‘Sweets for my sweet, sugar for my honey’ January 14, 2010

‘Sweets for my sweet, sugar for my honey’

The perfect Valentines gifts available to buy *online from Honeybuns, the artisan Bakery in Dorset.

http://www.honeybuns.co.uk/

Gorgeous wheat and gluten-free cakes, cookies, retro enamel gift tins, hessian-shopping bags, cake flavored lip balm and vintage inspired gift-wrap.

A Hamper to share…
Presented in a retro enamel gift tin; eight gluten-free mini cakes and three gluten-free cookies.
Honeybuns Hessian shopping bag,
Two snowy hills flavoured lip balms and our
Sumptuously dark chocolate and orange Heathcliffe Brownie tray bake.

A lifetime on the lips…
Pucker up with Honeybuns glistening natural lip balm this Valentines day. Inspired by our delicious lemon and ginger cake ‘Snowy Hills’ this dreamy balm created by Filberts, the Dorset Bee Farmers is thick, creamy, long lasting and keeps lips moisturised.

Our full range of Valentines Day gifts will be available to buy on our online shop by early January ‘10. In the meantime, please feel free visit us virtually at http://www.honeybuns.co.uk/

LittleMissFoodie Says: This is a great gift to show those with gluten free diets that you’ve really made the effort to think of them this Valentine’s Day. Who doesn’t love mini cakes?!

Celebrate Chinese New Year Of The Tiger January 14, 2010

14th February is traditionally a day spent with a loved one, but as Chinese New Year falls on Valentine’s Day this year, the UK’s leading Oriental food retailer is recommending we extend the invitation to family and friends and celebrate the day with a sumptuous Chinese banquet.

Wing Yip, the UK’s leading Oriental grocer, has a wide range of products perfect for the occasion, including authentic sauces, rice and noodles and fortune cookies, along with more specialist products and fresh ingredients from Pak Choi to lobster, all ideal for creating a romantic, Oriental home-cooked feast.

Leading Oriental beer brands from China, Thailand and Singapore and a choice of wines such as Kikkoman Plum Wine and Tajade Lychee Chiew are also available from Wing Yip and complement a variety of Chinese dishes.

Wing Yip has some great recipe ideas and tips for hosting an Oriental banquet to welcome Chinese New Year and celebrate Valentine’s Day, as well as further information on Chinese signs of the zodiac, Chinese New Year traditions and product trends for both the foodservice and consumer markets during this important event.

LittleMissFoodie Says: You can buy products online at www.wingyipstore.co.uk

Simple Steps To The Perfect Fajita – What A Discovery! August 21, 2009

 

 

Discovery Foods have got weekday meals covered with the ultimate fuss-free dish, the Mexican fajita. The appeal of this classic is its minimal preparation and the fact that Discovery Foods have everything you need in three easy steps.

SPICE IT UP with NEW Mild Discovery Fajita Seasoning Paste (RRP £1.09). Available in a convenient 100g sachet, the thick paste is simply added to the meat. Cut up and brown 500g of chicken (or beef, or lamb, or pork, or prawns, or vegetables), throw in a large sliced onion and stir in one sachet of Mild Seasoning Paste. Stir well to release the exquisite smokey aromas and let the flavours sizzle. Add a tin of chopped toms and let it bubble for about 25 mins.

For added heat, try NEW Discovery Hot Seasoning Paste (RRP £1.09), a thick fajita paste with a smokey flavour and hot jalapeno kick. Also available is NEW Discovery Medium Fajita Seasoning Mix (RRP £0.79), an authentic dry seasoning without the heat.

TOP IT UP with NEW Discovery Squeezy Sauces including Salsas – choose either a ‘HOT’ or ‘MILD’ or ‘MEDIUM’ version (RRP £1.79). Based on a traditional Mexican recipe, chunks of ripe tomato, tangy onion and hand-picked jalapenos along with natural spices and lime juice go into this lively sauce. If you need to calm things down a bit, add another layer of NEW Guacamole (RRP £1.89) or NEW Soured Cream (RRP £1.89). Either one adds layers of fantastic flavour, so the choice is yours.

