We’re an independent village shop in Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire with the convenience of a post office and free parking. We stock a range of well-known food brands and also supply locally sourced produce. Why not sign up for our bulletins to get information about what’s going on in the shop and the village?
Posted under Shop news
This post was written by Marc on November 3, 2008
Gorgonzola is not so much a blue cheese as a green cheese: its distinctive, soft green veining brings an unmistakable element to its smooth, creamy body and generally mellow tangy flavour. The strength of flavour varies according to the age of the cheese: sweet and soft when young (when it can also be known as Dolcelatte), as it ages it becomes firm, crumbly, robust and spicy.
It freezes well, though after freezing it will become extra crumbly and is then best used in cooking or salads. Its flavour becomes milder and sweeter during cooking; it melts deliciously when stirred into a simple risotto.
Here’s a recipe for Jamie Oliver’s Apple & Walnut Risotto with Gorgonzola
Gorgonzola with Marsala is the Italian equivalent of Port and Stilton. Gorgonzola also pairs well with champagne, full bodied red and sweet red wines, and with pears, apples, peaches, nuts and raisins.
Gorgonzola was first made in the village of that name outside Milan, though the village has now been absorbed into the city after centuries of urban growth. Some date the history of Gorgonzola production precisely to 879 AD, others go as far back as the Romans – but however long its pedigree it remains hugely popular worldwide. Many cheese makers have attempted to imitate Gorgonzola, but it is protected as fiercely as fine rare wines, and imitators are unable to replicate the balance of moulds which continue to give it its distinctive flavour. These moulds occur naturally in the caves where it was first ripened centuries ago.
Trivia point – The London Stock Exchange is known as ‘Gorgonzola Hall’ because of the greenish marble used in its interior!
Posted under Food ideas, Recipes, Shop news
This post was written by Vandy on March 8, 2010
For those who couldn’t make the event - here’s the report on the latest sustainability talk in Whittlesford – subject: All things recycling.
Posted under Food ideas
This post was written by Marc on February 28, 2010
We’re going Swiss this week with two cheeses that make perfect fondues
Emmental cheese is the original Swiss cheese, a creamy colored cow’s milk cheese with characteristic large holes. The cheese originated in the Emme Valley of Switzerland, in the region of Bern. The large holes and creamy, nutty flavor have made Emmental a perennial favorite around the world, and the cheese is well suited to a range of cooking projects.Photo Credit: Scaredy Kat
Posted under Food ideas, Recipes, Shop news
This post was written by Vandy on February 21, 2010
Channel 4 is gathering material at the moment for a new TV series on village life vs city life. They’re asking people to tell them what they love about whichever style they have chosen.
We got a note from a customer that made me think about one of the best aspects of life in Whittlesford.
It’s rhythm.
Every place has it’s own rhythm. It’s the stuff that creates the structure of daily life, the people you see at the same time every day, the flow of activity through the place. It’s a combination of movement, sound and people.
The card we got was from a 10 year-old customer who drew very big smiles on the front and wrote:
“Thank you for waving and smiling at me every day!
It really makes me SMILE!
It always starts my day off very happily!
I will carry on waving to you!
She’s talking about part of the early morning rhythm of Whittlesford. Just before school starts, the stream of mothers and children who walk down the High Street wave and smile as they pass the shop. And we wave back. It happens every day during term time. And she’s absolutely right – it’s an excellent way to start the day.
And we’d like to follow her example and say thank you to all our smiling customers.
It’s a great part of the rhythm of Whittlesford.
What’s your favourite village rhythm?
Photo credit: 1happysnapper
Posted under Food ideas
This post was written by Vandy on February 18, 2010
We just love this fantastic picture done by Amber Thayne. She’s captured all the elements of what she feels is important in the shop, and it’s so bright and creative – it makes us smile every time we see it. Amber’s picture will be on display in the shop window for everyone to see.
Prizes were received by Amber Thayne and Daisy Godbold.
Amber receives her parcel of sweets and chocolates, watched by her proud mum, Elaine.
Posted under Food ideas
This post was written by Marc on February 11, 2010
