Winter

At the Farm Shop we don’t treat cooking as a precise science, nor are we trying to give a comprehensive list of recipes. These are some of our favourite dishes and we hope you’ll give some of them a try. They’ve worked for us on countless occasions but that doesn’t mean, with a bit of imagination and a few tweaks, they can’t be improved. Good luck.
Fennel and orange salad with lemon and marmalade dressingBy Jess

Bright, refreshing, and bursting with citrusy goodness, this fennel and orange salad is a simple yet elegant dish that celebrates seasonal produce. The crisp fennel pairs beautifully with the sweetness of oranges, while the lemon and marmalade dressing adds a zesty twist. Perfect as a light starter or a vibrant side, this salad is a quick and delicious way to elevate your meal.

Chicken and barley soupBy Jess

If, like me, you've been suffering over the not so festive period, not only does cooking become a bit of a chore but, even worse, it's hard to summon up much enthusiasm for the fruits of your labour. Unless those fruits include a 'Totnes hug' of a chicken soup. It might have been slightly hijacked by Ashkenazi Jews as 'Jewish penicillin' but I think it's true to say that every culture has its own, much cherished, version. This one started in Persia - so, as with so much Middle Eastern food, probably by the historic Sephardic population. 

Crown prince and chard lasagnaBy Jess

This Crown Prince and Chard Lasagna is a hearty and satisfying dish that celebrates the natural sweetness of squash and the earthy flavours of chard. Perfect for a cosy dinner, it layers caramelised Crown Prince squash seasoned with warming spices, tender chard, and a rich, creamy white sauce infused with nutmeg and Dijon mustard. Topped with golden parmesan and baked to perfection, this lasagna is a delightful twist on a classic, showcasing the best of seasonal, comforting ingredients. Serve it up for a special family meal or as a delicious vegetarian centrepiece.

Crispy fried Brussels sprouts with lentils and mintBy Jess

My daughter Nell virtually forced this on me when we had lunch at Manteca in Shoreditch (where she works). Vincotta is heavily reduced, pressed, unsieved grape must and is a speciality of Puglia. Rick Stein gave it a shout-out as his secret special ingredient. You don’t see it in South Devon very often but I’d have thought pomegranate molasses would give an equally interesting result. Sprouts have never been my thing – I normally suffer, rather than relish them at Xmas - but I couldn’t stop eating these. They’d work as a small plate or side – but probably not with the trad Christmas dinner - and, if, like me, you’re not big on deep fat frying, work a treat in the Air Fryer.

Nduja TagliatelleBy Ben WatsonA quick & simple pasta dish ideal for a mid-week dinner, using our nduja jam and pomarola sauce with roasted courgettes and broad beans.
Tagliata di Manzo with winter leavesBy Ben WatsonSliced sirloin steak served on a bed of rocket with Parmesan shavings and jus - perfect for when you don't want to spend the whole evening in the kitchen.
Ben’s Farm Shop Nduja JamBy Ben WatsonA deliciously addictive spreadable spicy salami that you can make at home. Try with honey on a pizza, bruschetta or panini – or use as a base for any spicy casserole or pasta sauce.
Ham With MarmaladeBy Ben WatsonOne of our most successful creations of the last few years has been our 'Ham with no name'. Originally nameless as a bit of a joke, it's stayed that way and sells as well as, if not better, than either the straightforward, smoked or unsmoked, hams. As with so many things, it came about because we had an excess of our apple juice with ginger to get rid of but now, we're making the juice for the ham.
Nut Roast GaletteBy Ben WatsonThe ubiquitous BFS nut roast is available all year, but it does come into its own at Christmas. Indulgently packed with stilton, nuts and parsnips, then wrapped in blanched cabbage leaves, it certainly earns its place at a Christmas table. There’s also a vegan version without the stilton and eggs. Here’s how you can deconstruct our nut roast and make it into stunning centrepiece this Christmas...
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