How’s your Ploughman’s?

Our great friend Rupert Culme-Seymour, Regional Sales Director at Heineken and general
pub-industry legend, has kindly sent in his thoughts on our nation’s old-favourite dish, the Ploughman’s…

How’s your Ploughman’s?

Do you ever wish for a really great plate of chutney, freshly baked bread, a good hunk of cheddar, some pickled onions and a cracking pint of cask ale for lunch? I bet you it’s cheaper than a latte & a Panini…Yes it should be fresh and delicious and it should be served to you with a cheery smile – this is what I’m after…surely it can’t be hard??? How about crisp beer battered fish & thick cut chips, homemade tartar sauce and a wedge of lemon…enjoyed with a glass of crisp sauvignon blanc! …Yum….and where should you go for this…yup your local pub which may well be closer to where you live than a lifeless national convenient super market (how many people smile in these places???)…. isles of convenience that can only be taken to your own home and consumed whilst watching some average talent show??

Why not be inconvenient and go to your local pub, enjoy rubbing shoulders with other people, have a drink in a glass and put a smile on your face!

 

Pleased as punch

Raise a glass to yesteryear during the forthcoming festivities by making a giant punch bowl. Send in pictures of your punch parties to [email protected] or tweet us @useyourlocal.  The most impressive punch-maker will win a crate of lager, supplied by our friends at Heineken. All entries must be submitted before 10th May 2011.

Three world-renowned cocktail experts have shared their favourite punch recipes with us to inspire you; we’re looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

A perfect punch for scorchers…

Rosy Punch by Tony Conigliaro of 69 Colebrooke Row

700ml Sipsmith London Dry Gin

350ml fresh lemon juice

175ml Marashino cherry

175ml Merlet Triple Sec

100ml Sugar Syrup

1.4L Rose Wine

700ml Soda

Combine all ingredients in a big jug with ice, garnish with lemon slices and rose petals.

For less balmy days…

Hot Gin Punch by Jared Brown and Anistatia Miller

Inspired by the writings of Dickens and the hot punches that were popular in the nineteenth century.

 

1 Dried lemon peel

½ Dried orange peel

20 Whole cloves

½ tsp Coriander seeds

1 tsp Anardana dried pomegranate seeds

10 Elaichi green caradmom pods

10 Juniper berries

2 two-inch pieces of Dalchini cinnamon or Ceylonese cinnamon

1 pint of water

Simmer all ingredients in a saucepan for 5-10 minutes. In a tea cup, add 50 ml Beefeater 24 Gin. Pour in the hot liquid. Top with ginger beer.

Cheers!