Sunday, 30 July 2023

Baking Yesteryear by B. Dylan Hollis (Interview)

Baking Yesteryear by B. Dylan Hollis is a book that hold hundreds of (mainly) baking recipes from over the last 100 or so years, collated, tested and sometimes reimagined for modern home cooks and professional chefs who might be looking for a spot of inspiration for their own baking endeavours by YouTuber and TikToker B. Dylan Hollis.

B. Dylan Hollis is one of Bermuda's best exports in recent years. He has worked very hard over the past three years to perfect his first cook book, which lists the baking recipes on a remarkably sensible decade-by-decade basis. All the recipes have been baked and taste tested multiple times to make sure they belong in the book.

There are pies, cakes, breads, gluten free recipes and savoury and sweet treats to wow everyone with.

Decades covered are the 1900s right through to the 1980s. 

The book is available via Amazon and other bookshops/bookstores. The RRRP in Pounds Sterling is £20.00, the Amazon price is £15.49, or £9.99 on the Kindle format.

The following is an interview of B. Dylan Hollis by a fellow chef and author of cookbooks, on QVC.


I will be placing an order for this book very soon. I think my wife and I will enjoy it very much indeed!


Saturday, 29 July 2023

General Mills doubles vitamin D in Big G Cereals

One of the world's top cereal company delivers some good news for parents this summer, while reminding them of the wholesome goodness they grew up on with classics like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms and Cheerios.

Doubling the Vitamin D content of their Big G Cereals is just another step in their continued commitment to providing affordable, accessible nutrition because we know that breakfast doesn’t have to be complicated or break the bank – and it can be as easy as a beloved bowl of cereal.

General Mills reveals that your family-favourite cereals like Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Cheerios now deliver 20% of the Daily Value of Vitamin D, twice the previous level, with the majority of Big G Cereals to follow over the coming weeks. As category leader, General Mills is the first to roll out this important nutrition upgrade across most of its Big G Cereals and is championing the effort in its new Goodness We Grow Up On campaign.

Vitamin D is absolutely vital for building and maintaining stronger bones, but is often under-consumed, with 96% of all Americans ages two years and older falling short on this key nutrient. But with the good news of an even better nutrition profile than what today's parents grew up on, they can now help close the Vitamin D gap simply with a bowl of the Big G cereals their kids already know and love.

The Big G Cereals advancement in nutrition follows approval from the U.S. FDA earlier this year to increase levels of Vitamin D fortification in ready-to-eat breakfast cereals. 

Additional household favourites such as Honey Nut Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs, Trix and Cookie Crisp will hit shelves with the Vitamin D update throughout the coming summer months, ensuring there’s something for everyone from picky kids to busy college students right through to active adults.

“General Mills Big G Cereals have long been a leader in delivering good nutrition,” said Ricardo Fernandez, the president of U.S. Morning Foods. “We're obviously very proud to be the first major company to make whole grain the first ingredient in our Big G Cereals recipes almost 20 years ago, a commitment that we stand firm on to this very day. 

"And with the newly increased Vitamin D fortification of these cereals, we’re proud to remind parents of the goodness they grew up on with Big G and how we will continue to deliver nutritious options for their families today.”

Breakfast changes lives. Research shows that nutrients missed at breakfast are usually not made up during the rest of the day, and cereal for breakfast is hard to beat when it comes to nutrient density. For Americans at breakfast, cereal is the #1 source of whole grain, fibre and several key vitamins and minerals including folate, iron, zinc, vitamin A and many B vitamins. It's not easy to find this mix of essential nutrition in other breakfast choices. 

The old adage “the more things change, the more things stay the same” is at the root of General Mills’ new Goodness We Grow Up On campaign. 

Children of the '80s & '90s grew up with Buzz the Bee, Sonny the Cuckoo Bird and Trix the Rabbit delighting and providing delicious, affordable nutrition. To that end, families will see new premium online videos, banner ads, social content and experiential elements throughout the summer, a throwback reminder of the great taste, good nutrition and joy Big G Cereals have been delivering for decades. It’s the goodness kids grew up with then, and the goodness they’re continuing to grow up on now.  

Amy Cohn who is a Registered Dietitian and senior nutrition manager at General Mills said: “Cereal is one of few foods that’s consumed across people's lifespans and a household staple that can support good nutrition to a large portion of the population.” 

She went on to say: “Doubling the Vitamin D content of our Big G Cereals is just another step in our continued commitment to providing affordable, accessible nutrition because we know that breakfast doesn’t have to be complicated or break the bank, and it can be as easy as a beloved bowl of cereal.” 

Learn more at GeneralMills.com/gstandsforgood.

General Mill breakfast cereals are also available in the UK as well as the USA, their home country. 

Aldi reduces prices of staple fruit and veg

Aldi supermarkets has revealed price cuts on fruit and veg products. The reason is to pass savings on to its customers during the current cost-of-living crisis.

