NUTRITIOUS NOEL NOSH
Produced In Kent picks out the merry munch that won’t raise the Christmas calorie count, writes Floortje Hoette
A joke I heard recently pretty much summarises this year’s Christmas plans: are we NOT coming to you, or are you NOT coming to us?
Whatever we’ll be doing this December, it’ll be low key, and probably local. And maybe that’s not such a bad thing?
Staying local means visiting places nearby you haven’t been to before, dis- covering the countryside around you and checking out local shops that offer the best local produce grown in the fields you probably pass every day on your way to work but hadn’t even noticed before.
A windswept walk along the cliffs, followed by a trip to the farm shop to get ingredients for Christmas dinner, and a quick pint in your local pub before head-
ing home, doesn’t sound too shabby? Neither does a Kentish car-picnic at a
drive-in cinema near you, or a bike ride to one of the outdoor farmers markets that are up and running again, with a nice mulled cider to warm you up while you wander round the stalls.
Forget long drives to family at the other end of the country, or queues at the ferry in the days before Christmas. Imagine lazy mornings instead, enjoying a big locally sourced breakfast in your PJs, and oodles of time on your hands – I’m already feel- ing smug just thinking about it.
No need to splash out on a party frock for the New Year’s party you’re not going to, so why not treat yourself to some real- ly good Kentish gin or wine, and a
prime cut of locally reared grass fed beef, for you any your most exclusive
five guests to enjoy at a relaxed dinner party instead?
And if running around the shops ahead of Christmas is your idea of hell, buy local online instead. So many local producers now have their online shop, so you can get your family & friends something truly unique delivered straight to your door
(or theirs).
So never mind that we’re cooped up for Christmas; there’s still plenty to enjoy and do in beautiful Kent.
I’m quite looking forward to it!
The Starter: Celeriac & Apple Soup, Speedy Soups
Speedy Soups specialise in transforming local and seasonal ingredients into delicious and healthy soups. Our award winning Celeriac and Apple soup uses the often overlooked (and quite ugly!) celeriac paired with Kent Braeburn apples to create a luxurious soup perfect as a Christmas starter. For extra flourish serve topped with a sprinkle of toasted Kent Cobnuts. For more information and stockists details contact Mags Murray on 07702 035988.
The Spuds: Provenance Potatoes
This Christmas support your local farmers by picking up a bag of Provenance Potatoes from your local farm shop. Roasted, boiled, chipped, mashed, sliced, diced, sautéed, hasselback or dauphinoise, there is a festive potato dish for everyone. All Provenance Potatoes are the finest potatoes from the heart of Kent and provide a healthy, hearty, low-cost option this Christmas, great for all the family.
The Oil: Morghew Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil
Our rapeseed oil can be used for roasting, stir-frying, salad dressings and more. With less saturated fat than most cooking oils it is a healthier alternative and also boasts a higher smoking point that’s safer to use at higher temperatures, so you can get super crispy potatoes that are vegan friendly. Cold pressing allows us to keep the best flavour and maintains a high nutritional content full of omega.
The Main attraction: Pasture Fed Beef from Macknade
Macknade are the only certified butcher of pasture-fed meat in East Kent. Pasture Reared beef is high in omega-3 oils and rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as being succulent, tender and having a far lower impact on the environment than grain fed beef. Our butchers counter also stock a variety of local game such as delicious lean venison, as well as taking orders for free range, local turkeys at Christmas.
Don’t forget the veg! From a farm shop or market near you…
Buying local, seasonal veg doesn’t just cut down on your carbon footprint. Lower food miles means fresher vegetables, which retain far more of the vitamins they have when they’re harvested. If you’re bored of sprouts, many local retailers stock more unusual varieties of veg, so you can mix it up with things like Kalettes or rainbow chard. Find your local farm shop, veg box scheme or farmers market on the Produced in Kent site.