Winter Essentials: The Larder That Gets You Through

The wind bites, the Dales go quiet. It’s that time of year when flimsy food won't cut it. Forget the diet, forget the fads. This is about survival, about fortifying yourself against the dark, damp, and soul-crushing grey that winter can throw at you. This is about eating properly. The kind of food that sticks to your ribs, tastes of something real, and reminds you that even when it’s miserable outside, there’s warmth to be found on your plate.

Here at MOSS, our larder isn't some aspirational, Instagram-filtered fantasy. It’s a working larder, stocked with the essentials that get me, and hopefully you, through. We’re talking rich, slow-cured things, like that confit duck – fat, savoury, ready to be crisped up with a simple side. There are the tinned fish, not your sad supermarket variety, but proper sardines, tuna, and mackerel, packed with flavour, ready for a quick, elegant meal when you’re too knackered to do much else.

Then there’s the pasta, the kind that demands respect, and the sauces that complement it, all of it a testament to simple, good ingredients. And the coffee? It’ll punch you awake and make you glad you bothered. This isn't just stocking up; it's about building a defence, a culinary bunker against the gloom. So, come on in to the shop, feel the warmth, and load up. Or, if the weather's truly got its hooks in you, soon you’ll be able to shop our larder online. Just don't come crying to me when you're out of good tinned mackerel.

The Perfect Gift: Give Something With a Pulse

Christmas. Or just, you know, Tuesday, when you need to give something. The world’s full of forgettable junk, cheap tat churned out for a quick buck, destined for landfill before the year is out. It’s a waste of money, a waste of thought, and frankly, an insult to anyone you care about. A gift, if it’s worth giving, should mean something. It should have a story, a bit of character, a whisper of a life lived, or the honest mark of a hand that made it.

That’s the whole damn point of MOSS. It’s why I hauled myself back to Settle and opened this place. Every piece of vintage homeware, every handmade object, every piece of furniture that's passed through my own workshop – it's here because it has substance. Because it’s built to last, built to be used, and built to gather more stories.

You won't find anything disposable here. Instead, you'll find that sturdy, old wooden bowl that's seen a hundred meals and has a patina that tells you so. You'll find the kind of timeless art that doesn't scream for attention, but quietly holds a room. Or maybe a unique piece of vintage furniture that started life in a Dales farmhouse and is ready for its next chapter.

This isn’t about just checking a box. This is about giving a gift that resonates, that says, "I thought about you, and I thought about where this came from." It's the antidote to mass consumption, a refusal to buy into the ephemeral. So, skip the anonymous big box stores. Come into MOSS, grab a coffee, and find something with a pulse. Give a gift that’s genuinely worth a damn.

Truffles Found by a Dog.

And Copper and Brass That Brighten a Home.

Let's cut through the bullshit. Truffles aren't some mystical, unobtainable food for the elite. They're a thing found by a dog in the dirt, a few feet from the ground. It’s earthy, pungent, real. When you shave it over pasta or eggs, it doesn’t just add flavour, it adds a story. It's about a man, a dog, and a patch of woods. It’s a taste of the earth, a reminder that the best things often come from the most unexpected places.

And copper and brass? These aren't just metals. They're a promise. They stand the test of time, developing a patina that tells its own story. They're the kind of pieces that demand a little attention—a quick polish to bring back their shine—but they give it back tenfold. A good brass candlestick, a copper pot, they don’t just fill a space. They bring warmth and a bit of history into a room.

These things—the truffle and the metal—they're not about perfection. They're about character. The irregular shape of a truffle, the tarnish of a copper pot, they are marks of authenticity. In a world of sterile, mass-produced sameness, these are the pieces that stand out. They have a soul, a history, and a touch of the beautiful messiness of real life. They're worth seeking out and worth the effort.

The Real Deal Pasta

And Bowls That Do It All.

Pasta. You think you know it. Boil, sauce, done. But then you taste pasta that’s actually from Italy. Not some factory knock-off from "the nearest supplier" that breaks apart in the water. We’re talking about durum wheat, slow-dried, rough texture that grabs the sauce. It's got soul. It’s a staple, sure, but a staple done right elevates everything. Don’t settle. This isn't just food; it's history, it's craft.

