Vada Pow "Packs a Powerful Punch"

Yes, indeed, Vada Pow does pack a powerful punch. But it's not overly so, so they are enjoyable by all.

What is Vada Pow? It's an producer of award-winning Bombay Indian street food, but with an Irish twist. 

Naveen Bachani is a man on a mission. Well, several missions, it seems to me! He has brought traditional Indian street food snacks to Ireland the the rest of the British Isles and is working hard to make plant-based, nutritional meals available using all natural ingredients. And all with the backing of Enterprise Ireland.

My wife and I were fortunate enough to be able to try Croquette Tika Masala and Spiced Potato Cakes. For which we offer our sincere thanks to Naveen.

The Croquette Tika Masalas are a delicious blend of traditional masala spice and special herbs and spices. Although it does contain some chilli it's not ridiculously hot so is, to my mind, more in keeping with what is really sold as Bombay (Mumbai) street foods and not what passes for ridiculously over hot "curry dishes" in the British Isles. they went very well with a scratch curry that I put together. It was my turn to cook tea that evening!

We also tried the potato cakes and really liked them a great deal. We found them ideal for serving with a nice salad, paneer or perhaps between bread rolls and being some proper street food! I appreciated the turmeric and the fresh herbs contained in these delicious spiced potato cakes.

Naveen tells us that he chose the name Vada Pow as it means "Patty in a Bun" in Bombay slang. "It's a hat tip to the veggie burger sandwich meal that's a quick grab-and-go mainstay of Bombay Street Food culture."

Interesting! Because I now more about my wife's family recipes passed down through the generations!

The meals can be microwaved or cooked in an oven, it really is up to you.

You can learn more at www.vadapow.com.   

How to buy? There's next day delivery in the Dublin area, please check for delivery and purchase options elsewhere. 

If you want to find out about retailing call them on +353(0)838085792 or email 

naveenbachani@vadapow.com.

 

Enjoy tea with a sparkle

Saicho, the prestigious single-origin sparkling tea brand, offers tea drinkers a refined, elegant selection of premium cold-brewed teas, all ideal for the warmer weather this summertime. 

With four exquisite flavours, Saicho brings a touch of elegance to any occasion. Perfect for pairing dinners, aperitifs or to celebrate with a toast on a sparkling note, Saicho is the creation of native Hong Kong person, Natalie, and her partner, Charlie Winkworth-Smith. 

The effervescent tea brand was first launched in the UK. The inspiration was Natalie's exposure to two well-established tea cultures, Saicho offers a unique, refreshing beverage ideal for those seeking to drink less alcohol while still enjoying the occasion and quality of a fine wine. 

Each tea has been selected from specific Asian regions, carefully harvested to create varying acidities, sweetness and mouthfeel that complement certain food types. 

The masterful process of each Saicho tea starts with brewing the tea leaves at a low temperature for 24 hours. This is to extract the delicate aromatics without over-extracting bitter and astringent compounds, which produces a clean, crisp and complex flavour profile. The drinks are then delicately sparkled to enhance the natural aromatics of the tea.

Boasting a collection of cold-brewed sparkling teas masterfully crafted to be as nuanced as the finest champagne wines, Saicho's creations are specifically made to share with loved ones. From weddings to graduations, birthdays and anniversaries, Saicho delivers bespoke quality and ceremony to elevate any celebration. 

Scented with jasmine blossoms, the delicate Saicho Jasmine has a bright floral aroma and notes of apple sherbert, lychee and vanilla, making it a refreshing aperitif. Cheers alongside brunch style egg dishes, summer salads or spicy sales, salty and crispy barbecued pork, spicy chicken wings or desserts. 

Saicho Darjeeling, called the Champagne of tea, is grown in the foothills of the Himalayas in Darjeeling, India, at nearly 6560 feet ASL.

Harvested in the summertime to develop its unique Darjeeling flavour, the tea has notes of wood spice, nectarine and muscatel and has a subtle astringency. Enjoy alongside full flavoured dishes including grilled chicken, roasted tomatoes, chocolate, or summer asparagus salads. For a picnic, a classic Quiche Lorraine or a refreshing Tomato pie pairs perfectly with this drink.

With a deep umami character and notes of nori seaweed, roasted hazelnut and woody smoke, the complex and IWSC No/Low Gold Medal winning Saicho Hojicha boasts dry and woody tannins which deliver a memorable flavour. Originating in Kyoto in the 1920s as a way of utilising leftover leaves, stems, stalks and twigs, Hojicha is a roasted green tea from Japan. Hojicha is best enjoyed alongside complex flavours including sushi, smoked ricotta, barbecued vegetables, caviar, smoked fish, serrano ham, mushroom risotto or duck. 