WRAP IT UP with Discovery Plain Flour Wrap Tortillas (RRP £1.39). Simply pop into a frying pan, in the microwave or in the oven. Spoon on the spiced chicken, top it with salsa, cheese, shredded lettuce and guacamole, then wrap it up.

The result is an incredibly aromatic dish, full of vitality, colour and freshness. There’s a vibrancy to these treasures that comes from good quality ingredients. Whether you need to pull together a speedy meal in the evening or a dinner party that leaves friends raving, Discovery Foods is clearly worth staying in for.

But remember – Discovery isn’t just about Fajitas. Feel free to use the tortillas instead of bread for exciting lunchtime wraps and get the squeezy Guacamole Salsa and Soured Cream out for topping baked potatoes and pizza any day of the week.

Discovery Foods NEW SPICE, TOP and WRAP products are available from Sainsbury’s.

Visit www.theperfectfajita.com for more fajita inspiration!

 

New Puffed Cereals August 20, 2009

Rude Health has recently launched two new breakfast cereals; Puffed Oats (£1.60) and Puffed Wheat (£1.40) are light, oh-so-good for you and irresistibly delicious. They are available to buy now in Waitrose stores and from Ocado.com

Oat-mania has embraced rolled oats, hot oats, even wonderfully crunchy oats but until Rude Health propelled its new Puffed Oats into stores there hasn’t been a light oat cereal. Salt and sugar free, these fluffy, wholegrain breakfast gems are now available nationwide, where they will be found on the main cereal aisle alongside their similarly wholesome sister Puffed Wheat.

The secret to Rude Health’s Puffed Wheat and Puffed Oats is in their rocket like production. The finest wheat and oats are loaded into a giant popping machine and blasted out so hard that they explode. BOOM. Great fun and a truly excellent idea too as the nutrition of the grain is preserved along with its naturally great flavour. Rude Health believes there is no earthly reason to add salt, coat in sugar or throw in any nasty additives when cereal tastes this good.

And now for the science… Puffed Oats are an excellent source of beta-glucan, known to lower cholesterol and keep your heart healthy and happy. Oats also have a low GI index, which means their energy is released slowly, which should kick those mid-morning snack attacks into touch. Made with wholegrains, this cereal is high in fibre, helping to make you feel as bright and bouncy as a trampolining ballerina.

Rude Health’s angelic Puffed Wheat is also high in fibre and makes a fabulous low-fat breakfast. As yummy with cold milk as when tumbling over chopped banana and drizzled with maple syrup, a bowl of Puffed Wheat gives you a flying start to the day.

Britain’s Best Dish – New Book With Recipes From The ITV Series August 18, 2009

Featuring more than 130 recipes from the hit TV show, Britain’s Best Dish shares the best and the most inspirational dishes being created and served in Britain’s home kitchens today.

This September, ITV’s Britain’s Best Dish is back on our screens for the third series of this popular cooking competition. Amateur cooks from all over the nation will pit their signature dishes against each other in an attempt to win over judges Ed Baines, John Burton Race and Jilly Goolden, and claim the title of Britain’s Best Dish.

Published to coincide with the new series, you can now discover the flavours of Britain’s Best Dish in your own kitchen as 130 recipes from all three seasons are brought together for the first time in this brand new book. Following the format of the show, recipes are organised into Starters, Main Courses, and Puddings with dishes ranging from family recipes, regional classics and British takes on continental inspirations.

Containing mouth-watering dishes such as West Country pork tortellini and Orange Bakewell tart, the recipes have been reworked into easy-to-follow formats with clear indications of portion size and serving number. With stunning photography and additional detail such as judges comments and what’s in season when, Britain’s Best Dish shows you how to create the fantastic food you see on TV and celebrate the very best of British cooking.

Britain’s Best Dish is published on 1st September, priced £20
The 3rd series of Britain’s Best Dish returns to ITV in early September.

Add a Healthy Touch of Pink to Your Recipe! August 18, 2009

Gourmet cooking on a shoestring budget has never been so appealing thanks to the launch of an exotic and wholesome ‘mountain salt’ with a customer friendly price point.

