Friday, 14 October 2022

More vegetarian options at M&S

M&S has launched an exciting range of vegetarian meals. It's called Veggie, in response to growing demand for increased vegetarian choices from customers.

The range includes a choice of 14 delicious vegetarian meals, developed by the retailer’s in-house chefs. Choices include Veggie Roasted Butternut Risotto (370g - £4) and Veggie Roasted Mushroom Ravioli (355g - £4).

Research from M&S shows vegetarians often feel overlooked – over 60% are unhappy with the number of vegetarian options in supermarkets and restaurants, while almost two-thirds said that there aren’t enough vegetables in restaurant and supermarket vegetarian meals currently available.

Sharry Cramond, who is a lifelong vegetarian and Director of Marketing & Hospitality at M&S, said: “Many vegetarians, myself included, know all too well how it feels to look at a restaurant menu or supermarket shelves, only to see a handful of meat-free options and rarely anything that celebrates vegetables."

She went on to say: "Our brand-new Veggie range more than meets that need and is the perfect solution for this overlooked group of foodies who want delicious, modern dishes packed with vegetables.

“From comforting mains for one to sharing centrepieces and all-important sides, this range is ideal for work lunches, midweek dinners, weekend entertaining and more! It’s all totally delicious and my favourite is the Veggie Cauli & Leek Open Pie. I literally can’t wait to make it part of my weekly shop – roll on dinner tonight!”

The launch comes as M&S’ plant-based Plant Kitchen range, suitable for vegans, has been growing in popularity. Plant Kitchen sales are up 23% YOY compared to 21/22, with bestsellers including the Hoisin No Duck Wrap (£3.75), Green Thai Curry and Jasmine Rice (£4.50) and Nutty Super Wholefood Salad (£3.50)

The retailer launched Plant Kitchen back in 2019, offering a selection of delicious dairy and meat-free lunch options, indulgent treats and meals – the range has since grown to over 200 products.

M&S has been encouraging its 30m customers to explore plant-based protein as part of its Sparking Change challenge, designed to help families make the food they eat greener, healthier and more affordable, including tips on storing vegetables properly and an all-important meal planner.


Vegetarian options for home or commercial cooking from OmniFoods!

After the launch by foodtech company OmniFoods on World’s Ocean Day (8 June) in 2021, OmniSeafood made its ground-breaking debut in the UK at wagamama for Veganuary. 

The dish featured award-winning Omni Golden Fillet (winner of the Monde Selection Silver Quality Award 2022), wowing customers with a plant-based twist on classic fish & chips. 

Recent collaborations include launching fish and chips featuring Omni Golden Fillet with award-winning fish and chips shop Sutton & Sons, and exclusively launching the Omni Ocean Burger with iconic plant-based fast food joint Oowee Vegan, giving away 600 free Ocean Burgers which were gone within six minutes. Now, OmniSeafood is finally available to cook with at home!

OmniSeafood is made from a special proprietary blend of non-GMO soy, and has indistinguishable taste and texture from real seafood. It contains 0mg cholesterol, is free from trans-fat, and has no added preservatives, hormones or antibiotics.

OmniSeafood retail packs including the golden-crusted Omni Golden Fillet, Omni Ocean Burger, and OmniCrab Cake have hit the shelves of Whole Foods Market in London, while Omni Golden Fillet is also listed online on Ocado. 

The full range, priced from £2.25, is also available at the Vegan Kind Supermarket, including Omni Golden Fillet, Omni Classic Fillet, Omni Ocean Burger, Omni Ocean Fingers, OmniCrab Cake, and OmniTuna.

But there's more! The OmniPork range includes three high-quality pork alternatives, Mince and Luncheon, both of which are Great Taste Award winners, and Strips which are currently available HERE and online. 

The three varieties allow chefs and home cooks to create an infinite variety of plant-based dishes which can be seasoned, steamed, pan- or deep-fried, stuffed or crumbled. 

