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Hot with a heart

On Saturday I was at West Bridgford Farmer’s Market, which was a first, which is a bit shameful to admit as it’s really close to here. I went with Best Foodie Friend who, when she was in tarts, used to trade there, which means she knew a lot of the folk braving the rain and cold behind the stalls.

We spent quite a long time chatting to Debby at Gringley Gringo. I must admit I’ve seen their stall before but not wandered over, but boy was it worth it. Not just for the great chilli products, but the great stuff they do in the background around community involvement. Before their move to bigger premises, chilli plants were given free to local schools and community groups, who were then payed for the harvest. Now they have space for their own polytunnels but the community is still getting involved, and getting something out of it.

So, this counts as good local food, and a good community business, and I would encourage you to both support them, and to find other examples close to where you are to support. I came away with a great gift set for Christmas, comprising Jalapeno & Ginger Dipping Sauce, Chipotle Sauce and Gringo Gold Hot Chilli Sauce. This is going to be perfect for a couple who are opposite ends of the chilli love scale!

I particularly like the Jalapeno & Ginger, as I’m a bit of a wimp on the heat front. This makes a good change to a sweet chilli sauce, and I could see using it in its place with everything from fishcakes to just dipping crisps in it. The Tounge Tickle Chilli Pickle sounds like it would liven up cold cuts on Boxing Day, whilst the wimps amongst us will be having the Jalapeno, Lemon and Cardamom Chilli Jelly instead!

If you’re up near Clumber Park then you can drop in and see them, as they now have a shop and you can get to see how it’s all made. I love that the Community Growing Project is a joint venture between them and the National Trust, who own Clumber Park. If you work at a school in the area and are not involved already, it sounds like a great thing to get kids involved in. The more involved kids are with food the more they appreciate it and will think about what they are eating. If that’s not a way to solve an obesity crisis I’m not sure what is.

Gringley Gringo, I salute you, a true food hero if ever I saw one!

Chilli pepper image by lizziebob on Flickr

A nice cup of tea and a sit down. And cake.

Call it a hunch, but I reckon there’ll be traffic queues and toilet queues at the grand houses of the UK today. This must be peak viewing day for National Trust properties and other national treasures such as Chatsworth, which these days is less of a trial for children, thanks to kid’s trails and playgrounds, and for food lovers, as most places have caught on pretty quick.

We made a quick dash to Belton House yesterday, our nearest National Trust property. If only because it has an amazing adventure playground for a 7 year old to blow off some steam in. I’d not been before so was keen to see where the food level was pitched at. And I was pleasantly surprised! Local produce was well featured, from Lincolnshire sausages through to local veg. There were gluten free cakes from Crimbles, which is a nice touch for not excluding anyone from tea time treats.

And there were cakes. Glorious, homemade looking cakes. Of course there was Victoria Sponge and Lemon Drizzle cake, but was thrilled to see Chocolate Beetroot (MGG pronounced it delicious) and Parsnip and Caraway amongst others. Decent tea, Belvoir cordials and no sign of instant coffee anywhere. Perfect.

Of course, the grande dame of this sort of thing has to be Chatsworth though. Their farm shop is a thing of foodie beauty, and the coffee shop has the most idyllic view. And I’m not just talking about the cakes. I am thankful not to be there today, as I am sure it is hectically busy, but enjoyed an afternoon there a couple of Friday’s ago. Tea was delightful (and scarily, no more expensive for three drinks and three fabulous cakes than 2 mediocre coffees, a glass of water and 2 cakes at Starbucks) and the staff suitably charming. And the picture perfect scenery just added to the whole occasion.

The farmshop itself is upmarket, not exactly cheap, but very clearly focused on food values. Great selection that you

The results of a farm shop dash at Chatsworth

could do your weekly shop from, or just choose some carefully edited highlights to add to the every day stuff you have. In my little haul there’s some great local salami,  slices of proper baked ham, a Lincolnshire plum loaf, Stout Porter from Tollgate Brewery, something from Peak Ales (we drank that already, so can’t check) and some Stichelton. The black pudding and oatcakes come from my earlier visit that day to the market in Hanley, which was responsible for this dish.

So, I would say planning a visit to a national treasure shouldn’t now mean compromising on your foodie values, even if you don’t take your own delightful picnic. Let me know if you think there’s a foodie treat hidden away at a national treasure near you, I’d love to notch up a few more. Although I’m going back to Chatsworth next week for the Country Fair, from 4th to 6th September. As you can imagine, it has a big food contingent. I’m pleased to see at least two very local suppliers in attendance: Belvoir Fruit Farms for great cordials and Brocklebys for the only organic Melton Mowbray pork pie around.

Advance tickets are still available, and there really will be something for all the family, whether they love their food or not. Just remember to pack a picnic for when you’re sitting in the traffic jam at the end of the day!