A pies of the action this British Pie Week!

It’s British Pie Week 2020! An awareness week we can really get behind (Who doesn’t love a pie? Definitely better than National Awkward Moments Day. Yes really. March 18^th if you were wondering…)

If you’ve been into our Helmsley deli of late you’ll have seen our wide selection of delicious pies. They’re made for us by the wonderful The Original Baker based in nearby Malton. Steak and ale, slow cooked minced beef and onion, slow roast pork in a cream and cider sauce, in an all butter shortcrust pastry case and a puff pastry lid (best of both worlds)… a mere mention of them makes the mouth water!

We even have The Original Baker’s range of delicious gluten free pies for those who are unable, or prefer not to eat gluten. How about a gluten-free slow-cooked beef and vegetable pie or a thai vegetable pie with a creamy coconut sauce?

Britain’s history with pies dates back as far as Roman times. Did you know the pastry on a pie was originally just a cooking and serving dish, with the rich just eating the fillings? (Although it’s thought the servants may have been given the tough and slightly inedible pastry to eat). Of course it wasn’t quite the crumbly, buttery pastry we see on our pies today!

Pies have always been part of our popular culture – from nursery rhymes (Sing a Song of Sixpence, Jack Horner and Simple Simon) to slightly more disturbing accounts of people being baked into pies by Shakespeare and in Sweeney Todd. In the 16^th century, cooks used to bake live animals into ‘Surprise Pies’ so they could jump or fly off once it was served. Think we might give that tradition a miss. For 16 years in the 1600s, mince pies were banned for being a ‘pagan form of pleasure’ by Oliver Cromwell! Well, they are good…

In a truly British tradition dating back to the middle ages, every time there is a jubilee or coronation, the people of Gloucester send lamprey pie to the Royal household. Lamprey is an eel-like fish – we’re not convinced we can see the Royal family tucking into that as part of the celebrations but we love a quirky tradition!

Research this year by BBC Good Food revealed that cottage pie was the nation’s favourite pie – a controversy indeed given it contains no pastry so technically isn’t even a pie – sharing the top spot with chicken pie. However, another poll by Uber Eats revealed that chicken and mushroom topped the list for the savoury pies and apple for the sweet. Although, as you’d perhaps expect, apparently there’s quite a lot of variation across the regions, with the North rating steak, cheese and onion and meat and potato high on their lists.

Whatever your favourite we’re sure we’ve something to tickle your tastebuds this British Pie Week! (except if it’s a ‘Surprise Pie’ – then you’re on your own)

New year, new you?

Happy new year to all of our wonderful customers, suppliers and friends. Hope you had a magnificent Christmas. 

Christmas is, of course, all about the overindulgence. Over the last week or so, we’ve heard many a customer joke that they were 90 per cent cheese, or that pure chocolate (or red wine) was running through their veins! 

And so January brings with it those feelings of needing to make a change, to deny yourself some of life’s pleasures and to ‘be good’, whatever that actually means! So, not only are the decorations and sparkly lights all gone, presents all over and done with and no more days off work to look forward to – but apparently it’s no longer acceptable to have a bucks fizz at 11am and crack open the chocolates for breakfast?!

But sometimes a change is what is needed and a new year’s resolution can give you the push to do it. Although perhaps it’s best not to call it that – as research shows only one in four people manage to keep theirs going beyond the end of January. The general consensus for success seems to be to set manageable, tangible goals rather than the generic – so instead of “I want to eat healthier” it might be “I want to cook from scratch at least four times a week”.

Perhaps you’re trying Veganuary? A quarter of a million people signed up last year, with many more doing it more informally. Approximately 22 million people now identify as ‘flexitarian’ (which basically means eating more plant-based foods and less – although still some – meat). Whether you’re a vegan, or you just want to reduce your meat intake, we have some fantastic products and ingredients in store to help you cook up a storm or grab a snack on the go. How about Macadamia nut butter or the fabulous range of Rafis curry packs perfect with the many pulses and beans we stock.

Another popular month to sign up to is Dry January. Certainly after the excesses of Christmas it can feel like a good idea to have a bit of a break. We have some amazing ‘grown up’ soft drinks in store, as well as some non-alcoholic spirits, such as Seedlip, which are ideal to mix with tonic, ice and a slice so you don’t feel like you’re missing out.

If you’re just trying to eat and drink a bit more healthily, we can help with everything from dinner inspiration to a wide selection of delicious herbal teas. Eating well doesn’t have to be boring!

January is also Walk Your Dog Month, which is great for anyone looking to ensure they stay active. Of course, you have to actually have a dog first – or be able to borrow one. Helmsley is a great place to come with a four-legged friend as lots of businesses are pooch friendly, and there’s plenty of great spaces nearby to stretch everyone’s legs. 

Whatever you’re doing to mark the start of the new decade, here at Hunters we hope 2020 brings you health, happiness, peace and prosperity. And we look forward to seeing you soon!