IVY’S PERFECT PICNIC

There’s no better way of celebrating the English countryside than with a picnic. Here in Somerset, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a view: we can take our pick from green valleys, rolling hills, the odd craggy peak and views of the sea. For us, it’s also a family tradition to pack some of our favourite foods in the car and head off for a bit of a well-earned rest.

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For our grandmother Ivy, who created the recipe for our vintage Cheddar, it was also one of the few times she took off from the farm and dairy. She and her husband Tom were very hardworking, and back in their time that meant not just the job of making Cheddar to a high degree of quality but also all the work that went on in the house. While Tom was out in the fields tending to the cows, Ivy was cooking not only for her family but also for the other farm staff, and also cleaning and washing for them too.

Holidays were rare in those days, but every now and then she and Tom would decide it was time for a few hours off, and their favourite way to enjoy this was with a picnic. While Ivy was also famed for her cooking skills, the food on offer was usually simple. There would often be some Cheddar, of course, but it might equally be an afternoon trip with marmalade sandwiches. Just as important was a change of scenery, so Ivy and Tom would prefer to head for the sea, especially Porlock Hill near Minehead on the north coast. Here, after scaling one of the steepest roads in the country, they’d enjoy the view of the bay and the Quantock Hills.

If all this gives you a taste for a picnic of your own, we’d recommend you take some Ivy’s Reserve with you. If you have a bit more preparation time, we also have lots of picnic-friendly ideas in our Recipes section here on the website, including a Broccoli & Cheddar Tart, an Ultimate Quiche made with our vintage Cheddar and Somerset Red, and a delicious Griddled Peach & Ivy’s Salad. All of them taste even better with some fresh air, a blanket and a glass of Somerset cider or apple juice.

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