meltin grilled cheese: mouthwatering artisan cheese sandwiches in the midlands.

Melted grilled cheese oozing between a couple of slices of great quality bread. Sounds good, right? It's almost impossible to say no to a cheese toastie. Switch up the flavours, create some delicious combinations that complement a whole host of cheese varieties... and that's what Meltin Grilled Cheese do.

Based in the East Midlands, Meltin are touring the counties in their rice truck, one grilled cheese sandwich at a time. I went along to their recent Derbyshire launch, to same the latest flavour combinations as well as their heavenly mobile raclette grill. For the purposes of reviewing, of course.

homemade red leicester bread.

It's pretty good being a foodie in Midlands. From countryside farm shops to the vibrant cities, there are so many amazing flavours to whet your appetite. Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire is the home of the pork pie, you can find Colston Bassett Stilton in Nottinghamshire and Bakewell tarts in Derbyshire's Peak District. From beers in Burton-on-Trent to baltis in Birmingham, there's a lot to be said about the food and drink around these parts. So when Haven asked me to share a local delicacy, I was spoilt for choice.

In the end I went with classic Red Leicester; the infamous orange cheese which dates back to the 17th Century. It's found in supermarkets far and wide, but to get the proper hard, crumbly but creamy Red Leicester it needs to be traditional Sparkenhoe. To celebrate this fantastic Leicestershire cheese, I've created a Red Leicester bread - perfect accompanied with some local homemade chutney!

mill street pub & kitchen, oakham, rutland.

Found in the picturesque Rutland village of Oakham is newly opened Mill Street Pub & Kitchen. With a rustic exterior, fitting of Oakham's charm, the inside has been tastefully refurbished with contemporary finishes. Old meets new with grand chandeliers, countryside checks, oak furniture and plush quilted seating. The bar and restaurant has been take over by the EPIC group, to serve up seasonal menus, classy cocktails, local cask ales and Sunday lunch. They have seven newly decorated rooms upstairs too, making Mill Street the ideal location for dining, drinking and staying in the centre of Rutland.

the food market: gourmet eats and foodie treats to your door.

TheFoodMarket.com is a bustling online marketplace for foodies. Brimming with independent small companies and family businesses, here you'll find an array of foodie treats perfect for gifts - or for yourself! A place after my own heart, they describe themselves as fussy, in a good way. Browsing the site I can be assured that all the products have high quality natural ingredients and have been responsibly sourced - no nasties to be found here. They also have some really unusual products (seaweed gin anyone?) that will impress even the most seasoned of foodies. 

The lovely lot over at TheFoodMarket.com asked if I'd like to give the products a whirl, as well as host a rather cheesy giveaway for you guys too. 

fresh quality always at the co-op.

Fresh, quality, always. With more of us mindful of getting that all important 5-a-day, it’s fantastic news that the Co-op are pledging to cut their prices on fresh produce. The key is to provide fresh fruit and vegetables daily, that are both fab quality and at a much more competitive price. 

They’ll also be an extra special “Fresh 3” that are especially low in price; this week being lettuce, cucumber and carrots. 39p for a cucumber? Not bad, eh. Plus with a Co-op in every postcode (yes every postcode – I did not know this!) they’ll also be that extra little bit of convenience. Whilst I do love a farmer’s market, they just aren’t open as often as I need for a weekly or daily shop. I went along to the Cropwell Bishop store in Nottinghamshire to check out the produce and see what tasty meal I could rustle up with this week’s deals…

abel & cole box review.

