an express lunch. You can’t say fairer than that.
Beef and Pudding
0161 237 3733

info@beefandpudding.co.uk

37 Booth Street
off Fountain Street
Manchester City Centre
M2 4AA

Events

Ramsbottom – Artisan Food Market

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Always had a soft spot for Ramsbottom. A pre wedded date with The Flame in this gritty Lancashire village was always high on the cards when The CookTwit needed to play his romantic hand. Oh how we skipped, arm in arm down the Irwell with the promise of a cheesy jacket spud from the ‘spudulike’ outside ‘Rammy’ station. That an A4 Pacific or a double header Deltic was due to power across the high street any minute was but a minor consideration! Ramsbottom twenty years ago was known for its heritage railway, the East Lancashire Railway. Indeed it still is, but in addition Ramsbottom has become a small foodie heartland. Second Sundays in the month signal, to all who listen, the bijou artisan farmers food market of Ramsbottom. It heads up a roundel of smaller markets under the brolly of Bury.

Summerseat, the Irwell, Nuttal Park with Peel Tower
Summerseat, the Irwell, Nuttal Park with Peel Tower

The promise of a bit of sunshine after a desperately windy and wet winter led us once again ‘up ter Thirwell’ and to the promise of some decent grub to cook later for tea. Reliving the past once again we parked up at Summerseat station. We then trooped the two and half miles up the line to Ramsbottom. After a few sharp words from the flame, (having led her through the muddy undergrowth to a bridge less Irwell!) we eventually fell into ‘Rammy’ via the rather wonderful ‘Nuttal Park’. Here children were actually outside playing! swings were swinging and slides were sliding. “Jumpers for goalposts” anyone? If you have any doubts about which direction to take, Peel Tower high on the hill overlooks to keep us all in check.

Ramsbottom and it's market square
Ramsbottom and it’s market square

We headed up Bridge Street from the station to its junction with Bolton Street. The sun was already lighting up the merry throng of under canvas traders, steadying to receive the hard earned reddies of the seasoned food minded punter. A delightful sight. As well as the fresh air brigade there is a small and civilised selection within the civic hall, itself a short skip up the cobbles. I think I should point out that the flame fails to function with the required level of lucidity without first quenching the larynx with a hot restorative. The handily placed ‘Chocolate Cafe’ raced to the rescue with a fine mug of jamaica’s finest. Chaps who are a little out of sorts with their other halves could do worse than loosen the purse strings in this fine emporium. As it’s name suggests chocolate is its game. It can be acquired here in all manner of guises, infused with spice, fruit, herb or nut. And it’s all calorie free!

Chocolate is calorie free
Chocolate is calorie free

It was then on to the main event. My usual ploy is to slink round all the stalls smartish and then work out where best to spend the prescribed quota of hard earned. In all there was about forty stalls between the brave outdoor types and the less hardy in the civic hall. There is the occasional craft type stall indoors, but it’s mainly food. Though I didn’t list them you could get yourself top versions of all types of grub. Artisan bread, pies, cakes, chutneys, jams, sausages, meats, game, dirty veg, fish, cheese and exotic hams all feature. We eventually settled for some fine Manx kippers and potted Morecambe bay shrimps from a proper fish stall. A wonderful walnut bread smothered in seeds and nuts, manchego cheese, Serrano ham, chorizo sausages and Sobrasada (spreadable chorizo!!) from Spanish fine food specialist Levanter. A superb Mediterranean chutney from The Heritage Kitchen and some sensational freshly made crab ravioli from Nonna Teresa. In all we probably spent £30 but it was all great stuff.

Fish, pasta, bread and crafts
Fish, pasta, bread and crafts

As a final treat we settled into arguably the best Sunday roast we’ve had in a long while at the ‘Hearth Of The Ram’. I have wrote about the merits of this fine establishment in a previous piece and our second visit outshone even that. I’m still tasting the tempura monkfish and the Derbyshire beef weeks later! The flames equally splendid rabbit croquette and chicken dinner still feature.

Hearth of the Ram lunch
Hearth of the Ram lunch

As if any emphasis is needed about Ramsbottoms foodie credentials we could have chosen a whole host of other foodie joints. Up the road from ‘The hearth’ is ‘The Eagle and Child’ which has its own prestigious awards for its Sunday lunch. ‘The Shoulder of Mutton’, ‘Ramsons’, ‘Sanminis’ and a few more are all within minutes and would have all delivered. As well as food there’s even a serious real ale trail. Sadly as my usual 50% of the driving deal wasn’t quite in vogue with the flame I had to settle for a single Timothy Taylor’s with my Sunday roast. I reckon a trip on the train is on the cards.

The haul from the market
The haul from the market

As we had ‘foodied’ out through the day we settled for a light ‘sobrasada on toast’ for tea. It rounded off a super day. I urge all to give it a go. I would book your lunch though. I doubt you’ll be able to walk in on a market Sunday.

