eat local, eat british

  Im all for eating British produce and support the local businesses in your county. I try to avoid doing massive shops in supermarkets buying everythiung in site that I think I need and then end up going to waste. Usually I buy my veggies from Leicester market which can be better in terms of value but that produce is sourced from all over the world and the majority is unlikely to be British. But sourcing all your meat and veg locally is easier said than done, who has the time?

  
  Well my friend introduce meet to Riverford months ago and I have been so excited to try it.  Riverford are a farm that have brought together many farms from different countys across the country to provide local people with fresh produce, which includes meat, cheeses, breads and veggies and more speciality items. You go online and chose the type of veggie box you want, you can have salad boxes, fruit boxes, ones with lots of variety or your usual potatoes, onions and carrots. I went for a seasonal box to receive every two weeks. In this box you get 8-10 varieties of veg, never potatoes and hopefully the best examples of the season! I got my first box last week and its been great planning meals to make the most of the veg. It helps using the little recipe slips and magazines that come with your boxes. 
 Here are some of the recipes ive made so far using the veg. 

 Courgette and feta fritters. These are great and really light because the only use 1tbsp of flour and is lightened by beaten egg whites. I  had mine with chicken breast and chopped tomato and coriander salsa. 

 Chicken and leek pie filling with a basic white sauce. 

 Homemade shortcrust pastry, top and bottom. 

Enchiladas - Chilli made with lean mince, courgette, mushrooms wrapped in soft tortillas with rice and refried beans made with kidney beans, onions and peppers. 

I aslo cooked broccoli and carrots with my roast and runner beans with sausuge and mash. 
I love the fact that you get your produce in box, all dirty and fresh. No plastic, no chemicals, completely organic! Excited to see what I get next time. What shall I do with the fennel?