Thistlemist Farm @ Handpicked Hall

HOOORAAAY!
Excuse my little outburst of delight, but I’m just so happy that I can get my Thistlemist fix more often!
Regular readers of my reviews will know I’m a big fan of indie food producers, and Thistlemist Farm have long been one of my faves. I met the lovely Joanne on her stall at the very first Kirkstall Deli market a couple of years back and her delicious quiche, scrummy soups and super sauces had me going back for more every month.
Later, her product range branched out to pestos, hummous, and the most gorgeous porridges and I have tried them all! I can genuinely say that everything I’ve tried has been utterly scrummy.
My personal favourites have got to be the full english breakfast quiche; carrot, orange & chilli soup; smoked paprika & lime hummous; the white chocolate & honeycomb porridge… are you drooling yet?
You can tell I’m a big fan, yes? So I’m thrilled that I can now nip out on my lunchbreak and zoom down to Handpicked Hall and pick up some Thistlemist Farm supplies.
At £5 for 2 pouches of soup/​sauce, (and 2 generous portions per pouch) you can fill your belly with delicious goodness without breaking the bank. In fact I had the lovely spicy Sicilian soup for my tea last night, and there is a pouch of Corn Mexicana waiting for me in the fridge. Mmmm is that my belly I hear rumbling???

I’ve been familiar with Thistlemist Farm for ages, from farmers markets, Kirkstall Deli Market and because we stocked their amazing soup at the café I used to manage. So, how thrilled was I that they finally have a permanent city centre location!
Handpicked Hall is a great idea, but one that needs the full support of the community. And it deserves it, because the range of vendors there is superb, and at the top of the list would have to be Thistlemist Farm.
A wonderful range of soups, sauces, pestos, exotic flavours of houmous and a range of daily specials means you could lunch there every day for weeks and still try something different. Jo has a great imagination and is continually rotating flavours and inventing new combinations.
Their prices are reasonable and the quality is always excellent. Do yourself a favour, don’t take my word for it, pop down to Handpicked Hall and see for yourself! I’d imagine you won’t be disappointed. And while you’re there have a good look around the three floors of vendors, there’s something for everyone.
EDITED TO SAY: I’m vegan and Jo understands vegans and vegetarians and their needs really well, and generally has a great vegan/​veggie selection on offer

Now then, now then. You might not realise how much you’re missing soup in your life, but since it’s getting chilly nowadays, I thought I’d share a soon-​not-​to-​be-​so-​secret-​secret. Let me paint a picture: It’s blustery outside, you’re all wrapped up in a scarf and hat combo (looking fabulous, might I add) and the leaves are rushing through the air with gusto. Despite your wintry precautions, your hands are frozen, and your nose is as red as postbox. It’s time to warm up.
Take a wander up New Briggate, or Vicar Lane, and make tracks towards The Grand Arcade. Inside, as well as a host of handmade goodies in all varieties, you’ll find Thistlemist Farm — what remedy is this? This remedy for cold, warding against winter flus, and general stomach filler, is the beauty that is locally crafted, lovingly made, delicious homemade soup.
Ahhhh soup. Né’er were there a better tonic for the Autumn days.
My absolute favourite used to be the Coconut and Tomato, but alas, that’s no longer available, and has been committed to memory only. However, in place, you’ll find a beautiful range of creations. Patatas bravas — a spicy, warming, delicious soup perfect with a bit of olive encrusted ciabatta. How about a medly of country vegetables to give you a tasty vitamin boost? These packets come size huge, and you can pick up two for a fiver. They feed two easily, so that’s four day’s portions at £1.25 a pop. Right?!
And they last, so fear not. Cooking sauces available too, if you’re dead bored of things like Mr Bens. Which, let’s be honest, we all are, aren’t we?
Get down, and treat yourself to something delicious, affordable, and generally lovely.

I happened upon Thistlemist Farm not too long ago, on a lunchbreak wander to Handpicked Hall to get a glimpse of Paul ‘The Silver Fox’ Hollywood who I’d heard was making an appearance. Sadly, he was a no show… but enough of him, we’re talking about Thistlemist Farm aren’t we?
Being a bit pushed for time on my break, I thought I’d try and pick up some lunch while I was there. I spotted the quiche on Thistlemist Farm’s counter, and ummed and ahhed slightly about whether to go for it. I’ve never really been a big fan of quiche, I’ve always been a bit take it or leave it — usually trying a slice at buffets and the like. I went for the quiche in the end, figuring I wouldn’t have time to grab anything else. and opted for the all day breakfast quiche. All I can say is WOW. I’m now a quiche convert! It was just heavenly, mouthful after mouthful. Perfectly cooked, and full of flavour, not like the bland buffet quiches of my past!
I’ve since been back and am now trying my way through the soups. The carrot parsnip and apple soup is just amazing, and the thai green soup follows a very very close second to it. Next on my list is the patatas bravas soup. One pouch is good for two hearty servings, and they’ll keep in the fridge for a while, or can be frozen too! At £2.95 each (or 2 for £5) it’s a good lunch bargain.
The only let-​down to the one in the Handpicked Hall is that it’s not open on Mondays and Tuesdays, however that’s not in Thistlemist Farm’s control as the whole hall is closed, so I haven’t accounted for that in my rating. I just make sure I stock up at the end of the week :)