Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Yorkshire Cuisine: A Journey Through Traditional Flavours

This is another in our new series of blogposts on the foods of the counties of Britain.

Nestled in the heart of Northern England, Yorkshire is a region renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and of course, its delectable cuisine. 

From hearty meat pies to indulgent puddings, the traditional foods of Yorkshire reflect the region's agricultural heritage and vibrant culinary culture. Join us on a gastronomic journey as we explore the mouthwatering delights that define Yorkshire's culinary landscape.

Yorkshire Pudding:

No exploration of Yorkshire cuisine would be complete without mentioning the iconic Yorkshire pudding. This fluffy, golden-brown delight is a staple accompaniment to Sunday roasts across the region. Traditionally served with roast beef and lashings of gravy, the Yorkshire pudding's crisp exterior and soft, airy interior make it a true comfort food classic. In fact with suitable sauces Yorkshire Pudding makes a splendid dessert, too.

Parkin:

A beloved treat enjoyed throughout Yorkshire, parkin is a sweet and spicy gingerbread cake with a rich, sticky texture. Made with oats, treacle, ginger, and spices, parkin has been enjoyed for centuries, particularly around Bonfire Night celebrations in November. Its warming flavours and dense, moist crumb make it the perfect indulgence on a chilly Yorkshire evening.

Yorkshire Tea:

While not a food in the traditional sense, no discussion of Yorkshire's culinary heritage would be complete without mentioning Yorkshire Tea. This quintessentially British brew has been a household favorite since the 19th century, known for its rich, robust flavour and comforting aroma. Whether enjoyed with a slice of cake, parkin or a buttered crumpet, Yorkshire Tea is an essential part of daily life for many Yorkshire residents.

Wensleydale Cheese:

Produced in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, Wensleydale cheese is a crumbly, creamy delight that has been enjoyed for generations. Made from cow's milk and with a tangy, slightly sweet flavour, Wensleydale pairs perfectly with crusty bread, fruitcake, or even a slice of fresh apple. Its versatility and distinctive taste have earned it a place on cheeseboards across the country. Wensleydale Cheese was much loved by Wallace and his faithful dog Gromit. In fact the delightful duo's love of the cheese is considered to have saved the cheese such was the public's reaction to it being featured.

Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb:

A true Yorkshire delicacy, forced rhubarb is grown in the dark, heated sheds of the Wakefield area, producing tender, vividly pink stalks with a delicate flavour. This unique growing method results in rhubarb that is sweeter and more tender than its outdoor-grown counterparts, making it perfect for pies, crumbles, and preserves. Yorkshire forced rhubarb has even been granted Protected Designation of Origin status, highlighting its importance to the region's culinary heritage.

Yorkshire Curd Tart:

A sweet treat with a history dating back centuries, Yorkshire curd tart is a delicious combination of creamy curd cheese, sugar, and mixed spices, encased in a crisp pastry shell. Originally made to use up leftover curds from cheese-making, this indulgent dessert has stood the test of time, delighting generations with its rich, comforting flavours.

From hearty puddings to delicate pastries, the traditional foods of Yorkshire offer a tantalizing glimpse into the region's culinary heritage. Whether enjoyed in a cozy tearoom overlooking the Dales or cooked up at home in a Yorkshire kitchen, these time-honored dishes celebrate the bounty of the land and the rich tapestry of Yorkshire's gastronomic culture. So, the next time you find yourself in God's Own Country, be sure to sample some of these delicious treats and experience the true taste of Yorkshire.

https://traditional-yorkshire-recipes.info

Warrendale Wagyu Launches Gourmet Wagyu Sausages Into Waitrose

I wasn't aware Wagyu beef was produced in Britain, so I was very intrigued and more than a little impressed to learn the UK's top producer of Wagyu beef, Warrendale Wagyu, has revealed its latest product, Wagyu Sausages. 

The new addition to its range will launch in 200 Waitrose stores this Wednesday (4th October) in what is thought to be the only Wagyu beef sausage to be sold in a major supermarket.

