I was lucky enough to be invited to the fantastic Farmhouse Kitchen on Saturday evening to sample a selection of items to be considered for addition to their menu and what a fabulous night I had!
I arrived at the Old Park Lane shop full of excitement and dressed in my most elasticated pants to ensure nothing would stop me trying absolutely everything on offer!
Rob and Terri were on fine form and had set up a lovely little marquee outside the shop for the small selection of competition winners and guests.
With just eight in attendance there was a lovely atmosphere and, probably because none of us have really been out in the last two years, the whole experience felt like a real treat! After getting to know everyone we were ready to tuck in.
I have never been so grateful of my trusty elasticated pants in all my life, as nothing could have prepared me for the 12 courses of wonderful samples which Rob brought out for us to try.
The full menu of samples we got to taste was:
- Cheesy Leek Scotch Egg
- Indian Chicken and Mango Pie
- Homemade Hummus
- Haggis and Pork Sausage Roll
- Black Pudding and Pork Sausage Roll
- Asparagus and Stilton Quiche
- Royal Game Gala Pie
- Wild Boar and Truffle Scotch Egg with a Turkey Egg
- Blackened BBQ Pork Belly
- Cheese Board
- Raspberry Tiramisu
- Limoncello Trifle
Other than the Wild boar scotch egg which personally for me was a little too intense, absolutely everything I tried was stunning.
The cheesy leek scotch egg was subtle and moreish with a perfect runny yolk that is absolute witchcraft to achieve in my opinion.
The Indian chicken mango pie wasn’t too hot and was perfectly spiced with Bongo’s Chili, produced in Cheshire by Manny Elias, the drummer from Tears for Fears (that’s going to be a pub quiz question at some point, and you’ll thank me for that knowledge then!)
I usually find hummus a little boring, but I just could not stop eating it. Even after I’d used my breadstick up, all manners went out of the window to make sure I got every last bit!
Rob announced that the sausage rolls were “surprise sausage rolls” which I am so grateful for. If I had known they contained haggis I wouldn’t have dived in with the same amount of enthusiasm! I also never would usually order black pudding and I’m starting to really question that decision as I’ve clearly been missing out on something wonderful all of these years. If the haggis ones end up on the menu try them. They were the best I’ve ever had.
The asparagus and stilton quiche was a thing of beauty. Just the right amount of both flavours to not overpower each other. The beautiful cheesy undertones were exactly what I needed right at that moment.
Packing a mighty little punch, the royal gala game pie was an impressive little treat that I just couldn’t put down.
The absolute highlight for me was the next course. Blackened BBQ pork belly that Rob informed us had been cooking in the oven for seventeen glorious hours. The result, well wow. I think it’s ruined all other pork belly for me forever. It was tender and flavourful and just melted in the mouth. Everyone present insisted that it be added to the shop menu straight away. That served with a crusty roll would be the lunch of absolute dreams!
Cheese is my weakness. Cheese is the reason I fail at Slimming World, so when Rob brought out a board of 8 cheeses from selected artisan producers in Garstang and Kendal, a little tear came to my eye. The Farmhouse Kitchen do a cheese box containing an amazing selection and at £8.50 per person it’s an absolute bargain, I implore you to treat yourself to one!
Last but oh very much not least it was pudding time. First out was a gorgeous raspberry tiramisu which I have to admit I practically inhaled before realizing I hadn’t taken a picture of (sorry not sorry!) fruity, sweet and a very generous portion, I’d highly recommend to anyone with a sweet tooth.
I hadn’t prepared myself for a second pudding. I’d eaten every last bite of the raspberry tiramisu so when Rob appeared with a limoncello trifle which he proudly informed us was made with homemade limoncello, I almost had pudding regret (but then I snapped myself right out of it! I mean, who regrets pudding, come on!)
All I can say about the limoncello trifle is wow. Just wow. Taste it for yourselves, it blew me away.
The most impressive thing about the Farmhouse Kitchen is the passion which goes into everything they prepare. All the ingredients are sourced with care and the portion sizes are just fantastic. A true gem of a local family run business.
All in all a fabulous evening in excellent company with food to die for! Get yourself down to the Farmhouse Kitchen on Old Park Lane from 8am to 2.30pm and bag yourself some tasty goodies!!
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