Thursday 27 June 2013
Fishing Update - Mackerel, Ling & Tope
Despite the poor fishing conditions, Dylan and his fleet have managed to catch a good range of fish for us today.
Willie has just landed with a boat load of mackerel (which are being filleted as I type). Try them whole or in fillet packs.
Flat fish (plaice, lemon sole) are available, but in limited quantities. Make sure you order soon to ensure you get what you want.
Fillets & Parts
Tope Shark Steaks x 2 (440g) @ £9/kg
Smooth Hound Shark Fillet (500g) @ £12/kg
Whiting Fillets (400g) @ £12/kg
Cornish Mackerel Fillets (300g) @ £13.33/kg
Cornish Ling Fillet (400g) @ £13/kg
Whole Fish
Whole Plaice (350g) @ £9/kg
2x Whole Cornish Mackerel (600g) @ £8/kg
Lemon Sole, Whole (500g) @ £15/kg
Wednesday 26 June 2013
Hello,
The veg keeps flowing this week with even more exciting new additions to our range of locally sourced, seasonal produce.
From Wild Fields we have the first calabrese broccoli and new season garden peas are eager to ditch their pods for your pan. A bit of parsley makes a lovely accompaniment. The first of the loose beetroot is also ready and there should be plenty of spinach this week. Their torpedos are ready too. But don't let that worry all you sea-borne vessels out there - these are red torpedos of the allium variety (ho-ho). They are sweet, mild and great eaten raw.
The warmer temperatures have obviously been well received by the sun deprived fields of Perry Court Farm as there is a sudden glut of new produce this week. We have organic broad beans, cucumbers, pointed cabbages, spinach & broccoli.
At Ripple Farm the onions are starting to bulb so we have the first organic baby green onions. The new season chard is ready though only a limited amount as the first two sowings were lost to the unusually cold spring.
There's a distinctly English feel in the air this week with the green courts and fancy hats of Wimbledon dominating the public imagination. It's difficult to think of the crowds munching down strawberries and cream whilst sipping champagne without feeling a pang of jealously. But really, there's no need for envy when you have a TV and Farm Direct. This week, we have all you need to enjoy the tennis and appreciate some of the finer things in life.
We have a fantastic range of English wines from the Three Choirs Vineyard in Gloucestershire. For the duration of Wimbledon we are reducing the price of the entire range so it's a great chance to give them a go. English wine is gradually gaining a reputation abroad and it's easy to understand why once you have tried it.
As for strawberries and cream, well that's easy. All you need are the best strawberries you have ever tasted from Tiptree Farm, a bit of cream and your done! Or if you prefer, raspberries and cream as the first raspberries from Tiptree arrive this week.
Or if you'd like a freshly baked scone with yours then we have organic buttermilk and a recipe to help you make them. As far as baking goes, scones are piece of cake! (Another great, summery idea to put buttermilk to use: Strawberry Pancakes)
A quick reminder that our Sutton Hoo Spatchcock Chickens still have 15% off this week.
Finally, Andy's Pork & Honey sausages contain honey from the farm's very own hives this week!
All the best,
Sam and the Farm Direct team.
Start Your Weekly Shop Now >
FARM DIRECT NEWS...
New Season Alliums
It's a great time to be an allium lover as new season onions, spring onions, torpedo onions and green garlic are all vying for our attention. Young, tender, sweet and mild they can all be enjoyed raw if so desired.
We particularly enjoy eating the long green tails of the baby onions!
Food for Thought Scheme
The idea is simple. For all parents and carers of children attending Grafton, Canonbury, Drayton Park and St Joan of Arc primary schools Farm Direct will contribute 10% of the money you spend on your Farm Direct shop back to the school as a straightforward donation. Imagine 50 families doing that over the year: we could raise £6k. Not only that, you would do so in the knowledge that you are supporting local smaller scale & sustainable food producers.
To join the scheme for your child's school simply select the school from the drop-down box on the checkout screen. Simple as that. You won't find a more generous scheme anywhere!
