Easter and Summer cocktails at a fraction of the usual price with the magic of Aldi

You will be able to prepare some pretty mean cocktails this year for your Easter and Summer parties and barbecues when you nip down to Aldi and source your requirements from their stupendous range of spirit drinks, wines, fruit juices and the like.

Want to serve Champagne? Using Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut (£10.99) which is a delicious crisp Champagne embodied with the flavour of baked apples. This is now well within the budget of many people. So long, of course, as they shop in Aldi!

Why not try a delicious Champagne and Amaretto cocktail? Using Aldi's delicious Bellucci Amaretto Liqueur, £ 4.29  a bottle, of course!

1 shot amaretto
2 shots orange juice
Champagne

Or if you wish you could use the very special  floral Belletti Prosecco, instead. That's about £8.00 a bottle.

Or there's the tasty Dry London Gin. You can serve it with a bottle of tonic water some ice cubes an gash of lime juice (stir well!) and a wedge of lime as the garnish. You can use as much or as little gin as you desire, though 50ml is the suggested amount.

And if you like Irish coffee, you'll love it made with some of Aldi's Ballycastle Irish Country Cream (£3.75 – 70cl). Just add a spoonful of coffee, top up with some hot -not boiling!- water and stir well. You can add a bit of Aldi's fresh cream if you want to make it even more special.

There's a great range of wines at Aldi and you can even buy these buy the case for home delivery. https://www.aldi.co.uk and check out the range and their stunning prices.

WELLY A new name for top quality cooked meat

As we head deeper into 2016 and our purses seem to get even tighter, many of us turn our lunchtime attention to boring salads and listless soups.

WELLY, which is a new British made cooked meat brand, has come to the rescue of families and individual mealtimes across the UK as it has launched a tasty new range of premium sliced meats.

Tired of the boring same old same old lunches? Sick of eating a pointless salad made from what your grandparents would have dismissed as a bowl of old weeds? Like a colleague who ended up with a scratched throat when the sharp stem of some weed, sorry, delicious salad ingredient, stabbed her as she swallowed it down?

But now there is a new, classy act that is hitting select chiller counters around the country, WELLY prepared meats.

They offer a range of cooked hams and chicken slices that are like the meats you remember from years ago, but which are available today.

They taste good, but what is the difference between WELLY and other purveyors of cooked meats?

Could it be the fact that WELLY meats are only ever sourced from select farms that WELLY knows and trusts to supply quality meats?

This means that parents can send their children off to school knowing that their lunch is a proper, balanced meal and that the meat is fully traceable, too.

With many cooked meat brands sadly falling short of the mark when it comes to offering us good quality and affordable product, WELLY is launching to provide British ham and chicken to those who care about where their food comes from.

The hams come in a delicious array of flavours. You'll be tempted to try their delicious honey roast ham, cooked or wafer thin. Or perhaps their truly scrumptious British Roast Chicken is more to your liking?

WELLY meats can be found in Waitrose stores and NISA stores.

Prices are:
Honey Roast Ham, 115g, 9 slices.  RRP £1.19
Cooked Ham, 115g, 9 slices.  RRP £1.19
Wafer Thin Honey Roast Ham, 300g, RRP £2.00
Lean Breaded Ham, 300g, 13 slices. RRP £3.00
Wafer Thin Roast Chicken, 300g, RRP £2.00

(EDITOR: In sandwiches, with sandwich thins, on open rolls or even used as the basis for a new and exciting curry dish invented by my wife (roast chicken curry) WELLY will really give your meals some WELLY!)

BFree can help you lead a healthy and tasty lifestyle

Living a healthier lifestyle is something that is more than ever at the forefront of our minds.

There are lifestyle shows and cookery shows that are now starting to emphasise the need for a more health lifestyle.

That's even more important for those of us who struggle to find "free from" style foods that are not only tasty but that will n ot trigger off food allergies and the like.

At one time you had to search through obscure health food in dingy back streets where you would be shown food that looked and tasted ias if it were made from woodchips and old straw. And get dubious advice. One assistant in a health food shop advised me not to use the recipes that were free to take from the counter because she felt sure they had passed their use by date!

But all that is a thing of the past, thanks to BFree Foods, which is Ireland's leading free from brand, as it offers a delicious and nutritious alternative to baked goods, they are ideal for the coeliac and the health-conscious alike.

A growing number of people are taking the decision to avoid gluten food as part of a more healthy diet.

And BFree is catering for their needs, having managed to develop a variety of flavourful baked goods to delight the gluten-free foodies across the UK and Ireland.