For fresh fruit and vegetable boxes, Abel & Cole have got to be one of the most popular choices in the UK. I love scrolling through my Instagram feed seeing what other people have in their little boxes. Having found a brilliant introductory promo code, I thought I'd give them a go for a few weeks. It wasn't look before I was trying out their seafood offerings, fruit boxes and even a handful of complimentary treats from A&C themselves. I thought I'd put together a little review, for others who are thinking about getting their produce delivered to their door.

is your favourite deli or farm shop the best in the midlands?

is your favourite local deli or farm shop the best in the midlands? make yourself known! the bbc good food shows are calling for nominations from local foodies to find and crown the midlands' best deli or farm shop for 2014.

bbc good food show winter 2013.

the pastries have been baked, the juices have been squeezed, the cupcakes have been iced and the speciality spirits have been stacked with precision. not to mention the hundreds of cheese entries lovingly laid out for the world cheese awards 2013. that's right... the stalls were all set for the bbc good food show of winter 2013! i couldn't wait for my first visit, let alone my first time on the press list :) so here are a few of my favourite producers and brands from the show, as well as the food we enjoyed throughout the day. 

hello fresh: my second delivery box.

having really enjoyed the hello fresh box that i was sent review a month or so back, i decided to buy another to try :) the three-meal box contained a real mix of cuisine; genki yakitori, guilt-free fish and chips and herby chicken caesar salad. so since it was yet another box of tasty meals i thought i'd share it with you!

darts farm: locally grown, reared, baked and caught.

a rainbow of locally grown fruit and vegetables, an array of premium quality produce, an ocean of seafood delights and endless rows of bottles, boxes, jars, tubs and tins. not to mention sections for lifestyle, homeware, outdoor and gifts. oh and a health spa. can you believe this is all under one roof? i couldn't either. 

we just happened to be passing through on our way back to the midlands from our cornwall break when i thought it'd be nice to find somewhere interesting to have lunch rather than in a faceless service station. so i ran my battery down a considerable amount in researching places along the m5, a30, bristol, exeter way and ran it totally flat taking as many pictures as i could. 

i thought i'd stepped into foodie heaven.

field&flower: premium somerset produce from the farm to your door.

voted the best meat box 2012 in the independent, i recently heard about the brilliant (and building) reputation of field&flower. producing and delivering premium, free range, organic meat from their somerset based farm, field&flower have an array of options ranging from classic cuts of beef, good old british sausages and roasting joints to the more adventurous wood pigeon, venison and rabbit. (i'm really sorry my veggie and vegan friends but it's probably best you avert your eyes to some vegan and veggie recipes instead...) 

so off i went to browse their produce and research some recipes to try out that would bring out the extra special meat i was ordering :) on their site, there is the option to buy a regular or "one-off" balanced box of meat to suit your lifestyle or occasion - such as the family barbecue, the skinny, the slow roast, thrifty beef and the seasonal game. 

another option is to work on credits so you can pick your own. so for example with the small meat box which is £55 you get 85 credits; this could get you something like one large chicken, two rump steaks, two gammon steaks, one large beef mince, one small lamb mince, a pack of homemade somerset lamb burgers, pork and leek sausages and two packs of streaky bacon. there are sauces and condiments to go with each meat too!

it suited me to pick the meat individually as i just cook for myself and occasionally my boyfriend or housemates. i went with a 1kg boned and rolled pork belly joint for £10.35, 400g diced wild venison at £6.60 and four wild wood pigeon breasts at £6. as you can see it came in an ice box which kept it cool all day whilst i was at work. 

so, what did i make?

the mill wheel, hartshorne, derbyshire.

based in the east midlands between derbyshire, leicestershire and staffordshire, this lovely little place is a must go for a top sunday lunch. the inside is full of character with exposed brick, fireplaces and an original restored 28ft mill wheel turning in the building. as well as the rosette restaurant, there is also a well reviewed 4 aa star bed and breakfast alongside.

making the trek to the mill wheel even more worth while is the countryside setting of calke abbey and staunton harold reservoir which are beautiful to walk around. plus you can have the whole three course then and not feel one bit guilty... you've earnt it!

so we began both with the chicken liver pate with homemade chutney and crusty bread. i'm so glad i chose this too as i would have been so, so jealous.

