Gloagburn in Perthshire’s first cookbook is a homage to the traditional country cooking of Scotland and a celebration of its natural larder.
Farmer’s wife and entrepreneur Alison Niven has created a book that tells the story of her family farm through classic, straightforward recipes straight from her Aga. Her family has farmed at Gloagburn for a century, diversifying in the last 20 years as the world of agriculture has changed. From its early days selling eggs at the roadside and jam at farmers’ markets, the farm now includes a thriving free-range egg business and a renowned cafe, deli and butchery.
It’s also the home to popular farming YouTube channel Crawfords Farm, run by her son. At the heart of it all is Alison’s farmhouse kitchen.
Making the most of simple ingredients, including the oats, eggs and beef produced on the farm, Alison shares her secrets for unfussy home cooking. From one-pot stews and casseroles slow-cooked in the oven, to beef stovies, tarts and twice-baked soufflé, these are hearty recipes to sustain busy family life. It also features recipes for the many biscuits, scones, slices and cakes that make the cafe so popular.
Chapters include:
1. Breakfast and brunch
Pecan and cranberry granola / Toasted nut muesli / Herb potato pancake, smoked salmon / Kedgeree
2. Eggs
Twice-baked cheese souffle / Smoked haddock, leek and cheddar tart / Crab, coriander and chilli tart / Asparagus, smoked bacon and Gruyere tart
3. Soup
Chicken, spinach and watercress soup / Mushroom and tarragon soup / Yellow split pea and ham soup / Gloagburn minestrone
4. Starters, salads & sides
Black rice salad with vinaigrette / Broccoli and bacon salad / “Kaleslaw” / Braised red cabbage with spiced apple / “Honeygar” salad dressing
5. Main Dishes
Beef stovies / Port and venison casserole / Chicken, mushroom and red pepper lasagne / Salmon and horseradish burgers / Roasted vegetable, goats cheese filo parcels
6. Teatime treats
Oatcakes / Highland shortbread / Girdle (harvest) scones / Cranberry, coconut and pecan flapjack / Marshmallow roll / Tablet /Kirsty’s ginger truffles
7. Cakes & tarts
Carrot and ginger cake / Raspberry and amaretti cake / Apricot and almond bakewell tart / Apple and mincemeat crumble pie / Strawberry tarts
8. Pudding
Orkney fudge cheesecake / Limoncello Pavlova / Seville marmalade pudding / Clootie dumpling / Annabel’s pear and ginger pudding
9. Jars
Curried banana chutney / Beetroot and horseradish chutney / Victoria plum jam / Rita’s lemon curd / Homemade lemonade / Autumn harvest damson gin
Alison says:
“This cookbook is more than just a collection of recipes; it’s a reflection of our journey and the community that has supported us along the way. It’s a celebration of the people, the produce and the spirit that makes Gloagburn special. Whether they are recipes that have passed down through our family or newer creations that have become beloved features of our farm shop menu, what they all have in common is a focus on fresh, local ingredients and the joy of sharing good food with others.”
Gloagburn: Recipes from a Scottish Farm by Alison Niven is published in hardback by Kitchen Press priced at £25.
Kitchen Press titles are distributed by BookSource.