A Mother's Day Lunch

Did you know that liqueurs make a great addition to some traditional recipes – both savoury and sweet? 

If you are looking for a special twist for a celebration meal, perhaps for Mother’s Day, here is a delicious idea for a home-cooked meal using 2 of our favourite Wiltshire Liqueur recipes.

Sloe belly of Pork

INGREDIENTS (SERVES 4-6)

• 1kg piece of boneless pork belly, skin scored and patted dry
• 1 tbsp sea salt flakes
• 4 red onions
• 1 head of iceberg lettuce
• 1 unwaxed lemon
• 200g thick Greek yoghurt
• A pinch of sugar and sea salt

For the marinade

• 150ml Sloe gin
• 80g runny honey
• 2 tsp white pepper
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 200g redcurrants or mixed berries (frozen is fine), plus a handful to garnish

Method

• Mix the marinade ingredients in a shallow glass or ceramic dish. Place the pork in it carefully, making sure the marinade doesn’t touch the skin.
• Leave uncovered and place in the fridge for 4 hours or overnight.
• When the marinating time is up, preheat the oven to 220ºC (fan).
• Pat the skin of the pork dry with kitchen towel.
• Place on a tray, setting the marinade to one side, and use a blow-dryer for 2-3 minutes to remove all the excess moisture from the skin.
• Rub the skin thoroughly with salt flakes, getting into the scoring.
• Peel the red onions, cut into quarters and place at the bottom of the roasting tin, then pour over the marinade and lay the pork belly skin side up on top.
• Roast for 30 minutes, then turn the heat down to 150ºC and roast for 2 ½ - 3 hours, or until very tender.
• Remove the pork from the oven. Take the onions out and set aside.
• Crank up the heat again to 220ºC and place the pork back in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until the skin is crispy. Remove the pork from the oven.
• When cool enough to handle, separate the skin from the flesh. Slice the pork belly into slivers and chop the skin into small crouton-sized pieces.
• Cut the lettuce into thick slices, then wash and dry (keeping them whole).
• Finely zest the lemon and mix into the Greek yoghurt with the sugar and salt. Add a squeeze of lemon juice.
• To serve, place a large wedge of iceberg on a plate and top with the pork, onions, skin and berries. Drizzle with the yoghurt dressing.

Damson Pudding

INGREDIENTS

• 50ml of Damson Vodka
• 1kg of damsons (or other stone-based fruit in season)
• 200g golden caster sugar
• 125g self-raising flour
• 125-150ml milk
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted

Method

• Heat the oven to 180ºC / 160 ºF fan/gas mark 4.
• Put the damsons in 4-6 ovenproof dishes (or one large dish) and sprinkle evenly with 150g of the sugar and pour over the Damson Vodka.
• Sift the flour and remaining sugar into a bowl with a pinch of salt.
• Whisk in enough milk and melted butter to make a thick, smooth mixture that will just fall off the spoon.
• Spoon big blobs over the damsons but don’t worry if the fruit is not completely covered – it will bubble through as it cooks.
• Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden. Leave for 20 minutes before serving.

For more ideas take a look through our recipe pages