Sunday, 5 June 2011

Cheeses for your barbecue

Due to the dreadful weather, That's Food and Drink has decided to extend its barbecue feature. We continue with a look at cheeses for your barbecue.

As well as serving cooked foods for the barbecue, a lot of thought has to go in to providing special accompaniments to the cooked foods.

Fresh salad leaves are great (make sure they are thoroughly washed, or better yet, grow your own) but one of the best foods you can serve as part of a perfect barbecue feast are some nice cheeses. In fact so long as you do not over cook them, you can even barbecue cheeses. Generally a short time on a flat griddle  will be sufficient.

Classical cheeses that are perfect for serving with a barbecue (not necessarily  barbecued) are Galbani Dolcetta Classico, President Rondele goat's cheese and President Brie. Now, your editor is not, it must be admitted, generally a fan of goat's cheese. But President Rondele goat's cheese tastes so perfect that even he has to express delight in its lively yet clean taste. And of you think you are a fan or an admirer of brie, just wait until you have tasted President Brie. It's soft yet not runny with a distinctly creamy taste that makes you realise that no matter how much you buy you are always left thinking: "Perhaps I should have bought some more?"

And then we go on to Seriously Strong Cheddar, which is one of the Kings of this type of cheese. Strong in flavour yet lacking in the harshness of  some types of allegedly strong Cheddar cheese, this has got to be a top favourite for being a very important part of the cheeseboard for your next barbecue party. And all your subsequent barbecue parties, for that matter.


Thursday, 2 June 2011

Eat out for less this month with DiscountVouchers.co.uk

DiscountVouchers.co.uk, the online provider home to money-saving deals for over 800 ltop restaurants and retailers, has introduced new deals to help UK diners enjoy eating out on a budget in June. The website is giving people money-saving deals at the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Prezzo and Cafe Rouge.

DiscountVouchers.co.uk often gives deals to UK consumers to help them save at top restaurants, at the moment of the top names is famed Italian diner Prezzo. The latest choice of DiscountVouchers.co.uk offers available online includes a Prezzo voucher for getting 2 main meals for just £12 - ideal for enjoying some value for money pasta and pizza.

Gourmet standard beefburgers can be had without having to spend a fortune this month! That's thanks to the new choice of offers. One of the most popular places to eat out on the UK high street, the Gourmet Burger Kitchen is offering savings due to a new Gourmet Burger Kitchen voucher which allows diners to eat any burger for £5.95.

But it's not just burgers and pasta. Fantastic French dining can be yours on a budget too in the ever-popular Cafe Rouge. Deals available via DiscountVouchers.co.uk includes Café Rouge vouchers where you'll be able to munch through 2 main meals for the price of 1. And that sounds like a great deal!

Claire Hayes, spokeswoman for DiscountVouchers.co.uk, says: “Our mission is to help you save money at as many retailers and restaurants as possible. We're pleased to be able to help people save!"

And as well as the ability to much lunch at a discount, they also offer consumers money saving deals with top high street brands and specialist retailers, and holiday firms and hotels.

For details on how you can start cutting down on your spending without imapcting your lifestyle, visit www.discountvouchers.co.uk

Wednesday, 1 June 2011

Is this the future of barbecuing in the UK?

(That's Food and Drink continues its Barbecue Week feature with this story from the Stone Bake Oven Company. Has the traditional barbecue had its day? Read on. And please let other readers know your opinion by commenting on the story.)

‘Out with the old BBQ and in with a wood fired oven!' Say many lifestyle magazines, and why not? With the ability to grill, roast, sear, bake and more, it seems the BBQ might be losing its charm as outdoor pizza ovens start to replace them in the market place for the ultimate al fresco dining experience. 

With the Stone Bake Oven Company proving how easy wood fired cooking can be, with online recipes, cook along videos, hints, tips and more, the fan base of pizza ovens seems to be growing.

Once seen as an expensive Italian luxury, the Stone Bake Oven Company feels it has now made these as affordable for every budget, with a range of stone bake ovens for sale, varying in size and for outdoor and indoor installation. The Stone Bake Oven Company are proving to be a one-stop-shop for ovens, wood fired accessories, advice, and stocks a range of iron cookware.