Named after one of China's most well-known myths about the legendary Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, Eight Immortals, the first of Saicho's Rare Tea Collection, is a rare Dan Cong tea cultivar from Guangdong province, China. With a subtle savouriness and lightly tannic finish, the Eight Immortals tea has notes of ginger, mango, tangerine and melon.

From birthdays to hen parties, weddings and celebratory drinks, Saicho offers the versatility and quality to make any special moment memorable in 200ml and 750ml bottles. Elegantly designed with exquisite 750ml bottle gift boxes, Saicho makes for an ideal gift to commemorate important milestones or to add a touch of luxury to your next gathering.

Where to enjoy Saicho Chances are if you live in London, Saicho is just stocked round the corner from you! With new stockists joining every month, Saicho strives to serve award-winning sparkling tea at all your favorite hotels, bars and restaurants. With hotter weather, longer days and brighter smiles, we want to highlight some popular spots to enjoy Saicho this summer!

Online Orders Per Flavour (Retail prices)

200ml bottle (Jasmine, Darjeeling, Hojicha) for £4.99 GBP

750ml bottle (Jasmine, Darjeeling, Hojicha) for £17.45 GBP

750ml bottle of Eight Immortals for £32.99 GBP

You can order them here https://www.saichodrinks.com/

Fit for Summer: Your Essential Vitamins and Supplements

The days are longer, the nights shorter, the weather warmer and travel, social gatherings and get togethers are back on. 

With the Great British Summer (and the occasional heatwave!) in operation, you really should stay on top of your wellbeing by ensuring you add these essential vitamins to your diet or routine. 

The Wicked Gummy Co has compiled a list of the top vitamins to keep you energised, healthy and happy during the warmer months - as an added bonus, we've created a cheat sheet which shares the best Wicked Gummy Co gummies to get your daily dose

The Vitamins you need this summer are:-

Vitamin C - Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is an antioxidant found in everything from oranges to leafy greens and even potatoes, too. It plays a direct role in collagen production, neurotransmitter function, and overall immune health. Summer brings with it many opportunities for social mingling, often leading to cases of the common cold or sinus infections. Vitamin C will help keep you fit and fighting throughout the balmy nights.  

Vitamin E - This is a fat-soluble vitamin found in foods such as eggs, meat, and tofu. It is also found in most fruits and vegetables, too. In the body, Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, helping the liver to clear free radicals and toxins. 

Free radicals, cells that contain too many electrons, can genetically damage your body and have been linked to many diseases as well as traditional signs of aging. Primarily, Vitamin E protects skin from the harmful effects of the sun. It may lessen the likelihood of skin damage severe enough to cause cancer. It can also help with faster recovery from sunburn - crucial when travelling to sunnier climes.

Vitamin A - Vitamin A is critically important in the human body; in fact, it forms the entire basis of vision in humans and most animals. Most people get plenty of Vitamin A from meats, fish, carrots, sweet potatoes, and green leafy vegetables. However, it is possible to be deficient either mildly or severely. Mild deficiencies often manifest as vision problems, including difficulty seeing at night and difficulty reading. Taking Vitamin A in summer may prevent vision damage from the sun, but it can also help you to see more clearly and brightly.

In addition B-Vitamins (for energy), potassium and magnesium (essential electrolytes) and Vitamin K (critical in the production of red blood cells) are good options to stay healthy, hydrated and revived. 

The Best Wicked Gummy Co gummies for summer. 

Hair, Skin & Nails - Say hello to shinier hair, glowing skin and stronger nails this summer! 60 beauty gummies containing a whopping dose of biotin as well as a potent vitamin and mineral blend for all round health and wellbeing. Biotin benefits the growth and strengthening of the hair, skin and nails, which can absorb some damage from direct sun exposure. Vitamin C helps with collagen formation. Vitamin E protects the cells from oxidative stress. Zinc works to protect the hair. Folate contributes to amino acid synthesis. Biotin benefits the growth and strengthening of the hair, skin and nails. 60 for £14.99 at https://wickedgummyco.com/collections/beauty/products/hair-skin-nails 

Multivitamin - Stay strong this summer with Wicked Gummy Co's Multivitamin. Contains Vitamin A for healthy vision, Vitamin C & Selenium to bolster the immune system. Vitamin B6 fights tiredness and fatigue. Vitamin E to  protect the cells from oxidative stress. Biotin strengthens the hair, skin and nails. 60 at £14.99 at https://wickedgummyco.com/collections/sleep/products/multivitamin 

