Home Grown

Joanne Grew tells us about the wonders of our locally reared and produced foods, and why you should not be missing out

It’s all very well being cultural by trying exotic food from all over the world, but as the saying goes ‘there’s no place like home,’ or in our case, ‘there’s no food like home.’ So why not take a look at what is on your doorstep and discover the delight of some traditionsl Welsh dishes. From barybrith to cawl, you would be surprised at the wide range of delicious dishes our country has to offer.

With recent campaigning to promote Welsh food on a cultural perspective in the East, many Welsh dishes can now be found on the menus of the worlds most exotic of countries, such as Dubai. It is exceeding itself here too, as more and more people today are buying produce grown or reared locally. The food purchasing report that people spent £9.9m in 2003, with a 46% increase to £14.6m in 2006. Carwyn Jones, Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside said: ‘buying local is good for both the economy and the government.”

Welsh cakes

Welsh cakes look like small sultana-studded pikelets and have a texture similar to a stone. Amongst other names, they are traditionally known as cacen gri in the North, and eisen gri in the South. A lot of Welsh people used to be poor and the average person would have some fruit with a bit of sugar and flower, which is how Welsh cakes came about. They are great to eat with a bit of sugar, butter, jam or syrup.

Welsh Rarebit

Welsh rarebit is a dish of melted cheese with beer, served on either crackers or toast. Historically it was used as an insult for those in poverty, who were said to eat it instead of the rabbit meat they lacked. It was named rarebit instead of rabbit to avoid offending the people who ate it.

Cawl

Cawl is a famous and traditional Welsh dish, which includes meat and vegetables, usually lamb and leeks. It can vary however and appears stew like , originating from the cook of the Welsh King Gruffydd ao Llywelyn in the eleventh century. He complained that a piece of meat kept rising to the surface, however often he pushed it back down.

Crempog

These Welsh pancakes are vary similar to ‘ordinary’ pancakes, except that buttermilk is traditionally used. They are served warm with butter and are made not too thin. Other suitable filings include spread with meat or fish and covered to make a sandwich. Savoury Crempog, hot and fresh, can make an excellent starter.

Welsh Faggots

Welsh faggots are made with oatmeal instead of breadcrumbs. It is often made with pieces of apple and liver, with the result being served with apple sauce.

Laver Sauce

Laver sauce goes extremely well with with shellfish and lobster. It is prepared as for Laver Bread, and is then heated and whisked with butter or orange juice or butter, and stock or cream.

Laverbread

Laver is a form of seaweed that can be rolled with oatmeal in two cakes and then fried into crispy patties with eggs and bacon. It is a taste of the sea, with a fine, black olive puree texture.