Recipe
Comforting, cosy and perfect to spoon into bowls and share with friends, this creamy orzo is packed with golden roasted butternut squash, tender chicken thighs and lots of meltingly-good leeks, says Miranda Gore Browne.
Competition
This treasure trove from the Snowdonia Cheese Co is full of delicious treats.
Member Benefit
Countryside members get discounts on Ridgeline Clothing.
We always like to do something a little different with our festive cover, and this year we've gone all out. Our spectacular Christmas tree charcuterie board, piled high with seasonal cheeses and cured meats, was crafted entirely by hand, proving that human creativity still has the edge. Turn to page 54 for a behind-the-scenes look at how the cover came together.
Cheese is at the heart of this issue, and few producers embody British cheesemaking excellence better than Colston Bassett Dairy. On pages 33-38, we visit the Nottinghamshire dairy, where milk from neighbouring farms is transformed into award-winning Stilton and Shropshire Blue cheese. Renowned for its hand-ladled curds and traditional craftsmanship, Colston Bassett has earned a place among the country's finest blue cheesemakers.
Elsewhere, our friends at the Academy of Cheese share a dozen standout picks for your festive cheeseboard, while cheesemonger Jen Grimstone-Jones of Cheese Etc in Pangbourne offers expert advice on buying, storing and tasting cheese. If your usual approach involves taking it straight from the fridge and piling it onto a cracker, prepare to discover a better way.
Click on the front cover to read your digital edition.
Countryside are delighted to partner with Tanners Wine Merchants to…