Peaceful Zzzzz - more hours of sunlight might be cause for excitement, but the shorter nights (alongside the heat) can also lead to difficulty sleeping - and nothing impacts your energy levels as much as sleep. For a brighter, more energised summer, try Peaceful Zzzzz. Our unique blend of amino acids, vitamins and botanicals combine to produce serotonin, a chemical messenger that sends signals between your nerve cells. An increase in serotonin levels can fight against depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, weight gain and other health problems. 5-HTP promotes the production of serotonin which tells your body it's time to sleep. L-Theanine is an amino acid that promotes calmness. Vitamin B6 plays an important role in mood regulation. Botanicals help you to sleep. 60 gummies for £23.99 at https://wickedgummyco.com/collections/sleep/products/peaceful-zzzzz 

CBD - 60 of the finest quality CBD gummies with a unique vitamin and mineral blend combining the natural anti-inflammatory benefits of cannabidiol (20mg per serving) with other ingredients to fight tiredness and fatigue, reduce stress and anxiety and bolster the immune system. Vitamins B6, B12 & C help to reduce tiredness and fatigue and bolster the immune system. Zinc is important for healthy hair, skin and nails. Vitamins C, E and Zinc contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Vitamins B6, B12, niacin, folic acid, biotin and vitamin C contribute to psychological function. Vitamin B6, B12, niacin, biotin and vitamin C contribute to a healthy nervous system. Vitamin D3 is integral to the optimal functioning of the immune system, as well as healthy bones and muscles. 60 gummies for £29.99 at https://wickedgummyco.com/products/cbd-gummy 

This blog post was prepared by The Wicked Gummy Company and shared by That's Food and Drink with our readers.

 

Aimia Foods Mix Things Up With New Mixed Berry Moosebreak

Top UK food and drink experts, Aimia Foods, are pleased to announce they are adding a brand-new Moosebreak flavour to the mix – Mixed Berry.

Joining flavours Strawberry and Chocolate, Mixed Berry Moosebreak is a naturally sweet and fruity flavour which was carefully developed, planned and taste-tested by primary-school aged children.

It is a part of the Made Easy Range. And Mixed Berry Moosebreak has specifically developed for public sector environments, letting caterers offer a delicious yet simple dessert option as part of their menu, but at the same time providing puddings that contain all the nutritional goodness of fresh skimmed milk.

Once water is added to the Moosebreak mix, it can be whisked up to create a light and fluffy mousse in a matter of a few minutes.

Karen Green, who is the head of marketing at Aimia Foods, tells us how Mixed Berry Moosebreak can also be used to create a whole menu of desserts: “Not only does Moosebreak work ideally as a stand-alone mousse, it also lends itself well as an ingredient for creating a number of different dessert types: From tempting mixed berry cheesecakes to fruity trifles, the options are fruitful with Moosebreak!"

As with all products in the Made Easy Range, Mixed Berry Moosebreak contains no artificial colours, flavours, artificial sweeteners, preservatives or hydrogenated fats and has an exceptional low cost per serving.

For more information on Mixed Berry Moosebreak, or any other products supplied by Aimia Foods, please visit https://www.aimiafoods.com/

Felippo Berio introduces new fantastic vegan pesto range

Filippo Berio has been the UK's favourite olive oil brand for over four decades. It's now decided to expand its popular pesto sauce range with two new vegan varieties, Basil Vegan Pesto and Sundried Tomato Vegan Pesto. 

These pestos are produced with the finest available ingredients including Filippo Berio Olive Oil, fresh Lugurian Basil and the finest Sundried Tomatoes.

They are both dairy and gluten free, plus certified by the Vegan Society, so they don't compromise on flavour.

Benchmarking tests compared the Filippo Berio Basil Vegan Pesto against Sacla which showed that Filippo Berio was the clear favourite. When asked which they preferred, over three in four people chose Filippo Berio, many commenting their products had both a superior taste and texture.

Filippo Berio UK's MD, Walter Zanré, said: “These vegan pestos really tick all the boxes when it comes to flavour, so they're the perfect store cupboard essential for anyone who's vegan or looking to reduce their dairy intake. We spent a lot of time in our kitchen developing the recipe to get the taste just right - so anyone who already loves our Filippo Berio pesto can be confident it is equally delicious.”

According to the latest YouGov data, vegans account for 6% of the British population. Flexitarians, who are actively trying to reduce consumption of meat, form 13% of the UK's population.

