Category Archives: Food and Drink & Yorkshire Products

Comestibles and useful products from God’s Own County

Do Not Ask the Leodis Beer is 4.6% at Brewery Taps

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153/365: Leodis

Leodis Lager, Leodis Dunkel and Leodis Wheat Beer may all taste different but the consistent quality is replicated in a consistent strength. 4.6% abv the percentage of Alcohol by Volume is the same for all 3 brews from the Brewery Tap.
Strangely this converts to 8.06% proof in UK measures or 9.2% proof in USA terms. For more on ‘Proof’ and alcohol in general read clever

The Brewery Tap, Leeds

Leeds larger lovers can drink locally produced Leodis, a continental style 4.6% lager produced using eastern European hops and genuine lager yeast, at the Brewery Taps on the approach road to the railway station. Ask the enthusiastic staff if you would like to try a taster and hear more about our exceptional set-up.

For more and better sustenance try a couple of pints of pleasure at the Scarbrough Taps just around the corner. A favorite haunt of Camra what ever the abv.
In 1826 Henry Scarbrough named his pub the Kings Arms. Then in 1890, Fred Wood established The Scarbrough Hotel where he organised talent nights. Any act showing promise was put on at his City Varieties so no karaoke from me just in case.
The pub is now owned by Nicholson’s who have a good chain of pubs with grub in London. The format there is the same with dining available in upstairs rooms above the long thin bars. Many of the Nicholson’s pubs have interesting histories.

Leeds flickr Meetup

Photo credits
153/365: Leodis by Michael of Scott CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 ‘Leodis is a rich, flavoursome, caramel-tasting lager brewed by Leeds brewery in the micro brewery upstairs in their pub, the Brewery Tap in Leeds. Drinking the cold pint knowing that it had travelled only a few meters from brewery to glass and feeling proud to be in Leeds!’
The Brewery Tap, Leeds by Adam Bruderer CC BY 2.0
Leeds flickr Meetup by iwouldstay CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Yard of Ale at Whitelocks The Turks Head

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Whitelocks (sign), Leeds

Leeds Pubs hide there light under a bushel or in a back yard in the case of Whitelocks. Run by the Whitelock family for 90 years during the 19th century Whitelocks was renamed from the original ‘Turks Head’ but the long narrow passage way where it is located is now named Turks Head Yard.

A  ‘Yard of Ale’ is what you can expect or several yards of copper bar with numerous hand pulled and beer engine pumps to serve you a great selection of ales real and chilled. Beer at its best served in the old style. Whitelocks is worth a visit for the mirrors and polished copper alone but they have a long reputation as a luncheon bar and serve good Yorkshire grub. I remember being fascinated 40 years ago that part of a pub had white linen tablecloths and there were 8 tables similarly adorned at lunchtime last week.
If you don’t want food with your drink go in an evening or drink outside in the long thin passage way that leads from Briggate to Trinity Street (back of M&S to people in the Man Creche).

Whitelocks

I ventured in to Whitelocks last week as I remembered they had a toilet out in the yard only to find it locked and accessible only through the bar so I felt I must enter. With the drink I then consumed I put in more than I took out so to speak!
It is over 40 years since I first supped in Whitelocks but a small time compared to the 297 it has been open. I must make a note to visit in 2015 when they celebrate their 300 year anniversary.

10pts
Other Reviews
Whitelocks is Leeds’ oldest pub (1715) hidden in the depths of one of the city’s more obscure alleyways. Bizarrely, despite tourists and legless students alike struggling to find it, the pissed OAPs seem to locate their place at the bar every time……. the itchy guide goes on in similar fashion but it is aimed at the drinking student class (or is that skipping classes).

Pub Humour

A man walks into a bar! – ‘Ouch’
A dyslexic walks into a bra!
A ham sandwich walks into a bar and asks for a pint and a pickled egg – ‘Sorry we don’t serve food!’
A man walks into a bar with a lump of tarmac under his arm and says: “Pint please, and one for the road.”
Descartes walks into a bar and is asked “Would you like a beer?” Descartes replies “I think not” and woosh! he vanishes.
A Black Sheep walks into a bar. The bartender says, “We have a beer named after you.” The Black Sheep says, “Bob?”