This Weeks Veg Boxes - Broccoli, Spinach & Torpedo Onions
With a whole host of new veggies in our boxes this week we are finally watching up with the late start to the season. From Roy and Rita at Wild Fields Farm we have spinach, broad beans and new potatoes, while their nephew Matthew is sending us bunched carrots and red torpedo onions. In our organic boxes this week we have new season spinach from Perry Court Farm as well as the first calabrese broccoli of the season. Enjoy.
| Small Veg Box | ||||||||||||
| Producer | Product | |||||||||||
| garden harvest | Red Torpedo Onions, bunched (300g) | |||||||||||
| Wild Fields Farm | Rita's New Season Spinach (approx 300g) | |||||||||||
| Waveney mushrooms | Portobello Chestnut Mushrooms (300g) | |||||||||||
| Wild Fields Farm | Calabrese Broccoli (250g) | |||||||||||
| Wild Fields Farm | Roy's New Potatoes (500g) | |||||||||||
| The Tomato Stall | Classic Tomatoes (200g) | |||||||||||
| Medium Veg Box | ||||||||||||
| Producer | Product | |||||||||||
| garden harvest | Red Torpedo Onions, bunched (300g) | |||||||||||
| Wild Fields Farm | Calabrese Broccoli (250g) | |||||||||||
| Wild Fields Farm | Rita's New Season Spinach (approx 300g) | |||||||||||
| Wild Fields Farm | Broad Beans (500g) | |||||||||||
| Wild Fields Farm | Roy's New Potatoes (500g) | |||||||||||
| The Tomato Stall | Classic Tomatoes (300g) | |||||||||||
| garden harvest | Bunched Carrots | |||||||||||
| Waveney mushrooms | Portobello Chestnut Mushrooms (300g) | |||||||||||
| Large Veg Box | ||||||||||||
| Producer | Product | |||||||||||
| Lea Valley Peppers | Mixed Peppers (500g) | |||||||||||
| Wild Fields Farm | Calabrese Broccoli (400g) | |||||||||||
| Wild Fields Farm | Cos Lettuce | |||||||||||
| Waveney mushrooms | Portobello Chestnut Mushrooms (300g) | |||||||||||
| Wild Fields Farm | Rita's New Season Spinach (approx 300g) | |||||||||||
| garden harvest | Red Torpedo Onions, bunched (300g) | |||||||||||
| The Tomato Stall | Classic Tomatoes (300g) | |||||||||||
| Wild Fields Farm | Broad Beans (500g) | |||||||||||
| garden harvest | Bunched Carrots | |||||||||||
| Wild Fields Farm | Roy's New Potatoes (1kg) | |||||||||||
| Organic Veg Box | ||||||||||||
| Small Organic Veg Box | ||||||||||||
| Producer | Product | |||||||||||
| perry court farm | Organic Bunched Carrots | |||||||||||
| perry court farm | Organic Desiree Potatoes 500g | |||||||||||
| perry court farm | Mini cucumber | |||||||||||
| the tomato stall | Organic Baby Plum Tomatoes (150g) | |||||||||||
| Ripple Farm | Organic Baby Green Onions (300g | |||||||||||
| Ripple Farm | Mixed Winter Salad, Organic (125g) | |||||||||||
| Medium Organic Veg Box | ||||||||||||
| Producer | Product | |||||||||||
| Ripple Farm | Organic Baby Green Onions (300g | |||||||||||
| perry court farm | Mini cucumber | |||||||||||
| the tomato stall | Organic Baby Plum Tomatoes (200g) | |||||||||||
| Ripple Farm | Mixed Winter Salad, Organic (125g) | |||||||||||
| Ripple Farm | Bio-Dynamic Spinach (150g pack) | |||||||||||
| Ripple Farm | Mixed Kale, Organic (250g pack) | |||||||||||
| perry court farm | Organic Bunched Carrots | |||||||||||
| Large Organic Veg Box | ||||||||||||
| Producer | Product | |||||||||||
| perry court farm | Organic Bunched Carrots | |||||||||||
| Ripple Farm | Mixed Winter Salad, Organic (125g) | |||||||||||
| perry court farm | Organic Desiree Potatoes 1kg | |||||||||||
| perry court farm | Organic Calabrese Broccoli (200g) | |||||||||||
| Ripple Farm | Mixed Kale, Organic (250g pack) | |||||||||||
| perry court farm | Mini cucumber | |||||||||||
| Ripple Farm | Organic Baby Green Onions (300g | |||||||||||
| the tomato stall | Mixed Organic Tomatoes (350g) | |||||||||||
| perry court farm | Bio-Dynamic Spinach (150g pack) |
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Calling all hungry North Londoners,
With the temperature rising the summer produce is really starting to kick on and is coming in thick and fast now. And, according to expert meteorologist (and sausage-maker) Andy from Gill Wing, we can look forward to 30oc temperatures this weekend. 'The animals are lying down and you can just smell it'. Who needs the BBC when you have Andy!