The gourmet sausage launch follows six months of rigorous product development and recipe testing and tweaking to introduce a beef sausage with the best taste and texture possible. 

The new sausages are available in Original and Horseradish and are produced using 90% and 86% premium British Wagyu Beef. What's more, both varieties are gluten and dairy free. 

Yorkshire-based Warrendale Wagyu was founded on an unwavering commitment to supply chain transparency, product quality and total consistency. 

The team their works in close partnership with a 750-strong collective of farmers to rear herds of a Wagyu cross dairy cattle breed known as F1 Wagyu. 

The brand has been running its unique business model to produce high quality marbled Wagyu beef since 2017. They now supply to Waitrose, premium restaurants including Hakkasan and Ivy Asia and online to meat lovers across the UK.

Tom Richardson, MD over at Warrendale Wagyu says:  “At Warrendale, we're clearly very passionate about Wagyu and, of course, we want to find new ways for people to enjoy it. 

"And we're very proud of the new Wagyu Sausage. Every care has been taken at each step of the process to ensure the taste, texture and traceability are the best they can possibly be.” 

The launch comes just in time for the start of comfort food season in the UK, with the new Wagyu Sausages here to upgrade autumn and winter meals. (That's Food and Drink says: "We're actually thinking of using Warrendale Wagyu Sausages with our turkey at Christmas dinner!")

John Topham, Chef at one of Yorkshire's finest restaurants, the Alice Hawthorn said: “I'm a big fan of the new Warrendale Wagyu sausage. It's an elegant sausage with a rich, smooth, beefy taste. I believe it's the perfect choice for a toad-in-the-hole with beer caramelised onion gravy!”

Krystina Houghton, Waitrose's sausage buyer said: "We're really very excited to be adding these British wagyu sausages into our range. Not only are they packed full of incredible umami flavours, but they're  made with British beef so it's fantastic to see more support for our farmers, too.

“The sausages will be perfect for those looking to add something delicious to their Bonfire Night get-togethers at home and will make a great addition to warming meals during the winter months, too"

Wagyu Sausages, Original and Horseradish, will be sold exclusively in Waitrose stores, Waitrose online and at www.warrendale-wagyu.co.uk. The RRP is £5.99 for a 400g pack of six, with an introductory offer of 25% off from Wednesday 4th October.

New, improved, larger Co-op launches in Saltaire (West Yorkshire)

The Co-op has launched a new, improved and, larger branch to serve and support the community of Saltaire, West Yorkshire.

The convenience retailer relocated to its new, purpose-built 2,800 sq ft store in Bingley Road, Saltaire, which opens between 7am-10pm daily, and supports 16 local jobs, with new positions also created.

Saltaire’s new Co-op includes: a customer car-park, a free ATM, an in-store bakery, hot food options and, a Costa coffee dispenser. 

This sits alongside an extended, improved range of fresh, healthy products; meal ideas; everyday essentials; food-to-go; Fairtrade products, flowers, chilled beers and award winning wines; ready meals, pizzas and, free-from; vegan and plant-based products, including Co-op’s exclusive vegan range, GRO.

Parcel collections are available from Amazon and DPD, along with the online delivery of groceries through Deliveroo; Just Eat and Uber Eats for added ease, speed and convenience locally.

Craig Watson, Co-op Store Manager, said: “The store looks fantastic and, we are delighted to move into our new home and 'serve-up' a brand new store for the community. The team is very excited, we have been looking forward to relocating and can’t wait to welcome our Members and customers into their new and improved store. 

"Our aim is to operate at the heart of local life. We have worked to develop the range, choice and added services to create a compelling offer to serve our community, conveniently. With a focus on delivering member-value so that the people who own our business, our members, benefit every time they shop.”

In August, Co-op announced its biggest ever single investment in pricing of £70 million, as it extended its ‘member-only’ pricing across everyday essentials, launching with a list of nearly 200 fixed lines including milk, eggs and bread - with a Co-op sliced loaf at a modest 76p.