The plant-based food category has seen huge growth in recent years, it's currently worth £1.2billion each year in the UK, with 6.6 million households buying vegan products beyond Veganuary.

Both the Basil Vegan Pesto and Sundried Tomato Vegan Pesto are priced at £2.75 for a 190g glass jar, and are available from www.FilippoBerio.co.uk.

Seggiano Launches New, All Natural, Vegan Panettone for Christmas

There's a growing demand for vegan products. And leading Italian food specialist has decided to step up to the (food) plate by launching an all-natural, artisan panettone which is totally vegan, enabling retailers to offer all of their customers a slice of traditional Italian cake this Christmas.

Last year Vegan Society research confirmed that in excess of 26% of Brits opted for vegan choices at Christmas. 

With vegan sales expectations even higher for this Christmas, the new Seggiano Vegan Panettone is perfect for diners and foodies who are seeking alternatives which can be enjoyed by everyone inclusively, at this important annual season of gatherings with friends and loved ones. 

They are delicious for vegans and non-vegans alike, Seggiano Vegan Panettone is baked in small batches by award-winning panettone master baker Beniamino in his small Italian family bakery. 

It's baked without industrial emulsifiers, stabilisers, binders or preservatives, thus setting it apart from almost every other vegan cake on the market. 

Beniamino has skilfully created this vegan panettone recipe using cocoa butter, candied fruit paste, natural vanilla, linseed flour and turmeric to add fragrance, moisture and colour to the dough, which is naturally leavened using the bakery's 33-year old mother yeast. 

The result is a  pleasingly delicious, light and aromatic authentic panettone absolutely perfect for plant-based diets - but without compromise on taste or the exceptional quality which Seggiano food lovers expect.

“We are incredibly excited to be able to offer a panettone that everyone can enjoy this Christmas,” says David Harrison, co-founder of Seggiano. “This is a delicious recipe that's lovingly made using the authentic artisan techniques and clean ingredients that are the hallmark of any product in the Seggiano portfolio. 

"Besides being free from industrial additives, preservatives and emulsifiers, the recipe features sulphite-free candied fruits and healthy high oleic oil to deliver a superior quality panettone with unrivalled taste in the vegan cake category.”

Italian Panettone has been a popular choice with UK consumers at Christmas, for many years not only as a wonderful addition to the Christmas table, but also as the perfect gourmet gift, offered at a price point that is accessible to most shoppers. 

The new Vegan Panettone will be available from https://seggiano.com this Christmas, RRP £16.75 for 500g. 

All gifts are available to pre-order direct from Seggiano.com for home delivery in the UK & NI from 1st October 2022, with deliveries running right up until Christmas Eve. Last orders for delivery before Christmas Day to be placed on 16th December 2022. 

Scottish Botanicals bringing the botanicals of Scotland to a glass near you!

Scottish Botanicals from Dunnett Bay Distillery bringing the botanicals of Scotland to a glass near you!

Their experts have developed a well-deserved reputation for blending and crafting some of the finest botanically-based distilled spirits that are available on the market, today.

Let's take a look at Holy Grass Scottish Vodka, first.

It has a clean aroma and the taste in the mouth is exquisite. There are some very exciting Scottish botanicals therein. Can I taste vanilla? I think I can and there's also various hints of herbs and spices, too.

Holy Grass that gives it's name is a plant that is unique to Scotland and it's that which gives the Holy Grass Vodka the distinct vanilla taste! 

There's also, to my mind, a distinct and delicious cinnamon apple after taste which makes this one of the most pleasant vodkas I have tasted in a long time.

It's 41.5% Alc Vol. - 700ml and a bottle costs £34.00.

https://www.dunnetbaydistillers.co.uk/

London Smoke & Cure Launches Limited Edition Products for Festive Feasting and Christmas Gifting

The fantastic artisanal geniuses at London Smoke & Cure have announced their product range for Christmas  2022 and they are promising some exciting new flavours as part of their offering.

This year, the team have been getting creative in their south London smokery and will be adding some festive spices to their award-winning bacon. There'll be a Limited Edition Spiced Orange Bacon, priced at £5.95 for a 170g pack and a Limited Edition Stilton and Walnut Salami, -priced at £4.95. 

The Spiced Orange bacon will take Christmas breakfast or brunch to a whole new level whilst the salami is the perfect addition to any festive cheese and charcuterie board.

London Smoke & Cure is also stocking a fantastic range of Christmas gift boxes, too!

