The Dales Chef

In this episode, we are going bananas, Bruce looks into when the nation's favourite fruit came from.  But is it actually a fruit?  And there's a link between the Dales and every single modern day banana eaten in the western world. 

Banoffee Pie, to Bananas and Custard.  How do you enjoy yours?  Just how good are Bananas for you?

Finally, how do you peel yours?  There's a revelation from the animal world!

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In this edition of the Dales Chef Bruce Elsworth talks about everything goat.  It's been a staple around the world for tens of thousands of years.  Humans have bred and farmed Goat for meat, milk, cheese and its skin.  Nothing is ever wasted.

Goat meat is not over popular here in the UK but it is in North Africa - Morocco, in Asia with Goat curry and in the Caribean.  Here we are more into Goat milk and Cheese.

Bruce looks into why Goat milk is so popular and some tasty ideas for Goat cheese.

Theres some fun facts as always...and we're not KIDDING!

In this edition of the Dales Chef, Bruce Elsworth looks at honey - its origins, it's uses both medicinal and culinary.

Bruce talks about the benefits of local honey verses supermarket bought honey and theres some top tips for using honey in your kitchen.

Bruce tells us all about the hives they have at the Mill too, providing honey for their own restaurant.

We find out about one local business which thrives on honey products.  Herd and Hive specialise in bee products and offers educational visits to see their own bees.  You can often meet them at events in the Dales and at local markets too  https://herdandhive.co.uk/

There are some fun facts about the humble bee.  Do you know just how fast it can fly, or how it communicates with other bees when it finds some delicious pollen?

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Shrove Tuesday, the day before the beginning of lent is when we traditionally use up all the ingredients in the cupboard before fasting.  Hence making pancakes with the available eggs.  

Now its become more about buying things in to enjoy our pancakes - savoury or sweet.

In this episode the Dales Chef delves into the history of the pancake.  Its origins and how it has developed here, over the pond and in Amsterdam.

Some great recipe ideas for savoury pancakes, making the best batter and not forgetting the simple lemon and sugar traditional Shrove Tuesday pancake.

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Do you like it black, white, filtered or instant?  We all love a coffee our way and today The Dales Chef Bruce Elsworth looks into why coffee is a favourite drink.

We look at using coffee in cooking - from Tiramasu to coffee cake and a little tipple too with an Espresso Martini!

Where have you 'bean'?  It's coffee all the way today on the Dales Chef!

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In this edition of The Dales Chef Love is in the air as Bruce Elsworth looks at our passion for chocolate, whether to woo your loved one with or to simply to indulge yourself!

What are its origins?  Is is related to coffee? Why do we enjoy it so much?

From Cadbury's Dairy Milk to Milk Tray what do you spoil your loved one with on Valentines Day?

Originally made popular by the Swiss, I bet you didn't know we nearly had chocolate in the UK in the sixteenth Century!!

There's a tasty treat of a desert knocked up in the Dales Kitchen with a rather chocolatey centre and adding a new dimension to a chilli!

Whatever your favourite bar or box, have a happy Valentines Day from The Dales Chef!

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Valentines Day is nearly upon us and in this episode of the Dales Chef, Bruce Elsworth gives us some ideas for a Valentines meal at home, plus how things work in restaurants on teh most romantic day of the year.

Start the evening with some bubbles!

From Steaks to Seabass - some great ideas for main couse and a nice light desert.  Cheese for nibbles later on.  Plus of course chocolate!

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Bruce Elsworth, the Dales Chef delves into the delicious world of Ice Cream.  From its origins with Marco Polo and then the resurrection in Victorian times.

What did the first ice cream look like?  What did it taste of?

We look at some rather quirky American flavours plus the humble vanilla.

There's recipes to make your own ice cream plus what to serve it with.

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In this episode of the Dales Chef we head North of the border to find out all about Burns Night.

Bruce looks at the traditions from piping in the haggis to the ode to the Haggis.

We look at what a good haggis tastes like and how to cook one.  And the traditional neeps and tatties as an accompaniment together with a whisky gravy.

Bruce as always has some fun facts and we cant let a Scottish traditional night pass without mentioning deep-fried Mars Bars!

Picture: Bruce Elsworth and Cameron the Piper at last year's Burns Night Supper at Elsworth at the Mill

In this episode of the Dales Chef, Bruce Elsworth enthuses about Yorkshire Rhubarb.  After Christmas, it is one of the products chefs look forward too come the new year.

It's available from the back end of December but always on the menu in restaurants from January.

Bruce talks about how he prepares this pencil-thin Rhubarb and what to serve it with.

Poached in orange juice with just a handful of flavourings it really is a January treat to behold.

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