Apple and Blackberries
FOR AS LONG as I can remember I have not only enjoyed, but actively sought out, sources of free food; mussels on the beach in Cornwall, wild garlic from the hedgerows, scrumping apples, pears, cherries and plums, and of course blackberries in the autumn. Back in 1987, when living and working in New York as the chef to the British Ambassador to the United Nations, I made front page news when caught picking wild herbs from Central Park. Such was the concern of the park authorities they contacted the ambassador to ask me to desist, but not before I had fed the then French Ambassador the meal of his life! Lest anyone be concerned about me ‘stealing’ food, it is not illegal to pick fruit from common land, or council-owned land where they are not growing fruit for the purposes of food. However, it is illegal to profit commercially from what you make with the harvested fruit; in recent years several local authorities have caused outcry by attempting to ban people from removing "the whole or any part of any plant, shrub or tree", effectively banning blackberry picking. At this time of year particularly, I reap the benefits of excess produce from friends, and have been avidly picking blackberries and apples. I am sad to say that despite my efforts it seems that so many have gone to waste this year. In addition to making blackberry and apple crumbles, jams and jellies, I have been busy making a whole range of blackberry liqueurs, using inexpensive spirits. Commercially there are a number of options available, many of which originate in France, where the blackberry is known as ‘mure’, but it is easy to make at home. Quite simply you fill a bottle
with the berries, and add the spirit, along with a little sugar if you like things on the sweet side, give it a shake and shove it in a dark corner for a few weeks. The resulting liqueur makes a great addition to champagne cocktails and is great for an unusual gift.
Here are a few examples to tempt your taste buds
Lejay Creme De Mure Blackberry Liqueur (15%abv.) £12.99 (70cl.) has subtle flavours, making it brilliant as a cocktail mixer, going exceptionally well in long cocktails and with Champagne. Sovereign Spirits No.2 - Apple and Blackberry Liqueur (20%abv.) £18 (50cl.) is a combination of British gin, with apples and blackberries, and on the nose this smells just like apple crumble and custard. Whitley Neill Handcrafted Blackberry Gin (43%abv.) £20 (70cl.) is evidence that the gin craze shows no sign of abating. Tasting of fresh plump berries and hints of floral hedgerow, the base of delicious, piney juniper is followed by zesty sweet citrus and hints of black pepper. The finish is earthy accompanied by the warmth of spicy cassia.
One Gin Sage & Apple (43%abv.) £38.95 (70cl.) is the perfect marriage of their original apple version with the earthy character of sage. An added bonus of this brand is that at least 10% of the profits help to fund water projects in the world's poorest communities. Edinburgh Gin Apple & Spice Liqueur (20%abv.) £16.95 (50cl.) is described as enticingly crisp, brimming with lively exuberance. The apples are macerated with cinnamon, then blended with Edinburgh Gin. Good with soda, served simply over ice, or in a classic Martini.
Paddy Spiced Apple Whiskey Liqueur (35%abv.) £28.25 (70cl.) A delicious combination of Paddy's triple-distilled and tripleblended Irish Whiskey and spiced apple flavourings.
As we are entering the time of year when days are shorter and the weather becomes colder, many of these offerings would make super winter warmers as hot toddies. For teetotallers, there are also a number of non-alcoholic options on the market.
Jamun Juice (Indian Blackberry) - Basic Ayurveda £5.25 (480ml.) Ideal for those wanting to steer clear of alcohol, made from first press virgin juice, prepared from high altitude grown Jamun, also known as Java Plum or Indian blackberry. Monin, is a popular French brand of syrup, which in their range has a fruity, tangy Blackberry Syrup on offer at £5.79 (70cl.)
Fentimans Apple & Blackberry Drink £1.49 (275ml.) is a naturally light and fruity drink combining two quintessentially British fruits with natural botanicals to create a fresh and fruity taste. L.P-V.
‘Say Cheese!’ Holland’s Pies and Wyke Farms join forces to launch a new pie
One of Britain’s oldest pie makers Holland’s Pies, and Britain’s oldest cheesemaker Wyke Farms are joining forces for the first time to launch the ultimate Deep Fill Mature Cheddar Cheese & Onion Pie. The pies hit the shelves in over 400 Asda stores nationwide , week commencing Monday 21st October alongside listings in Farmfoods & Heron stores. With one in eight Brits identifying as vegetarian or vegan and 30 per cent of the UK population actively cutting down on or cutting out meat entirely, meat-free food consumption is on
the rise. This increasing trend is what prompted Holland’s Pies and Wyke Farms to form this partnership, for the very first time. Vegetarian Society Approved, the NEW frozen two-pack from Lancashire-based Holland’s Pies and Somerset-based Wyke Farms, has combined over 326 years of expertise to create a rich and creamy mature cheddar and Red Leicester cheese, blended with onions and baked in Holland’s crumbly shortcrust pastry. Holland’s Pies’ wealth of knowledge and years of tradition have been used throughout the cooking process and combined with Wyke Farms’ generations of cheese-making craft and Grandmother Ivy’s secret cheese making recipe, will ensure the final taste is a real cheese feast. Nigel Church, Managing Director at Holland’s Pies, said: “We’re excited to be joining forces with Wyke Farms to offer consumers across the UK the ultimate Mature Cheddar Cheese & Onion Pie. Our combined years of expertise and great British family values means the new pie uses all of the cheese taste credentials of Wyke Farms alongside Holland’s Pies’ baking expertise – a match made in heaven.’ Richard Clothier, Managing Director at Wyke Farms, said: ‘We’ve been in the cheese making business for over 158 years and are delighted to be working with Holland’s Pies and see our mature cheddar cheese in a new pie format! We can’t wait for everyone to taste our joint creation and know that it will go down a cheesy treat with consumers.’
Chill-Out Somerset
For all your refrigerated trailer requirements, outside events, etc. CONTACT : Martyn Jones 07973 433586 EMAIL : chilloutsomerset@yahoo.com
THE VISITOR November 2019 23