Thinking of junking the BBQ? The Stone Bake Oven Company feels this makes sense, a wood fired oven can cook a broader range of food items, act as an outdoor heater, meet the grilling demands of a BBQ and what's more, exceed them with exceptional flavours, too.

Tom Gozney is the company founder and expresses himself to be amazed at the popularity of their most affordable oven, the Primo, “it seems everyone wants one! They are taking the market by storm as they are both affordable and compact enough to fit virtually every outdoor space.”

By burning only wood, wood fired ovens are seen as a greener alternative to conventional cooking means, and appear to be a natural progression for alfresco dining in an increasingly green conscious world.

For details, recipes, ovens and accessories visit them at www.thestonebakeovencompany.co.uk.

Tesco Real Food says we have the biggest and best English strawberry crop in twenty years

Tesco Real Food has announced Britain's spring heat wave (EDITOR: I can remember that! Just!) has led to the biggest and best quality English strawberry crop for two decades.

The glut of English strawberries – considered by experts to be the best in the world – will result in an estimated 50 per cent reduction in UK retailers bringing in imports.

Experts point out Britain's warmer than usual March and April heat wave produced perfect growing conditions resulting in the crop being at least two weeks earlier than usual and the extra sunshine has also increased sugar levels making the current crop much sweeter and juicier than normal.

Tesco strawberry buyer Paul Jones said: "The unexpected great weather means an abundance of top quality, sweeter than normal English strawberries - of the standard normally associated with Wimbledon fortnight.

"As the quality is so high we've taken far more of the English crop than we usually do at this time of year.

"From the start of May we will be predominantly selling just English strawberries and the need not to import Spanish imports allows us to keep the price down.

"This is fantastic news for the English strawberry industry and should see them getting an unexpected windfall from increased orders from UK retailers."

One of England's largest strawberry growers, R and V Emery, based near Southampton, Hampshire, said it was the earliest start to the English strawberry season for about 20 years.

Vernon Emery, who runs the business with his brother Richard, said: "Our production yield is up by 150 per cent on recent years and if the good weather continues and we get some rain too we could be heading for a record year.

"The extra warmth helped boost sugar levels but equally important have been good levels of light which have helped the fruit set and encouraged bees to pollinate the plants.

"The great weather has also been consistent without dips in temperature which would have hampered the quality."

Since the start of the English strawberry season Tesco has sold 50 per cent more home grown strawberries than it did over the same period last year.

(EDITOR: It's market day, today! I'll be off to the fruit stalls to check on the strawberries!)

Tuesday, 31 May 2011

Wine Cultural Centre to launch in Bordeaux

There are plans to launch a new, exciting state of the art, International Wine Cultural Centre in Bordeaux City Centre.

Designed by Parisian architect X-TU (www.x-tu.com) and London based museum and exhibition design agency, Casson Mann Limited (www.cassonmann.co.uk), the new visitor attraction will sit on the banks of the River Garonne when it opens in 2014.

In harmony with the evocative river, the building's curved design is reminiscent of wine flowing through stemmed glasses and also draws comparisons to a decanter. Environmentally sound, the structure will be constructed form wood and glass, themselves materials used in wine.

The city of Bordeaux is inextricably linked to its wine. With prestigious terroirs and famous châteaux, as well as négociants, oenologists and winegrowers with centuries of tradition behind them, Bordeaux has spread the science and love of wine around the world.

The region's wine roads have been travelled by connoisseurs from every continent, Bordeaux’s listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognises the city’s historic unity, and celebrations such as the Bordeaux Fête le Vin prove that this wine region knows how to have fun. Bordeaux is truly a cultural capital of wine.

But in the past the city has -inexplicably- lacked an emblematic location to reflect this reality. Now Alain Juppé, Mayor of Bordeaux and Minister of Foreign Affairs in France, supported by the wine industry, is working towards creating this new visitor attraction.

Described as ambitious, surprising and innovative, the future Wine Cultural Centre will be a major facility of international stature. Designed to offer visitors an entertaining voyage of discovery, the centre will include exhibitions on the regions of Bordeaux, the great terroirs of Bordeaux, as well as the history, lifestyle in modern society and much more.