BFreee uses ‘must-have’ health ingredients like quinoa, flaxseeds and poppy seeds in their range of products, BFree’s products are a great choice for anyone in search of healthier alternative breads.

You do not have to come to find BFreee poducts, BFree products are coming to you. Or rather, to a shop near you.

You'll find them in Morrisons stores UK-wide (EDITOR: That's where my wife and I get them!) plus Asda, Sainsbury’s Tesco and Ocado,

BFree’s Fajita Kit, Quinoa & Chia Seed Wraps and Multigrain Wraps are available in Morrisons with a RRP of £3.50 for each of the wraps and £5.00 for the Fajita Kit. (EDITOR: We stuffed ours with some delicious homemade chicken in ginger!)

For more information, recipe ideas please visit www.Bfreefoods.com or find them on Facebook or Twitter @BFreeFoods. You can buy some BFreeFoods at http://goo.gl/mhYAG1.

MOMA! that's some real porridge!

MOMA, that's Making Oats More Awesome, do exactly that. They make oats (much) more awesome!

MOMA has introduced a new totally awesome twist to this tasty breakfast treat, the New Coconut and Chia Porridge Pot.

Although it is deliciously creamy, it's gluten free and dairy free and vegan's can eat it safe in the knowledge that it is a truly vegan friendly porridge. That also tastes good, too.

Unusually for something that is this healthy and good for you it is also freshly prepared by you in a matter of mere moments.

The recipe calls for a blend of jumbo and fine oats, chia seeds and coconut milk powder. But there's one ingredient that you will not find that you will not miss, added sugar!

But it is jam-packed with vitamins and minerals, designed to keep you going throughout the day, and whilst it is gluten free, dairy free and vegan friendly, it still has MOMA’s signature creamy taste and chunky texture.

There are three simple stages to the preparation of MOMA Coconut and Chia Porridge Pot.

1) Add hot water

2) Stir

3) Eat!

So, why chia seeds? Why coconut milk?

Chia seeds are full of antioxidants that fight free radicals, give us a well-needed (but vegan friendly!) boost from Omega 3, ideal for healthy heart and nerve function and rich in protein which is important as it helps kick-start your metabolism and staves off hunger cravings after you have eaten.

Coconut milk contains phosphorus which is vital for strengthening bones. It also enjoys a high concentration of fibre which helps keep you feeling fuller for longer.

It's available at £1.30 a pot to buy online from momafoods.co.uk and Ocado from January and in Waitrose stores, now. Or you can purchase the range at http://goo.gl/mhYAG1

MOMA Porridge is available nationwide in pot and sachet format, in five additional flavours - Plain, Plain - no added sugar, Cranberry and Raisin, Golden Syrup and Super Seeds.

Tom Mercer, Founder of MOMA Foods said, “We want everyone to be able to enjoy delicious MOMA porridge for breakfast but we know more and more people are cutting down on dairy in their diets for allergy and health reasons, and turning to plant-based foods instead. 

"That’s why we've launched MOMA’s new Coconut and Chia Porridge Pot - the slow release energy from the oats, and calcium and omega 3 from the chia seeds, make this a really healthy and satisfying breakfast”.

Belvoir Fruit Farms ‘Light’ the Way to healthy drinking

Since I was diagnosed as having Type 2 Diabetes, I have had to be careful about the amount of sugar that I consume.

So you can imagine how pleased I was when I heard about two new ‘Light’ varieties from Belvoir Fruit Farms; zingy Raspberry Lemonade Light and fragrant and very tasteful Elderflower & Rose Pressé Light, welcome companions to the popular Elderflower Pressé Light and already available on supermarket shelves.

The ‘Light’ range contains 30% less sugar than the original versions of the drinks.

 People still love Belvoir’s classic Cordials and Pressés made using only natural ingredients with no artificial preservatives or sweeteners, but there is a new consumer who wants less sugar.  The ‘Light’ range enables this different audience to enjoy the delights of Belvoir’s gently sparkling Pressés too.

Like all Belvoir’s drinks, the Light Range is hand made at Belvoir using real pressed fruit juices and freshly picked flowers so that despite the reduction in sugar there is no reduction in flavour.

Ther'es the new Raspberry Lemonade Light (75cl):  this mouth-watering tipple still has the zingy taste of real raspberries and lemons but is just a little lighter on calories than the original recipe – a 250ml serving has 55 calories compared to 107 calories.   Serve chilled for a naturally lovely taste of summer all year round – listen carefully and you might hear the distant thwack of leather on willow, or is it just the bubbles bursting in the glass?

