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News and Features
Food, fun and education . Our top foodie suggestions to keep you and the kids amused and well fed this Winter Puxton Park, A370 off J21 M5 Take inspiration from the cream of British supermarkets, add top quality produce from throughout the region and sprinkle liberally with staff who know their onions and have the time and energy to share that knowledge with you. Combine with a play barn so clean and new that it smells like a car showroom and a restaurant with tempting daily specials cooked from fresh, seasonal ingredients and you have Puxton Park, not just a fantastic food experience, but an educational, relaxing and fun day out. The farm shop is exceptional, designed with relaxation and browsing in mind, plenty of room between the aisles, low level displays that make looking around (and looking after wandering toddlers) a breeze and a variety of stock that would be bemusing, but for the helpful staff. The butchers, for example, run by Gerald David, were happy to tell us that all of their meat is sourced from within 20 miles and to talk about the merits of lamb noisettes with black pudding vs. with apricot. The chocolate selection has to be the best we’ve ever seen with a good selection from Cheddar Chocolate Company (see no. 2 below), fair trade and a dozen other suppliers. For Dads there’s an impressive array of regional bottled beers, ciders and wines. The selection from Pennard Organic comes highly recommended, particularly the award-winning Raspberry Liqueur. 0844 800 2295 Cheddar Chocolate Company and Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company What child hasn’t dreamt of a starring role in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Unfortunately, we can’t make the dream come true, but a call in to Cheddar Chocolate Factory, en-route to or from the more well-known attractions of Cheddar Gorge and Caves and the massive Sunday car-boot sale next door is well worth the visit. This family run company, established in 2003 has just moved to new, bigger premises, on Winchester Farm (on the A371 just out of Cheddar towards Draycott), and opened a factory shop with a viewing window where you can watch the chocolates being made. Choose from a wide variety of traditional bars, handmade selection boxes and chocolate figures. We plumped for black, white and brown chocolate babies and a box of muddy chocolate wellies ! We just managed to resist the largest standard bar of chocolate available in the UK, a whopping 1.5kg and available in white or milk chocolate with a choice of chocolate buttons, ginger pieces, marshmallows or lemon drops. Open 9-5 weekdays and 9-1 at weekends, call first to check that the factory will be producing when you plan to visit. 01934 741 777 If that whets your appetite continue on to see real Cheddar cheese being made at The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company. A guide will take you step by step through the chees-making process, starting with vegetarian rennet added to unpasteurised milk, sourced from one farmer only 2 miles away, to begin the separation process to produce curds and whey and finishing with the only truly authentic Cheddar cheese. In the shop you can try all types of cheddar, including the much-famed cave-matured cheddar, shown on the left, which really does taste different to other Cheddar. 01934 742810
Glastonbury Rural Life Museum Bring history to life with a hands-on taste of Victorian life at this working museum. Join Zaida Haworth in the Victorian Kitchen on 8th April from 10.30am to 12.30pm when she will be making Easter Biscuits and 27th May from 10.30am to 12.30pm when she will be cooking Pies and Pasties. 28th June - 31st August - 'The Orchard' Sustainable Sculptures by Edwina Bridgeman. Visitors will enter a magical orchard constructed from recycled materials and enjoy a place of contemplation. There is a focus on the imagery, songs, folklore and sustainability of apple trees (A Brewery Arts Touring Exhibition). On 19th August from 10.30am to 12.30pm Zaida will be cooking up some ‘Summer Treats’ from traditional Victorian recipes. 18th- 19th October, from 2pm to 5pm - Cider Making Weekend The chance to experience traditional Somerset cider making. Taking place in the medieval Abbey Barn, cider will be made using apples from the Museum's own orchard and a vintage mill and press. 22nd November - 31st December - West Country Craft Fair High quality crafts, apple juice and preserves from local producers. An opportunity to buy beautiful Christmas gifts in an attractive and relaxed atmosphere. Make an Apple Crumble What better way to show youngsters where our food comes from than to go apple picking and then cook a delicious apple crumble? The ‘How to’ website Video Jug tells us this humble dish is more popular than exotic dishes such as sushi and naan bread. Here at Somerset Food we’re not surprised! We suggest tow methods, either you show your children how to cook and they can help you download the video recipe! Video jug / apple crumble For those who still prefer the ‘cookery book’ can follow this tried and tested recipe from celebrity BBQ chef, Ben Bartlett Somerset Apple Crumble Serves 5Ingredients You will also need a deep 8-10 inch ovenproof baking dishes. Method Peel, core and chop the apples and arrange on the base of the bowl, add the raisins/sultanas, plus the cinnamon if included. Sprinkle half the sugar over the fruit, and cover with 2-3 tablespoons of water. Now in a separate bowl rub together the flour and the butter, to make the "crumble".You are aiming for a firm consistency that is crummy in texture.Place this over the apples. Sprinkle the remaining sugar over the top, and bake in the oven at 180-190 C, (350-375 F, Gas Mark 3-5 for 45 minutes, or until the "crumble" is a golden brown. www.bbqben.co.uk
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