Newsletter May 2005
Modern Country Living - Domestic Bliss
Game On: Anyone for Badminton?
I reached for one of my favourite books - the Duke
of Beaufort’s Memoirs written by “Master” in the early 1980’s.
I have taken up my father-in law’s habit of writing in books and
sadly marked the Hunting ban date in the book. When I was a child
in the early 70’s I met the Duke although I was quite unaware
at the time who he was. We were over for our annual late summer
early autumn trip to “Yurrope” to see all the cousins etc when
we stopped off at Badminton to have a look around the house –
it was open then to the public- I was an enchanting child – all
blue eyed and blonde hair who was mad about horses so while my
parents were looking around the house I followed my nose to the
stables which were definitely not open to the great unwashed.
On the way I came across a lovely old man and told him that I
wanted to see the horses, please would he direct me. Well not
only did he give me a guided tour of the stables but the added
bonus was the kennels as well – I was having a great time. My
parents on the other hand realizing their offspring was missing,
were frantically looking everywhere for me. There I was chatting
very happily to this tall man who was in no immediate hurry to
shoo me away as he explained what was what in the Beaufort country.
I saw my parents and decided to make haste so thanked him very
much for the tour (think Eloise at The Plaza) and shook his hand
good by. After the usual we thought you were dead conversation
their anger/relief evaporated when I asked one of the gardeners
if he ever saw the Duke to which he replied why yes who did I
think I was talking to!
Polenta, fruit and Lemon curd tarts
Polenta Pastry in the food processor
300g flour (Plain)
80g Polenta
180g unsalted butter – cold and cubed
A pinch of Salt
2 whole eggs, beaten
120g golden caster sugar
1 egg yolk, beaten for egg wash
Sift the flour, sugar and salt into the food processor then add
the butter and Polenta and process for 30 seconds. Add the egg
and process again until it forms a ball (You may have to add a
little cod water 1 tablespoon at a time if the mixture is dry)
– stop immediately, wrap in cling film and rest in the fridge
for a minimum of 30 minutes.
When it has rested Line a 20.5cm loose based tart
tin with the pastry and lay a piece of greaseproof paper over
it and fill with baking beans. Blind bake the tart in a pre heated
oven 180c for 15 minutes remove it form the oven and take out
the beans and brush on a little egg wash and return to the oven
for another 5 minutes or until the pastry is done. Remove from
the oven and cool completely on a wire rack
Filling:
600g soft fruit – blueberries and raspberries would be fantastic!
1 jar of Duchy Originals Lemon Curd 300g
1 tbsp icing sugar
When the pastry case has cooled, remove it from
the tin and spread the Lemon Curd over the base. Scatter the fruit
over and dust with icing sugar. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes
or more and Serve with crème fraiche.
Tip: You simply must book a “Walking the Course”
with Lucinda Green at Badminton. Lucinda takes you round this
year’s cross country course – Ring the Box office on 0870 242
3436 or www.badminton-horse.co.uk
This article by Amy Willcock appears
in The Shooting Gazette May 2005, and is reproduced here with
permission.
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