The first of the Gooseberries from Hertfordshire are now ready for picking. There is so much to enjoy in the gooseberry and few summer fruits can rival their complexity, depth and zesty oomph. Whether its a simple fool, or a lovely summer tart there are loads of wonderful recipes to make use of them. They are complemented beautifully by elderflower, and this week Wild Elderflower Cordial is on offer at only £2.79.
The first of Matthew's New Season Bunched Carrots arrive this week. Always very popular, they are sweet and crisp, so its time to get grating, chopping and roasting. We also have Organic Bunched Carrots from Perry Court.
Over at Wild Fields Farm they have sprung into action as the warmth has brought on their Spinach and Cabbages enough to grace our plates. Again, it's all new season so bursting with flavour.
The first of the summer veg from Gill Wing is also coming in now. They have Bunched Radishes for a crunchy bite in your salad and Red Chard, handily filling in while there is a crop gap at Ripple Farm.
We're bringing back potted herbs this week. And now it's warm you have a fighting chance of keeping them going out in the garden. We have Chives, Coriander, Basil, Mint, Curly and Flat Parsley. Calls for a Salsa Verde me thinks.
We are now stocking Fresh Yeast which, if you have ever tried to buy before, is very hard to come by. It is considered superior to the dry stuff in both taste and action (i.e it works quicker and is more reliable). If you've never tried your hand at home baking then we have a lovely recipe for Pizza Dough to get you started. Beats shop bought and takeaways any day and it's loads of fun!
There are a couple of new cheeses in this week. Luke has been raving about Y Fenni cheese from his native Wales for a while and has finally managed to source some much to our delight. It is a good strong cheddar with an extra punch provided by wholegrain mustard and welsh ale. We also have a Red Leicester with a summery twist of lemon and black pepper.
We're offering 15% off Sutton Hoo Marinated Spatchcock Chickens. A Spatchcock bird is one which has had its backbone removed and is opened out like a book so it needs much less cooking time than a whole bird. In just 20-25 minutes you have a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Finally, hot off the boat, Dylan has just informed us that the sea is teeming with Turbot at this time of the year which means they're excellent value now. For something a bit different try barbecued Turbot steaks.
All the best,
Sam and the Farm Direct team.
Start Your Weekly Shop Now >
FARM DIRECT NEWS...
Gooseberries - Tarte, Sharp Sour & Fresh
Great, yet often neglected, gooseberries are one of my highlights of the soft fruit season. They have a fresh, tangy astringency which perfectly compliment foods which share their seasonality. Mackerel for example adores it's sharp flavour, and when mixed with elderflower adds that bit of perfection to fools and jams.
Gooseberry season is short, so it is a happy accident that they freeze so well and their flavour can re-appear all throughout the year.
Try gooseberries this season for £2.65 per punnet or 2 for £4.99.
Happy Chickens
Sutton Hoo firmly believe in the slow process of rearing birds in the traditional way. The birds live in small groups and shelter from the elements in mobile houses that have no artificial lighting and are naturally ventilated. From about two weeks of age the happy chicks venture outside to enjoy exploring the farm. From then on all feeding takes place outside by hand with additional nutrients foraged from the surrounding vegetation. Their poultry enjoy an additive free diet without antibiotics or drugs of any kind.
Get 15% off Marinated Spatchcock Chickens this week.
