5 Ways to Have a Heart this Valentine's
[vc_row][vc_column width="1/1"][vc_column_text]At Swillington we operate a nose to tail butchery, using the entire carcass of an animal. Not only does this give you great taste from forgotten cuts it's also great value and reduces food waste.As it's Valentine's we thought we'd give you some ideas for hearty fare using a delicious traditional cut, the heart.The way to a Swillington Heart? Easy, just order a meatbox or visit our farm shop.Here are our favourite picks from around the web all with a little bit of a link to the Swillington Story:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/1"][banner_simple_height title="1. Everything But The Oink" subtitle="Ewan Michell goes the Whole hog" link_url="#" title_color="#ffffff" subtitle_color="#ffffff" inner_stroke="2px" inner_stroke_color="#ffffff" bg_color="#000000" bg_image="9139" height="150px" sep_padding="5px" sep_color="#ffffff" with_bullet="no" bullet_bg_color="#000000" bullet_text_color="#ffffff"][vc_column_text]
For me pig heart epitomises the reasons that I'm carrying out this nose to tail challenge. This was a glorious meal, made with a stunning ingredient that so many people would turn their noses up at without even tasting it.
Back in 2013 local Leeds Foodie and blogger Ewan Mitchell went 'the whole hog' and sponsored one of our pigs from field to fork. Ewan documented the journey from being free range and reared outdoors at Swillington to being butchered here on the farm and the numerous meals and cuts that were used.It was a great way to showcase both the life of high welfare pigs and the difference that makes alongside the great value that can be had by using the entire animal.As part of his blog Ewan cooked up a variety of different offal, in April he tried heart in a Vietnamese Pig Heart StirfryRead about 'Breakfast' the pig here and Ewan's Pig Heart Stir Fry here
Photograph: Ewan Mitchell
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/1"][banner_simple_height title="2. Hugh's Paprikash of hearts and livers" subtitle="Sustainable Eating Champions Pairing of Heart, Liver & Paprika" title_color="#ffffff" subtitle_color="#ffffff" inner_stroke="2px" inner_stroke_color="#ffffff" height="150px" sep_padding="5px" sep_color="#ffffff" with_bullet="no" bullet_bg_color="#000000" bullet_text_color="#ffffff" link_url="#" bg_color="#000000" bg_image="9146"][vc_column_text]
If variety of texture and flavour truly interests you, then you must turn to offal. The sweet-sharp tang of kidneys, the resistant density of heart, the mild creaminess of liver, the ready-made mousse of a lightly poached brain…in terms of sheer tongue-rolling interest, all these treats outflank a hunk of lean muscle every time.
Organic and sustainable chef Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall is a big believer in the benefits of offal. We worked with the River Cottage team to develop their hotel concept in Baildon a couple of years ago and we agree that offal should definitely be on the menu in more homes and restaurants.Try Hugh's recipe and read his thoughts on Offal over at the Guardian >
Photograph: Colin Campbell for the Guardian
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/1"][banner_simple_height title="3.The Greedy Pig - Pies & Tapas" subtitle="Nose to Tail Eating in the Centre of Leeds" link_url="#" title_color="#ffffff" subtitle_color="#ffffff" inner_stroke="2px" inner_stroke_color="#ffffff" bg_color="#000000" bg_image="9158" height="150px" sep_padding="5px" sep_color="#ffffff" with_bullet="no" bullet_bg_color="#000000" bullet_text_color="#ffffff"][vc_column_text]
With tapas dishes such as Tongue Tacos, Heart Kebabs and Marrow Burgers the greedy Pig have become local legend at food festivals around the city. The Greedy Pig ethos isn’t about ‘extreme eating’ it’s all about sustainability and reintroducing offal in a tasty way, which is why we’re delighted to work them.
At Swillington we love collaborating with local restaurants and chefs. The Greedy Pig in Leeds created a delicious pork pie at our Meat Up last September using Pork Belly, Shoulder, Bacon and a pigs heart.
We'll hopefully be welcoming them back later this year for another Meat Up and are currently getting our heads together for a tasty new collaboration during Leeds Indie Food Festival.
Visit the Greedy Pig for some local sourced goodness in Leeds >
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/1"][banner_simple_height title="4. Haggis neeps & tatties shepherd's pie " subtitle="Jamie's Twist on a Hearty Recipe" link_url="#" title_color="#ffffff" subtitle_color="#ffffff" inner_stroke="2px" inner_stroke_color="#ffffff" bg_color="#000000" bg_image="9164" height="150px" sep_padding="5px" sep_color="#ffffff" with_bullet="no" bullet_bg_color="#000000" bullet_text_color="#ffffff"][vc_column_text]
A recipe that anyone, anywhere in the world, can make as long as they have access to a fairly decent butcher.
Jamie Oliver's take on the traditional scottish recipe uses a lamb or pigs heart and is taken from his Jamie's Great Britain Cookbook and TV Series. While filming the Channel 4 Show Jamie visited Swillington Farm, picking his own produce and cooking it on the farm.Read more at JamieOliver.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/1"][banner_simple_height title="5. Try an Offaly Good Meatbox" subtitle="Get tradional cuts direct from the farm to your door" link_url="/meatboxes" title_color="#ffffff" subtitle_color="#ffffff" inner_stroke="2px" inner_stroke_color="#ffffff" bg_color="#000000" bg_image="1331" height="150px" sep_padding="5px" sep_color="#ffffff" with_bullet="no" bullet_bg_color="#000000" bullet_text_color="#ffffff"][vc_column_text]Tempted by these recipes? Try our meatbox builder and select 'Offal and bones' when choosing your meat. If you add a note that you would like a heart we'll do our best to add one in (there's limited supply as there's only 1 per animal!).Remember, we butcher everything ourselves on the farm and can include any cut of the animal - nose to tail - so if there's a recipe or cut of meat you would like let us know when you order, and if offal's not your thing you can still choose from the rest of the animal! This commitment to traceability along with quality and animal welfare is why we were voted Britain's Best Box Scheme.[/vc_column_text][vc_button2 title="Choose Your Meatbox" size="md" style="square" align="left" text_color="#ffffff" bg_color="#dd890b" link="url:%2Fmeatboxes||"][/vc_column][/vc_row]