Chicken, Fennel & Apple Pasta Salad

Photo: © childsdesign

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Chicken goes so well with creamy textures and the aniseed flavour of tarragon and fennel.
Our salad uses tarragon mayonnaise to create an unctuous herbal sauce which combines with pieces of crunchy tangy apple.

View recipe

Traditional Taste: Turkey on test

Photo: © childsdesign

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Christmas can be stressful enough for most of us, what with all the presents to find and wrap, not forgetting someone on the card list and then there's the food preparations to be made.

Read full review

We are pleased to award Morton's Traditional Taste our 'Artisan Food Trail Approved' status 

for their Free Range Bronze Turkey.

To find out more about Morton's Traditional Taste visit their page 
on The Artisan Food Trail here.

Small business, small budget, no problem.

If you’re visiting the Farm Business Innovation Show at the NEC, Birmingham on the 9th and 10th November and are interested in getting the best out of your limited marketing budget, we invite you to attend the Small Business Marketing On An Even Smaller Budget seminar.

Graham Childs, co-founder of The Artisan Food Trail will be talking about how getting your name out there should be your first priority.
Surprisingly this part is often forgotten about and barely budgeted for in a new business, so how do you get people beating a path to your door?

The seminar will look at how online marketing and social media can get you seen by your prospective customers and clients, helping to build your brand’s recognition.
Your business can hold its own amongst much bigger businesses with much bigger budgets.
All it takes is a little time and effort, a simple strategy and a want to win.

When The Artisan Food Trail began back in 2011 it was a seed of an idea with a starting budget of less then £50 plus lots of creativity and tenacity!

The seminar takes place on Thursday 10th November in Food Theatre 2 at 11.45am. The seminar is completely free to attend but spaces are limited so arrive early to secure your seat.
If you'd like to meet us at the show please visit our stand 1480.

Tickets to the Farm Business Innovation show are FREE just register to attend on the website: www.farmbusinessshow.co.uk

Meet us at the Farm Business Innovation Show

We’re looking forward to exhibiting at the Farm Business Innovation Show and we’re busy preparing everything we need for the two day event on 9th – 10th November at the NEC, Birmingham.

The Farm Business Innovation show is actually a combination of three shows (all in the one place) – Rural Entrepreneur Live, Country House Business Innovation and Holiday Park & Resort Innovation.

Under one roof, over two days this will be the only place in the UK a rural land or business owner can source information and advice on funding, grants, planning, new products, new services, new ideas, troubleshooting, business tips, marketing tools, networking, inspiring keynote sessions, like-minded professionals, potential partnerships and so much more. Visitors go into their next venture fully equipped!

The show is aimed at a variety of people primarily in the rural sector
looking to bring in more money, either from their land or property and much more besides.
The Artisan Food Trail sits nicely into this area which is the reason that the show organisers asked us to team up with them and become a partner.

Not only will there be over 300 suppliers exhibiting but also over 150 free seminars all with your business in mind. Our very own co-founder Graham Childs will be talking on the first day and we'll be posting more details at a later date.

Who should visit The Artisan Food Trail stand?

The Artisan Food Trail promotes and champions small and artisan food and drink producers throughout the United Kingdom. We create awareness of your brand and your produce.
By supporting your businesses with a number of member benefits we can help make running your business easier and more cost effective.

You…

• have a small artisan food or drink business or are thinking of starting one (you could become a member)
• are looking for a branding and design service
• need a website
• need help with social media
• need professional photography (food, product and reportage are our speciality)
• have a farm shop/deli and are looking for suppliers to complement your own products
• own a restaurant, café etc. and are looking for suppliers of top quality products with provenance
• run (or thinking of opening) a cookery school (you could also be a member and benefit from promotion as well as help with equipment)

As you can see, we offer a wide range of services and you don’t need to be a member of The Artisan Food Trail to take advantage of them.
Even if you don’t see exactly the thing that fits your description above, you can still come and talk to us. We’ve found out ourselves, that you never know who you’re going to meet at these types of events and often a conversation can lead to a positive outcome.

Visit us on stand 1480 to find out how we can help you

The show is completely FREE to attend and all you need to do is register for
your ticket.
Visit the website for the show you are interested in where you’ll find a link
to register.
www.farmbusinessshow.co.uk
www.ruralentrepreneur.co.uk
www.countryhouseinnovation.co.uk
www.holidayparkshow.co.uk

National Curry Week: 10th – 16th October 2016

Curry is undeniably a favourite dish in Britain, so just as well it’s National Curry Week!
We're certainly not short of producers of the spicy persuasion on The Artisan Food Trail, so what better time to focus on those that make exotic flavours their speciality.

