As many of you know, one of our signature winter dishes is the Stichelton, Walnut, Endive and Pear salad. Sweet, Sour, Salty and Bitter all on the same plate – a delicious winter palate cleanser capturing all four primary tastes and even adding some Umami with the crumbly Stichelton Cheese. Of course, the Stichelton is bought in but the other elements are all grown here …
This week we move over to “ground-pear” or Yakon as it is known in the Andes where it originates. Despite one of the best harvests for several years, our fresh pears have come to an end so this component will switch to Yakon that has a fresh pear flavour and crispness that works perfectly in the salad! These extraordinary plants were growing vigorously in the cut flower garden through the summer and autumn producing a generous display of soft green, tobacco-like leaves. Despite their Andean provenance, they are tender like Dahlias and all the top growth died the night of the first frosts two weeks ago…. Below ground, though, a different story as the bulbuls that will produce next year’s crop were growing in abundance together with the water/tap roots that comprise the edible crop. We are, perhaps, the only restaurant in the country to serve this delicious vegetable – do come and try the salad over the weekend!
A decidedly winter menu this week with Duck Confit and Fellow Deer Chilli Con Carne on the menu together with lots of Jerusalem Artichoke Soup,
Looking forward, our menu will turn more Christmas-like next weekend with Gravadlax and Christmas Puddings making a welcome return. Christmas Day itself will be a more luxurious affair – for anyone not yet decided, the menu and remaining tickets are available here.
Open as usual in the run up to Christmas, we look forward to welcoming you to share delicious food and drink here at the farm. The highlight this weekend will be on Sunday when our Roast, for the first time, will be an 18 Hour Smoked Cotswold Lion Hogget served with Cranberry Sauce, Potato Dauphinoise and Braised Red Cabbage – do come and join us!