The Salt Seller Whole Pink Himalayan Salt is a high grade, ancient salt which was deposited several hundred million years ago in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. The delicate pink tint is on account of the high mineral content which contributes to its exquisite taste and healthy reputation.

Unlike many over-priced gourmet salts currently on the market, the Salt Seller’s pink salt is retailing for £2.29 or less, for 300g, which means that you can add a touch of sparkle to your culinary masterpieces without breaking the bank or compromising on the highest quality!

Known for its rich mineral content this salt can boast of over eighty-four minerals and trace elements, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper and iron. The benefits and nutritional properties are impressive – aiding in eliminating toxins, balancing the body’s pH and thus contributing to alkalising, normalising blood pressure and increasing circulation and conductivity, all of which support healthy body functions generally.

“People are often told to use less salt in their diets, but by changing to whole salt instead of refined salt, they can benefit from the rich natural mineral content. These minerals help to achieve the body’s ideal inner balance, which should be similar to that of seawater, which is where the salt originated!” says Lenni Smith, founder of ‘the Salt Seller’.

Pink Himalayan Salt comes out of the earth in a state which is already of human food grade. It therefore needs no cleaning or refining and so keeps its fantastic range of natural minerals in tact.

“This salt has a particularly strong taste, so we can use less of it to stay within the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) of about 6 grammes, or a teaspoonful, which also means it will last even longer than other salt products,” advises Lenni.

In keeping with its totally natural source, the packaging is compostable or recyclable. This “super condiment” expands the pallet and enhances the flavours of all types of food when used in preparation, cooking or seasoning and is available from selected health food stores or order direct from www.thesaltseller.co.uk.

The Wine Gang – Chance To Win The Life Of A Wine Critic Competition August 17, 2009

The wine gang is launched by 5 of the UK's most respected wine critics.

If you have ever wanted to experience the life of a wine critic, to travel to exotic regions of the world and taste incredible wines – read on, and you may.

To celebrate their first full year of gang life, five of the UK’s most respected wine critics – who collectively form www.thewinegang.com – have unveiled a very special competition offering one lucky subscriber just such an experience, with an exclusive Rioja wine tasting holiday prize as their guest.

www.thewinegang.com is a revolutionary online wine compendium which gives subscribers access to the unseen views of five of the most respected national wine writers in the UK today, on virtually every wine listed in the UK.

Comprising of the seriously well-tasted Olly Smith of BBC’s Saturday Kitchen and Live Magazine; Tom Cannavan the creator of wine-pages.com; Anthony Rose of the Independent Newspaper; Tim Atkin MW of the Observer and Joanna Simon of Classic FM Magazine, www.thewinegang.com offers a fascinating insight into the interiors of some of the world’s most important tasting rooms.

To celebrate twelve months since the gang first posted their exclusive unpublished thoughts online, this special competition is a real treat for wine enthusiasts – offering a true one-off prize.
Open to existing subscribers to the website, and to those who subscribe to www.thewinegang.com during August 2009, the competition offers the chance to win an all-expenses-paid break for two to Rioja in Spain. This amazing prize includes flights, car hire and 2 nights in a 4* hotel in Rioja, on a half board basis.

However, as you’d expect from The Wine Gang, there is an added level of uncommonly good news with this announcement.

The highlight of the trip will be an exclusive visit to the top Rioja house of Dinastía Vivanco and its stunning Museum of Wine Culture, with lunch at its fantastic restaurant. Oh, and depending on agreeing a suitable date for the trip, one member of The Wine Gang will meet the winning party for a special tour and tasting – with no lesser guide than Rafael Vivanco himself!

For more information, simply log on to the website before the end of August 31st 2009 and take out a subscription to the Wine Gang. http://www.thewinegang.com/news.php.

Ten lucky new August 2009 subscribers, picked at random, will also be in line to receive a bottle of delicious Rioja Reserva, worth £12.99.

Said Tom Cannavan

“This is a fantastic prize and we are very grateful to Dinastía Vivanco for agreeing to host this special tasting. Just like the original intention of the Wine Gang, this prize will give one lucky subscriber a real opportunity to gain access to an unseen side of the wine world very few experience.