When the futuristic Centre opens in 2014, 400,000 visitors are expected to pass through its doors each year.


Monday, 30 May 2011

Would Your Dad Enjoy A Dram On Father's Day? Then buy him some of these!

When you want your Dad to know he is the best Dad ever, Father's Gold is the answer. This is a 700ml Cubana bottle of 10 year old Caol Ila 46% single malt whisky from Islay. This is one of Demijohn's most popular malts, with a peaty taste and a wonderful smoky hint at the finish which can be likened to burnt grass or smoked meats. Your father will love a dram of this after dinner. Priced at £69, this bottle can also have a great personal message added for free. www.demijohn.co.uk/product.php?product=GF0038DJL

If your father is more of a cheeky dad then Demijohn recommends their Bramble Scotch Whisky Liqueur. This deep red concoction of Scottish brambles (or blackberries) and Scotch Whisky has been voted amongst the top 100 liqueurs in the world with its rich, fruity taste. It is best drunk either after dinner or take in a hip flask when out walking or in need of a nip. At a very affordable price of £21.40 for this beautiful 500ml Antica it is bound to be a winner. www.demijohn.co.uk/product.php?product=GF0058DJL

For the hip, swash-buckling dad, then Spiced Rum Liqueur will go down a storm. As the basis for many cocktails, this clever blend of Demerara Rum from the Caribbean, caramel and spices, transports the drinker to palm-fringed beaches and crystal clear seas. Demijohn's latest cocktail, The Bloody Pirate, made from equal measures of Spiced Rum Liqueur and Raspberry Vodka, will give your Dad a Father's Day to remember. The Spiced Rum Liqueur is priced at £4.10/100ml. www.demijohn.co.uk/product.php?product=LQ0020DJL

Angus Ferguson from Demijohn says: "As a father myself I know how much I would appreciate receiving an interesting bottle of food or drink on Father's Day with my name on it. Our Father's Day gifts have been specially created to give your Dad something unusual and delicious, with the offer of a free message to add a personal touch if required."

The Father's Day presents are available online on www.demijohn.co.uk or from the shops in York, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Brighten Up The Barbecue With Redwood's Delicious Meat Free Treats for Veggies And Vegans

Make certain veggies and vegans don't get a raw deal this year! Just take a look at the host of tasty meat-free treats now on offer from ethical food firm Redwood.

From mouthwatering burgers and sausages to succulent chicken-style pieces and spicy Cheatin' Chorizo (EDITOR: My favourite!) multi award-winning Redwood produces a host of delicious meat-free foods that are great for barbecues.

Sure to prove a firm favourite this summer are Redwood's Vegideli gourmet meat-free quarter pounders - amazingly realistic 'burgers' naturally flavoured with traditional onion & seasonings.

Look out too for Redwood's award-winning Lincolnshire Style Sausages and tasty Vegideli Hotdogs, which have all the authentic taste and texture of a genuine pork Frankfurter yet are totally meat-free.

Perfect for kebabs are Redwood's Vegideli Gourmet Chicken Style Pieces and also Cheatin' Chorizo, its spicy, meat-free version of the highly flavoured Spanish cured sausage.

"Vegetarians and vegans often get a raw deal when it comes to barbecues, so we've put together some quick and easy BBQ ideas that not only taste delicious but are ethical too," said Lee Rockingham of Redwood, which produces all its animal-free foods from 100% natural plant-based ingredients.

Here are a few tips:

• Redwood products are ready to eat so only need heating through
• Keep away from direct flame and very hot areas
• Use BBQ trays to protect the food

Recipe suggestions

'Chicken' & 'Chorizo' Parcel with Shallots, Asparagus and Baby Plum Tomatoes

Drizzle plenty of oil on the bottom of a square of tin foil. Sprinkle on one clove of chopped garlic. Chop two shallots and four baby plum tomatoes and add to the parcel. Add a handful of asparagus tips with one pack of Redwood's Vegideli Gourmet Chicken Style Pieces and one pack of Cheatin' Chorizo Style Chunks. Fold the parcel over & cook for 5-6 minutes each side and season to taste.

