The New Normal

The New Normal

We’re almost at the stage where we’ve begun to find some rhythm and dare I say it, routine in our day’s work. Which in recent times, means it is time for another government announcement to shake it all up again. It’s hard work planning a business at the moment. On the...
Lamb Hot Pot

Lamb Hot Pot

As spring kicks into action and with Easter around the corner, lamb takes centre stage once again. Our lamb hotpot makes the most out of the beautifully flavoursome shoulder of lamb and a nice comforting dish for the crisp spring evenings. Serves 4 Shopping List 1...
Cobb Salad

Cobb Salad

This is a bit of an American classic and we thought it would be a great dish to kick off the spring with, all the health benefits of fresh salads and vegetables with a comfortingly rich homemade dressing with blue cheese for when the sun is looking a bit shy in the...
March

March

March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb as they say. I can’t help thinking about this as I write this month’s blog just off the back of two bracing storms in Ciara and Dennis. The latter part of the old saying sheds a little hope at least after an extremely...
Cock-a-Leekie Pie

Cock-a-Leekie Pie

This recipe is a bit of a play on the traditional Scottish Cock-a-leekie soup. Leeks are right in season in February and this recipe matches them beautifully with the smoked bacon and prunes. If you had some leftover roast chicken from the weekend’s roast then...
Roast Squash, Lentil & Blue Cheese Salad

Roast Squash, Lentil & Blue Cheese Salad

As the snowdrops start to appear the early signs of spring are here. It’s best not to put all your eggs in one basket though and start dreaming of warmer weather yet, for February usually has a sting! This recipe is a perfect compromise for the time of year, a...
A New Year’s resolution all about meat

A New Year’s resolution all about meat

January is about reflection and goal setting for the year ahead. Many of my musings recently have been regarding the press and their portrayal of livestock farming and the environment. The key message has been that we need to eat less meat as intensive farming...
Delicious Homemade Chutneys for Boxing Day

Delicious Homemade Chutneys for Boxing Day

Christmas Day is all about gifts, spending time with your loved ones, and great food. And, quite often, so is Boxing Day! While we don’t often eat quite as much, everyone’s still picking, and that’s when snacks, leftovers and condiments come into their own. A jar or...
October

October

Well, here we are heading towards the end of another year already. This is certainly the business end of the year for us in the farm shop and all of the efforts in planning and preparation over the last few months culminate in a mad rush towards another Christmas at...
September

September

September at Hartley Farm Darkness has started to set in earlier in the evenings but the trade-off has been some picture-perfect autumn scenes at the beginning and end of the day. The sloes and damsons are steeping in the gin and the smell of woodsmoke fills the damp...
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