Recommend A Friend
We need your help to spread the word about Farm Direct. Aside from the satisfaction of knowing that you have improved someones culinary life there is also a generous financial incentive. Did you know that if you recommend a friend to Farm Direct your lucky friend will get £7 off their first order and you will receive £7 off your next order too!
FARM DIRECT NEWS...
With the temperature rising the summer produce is really starting to kick on and is coming in thick and fast now. And, according to expert meteorologist (and sausage-maker) Andy from Gill Wing, we can look forward to 30oc temperatures this weekend. 'The animals are lying down and you can just smell it'. Who needs the BBC when you have Andy!
The first of the Gooseberries from Hertfordshire are now ready for picking. There is so much to enjoy in the gooseberry and few summer fruits can rival their complexity, depth and zesty oomph. Whether its a simple fool, or a lovely summer tart there are loads of wonderful recipes to make use of them. They are complemented beautifully by elderflower, and this week Wild Elderflower Cordial is on offer at only £2.79.
The first of Matthew's New Season Bunched Carrots arrive this week. Always very popular, they are sweet and crisp, so its time to get grating, chopping and roasting. We also have Organic Bunched Carrots from Perry Court.
Over at Wild Fields Farm they have sprung into action as the warmth has brought on their Spinach and Cabbages enough to grace our plates. Again, it's all new season so bursting with flavour.
The first of the summer veg from Gill Wing is also coming in now. They have Bunched Radishes for a crunchy bite in your salad and Red Chard, handily filling in while there is a crop gap at Ripple Farm.
We're bringing back potted herbs this week. And now it's warm you have a fighting chance of keeping them going out in the garden. We have Chives, Coriander, Basil, Mint, Curly and Flat Parsley. Calls for a Salsa Verde me thinks.
We are now stocking Fresh Yeast which, if you have ever tried to buy before, is very hard to come by. It is considered superior to the dry stuff in both taste and action (i.e it works quicker and is more reliable). If you've never tried your hand at home baking then we have a lovely recipe for Pizza Dough to get you started. Beats shop bought and takeaways any day and it's loads of fun!
There are a couple of new cheeses in this week. Luke has been raving about Y Fenni cheese from his native Wales for a while and has finally managed to source some much to our delight. It is a good strong cheddar with an extra punch provided by wholegrain mustard and welsh ale. We also have a Red Leicester with a summery twist of lemon and black pepper.
We're offering 15% off Sutton Hoo Marinated Spatchcock Chickens. A Spatchcock bird is one which has had its backbone removed and is opened out like a book so it needs much less cooking time than a whole bird. In just 20-25 minutes you have a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Finally, hot off the boat, Dylan has just informed us that the sea is teeming with Turbot at this time of the year which means they're excellent value now. For something a bit different try barbecued Turbot steaks.
All the best,
Sam and the Farm Direct team.
Start Your Weekly Shop Now >
FARM DIRECT NEWS...
Gooseberries - Tarte, Sharp Sour & Fresh
Great, yet often neglected, gooseberries are one of my highlights of the soft fruit season. They have a fresh, tangy astringency which perfectly compliment foods which share their seasonality. Mackerel for example adores it's sharp flavour, and when mixed with elderflower adds that bit of perfection to fools and jams.
Gooseberry season is short, so it is a happy accident that they freeze so well and their flavour can re-appear all throughout the year.
Try gooseberries this season for £2.65 per punnet or 2 for £4.99.
Happy Chickens
Sutton Hoo firmly believe in the slow process of rearing birds in the traditional way. The birds live in small groups and shelter from the elements in mobile houses that have no artificial lighting and are naturally ventilated. From about two weeks of age the happy chicks venture outside to enjoy exploring the farm. From then on all feeding takes place outside by hand with additional nutrients foraged from the surrounding vegetation. Their poultry enjoy an additive free diet without antibiotics or drugs of any kind.
Get 15% off Marinated Spatchcock Chickens this week.
Recommend A Friend
We need your help to spread the word about Farm Direct. Aside from the satisfaction of knowing that you have improved someones culinary life there is also a generous financial incentive. Did you know that if you recommend a friend to Farm Direct your lucky friend will get £7 off their first order and you will receive £7 off your next order too!
