I had never even heard of Galentine’s Day until very recently, although I’ve since heard it’s been around since 2010! Where have I been? It is quite simply a day where women celebrate their female friendships, a concept that was first aired on the US sitcom, Parks and Recreation in 2010.
I love Valentine’s Day and it’s something we always celebrate but I have to say it never sat well with me that it would make people who are not in a romantic relationship feel lonely and uncomfortable, which for some it does.
I love the idea of changing the emphasis or rather expanding it from romantic love to something more platonic. And yes whilst I’m sure it’s rooted in rabid commercialism I do like it as a concept, and yes I am definitely going to be celebrating both Valentine’s and Galantine’s Day on 13th and 14th February. At a time when we are all struggling emotionally, when there is so much negativity and social connection is not easy, why wouldn’t I want to spread some love?
You don’t have to spend money to show your love for someone and I’m not going to go into the many things you can do to express that love because you’d probably come up with more than me anyway! But if you would normally go out and celebrate with a meal, then fear not because Murrays have got you covered.
Valentines at Home for two
On Saturday 13th, as part of their Regional Dinners at Home, Murrays will be creating an “Italian” Valentines – using the best Italian and British produce this season – the taste of classic Murrays dishes in your own home. All the preparations will be done, all that’s needed are a few simple finishing touches. The cost of this 3 course set menu is £80.00 with optional paired aperitif and wines to match.
Valentines at Home for one
Murrays’ favourite and most popular dish Parma ham and cremini mushroom lasagna OR Pesto and sautéed Mediterranean vegetable paired with Ciello Bianco Terre Siciliane or Pieno Sud Rosso and sticky toffee pudding for £25.00. Quick and easy to put in the oven whilst you enjoy a glass of wine or two!
If you’re interested in either of these, they need to be ordered by 12.00pm on Thursday 11th February and don’t worry, full cooking and reheating instructions will all be included.
Gifts for Valentines
Murrays are also offering bespoke hampers starting at £5.95 and made up of either fresh or dried goods or a combination of the two. They are very happy to put these together for you or you can do it yourself which I think sounds like much more fun! I couldn’t think of anything nicer than creating a hamper for someone I love from Murrays vast array of beautiful meats, cheeses and antipasti, their fabulous selection of savoury baked goods such as pizza and tarts baked daily, and their shelves laden with wine and an abundance of artisan products from Italy and the south-west: pickles, chutneys, purees, pasta, olive oils, vinegars, preserves, biscuits, cakes, sweets, teas and coffees. They will also make it that bit more special by hand wrapping it, if that is something you would like. Here’s the link to their website where you can view or download their deli list. https://murraysofclevedon.co.uk/deli/
If you’re cheese lovers, as we are, you can buy a set cheese and wine box for £23.00, paired by Jean Sebastien, Murrays wonderful sommelier. It consists of a bottle of sparkling Bonarda red with Pecorino Nero and Mrs. Kirkham’s Lancashire. Should you so wish, there is an optional accompaniments box for an additional £6.00 which includes cheese biscuits, balsamic onions and mustard fruits.
And last but by no means least, those beautiful gin hampers that Chloe, a lover of gin like myself has spent many months sourcing from her favourite and best independent distilleries. It was lovely to hear that at the same time, she has also organised future events and tastings when Murrays are able to re-open in the forthcoming months. Hearing this, was a nice injection of positivity! A reminder that this will come to an end and we will be able to resume all the fabulous activities and events that we once enjoyed.
Here are these fabulous gins:
Lyme Bay flavoured – £39.50 / £46.00 for hamper
Inspired by the unspoiled Jurassic coastline of Lyme Bay and its local maritime history, these handcrafted gins sound very special.
Orange &Thyme: This lovely gin brings together the bittersweet citrus flavours of blood orange with the gentle peppermint notes of thyme for a spectacular take on a classic combination.
Elderflower & Cucumber: The heady aromas of elderflower coupled with the succulence of cucumber make for a seriously mouth-watering gin with a breath-taking complexity.
Winter Gin: This winter warmer is grounded in rich, earthy tones layering black pepper & nutmeg over notes of elderberries, blackberries & a hint of burnt orange.
Pink Grapefruit: This mouth-watering gin bursts with the flavours of pink grapefruit, orange peel and lime alongside the more delicate botanical aromas of juniper and elderflower.
Salcombe Rosé Sainte Marie – £43.20 / £50.00 for hamper
‘Rosé Sainte Marie’ is inspired by the aromas, flavours and lifestyle of the South of France and is a celebration of adventure, colour, freshness and joy; capturing the vibrant spirit of the Mediterranean coast.. It is named after the iconic ‘Sainte Marie’ lighthouse which marks the Southern entrance to the Old Port of Marseille, from where 19th century Salcombe Fruit Schooners would load citrus fruits and herbs bound for England’s ports.
Salcombe Start Point – £43.20 / £50.00 for hamper
The iconic ‘Start Point’ lighthouse marked the beginning of the 19th century voyages of the Salcombe Fruit Schooners. This gin is distilled to the exacting one-shot London Dry method with 13 fine botanicals hand sourced from around the world, including Macedonian juniper, English coriander seed and fresh citrus this classic citrus led gin is elegantly smooth, distinct and complex yet extremely versatile.
Otterbeck Cotton Gin – £43.20 / £50.00 for hamper
This little beauty is an award winning London Dry Gin and has won a Gold Award in the Gin Masters, Spirits Business Awards 2020. It comes from a distillery set amongst the moors and farmland of the Yorkshire Dales where in the 18th century, a five storey cotton silk mill produced the finest quality yarn and silk powered by a small steam engine and water wheel. The producers wanted the gin to reflect the history of the stunning buildings beginnings therefore naming Cotton Gin after one of the machines used at this time.
Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with your partner or Galentine’s Day with cherished friends of either gender, I hope you have a day filled with love. I wish you the very same if you’re not celebrating it.
And finally a big thank you to Murrays who like so many Clevedon business, have served us so well during lockdown and continue to do so. We can’t thank you enough.