And the new Elderflower & Rose Pressé Light (75cl): conjuring up images of thatched cottages and white picket fences, this classic British drink has the same delicately floral taste as the original recipe by virtue of the freshly picked flowers, fresh lemon juice and hint of rose petal extract, but 30 percent less sugar and 28 fewer calories (when compared like for like in a 250ml glass serving).  A lightly refreshing, fragrant drink which is delicious served over ice – close your eyes and you could hear the buzz of summer bumble bees too!

They join Elderflower Pressé Light (75cl):  launched in January 2014 this lighter version of Belvoir’s regular Elderflower Pressé has proved hugely popular in its own right.  It is more delicate in taste than the original Pressé but has the same heady, floral aromas of freshly picked Elderflowers from the Belvoir plantations, tangy citrus from pressed lemon juice and gentle bubbles – just a little lighter on calories.

(EDITOR: In my case my main concern is not os much calories, but the amount of sugar. Which, at 30% less, is certainly a step in the right direction for me to keep my over all sugar intake down.)

Belvoir’s Light Range shows that lower calorie doesn’t have to mean less taste, or style!

All three varieties in the Belvoir Light range are available from Tesco and Ocado for around £2.39 per 75cl bottle.

James White introduces his unique Organic Ginger Zinger

James White's Organic Ginger Zinger is a really unique ginger drink.

Each 7cl bottle is stuffed full of ginger goodness. 26% crushed ginger juice, 57% apple juice and 17% water and that's it!

It's great for ginger lovers -there's a real ginger kick right there, in each bottle.

It gives you a tasty, gingery, fruity boost, but without the annoying caffeine you find in the vast majority of so-called energy drinks.

It has no artificial preservatives, no artificial colours and no mystery flavourings, so it is guaranteed to be 100% natural.

And better still, it receives the Soil Association certification proving that it is, indeed, fully organic.

It is safe, there's nothing harmful or nasty in it and it's organic.

But what does it taste like?

It has a refreshing taste of apple juice, but there's a pungent and earthy aroma that you only get with real ginger.

But the real bonus is the hot and punchy ginger flavour that wows your senses and really ensures that you are awake and ready for whatever life intends to throw your way!

Or you can take it with you for a boost later on in the day.

You can expect to pay £1.49 for a bottle at Planet Organic or it can be purchased at  this online retailer http://goo.gl/ZxiswR.

For more details please visit http://www.jameswhite.co.uk/ginger_zinger.

And for an article on the general benefits of ginger in one's diet, please visit http://healthnfitnesshops.com/health-benefits-of-ginger.html.

Charlie Bigham's meals. Once tried, never forgotten

My wife and I had a plan for Valentine's Day, just gone.

We would have a meal at home with a bottle of wine and something tasty served with vegetables and mashed potatoes.

We chose two Charlie Bigham's Steak and Ale Pies. And we both promptly fell ill with a rather nasty flu bug that really knocked us for six. Even though we had both had the flu shot!

So the two Charlie Bigham's Steak and Ale Pies languished in the freezer until such time as we actually felt like eating a substantial meal.

The first thing that we noticed was that the pies come in nice individual ceramic ramekins. (Which Charlie wants you to donate to a charity shop as they can easily get a couple of Pounds for them.)

The second thing that we noticed is that they actually looked like real, proper pies. (Those of you who have seen some pies on sale in the local supermarket will understand that some pies on sale do not look like proper pies. At all.)

We cooked the pies in our convection oven and soon were overcome by the absolutely delicious aroma that began to waft from the oven.

When it came time to serve the pies we found the to be utterly delicious. The vegetables were just right and the meat was absolutely perfect. Melt in the mouth is the nearest description to the perfection of each piece of carefully selected beef.

And the ale gravy? This was the best ale gravy that I had tasted in, well, ever, really.

The vast majority of steak and ale pies it is not possible to notice any ale in the gravy at all.

But with Charlie Bigham's Steak and Ale Pies you can enjoy a delicious flavouring of the good, high quality ale that is used in the recipe.

And as for the pastry? My wife is an expert pastry cook and she described it as faultless and utterly delicious.

You should be able to find them in Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Ocado, Booths and Budgens.

They should cost £7.00 for two pies.

Introducing Cauli Rice

Cauli Rice is not rice, but, made from cauliflowers, it is a pretty good replacement for rice.

Why would you need to replace rice in your diet? Rice is a carb rich food and Cauli Rice contains an amazing 75% less calories than ordinary rice, so using Cauli Rice in place ordinary rice can certainly help reduce the overall calorie count in our diets.