© Spice Kitchen

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Spice Kitchen
For making those gorgeous aromatic curries, the freshest spices are needed and Spice Kitchen from Britain's curry capital, Birmingham have everything that's on your shopping list.
They are true artist in that everything is hand selected, hand ground and blended and then hand packed making sure that you receive your spices in optimum condition.
Find out more about Spice Kitchen

© Holy Lama Naturals

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Holy Lama Spice Drops
Maybe having lots of dry spices in the cupboard is not your thing, so Holy Lama Spice Drops have come up with an innovative approach to flavouring foods.
They have cleverly extracted the pure and natural essence of spices and concentrated them into tiny bottles. Just a few drops will give an amazing and effortless flavour to your dishes.
Find out more about Spice Drops

Cookbooks
Are you looking for some cooking inspiration? Alan Coxon's Birmingham to Bombay book is filled with lots of delicious Indian recipes gleaned from his travels through the Punjab, Amritsar, Goa and Bombay.
Visit the website to find out more and to buy

Photo: © childsdesign

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Rummage through our recipes

Ragini's Chicken Curry (Cari Poule)

Chicken & Spinach Curry
Aloo Mutton Shakkarwala (Caramelised Lamb Curry)
Spiced Lentil Soup with Lime & Mint
Fragrant Coconut Chicken with Mustard Seeds
Mutta Roast (Egg Roast)

For further information about National Curry Week
www.nationalcurryweek.org.uk

Chocolate Week: 10th – 16th October 2016

Whether it's sweet and milky or bitter and dark, chocolate is very popular all over the world, in fact, Britain ranks sixth in the chart of chocolate lovers, consuming on average, 7.6kg per person per year.
It seems almost everyone enjoys chocolate in one way or another, although we do know of one person that says they don't like it!

This week is Chocolate Week and a good reason to focus on our producers on The Artisan Food Trail who either make it or use it in some way to create the most delicious sweet treats.

Photo: © childsdesign

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Pure Chocolate
Mortimer Chocolate Company
For the best tasting cakes, homemade confections and of course a delicious hot drink, Mortimers have perfected powders in a range of different origin chocolates such as West African and Ecuador.
Find out more about Mortimer Chocolate Company

© Hibiscus Lily

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Confectionery
Raw Nibbles
For devotees of raw food, Raw Nibbles produce a range of raw chocolate bars as well as other treats such as a very rich brownie.

Fudge Kitchen
From creamy fudge to fudge sauces, Fudge Kitchen has got it covered including chocolate varieties. From a very grown up Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt to a nostalgic Black Forest Gateau Fudge.
Find out more about Fudge Kitchen

Hibiscus Lily
Aside from their condiments and preserves, Hibiscus Lily also creates fudge including Chocolate & Walnut and Chilli Chocolate.
Find out more about Hibiscus Lily

Photo : © childsdesign

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Cakes and bakes
#brownies
The ultimate in gorgeous gooey brownies (dark chocolate) and blondies (white chocolate). There's such a broad range and almost too many to list! We loved the Candied Orange and the Peppermint & Chilli.

Love at First Bake
Wonderful gluten free cakes, perfect for teatime or anytime! You could have a large layer cake or small mini loaf cake. From Chocolate & Beetroot to Peanut Butter & Chocolate and everything in between.
There are also muffins like Cherry Chocolate or just Simply Chocolate. We really like the Raspberry & White Chocolate.

Monkeypoodle Cake Company
Handmade gluten free cakes that everyone will enjoy. Indulge in a Triple Chocolate cupcake, a gooey, sticky brownie or push the boat out with a big cake in Chocolate Chestnut.

Samphire
Don't be fooled when you visit their page and see lots of pork pies and sausages, Samphire also make their very popular Chocolate Tiffin.
Find out more about Samphire

© Simply Ice Cream

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Ice Cream
Simply Ice Cream
Silky smooth and creamy and ever so dreamy try the Divine Chocolate ice cream.

© Susannah's Sauces

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Sauces and spreads
Susannah's Sauces
Spectacular Chocolate Spread is delicious on bread or toast, on ice cream, pancakes or as a filling for cakes. It can even be stirred into hot milk for a delicious hot drink.

© The Tipsy Tart

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Drinks
The Tipsy Tart
For a different way to consume chocolate, The Tipsy Tart have the solution with their alcoholic drinks. Try either a dark or white chocolate vodka. Guaranteed to make the party go of with a bang!

Rummage through our recipes

Chocolate Mousse
Chocolate Brownies
Chocolate Orange Fudge Torte
Chocolate & Beetroot Cake
Ginger & Apricot Tiffin
Coloradito – Chicken or Pork with Red Mole Sauce
(this is a savoury dish with chocolate in it!)


