The start of a new year, new beginnings and planning for the year ahead…
January is a good month for us farmers to plan for the year ahead. As we all know the great outdoors has been essential for peoples wellbeing in the last 18 months, so for us all to enjoy the countryside is more important now than ever before.
Our cows will start calving very soon and although they are still in their winter quarters this certainly keeps our team on their toes. With over 60 calves due to be born it certainly will be a busy time, some mothers will take on their suckling babies, but for any calf that is unable to succeed to feed naturally from its mother means we must be ready to hand rear them to ensure a good and healthy life.
Winter warmers are the way forward this month. Our deli team are giving away a free Americano coffee or an everyday tea with every £20 spent in our farm shop throughout January. We also have inside seating available for those really chilly days. Enjoy warm bacon sarnies or savoury pastries straight from the oven, or for a more healthier option we always have a selection of fresh juices and winter salads. Our takeaway or sit in service is open every day.
Seville Oranges make an appearance this month, although not native to our country these bitter oranges are great for making ‘Paddington Bears’ favourite preserve, Marmalade. Made from the juice and peel of Seville oranges lightly boiled with sugar and water. Sevilles are by far the juiciest fruit but you can also make marmalade from other citrus fruits such as lemons and limes. This preserve, smeared over buttered toast or used as a glaze over meat is just simply the best!
January is known as a ‘slow-cooking’ month and boy do we have a fantastic array of slow-cook meats available on our butchery counter. With the colder weather it’s a great way to experiment by using up leftovers to create great family meals. Mince beef, lamb and pork are all great for making warming chillis, curries and our favourite cottage pie. Casseroles using cuts of lamb shank, lamb neck or beef brisket with the addition of offal like liver, beef cheek or ox tail are also great money saving ways to create warming suppers, slow cooked in the oven or slow cooker. For a quick healthy meal our lean steaks are great for stir-frying along with vegetables. With Burns night (25th January) approaching our farm shop will be full of ‘Robert Burns’ fever. Fresh haggis, potatoes and turnips are a must for any burns night celebrations all washed down with some delightful artisan whisky.
Our butchery classes are back! As we start the new year why not try something new, our butchery classes are Covid safe with only a few students booked in at any time enabling us to create a safe environment for all our attendees. Learn the tricks of the trade from our amazing qualified butchers so whether you are a small holder, chef or just want to learn how to butcher from nose to tail, our classes are the perfect choice. We have spaces available for evening classes on January 20th, February 17th and March 17th. All classes include all the meat you have worked on to take home with you. To book please call our team on 01992 552900 or you can order a voucher via our website. (link)
Treat yourself to a cosy Winter break with a luxury stay in one of our glamping pods this winter. Perfect for a family weekend or weekday stay, ideal for couples or just chilling with friends with central heating indoors and a wood-fired hot tub outdoors you can enjoy spectacular sunrises and stunning frosty vistas. For all booking enquires please see our website page. As a special ‘Valentine Offer’ with any stay booked during February we will include a complimentary bottle of champagne, so you can say cheers with your loved one.
We also offer a delivery service on any orders from our farm shop over £40 within a five mile radius for a small £4 charge. We will deliver direct to your door so if you don’t feel safe shopping, you’re isolating or the weather is poor we can be on your doorstep with a box of farm goodies.
So if you are preparing warming delicious meals, fancy a cosy ‘winter’ weekend away or celebrating with a wee whisky & haggis, here at Foxholes Farm we have the perfect remedy for those ‘winter blues’.
