STOP PRESS - New pie alert!

Drum roll please...... may I introduce you to our new pie 'Slow roasted pork with Bramley apple and stuffing in a cider gravy' - although I'm sure we'll come up with a more catchy name soon! We introduced this pie yesterday at Frome Market and customers have already reported back - it's a winner!  

We ensure each pie is generously filled and topped with stuffing before sealing the lid and adding Nigella seeds.  Every single pie is individually made and finished, no machines here just environmentally friendly re usable pie containers which get washed up (thanks Mum!) that are then ready for the next batch.

We'll be at Whiteladies Road market on Saturday and Wells Food Festival on Sunday so come and try one before they sell out fast!

An Indian Summer?

It's been very busy throughout the summer at Snowdrop Cottage.  Whilst the weather has been somewhat variable at times, today whilst I ate my breakfast the sun streamed through the windows whilst a low mist hung on the hills and an Autumnal nip was in the air - apparently we're set to have an Indian summer - hurrah!  The girls are now back at School and quiet descends on the house enabling lists to be made and chores to be caught up on.

At the start of the summer we welcomed some 'new girls' into our home, or perhaps more accurately into their home under the Quince tree at the bottom of the garden.

We have four 'Lowmans' - like the one above who has been named Sneaky for her persistent ability to escape constantly only to be found pulling the lettuces to pieces in the kitchen garden!  We also have a 'Cream Legbar' (Hermione) who will lay lovely blue eggs and another gorgeous girl whose breed we're not sure of, that will lay us green eggs (Pip). They've settled in really well and my youngest daughter loves nothing more than checking eagerly for any eggs laid whilst rewarding then for being so clever with very enthusiastic cuddles.

We're lucky to live in the heart of the countryside so we often take walks around the village and across the fields.  The girls love checking to see whether the damsons and blackberries are ripe enough to pick or throwing sticks into a nearby tree to release the ripe apples into eager mouths!

This is the view across the village and out towards the start of the Cotswolds hills

Such a gorgeous plant!  

Today though, a chance to breathe and catch breath before another hectic weekend ahead. Do take a look at our events page and come and say hello if you're nearby, we'd love to see you!

Christmas at Snowdrop Cottage

Christmas has arrived at Snowdrop Cottage!

We've been really busy at Snowdrop Cottage HQ over the last few weeks planning, prepping and tasting our new range.  We've a few new marmalades for you - a wonderfully boozy Orange and Whisky as well as our Ruby Red Grapefruit and Vodka for those wanting a little extra oomph!  Of course we have our traditional marmalades too for those who like a traditional offering or feel they have enough Christmas mojo without the need for extras!

Back by popular demand we bring you our delicious Christmas Puddings. Our Traditional pudding is made with butter, bramley apples and of course lashings of Brandy. We also have our 'Gingerbread & Cranberry' Christmas pudding with cranberries, toasted pecans and oranges.  Each one it goes without saying is made with Shipton Mill Organic Flour and our free range eggs.  Deliciously light and moorish they've become a must for many Christmas tables over the last few years.  This year we've even had new labels designed which I hope you'll love as much as we do!

Of course Christmas is a hectic time for so many of us, so with this in mind we offer some fabulous gift ideas.  Our gift boxes can be filled with a choice of three preserves, chutneys or honey or if you're looking for something a little larger we can also offer you our hamper, complete with bow and gift tag, wrapped and ready to give. These proved very popular last year and are very versatile.

Please come and see us at any of our events we're attending up to Christmas, or if we're not local to you we're happy to post - just drop us a line!  We're kicking off our first event at Henleaze Festival on Wednesday 3rd December so come a long and say hello!

Hedgerow Foraging

Foraging it has to be said is in my blood.  My mother as a young girl would climb into a cart pulled by the family farm horse and with friends and relatives and an ample picnic would set off on the annual Autumn 'nutting party'.  It was an event which was eagerly anticipated by both young and old although keen eyes were needed to spot tricky nuts hidden under leaves.  

We don't have 'nutting parties' anymore unfortunately (boo, hiss), but that's not to say our countryside isn't bursting with berries and other delectable goodies waiting to be discovered.  With my children at school, a beautiful warm and sunny day and a few hours to spare, the hedgerows started calling.

