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Mutterings
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The West Country's
champions for 2012 |
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Evans the Butchers has
taken a traditional butchers shop and made it a one
stop shop, selling not only the finest local meat
products, but with an extensive deli counter, a
selection of pre-cooked dishes for parties and an
alcohol licence enabling them to sell locally- made
wines and ciders, ensures they meet the needs of all
their customers. Based in Langport, Evans the
Butchers began trading in 2008 when Gareth Evans
bought an existing butchers shop. In 2009 Gareth was
joined by Pedro Aparicio and his wife Clare. As
their reputation grew, so did the call for their
catering skills and there are not many parties,
weddings and shows in Somerset that have not
involved their hog roasts, BBQ and steak nights. In
fact Clare is frequently asked to provide her own
twist on Pork Pie wedding cakes or to assist
caterers and restaurants with their functions.
Although the vast majority of produce is locally
sourced, Pedro's Spanish heritage means that he
brought to Somerset a little of his Valencian
flavours. You can now find Spanish spices, oils,
olives, chorizo, Jamon and Paella kits. Continuing
the tradition of unique butcher banter, you will
find that there is not much they don't know about
how you like your steak or what sausages you have at
breakfast. It is this insight and knowledge that
keep their customers coming back time and time
again. |
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Most importantly get the
meat out of the fridge to allow it to come to room
temperature. Never cook any meat straight from the
fridge. Bring your oven up to temperature of about
220 c . Place your Pork on some cut onions. They
provide a natural trivet system and add flavour to
the roasting pan which you later use for gravy.
When the oven is up to temperature, season the pork
generously with salt and pepper and place in the
centre of the oven. Stuff some garlic, sage, thyme
or any other herbs into the pork if you have them.
After a good 20 mins cooking turn your oven down to
180 and leave your shoulder gently cooking for up to
2 1/2 hours. Roughly an hour before the meat has
finished cooking remove and place your chosen root
vegetables in the roasting pan. (The timing really
does depend of the personal vegetable preference and
how you like to present your veg.)
Turn the vegetables in the juices produced by the
pork. When your vegetables are cooked remove and
keep warm along with potatoes etc. Remove your
pork, and no kidding, leave it to rest for at least
half an hour..
All the fibres in the meat will retract and retain
moisture and flavour. The meat will remain hot.
During this time drain any fat from the roasting pan
and place the pan on the hob. Add a little flour
and blend well with all the flavours left in the
pan.
When you have cooked and amalgamated the flour add
some stock, a little at a time, until you have your
own preferred consistency of gravy. Add any juices
from the rested meat. Happy Sunday Roast! This is
just the way I do my roasts, I am not Nigella!
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Excellent Meat for Sunday Roasts |
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How have we all managed to get so busy that we have
lost the ability to relax and enjoy the delights of cooking a Sunday
Roast for friends and family? At this time of the year we are fed
up with winter and have just about recovered our finances from the
festive period. With that in mind I love looking for an affordable
cut of meat that will provide me with more than one meal including
the Sunday Roast.
I positively look forward to getting up on Sunday morning to
prepare. I amble to the kitchen in my dressing gown and make the
morning cuppa. Whilst waiting for the kettle I remove my joint of
meat from the fridge (making sure it is out of the cats reach) and
the anticipation of a great meal with a good glass of wine begins.
Whilst watching the news with our tea and 17 month
old in bed we discuss the day ahead. Who’s coming and what time etc
etc. When we do finally get up its straight to the kitchen and with
a glass of wine in hand (well it is Sunday) we start having fun
preparing vegetables, setting tables and generally enjoying a decent
conversation.
When all the preparation is complete its time for a
walk with the dog or alternatively I nag Peds into doing those
little jobs that never seem to be completed!
The whole day is taken up enjoying our precious time
and socialising with family and friends. If there are any leftovers
you can bet they go into a wonderful pie or stew over the following
days.
Knowing that the meat I have chosen is of the highest
quality and the fact that I know it has been born, reared and
produced locally is very important. You only get this satisfaction
from your local butcher. The shoulder of pork is just one delicious
cut of meat available from Evans The Butchers. Shoulder of Lamb is
equally sumptuous cooked in the same manner. You could ask the
butchers for shin of beef which is superb for braising to provide a
warming budget busting meal. At Evans The Butchers the meat is from
Somerset and aged to perfection. Ask them for ideas, they love
it......... |
Please email us your requirements.
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