for main, we had slow roast top rump of beef and yorkshire pudding and roast loin of derbyshire pork with creamed onions. (check out that crackling!) the roasts came with veg and "broccoli cheese" which was really yum. probably cancels out my five a day on that one though...

for the two courses, it is £13.95. but we thought... nah let's go for the three for £17.95. gorgeous sounding sweets included dark chocolate and amaretto torte with a blackcurrant parfait, crisp brandy snap basket filled with homemade italian style ice cream, light vanilla cheesecake with a sweet rhubarb and ginger preserve. i know what you're thinking right... just give me three sweet courses! 

the posh pantry, ashby-de-la-zouch.

this weekend i went back to my hometown of
ashby-de-la-zouch to visit family and friends. it was lovely - the castle looked stunning against the autumn backdrop and the christmas market lined the streets.

so when i came across the posh pantry in rushton's yard i was really excited to see what local delights it had to offer. the cute little place is split into two shops; one side full of local produce such as cheese, meats and olives,  with the other lovingly stacked with jars of condiments, interesting pasta, tins of posh biscuits, sweet treats and brilliant christmas gift ideas. you can even have hampers made up to order!

i just had to try something - so went for a cheeky packet of vanilla and walnut shortbread to have with a cup of tea when i got in from the cold. they were delightful - really crumbly and sweet with chunky bits of walnut - just how shortbread should be. 

i love seeing new businesses like this and really hope it does well. especially since i'm hoping to try their cheeses when i visit over christmas. so if you're ever passing ashby-de-la-zouch (yes it is a real place!) why not take a little look inside?

door to door cupcakes: the baking couple who deliver sweet treats direct to city offices.

Just like following Hansel and Gretel's trail of crumbs, office workers in need of a sugar hit can now go online to track the progress of a man delivering cakes across Derby.

Tony Jacobs visits offices with a wicker basket full of cupcakes and other sweet treats made by his wife, Victoria, that are for sale.

                                                     

And people can find out his location by logging on to the couple's website and looking at an interactive map tracking his progress.

Tony, 43, who delivers the cakes while Victoria, 39, spends the day baking, said: "Our specialities are traditional cakes like Victoria sponges and lemon drizzle cakes, but we've noticed cupcakes are becoming more popular.

"We like to keep it simple by doing three flavours and doing them well. We make hundreds of cakes a week in the flavours of vanilla, lemon and Belgian chocolate."

The couple, of Friar Gate, set up their company, Love Cakes, last year and began selling their bakery treats at Chesterfield market.

But their products have proved so popular that they no longer have time to run the stall, instead concentrating on orders and deliveries.

They pride themselves on natural British ingredients and do not use food colouring or any decorations that do not meet these requirements.

They use natural sugar sprinkles, homemade jams, get their eggs from Highfield Happy Hens in Etwall and fruit from Ted Corden's grocery in Derby Market Hall.

Tony said: "The other day we took an order for 18th birthday cupcakes with a homemade sugar photograph of the lad on his first day at school. We also once we had an order for 400 vanilla cupcakes and did them in the charity's colours. That was definitely an all-nighter."

They have a popular lime and coconut cake and their newest invention is Dancing Duck beer loaf cake, handmade with ale from Derby's Dancing Duck Brewery in Ashbourne Road.

This week their cake basket included Belgian chocolate loaf cake, apple and almond cake and vanilla cupcakes.

They also provide petit fours for the Mansion restaurant, in Midland Road, and take large orders for birthdays and weddings.

Much of their popularity has been through word of mouth and social networking site Twitter.

Tony said: "The amazing responses we get from around Derby always bring a smile. Victoria really has a passion for baking cakes and it really shows through in her little masterpieces."