And those old mixing bowls? You know the ones. Scratched, maybe a little chipped, but sturdy. They’ve mixed countless cakes, held a mountain of salad, seen a thousand meals get made. But their job doesn't stop there. They're perfect for serving. Honest, unpretentious. They’ve got character, they've earned their place. From prep to plate, they just work. Versatility isn’t a marketing buzzword; it’s a lifetime of solid use.

These items—the pasta and the bowl—speak to the same core idea: find the good stuff and use it. The world is full of cheap shortcuts and flimsy imitations. We're interested in the opposite. The things that taste like a place, and the pieces of a kitchen that will be here long after we're gone. These are the tools and the provisions for a life well-lived, a testament to the idea that you don’t need a lot of things, you just need the right things.

What to Do on a Rainy Day Out Around Settle?

Let's be honest, the Dales are glorious, but sometimes the heavens open. It's the kind of rain that makes you want to pack it in and crawl back under the duvet. Don't you dare. Settle's got a rhythm, even when it's throwing it down. Pull on your waterproofs—or not—and let's get after it.

First Stop: MOSS – Fuel Up, Gear Up, or Just Poke Around

Right, you’ve dragged yourself out of bed, now you need sustenance. MOSS is where you start. Forget bland supermarket aisles. We’ve got larder provisions that'll make your soul sing—proper cheeses, chutneys, and coffee that kicks. It's not just about filling your gut, though. This place is a treasure trove. Need a hard-wearing chore jacket that’s seen a bit of life? We’ve got 'em. Thinking about a new piece for the kitchen with honest graft behind it? Check our homewares. Grab your snacks for later, and let's roll.

A Proper Brew: High Street Coffee

Right, you’ve loaded up, now you need a proper brew. High Street Coffee isn’t trying to be anything it isn’t. It’s a solid spot for an honest coffee—the kind that’ll warm your bones and put a bit of fire in your belly. Perfect for watching the rain hammer down outside while you plan your next move. No fuss, just good quality.

A Bit of Culture: The Folly Museum

Alright, belly full, coffee in hand, now let’s inject a bit of local culture. Head over to The Folly Museum. This isn't some dusty old place. It’s Settle’s story, told through the eyes of the people who built it. Think local history, architecture, and the kind of characters that make this part of Yorkshire tick. It’s genuinely engaging, a proper insight into the grit and determination of this market town.

Late Lunch, No Nonsense: The Nettle Restaurant

By now, you'll be hungry again. You need proper food, and The Nettle Restaurant delivers. This isn’t fancy-pants stuff. It's honest, well-cooked, locally-sourced grub that hits the spot. It's the kind of place where you can relax, let the warmth of the food take over, and just enjoy a good meal with no pretense.

A Different Kind of Story: The Listening Gallery

To finish off, if you’re still hankering for a deeper dive into Settle, there's a hidden gem. The Listening Gallery isn't about looking at old paintings; it's about listening to the voices of Settle itself. Local stories, history, memories—it’s like eavesdropping on generations of Yorkshire folk. It’s real, it’s raw, and it connects you to the heartbeat of the town in a way a history book never could.

So, there you have it. A rainy day in Settle isn't a lost cause. It’s an opportunity to dig a little deeper, eat some good grub, and discover the hidden gems that make this corner of the Dales so bloody brilliant. Now get out there.

The Good Stuff in a Tin.

And Why Some Things Just Last.

Alright, let's talk tinned fish. Yeah, I know. For years, it was dusty cans in the back of the cupboard. But times change. Now? It’s a revelation. Proper sardines, anchovies that aren't just salt, quality mackerel – packed right, handled with respect. Open a tin, a bit of bread, maybe some good butter, and you've got a meal. Simple. Honest. It's not about being fancy; it's about flavor and knowing a good thing when you taste it.

And then there's enamelware. Think about it. It’s been around forever because it works. It’s tough, cleans easy, goes from oven to table, camping trip to kitchen shelf. It’s not delicate. It’s built for real life, for kitchens that get used. Like a good story, it just keeps going. A genuine option, every time.

There’s a reason these things have made a comeback. In a world full of disposable junk, we're all looking for something real. Something with a bit of soul. The tinned fish, a small bite of the sea preserved with care. The enamelware, a sturdy, honest piece of kit that doesn't pretend to be anything it's not. They're both about getting back to basics, about celebrating the things that truly matter.