Whitelocks, Leeds #2

Photo credits
Adam Bruderer CC BY 2.0
Whitelocks by tricky (rick harrison) One of the narrow alleyways leading into Whitelocks pub (the oldest pub in Leeds). CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Amaranthus Plants – Not Very Yorkshire

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London 7.10 277

Your usual Yorkshire allotment is not full of Amaranthus at this time of year or any other for that matter.

Amaranth
There are over 60 varieties of amaranth grown as cereal or for the production of fancy flowers and flashy foliage.
The sprouting leaves can range from deep blood-red to light green, shot with purple veining.

Mexicans and various people around the world value amaranthus as leaf vegetables, cereals, and ornamental plants. The African name is ‘Chewa’, in the Caribbean ‘Callaloo’ and the Chinese call Amaranthus ‘Bayam’ for use in stir fries. In the UK it is mainly grown as an ornamental annual.

Amaranth purpurea

Amaranthus is available as seed in several varieties from Thompson & Morgan. You can shock Yorkshire next summer with your new found plants.
Amaranthus paniculatus ‘Autumn Palette’ has attractive, tall, feathery spikes of cream and biscuit shades will gently ruffle in the slightest breeze. Quick and easy to grow by following these tips.Amaranthus adds height and interest to summer displays right through to the autumn and can be used as an intriguing cut flower.

Home Near Meadowhall

The Amaranthus housing development in Sheffield has a rich history with links to the former Wincobank Hall and surrounding Wincobank Woods. With a mix of existing and new residents this village has a real sense of community spirit. Just the place for your Allotment

Sorry for These Adverts I Wanted Ben Shaws Pop

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- Best of 1980′s TV adverts

I was searching for an old remembered advert for Ben Shaws lemonade and came across this modern selection. Sorry to foist it on regular readers (thanks Mum). I know how you love being interrupted by jingles, inane actors and boring repetitive voices posing as adverts.

Back to Ben Shaws and the 1960′s jingle I remember (or not), it went something like ‘Pops tops the quality Ben Shaws’. It promoted the pop delivered by truck that was also available in our local chip shop. Yellow lemonade, American cream soda and dandelion and burdock were just some of the flavours to be consumed on a hot afternoon (where have they all gone, the afternoons not the pop).

Another distant memory is of a local distribution depot that may have been for Huddersfield business Ben Shaws or another brand. It was on Highfield Road at Five Lane Ends, Idle. It was my best bob-a-job site as they not only paid but gave me a free drink after sweeping the yard.

Welsh Corona was another brand of pop delivered to your house and they had a slogan “Every bubble’s passed its FIZZical!”. You returned the bottles when you got the next delivery.
With Ben Shaws pop you paid a deposit which was refunded at the shop. You could augment your pocket money by 4d if you were lucky.

Pontefract Cakes are Yorkshire Delicacies

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Haribo Liquorice Pontefract Cakes

Pontefract Cakes are Yorkshire Delicacies that rank alongside or ahead of other sweets named after Yorkshire towns. Harrogate toffee may be a premium product but hasn’t got the tang of a good Pontefract cake. Doncaster butterscotch is hard to find now-a-days but it used to be a kids staple bought loose from an old sweet jar.

Pontefract grew liquorice plants potentially since Roman times although credit is give to The Black Friars for cultivation. The roots provide the raw material for your Pontefract cakes. Roots can be 4 feet long and by crushing and boiling the sweet juice is extracted. As discovered in 1760 by George Dunhill a local chemist if more sugar is added the sweet becomes a true Yorkshire delicacy.