Hiking boots on (stinging nettle defenders in my case), with bags at the ready it was time for the off. Walking along the country lanes, the sun on my face with peace and quiet, I felt quite simply - happy.  This year the hedgerows were almost groaning under the weight of the fruits and within a couple of hours I'd picked 3kgs of the most beautiful, dark jeweled berries, a handsome reward for the odd sting I reckon! 

That evening I strained the berries which had been cooked until soft, a wonderful mix of blackberries, elderberries and sloes and then started the jelly making process.  For my efforts I was rewarded with 4 jars of jelly, not a huge amount but the fun certainly made up any shortfall!  In the back of my cupboard I'd noticed a rather dusty bottle.  Closer inspection of the label read 'Sloe vodka, 2007, Solsbury Hill, Bath', so if you happen to bag a jar of this jelly you'll notice a slug of this ruby offering has been added to each jar!!  Next week I'll be venturing into the fields again to pick some more, what a fantastic way to spend a morning!

Whiteladies Road and Tobacco Factory Markets

Our delicious sweet potato, wilted spinach & goats cheese pie!

The weather is looking rather good for the weekend and already we're thinking about what we're going to bake for our lovely customers.  This weekend we have a surprise in stall though... a new pie for our vegetarian customers.  At Whiteladies Road market (click here for details) we'll be bringing you our:

 'Beetroot, potato and creme fraiche pie'

  We've already given it a road test and we think it's rather wonderful, but we'd like you to let us know what you think!  We'll also be there with our rather renowned 'tipsy' bread pudding.

We ensure our fruit is steeped in our alcohol of choice overnight to bring you a decadent treat for your weekend.

We'll be at the Tobacco Factory (click here for info) on Sunday once again, we're thrilled to have a regular spot at this popular market and can't wait to meet new customers.  We'll have all our freshly baked goods to keep you well fed and a selection of our award winning preserves and marmalades.

Enquiries have already started flooding in for our Elderflower Cordial - we were overwhelmed with the success of our cordial and  within 6 weeks all our supplies had sold out! This time we'll be out in force picking as much elderflower as possible to ensure lots of satisfied customers. Keep an eye out from May onwards!

Tyndall's Monument

Image from Wikipedia

Sunday brought not only fabulous weather, but also my in laws from North Devon, up for the day to visit their grandchildren.  Snowdrop Cottage is a small Victorian affair and what it lacks in space we like to think it makes up for in charm but after a substantial Sunday lunch it was clear more space was required in the form of the great outdoors.  We're very lucky to live in an area which commands many great walks, although one of our favorites is to Tyndall's Monument in North Nibley.

It's a couple of miles walk through lovely woodland before the landscape opens up and Tyndall's monument stands before you.  There were plenty of people out with young children, dogs and picnic blankets all to take advantage of the warm sunshine.  We found many treasures a long the way including a hard fungus growing from a tree which our youngest child quickly commandeered as their own and refused to let go for most of the way.

It really is a lovely walk and well worth a visit should you find yourself in the area.

Pancake Day!

It's shrove Tuesday today!!!  At Snowdrop Cottage it's with some trepidation that I welcome such an event.  As someone who rarely measures ingredients and prefers a more spontaneous method of cookery my husbands eyes roll as throw the concoction know as a 'pancake batter' together.  Although quite proficient with marmalade making, pancakes elude me somewhat, usually turning out thick, flabby and slightly curled at the edges.  My children however only see perfection and delight in smothering then with fresh lemon juice and copious amounts of vanilla sugar.  Will next year show an improved version of my pancake?  No, the tradition will continue and eventually maybe my husband will take over the job!

Is Spring here?

Sssshhhh, I do believe there may be a hint of Spring around the corner?  On my run today there were an abundant supply of Snowdrops and daffodils poking their head up and the very first signs of spring blossom starting to form.  Just feeling the sun on your face seems to brighten everything in a day .... even our dreaded car repair bills!!! Take a look at these amazing Snowdrops we spotted the other day!