'Chicken' Parcel with Baby Peppers, Onion, Chestnut Mushrooms and Sugar Snap Peas

Drizzle plenty of oil on the bottom of a square of tin foil. Add one chopped green pepper, one chopped onion, slice 3/4 mushrooms and a handful of sugar snap peas. Add Redwood's Vegideli Gourmet Chicken Style Pieces and mix together with vegetables. Add a tablespoon of mango chutney over the top of the parcel before folding. Cook for 5/6 minutes each side and season to taste.

Sweet Potato and 'Chorizo' Parcel with Red Chillies and Green Peppers

Chop one sweet potato in half and slice thinly. Drizzle plenty of oil on the bottom of the parcel, sprinkle on one clove of chopped garlic and one chopped green pepper. Add the sweet potato slices and a packet of Cheatin' Chorizo Style Chunks. Add chopped red chillies to taste. Drizzle with plenty of oil again before folding. Cook for 10-12 minutes each side turning once half way through cooking. Season to taste.

Veggie Kebabs

Add a selection of your favourite vegetables as well as some of Redwood's Vegideli Gourmet Chicken Style Pieces or Lincolnshire Style Sausages to a kebab skewer. Brush with oil before applying a marinade or apple juice. Place the kebabs over a BBQ tray to keep them off direct heat. Whilst cooking frequently apply oil or marinade or spray with apple juice and turn to avoid burning. Delicious served with coriander chutney.

For more inspirational ideas for the summer barbecue season, including pepper & 'feta' parcels and hot & spicy sweet potatoes, visit www.redwoodfoods.co.uk. You'll find Redwood foods in good health food stores, including Holland and Barrett, selected supermarkets and at Redwood's online shop www.redwoodfoods.co.uk. Everything in the range is free from animal ingredients and derivatives as well as cholesterol, artificial colours/preservatives, lactose, casein, hydrogenated fats and GMOs.

FACTFILE:
Owned by charity campaigner Heather Mills, Redwood is the leading supplier of vegan foods to the health trade and 100% British. Rated the UK's most ethical vegetarian foods supplier by The Ethical Company Organisation, Redwood produces more than 50 different foods under the Vegideli, Cheatin' and Cheezly brand names at its animal-free factory in Corby, Northamptonshire.

Everything in its range is made from 100% natural plant-based ingredients so free from animal products and derivatives as well as cholesterol, artificial colours/preservatives, lactose, hydrogenated fats and GMOs, making them suitable for vegetarians and vegans as well as those looking for healthier and more ethical lifestyles.

Widely recognised as one of the most innovative and inspirational vegetarian food companies in the UK, Redwood is renowned for being at the cutting edge of food manufacturing and exports to 18 countries worldwide.

Thursday, 26 May 2011

Online retails codes site serves up newly-sourced deals to help people save money when eating out

Enjoy Italian and Spanish food throughout the rest of May and all of June and save money! How? Because DiscountVouchers.co.uk has announced some new deals that will help people save money at restaurant chains including Wildwood, Ask and La Tasca.

Since its launch Ask has become one of the country's top Italian eateries with branches throughout the land serving pizza and pasta to families and couples. The latest DiscountVouchers.co.uk deals introduced this week include new Ask Restaurant deals like 2 for the price of 1 on main courses to help people save money. Which is always a good thing!

Another popular diner to be saved at via DiscountVouchers.co.uk is Wildwood Restaurant. The restaurant is aimed at both couples and families and right now diners can log on to the DiscountVouchers.co.uk website and get hold of a free freshly-made Italian food starter with every main course.

Tapas and paella can also be enjoyed on a budget in May and June thanks to the new DiscountVouchers.co.uk dining out deals. A new choice of La Tasca vouchers is available on the money-saving website to help people enjoy 3 tapas for just £7 on Mondays or dinner for 2 for only £12 (subject to terms and conditions) at the popular Spanish restaurant.

Claire Hayes, spokeswoman for DiscountVouchers.co.uk, points out: “We're delighted to bring some new great value dining out deals to our site users right now. Leading name Mediterranean-themed restaurants like Ask, Wildwood and La Tasca are ideal places to go to enjoy a private, romantic meal or a group night out.”

