Half a lamb

On Friday my little boy and I picked up our ‘half a lamb’ from our local farm, ‘Cold Harbour Farm’ We feasted on the liver for Saturday lunch, and had curry on Sunday. The rest has gone in the freezer. If you have an opportunity to buy a half or whole (if you have a big freezer and family) I can highly recommend it. The taste is wonderful, quality meat, couldn’t be more local (no air miles) and very economical. Our half was £40, (a whole would have cost £70) and will keep us going for ages…

If your in the area, contact the very friendly and helpful Jenny Hallam tel 07890 889830 Cold Harbour Farm, New Mills, High Peak.

Today’s illustration, Lamb © 2008 Lois Blackburn www.loisblackburn.co.uk

Mince n Tatties

A good friend has just emailed me this recipe, which I will be trying out very soon. Thanks again Jenny....

Here's my fave cheap eat. Well, it's not so much cheap, as very easy for the time pressed mum, there's no chopping, browning, sweating or any of that palaver:

Mince n tatties.

This recipe was recounted to me by a mummy chum, and it was passed on to her by her childminder. Whan an excellent provenance.

Ingredients:
Mince (lamb, beef, pork, whatever you have, but I think lamb is best).
A few tablespoons of barley.
Potatoes and carrots, scrubbed.
Some stock cubes.

Method:
Mix the mince and the barley in a big oven proof pot. Pour over hot stock until well covered. Plonk the carrots and potatoes on the top. Bring to the boil on the hob. Stick in the oven (160 degrees) for 1 and a half hours. Check it and stir it every so often, adding more water if required.

Everyone will love this, especially on a dank day.

Jenny

p.s Today’s illustration is a silk painting ‘carrots’ © Lois Blackburn. Please visit http://www.loisblackburn.co.uk for more images.