Licourice is made into lots of other sweets such as boot laces, wheels, pipes and cigar shapes. For Pontefract cakes more liquorice liquor is added to the mix which also includes flour, treacle and glucose. The round cakes are then stamped or impressed with a seal. Such a seal from 1614 is kept in a local museum. All seals have a motif of a bird on a gate that represents Pontefract Castle.

Spain and Turkey have developed the growing of Licorice and UK cultivation has slumped. The plants are still used in the manufacture of tobacco.

Find out more about Liquorice and Yorkshires Sweet Tooth
Great British Brands - Bassett's Liquorice allsorts

Grow your own drugs and Herbals

Book Cover

Photo Credits
Haribo Liquorice Pontefract Cakes by hddod CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Great British Brands – Bassett’s Liquorice allsorts by brizzle born and bred, CC BY-NC 2.0

More to Yorkshire Than Pudding – Food for Gods

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When thinking of gourmet food and Yorkshire it is natural to put our Pudding at the top of the list. Do not be fooled there are many other edible delicacies to tempt the hungry Tyke and visitor to God’s Own County.
Here is just a small selection:-

Duke of Wellington
Havercakes
Give a thought to the Duke of Wellington’s Yorkshire regiment. Not only did he lend his name to a well known, but inedible footwear, he also encouraged the eating of Havercakes. Not for nothing were the regiment known as the ‘Havercake Boys’ and of course the havercakes were carried in a haversack.

chips and mushy peas
Mushy Peas
There is something missing from this picture of Mushy Peas and I do not mean the Pie or even the Fish. Good old Yorkshire mushy peas need some mint sauce to set them off a treat. Some folk even like mushy peas with their mint sauce instead of the other way around.

Yorkshire Fat Rascals
Fat Betty and Fat Rascals
Fat Bettys from Tockwith are not to be confused with Fat Rascals from Bettys. The first is a savoury ‘organic cheesey nibble’ the other is a fruit and nut scone, come biscuit, come bun with emphasis on the Fat.

Lest we Forget Yorkshire Pudding International Cuisine – You Can’t Have too Many Yorkshire Puddings


Photo Credits
Duke of Wellington by s_vatev CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
chips and mushy peas by quite peculiar CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Yorkshire Fat Rascals by French Tart CC BY-ND 2.0

Post Office Entrepreneurs at South Milford

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South Milford Post Office

It is hard to make a living at most retail ventures and no more so than at rural post offices. I was therefore mightily impressed by entrepreneurs running the South Milford Post Office during a recent visit.

Mill Farm nursery

Reason for Visiting South Milford

I was on a mission to find a small friendly nursery that I had visited a decade or so before. I just remembered that it was up a dirt track and had an adjacent tea room – a double win!
Mill Farm nursery and tea garden is ‘A truly quaint hobby Nursery for real Gardeners’ selling only hardy perennials and shrubs that are cold grown and sold outside throughout the year.
Famous for offering the best value for money plants that grow year after year. There are two basic offers that are 20 perennials of your choice for £15 or 12 shrubs for a similar £15. These are well grown plants in substantial 5″ pots or deep plastic containers. You are given or take a pencil, plant label and cardboard box and left to make your own selection. My 32 plants cost £30 but all are all plants that I hope to appreciate over the coming months and years.

There are no signs to direct you but you turn up by the side of the post office then follow the dirt track until the nursery appears on the left. The big disappointment was that the Tea Room was closed due to a couple of poor summers (and dare I say it lack of publicity)
Never the less there was a helpful redirection to the Post Office, which explained they had taken over the mantle of refreshing the gardeners who visited the nursery, and even displayed the Post Office menu.

South Milford Post Office Tea

Lunch or Afternoon Tea at the Post Office

I think this shop was a cake shop and post office rather than just a post office selling food so large was the choice for those with a sweet tooth.
I ate a whopping tuna salad and received a complementary strawberries and biscuit on the side with my Tea. I have a good appetite but could only manage half a caramel shortcake it was so large. (I couldn’t wrap the remains in a serviette as I had been given a laundered linen one tied with lace (not what you expect from a Post Office).
Near the outside tables was a stall selling vegetable farm produce to visitors and locals as I guess the nearest greengrocers would be many miles away.