“The Wine Gang was borne out of a frustration we have as wine writers. Although we are spoiled in the UK with what has to be the world’s greatest array of wines available to buy, nevertheless the limited coverage given to wine falls short of the amazing diversity of wines we come into contact with. We wanted a place to post all of our thoughts on all the wines we taste – and rate.

“We wanted to better inform people about the amazing wine choices on their local independent and chain store shelves. It’s empowering for the wine gang, and for our subscribers.”

Discover Wales’s Best Kept Secrets This British Food Fortnight (19 September – 4 October 2009) August 17, 2009

British Food Fortnight shines a vital spotlight on the great quality and variety of food and drink which can be locally sourced throughout the UK. The following selection of exciting produce from Wales the True Taste Award-winners, available nationally, is a snapshot of the very best that Wales has to offer.

Pant Mawr Farmhouse Cheeses – Mature Cerwyn

Made from locally produced milk, this hard cheese is aged for five to six months to give a full-bodied, nutty flavour with a smooth velvety consistency. It makes an ideal addition to an Indian summer picnic

Pant Mawr is a family business run by David, Cynthia and Jason Jennings at their small traditional Welsh hill farm located in the foothills of the Preseli Mountains in Pembrokeshire. Pant Mawr’s mouth-watering handmade cheeses are the products of the Jennings’ self-taught skills and unique self-developed recipes.

Wales the True Taste Award: Reserve winner of 2008 True Taste Dairy Product (Small Producer)
Stockists: Available online at pantmawrcheeses.co.uk
RRP: £4.50 for a mini truckle

Leslie Parsons and Sons Laverbread

Laverbread is a Celtic delicacy which is produced from a particular type of seaweed (very similar to the Nori seaweed used by the Japanese), mainly found on the West Coast of the British Isles and Southern Ireland. After being gathered the seaweed is thoroughly washed and cooked until it becomes soft. It is then minced to convert it into a paste-like texture and can make a scrumptious addition to old favourites such as scrambled eggs.

Laver is nutritious, very low in calories, rich in protein, contains iodine and vitamins A, B, B2, C & D and is suitable for vegetarians

Wales the True Taste Award: Sustainable Development Award
Stockists: Online at parsonspickles.co.uk
RRP: £15.90 for 10 x 120g packs

Llandudno Smokery – Smoked Sea Bass
After careful filleting, the sea bass is cured in brine solution then hot-smoked over Welsh oak. The result is a very find textured, tasty white meat which can be served cold like smoked salmon or cooked; it’s delicious when pan fried in butter.

Where possible, the family-run business sources all its raw materials from as close to the smokery as possible, including the oak that is used in the kilns. It prides itself on sourcing from sustainable stocks and prioritizing healthy eating. Its products range from smoked fish to smoked goose, bacon and sausages, all of which contain no artificial ingredients, additives, preservatives or food dyes.

Wales the True Taste Award: Reserve winner of the 2008 True Taste Meat Product (Game & Poultry)
Stockists: Available nationally by ordering online at llandudnosmokery.co.uk
RRP: £5.95 for two fillets

Otley Brewing Company – O1 Beer (1 – 4% abv)

O1 Beer is Otley’s flagship hand-crafted brew. It has a pale straw colour and heavy aromas of Celeia hops from Slovakia. It is thirst quenching and smooth which makes it an ideal ale for young people and women.

The company, based near Pontypridd, owns three pubs and began brewing three years ago to provide them with top class beer. They now brew about 30 barrels a week which go to their own pubs and which also feature as guest beers in 100 others throughout Wales and Bristol. They’re now getting enquiries from London.

Wales the True Taste Award: Reserve Winner in the 2008 True Taste Drink Product (Alcoholic)
Stockists: Available online at realbeerbox.com
RRP: £2.73

Miranda’s Preserves – Lime Curd

This delicious homemade curd is best enjoyed on freshly baked scones or Welsh cakes, as a filling in tarts or pies or stirred into fresh whipped cream for a wonderful lime-flavoured dessert topping.

Miranda uses fruit and vegetables from her own garden, from local hedgerows and other local Pembrokeshire produce, before buying from further afield. Through ongoing public demand Miranda has developed an extensive range of jams, marmalades, chutneys, curds and fruit cheeses, all available nationally by mail order.