DiscountVouchers.co.uk offers consumers money saving deals at major high street brands and specialist retailers, includingTesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Travelodge, First Choice, lastminute.com and Boden.

For more information visit www.discountvouchers.co.uk

Monday, 23 May 2011

Encona perfect for your Barbecue

Encona is a range of cooking sauces and condiments with flavours from all over the world – Caribbean, Far East, Asia and the Americas.

Encona is the still the UK’s number 1 hot pepper sauce brand but has different heat levels to suit both chilli lovers and chilli novices! The range is wonderfully versatile – the perfect condiment for meat, chicken, fish, seafoods and vegetables, also drizzled into stir-fries, rice dishes, dips and salad dressings.

Great too as a marinade brushed onto food during grilling or barbecuing, stirred into soups and stews or simply as a delicious, everyday table sauces.

(EDITOR: I first came across Encona hot pepper sauce many years ago. It has been a long and fruitful relationship consisting of many meals shared with friends and family. To find out more about Encona and to see why it is so popular, visit www.enconasauces.co.uk)

“Captain Tiptoes and the Occasional Snack Company!”


Full of fun? Yes! Indeed! But Captain Tiptoes also has a serious pedigree. “When everyone else seems to be going down the health and nutrition route in a bid to attract consumers the tone can sometimes be a little preachy and pious.  

"We felt that something a tad leftfield and thoroughly buffoonish to make folk smile and relax is just the ticket right now – especially in this current climate.  Having said that, be under no illusions that we don’t take our food seriously.  We do. Everything we source, roast, puff and season inside the packs is as good as it can possibly be,” said Giles Henschel, newly moustached founder of Captain Tiptoes and award-winning Dorset food company Olives Et Al. 

Now Captain Tiptoes has joined the band and the new snacks need to be tasted – especially the *Wasabi Flaming Rice........phew!   Arriving perfectly preened and packaged for the very first performance are;

Irresistibly taut Cajun Spiced Nuts
Grippingly stout Fire Cracker Rice puffs    
Courageously pert Chilli Harissa Nuts
Undeniably crisp Salt & Pepper Nuts
Redoubtably firm Wasabi Flaming Rice Fire Balls

Who is Captain Tiptoes?  We know the Captain is always well buffed, snipped, clipped, neatly trimmed and eagerly wishes to present, for your delight and edification, a brand new range of snacks with a curious twist, a knowing smile and the occasional moustache. 

The journey never just ends at the bottom of the bag. Everyone’s invited to join the Captain’s Troop (or is it a troupe?) of Occasional Snacketeers with a dive-in-able website packed full of the Captain’s own inimitable style of lollygagging tomfoolery that’ll be right up your alley.  You can go on-line at www.captaintiptoes.com and ‘tache yourself up and then upload your photo. 

Let your imagination loose.  Expand your chest, blow out your cheeks, take a bag and join Captain Tiptoes on a journey into the land of buffoonish snacketeering.  

Retail price: £1.25 (big bag) £2.00 (bigger bag) as Captain Tiptoes has just arrived on the snack stage, look out for packs in good food shops, wine shops, cinemas, on aeroplanes, bars and other unusual places... 

Climb aboard, hold on tight, have a peek and a nibble.  Call Captain Tiptoes and his troop on 01258 474300 or email ahoy@captaintiptoes.com

Although Captain Tiptoes is chock full of fun and a fair share of buffoonery, it does have some very serious  credentials.  Captain Tiptoes’ snacks are the latest idea of artisan nut-roasters Olives Et Al in Dorset – known for winning awards for being olivey and saucy.  

Every ingredient in each Captain Tiptoes pack has been carefully and lovingly chosen for the best tasting results. Made with carefully sourced, all natural ingredients, which are then kiln-roasted with bags of know-how and more than a little secrecy at each stage of the roasting process - Captain Tiptoes may be the new moustache on everyone’s lips, but there are years of splendid snackage expertise up the Captain’s sleeve!

(*EDITOR: My wife is now a very firm convert to the Wasabi Flaming Rice Fire Balls. The only trouble is, I do not think that there will be any left from any packets we buy for our weekend barbecues!)