Take me to the ice cream Rosie!

In my opinion no meal is complete without a little scoop of ice cream at the end. And I’m sure I read somewhere that it’s good for the digestion, well that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it! I’ve tried my fair share of ice-cream flavours and brands but I’d never heard of Our Cow Molly so I was keen to give it a try.

Before I got stuck in to my frozen feast, I had a nosey round the dairy where Our Cow Molly ice cream is produced and it soon became apparent why I’m not familiar with the brand. The farm is a small family run business in Dungworth on the top of one of the seven hills that Sheffield is built on. The production takes place in a room about the same size as Rosie and the ice cream is sold from a small on-site parlour, so it’s not quite a household name… yet!

Having a pint (of milk) with Graham Andrew who now runs the farm

It all began in 1947 when Hector Andrew started delivering milk from his dairy to homes around Sheffield. Today his son Graham runs the farm but milk prices have reduced drastically. So Graham’s son Eddie made sure the farm didn’t succumb to the tough economic climate by creating their delicious dairy ice cream in 2007. It scooped an award for “fourth best ice cream in the country” at the National Ice Cream Awards after just three months of production. Not a bad start eh?

Our Cow Molly: Made in Sheffield

Eddie explained why it was such an instant hit in the area, “We  have 80 cows and can use as much fresh milk and cream as we want to get the flavour and texture just right. Not many ice-cream producers can afford to buy in so much dairy product, so that’s what sets us apart really.”

So many flavours, seemed only polite to try all of them!

Ok, ok, I was convinced that this was a product put together with passion, I was sold on the fact that the cows were cared for (I’d seen that for myself) and I loved the fact that Our Cow Molly had been added to the prestigious ‘Made in Sheffield’ register but I still had to taste it.

And my verdict is… A BIG MASSIVE THUMBS UP! Seriously creamy, deliciously smooth and oozing quality. Now I just need to move to Sheffield, although I’m sure it won’t be long before Our Cow Molly is hitting shelves further afield.

Enjoying dinner with sea views at Urban Reef in Bournemouth

If you’ve read a few of my food posts I’d forgive you for thinking I never cook in the camper van. The truth is my photos of bacon and eggs, pasta and sauce and toasted sandwiches aren’t that pretty to look at. And besides, I’ve discovered so many great places to eat on my travels around England that I’d much rather share these great images with you. I challenge you to not be hungry by the end! Continue Reading

Melton Mowbray pork pies straight from the oven

You may well have already guessed at least one of the food’s I’ve been devouring this week from the title of this post. It’s a bit of a giveaway really! It’s actually been a whole week of traditional English Fayre, not just pies but fish and chips and afternoon tea too. Well what can I say? I’ve simply been sampling what our country does best! I’ve also been lucky enough to enjoy a fine dining experience at the restaurant of a well known chef in Norwich where the menu featured a feast  of local produce prepared with a modern twist. Here are some of my highlights…

Earning my feed at Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe, home of Dickinson & Morris where they still make pork pies by hand

The Melton Cheeseboard is another one of the town’s traditional food stores. I’ve never tasted Red Leicester like the one they had here, it was bursting with flavour! The Stilton was pretty good too! Whiffy-licious!

There was a huge selection of eateries to choose from in Norwich, from stylish bistros to friendly gastro pubs. I would have worked up quite an appetite just trying to decide where to go! Thankfully the difficult decision was made for me as I was whisked off to Roger Hickman’s Restaurant by my host for the day, Mel from Visit Norwich. Although the restaurant is renowned for fine dining, it has a really relaxed and friendly atmosphere and the lunch time menu offers great value for menu, just £22 for three courses. I was even welcomed with a delicious amuse bouche to waken the taste buds ready for my three courses of foodie heaven!

Amuse bouche from Roger Hickman in Norwich: Ham hock with pea puree

Starter: Duck ballotine with fig chutney and fig puree

Main course: Roast chicken breast with pomme fondant, wild mushrooms and shallots

Dessert: Carrot cake with carrot caramel and creme fraiche sorbet

 And after that onslaught of culinary finery, back to basics with a delicious classic – not straight after you understand. Tastes better by the sea.   

Fish and Chips at Great Yarmouth sea front – it had to be done!

 Homemade meals on wheels. 

Bangers and beans in the camper van, see I do cook sometimes!

  Look at this! Tea, scones, cakes, finger sandwiches! It does not get any more scrumptiously English. 

Afternoon tea at Woburn Abbey where the English social tradition is said to have been invented by Duchess Anna Maria in the late 1830′s

We certainly know how to eat in England don’t we? Each week seems to be yummier than the last! Although I have to say, it will be great to get have a home cooked Sunday lunch with great big Yorkshire puds when I return from my travels! What’s your favourite English meal?

I’ve travelled a long way over the last week or so and my love of food has been taken to a whole new level! Here are some of my highlights from what can only be described as a list of guilty pleasures…

English breakfast… Blackpool style!

The cupcakes I made at Hey Little Cupcake in Manchester, not bad for a first attempt!

Ok, now check this out… It’s Manchester vs Food, a challenge you can take on at Southern Eleven, an American smokehouse restaurant in Manchester’s Spinningfields. If you finish it, you get it for free! Guess what? I paid! I told you it was a week of guilty pleasures…

The ‘meat easy’ sandwich at Southern Eleven in Manchester

As if I wasn’t feeling fat enough after that, I then came across the Yorkshire cake, biscuity, scone like delight known as a ‘Fat Rascal’ on a visit to Harewood House. After missing out this tasty treat at Betty’s tea rooms the week before I did not make the same mistake twice!

Fat Rascal and Clotted Cream, a Yorkshire favourite!

Ice-cream even the Italians would be jealous of! Our Cow Molly in Sheffield

Trying out real ale in Derby

Afternoon tea at the Cathedral Quarter Hotel, Derby

I had no idea that Derby was a such a foodie haven but as well as washing down my ale with fine local cheeses and savouring my first afternoon tea of the trip I also discovered a traditional leavened bread indigenous to Derbyshire, the mighty Pyclet, delicious warm with butter!

The Derby Pyclet Company hard at work in the market, I bought some made with fresh thyme

After so many calorific dishes I thought I better opt for the salad starter when I got to Birmingham!

My mouthwatering starter at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, Birmingham

I think I may need to go a bit healthier next week but with Melton Mowbray and traditional seaside towns on the route I think the chances of that happening are a lot slimmer than my waist right now!

Not just great food, fabulous views too!

As I travelled through East Yorkshire on my way to Hull I was introduced to a hidden gem that I simply have to tell you about! Drewton’s is a farm shop, deli and restaurant, it’s part of the Drewton’s Estate in South Cave near Brough and it’s foodie heaven! Continue Reading

Truffle-tastic!

With its Roman and Viking heritage, world class museums, stylish shopping and jam-packed events programme, York has never been short of things to see and do! But just for good measure it recently added another one to its list: Chocolate – York’s Sweet Story. Continue Reading

Ello

Really looking forward to this week. I’ll be following the torch relay from Birmingham to Chelmsford and taking in a lot on the way. Good job I’ve got Rosie to rest my head in each night because I’m going to be knackered, but happy!

Continue Reading