Rachel, husband Chris and her brother-in-law Andrew run Ballintaggart Farm in Perthshire
Seeing the light
The shortest day is done and I am starting to notice the return of the light, ever so slightly later into the evenings as I put our chickens to bed. They seem to be enjoying the boost of corn to keep them warm and devour their greens as always. I only wish my children had the same enthusiasm for spinach! The lengthening days are not matched by warmer temperatures – to quote the old proverb, ‘as the day lengthens, so the cold strengthens’ and we’ve replenished and restacked our trusty log pile, one of the first of many January jobs, as we wonder how long before the snow returns.
Two faces of January
I always find January a month of two sides, one raring to go, filled with opportunity and productivity and the other sluggish, overwhelmed and focused mainly on staying cosy.
At home, we’ve started decorating, neatly organised the first month’s activities on our calendar and are packing as many colours into our meals as we can. Classic macaroni cheese with butternut squash and other hidden vegetables is the most satisfying.
Sweet comfort
In the steading kitchen, we’re cooking with home grown leeks, kale and purple sprouting broccoli from the garden and our well-stored apple stocks are still going strong – Chris’s apple crumble soufflé is exactly what one craves at this time of year, spoonfuls of soft, sweet comfort. The year ahead is shaping up to be full of inspiring masterclasses, delicious menus and exciting new developments. I hope you’ve had a productive and cosy start to 2018 too.
Music to cook to
Buena Vista Social Club – upbeat, happy and full of sunshine – the perfect boost for even the coldest of days!
@ballintaggartfarm (Instagram)
