Who doesn’t love a chocolate cake? For me, it is the ultimate celebration cake, a real treat for high days and holidays. And to be fair, it is the ultimate comfort food as well, so let’s face it, chocolate cake is an all-rounder! Inspired by a recipe in Green & Black’s Chocolate Recipes, I made this luxurious chocolate cake flavoured with Moon Gazer Ale’s Bouchart Norfolk Mild beer. The result was a wonderfully moist, rich, chocolate cake that tastes wonderful on its own but would be just as enjoyable with some whipped cream. As with many cakes, my chocolate Bouchart…
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Continue ReadingOld Hall Farm in Woodton isn’t just about their rare breed pork and beef – their raw Jersey cream and milk can be used in many ways and I have made the perfect dish for the change in the weather right now – a rice pudding. I think we all have those memories of school rice pudding with a spoonful of jam in the middle and, having fallen out of love with it, I now rate a chilled rice pudding as one of my ultimate desserts. Part of the beauty of the milk from Old Hall Farm is that several…
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Continue ReadingThis year has definitely been the year of cancellations, so it was with great relief that on that ridiculously wet Friday at the end of September, I found myself returning to one of my favourite places in Norfolk, Brasted’s. Known across Norfolk and beyond, Brasted’s has been the backbone of the local food and drink scene for so many years. Like many, Brasted’s and its events company, Complete & Utter Brasted’s, has been hit hard this year, with weddings postponed, the Suffolk Show and Royal Norfolk Shows cancelled, and much more besides. Arriving at the restaurant to meet my friend,…
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Continue ReadingThe ultimate in comfort food, this beef and mushroom casserole has the addition of dumplings, making it a perfect one-pot feast. I used Old Hall Farm’s own Jersey/Angus cross beef in this recipe, and not only did the meat melt in the mouth, the flavour was incredible. Serve with savoy cabbage and greens for a healthy and delicious autumnal dinner. INGREDIENTS 1kg Old Hall Farm braising beef 3 round shallots, sliced 1 celery stick, sliced 2 cloves of smoked garlic, finely sliced 2 bay leaves 2 sprigs rosemary 3 sprigs thyme 200ml red wine Around 20 white peppercorns 500ml beef…
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Continue ReadingPassionate, honest, down to earth – and a Norfolk boy through and through – are all ways to describe one of the county’s most endearing chefs, Richard Bainbridge. Famed for his days behind the stove at Morston Hall, as well as winning our hearts on Great British Menu, Richard achieved his ultimate goal as he opened the doors to his own restaurant, Benedicts, five years ago. I spoke with Richard about his culinary life, the power of following your dreams, and how he and his wife, Katja, have pressed the reset button in the wake of the pandemic. “I kid…
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Continue ReadingThe Boars in Spooner Row has a rich history within Norfolk, especially since Chef Patron Simon Turner and his partner Jenny Hay took over 18 months ago. With the lockdown rules easing, Simon invited me along to check out their food and I took my parents as well so that we could enjoy the full Boars experience. And we were not disappointed. Simon Turner is perhaps best known in Norfolk for the Elm Hill Brasserie, a very popular eatery and where Simon honed his skills as a chef. Having spent time in France as a child, as well as living…
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Continue ReadingThe first interview in my The Norfolk Foodie series is with Jane Steward of Eastgate Larder, producer of the fantastic Eastgate Larder medlar jelly, cheese and spicy chutney that so many of us know and love. Jane is passionate about all things Norfolk, so much so that her ‘gift’ to the county is having her medlar orchards awarded National Collection status by Plant Heritage. This will ensure that not only will Norfolk continue to be recognised for this iconic status, but that the medlar fruit will take its place in the forefront of peoples’ minds once more. “I owe my…
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Continue ReadingThere is something special about the foodie people of Norfolk. I guess that everyone can say that about their own area – but Norfolk is truly unique. There is a pull here like no other, those that leave almost invariably return. And along with the amazing life that those of us who live here get to enjoy, with almost 100 miles of stunning coast to explore, lush green fields and open spaces, and the vibrant city of Norwich, there is the region’s own celebrated food and drink. From Norfolk saffron to the amazing medlar fruit of Eastgate Larder, which was…
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Continue ReadingOx cheeks – and beef cheeks – are amazing cuts of meat. When slow cooked, the become incredibly tender and melt in the mouth. Although the weather is warming up outside, the evenings are still cool enough to enjoy this delicious meal. This recipe easily feeds a family of four, with leftovers for another day. INGREDIENTS4 ox cheeks – ask your butcher to remove as much fat as possibleYare Valley rapeseed oil3 shallots, quartered3 or 4 bay leaves2 celery stalks, chopped2 large carrots, slicedA generous helping of white peppercornsDried parsley & fresh thyme500ml good red wineA beef stock potBoiling water…
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Continue ReadingNorfolk Online is a new website celebrating all things Norfolk, and I am delighted to be their food and drink columnist. The site went live last year, and you can read my columns here. The are also features focusing on business and career, fashion and style, healthy and beauty, home and leisure, and out and about. Bookmark the site today and enjoy this one-stop portal for Norfolk.