Fennel & Lemon Butter Dressing

Photo: © childsdesign

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Fennel has such an interesting flavour and is also such a versatile herb.
The seeds, leaves, stems and flowers have a delightful aniseed taste which
we love.

Fennel is the ideal companion to fish and a variety of vegetables both being enhanced with a lick of flavoured butter.

At the time, our garden fennel was a little small to lose any of its leaves to our kitchen and we didn't like the idea of  bits of fennel seed in our butter…
Holy Lama Naturals' Spice Drops to the rescue!

Fennel Seed Spice Drops added just the flavour we needed and was so easy to use.
We adore the bright fresh flavour and aroma.

Our butter was liberally doused over some salmon and asparagus but it would work equally well with purple sprouting broccoli
or pak choi.

View recipe

Competition! – Win a place on a Gourmet Herbs Workshop with Roots Shoots & Leaves

Photos: © childsdesign

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We're very pleased to offer you the chance to win a place on a Gourmet Herbs workshop with Artisan Food Trail member Roots Shoots & Leaves.

The workshop will be held on Saturday 13th September 2014 at the RSL HQ
in Hampshire
You will be shown how to choose the right herbs for your garden and how herbs can enhance your cooking as well some as more unusual concoctions. Make herb vinegars, butters and oils.

So if you want to learn more about herbs why not enter the competition. There's just a simple question to answer and we'll draw a luck winner from the correct entries.

Sorry this competition has now closed

Enjoy the scent of lavender in the kitchen

Photo: © childsdesign

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Right now the air is buzzing with the sound of bees bobbing about on the lavender and the sun is releasing the wonderful soothing scent which makes the garden a lovely place to relax.
Even when the lavender has finally finished flowering it can still be enjoyed until next summer. As long as you remember to dry some bunches and then crumble the flower heads into jars, the aroma packed blooms can be used around the home and in the kitchen.

The mediterranean plant has long been utilised for its health and wellbeing qualities and is the essential oil is used by aromatherapists to promote relaxation. It is an antiseptic and also has anti-inflammatory properties and was even used to disinfect hospital floors during the First World War. A little of the oil applied to your temples will soothe a headache and we can certainly vouch for its ability to aid sleep and relieve anxiety.

Photo: © childsdesign

Historically, lavender can be traced as far back as ancient Egypt where it was used for embalming and cosmetics. The ancient Greeks greatly appreciated its scent and the Romans made full use of its healing attributes. In fact it has been used throughout history to the present day from medicine through to insect repellent to perfume.


When we’re out in my garden tending to the fruit bushes, vegetable plants, and herbs, we often ponder how flowers could be used in our cooking, lavender being no exception. It is a strong flavour and should be used sparingly but lends itself to both sweet and savoury dishes.


A couple of sprigs of the flowers tucked into a jar full of caster sugar gently infuses to give a wonderful ingredient for baking, the subtle fragrance is good in cakes and biscuits. It is also an unusual but interesting addition to rubs and marinades, perfectly complementing lamb or even chicken. A few of the dried flower buds can be dropped into milk or cream, gently warmed and left to allow their flavours to permeate to make a base for custard or ice cream.

Photo: © Womersley Foods

There are some producers on The Artisan Food Trail that use lavender in their products to the greatest of effect. Try the infused vinegars from Scrubby Oak Fine Foods or Womersley Foods.

Although there a few people who don’t like the smell of lavender as they associated it with elderly aunts’ handbags, we would urge them to try it in cooking as it really is a different story. Just take care not to use too much and it can transform a dish in a subtle yet surprising way.

We made a deliciously fragrant focaccia bread with just a sprinkling of lavender and you can have a go at making it yourself using our recipe.

Left: Womersley Foods' Lime, Black Pepper & Lavender Vinegar goes great with fish.

