The leaves have started to change, the hedgerows are laden with berries and the trees heavy with fruit. Squirrels scuttle past, busily collecting for their hibernation and the sunlight has changed to a golden hue. Despite the Indian summer, there are definite signs of Autumn all around. For decades the Wye Valley and The Forest…
Category: Out and About
New Year, Old Me…..just paying more attention to Time and Balance
New Year, Old Me. Must we subscribe to the ‘health’ trends of January or seek overall individual happiness? Balance and Time win out! #balanceandtime
The Pheasant Philosopher’s Christmas Diaries: the cheesecake of cheesecakes.
Many of us will look to that extra cheese course after Christmas lunch, and then there has to be enough cheese in the house to take you through to the new year. I have already covered the history of stilton in my diaries but now I’d like to share with you a few of my…
The Pheasant Philosopher’s Christmas Diaries: a change from turkey…my partridge (or pheasant) in a pear tree
Many people are becoming much more experimental in the kitchen and, where once, turkey or goose took centre stage, now there are many different options for the Christmas table. Aside from a good joint of beef, leg of lamb or meltingly soft slow-cooked pork shoulder many people look to game – especially in smaller households,…
The Pheasant Philosopher’s Christmas Diaries: Driving Home for Christmas.
Traditionally, the ‘Designated Driver’ has not been terribly well catered for, an orange juice and lemonade, glass of coke or coffee is the usual choice however, now there are dozens of alcohol free choices out there, waiting to be discovered – so, even as the driver you can enjoy some seriously festive drinks. With almost…
The Pheasant Philosophises in Gascony: Market Musings
Almost twenty-five years ago, my parents bought a large, honey coloured stone village house on the borders of three French departments; the Lot-et-Garonne, The Gers and The Landes. Three departments with extremely different culinary influences yet all exceptional in their own way.My first ever piece of food writing was for my GCSE English coursework portfolio….
March Morning Musings from Monmouthshire
I have to admit to being a little lax over the past few weeks, there’s been a lot going on, (not all food related) however, now that the worst weather is over and Spring is, hopefully, on the horizon, I’ve come home to roost a while. This year, I’m hoping to put together a few…
A Few Foodie Thoughts In The Bleak Midwinter
After Christmas, the harsh month of January brings about a distinct need for creative culinary construction. It begins with the craving for spring. Soon after the Christmas items disappear, just as the Easter eggs start filling the supermarket shelves my heart yearns for oranges. There’s something wonderful about those Spanish oranges which conjure up the…
Festive Goodies from The Wye Valley and The Forest of Dean
Every year, I do my very best to source my Christmas foods locally – and living in such a fabulously foodie area, it’s surprisingly easy to do. Restaurants place such an importance on food miles and rightly so, but it’s not just about the environmental impact, it’s about supporting those small businesses who a passionate…
Win 2 Ticket to Abergavenny Food Festival’s Christmas Fair on Sunday 10th December
I have teamed up with the wonderful Abergavenny Food Festival Team to give my readers the chance to win a pair of wristbands for this year’s Abergavenny Christmas Fair, allowing access to the yuletide markets and demo stage in the Market Hall, for the whole day. All the details are below so hop over to Twitter then…
Seasoned with Slow from The Pheasant Philosopher 