And a high carb diet is certainly something that diabetics need to guard against. So low carb Cauli Rice is something that every diabetic should look at introducing into their diet to replace normal rice.

There are no potentially harmful additives in Caulie rice and the clever folks who developed Cauli Rice and who prepare and cook it for you have, quite rightly, eschewed the use of preservatives, so Cauli Rice is a wholesome and entirely natural product.

There are four delicious flavours for you to choose from: Original, Lemongrass and Chilli, Indian Pilau (EDITOR: My favourite!) and Mediterranean, so whether you are, for example, preparing an Indian meal from scratch, grilling some sausages or putting together a tasty salad, Cauli Rice will serve as the ideal accompaniment for your meal.

And preparing the Cauli Rice is simplicity itself. All you do is place it in the microwave for two and a half minutes and it is ready to serve.

And it doesn't need to be stored in a refrigerator, so can simply wait in your pantry until you need to cook it.

For those of you who need to know these things (EDITOR: Like fellow diabetics, for example!) 100g of Original flavour Cauli Rice contains 34 Kcals and 3g of carbohydrates again -for example- 10g of white rice which contains 138Kcal and 31g of carbohydrates.

Obviously, whilst it is not a 100% replacement for rice, it is still well worth buying Cauli Rice as it is a tasty and healthy alternative to rice and at a recommended retail price of £1.99 (it serves two)  it's certainly well worth purchasing for the pantry.

To learn more or to buy online visit www.caulirice.com.

A touch of Italian luxury for Mothering Sunday with Capricci

All of the best elements of the Italian dining experience can be found under one roof with healthy, hearty homemade meals at Capricci.

After indulging in the classic kitchen menu which changes daily you can pick up the finest ingredients and try turning your hand to Italian cooking in the comfort of your own home.

Capricci has also teamed up with Michelin-starred chef Davide Palluda to present an outstanding line of ready to serve recipes that will wow your senses whilst saving you time.

There will also be opportunities to meet all of Capricci’s Italian suppliers and sample their food the way it should be!

It’s the easiest and most rewarding way to get a true taste of Italy without actually being there!

And now Capricci have launched a very exclusive range of hampers that your mother is just certain to love!

Described as "Some of the most amazing hampers and products carefully selected from across Italy" They include:-

“Inclusioni” Chocolate Bars (£42) which includes some really unique and exclusive flavours! Dark Chocolate with Goji Berries and Macha Tea, Milk Chocolate with exotic fruits and Grue, Milk chocolate with raspberry and cardamom and Gianduja Chocolate with salted caramel

Chocolate Temptation (£67) -  a selection of beautifully crunchy chocolate and biscuit, a really indulgent treat

The Milk Chocolate Crus (£43) – some delicious variations of milk chocolate with a carefully selected Grappa to compliment.

To learn more please visit http://www.capricciforlondon.co.uk.

The Prakti Stove. The practical way to cook outdoors!

It's a strange thing to think about, but the summer months of cooking outside will soon be upon us, again!

And The Charcoal Burner Company is on a mission to introduce us to the Indian Prakti Stove in time for the barbecue season.

Many Indian readers will already be familiar with this wonderful Indian design classic and outside cooking staple.

Founder of The Charcoal Burner Company, Alastair, was trying to work out the best way to roast chestnuts outside during the winter months, and after having decided that charcoal stoves beat their gas equivalents hands down in terms of being authentic, easy to use and keeping in the flavour, he then moved on to the wonderful Prakti Stove.

However, soon he was thinking about much more than using them to roast nuts with!

Having ordered a Prakti Stove from India, Alastair was immediately impressed by the cleverness of its design, the speed at which it lit and how clean and efficient it was.

He was also very impressed by the high levels of heat it generated.

Soon he was addicted to cooking all kinds of things on his Prakti Stove.

The Charcoal Burner Company is now the official UK distributor for the Prakti Stove, so you can now easily own one of these classical Indian cooking marvels.

There are a wide range of different stoves available, including:
- Charcoal Stove (Rocket Stove) - which comes in red, blue or yellow
- Single Wood Burning Stove
- Double Wood Burning Stove
- Double Wood Burning Stove With Chimney Bracket
- The Orca Extra-Large Wood Burning Stove

There is also a range of essential accessories available from The Charcoal Burner Company, from the highest quality charcoal to grills, aprons and tote bags to transport all that tasty food you’re about to cook with your Prakti Stove.

For details please visit: www.thecharcoalburnercompany.co.uk.