Culinary corner: Leicestershire

There’s only one thing that the British love more than a pasty: pies. From steak and kidney to apple and blackberry, sweet and savoury pies are a cornerstone of traditional UK cuisine, but nothing comes close to the love us Brits share for the Melton Mowbray pork pie.

For the next instalment of our culinary corner, we’re looking at Leicestershire’s finest export. It’s hot water crust pastry is a tricky art to master and the distinctive shape is the result of careful shaping round a specially made tool called a dolly.

To taste an authentic pork pie you need to travel to the market town of Melton Mowbray. Like Parma ham or champagne, only pies produced in this town can be recognised as an official traditional delicacy following an EU protection granted in 2009.

If you’re tempted to take your caravan or motorhome to Leicestershire to sample some of the county’s culinary delights, start your journey at Melton Mowbray’s oldest pie producer, Ye Olde Porke Pie Shoppe. Over a quarter of a million people visit this bakery each year and shop owner Stephen Hallam is happy to demonstrate his pastry techniques and explain more about the history of this beloved British classic.

Ye Olde Porke Pie Shoppe is a member of the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association, which recognises pork pie producers within the protection area designated by the EU. Other outstanding eateries inclus Mrs King’s Pork Pies in Cotgrave – winner of the Champion Melton Mowbray Pork Pie at the 2011 British Pie Awards – Brockleby’s Farm in Melton Mowbray and Mark Patrick Butchers in Birstall.

Of course, Melton Mowbray is not just famous for pork pies – it’s also the home of stilton cheese. If you’re a fan of blue cheese, don’t leave the area without taking a trip to Melton Cheeseboard, a renowned cheese shop that sells more than six tonnes of stilton each year! If stilton is a little too strong for your liking, the Melton Cheesboard also stocks another local classic: Red Leicester.

If the thought of a pork pie and piece of stilton cheese tickles your fancy, don’t forget to make sure your insurance is up-to-date before you rush to hitch up your caravan. Coast offers year-round caravan cover and motorhome insurance.

To speak to our sales team about your policy call Freephone 0800 614 849. We also offer online caravan insurance quotations.