For more information, log on to Love Cakes Derby ♥

Written for the Derby Telegraph and also posted on emily's recipes and reviews x

a slice of summer: food gusto festival

Forget digging to the back of the freezer for last year’s rocket lollies or declaring war on the spider family lurking in your dusty barbeque.
This summer, grab a slice of foodie heaven at the Food Gusto Festival this August Bank Holiday. All are welcome to nibble, glug, slurp and savour the best of British at the Appleby Magna event, which takes place at the stunning Sir John Moore Foundation on August 27.
Taste freshly cooked organic beef burgers, perhaps pig out on the tasty hog roast or get your five-a-day with a locally sourced vegetable box. For those with a sweet tooth, try Gopsell Farm’s famous apple crumble ice cream or discover the delights of Lou-la-belle’s charming cup cakes. Served, of course, with a cup of English Breakfast tea.
Or perhaps take a little piece of a Leicestershire country garden back with you. The Witches Garden is a North West Leicestershire herbery dedicated to knowing their fennel from figwart and mint from their marjoram.
Feeling inspired? Get stuck into The School of Artisan Food’s Cookery Demonstrations. Watch and learn how to make wood-fired bread, handraised pies, pates and terrines, Artisan chocolate and hedgerow cordials. You might even get a taste, if you’ve got any room left.
From 10-3pm, the festival is J11 of the M42. Free for children, £3 for adults or £2 with voucher from the Food Gusto website.
Pick up your copy of Leicestershire Life magazine for more about foodie events across the county.

from field to farmhouse: farndon fields.

Imagine sitting in a cosy farmhouse tearoom taking a bite of a deliciously warm roasted asparagus tart whilst sipping on an ice cold glass of Victorian lemonade. You think how convenient it would be if you could have it wrapped up, in a gingham napkin of course, and take it home for tea. Well, at Farndon Fields Farm Shop in Market Harborough you can.

Their try local, buy local shopping experience means that you can visit thinking you want a box of pretty pansies for your garden and discover they grow your favourite Leicestershire strawberries, all in one day.

It started back in 1983 when Kevin and Milly Stokes’s passion for potatoes and vegetables saw the opening of a small shop from their Market Harborough farm garage. By 1998 they had a purpose built farm shop extension, broadening their dairy selection, and making room for a locally stocked bakery.

Five years later and the 2000s saw the introduction of a butchery, cafe and plant centre to their 250 acre farm.

“It all started almost 28 years ago now and has quite literally grown ever since. We now grow over 40 different types of vegetables and 6 varieties of potato,” explained Milly.

Their homegrown seasonal produce currently includes a mouthwatering selection of raspberries, leeks and asparagus; which in this warm weather it can grow up to 6 inches during the night.

“We’ve had a great crop of strawberries this year as it’s been so hot and dry, which has made them really sweet. But then this proves a problem for growing potatoes, as they require really wet weather.”

Their assortment of cheeses for all seasons can be perfect accompanied by a range of alcohol, which boasts Langston Brewery beer, Welland Valley wine and Melton Mowbray Sloe Gin. With their Mediterranean inspired deli opening in the next few weeks, knowledgeable Deli Manager Liz has been sourcing tasty treats from chorizo and salami to an appetising olive bar.

“We’ve recently bought 9 pigs and feeding them on our waste vegetables hoping to begin selling our own pork. So watch this space,” Milly continued.

“Our staff have such good product knowledge and are always providing recipe ideas and hosting food tasters. Next week we’re going to be trialing some curry causes made locally for people to sample.”

Whilst Mike, their butcher, sources the very best of local lamb from Greenfields at Twycross, sponge cake expert Kim is busy in the baking fresh chocolate cakes and Victoria sponges every day for the cafe. Not to mention their cupcakes to conserves and juices to jams that fly off the shelves each week.

And food miles? Well, there are none. Nil, zilch, zero. Everything they sell is either produced by them on the farm or sourced from local farmers and experts around Leicestershire and the Midlands.

“This is what real local should be. We aim to give people a really personal shopping experience and get to taste allsorts of great Midlands produce. We like people to say ‘oh I really like this where can I get it?’ and then instantly be able to rustle one up for them to takeaway.”

