Opinion

Like everything else there are variations in the quality of the good old “Yorkie”. Picture: National World archives

Really, do we need to have an excuse to enjoy a Yorkshire Pudding or two?

The first Burns supper was held at the family cottage, in the village of Alloway near Ayr, by Burns's friends, on 21 July 1801, the fifth anniversary of his death.

Scottish or not Burns’s birthday is an excuse to liven up a January day

Fish is a bit sparse at this time of year but smoked mackerel is a constant you can always rely on. Go to a fishmonger or deli to pick up some properly smoked fish. Picture: Tony Johnson

Blood oranges aren’t here for a long so make some time to cherish them

Tender moment between ewe and lamb in Lutterworth.

Farmers need to act now to get the right succession planning advice

The perfect sausages and mash is with the sausages cooked in an onion gravy with a tin of cannellini beans added at the end

My go to dishes for this kind of icy weather are pies, sausage and mash

Tender moment between ewe and lamb in Lutterworth.

Farmers need to act now to get the right succession planning advice in place for...

Eat more greens. It goes against the grain but there’s no disputing the benefits of eating them. Eating chard, kale and broccoli for example will provide you with food with the highest content of antioxidants, essential minerals and vitamins. Picture: www.LockStockPhotography.com

Rather than focusing on the negative, why not eat what makes us feel good?

There are only a few fishmongers left here and they do deserve our support. One of the things that they have is frozen local crab meat. (John Rafferty Photography)

Why not consider having fish this Christmas time? You won’t regret it

Stollen is a traditional German bread that’s been around for centuries but has become an intrinsic part of our Christmas eating. Picture: National World archives

Making Stollen is a labour of love but then the best things always are

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer meeting Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves at Downing Street, London, ahead of the government’s first budget in October. Picture: PA Wire/PA Images

Food security is clearly not deemed a priority by Starmer

With the Christmas Day lunch itself, I’ve ordered a turkey crown ( no one likes the leg meat), the ham and I’ll pick up the vegetables from the farm shop where there are no queues or screaming toddlers. Picture: Farming Life archives

A good gammon is my very favourite part of a traditional Christmas dinner

Sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream. Picture: The Yorkshire Post Magazine/Tony Johnson

Today sees the start of the Christmas period, there is still time to get ready

Today is the 30th of November and even though there have been crackers on the shelves since August, for me tomorrow is the start of the Christmas period.

Paula McIntyre

Cranberries are one of the gifts we can thank our transatlantic friends for. They’re readily available in the freezer section but in the recipe here I’m using dried cranberries soaked in local whiskey, or apple juice. Picture: Alexander Raths - stock.adobe.com

We should be more thankful to our farmers instead of penalising them

The massive meeting the UFU held confirmed support from local politicians, but this is a problem created at Westminster and it is one that can only be solved there. Picture: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press

The tax plans shows ‘we’re not quite all in this together’

The hidden costs of energy waste on farms

Zoe Stevenson

Moor Farm Feather Down

No farmers, no food": Farmer shares deep concerns for local industry

Butternut squash is now a staple but there’s a whole big world of gourds out there that deserve to be used all year round and not just for one night. Picture: David Loftus

Some squash are still appearing in the shops which is very heartening

Gary Buckett, head of health and safety at employment law firm AfterAthena, part of Napthens Group

Law firm Napthens advises farmers on staying safe when working with livestock

A pudding should be warm, may or may not have a fruity element, and always be served with cream, custard, ice cream or all three

A pudding can be sweet or savoury it’s now a celebration of sweet side

One of my most cherished stews is a traditional Irish one. For me it’s the potato that really makes the dish – creamy and full of the flavours from the lamb or beef it’s cooked with

Beef stew is our go to but there is a big world of stews to be discovered
With the time changing and the weather taking a turn in the cooler direction, it’s definitely time to think about rib sticking dinners to warm the heart.
Paula McIntyre

St Brides Fleet Street (exterior)

Good news for the countryside: Grateful hearts this Harvest

We tend to have sausage rolls as a snack now but I love them as a centrepiece main course. Picture: Una O’Dwyer

It is the perfect time to embrace a national treasure, the humble sausage

Gin itself has enjoyed a resurgence in the past few years with many now being produced in Northern Ireland. Picture: Yorkshire Post archives

I have many fond memories of Rita and Audrey in Corrie drinking gin and tonics

Whatever the health benefits are or aren’t coffee is a great tasting drink and also enhances many dishes. Picture: Marta P. (Milacroft) - stock.adobe.com

Theories about coffee consumption would leave you feeling a little dizzy

A simple way of preparing parsnips is to give them a good scrub, cut them in half lengthwise and drizzle with oil, a sprinkling of salt and a twig or two of thyme. Picture: iStock

Parsnips need a bit of frost before harvesting, so we need cold nights

Root vegetables like carrots, beetroot, parsnips and turnips have natural sugars in them and when you roast them they caramelise. Picture: Archive

It is possible to do a flavoursome cottage pie vegetarian alternative

Blackberries will deteriorate very quickly so use them straight away or preserve them for future use. Picture: stock.adobe.com

One of the simplest and easiest ways to keep blackberries is to freeze them

It has been an open secret that PM Sir Keir Starmer hopes this will be a blueprint for a wider deal with the EU. Picture: PA

Europe has bigger things to worry about than the UK now

The annual Moira Speciality Food Show always has plenty of fruit and vegetables on offer. Picture: National World archive

Paula McIntyre: At our local food festivals you’ll find proper jam and rare bree...