Ramsbottom

Market Place & Ramsbottom Civic Hall 2nd Sunday of the month

Dates for 2014 are: 13 April 2014 11 May 2014 8 June 2014 13 July 2014 10 August 2014 14 September 2014 12 October 2014 9 November 2014 14 December 2014 11 January 2015 8 February 2015 8 March 2015

Eating Out Reviews

Mughli – Indian Restaurant Manchester

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Not usually a big fan of Indian food. Yes, as a teenage beer engine I crashed into them after the pub for a quick rogan josh with my mates, but for a serious sit down meal Indian has never really been first choice, especially when dining with the flame. However, when faced with sorting a gastronomic excursion for long time drinking, grub loving, MUFC fan and recent sexagenarian a decent Indian was a natural choice.

The mesmerising curry mile
The mesmerising curry mile
As ever, when deciding where to go, twitter came to the rescue. Local food bloggers along with lauded tv chef Nigel Slater, have all posted glowing tributes to the work of Mughli, a restaurant of some thirty one years standing, situated in Manchester’s celebrated curry mile. Our heady gang warmed up with a few scoops in the city before the ten minute taxi trek to Rusholme, home to the source of our tea. For those who don’t know ‘the curry mile’ is a neon infested thoroughfare containing dozens of restaurants, bars and food emporiums, all specialising in various strands of Indian cuisine. When we arrived I was mesmerised, I was left drooling at some of the Indian grocery stores lining the streets! Four types of aubergine, greens I’ve never seen or heard of, and all this before we stumbled on the oasis that is Mughli.
Inside Mughli and it's homemade beer
Inside Mughli and it’s homemade beer
Thankfully I had booked weeks ago using the very efficient online booking system. A texted reminder an hour before asking to confirm or decline seemed to me a great idea. As we entered we stumbled into another world. The place was rammed. The chatter and clatter of a full restaurant operating at full tilt and on the top of its game. It was a most welcome and heartening sight. The room is perfectly lit and appointed with contemporary, retro tables and chairs. Various elements of shrubbery divided the space at regular intervals.
A well trimmed youngster set us to our table guided by a high tech tablet! Within seconds our jolly and knowledgeable waiter Amjad was circling. He quickly pointed out his favourites from the font friendly, black and white menu and tipped us towards a few pints of the local brew. The brew he claimed, is constructed on the floor below by ‘elves’. We took this story as gospel and ordered up pronto.
As expected the starters rocked up first. The celebrant and I selected from the ‘charcoal pit’ section, whilst the third point of the crew opted from the ‘street food’ list. All three starters were a triumph. My fleet of tender, mildly spiced, medium cooked lamb chops had all drooling. The ‘tamarind masala fish’ (chunks of fresh haddock dusted in a spicy batter with lime) was a close second to the star of the starts the King Prawns. The size of a baby’s fist these had been flashed in the pit of charcoal before wafting through a mist of chillied spice. I managed to swap a whole chop for a mere morsel. It was worth it.
Masala fish, lamb chops, biryani, mango kulfi
Masala fish, lamb chops, biryani, mango kulfi
For mains I went for a Mughli speciality ‘Seafood and Fish Dhum Biryani’. This arrived in a good sized dish encased in a thin, battered crust. I broke through to reveal the intoxicating mix of basmati rice, pomegranate seeds and lightly spiced prawns, mussels and fish. It was a little dry at first but the neat little pans of biryani sauce and raita housed on a batten at the side soon sorted that.
The chums picked from the curry section. The choices included ‘arguably Birmingham’s finest export’ the Balti (their words not mine!), however a butter chicken and a fiery ‘chennai’ curry was picked along with rice, roti and a chilli paneer. It was all sublime and heartily confirmed by the slew of empty pots, pans and plates that were left strewn across the table.
All it needed to finish was a slug of traditional ‘ras malai’ and all would be well and the report could be ticked and signed off with a jaunty flourish, but lo, Amjad could not deliver. Despite his many offers of chocolate brownies! the ‘ras malai’ was no where to be seen. We japed for several minutes before the intrepid ‘Bradfordonian’ came up with three lollipops of Mango Kulfi, which to be fair really hit the spot. The Mughli team had pulled it out of the bag right at the death. A fine end to a smashing feed.
Cleared up, Mike & Amjad, the glasses friendly menu
Cleared up, Mike & Amjad, the glasses friendly menu
All I can say is that this has definitely rekindled my desire for Indian food. It was a revelation and met all expectations. For three of us it came to just over £90, for me a bargain. The service, the staff, the food, the beer, the atmosphere was all top notch. Well done Mughli, we’ll be back.
Mughli

30 Wilmslow Road
Rusholme
Manchester, M14 5TQ
telephone 0161 248 0900

http://www.mughli.comopening times
saturday: 3pm – late
monday-friday: 5pm – late

sunday: 1pm – late0161 248 0900

FOOD! Reviews and Recipes by an Enthusiast!