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More to Wales than...

So here we are, 1st March, St David’s Day already. Some of you may know this is a part ex-pat household, with Dr T being my own Welsh dragon, and I have a great many friends over that particular border. And if you haven’t discovered the great foodie things coming out of Wales, then you’ve so been missing out! Here’s my top choices of things you should be discovering:

1. Adra is my favourite source of gifts for the ex pat Welsh friends, whether or not they speak the language. There is a great pride in having things around the kitchen with Welsh words on them. For the cook of the house, perhaps the enamel sign “Cogydd ar Waith“, or for the breadmaker, or eater, the Bara bin. And, of course, who could disagree with the sentiment “does dim i drechu paned“?

2. If you want a bit of a treat at breakfast time, or afternoon tea, then try Angharad’s Anglesey Blackberry & Sloe Gin Conserve. Made from wild fruit from Anglesey, this will definitely perk up a cream tea! Very attractive looking, and there are some other great flavours on offer too. And if you’re shopping on the site, you best try their butter and Bara Brith as well.

3. Give yourself a beef treat with a great piece of Welsh Black Beef from Beef Direct. Deservedly one of Rick Stein’s food heroes, you may well come across these guys at one of the farmer’s markets in the area, or you can order online for next day delivery. Hung on the bone for 3 weeks for maximum taste and tenderness, and delivered fresh not pre frozen, you won’t be disappointed. Perfect for dinner parties if you want a big joint, drop them an email and let them know exactly what you need.

4. I couldn’t possibly mention Welsh food, without mentioning Gower Cottage Brownies. Kate Jenkins is busy rustling up great brownies, and these make a great sweet treat, and a great foodie gift. There are versions with and without walnuts or hazelnuts, and also dairy or gluten free versions, so truly something for everyone. It would appear from her tweets that Kate keeps half the rugby team in brownies. Draw your own conclusions, based on their current performance!

5. I am a bit of a cheese fan (understatement) and there are some great cheeses being produced in Wales. The Snowdonia Cheese Company make some great tasting, and looking ones, like Black Bomber the extra mature cheddar with the tough guy black jacket, or if you want something smokey, then try the oak smoked Celtic Promise made in West Wales. If it’s the blue stuff that takes your fancy, then try Perl Las Blue.

6. As far as Dr T is concerned, there is only one drink worth having out of Wales, but there are also a surprising number of vineyards. The oldest established one is Glyndwr, from all the way back in 1982, and not only is the produce delightful, but they do great bed and breakfast too. Although whether waking up the morning after our wedding surrounded by wine was a great idea for our guests I am not sure! Try the mixed case as a great introduction to what they are doing.

So, more to Welsh food than Welsh cakes and Bara Brith! There are such a great variety of fabulous food festivals in Wales that you have no excuse for not exploring the Welsh food scene. If you need breaking in gently, get the train to Cardiff (big city, other end of the M4 to London), book into Jolyons to sleep and start with dinner at Le Gallois. That should see off a few misconceptions!

Fabulous photograph by zoonabar over on Flickr.

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Brownie heaven from the Gower Coast

You know what it’s like, you come home from a fairly rubbish day at the office, and there’s piles of post waiting for you. You know what’s waiting: bills, junk stuff about products you really don’t want, more bills.

How about sending something that will really turn any day around, and leave everyone with a great dessert to go at. I was thrilled to receive a box of brownies to try from Gower Cottage Brownies, and I have to say I can see why these have received all the plaudits they have received.

Forget the tubs of brownies you would get from the supermarket, these are on a level of their own. Melt in mouth, moist but not sticky, and chocolatey beyond all belief. The packaging they arrive in is simple but very lovely, so the treats begin as soon as you open the outer wrapper.

You could send these for any reason: new job, new baby, engagement, Christmas, it’s Wednesday. Treat a friend or treat yourself, I promise everyone will be happy. Including the fact that you are supporting a small, but tasty business from a beautiful part of South Wales. It feels good to spend money that supports a small business, especially one that is really good at what it does.

I thought it couldn’t get any better, but then I discovered that they also do a gluten free version, which is just fantastic. Those with gluten and wheat intolerances don’t always get the best deal on tasty cakes and sweet treats, but I would think these are absolutely worth giving a go. There are also varieties with hazelnuts or walnuts, so you really are spoilt for choice.

Go on, make the post something worth coming home to!