October Recipe: Red Plum (or Apple) Caramel Cake

This recipe is easily adapted for the apples and pears in season at the moment. I have given you all the variations for this cake so that you can use the fruit that is available at the time.

My only advice is to make the caramel if possible in a pan that is not non stick so that you can see what is happening to the sugar mixture. Do not go away and answer the telephone. Stay with it, it changes rapidly and you do not want it too dark otherwise it will taste burnt.

This cake is made using the all in one method so do make sure your butter is nice and soft. Take it out of the fridge several hours before making or microwave briefly to soften but do not melt. Continue reading “October Recipe: Red Plum (or Apple) Caramel Cake”

October 6, 2018December 17, 2024

Big Apple Harvestime celebrations 13th and 14th October 2018 In and Around Much Marcle

Herefordshire has plenty of reasons to celebrate English apples, orchards and cider and the annual Big Apple weekend offers a special opportunity to enjoy the autumn countryside on the Marcle Ridge. The event is based on eight venues in and around Much Marcle – and cider and perry making will be in full swing! There will be plenty of opportunities to taste, buy and, in some cases, to try your hand. The Big Apple is not only about cider – a ‘Feast of Apples’ at Hellens will feature displays, tastings and sales of some of the less usual dessert and culinary apples, and Marcher Apple Network will be identifying apples throughout the weekend. Herefordshire Beekeepers Association pay a return visit with their Annual Honey Show. Continue reading “Big Apple Harvestime celebrations 13th and 14th October 2018 In and Around Much Marcle”

September 28, 2018December 17, 2024

“Feast and Make Merry” The Traditional Harvest Supper

At this time of year, farms and villages throughout Britain are celebrating the Harvest “safely gathered in”. Traditionally, this was an opportunity for farmers, farm labourers and their families to get together at the end of the harvest, loading the tables with abundant produce, washing it down with home made beer and cider and making merry with music and dancing. You probably recognise such scenes from Thomas Hardy novels.

Here in Herefordshire the tradition continues in villages around the county, often associated with a Church harvest service. But, it is not so often that town and city dwellers get the opportunity to join in such a farm celebration. Continue reading ““Feast and Make Merry” The Traditional Harvest Supper”

August 31, 2018December 17, 2024

Local Food and Drink Producers celebrate 2018 Great Taste Awards

Again, local food producers feature in this year’s Great Taste Awards. Organised by the Guild of Fine Food, the award is the acknowledged benchmark for fine food and drink. It has been described as the ‘Oscars’ of the food world and the ‘epicurean equivalent of the Booker prize’ – stars are awarded with three star awards representing the most outstanding produce. Continue reading “Local Food and Drink Producers celebrate 2018 Great Taste Awards”

August 22, 2018December 17, 2024

August Recipe: Chocolate, Beetroot and Orange Cake

This cake is delicious but please do use fresh beetroot (you can cook it the night before). It really doesn’t work well with the packaged variety and fresh beetroot is so readily available. Should you want to cut down on the chocolate consumption you do not have to serve it with the chocolate sauce (which would mean using 100g. less of chocolate), you could use yogurt and a fresh fruit compote as an accompaniment. Continue reading “August Recipe: Chocolate, Beetroot and Orange Cake”

July 24, 2018December 17, 2024

Ledbury becomes a centre for viticulture…again

In the middle ages the slopes of Wall Hills flourished with the Bishop of Hereford’s vineyard. Ledbury is again becoming a centre for vine growing and wine production with the development of new vineyards, replacing orchards, on the southern slopes of Wall Hills at Redbank. Find out about how Haygrove Evolution is developing its viticulture business in this article from The Vineyard Magazine by following this link http://www.vineyardmagazine.co.uk/grafting-away/

Cultivation of vines at Haygrove Evolution, Ledbury. Photo by Simon Day

July 17, 2018December 17, 2024

July Recipe: Salmon with Courgettes, Peppers and Raisins

I have given you a fish recipe this month as it includes courgettes which are very much in season and with this hot weather fish seems a lighter option. I hope you enjoy it. There are no tips really but if you do not wish to buy the saffron (as I know it is expensive) it will not ruin the recipe. Continue reading “July Recipe: Salmon with Courgettes, Peppers and Raisins”