The North(ish) Lass

Explore the North.

Tag: deli

  • Five Excellent Northern Cheeses

    Five Excellent Northern Cheeses

    When putting together a cheeseboard with Northern products, you have a lot to choose from. In my other life (working in a specialist supermarket), I often get asked “which is your most local cheese?” or “which products are from Lancashire/Cumbria?” More and more often, people want to eat and drink locally, and to find out where their food comes from, how it’s made, and what it’s made from. Keeping food miles down, and supporting local suppliers is something I can firmly get behind so, without further ado, here’s five excellent northern cheeses I would recommend.* I have tried to go for a selection here, with different tastes catered to… which would you choose?

    *this list is in no way exhaustive, and there are many many others to try as well!

    1. Garstang Blue, Dewlay

    Garstang Blue is one of the most popular blue cheeses where I work. Described as “unique, rich, mellow and indulgent” it makes it’s way onto many local cheeseboards.

    “Lancashire’s answer to blue cheese” – Dewlay Creamery re: Garstang Blue

    • Made with animal rennet, not suitable for vegetarians.
    2. Harrogate Blue, Shepherd’s Purse

    Made by specialist cheesemakers Shepherd’s Purse in Yorkshire, Harrogate Blue is a bold blue cheese with plenty of flavour, whilst also remaining creamy and decadent. The cheese has won many awards, and would be an excellent addition to soups and sauces to add a punchy flavour!

    • Suitable for vegetarians.
    3. Eden Valley Brie, Appleby Creamery

    Eden Valley Brie is a pasteurised creamy brie, originating from Appleby Creamery. It is described as being perfect for baking (so that it melts and goes all gooey!) or as an addition to cheeseboards. Ideally it should be left out of cold conditions for some time before eating in order to make sure it’s the best texture.

    • Suitable for vegetarians
    4. Northumberland Nettle, Northumberland Cheese Company

    Fancy something a little bit different on your cheeseboard? How about trying Northumberland Nettle, a Gouda-inspired cheese flavoured with nettles, garlic, parsley, chives, and onion. Apparently nettles could be used in a pinch to coagulate cheese in place of rennet – which is where the inspiration for this cheese comes from – but this cheese uses a vegetarian rennet anyway, so the nettles aren’t necessary for that function! This cheese is mild and creamy, but provides an interesting flavour to any cheeseboard!

    • Suitable for Vegetarians
    MRs Kirkham’s Lancashire & Mrs Kirkham’s Smoked Lancashire

    Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire creamery is based in the village of Goosnargh, overlooking the fells, and has been making unpasteurised cheese since the late 1970s. Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire has a strong taste and a crumbly texture, for those who like cheese with a bit of oomph to it. The smoked cheese isn’t matured for as long as the regular Lancashire, but is smoked over a bed of oak chippings, giving a wonderful additional flavour to the cheese, for those who like their smoked cheeses!

    • This product is unpasteurised (made with raw milk) and is unsuitable for pregnant women, the elderly, very young children, or those prone to infection or illness.
    • Made with animal rennet, not suitable for vegetarians.

    So there you have it, five excellent Northern Cheeses that I would wholeheartedly recommend. Let me know which one’s you have tried, or which you’re going to try next!

  • Café Culture In Lancaster: Part One

    Café Culture In Lancaster: Part One

    Over the last decade or so, Lancaster has developed a wonderful independent coffeeshop scene, giving any punter a lot of options to choose from when seeking out an excellent cup of coffee, or a good ol’ brew. In this blog I’ll be exploring some of my favourite places to have a coffee, a spot of breakfast or lunch, or just to chill and relax in Lancaster for an hour or two. This list does not include any big brand coffee shops, not for any particularly hipster reasons, but because I believe that they get enough exposure as it is!

    A note on pricing: I have used £-£££ to mark out whether I think a place is towards the cheaper (£) or more expensive (£££) end of the pricing points. I hasten to add this is subjective and only based roughly around a particular scale.

    • Where you can get a drink and a meal for around £10, I have marked it as £.
    •  Where a drink and meal will cost between £15-20, I have marked it as ££.
    • For places where it will cost £25+pp by the time you’ve finished up brunch/lunch, I’ve marked it as £££.

    In all of these places there are options that will be cheaper or more expensive, and these pricing marks are just a general guide.

    Brew

    Features: Dog Friendly, Excellent for Brunch

    Price: ££

    Address: 18A Brock Street, Lancaster

    I go to Brew a lot. A little café found next to Sultan’s on Brock St.. Seating is limited and often involves having to queue for a little while outside in order to get a seat (the fact that there is often a queue highlights just how popular it is!).

    The shop itself only has tables that seat up to four, and you can’t book. It’s ideal for intimate groups and a chin wag with friends, rather than for large groups. There’s also a small courtyard area which is lovely in the spring and summer, but the café also provides blankets in the autumn and winter – so if you’re feeling brave, the space is open all year round! The café itself is small and there is no step free access. The toilets are also up a steep set of stairs. This is the downside of being in a little old building, and through no fault of the business itself, but it is something to bear in mind if accessibility is a priority for your party.

    The menu changes regularly, but Brew’s particular speciality is their French Toast, which changes flavour weekly. My personal favourite is the fruit-based options – when it’s summer fruits with vanilla mascarpone in June, or Apple and cinnamon in the Autumn… I am all over that. Just recently I had the Red Velvet French Toast that was the speciality for Valentine’s Day, and that was also delicious, without being overly sweet (surprisingly), whilst a friend of mine had Vegetarian Pho from the specials board. Well worth a visit for a coffee and chill – as I post this, I’m sitting in Brew enjoying a latte!

    Whale Tail

    Features: Vegetarian/Vegan, Child-Friendly Space.

    Price: £

    Address: Unit 1, 78A Penny Street, Lancaster

    The Whale Tail has been in business in Lancaster for over twenty-five years and has recently undergone a full renovation. There is a large indoor café area, as well as ample seating outside which is found just across the road from the Sir Richard Owen pub. The café has a Vegetarian and Vegan menu, but with plenty of diverse options therein; I’m a particular fan of the vegetarian breakfast (despite not being vegetarian), it’s extremely filling and definitely sets you up for the day ahead.

    There is an exhibition space for local artists, and there are also activities for children in a child friendly space. The café is above a Vegan Wholefood Co-operatively owned shop called Single Step where a sustainable shopper can be ethically sourced produce and provisions such as soap, sanitary products, and household goods.

    Stonewell Spring (Quarterhouse)

    Features: Deli-style, Licensed Premises, Later Opening

    Price: £££

    Address: 5 Stonewell, Lancaster

    The newest option on this first list, the Stonewell Spring is a lovely deli with a collection of outdoor and indoor seating, just down the street from The Dukes Independent Cinema & Theatre, as well as The Grand Theatre (I used to pop down here to get a lovely coffee before the matinee performances of the pantomime in 2024!). The deli does take-out coffee and cakes, as well sit down options. The deli also offers a wine and cheese tasting platters and are open until 8pm at the weekend. They also run their own Cheese Club, where for a monthly subscription fee you can get a selection of cheeses and accompaniments.

    Stay tuned for Café Culture in Lancaster: Part Two!