Comfort food to warm you
SHOP LOCAL FOR SEASONAL FOOD & DRINK
Caryn Robertson
Food brings us comfort in many ways, from nourishing and fuelling our bodies to sparking joy in our hearts and minds. What we think of as comfort foods are also unique to each of us, often they provide a nostalgic reminder of our childhood or are an especially indulgent treat.
As the temperatures cool and the nights start to draw in, we seek hearty, filling meals and choose foods that bring warmth and comfort. The flavours and produce associated with the autumn season reflect this too. Our harvest of root vegetables gets transformed into wholesome pies, soups and stews, while our ripening orchard fruits become indulgent home-baked cakes, puddings and crumbles.
Here are a few seasonal comfort foods produced in Ayrshire that I hope will bring good memories and that feeling of sitting by a roaring fire, wearing cosy socks!
Cider
What started as an idea amongst three friends in a pub by the Ayrshire coast in 2017 became a reality in 2020 with the launch of Ayrshire Riviera Cider. Knowing that a lot of the apples growing on trees in people’s gardens will go to waste, they spotted an opportunity to put the fruit to a better use… making cider!
Their original cider is produced from ethically sourced, local apples from across the South-West coast of Scotland. And they also make special edition batches from one type of apple or one source, such as a batch made with only apples from the Culzean Castle Gardens and another that only uses apples from the orchards at the Lagg Distillery on Arran.
The fruit used in all batches is a combination of hand-picked and windfall apples which are then hand-pressed to extract as much of their tasty, sweet juice as possible. They don’t add any extra water or sugar to their product at any stage, they simply mix the juice with yeast and allow the mix to ferment for around six months. The end product is a medium/dry cider with a deep rich flavour.
www.ayrshirerivieracider.com
Pies
A hearty pie is a beautiful and delicious thing! It can seem like an indulgence but when handmade with top quality ingredients, it can be a healthy treat too.
Dalduff near Maybole are famous for their homemade pies which are lovingly made at the farm using only the very best cuts of meat and their own pastry. As one of the oldest, continually operating farm shops in Scotland they have over four decades of experience selling top-quality Scottish beef, lamb, pork and vegetables. They make both sharing and individual sized pies with a wide range of fillings. Enjoy classic flavours like Steak or Chicken & Ham or get adventurous with Chicken Tikka Masala or Chilli & Cheese. Available to buy from their farm shop or from many stockists located across Ayrshire.
www.dalduff.com
Sloe Berries
When life gives you sloe berries, make sloe gin! It’s easy to make and you’ll find lots of recipes online, but first you need to forage for sloes… Sloe berries grow on blackthorn, a thorny bush found in hedgerows. They ripen in late autumn and when ripe should be a rich dark purple and squash easily between your fingertips. Traditionally you wait until they have been exposed to the first frost, but you can pick them earlier (if ripe) to freeze at home. Either way will split the skins so the juices can flow into your gin.
Always do your research before foraging any wild foods to ensure you are harvesting sustainably, legally, and safely.
Whisky Smoked Cashew Nuts
Hawkhead Whisky Smoked create a unique smoky flavour in their products by using aged whisky casks from Scottish distilleries. At their smokehouse, located near New Cumnock, the casks are broken down and then heated in the smoker. The layers of spirit from the wood are released and the aroma transfers into their cashews, giving them that comforting fireside flavour.
Cashew nuts are ideal for smoking due to their smooth texture and these nuts are also packed with minerals and vitamins… making them both indulgent and healthy.
With three flavours to choose from, you can find the perfect accompaniment to your favourite tipple. The Original Cashews pair well with a peaty whisky, Glazed Cashews are great with a full-bodied red wine or get spicy with their Firecracker Cashews which go great with a refreshing lager. And of course, all are a delicious snack that can be enjoyed on their own.
www.whiskysmoked.com
Brownies & Traybakes
They Bake began back in January 2020 when Zoe and Amanda, two friends with a love for cake, started baking from home and selling their bakes online. Their business quickly took off with an increasing number of orders meaning they expanded faster than expected. They now have bake shops in Ayr and Prestwick as well as continuing to sell online and at local farmers markets. Much of their success comes from their love of creating new traybake and brownie inventions with an ever-changing range of decadent flavours including Mars Bar brownie, Jammie Dodger tiffin and Biscoff millionaires… to name only a few!
www.theybake.com
