Darts Farm’s ultimate guide to the perfect summer foodie break.
Any good summer break in the West Country is fuelled by great food. The team at Darts Farm have pulled on their expertise to create the ultimate guide to your perfect summer foodie break, come rain or shine.
From packing picnics to firing up the barbie, we have hints, tips and suggestions on how to kick-start your summer whilst enjoying all what the West Country has to offer.
Packing the perfect picnic with Margaret Taylor, Deli Manager
“Picnic staples such as, scotch eggs, pork pies and quiche slices are easy to transport and require minimum work and therefore are always on my menu. However, don’t stop at packing pastries when it comes to a lunch on the go;
- Avoid soggy salads and sandwiches by keeping dressings, sauces and fillings stored in separate sealed containers. Only get these out at the last minute to ensure freshness. I make mine in advance and chill through in the fridge.
- Create a salad bowl with pasta salad, antipasti and hummus – simply layer the ingredients making sure the heavier foods are at the bottom.
- If you are bringing cheese, stick with firmer cheese such as cheddar. Cheddar keeps better in warm weather and is a superb addition to any meal.
- We use wax paper instead of cling film to wrap the food, that way the food won’t sweat and keeps it fresh for longer.
- Pack frozen berries for your dessert – not only will they be perfectly defrosted by lunchtime but can help to keep your picnic cool.”
Best BBQ meat for barbies on the move
Darts Farm’s Master Butcher, Alistair David, gives us his top 3 meats for stress-free holiday barbecues.
SAUSAGES
“You can’t go wrong with handmade sausages, using locally sourced meat – compact and easy to transport. I love pork and red onion myself, paired with a dollop of sweet chutney and a glass of chilled, white wine. Alternatively, lamb and mint sausages are great served in pitta breads with a little mint yoghurt – no cutlery needed.
STEAK
Steaks are a barbecue classic and depending on how you like the meat served, they can be extremely quick and easy to cook. A favourite steak to barbecue is rib eye – it carries the most marbling, which when cooked, gives the most flavour. For medium-rare steak we suggest 6-8 minutes on either side. I take a small sealed container of Himalayan salt and pepper to season but the meat does the rest!
CHICKEN KEBABS
It isn’t too much hassle to pop some diced chicken in a freezer bag along with a marinade, then thread onto skewers just before cooking on the barbecue. You can make it as simple as garlic and butter or, alternatively I love using ‘Eat The Smoke’ rubs for a tasty twist. Breast is best when it comes to chicken, so the meat is lovely and tender when cooked.”
Work up an appetite…
There’s no better way to work up an appetite than hiring a bike and cycling along the stunning Exe Estuary trail. Visit picturesque riverside villages, the historic city of Exeter and delightful seaside towns along the way. The trail can take cyclists all the way from sea to city, calling past places like Lympstone, Topsham, Turf Locks and Powderham Castle, as well as riverside cycling too. The River Clyst which runs into the River Exe is thriving with wildlife, as well as having plenty of picnic stops along the way. The salt marshes and floodplains attract large flocks of geese and wading birds, ideal for lunchtime viewing.
Peter Wright, Darts Farm bike hire assistant; “The trail offers cycling routes for all abilities, whether cyclists wish to spend an hour visiting the beautiful village of Lympstone, or enjoy a 3 hour trip to Exmouth or Exeter. For a whole day, we recommend giving yourself 3-4 hours, including a lunch stop.”
Holiday cottage hampers
For a real taste of the South West, why not order a foodie hamper to be delivered to your holiday cottage. Order in advance and have it ready and waiting so you can sit back and snack as soon as you arrive. Alternatively, pick one up at Darts Farm on your way home and take a taste of the West back with you.
Visit Darts Farm’s website for more information on what they have to offer this summer; www.dartsfarm.co.uk