Jersey royals, sizzling scallops and chirozo

A versatile ingredient, known for their flaky skins, nutty flavour and creamy consistency, Jersey Royals are available from now until July each year.

Serves 2

Preparation time 30 minutes

Cooking time 12-15 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 tsp olive oil

• 225g Jersey Royal potatoes, sliced or cubed

• 2 spring onions, cut diagonally

• 25g chorizo, chopped

• 8 scallops

• Salt and black pepper

• 25g butter

• ½ tsp lemon zest

• 2 sprigs of lemon thyme

• A handful of rocket

Method

• Heat 2 tsp of the oil in a small frying pan, add the potatoes and fry, turning regularly, for 7-8 minutes until just tender and golden. Add the spring onions and chorizo and cook for a couple of minutes more until the chorizo has released its oil and the spring onions are wilted. Remove from the pan, set aside and keep warm. Wipe out the pan with kitchen paper.

• Dry the scallops with kitchen paper and season with salt and pepper. Heat the remaining oil in the pan until hot, add the scallops and sear them for a minute until just beginning to brown, then turn them and cook for a further 30 seconds. Remove from the heat, add the butter, lemon zest and thyme, allowing the butter to melt and coat the scallops. Spear the scallops onto skewers (allowing 2 per skewer).

• Spoon the potato mixture onto 2 warm plates, add 2 scallop skewers per portion, drizzle over the buttery juices before serving and scatter around the rocket.

For more Jersey Royal recipe inspiration, visit www.jerseyroyals.co.uk.

Contemporary fine dining in a spectacular hillside setting

Three miles from Oswestry, just over the Old Racecourse, Pen-y-Dyffryn Hotel and Restaurant has been owned by the Hunter family for over 35 years now. Second generation Charlotte and Tommy, along with their team of young and local staff, maintain its reputation as one of Shropshire’s topquality restaurants. It is the longest established AA Two Rosette restaurant in the whole of Shropshirecontinuously for over 20 years now. It has also been in the Good Hotel Guide for over 25 years.

Dining in the “Seasons Restaurant”, with its huge, south-facing sash windows, is central to the Pen-y-Dyffryn experience. This is contemporary fine dining at its best, with the emphasis on healthy and locally sourced ingredients. There is always a choice of four dishes at each course, including at least one vegetarian dish. Vegans, Coeliacs and special diets can also be catered for, as everything is freshly prepared each day.

Head Chef Lewis Barton and Sous Chef Sean Bateman, with the help of their young kitchen brigade, make it their business to change the menu every single day of the year. It also varies in accordance with the changing seasons. Every night is surprise night!

Is there a bar?

Of course! And a long wine list, majoring on New World wines. Enjoy a cocktail or a Shropshire Gin and Tonic by the fire, or relax in one of the two stylish Summerhouses overlooking the spectacular hills that surround Pen-y-Dyffryn. Sunsets are a must.

The restaurant is open seven days a week from 6.30pm, and light lunches and afternoon tea and scones are also available. Pen-y-Dyffryn is always busy, so booking is advised.

Pen-y-Dyffryn is perfect for romantic occasions, special occasions, or just to treat your loved one. You could also book one of the luxurious bedrooms, several with private patios and others with double spa baths. Now that is a treat!

Follow on instagram pen_y_dyffryn_hotel or Facebook Pen-y-Dyffryn Hotel for our latest offers. Or our webpage www.peny.co.uk.

Contemporary Fine Dining At Its Best With

ingredients

Vegans, Coeliacs and special diets can all be catered for, as everything is freshly prepared each day

Simla Tandoori

At the Simla Tandoori Restaurant in Beatrice Street, Oswestry, you’ll find out why customers keep coming back. The relaxed atmosphere and delicious Indian and Bangladeshi food are the order of the day.

George, owner of the Simla, focuses on great, fresh ingredients to create the most authentic flavours. Established in 1976, the family run business is open Tuesdays to Sundays, 5pm-11pm and provides takeaways as well as the option to dine in the smart restaurant, which was fully refurbished your meal.

If you are tempted to try some beautifully cooked cuisine, we recommend the Makhani Chicken - Tikka chicken cooked in cream and ghee, with cinnamon and light spices. Cooked in a rich tomato and coconut sauce. For those with a more traditional taste, try the vegetable Biriyani or Bhuna.