Made using a proprietary blend of plant-based protein from non-GMO soy, peas, shiitake mushrooms and rice, OmniPork contains no cholesterol, and has less saturated fat and less calories compared to animal-based pork products.

Follow OmniFoods on social media @omnifoods.uk now to discover the Omni Way to ‘chip in’ to save our oceans and our planet.

For more information, please visit https://omnifoods.co.

That's Food and Drink thinks that the OmniFoods range will make excellent meat free alternatives for Christmas meals for vegetarians in your life.

Brand New Food & Drink Festival Confirmed for July 2023 at Three Counties Showground

Slated to serve up an amazing feast of delights, with in excess of 150 different food and drink stands, this new, family-friendly festival will offer a wide range of artisanal produce from some of the region's highly esteemed producers, alongside some of the UK's very best street food vendors serving up a wide range of outstanding international cuisines.  

A stellar line-up of special guests, celebrities and TV chefs will also be on hand over the whole weekend to share tips and provide live demos in the dedicated 500 seat Cookery Theatre.

The weekend will also include a range of exciting fun for the entire family. Ranging from children's activities to fairground rides, bungee trampolines to a circus school. 

There will even be special classes available to book on the day for children aged 6 – 12 years old in the Kid's Cookery School, where they can learn how to make butter, cheese, ice cream, pasta and gnocchi, too!

Visitors to the show can then shop for unique foodie gifts, handmade crafts and artisanal homewares from talented makers and creators. 

After indulging in a feast of mouth-watering food and drink, visitors will be able to sit back, chill out, relax and soak up the family-friendly festival atmosphere while enjoying live music and DJ sets.

Says Bev Channell, from event organisers Channell Events: 'We're thrilled to be bringing the ultimate foodie weekend to the Midlands next summer, with a whole host of regional delicious delights, artisan food producers, outstanding street food, independent drinks distillers, a tasty line-up of celebrity chefs and so much more!'

Early bird tickets for the Three Counties Food & Drink Festival cost just £12 and will be available online from 11th November 2022 at https://www.threecountiesfoodfestival.com

VIP tickets are also available for a reasonable £25. This includes priority parking, fast track entry, a special goody bag, plus entry to the VIP Marquee which offers a chance to meet the special TV guests set to appear that day.

That's Food and Drink considers that tickets for this event (especially the VIP passes) will make excellent Christmas presents for the foodies in your life as they'll give them something to look forward to.


 

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Thursday, 13 October 2022

Diwali recipes brought to you by Romy Gill, MBE and Maldon Salt

Hot and Spicy Whole Roasted Chicken, Whole Roasted Sweet Potato and Leafy Salad

Serves 6

Ingredients for roasted chicken

1.5kg of whole chicken

2tsp tandoori masala

1tso chilli powder

3tsp Greek yoghurt

3 large cloves garlic, grated

4tsp honey

few small stem of thyme

½ juice of lemon

5tsp olive oil

1&1/2 tsp Maldon salt

Ingredients for roasted sweet potato

6 medium size sweet potatoes, sliced in the middle

1tsp Maldon salt

1tsp black pepper

1tsp chilli flakes

1tsp garlic granules

4tsp olive oil

Ingredients for the salad

Bag of salad leaves (any preferred)

4tsp honey

½ juice of lemon

½ tsp Maldon salt

1/2tsp crushed black pepper

4tsp olive oil

Hot and spicy whole roasted chicken served, whole roasted sweet potato and leafy salad

Method

For the chicken:

1. In bowl add tandoori masala, chili powder Greek yogurt, grated garlic cloves, honey, thyme stems, half juice of a lemon, oil and salt and whisk it together, and then apply the paste to the whole chicken properly, leave it in the fridge to marinate for at least 2 hours before roasting.

2. After 2 hours take the marinated chicken out and leave in the room temperature for while the oven is getting hot.

Preheat the oven at 180C. Place the chicken on a baking tray and cover the chicken with a foil, make sure to seal the tray with foil on all the sides properly. Put the chicken in the oven and cook for one hour 30 minutes.