A funding boost is provided via Co-op’s Membership programme. Membership of Co-op unlocks additional value with personalised offers and Member pricing benefits. In addition, Members are rewarded with 2p in every pound they spend on Co-op branded products which is added to their own personal Membership account balance, with Co-op donating the same amount to local causes and, community organisations, so members can make a difference locally simply by shopping at their Co-op.

A soft plastic recycle unit is also available in store to enable the community to recycle ‘soft plastics’ including: crisp packets and bread bags, lids from ready meals and yogurt pots, biscuit wrappers and pet food pouches, etc. This means all Co-op’s own food packaging is recyclable via either local authority kerbside collections, or its in-store soft plastic recycling unit.

The Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives. Its Members own the business and play an intrinsic part in the governance of the organisation, and enjoy a wide number of benefits including member-only pricing across everyday essentials, money back on own-brand purchases and personalised offers via the Co-op app.

Alongside Food, Co-op operates Funeralcare; Insurance and Legal Services. More information about the benefits of Co-op Membership is available by visiting www.coop.co.uk/membership

May News from Masons of Yorkshire

A decade ago, Karl and Cathy Mason set up a facebook page about one of their favourite topics: gin.

They began posting reviews of their favourite finds, followers followed, and soon 10k people were on the page. It started to take up a lot of time and they had the lightbulb moment: what if we did this all the time? 

And Masons of Yorkshire was born. And in June 2023 the company, now employing 24 people, celebrates ten years in the business and is based in beautiful Bedale, and exports all over the world. The original distillery was destroyed by a fire in 2019, and the brand has grown back bigger and stronger.

This year sees the first foray into Tropical - a London Dry infused with mango, pineapple has been massively well received all over the country. With big brands such as Strongbow and Sierra Tequila coming through with great new products with tropical flavours, this is the summer to go full-on feel good flavour.  

This month also heralds a collaboration with Magic Rock Brewery: the Botanicalist Gin & Tonic IPA.

Launched just in time for Beer Day Britain, (15 June 2023) and Father's Day (18 June 2023) these two Northern English powerhouses Masons of Yorkshire and Magic Rock Brewery have paired up to launch Botanicalist, a zesty Gin & Tonic IPA, packed to the brim with juniper and hops, all brewed and canned in Yorkshire. Combining state-of-the-art distilling with cutting-edge brewing techniques, this is a delicious mix of eight different botanicals made into a clean and crisp classic IPA.

World Cocktail Day 13 May, 2023: Masons of Yorkshire also creates outstanding vodkas. Masons has just launched a delicious twist on the negroni at the Henrietta Hotel in Covent Garden. Out of the Night is their version of a Negroni but made with Mason's Espresso Vodka, Punt e Mes, Luxardo Maraschino Liquer and garnished with a cherry. 

It is the perfect drink for a pick-me-up and the end of the night, or a post-dinner cocktail, but with the crispness of the Espresso Vodka and the cherry flavours we're seeing people enjoy them in the summer sunshine too. A deliciously indulgent drink that can be enjoyed all day. It is so popular they ran out of our vodka the other day, and someone had to run to an independent down the road and top up stocks. I visited last week - such a great spot to go if you're in town with exceptional staff - and drinks!

B2B wise, Karl says: "This year we're ensuring that we'll attend as many trade shows as possible. It's been incredible for us to get back out on the road and meet customers face to face again and letting them taste our products. 

"As the big retailers only do range reviews twice a year, it's vital for us to keep the momentum going with our small independents as they are the backbone of our business. We've just attended the Harrogate Flower Show, about to go to the Lichfield Food Festival, RHS Flower Show, Hampton Court Palace Food Festival, and many more - it's going to be a busy summer. Come and say hello if you're around."

https://www.masonsofyorkshire.com.

Taste of nostalgia in a lick - Dandelion & Burdock Ice Cream launches

A Dandelion & Burdock flavoured ice cream has been launched by artisan ice cream producer Yummy Yorkshire, and what's more, it is available in time for Christmas!