Wales the True Taste Award: Reserve winner of the 2008 True Taste Speciality Foods (Condiments, Sauces & Preserves)
Stockists: available online at www.mirandas-preserves.co.uk
RRP: £3.10 per 300g jar

Maesyffin Mushrooms – Dried Organic Baby Shiitake Mushrooms and Organic Shiitake Mushroom Pâté

Dried Organic Baby Shiitake Mushrooms: the dried Shiitake can be reconstituted by soaking them in hot water for 20-30 minutes, or try them as they are for an instant savoury snack! RRP: £3.60 for a 25g pack

Organic Shiitake Mushroom Pâté: nut, gluten, animal & yeast-free pâté made with at least 33% organically-grown shiitake mushrooms. This is an ideal accompaniment to a light lunch of toast and charcuterie. RRP: £2.80 per 100g jar

As well as being tasty and nutritious, shiitake has proven health benefits, such as helping to reduce cholesterol levels, boost immune function and anti-viral & anti-bacterial actions. Shiitake can be added to casseroles, quiches, bread and other baked items, as well as used in traditional and modern Asian recipes.

Maesyffin Mushrooms has been growing its award-winning organic Shiitake mushrooms in rural West Wales since 2003. The mushrooms grow on fruiting blocks made mainly from locally-sourced oak and are cultivated in a system developed by Humungus Fungus. The entire process is certified as organic by the UK Soil Association.

Wales the True Taste Award: Winner of 2008 True Taste Speciality Product (Healthy Options)
Stockists: Available online at maesymush.co.uk

The Pudding Compartment – NEW Handmade Cheesecakes

The Pudding Compartment is known for having created a range of delicious award-winning puddings, hand-crafted and made to order. Now available from The Pudding Compartment, is the cheesecake range, the perfect and fuss-free end to an autumn evening meal. The new range includes Luscious Lemon and Lime, Seductive Sticky Toffee, Decadent Belgian Dark Chocolate and Moreish Belgian Milk Chocolate.

The Pudding Compartment’s ethos has always been to combine tradition with innovation, using only the best and freshest ingredients, locally sourced wherever possible. The new recipes are based around a local supply of ingredients including Welsh double cream for a fully decadent experience.

Wales the True Taste Award: Winner of 2008 True Taste Speciality Product (Desserts & Puddings)
Stockists: Available online at thepuddingcompartment.co.uk
RRP: £2.25 for an individual portion

Tregroes Waffles – Butter Toffee Waffles

Tregroes Butter Toffee Waffles contain no artificial ingredients, only the best raw materials and free range eggs. They are delicious warmed slightly in the oven, served with autumnal fruits and ice-cream or crème frâiche.

Tregroes, the only dedicated waffle bakery in the UK, is committed to making only delicious waffles, which are also available enrobed in finest quality Belgian chocolate. The company will be launching its new packaging design at the Royal Welsh Show in July 2009

Wales the True Taste Award: Commended at the 2007 Wales the True Taste Awards
Stockists: Waitrose and Budgens Stores
RRP: £1.39 for a pack of 8 Butter Toffee Waffles

Anne’s Patisserie – Sticky Date & Ginger Pudding

The ginger in this rich sticky date pudding adds a warming touch and creates a great flavour combination. The ultimate indulgent experience, this tea-time delight sits comfortably among the company’s range of handcrafted desserts, including classics such as Cherry Bakewells, traditional custard tarts and a wide range of baked savoury products.

Anne’s Patisserie has a clear goal: to make great tasting cakes that give people pleasure and enjoyment. All its products are handmade to order, using the best quality locally and regionally sourced Welsh ingredients.

Wales the True Taste Award: Reserve winner of 2008 True Taste Speciality Product (Desserts & Puddings)
Stockists: Available by mail order on tel 01352 763562
RRP: £3.50

Pemberton’s Victorian Chocolates – NEW Bara Brith Chocolates

Pemberton’s Victorian Chocolates in Carmarthenshire has taken the famous traditional recipe for Bara Brith as inspiration for a new chocolate.