Leave to rest for 10 minutes before eating.

For the sweet potatoes:

1. Preheat oven at 180C

2. While the oven is getting hot marinate the potatoes, and then layer them on the baking tray and bake them for

40 minutes.

For the leafy salad

1. Make the dressing in a small jar with 4tsp honey, ½ juice of lemon, ½ tsp Maldon salt, 1/2tsp crushed black pepper 4tsp olive oil.

2. Give the jar a shake before drizzling the dressing on the salad.


Moong Bean Dal

Serves 6

Ingredients

250g moong beans

1&1/2 tsp Maldon salt

1tsp turmeric

1litre water plus 20ml extra

Ingredients for the tadka

4tsp ghee

6 spring onions, chopped with greens

15g ginger, peeled and grated

2-3 green chillies, chopped (bird’s eye or similar)

1 large tomatoes chopped

10g fresh coriander, chopped with stems

1tsp garam masala

4tsp natural yogurt

Method

1. Soak the lentils for couple of hours or overnight. Wash and drain the water from the soaked lentils. Add the lentils to a medium-sized saucepan with the salt, turmeric and water. Cook the lentils until soft for about 40 minutes on medium heat and occasionally stir.

2. While the lentils are cooking, we make the tadka. Heat the ghee in a frying pan, once the ghee has melted, add chopped spring onions and cook for a minute. Add the grated ginger, chopped green chillies, cook for 3 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes, chopped coriander into the pan and cook for another 4 minutes. Lower heat, add yogurt, garam masala combine and add the tadka to the moong dal. Add water rest of the water to the pan, swirl and add the water to the dal.

3. Mix, cook on low heat for about 5 minutes. Leave to rest before eating with any flat bread or rice.

Lemon Rice with Peanuts and Curry

Leaves

Serves 4 - 6

Ingredients

200g basmati rice

4tsp ghee

8-10m fresh curry leaves

1tsp black mustard

1&1/2 tsp Maldon salt

1tsp turmeric

juice of one lemon

75g toasted peanuts

Method

1. In a saucepan add water ½ tsp salt and water, bring it to boil for 6-7 minutes on medium heat. Then drain the water and keep the rice aside.

2. In a pan dry toast the peanuts on a low heat in a pan. Toast them until light brown. Remove from heat and remove them in a bowl. In the same pan add ghee, once ghee has melted add the mustard seeds and curry leaves as soon as they start to pop add the toasted peanuts, rest of the salt, turmeric, mix. Tip in the rise mix and cook with a lid for 5 minutes on low heat. Once all done add the lemon juice, mix and serve hot as a side dish or on its own.

Stuffed Courgettes with Lamb Mince

Serves 4

Ingredients

4 courgettes, cut into half

300g lamb mince

3 large cloves of garlic, grated

1 banana shallots, diced small

1tsp paprika

1tps ground black pepper

1tsp turmeric

2tsp ground coriander

1& 1/2tsp Maldon salt

2tsp tomato puree

small handful of mint, chopped large handful of panko bread crumbs (if you love the crispy crunch more than do add more)

6tsp olive oil

Method

1. Cut the courgettes into half and then scoop the flesh. Then mash the flesh and mix with the lamb mince, garlic, diced shallots ground black pepper, paprika, turmeric, ground coriander, 1tsp salt, tomato puree and mint chopped.

2. Heat 3tsp oil in a pan and add the mixture to the oil, and then cook the mixture for 6-7 on high heat. Once the mixture is half cooked, keep aside to cool down.

3. Preheat the oven, 180C while the oven is getting hot, fill the courgettes with the mixture. Sprinkle rest of the salt, and panko bread crumbs and rest of the oil. Cook until golden brown10 minutes.