Yummy Yorkshire, which is based near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, developed the flavour in homage to one its hometown’s best known companies; Ben Shaws, who brought the unique taste of Dandelion & Burdock to the people of the UK.

The retro ice cream flavour is made using a traditional style Dandelion & Burdock drink and has the same distinctive aniseed taste that the soft drink is famous for. It was first launched in August this year by Yummy Yorkshire as a limited edition flavour at the Huddersfield Food & Drink Festival but has now been rolled out due to popular demand.

Yummy Yorkshire’s Louise Holmes who is responsible for the development of new ice cream flavours says: “When I asked the team for ideas for a real Huddersfield themed flavour we knew Dandelion & Burdock was a winner as soon as it was mentioned. It was only intended as a limited edition flavour for the festival but it proved so popular that we took the decision to make it a permanent fixture in our flavour list.

“I think its popularity lies in the fact that it’s one of those flavours that has stood the test of time. It’s as popular now as it was when it first launched over 100 years ago.

“Our ice cream version has the same sweet, characteristic taste of the drink but with an added creaminess. People have said it reminds them of their childhood and that tasting it is a real trip down memory lane. It’s gained a bit of a cult following already.”

Yummy Yorkshire’s Dandelion & Burdock ice cream is available to buy from its ice cream parlour on the cone and in 500ml tubs priced at £3.50 each. It will also soon be available to buy in the 500ml tubs from selected outlets in Yorkshire including Hinchliffe’s Farm Shop and Brosters Farm Shop.

Further new flavours recently launched by Yummy Yorkshire include a range of Bonfire Night inspired ice creams including Toffee Apple, Yorkshire Parkin and Pumpkin.

Yummy Yorkshire is committed to using fresh, locally sourced ingredients wherever possible in its recipes and the Parkin flavour is produced using Elland-based Lottie Shaw’s Seriously Good Yorkshire Parkin, while the Pumpkin flavour is made using fresh, pumpkin roasted with nutmeg and cinnamon for a little kick. The Toffee Apple ice cream consists of crisp apple ice cream with swirls of dulce de leche toffee.

FACTFILE:

Yummy Yorkshire Ice Cream Company was established in April 2007 as a new addition to the family run PJ Holmes & Son dairy business at Delph House Farm in West Yorkshire.

Using fresh milk and cream from the farm’s 150 Friesian Holstein herd, Yummy Yorkshire produces luxurious, creamy and smooth ice cream that combines modern and contemporary flavours with traditional values and fresh local ingredients such as strawberries and liquorice.

Yummy Yorkshire ice cream is available at the farm’s on site ice cream parlour and coffee shop as well as at ASDA, Cedar Court Hotel Group, Huddersfield University, Gastro Pubs including the award-winning Butcher Arms at Hepworth, local farm shops, delis, garage forecourts, coffee shops & tea rooms

Ice cream flavours include: Caramel Fudge made with clotted cream fudge pieces, Caribbean Chocolate, Midnight Mint, Marmalade Cheesecake, Lou’s Liquorice, Real Lemon Curd, Banoffee Pie made with butterscotch and shortcake pieces and Honey & Ginger.

Yummy Yorkshire Ice Cream has won numerous awards since launching, most recently receiving two Gold Stars for its Salted Caramel flavour and one Gold Star for Beetroot, at the 2011 Great Taste Awards. This was followed by 3rd place for its Lou’s Liquorice flavour at the 2011 Great Yorkshire Show. The same flavour was voted best Dairy Product, and Supreme Product of the Year at the 2009 annual deliciouslyorkshire Awards and picked up three gold stars (the highest level of award) at the 2009 Great Taste Awards. In 2010 Yummy Yorkshire received one Gold Star for its Blueberry ice cream.

In March 2010, Yummy Yorkshire was named Local Food Producer (Prepared Produce) of the year at The Mayor of Kirklees’ 2009/2010 Local Food Awards. Yummy Yorkshire also scooped the accolade of Food & Drink Producer of the Year in the 2010 Yorkshire Rural Awards.

Visit www.yummyyorkshire.co.uk for further information.