On the basis of use them or loose them I encourage you to visit the plant nursery and the Post Office to see South Milfords entrepreneurs in action.

You Can’t Have too Many Yorkshire Puddings

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Yorkshire Sandwich
Yorkshire Sandwich Roast Beef, Yorkshire Pudding and Horseradish in a T-Cake with gravy. Specifically from The Golcar Lily.

Yorkshire pudding
Mmmmmmm…yorkshire pudding.
This is from the BEST dinner ever!!!

For everyting you need for Yorkshire puddings including bakeware (tins to you and me), books (or DIY guides) and mixes (Heaven forbid) try Amazon really!!

Yorkshire Pudding

I’ve loved Yorkshire pudding since I was a kid and have made it off and on throughout my life. In London I discovered that you can buy them frozen and just pop them in the oven. Holy cow! I’d eat way too many of them that way. The quality isn’t the same as homemade but man are they easy.

Yorkshire Pudding

Now I have a freezer full of these and they weren’t that hard to make.
I’d sell them on ebay but it would put Aunt Bessie out of business. She’d end up smelling of wee and eating dog food. I don’t want that on my conscience.

Yorkshire Pudding

Sunday dinner – Roast beef, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and onion gravy

International Cuisine

Credits for Photographs and comments

Yorkshire Sandwich by touring_fishmanCC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Yorkshire pudding by amysept CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Yorkshire Pudding by add1sunCC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Yorkshire Pudding by ZapTheDingbat CC BY 2.0
Yorkshire Pudding by littleghoti CC BY-NC 2.0
Yorkshire Pudding by zoyachubby CC BY-ND 2.0

The Yorkshire Pudding Group on Flickr has only 28 members – let us do something about that!

Yorkshire Pudding

Milly Johnson Yorkshire Pudding Club and second rising Are you in ‘t’club

Rhubarb Triangle Around Wakefield

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Yorkshire rhubarb is at it’s best when forced to make thin pink stalks (once tasted you will never be forced to eat it again). It grows all around Yorkshire but is at its best when grown in a triangle between Wakefield, Ardsley and Ossett then forced in the low sheds built for the purpose.

Rhubarb Flower Head

Your rhubarb will flower like this if you don’t eat it first! Ornamental varieties of rhubarb are not grown in the ‘Rhubarb Triangle’ as rhubarb is a serious crop grown under strict conditions to produce thin pink stems from February to make into delicious pies.

The rhubarb triangle is not a gardening device but a geographic location between Wakefield, Morley, Dewsbury and Rothwell where the majority of the worlds supply of forced rhubarb is grown. The rhubarb grows in forcing sheds while it is still winter and is ready before your garden crop grown outdoors. You can force your own garden rhubarb by covering the crown of the plant with a large pot filled with loose straw to keep it dark and warm.

There is a book of Walks in the Rhubarb Triangle ‘It includes delicious recipes from Barbara Bell for rhubarb bread and butter pudding, rhubarb cheesecake and rhubarb triangles, which are a type of flapjack.’ There is even a rhubarb festival each February.

From them apples in Saltaire ‘The classic culinary use for rhubarb is in a crumble. Gently stew rhubarb chopped into two or three centimetre chunks with a splash of water or orange juice, with sugar added to taste. The cutting acidity of the rhubarb must be preserved, so be careful with the sugar. Top with a simple crumble, made with 160g of plain flour cut with about 110g of diced butter, with maybe 25g of sugar added. Cook in a hot oven for twenty-five minutes and eat hot, maybe with cream or yoghurt.’

