Making brands more distinctive

Earlier this week I was given four meat pies from Whirlow Hall Farm a local charity that helps urban kids to understand that milk comes from cows, not Tescos. At work we do pro bono work to help them promote the produce that they grow on the farm. We get the occasional veg/meat box as thanks and it’s good stuff.

A pie is a wondrous thing. I don’t think there’s any other country that does the pie as well as Britain. Yet, as ever, we are humble about it and rarely shout it’s praises. Anyhoo a pie requires a few simple accompaniments. One is gravy, two is mashed potato (although many feel that this is a step too far) and the third is another unsung hero of Brtish cooking. The mushy pea.

Now I’ve only recently discovered the homemade mushy pea. It requires a bit of planning which probably explains why they’re usually consigned to the takeaway or tin. A trip to the local whole food shop reveals the core ingredient, dried marrowfat peas, as uninspiring grey mouse brains. The planning part comes in as they require soaking overnight with lots of cold water and a tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda. After soaking a quick rinse, cover with clean water, bring to the boil and simmer for 30 minutes. For 25 of these 30 minutes your mouse brains will swirl around aimlessly never looking like they will ever make the mushy pea grade. Your heart will sink. What a waste of time, should have bought a tin or relied on the chippy. But then a miracle. The peas give in. After years of drying, a night soaking and a mere 1/2 hour cooking they release their green liqueur into a swirl of rich earthiness that provides the perfect balance between liquid and solid. An edible lava flow. The tang of mint sauce adds a piquancy that defies the utter simplicity of the ingredients and process.

Such simple cooking added to the timeless perfection of the pie and it’s humble home-made upbringing makes for a perfect family meal. It all tastes great too. There’s few combinations that are as good. It’s only inappropriate because summer has just arrived and it’s 22 degrees. We’ll have salad tomorrow. Maybe.

Joe.