Ten products are included in the price drop, from avocados, red peppers and easy peelers to staples such as  baking potatoes and sweetcorn. This is the latest of hundreds of prices Aldi has cut in recent times including household staples like milk and pasta.

Shoppers will see prices drop by up to 36%, with the reductions firm evidence of Aldi’s commitment to offering the best value products to all its customers. In recent weeks, it's taken the step of reducing the price of nearly 100 products.

Latest research from Which? revealed Aldi to be officially declared to be the cheapest UK supermarket in June for the 13th consecutive month. 

On a basket of goods, Aldi was the cheapest at £75.25, £7.42 cheaper than Tesco and £16.55 lower than Waitrose. On average, shoppers save 11% on a basket goods by shopping at Aldi compared against the Big Four.

Julie Ashfield, who is MD of Buying at Aldi UK, said: “We know shoppers are having to make hard choices at the moment, which is why we’re passing savings on to our customers anywhere we are able to.

“We know it can be very hard to access food that's both nutritious and affordable, so we recognise reducing the costs of healthy food and veg staples like these is so really important right now.

“We’re continuing to see high numbers of people switching to Aldi from all other supermarkets as shoppers look to save money and our promise remains that we will always offer straightforward, honest prices that we’ll keep low for our customers, every day.”

Full list of reduced items are listed here:-

• Sweetcorn (2pk)

• Iceberg Lettuce

• Baking Potatoes (4pk)

• Radish (240g)

• Watermelon

• Avocado

• Red Pepper

• Premium Easy Peelers (600g)

• Flat Peaches (4pk)

• Unwaxed Lemons (4pk)

These price cuts are in addition to Aldi’s Super 6 initiative which offers fruit and veg at great value prices.

Friday, 28 July 2023

Cocoba Chocolate introduces Halloween themed chocolate treats

For those of us who like to plan ahead, here's some news from Cocoba. 

Cocoba, the Kent-based chocolate company renowned for producing truly irresistible chocolate and hot chocolate gifts, has launched this year’s Halloween range.

The delicious sphere-shaped Halloween “Hot Chocolate Bombes” are handmade from luxurious Belgian chocolate and will be truly bursting with special hidden treats from jellies to marshmallows. 

Flavours available will include orange hot chocolate and unique spooky green hot chocolate. These Halloween delights are available as a pack of three for £9.95.

Cocoba’s Belgian chocolate Halloween themed lollipops at £1.95 each are also ideal for little trick or treaters or to share if you're planning to host a Halloween party. For children or adults!

 From orange flavoured pumpkin lollipops to ghoulish ghost chocolate lollipops, Cocoba’s Halloween range has something for everyone.

And for a cosy night in the tasty “Hot Chocolate Spoons” are an absolutely ideal accompaniment, by simply adding some delicious steaming milk the chocolate melts to create a very special warming drink. 

The spoons are made with only the best quality indulgent Belgian chocolate and sold individually for £3.50.  Flavours will include a milk chocolate spoon with a white chocolate ghost and a block of orange flavoured chocolate served with a helping of mini marshmallows.

Cocoba Chocolate have crafted a nicely wicked range of Halloween treats for everyone to enjoy.  Please visit Cocoba Chocolate’s website for more information including the chocolate vegan product range.

www.CocobaChocolate.com

Cocoba’s chocolate products include Belgian hot chocolate, chocolate bars and lollipops, truffles and buttons, and a growing range of vegan dark and ‘milk’ chocolates.

Cocoba’s range is available from www.CocobaChocolate.com as well as Cocoba’s flagship chocolate café at the Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent, independent farm shops, delis, John Lewis, Selfridges and more, besides  All products are handmade in Kent. 

By the way, sign up for their mailing list and you'll get10% off and also free delivery on orders over £35.

Instagram: @cocobachocolate

Facebook: @CocobaChocolate

Pinterest: @CocobaChocolate

TikTock: @cocobachocolate

Twitter: @CocobaChocolate

Web: https://www.cocobachocolate.com


Easy Sweet Potato Brownies

These deliciously moreish brownie bites are 100% vegan, gluten-free and a healthy alternative to traditional brownies.

Ingredients

350g sweet potato

300g peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla essence

150g rice flour

125g coconut sugar

1 tsp baking powder

Pinch of salt

150g cocoa powder

40g cocoa nibs

40g dried cherries

250ml almond or coconut milk

Icing sugar to dust

Method

Pre-heat oven to 190°C

Line a 13”x 8” brownie tin with parchment paper.

Peel, cube and boil the sweet potatoes until soft.

Warm the peanut butter through in a pan until loosened.

In a large bowl mash the sweet potato until smooth then add the peanut butter and combine.

Add all the other dried ingredients and mix thoroughly. The mixture will be quite thick.

Gradually add the milk, stirring together until the mixture is fully combined.

Smooth the mixture into the lined tin and place in the pre-heated oven for 25 minutes.

Remove from the oven and cut into 15 squares. Leave to cook then dust with icing sugar.

https://www.seasonalspuds.com.