Rhubarb Recipes have a range of different recipes including Rhubarb Ginger Smoothie

75g cooked rhubarb, retain some for garnish
40g stem ginger (chopped), 1 tablespoon ginger syrup
50g low-fat vanilla ice cream, ice cubes to serve
Place the cooked rhubarb, ginger, syrup and ice cream in the blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass over ice and garnish with extra rhubarb.

rhubarb-1

Yorkshire is still the place to grow, buy and cook your rhubarb so give your taste buds a treat. Wakefield is the centre of Yorkshire’s rhubarb triangle

See Yorkshires Imperial Measures
Forced Rhubarb growing in Yorkshire
Yorkshire Rhubarb good enough to eat
Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb has been elevated to the same status as Champagne and Parma Ham. Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb was awarded Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status by the European Commission’s Protected Food Name scheme. Now we can ask Melton Mowbray ‘who ate all the pies?

Photo Credits
Rhubarb Flower Head by i_gallagher CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
rhubarb-1 by nalsa CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Terry’s of York – Some History

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Chocolate Orange
Can you see what it is yet? Yes you probably guessed it is a mug!

Some History of Terry’s of York

What do an apothecary, confectioner and citrus peel importer have in common? When one of them was Joseph Terry you may make the connection to Terry and Berry the forerunner to Terry’s of York. Joseph Terry married into the partnership that had worked from 1767 and brought his Apothecary skills to the business with a factory in Brearley Yard and a shop next to the Mansion House.
Early products included candied peel, marmalade and medicated lozenges as wel as cakes and confections. In the early 19th century the conversation lozenges bore messages a bit like modern day Love Hearts such as ‘Can you Polka’ and the racy ‘Do you flirt’. After the arrival of the railway to York Terry was selling his Coltsfoot Rock, Jujubes, Gum balls and Acid drops to many towns throughout the country. (Price 52/- per cwt Mmmm a sweet price).
Joseph Terry was born in Pocklington in 1793 the son of a local baker. He grew up in the town before moving to York and starting out in business as an apothecary, then switching to making cakes and confectioneries.
Joseph Terry died in 1850 but his 3 sons including Joseph jnr took the business forward building a Chocolate factory in Clementhorpe in 1887. The business grew through two world wars and remained in family ownership and management until 1960. It then passed through various corporate hands including Forte, Colgate Palmolive, United Biscuits, Philip Morris, Kraft and Suchards.
The family were civic minded and Joseph Terry jnr was Lord Mayor of York during Queen Victoria’s Jubilee. The war office recognised the value of chocolate for the troops before the first world war as being of benefit ‘…..on the march, at manoeuvers or any occasion when staying power is needed’. Between the wars new products were created including Spartan and All Gold.

Pocklington is obviously proud of Joseph Terry and wrote a longer biopic on it’s web site From the son of a Pocklington baker to founding one of the greatest of York’s businesses – Terry’s of York

Terry's Chocolate Works, York
Terry’s Chocolate Works York

Contemporary History of Terry’s of York

Sadly in 2004 the production at York was stopped and transferred to Europe bringing an end to a proud Yorkshire food manufacturing operation. The old factory isn’t Terry’s anymore it’s For Sale as The Press report

Other products you may remember include Neapolitans, Twighlight, Spartan, Waifa, and York Fruits. I am not sure the other fruit product below were quite the success of the Chocolate Orange that goes right back to the companies origins as peel importers. In fact I never saw a Chocolate Banana or the Chocolate Apple for that matter.

There is a packaging display at York’s Castle Museum and more information from York history
For those interested in Confectionery there is a great American blog
By the time of Joseph Terry’s death in 1850 his firm, Terry’s of York, was the city second biggest employer, and under successive generations of the family it became a world famous chocolate manufacturer that is still renowned to this day for such delicacies as ‘Terry’s Chocolate Orange’ and ‘Terry’s All Gold’. Sadly it fell into the hands of the American food giant Kraft in 1992and the factory was closed in 2005.

Terry's All Gold Imagine Milk Chocolates

Photo Credits
Chocolate Orange by jovike CC BY-NC 2.0
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York by True British Metal CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Terry’s All Gold Imagine Milk Chocolates by hemanth.hm CC BY-NC-SA 2.0