Adventure
Thatchers Cider
What a cracking day I had filming down at Thatchers Cider Farm in Somerset for ITV’s This Morning. Honestly, you couldn’t have asked for better weather – the sun was out, the apples looked glorious on the trees, and the whole place just smelled of autumn.
Explore the flavours of Somerset cider with chef Phil Vickery at Thatchers Farm. Discover how over 400 apple varieties inspire award-winning cider and simple, delicious cooking.
Thatchers Cider
Now, cider’s always been one of my favourites – not just for drinking, though there’s nothing quite like a chilled glass on a warm day – but for cooking too. Thatchers grow over 400 varieties of apples, and that’s what makes their cider so special. Each one brings its own depth of flavour, from sharp and crisp to sweet and mellow, and that character really shines when you use it in the kitchen.
Cooking with Thatchers
I wanted to keep things straightforward, because that’s what I love about good food – it should be simple, honest, and tasty. So, I put together a dish that’s become a bit of a go-to for me: chicken sauté with apples, cider, and pasta. The apples bring a lovely sweetness, the cider adds a gentle tang, and when it all comes together with the golden chicken and silky pasta, you’ve got something proper comforting.
"Cider has been a favourite of mine for drinking and cooking"
Cooking should be fun
It’s not complicated, and that’s the point. Food should be approachable, and cider’s a brilliant ingredient to have a play with. So why not give it a go yourself? A splash in the pan, a few apples from the fruit bowl, and you might just find a new favourite. Cheers!
Inspired Recipes
Some recipes inspired by my brief trip to Thatchers Cider Farm
Sauteed Chicken with Apples, Honey & Cider
Golden chicken sautéed with apples and cider, tossed with pasta for a simple, comforting dish full of sweet, tangy flavour.
View RecipeCider Pot Roasted Pork Belly
Any dish with cider and pork you really can't go wrong, again belly is used, it's perfect for this sort of cooking. Pot roasting in a small amount of liquid in an enclosed pan or tray is brilliant. You will be amazed at how much stock there will be at the end, making a great sauce/compote.
View RecipeCornish Cider Cake
I think the success of this recipe is down to the use of Stork margarine; my mother swears by it for making cakes. Here is a very old recipe given to me by a lady kitchen porter who worked for me many years ago. It's very tasty, topped with Cornish clotted cream.
View Recipe