I lived out my Nigella dreams by making delectable treats using only Derby produce

The heritage-rich city of Derby boasts award-winning shops and is fast becoming the go-to destination for foodies.

I thought I would make a few snacks and drinks using products with a connection to Derby because we love championing independent businesses in and around the East Midlands.

I made three delicious pyclets, two topped with different cheeses, and one with croissant butter, cream, and chocolate sprinkles.

And a hot chocolate topped with cream that ranks in my top 10 recipes I have come across.

Derby food directory: Where I bought the products from

I bought pyclets from Derby Pyclets Parlour.

Address: Derby Pyclet Parlour, 11 Sadler Gate, Derby DE1 3NF

I bought Lancashire cheese and Oxford Isis cheese from Milk & Honey Deli. Address: Milk & Honey Deli, 15 Sadler Gate, Derby DE1 3NF

I made hot chocolate using chocolate buttons from Cocoa Amore, who make hand-crafted chocolate in Leicester, 50 minutes away from Derby city centre.

Address: Cocoa Amore, 34 Silver Street, Leicester LE1 5ET

Croissant butter is one of the toppings I used from Pollen Bakery.

Although based in Manchester, the bakery has an amazing Derby link - the owner grew up in Normanton and Chaddesden until they were 16, spending their formative years in Derby!

Address: (of flagship shop) Pollen Bakery, Cotton Field Wharf, 8 New Union Street, Manchester M4 6FQ

For the uninitiated, here is a quick explainer of what pyclets are.

What are pyclets?

Pyclets have been made in Derby for over 160 years, and their latest home on Sadler Gate is in Derby Heritage Centre on Sadler Gate.

Pyclets have the badge of a pancake, the heart of a crumpet, and a dappled surface filled with craters thanks to the batter’s yeast activation process.

Owners Kate and Rebecca make stunning pyclets, so if you’re in the mood for some fuss-free pancake-esque treats, the city centre parlour is well worth a visit.

It’s great how you can buy pyclets to take away with you, so you can get really creative with them from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Here are the super simple recipes for pyclets and hot chocolate, we hope you enjoy recreating these at home.

Pyclet recipes

Ingredients

• Derby Pyclets
• Pollen Bakery Croissant Butter
• President cream
• Chocolate sprinkles
• Lancashire and Oxford Isis cheese from Milk & Honey Deli
• Baby cucumber
• Chives
• Chilli jam

Method

They are ready-made so all I had to do was reheat the pyclets in a saucepan with a knob of butter, but dry heat works fine too.

Once heated, I topped with croissant butter, cream, chocolate sprinkles and wolfed it down.

I really enjoyed croissant butter which is a crunchy, lightly spiced delight that goes well with the spongy texture of the pyclet.

A key feature of pyclets is their versatility.

They can be topped with pretty much anything you like, from cheese to chocolate or even both, if you’re feeling adventurous.

For a quick WFH lunch, I crumbled Lancashire cheese onto a pyclet, added generous dollops of chill jam and a sprinkling of chives.

I basically topped a few pyclets with store cupboard essentials and whatever I could get my hands on in my fridge.

For another pyclet, I peeled baby cucumbers for a simple candy stripe effect, seasoned with sea salt and cracked black pepper and topped this alongside Oxford Isis cheese.

Pyclets seem to keep well too, I had mine in the fridge for five days and they were fine.

Derby pyclets also freeze really well, and take a few minutes to come back up to room temperature in a decent toaster.

Derby pyclets are like your favourite pair of jeans. They can be oh so comforting, and can be dressed up or down.

If you wanted to jazz up your pyclet, for an adult treat, fill a pipette with Lagavulin 16 (I used Islay single malt Scotch whisky) and tuck into a pillowy fold of the pyclet. Simply omit the alcohol if serving the pyclet to a child.

Hot chocolate recipe

Ingredients

• Cocoa Amore milk chocolate buttons
• Bob milk
• President cream
• Organic coconut sugar

Method

I added 30g of Cocoa Amore milk chocolate buttons and one tablespoon of sugar to 300ml boiled milk, stirred and that was it. Simple.

Secret ingredient to take your hot chocolate to the next level

I think organic coconut sugar should be in the cupboard of every good food appreciator.

It is thought to be a little healthier than refined sugar, but the best part is its flavour profile.

Toffee notes, with a hint of umami and that satisfying crunch means this in hot chocolate elevates it to heavenly elixir in a few seconds flat.

Are there any local Derbyshire ingredients that you rate? We would love to know, get in touch by emailing us on [email protected] and we’ll take a look!