The Festive Feast is the perfect gift for anyone who loves to try great quality British produce and includes Sashimi-Grade Smoked Salmon (200g), Air-Dried Lonza (50g), Air-Dried Coppa (50g), Air-Dried Saucisson (150g), Air-Dried Snack Salamis (100g) and Air-dried Bresaola, all presented in a stylish box and priced at £39.95

For the ultimate gift for lovers of the cured and smoked, the 'Christmas Gets Smokey' hamper contains items from across the London Smoke & Cure's award winning range. 'Christmas Gets Smokey' is available for £79.50.

London Smoke & Cure's ever popular British Cheese Selection box, features five different award-winning cheeses and crackers produced from small businesses and dairies. The box is priced at £39.50.

For a sense of luxury, London Smoke & Cure has brought together its Good Housekeeping Taste Test winning sashimi-grade smoked salmon with Besserat de Bellefon champagne. The gifts are priced at £75.00 for a 70cl bottle of Besserat de Bellefon Blue Brut NV champagne and half a side of salmon and £99.00 for a whole side of Salmon and 70cl bottle of Besserat de Bellefon Blue Brut NV champagne.

London Smoke & Cure sources the highest quality, highest welfare produce possible and takes big steps to manage the business sustainably. Its acclaimed range includes Great Taste Award-winning sashimi-grade smoked salmon, 28-dry aged bacon, coppa, chorizo and nduja and air-dried Bresaola - all are packed with big, natural flavours and crafted with expertise and passion.

Christmas orders must be made by Wednesday 16th December for delivery on 22nd December or collection on 23rd December but to avoid disappointment, please order as early as possible.

Gift vouchers from £20 are also available and more details on all the products can be found on the website and are available for nationwide delivery https://www.londonsmokeandcure.co.uk.

(Editor: This looks very good. Though the cheese selection box is more my kind of thing, though the Spiced Orange Bacon sounds delicious, too!)

Superzeros Breakfast cereal. The way healthy way forward

Most of us eat breakfast cereals. We try to convince ourselves that they are OK and good for us. But they usually aren't. They are often heavy on carbs and heavy on sugar, but low on protein.  

If only there was a make of breakfast cereal that was light on carbs, light on sugar and high on protein. Wouldn't you be wanting to try them for you and your family?

Those fantastically healthy breakfast cereals are here in the form of Superzeros! 

The vast majority of traditional breakfast cereals are heavy on the carbs, heavy on the sugar and have a minimal amount of protein.

But Superzeros are the exact opposite. They have a nominal amount of sugar and 10g of protein and per serving, Superzeros are looking good for those of us who want to fuel ourselves for the day ahead.

They are nut free, gluten free, high in fibre and come in some fun and delightful flavours. I love the Choco chocolate flavour but really go for the apple and cinnamon flavour which is even more delicious.

They are shaped into delightfully crunchy small balls they go really well with whatever milk you prefer, including oat, almond, dairy, goat, soya, etc. 

They looks set to be an appealing option for those that of us who are looking to better fuel themselves in the morning.

Ideal for those of us who want to cut down on the risk of gluten (though they point out they are made in a bakery that does use gluten in some other products) and also need to increase carb intake and cut back on the carbs.

To learn more please visit https://super-zeros.com/.

Two boxes will cost £12.99, three cost £18.99 and four £23.99. Though if you subscribe you can save money.

Some summer sips with Santa Ana Gin cocktails

As we move slowly through our British summer months and with some hotter weather expected soon, Santa Ana Gin has some perfect cocktail ideas to help you cool off.

A fantastic beach BBQ? Something major in your back garden suggestions for your seasonal celebrations. Whatever the opportunity, Santa Ana's ideal for your cocktails.

Here are some summer Cocktail suggestions from Santa Ana:

The French 75

Originally known as the 75, this Harry McElhone classic first appeared around World War I in Paris at the New York Bar. The combination of ingredients was said to have such a kick that it felt like being shelled with the powerful French 75mm field gun, giving this cocktail its famed name.

Ingredients

45ml Santa Ana Gin

25ml Lemon Juice

20ml Simple Syrup

Champagne

The Gin & Tonic

As the band warms up, slide into the mood with the signature Santa Ana Gin &  Tonic. Tall, crisp, and refreshing, this classic combination perfectly highlights the Philippine floral and citrus notes of Santa Ana Gin.

Ingredients

30ml Santa Ana Gin

Fentiman's Naturally Light Tonic Water

Santa Ana is available to buy at Master of Malt RRP - £29.90.