4. Enjoy with a flat bread and a leafy bread on the side


Roasted broccoli stem with zaatar, chilli flakes and salt, served on creamy feta.

Serves 4

Ingredients

12 broccoli stems

1 heaped tsp of zaatar spice blend

1/2tsp chilli flakes

1/2tsp Maldon salt

2tsp olive oil

small handful of toasted almond flakes

1packet of feta

6tsp of chilli sauce

20ml olive oil

10ml milk

sprinkle of Maldon salt

Method

1. Preheat oven at 170C, and then on a baking tray add the broccoli stems to a mix of the zaatar, chilli flakes, ½ tsp of Maldon salt and 2 tsp of olive oil. Mix them together and roast for 8-10 minutes.

2. Crumble the feta in a food processor and add the chilli sauce, 20ml olive oil, 10ml milk and a sprinkle of Maldon Salt and blend together to make it into a fine paste.

3. To serve spread the feta on a large plate, and then place the roasted broccoli, sprinkle with toasted almond flakes.


Orange and Cocoa Cake

Serves 8 - 10

Ingredients

100g butter melted, extra to apply inside the cake tin

50ml butter milk

200g dark muscovado sugar

2 medium eggs

100g plain flour

1tsp baking powder

3 tbsp cocoa powder

1tsp Maldon salt

2tbsp smooth peanut butter

juice of two oranges and zest of one orange

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 170C, prepare a 20cm baking sheet, spread the butter, and then place right size baking sheet in the tin. Keep aside.

2. In a bowl add sugar, melted butter and whisk, then crack the eggs and beat the mixture all together. Sift the flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, ½ tsp salt, peanut butter, juice of oranges, 1/2tsp orange zest, and then combine properly.

3. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin, spread evenly. Bake the cake for 25 minutes, sometimes the ovens are different so until it is well risen.

4. Remove, leave the cake in the tin until cool. Carefully turn the cake of on to the wire pack and peel off the parchment.

5. Before eating sprinkle rest of the salt and orange zest.

That's Food and Drink would like to thank Romy Gill, MBE and Maldon Salt for helping us put this delicious Diwali feature together. 

To learn more please visit https://maldonsalt.com.

Cappuccino is the most popular coffee round the World

As the cosy, wintery season draws in and we look forward to crisp Autumnal walks with a hot drink in hand, Casumo (https://www.casumo.com/en-gb)  has found out which types of coffee are most popular around the globe. 

60% of the world prefer Cappuccino 

Brits love a Flat White 

Aussie’s and Kiwi’s opt for a sweet Mocha

Nearly two-thirds (60%) of Commonwealth countries prefer a cappuccino, making this the most desired coffee around the globe.

The Italian beverage, consisting of equal parts espresso and steamed milk foam, is the most popular choice in many countries including India, Jamaica, Spain, France and the USA!

The Brits are in the minority with their love of Flat Whites. Only 7% of the globe agree this recent coffee house staple is the top pick, counting the Irish, Germans and Argentinians amongst its fans. In the past year, searches for ‘flat white’ have risen an amazing 50%. 

Having only been on menus since 2010, this caffeine kick, originating in Australia, is quickly becoming a firm favourite across the UK. 

A tenth of the world clearly needs an energy boost with countries including Canada, Cyprus and Pakistan all opting for the simple espresso to start their day. 

Surprisingly, the latte and mocha are the least popular coffee’s across the globe. 

The most popular coffee in each country:

Coffee Type

Country

Cappuccino

Antigua, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago and Uganda, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Spain, France, Brazil, Greenland, Iceland, United States, Bolivia, Algeria, Libya, Dominican Republic, Saudi Arabia, Afganistan, Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland

Black Coffee

Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Venezuela 

Mocha

Australia, New Zealand, Rwanda, Russia, China

Espresso

Canada, Cyprus, Pakistan, Italy, Eygpt, Iran, Ukraine 

Latte

Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Columbia

Flat White

UK, Argentina, Ireland, Germany, Poland

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