The Source
Beautiful writing about delicious British food. Articles, comments and musings from our contributors.
If we are able to take any positives from the devastation the coronavirus pandemic has caused, perhaps the way it has given some families a chance to reconnect and take stock of the things that are important to them, is something to cheer. Families used to rushing from pillar to post and grabbing meals on the go have been able to take time to cook and share meals together in a way they had perhaps forgotten. It has given some of us a new appreciation of what the food shop staff, delivery drivers, butchers, bakers, farmers and deli owners do to help us put great food on our table.
I compiled For The Love of the Land; A Cook Book To Celebrate British Farmers And Their Food, published by Meze Publishing, to celebrate the stories and recipes of some of the UK's finest farmers. The farms featured here cover the length and breadth of the UK, and see farmers specialising in a diverse array of produce; from game, pork, lamb, beef, cheese and dairy to the more unusual such as lavender, chillies and edible flowers.
Among those to feature are Michelin-starred chef and Great British Menu regular Tommy Banks, who grew up on a farm in Yorkshire, award-winners Daylesford Organic Farming and dairy farmer, Katie Lowe, also known as the The Female Farmer. Meanwhile the range of recipes is mouth-watering; and often quintessentially British; from Blackbrook Beef Bolognese from a traditional lowland farm in Leicestershire, Reestit Mutton Soup by two sisters who run their family farm on Shetland and Pheasant and Asparagus Bake from a family run game shoot in Cambridgeshire.
For many farming families working the land and raising livestock is a true labour of love, and what they produce is the backbone of the country’s food and drink. The dishes in this book make the most of local and seasonal ingredients, creating delicious meals, puddings and bakes that anyone can cook up at home.
Alongside that, members of these families have told the stories of their livelihoods: from losing sheep in snowstorms to stoking enthusiasm in the next generation, their honesty and passion is an inspiration and an education.
As the landscape of British farming changes, tradition has become intertwined with modernity, sustainability and working in harmony with nature are top priorities, and understanding seasonality to get the best out of British produce is key for our farmers, as their recipes and stories illustrate. To be really interested in food, one has to know and understand how its produced. We need to put British farming back on the map and at the centre of our table.
Along with my book, visiting farm shops, joining in with Open Farm Sunday, buying British produce with the red tractor logo on it; together we can help bridge the gap between city and country, food and technology, to educate and inform, to connect and entertain and to share the dedication of those who produce our food.
After marrying my husband, John, I discovered the wonderful, challenging and sometimes isolating world of farming. I never before quite appreciated where our food came from so it’s been a real privilege to speak with the farmers within this book; they are truly the backbone of our country. They nurture and provide for us; putting food on our table for us to enjoy, so let’s give thanks and praise for all the hard work that they do. Their love of the land is inspiring and should be shared and celebrated. They are the custodians of our countryside.
This book has become a labour of love and I hope this collection of stories and of the farmers’ favourite recipes is simply enjoyed for its food, provenance and for the sharing of good and positive stories. This is a celebration of British farming – enjoy!
For the Love of the Land is a 224-page hardback and retails at £22. It is available to purchase from Amazon, bookshops including Waterstones and online from www.fortheloveoftheland.co.uk. .where there’s free gift wrapping and you can also order a signed copy’.
A proportion of Jenny Jefferies’ royalties will be donated to the National Literacy Trust.”
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