For further information about Chocolate Week
(If you'd like to know more about the history, facts and figures on chocolate we can highly recommend hitting the 'About Chocolate' tab)
www.chocolateweek.co.uk

Seafood Week: 7th – 14th October 2016

Did you know that it's recommended to eat two portions of seafood each week?
Fish is high in protein and low in calories so eating it will help you keep in good health. But more importantly it tastes great and as there are so many types of seafood to choose from, there are almost endless opportunities to enjoy it.

We're celebrating Seafood Week which runs from 7th – 14th October 2016 which we thought would be a fantastic way to showcase some of the more fishy things on The Artisan Food Trail.
From products to recipes there's so much to enjoy and we hope you'll join in by supporting our food producers.

© Thule Ventus

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© Thule Ventus

The fish

Try some salted dried fish from
Thule Ventus. Everything is handmade up in Shetland where the fresh cool wind blows for a superior product.
The fish is caught right off the Shetland coast ensuring it is the freshest it can be before being salted and preserved.
Soak the fish before using in your cooking and if you need some recipe ideas, have a look on the Thule Ventus website.
Find out more about Thule Ventus

© The Artisan Smokehouse

Smoked salmon is a popular treat and is expertly handmade prepared by The Artisan Smokehouse in Suffolk. They produce both cold and hot smoked salmon using their own curing recipe.
The salmon is sustainably and ethically reared in the cold, wild seas off Shetland.
Smoking over maple wood in small batches produces a succulent and subtly smoky result.
Find out more about The Artisan Smokehouse

Perfect partners for fish

Oils

The oils we mention here are not so much for frying but more for drizzling and flavouring.

Max Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil pressed from olives grown on the family orchards in Puglia Italy.
Donna Lucia Riserva signature single estate extra virgin olive oil is very good drizzled over fish.
Infused olive oil are also available in oregano, basil, rosemary, chilli, garlic, lemon or orange varieties.
Find out more about Max Olive Oil

Old Forge Larder
RG17 Rooksnest Estate cold pressed rapeseed oils grown and pressed in Berkshire. As well as plain you could try an infused oil in either Lemon, or Garlic.
Find out more about Old Forge Larder

Yare Valley Oils
Extra virgin cold pressed rapeseed oils grown and pressed in Norfolk. Available in plain or infused; Natural Lemon, Garlic & Rosemary or Oak Smoked.
Find out more about Yare Valley Oils

Condiments & Sauces

We're not saying fish is boring, but there are times when you may want to add a little extra pizazz to your dinner. Here are some products we've selected to help liven up mealtimes.

Capsicana
Go Latin American and add zing to seafood with Capsicana's Cook Sauces. The Peruvian Chilli & Lemon or the Brazilian Chilli & Coconut are particularly good with fish.
Find out more about Capsicana

Edible Ornamentals
Dunk some prawns into their Sweet Chilli Sauce or if you dare, try the Pure Heat Chilli Sauce or Inferno Chilli Sauce.
Find out more about Edible Ornamentals

Hibiscus Lily
A little spice, a little sweet, choose from a variety of chutneys. The Spiced Apple & Lemon is fabulous with oily fish like mackerel.
Find out more about Hibiscus Lily

The Hungry Guest
All handmade by expert chefs, The Hungry Guest makes a wide variety of preserves, pestos and sauces suited to seafood.
Find out more about The Hungry Guest


Womersley Foods
These speciality fruit and herb vinegars are steps up from your classic malt vinegar with just fish and chips. Add a zesty kick to seafood with their Lemon. Basil, Bay & Juniper Vinegar – it's superb drizzled over salmon before baking in the oven.
Find out more about Womersley Foods

Get Spicy

When you really want to make a meal of it, these products will take your seafood dishes to new heights.

Spice Drops
Try pure natural extract of herbs and spices for an effortless way to add different flavours to seafood dishes. Spice Drops have a variety of recipe ideas on their website.
Find out more about Spice Drops

Spice Kitchen
From single spices to exotic spice blends, Spice Kitchen has a wide variety to make any fish dish more exciting.
Find out more about Spice Kitchen

Photo: © childsdesign

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Rummage through our recipes

Salmon Goujons for Dipping
Spiced Mackerel with Fennel Slaw
Grilled Mackerel with Pepper Salad
Fennel & Lemon Butter Dressing (for fish)
Cajun Salmon with Mango Salsa & Beany Rice
Hot Pepper Prawns with Caramelised Cauliflower
Octopus & Chorizo Salad
Sea Bass with Sizzled Ginger, Chilli and Spring Onion


For further information about Seafood Week
www.fishisthedish.co.uk/seafoodweek
www.seafish.org/eating-seafood/seafood-week
#SeafoodWeek on Facebook and on Twitter