Bay Horse @ Roughlee

We visited the Bay Horse at Roughlee a lovely village standing in the shadow of Pendle Hill and we were very pleased that we did!

There was 6 of us in our party and when we got there the pub has been extensively improved and was very tastefully decorated. They were just in the process of installing a lovely stone fireplace, which was nearly completed. It had a great atmosphere very warm and welcoming. The staff where very attentive and once we had drinks we sat in the lovely bar area and enjoyed them whilst pondering the menu. The menu had a good selection and along with a specials board we were spoilt for choice. In the end 3 of us opted for the scallops, 2 for the devilled chicken livers and 1 for the fishcakes. On being shown through to the dining room with lovely large tables we enjoyed a glass of Prosecco and nibbles of homemade humus and a selection of olives.

The starters arrived and the Scallops were divine, beautifully seared on a bed of mushy peas with bacon and cauliflower topped with some pea shoots. The chicken livers went down a storm, perfectly cooked with the right amount of heat. The fishcakes, apparently, were to 'die for'. On to the mains: 2 went for the rack of lamb, 2 for the rib-eye, 1 for the 10oz fillet and 1 for the sea bass fillets. Again all were cooked to perfection, the lamb was lovely and pink with an amazing jus. The steaks, both the rib-eye and the fillet again perfectly cooked and served with a choice of sauce and potatoes. The sea-bass consisted of 4 fillets of bass with spinach, potatoes: 'beautiful' was the verdict! All in all The Bay Horse offered a lovely atmosphere and amazing food and wine: we could not fault anything and we will definitely be back... http://www.bayhorse.eu/

H Greaves Butcher

After meaning to go for quite some time, we finally made it to Carr Hall at Wilpshire to their new Garden and Home center.

As lovely as it all is with some beautiful things to buy our principal reason for visiting was the butchers and we were not let down!

They had a brilliant selection of meat and after initially just going for 3 lamb shanks we ended up buying a whole lamb butchered to our specifications. We also bought some great looking belly pork and some sausages. The meat is locally sourced and of the highest quality.

They also have a nice selection of cheese from Leagrams dairy near Chipping and my son was quite amused by a 2 year old cheese called Bob's Knob in a rather strange shape. We bought some Ramshackle Cheese, Lancashire and Blacksticks Blue.

The more time you spend there the more they seem to have, frozen home made pies (savoury and sweet) their air dried ham and bresola.

Also in the farm shop there is a great array of produce, fresh local fruit and veg, home made breads, various pastas, fruit wines and liquers.....

Having just gone in for something for tea we did spend quite a lot more than we had anticipated but it was worth it!

The staff were excellent knowledgeable and humorous - we will be back!

Biltong or BBQ'd Leg of Lamb?

When we were on holiday in South Africa we were introduced to Biltong, a fantastic cured meat eaten as a snack. We could not get enough of it!

Also when we were there we had barbecued meat (of various origins) which was fantastic but I have adapted it to work with Lamb.

Which recipe would you like to see?

Let me know.