You will find all of your favourite side dishes such as Peshwari Naan, Vegetable Bhajee or maybe you prefer Bombay Potato. Either way, the Simla strives to deliver and exceed your expectations.

Customers return to the Simla because the staff are focused on providing an excellent experience and perfectly cooked food every time. If you have dietary requirements, the staff will take that into account and discuss your options with you.

Fat Rabbit

Fat Rabbit is an independent, award-winning cafe in the heart of Oswestry’s pedestrianised market quarter. The popular family run plant-based eatery was established by founder Linda Clark in 2016 with help from her two children Fred and Martha.

Since that time the doors have barely closed, even during lockdown. Owner Linda, took the decision to start making and selling healthy and delicious takeaway meals which were collected, delivered and enjoyed every week.

Linda said, “At one point I couldn’t keep up with the demand, the support was over-whelming.” This has now developed into a frozen food range sold instore or through their website.

“We have also started growing the outside catering side of the business for cakes, weddings, corporate events and even film and tv sets which is great fun.”

As a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, Fat Rabbit is also keen for muddy boots and furry companions, there’s always a bowl of water and dog biscuits on hand, as well as books and activities for younger customers.

You can enjoy Japanese dumplings and noodles in the secret garden at the back, sit out front with a coffee and a slice of homemade cake whilst taking in the hustle and bustle of the street market, or relax inside and enjoy a Fat Rabbit Blackbean burger with locally produced house salad, whilst viewing exhibitions featuring local artists.

Opening hours are 9.30am-4pm Monday to Saturday, but over the summer this extends to Sundays. It’s always a good idea to check their social media or website for extra events such as supper clubs, creative writing groups and the upcoming Fermented Foods workshop where people can learn about and take away a jar of gut-boosting Kimchi.

For more details go to www.fatrabbitvegan. com or fatrabbitfood on Instagram

Sustainability is at the heart of the business, and all takeaway packaging is plastic-free, meals are made with ingredients that are organic and/or local. Described by the Sunday Observer as ‘a place to hang out’ and The Telegraph reviewed that ‘culinary class [was] to be found at plantbased cafe the Fat Rabbit’. All this and a friendly welcome are to be found at 39 Bailey Street, Oswestry. After all, its finally spring, the perfect time for rabbits. Especially fat ones!

Niche Patisserie

Welcome to the flavours and incredible “works of art” created by Niche Patisserie and prepared for you by the only pastry team in Oswestry.

There is always the daily aroma that comes with the array of viennoiserie, and the artisan bread freshly baked everyday accompanied with speciality Coffee, Tea and Valrhona Hot Chocolate at the Niche bakery lounge. Then be prepared to step up to the firstclass level of patisserie in Oswestry with the Niche Afternoon Tea experience.

Niche is a family business of three dedicated owners, Samantha and Michael run the front of house areas and the commercial arm of the business, whilst the pastry team is headed up by Adam Cleal, Semifinalist from “Bake Off The Professionals” 2019.

Niche is something very special in Oswestry, and as our guests have recently said, “We cannot believe this beautiful patisserie is in Oswestry we are so lucky”, “We had an Afternoon Tea experience like no other around, it was better than some of our London experiences, very high-end quality.”

Niche has the patisserie and baking skills that you would except in a high-end establishment, everything is handcrafted in house by the team then beautifully showcased in one of Oswestry’s oldest buildings, The Black Gate, circa 1621.

Front of house and service is under the steady control of Samantha, an expert in delivering the class of service and “attention to detail” you would expect from one of the finest Afternoon Tea experiences in Shropshire. Sit back relax and enjoy the sumptuous delicacies Niche brings to you and let your taste buds explode with flavours that just say wow!!

We are now holding monthly workshops, covering an array of bakery and patisserie skills throughout the next few months. Please get in touch and follow our social media pages for more information.

Henlle Heights Coffee Lounge, Restaurant and Bar

Nestling in beautiful woodland, surrounded by mature trees and manicured parkland this stunning tetradecagon building encloses a coffee lounge, restaurant and bar. Sit back and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and good company in a truly unique setting where a very warm welcome is always assured.

Henlle Hall luxury woodland accommodation has won an award every year for the past 10 years, and is also the flagship for Hoseasons ‘Magnificent’ category which was launched this year. Relax and enjoy the beautiful woodland views with a cup of coffee or unwind with friends and enjoy the atmosphere in this truly tranformational setting.