A last taste of summer

Autumn has well and truly arrived this week, hasn't it?   I hope you are all keeping warm and dry.  It is certainly the season for slow cooking and I am going to be experimenting with lots of new ideas in the coming weeks - so keep watching.

But for now, I want to show you what you can do with one of our frying pans and relive those (few) days of summer that passed too quickly.

A tomato tart to brighten your day.

                               

Take the handles off your pan, as this is going to go into the oven.  The oven which you will already have pre-heated to around 190ºC. Or use one of our oven safe pans
Place the pan on the hob and gently warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil and a knob of butter.
Halve enough ripe and juicy tomatoes to fill the pan and place these cut side down in the oil and butter.
Scatter over some fresh thyme and marjoram, a teaspoon of sugar and a good sprinkling of salt.  Drizzle in a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and cook for about 5 minutes.



Roll out some pastry - I used half a pack of Sainsbury's all butter puff pastry - and place it over the tomatoes.  Tuck in the edges and place in the oven.

Cook for around 15-20 minutes until the pastry is golden

Place a large plate ( there will be juice to catch!) over the tart and invert the pan to turn out the tart.

Garnish with basil and serve immediately.

Netherton Foundry Shropshire 2012 ©

www.netherton-foundry.co.uk



Gold medals

Well, the Olympics and Paralympics are now over and it seems very strange not to be checking the news for the latest Team/Paralympic GB gold medal.
Wasn't it fantastic?  There may have been those who doubted we could do it, but I have to say I thought that the London Games couldn't have been bettered.  The performances by the athletes were matched by the efficiency and friendliness of the Games Makers and all the members of the Armed Forces, who came to the rescue at the eleventh hour.  Seb Coe got it right when he said last night that "Made in Britain" is an indication of quality.

I managed to get tickets for the final of the ladies football at Wembley, which was played to the biggest ever crowd for a ladies match - the atmosphere was electric and everyone had a brilliant time.  We certainly got to see plenty of medals, with a presentation to each and everyone of the Bronze, Silver and Gold winning teams. I wouldn't have missed it for the world and hopefully it's an experience the kids will  never forget.  We have met so many people from overseas who have complimented GB on the success of the Games, so let's hope that the feel good factor and sense of pride nad achievement will stay with us and lift us out of the doldrums.

We too have got our very own gold medal - albeit made of chocolate, but we too can proudly say "Made in Britain" and get a sense of satisfaction knowing that it really does mean quality, service and innovation.

This was the fantastic window display at Below Stairs in Ambleside If you thought that the Lake District was just full of climbing and walking shops, think again and go and visit this great family owned Cook Shop, full of great products and run by a fabulous and friendly team.  If it's history you're after, then you'll be intrigued to know that the shop is located on the ground floor of the building where William Wordsworth once sold stamps.  I love going to visit, because I know that  I will always be made welcome and that there is always something to catch my eye.  We are delighted that Ros and her team are stocking the Netherton Foundry range.

We all know that the Lake District is a wonderful place to visit, but I want you to add Below Stairs to your list of attractions - there's more than lakes and mountains up there!

I know that they have actually sold this particular slow cooker already, but what I want to know is "who ate the medal?"