Luxury hampers and gift packs from The Artisan Smokehouse

A new and exciting range of beautiful hampers are available from
The Artisan Smokehouse which have been carefully put together to meet all tastes and budgets. Choose from British, Italian, Vegetarian, Spicy, Award Winners, or Chef's Ingredients hampers, or why not spoil someone (or yourself) with the ultimate Luxury hamper. All products are beautifully presented in an elegant black presentation box and hand tied with ribbon.
Hamper prices start from as little as £18 and Spice & Herb gift packs from just £4.50, so giving a gift of the finest smoked produce couldn't be easier.

Orders required in time for Christmas need to be placed by 19th December (latest dispatch will be 22nd December).

The British Hamper
A classic hamper containing the best British products.
Contains:
Smoked British beef, smoked free-range duck breast, both hot and cold smoked Scottish Freedom Food salmon, smoked Suffolk garlic, smoked Suffolk rapeseed oil, smoked Stilton, smoked Cheddar and accompanying Artisan cheese biscuits.

The Italian Hamper
A delicious selection of finest Italian products. 
Contains: 
Parmesan cheese, smoked Milano salami, smoked Spianata Calabra salami (contains red chillies), smoked Italian olive oil, Italian dried herbs and smoked dried forest mushrooms.

The Luxury Hamper
A stunning hamper, which would greatly impress even the most committed foodie! 
Contains: 
Smoked British beef, smoked free-range duck breast, both hot and cold smoked Scottish Freedom Food salmon, smoked Milano salami, smoked Spianata Calabra salami (contains red chillies), smoked Suffolk garlic, smoked Italian olive oil, Parmesan cheese, smoked Stilton, smoked Cheddar, smoked goat’s cheese, Membrillo (quince paste to accompany cheese), Artisan cheese biscuits, smoked dried forest mushrooms, smoked coarse sea salt and smoked paprika.

The Vegetarian Hamper
A delicious selection of vegetarian friendly foods. 
Contains: 
Smoked goat’s cheese, smoked Stilton, smoked Suffolk rapeseed oil, smoked Suffolk garlic, smoked dried forest mushrooms, Membrillo (quince paste to accompany cheese) and Artisan cheese biscuits.

The Award Winners Hamper
A lovely selection of The Artisan Smokehouse's award winning products. 
Contains: 
Smoked British beef, smoked free-range duck breast, both hot and cold smoked Scottish Freedom Food salmon and smoked Suffolk rapeseed oil.

The Chef's Ingredients Hamper
For those budding chefs out there who like to experiment. 
Contains: 
Smoked dried forest mushrooms, smoked Italian olive oil, smoked coarse sea salt, smoked black peppercorns, smoked dried garlic, smoked chilli flakes and smoked paprika.

The Spicy Hamper
A hamper aimed at those who like the spicier side of life. 
Contains: 
Smoked Spianata Calabra salami (contains red chillies), smoked Habanero chillies, smoked Chipotle Morita chillies, hot paprika and cayenne pepper.

Spice and Herb Gift Packs
A beautiful selection of herb and spice gift packs. The perfect present for all those foodies out there. 
Choose from:
Smoked Sea Salt and Black Peppercorns – contains maple smoked sea salt and black peppercorns

Italian Herbs and Smoked Garlic – contains dried Italian herbs and maple smoked dried garlic

Smoked Chilli and Paprika – contains maple smoked chilli flakes and smoked paprika

Smoked Spice Selection – contains maple smoked black peppercorns, sea salt, paprika and dried garlic
Sweet Spice Selection – contains ground cinnamon, mixed spice, ginger and allspice berries

Fiery Spice Selection – contains hot paprika, cayenne pepper, black peppercorns & maple smoked chilli flakes

Mulled Wine Spice Kit – contains cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, ground ginger, cloves, a reusable muslin bag and a recipe card (contains several servings)

To find out more about The Artisan Smokehouse please visit their page on The Artisan Food Trail here where you will find links to their website to place your order.