“It’s just all about the fascinating process from growing the produce to eating it later on that day.”

Read more about other foodie gems in the Midlands here at Great Food Magazine.

the sweet taste of success: my trip to a leicestershire dessert factory.

You might have enjoyed a Torta Della Nonna at an Italian restaurant – that may have been one of Vittles’.

You might have nibbled on a Banana and Honeycomb cupcake in a cafe – that could have been one of Vittles’.

And you might have indulged in a slice of Chocolate Junkyard from your local supermarket – that very possibly was one of Vittles’.

Leicester-based family business Vittles are the undercover stars of the baking world. You’ve loved the products, but you’ve probably never heard the name. That’s because they modestly make their cakes for other people, and stay out of the limelight themselves.

And who would’ve thought that this booming business of delectable desserts had it’s humble beginnings 24 years ago in a two bedroom terraced house on Fairfield Street, South Wigston?

“Back then in our tiny terrace, we had to dismantle the oven and rebuild it inside as we struggled to even fit it through our front door”, said Julie Zalesny, founder and Managing Director of the business.

“We were making desserts for corner shops, pubs, coffee shops and delicatessens.

“Sixth months later we opened our first 1000sq ft factory and have since purpose built this 18,000 sq ft production line to create our desserts on an industrial scale.”

Now, as a crumbly cheesecake base is carefully measured into baking tins, next door endless rows of tangy lemon tarts are being iced, sliced and carefully placed in boxes ready for distribution to restaurants, hoteliers and food wholesalers all over Britain.

The Humberstone Lane business has recently signed a contract with a worldwide famous brand that will almost certainly double their turnover.
(No, they can’t say who it is.)

“Today we’re making around 350 to 400 cheesecakes, which is an average day for us. It ta

kes about a quarter of a ton of mix”, said Liam Skinner, Bakery Production Supervisor, as he proudly inspected the finished layer. This sweet smelling bakery section is responsible for the beginnings of cakes, sponges and biscuit bases.

Leading the overall team is Operations Director Peter Simpson, who has worked under the Roux brothers in London. “We probably make between around 1,000 to 2,000 cakes a day, not to mention all our other products. Though our Tarte au Citron is by far the favourite dessert that we do”, he said.

This lemon luxury is handmade using Spanish lemon fresh cream made from real fruit and dusted with fine sugar. It scooped a gold star at the 2010 Great Taste Awards along with their traditional Swiss recipe country carrot cake.

It isn’t just the lemon tart that is so lovingly prepared with such fine ingredients. From mousses to "mulsters", the array of afters are made from fresh British cream, cream cheese and dairy produce. It’s all British – apart from the organic Fairtrade chocolate, which is from Belgium.

The spotless British Retail Consortium BRC Grade A accredited factory employs around 40 staff, some of whom have been there since the very beginning. Hayley Giles, has worked there for 14 years dusting, sprinkling, delicately decorating and painstakingly trimming the finished products. Now I watch as she places mouthwatering mandarin segments on an Orange and Whiskey roulade.

With their “traditionally influenced innovations”, Vittles make lip-smacking sweets from Blueberry Crème Brûlée to Bread and Butter Tart and Chocolate Eclair Cake to Chocolate Trifle Mousse. Not to mention their appetising Asian inspired Matcha Tea Pudding, made with fresh cream and infused with a fragrant green tea.

What’s more, Vittles’ are seeing in the Spring with their new addition to the foodie family, Flowerpot Muffins. These dainty delights are a garden of gourmet cupcakes, which come in blueberry, chocolate chip or muesli.

So next time you’re digging into that double chocolate muffin, chomping on that cherry cheesecake or munching on some Millionaire’s shortbread, think of Vittles. It could be your exotic dessert is actually a little taste of Leicester.

Served with cream, of course.

http://www.vittlesfoods.co.uk/

Written by me for Leicestershire Life magazine's new food supplement, which makes it's debut this June.

Photo credit to Leicester Mercury Media Group.