Hot smoking!

Husband and son went fishing to Stocks Reservoir and came back with some wonderful trout.

Having seen people smoking fish on the T.V. I got it into my head that I wanted to smoke them. However the problem was I don't have a smoker.

I asked the question to the good people on Twitter and got several good replies back on making your own smoker. The best response I got was from @gilesthefish, our local and most excellent fishmonger from Wellgate Fisheries in Clitheroe, who advised me he had a spare smoker that I could borrow!

So I shot off into town to collect from the shop, Scott who works there gave me instructions on how to use and what to put in the brine.

The trout was filleted and pin-boned and placed in a mixture of salt, sugar and treacle diluted with water for about 20 mins. This was then rinsed off and the fish patted dry.

They were then placed in the smoker and left to smoke and cook for about 20 mins.

The result was fantastic, a lovely smoky and very succulent fish. Fabulous!

As the trout turned out so well venison and pheasant were removed from the freezer to defrost overnight. Unfortunately what we thought were pheasant breast turned out to be legs but this did not deter. Using a similar method of placing in brine, rinsing then smoking the end result was good!

So I now have smoked trout, venison and pheasant just need to think of some recipes to use them in.

Watch this space!

Shop local and save money!

As well as supporting your local butcher also think about your other food and groceries.

Wellgate Fisheries in Clitheroe is a great plaice! Run by Giles and his knowledgeable, helpful staff nothing is too much trouble for them as they will prepare your fish for you. They stock a fantastic selection of fish from the normal to the exotic all at good prices. They also have a stall on Clitheroe market which is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. Wellgate Fisheries also supply to a large number of restaurants and pubs in the area from their purpose built unit on the outskirts of town.

If you go to Clitheroe market pay a visit to one of the fruit & veg stalls to buy locally grown produce again at great prices.

Also on the market you will find good butchers, cooked meats, Cheese stalls (again selling local produce) and many more. You could buy everything that you needed from here rather than at a supermarket in a nice environment and saving money!

Then a trip to the multi-award winning D Byrne & Co for a perusal around their amazing wine cellar. A unbelievable selection of wine at great prices. They also stock a massive choice of Single Malts along with most spirits and beers & ciders. You can also purchase freshly ground coffee (or beans if you prefer) and loose tea from around the world. Again the owners and staff are extremely knowledgeable and it is like stepping back in time.

We have many other great shops in Clitheroe and will find out more about them another time.

Look out for produce that is in season this month:

New Potatoes
Asparagus
Watercress
Lettuce
Spring Lamb (just arriving in butchers now)
Pigeon
Rabbit
Crabs
Lobster
Shrimps
Wild Salmon and Sea Trout
Rhubarb