Market manager Kardien Gerbrands talks about Swindon farmers' markets

HERE’S a nice wintry recipe that costs very little and will warm the cockles.

West Country Gratin is designed for us in the shires and is full of local produce.

A gratin is a well-known culinary technique in which an ingredient is topped with a browned crust.

From the name you can tell it originated in France but it is a simple meal to prepare, usually in a shallow dish of some kind. You’ll need 250g of potatoes, 2 large carrots, a large leek, 200g cooking bacon cubed, 200ml apple juice, 300ml milk, 100g of cheddar and some butter and flour.

Cube and boil the potatoes for about 7 minutes then add the chopped carrots and continue to boil until both are tender; drain.

Meanwhile fry the leek and bacon together for 7-8 minutes until the leeks are soft and the bacon is golden brown.

Stir 50g of flour into the leeks and bacon (creating a roux) and return to the heat for a minute or two.

Remove from the heat and gently stir in the apple juice and milk a little at a time until you get a smooth sauce.

Add the carrots and potatoes to the sauce and stir thoroughly.

Tip the mixture into a shallow dish, sprinkle with the grated cheese and pop under the grill until the top is browned.

If you fancy it then why not head down to the farmers market on Sunday at the Designer Outlet from 10am to 4pm and get all the ingredients you need for this easy, cheap and delicious meal?

Markets

  • Bradford on Avon, third Thursday, 9am to 1pm at Westbury Gardens, BA15 1DE.
  •  Bradford on Avon, last Sunday, 10.30am to 2.30pm at Lamb Yard, BA15 1FG.
  •  Calne, second Saturday, 9am to 1pm, near the library, SN11 0JU.
  •  Corsham, third Saturday, 9am to 1pm, High Street SN13 0HB.
  •  Devizes, first Saturday, 9am to 1pm, Market Place l Malmesbury, second and fourth Saturdays, 9am to 1pm, Market Cross 
  •  Royal Wootton Bassett, fourth Saturday, 9am to 1pm, High Street.
  •  Salisbury, weekly on Wednesdays, 9am to 2pm, Poultry Cross.
  •  Swindon Farmers’ Market, every Sunday, 10am to 4pm, Swindon Designer Outlet, Kemble Drive, SN2 2DY.
  •   Trowbridge, second and fourth Friday, 9am to 1pm, Fore Street, BA14 8HX.
  •  Wanborough, third Saturday, 9am to midday, Wanborough Village Hall.
  •  Warminster, first and third Fridays, 9am to 1pm, central car park, BA 12 9BT