The chocolate incorporates tea-infused cream as a base for the ganache centre which is complemented by gentle spices and fruit pieces traditionally associated with Bara Brith. According to manager Emily Jones, “this innovative way of using a Welsh influence has proved very successful during tasting sessions.” If you fancy trying the new chocolate, it is available online or at the farm, where visitors can also join a factory tour to see how these chocolates are made and even participate in the chocolate-making process.

Wales the True Taste Award: Highly Commended in the 2008 True Taste Baked & Confectionary Product (small producer)
Stockists: Online at welshchocolatefarm.com and from the Welsh Chocolate farm shop
RRP: £4.85 per 100g

All the above Welsh producers have won accolades at the Wales The True Taste Food & Drink Awards. The scheme was launched in 2002 as part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s commitment to developing the food and drink sector and to building awareness of the Welsh food brand ‘Wales the True Taste’. Year-on-year the True Taste Awards grow in strength and popularity and are regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the Welsh food industry.

LittleMissFoodie Says: I can’t wait to try all these products, especially the Mature Cerwyn.

Be A Star This Christmas And Save A Tree By Choosing Guilt-Free, Ethical Chocolate Organic Meltdown August 17, 2009

Organic Meltdown

Christmas without a tree? Doesn’t seem right, does it? And neither would a world without trees, which is why Organic Meltdown chocolate is promising to save a tree for every bar it sells.

This Christmas, giving a gift of Organic Meltdown chocolate shows you care…not only about your friend or loved one, but about the planet too.

And you’ll get two bites at making them happy, by handing over a delicious present plus an affordable gift that will last forever in the shape of a tree in a tropical rainforest.

It’s even possible to discover exactly where the tree is that’s been saved.

Organic Meltdown has teamed up with the World Land Trust charity to preserve trees in Ecuadorian forests. Each wrapper of each bar carries a unique number which corresponds to its very own tree, and chocolate-lovers are encouraged to log onto www.organicmeltdown.com and register their number to find out where ‘their’ tree is situated.

Organic Meltdown hopes to save 5 million trees by 2012 – helping to preserve valuable habitats and caring for endangered species.

Available in four mouth-watering flavours, Organic Meltdown chocolate is made using carefully selected Fairtrade ingredients from Ecuador, Madagascar and Peru, and is a premium organic range.

Choose from Swiss dark chocolate with candied orange (58% cocoa), Swiss milk chocolate with hazelnuts and currants (33% cocoa), Swiss dark chocolate (71% cocoa) and Swiss milk chocolate (33% cocoa).

Three flavours (Swiss dark chocolate with candied orange, Swiss milk chocolate with hazelnuts and currants and Swiss dark chocolate) are available in more than 150 Waitrose stores priced £1.99, while chocolate from the full range is available from independent stores, delis and other outlets across the UK.

Visit www.organicmeltdown.com for details.

A Frosty Reception – Ice Angels Launches Wedding Must Have April 8, 2009

Ice Angels, the brainchild of events entrepreneur Jill Davies, is on course to be the ‘must have’ accompaniment to weddings in 2009. With the long-term weather forecast indicating sunny days and balmy nights, the achingly glamorous Ice Angels are set to add style and point of conversation to any style of wedding reception.

The premise: heavenly homemade ice cream, elegantly served by gorgeous Ice Angels adds a point of difference and an opportunity for guests to mix and mingle before, during or after the reception. Ice Angels can be used during the all-too-lengthy photography session, as a crowd cooler during the entertainment or simply as a palate cleanser during the meal.

Drawing on 1950s glamour, angels are styled on usherettes and are dressed in halter neck black and gold dresses. The Ice Angels serve a selection of flavours: from deliciously understated clotted cream to fiery cracked black pepper, or honey and ginger to rib-sticking rich dark Belgian chocolate! The miniature ice creams are served in a crisp waffle cone, with the choice of paper sleeves which can be personalised with the names of the bride and groom.

Ice Angels are available throughout the UK; the angels can be dressed and styled to match any colours and style of reception. Minimum hire for the Ice Angels is £475 to include 3 flavours served to 100 guests and 1 angel.