FARM DIRECT NEWS...
Wednesday 12 June 2013
This Week's Veg Boxes - Potatoes, Borad Beans & Beet
The sun has deserted us this week and our veg boxes change as a direct result. The cold weather has taken our asparagus, but doesn't affect our potatoes, broad beans and beetroot, which are now in the boxes. Rainbow chard and spinach are unavailable due to a crop gap (they should be back in a few weeks), so your choice greens comprise of kale and green chard. We are still waiting for the first of the raspberries (expected early July) and this should see the return of our fruit and veg boxes. Enjoy.
| Small Veg Box | ||
| Producer | Product | |
| Wild Fields Farm | Spring Lettuce | |
| Wild Fields Farm | Spring Greens (250g) | |
| Waveney mushrooms | Portobello Chestnut Mushrooms (300g) | |
| Lea Valley Peppers | Lea Valley Cucumber | |
| Lea Valley Peppers | Mixed Peppers (350g) | |
| The Tomato Stall | Classic Tomatoes (200g) | |
| Medium Veg Box | ||
| Producer | Product | |
| Lea Valley Peppers | Lea Valley Cucumber | |
| Wild Fields Farm | Spring Lettuce | |
| Wild Fields Farm | Spring Greens (250g) | |
| Wild Fields Farm | Broad Beans (500g) | |
| Lea Valley Peppers | Mixed Peppers (250g) | |
| The Tomato Stall | Classic Tomatoes (300g) | |
| Ripple Farm | Green Chard, Organic (225g pack) | |
| Wild Fields Farm | Portobello Chestnut Mushrooms (300g) | |
| Large Veg Box | ||
| Producer | Product | |
| Lea Valley Peppers | Mixed Peppers (500g) | |
| perry court farm | Beetroot (Bunch) | |
| Wild Fields Farm | Cos Lettuce | |
| Waveney mushrooms | Portobello Chestnut Mushrooms (300g) | |
| Wild Fields Farm | Spring Greens (250g) | |
| perry court farm | Lea Valley Cucumber | |
| The Tomato Stall | Classic Tomatoes (300g) | |
| Wild Fields Farm | Broad Beans (500g) | |
| Ripple Farm | Mixed Kale, Organic (250g pack) | |
| spitalfields | Jersey Royal Potatoes (500g) | |
| Organic Veg Box | ||
| Small Organic Veg Box | ||
| Producer | Product | |
| perry court farm | Bio-dynamic Large Beetroot, Loose (500g) | |
| perry court farm | Organic Desiree Potatoes 500g | |
| Ripple Farm | Green Chard, Organic (225g pack) | |
| the tomato stall | Organic Baby Plum Tomatoes (150g) | |
| Ripple Farm | Organic Spring Onions (bunch) | |
| Ripple Farm | Mixed Winter Salad, Organic (125g) | |
| Medium Organic Veg Box | ||
| Producer | Product | |
| Ripple Farm | Organic Spring Onions (bunch) | |
| perry court farm | Organic Baking Potatoes x2 | |
| the tomato stall | Organic Baby Plum Tomatoes (200g) | |
| Ripple Farm | Mixed Winter Salad, Organic (125g) | |
| Ripple Farm | Wild Rocket, Organic (80g) | |
| Ripple Farm | Mixed Kale, Organic (250g pack) | |
| Ripple Farm | Green Chard, Organic (225g pack) | |
| Large Organic Veg Box | ||
| Producer | Product | |
| perry court farm | Organic Cauliflower | |
| Ripple Farm | Mixed Winter Salad, Organic (125g) | |
| perry court farm | Organic Desiree Potatoes 1kg | |
| Ripple Farm | Fresh Garlic Stem & Bulb, Organic | |
| Ripple Farm | Mixed Kale, Organic (250g pack) | |
| Ripple Farm | Green Chard, Organic (225g pack) | |
| Ripple Farm | Organic Spring Onions (bunch) | |
| the tomato stall | Mixed Organic Tomatoes (350g) | |
| perry court farm | Bio-dynamic Large Beetroot, Loose (500g) | |
| the tomato stall | Organic Baby Plum Tomatoes (150g) |
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