The trick DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has to do is bring in green measure without affecting farm productivity or the success of agriculture. Picture: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Brussels Notebook: Green delivery is not about diktats from the Ballykelly HQ

Harry Hall launches horse census

New census to reveal the true impact of rising costs on horse care in the UK
Equine specialist, Harry Hall, has this week announced the launch of its first ever Horse Census - a nationwide survey of horse owners and riders that aims to provide an overarching view of how the economic instability in the UK has impacted horse ownership and equestrian communities.
Beth Pearson

The good thing about tomatoes grown here is they have flavour, are misshapen in places and are totally real. Picture: News Letter archive

Paula McIntyre: At this time of year I like to eat as many tomatoes as I can as ...

Corn and butter are a match made in heaven and one I’ve enjoyed over my lifetime. Picture: PA Photo/thinkstockphotos

Paula McIntyre: Corn on the cob is one of nature’s golden delights that we can s...

Blackcurrants are versatile and can be used in hot and cold puddings. Picture: SCRI Visual Aids

There’s something comforting about eating a summer fruit in the winter

The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen has won a second five-year term in the post, securing a majority in a secret vote in the European parliament. Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Brussels Notebook: Brexit failed to deliver move away from the ‘green diktats’

The humble spud has gone out of favour in recent decades in favour of the much more user friendly pasta or rice. Picture: Submitted

There is simply nothing like the joy of seeing the arrival of a new potato

Tractors are always a big draw no matter what age you are

Good News for the countryside: The blessing of a good covering

Tom Bradshaw

NFU reacts to Labour landslide

When I think of courgettes I think of the seemingly long hot summers spent at their house outside Cookstown. Picture: National World archive

Paula McIntyre: Courgette season always starts in early summer and can last so l...

Diana Armstrong

UUP candidate highlights role of farming industry

Enjoy local strawberries now and for the next few months and then forget about them until they return – like a visiting friend from abroad. Picture: PA Photo/thinkstockphotos

The first of the local strawberries have now arrived in the greengrocers

The Labrador is a clever and intelligent breed which comes in three colours - black, brown or gold. They are loyal, protective and patient, so will have usually have a high level of tolerance for young children and those less experience in handling dogs. Labradors don't require a lot of grooming, but like to open air lifestyle and are unable to pass water without taking a quick swim. They will need lots of exercise.

10 of the top breeds for first time dog owners

Rev Dr Sam Mawhinney, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

Presbyterian Moderator describes the day that changed everything

Neil Shand

National Beef Association produces election manifesto

Slow Food’s slogan is “good, clean and fair” food and has always celebrated the sheer pleasure of enjoying good food. For more information go to slowfood.org.uk. Picture: Submitted

Slow Food UK are encouraging us to make ‘Time For Lunch’ this June

Sunak has chosen to take his party to the right, despite elections being won on the centre ground. Picture: Jonathan Porter /Press Eye

If polls are right the blue hedge could well be clipped in election

TUV leader Jim Allister is warning of a potential threat to Smoky Bacon crisps produced in Northern Ireland

Are NI produced Smoky Bacon crisps now under threat from EU regulations?

Mackerel is coming into season now and there is nothing like it when it’s cooked over sizzling hot coals. Picture: Submitted

Hopefully the weather will be kind to allow for a Bank Holiday barbecue

Sweet cicely is one of those herbs you need to grow yourself – refreshingly you can’t pick it up in the supermarket. It has fernlike fronds and a taste like aniseed and liquorice. Picture: Ian Rotherham/National World archives

It is wonderful to see the garden has burst into life since I was last home

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

DAERA minister is to push for enhanced funding package for agriculture

Every fortnight people from a farming background, or who have a heart for the countryside in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, offer a personal reflection on faith and rural life. They hope that you will be encouraged by it

Good news for the countryside: We all need hope

There are over 4500 Fairtrade products from coffee and tea to flowers and even gold. Picture: Submitted

Paula McIntyre: Fairtrade ensures better trading conditions and sustainable farm...

It is not quite a perfect storm of negatives, but it is not far off it, thanks to wet weather for some areas, still high input costs and still low farm gate prices. Picture: Charles McQuillan/Pacemaker

There is no question, there are big problems facing farming

One of the benefits of cooking on coal is you can use the dying embers to bury things in. I like to cook onions, beetroot, even turnip in the hot coal. Picture: Elena Elisseeva

It’s officially time to dust off the BBQ and get grilling in the great outdoors

The slightly sour rhubarb and super sweet strawberries balance each other beautifully. Picture: PA Photo/JupiterImages Corporation

Paula McIntyre: There’s something nostalgic about rhubarb stems tied up with twi...

Enjoy a variety of delicious dishes created with rhubarb. Picture: unsplash

Paula McIntyre: There’s something nostalgic about rhubarb stems tied up with twi...

The farming industry is crying out for support to protect their livelihoods and themselves

Can farmers protect themselves as their businesses and properties become crime t...

There’s something celebratory and elegant about being poured tea from a proper teapot into a china cup and saucer. Photo by MOHD RASFAN/AFP via Getty Images

Paula McIntyre: Celebrate afternoon tea in style with these essential savouries ...

Good news for the countryside column: Whatever the weather, there’s hope