The Cottage Smallholder

We enjoyed a lovely meal with friends this evening at a pub 5 minutes away from us. As you enter into the pub you can tell that the locals are still more than welcome to come for a drink while there is still the option to indulge in a meal. 

To start with my better half had pigeon breast with a quail's egg and bacon salad, our friend had scrambled egg with ham on a toasted muffin- just like breakfast really!! I had a curried butternut squash soup with a couple of doorstops of bread. After a great start I just couldn't wait for my steak and kidney suet pudding to arrive. I will have to venture into minted crushed peas when I'm be inventive in the kitchen, as these were gorgeous with the home-made sauce! Our friend's wife had Cajun salmon- looked nice and I was surprised at the variety of fish/vegetarian dishes there were on the menu, although at this time of year with vegetables so accessible I'm pleased to see they're making use of it! 

Two partridges stuffed with sausage meat and braised red cabbage were the choices for the men this evening. Looked scrummy and they both seemed to enjoy it!! 

My favourite (sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream) was on the pudding menu so I found a little hole- although I was joined by our friend too 🙂 My partner and friend got stuck into the cheese board consisted of 4 local cheeses (Mayhill from Charles Martell, Oxford Blue, Cerney Ash (goats cheese) & Hereford Hop) I would usually have sneaked a piece of goats cheese or Hereford Hop but when I tried, it had been wolfed down. 

Sorry to ramble on about this place but it was gorgeous! I feel so lucky to have such a truly traditional pub just down the road where we can take friends and be sure of a great night.

For those of you who are interested: http://www.green-dragon-inn.co.uk/food.php