Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan | Review

http://llanerch-vineyard.co.uk/

Llanerch Vineyard is set in the delightful Vale of Glamorgan in a hamlet called Hensol. This place has had significant investment in the last few years and is now firmly on the culinary map offering the whole range of the hospitality spectrum. First impressions are that you feel welcomed and invited but are suitably impressed by the sprawling estate-esque setting of the vineyard, lakes and buildings on offer.

The services provided here encompasses 4 star accommodation of self catering and luxury guest rooms, vineyard tours, cookery school, shop offering local produce/gifts. If that was not enough the restaurant and bar serves breakfast, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon teas and evening meals.

Backing up this enterprise are an experienced and enthusiastic kitchen offering a constantly evolving and seasonal menu serving mouthwatering and inspired dishes to a growing list of eager customers. Up front, the staff are numerous, extremely polite the service it appears has a great mix of experience and enthusiasm. A proactive urgency and attention to detail are all that is required to match the venues aspirations.

The owners have made this establishment a 'must' for anybody visiting South East Wales and in very short time seem to have devised a strategy that is proving an irresistible blend of experience, resource and enthusiasm that just shines through.

I am indeed testament to the attraction of this place and have sampled a number of the services on offering most recently the morning coffee, freshly ground with sumptuous scones served on a platter with quality clotted cream, jam and a sliced strawberry. The food is thoughtfully sourced from trusted local suppliers with the chickens being plump, healthy and free range but importantly is totally delicious and moist once roasted with lemon and rosemary. The bar is well stock with a fine selection of single malts and brandies but special mention goes to the own brand 'Cariad'  selection of wines having sampled the sparking rose it ceratinly stands up strongly to a moderately priced known brand and well worth the indulgence.

Duo of Dark/White Chocolate Easter Eggs | Recipe

Duo of Dark/White Chocolate Easter Eggs

Ingredients

300g Dark chocolate 85% Coco solids
100g White Chocolate
25g packet of white chocolate buttons
2 x Balloons
Piping bag

Prep

Large enough bowl to melt chocolate and hold the balloon
Large tray cover in greaseproof paper
Empty shelf in your fridge

Methods
Chop dark chocolate into small pieces. Melt 200g of the dark chocolate over a ban Marie until fully melted, remove from the heat for a few moments before adding the remain 100g of dark chocolate stirring in until the whole mixture is smooth and glossy, allow to cool slightly before tasting a small amount to ensure the texture is silky smooth therefore you've achieve the tempering required to create a perfect finish when set. Inflate your balloons to probably a third full of air, grab it by the knot hover over the melted chocolate and drizzle all over the balloon carefully rest on the tray, repeat with second balloon and transfer into the fridge for 20mins to set. Repeat the process with a second layer.
Whilst the eggs are chilling melt the white chocolate over a ban marie allow to cool slightly and pour into a piping bag.
Remove from the fridge and trim all excess, saving it to seal the hole, and with a pair of scissors snip the balloon, with luck remove it from the remaining hole. Using the hole left by the balloon knot, fill with the chocolate buttons, using the white chocolate as glue take a piece of excess choc. seal it up.
Using the melted white choc. pipe a design of your chose over the outside of the eggs.

You've created a handmade luxury dark chocolate egg of a size that would be very costly to buy that you can enjoy selfishly or shared.