Sweet Potato Loaf Cake

This recipe is very kindly provided to us by Seasonal Spuds and is the first of two recipes from Seasonal Spuds.






Ingredients

1 large, sweet potato (300g)

200g unsalted butter

200g soft light brown sugar

4 medium free-range eggs

65ml milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Zest of ½ an orange

240g gluten free plain flour

60g ground almonds

½ teaspoon xanthan gum

1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon fine salt

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ground all spice

For the mascarpone icing:

50g salted butter, softened

200g icing sugar

250g full-fat mascarpone cheese

1 tablespoon orange juice

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

Preheat the oven to 220ºC / 200ºC fan / Gas mark 7. Prick the sweet potato all over with a fork, place on a tray and bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes, or until tender. Let cool, then cut in half and scoop out the flesh. Place in a bowl to one side.

Reduce the oven temp to 180ºC / 160ºC fan / Gas mark 4 and grease and line a 2lb loaf tin.

Put the butter in a small saucepan and place over a low heat. Melt the butter gently, swirling the pan every so often, until the butter turns golden brown. You’ll know it’s almost ready when the splattering and sizzling dies down and it smells overwhelmingly nutty and delicious.

Pour into a small bowl, making sure to scrape out all the little brown bits (because that’s where all the flavour is) and allow to cool a bit.

Add the sugar to a large mixing bowl and pour over the butter. Whisk until pale and fluffy. Add the sweet potato puree and whisk until this is well combined. Add in the eggs, one at a time, whisking well between each addition. Then whisk in the milk, vanilla extract and orange zest.

In a large bowl, sift together the plain flour, ground almonds, xanthan gum, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and all spice. Add the wet ingredients and stir to combine.

Pour the cake batter into your prepared loaf tin and smooth out the top. Place in the oven and bake for 1 hour 20 minutes, or until risen, golden and a skewer inserted comes out clean/with just a few stray crumbs attached. If the loaf starts browning too quickly, cover the top with some foil.

Rest the cake in the tin for 10 minutes, then remove and place on a wire rack to cool.

To make the mascarpone icing, place the butter in a mixing bowl and, using an electric whisk, beat until fluffy. Sift the icing sugar in in two stages, beating until smooth. Add the mascarpone, followed by the orange zest and vanilla extract and whisk together once more until thick, smooth and creamy.

Spread the icing over the top of the loaf cake, finishing with a few decorative swooshes on top.

Body Rescue. Tasty recipes to rescue your body

Body Rescue Lemon Drizzle Cake Ingredients

For the cake:

1 medium sized sweet potato 1 1⁄2 cups ground almonds

1⁄2 tsp Baking powder

1 cups Coconut oil

3 Eggs

1 cup Coconut sugar 3 Lemons zested

For the drizzle:

3 Lemons Juiced 1⁄2 cup Maple syrup

Preparation Method

• Peel and boil the sweet potatoes for 10 minutes or so until they are cooked.

• Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F / gas mark 4, meanwhile in a bowl beat the eggs.

• Whisk in the coconut oil and coconut sugar to the eggs. 

• Add the ground almonds and baking powder.

• Mash in the sweet potatoes and lemon zest and combine. 

• Grease a cake tin and pour in the mixture.

• Place the tin in the preheated oven and cook for 50 minutes.

• Meanwhile make the drizzle by melting the three juiced lemons and maple syrup together on a low heat in a sauce plan.

• Take the cake out of the oven and pierce a few times with a knife on the top and pour the drizzle mixture all over the cake.


Crispy Quinoa Cakes

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 35 minutes Total time: 50 minutes Makes 15 cakes

Ingredients

4 tbsps of coconut oil

1 1⁄2 tbps almond butter

4 1⁄2 tbps maple syrup

2oz / 55g / 1⁄3 cup raw cacao powder 1 1⁄2oz / 45g popped quinoa

Small cake cases

Method

• Put the popped quinoa into a mixing bowl and set aside.

• Place all the other ingredients in a saucepan and heat gently for a few minutes, while stirring, until the ingredients melt and combine to form a smooth mixture.

• Pour the melted mixture over the popped quinoa and stir until thoroughly combined.

• Spoon the mixture into small cake cases and place them in the freezer for around fifteen minutes or the fridge for about half an hour.

• You can buy your quinoa ready popped or pop your own in a heavy bottomed pan over a medium heat. Cover with a lid and shake regularly to prevent sticking.


Apple Sauce & Chia Bowl

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Soak time: overnight Serves 2

Ingredients

For the Apple Sauce

3 large apples, peeled and diced 3⁄4 cup organic apple juice

2 tbsp. chia seeds

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preparation Method

For the Chia Bowl Oats

1⁄2 cup rolled oats

1 1⁄4 cups unsweetened almond milk 2 tbsp. chia seeds

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. cinnamon

• For the apple sauce – add all the apple sauce ingredients into a medium sauce pan and bring to a low boil. Stir regularly to combine all ingredients. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the sauce pan, letting it simmer for approximately 20 minutes.

• Continue to stir to avoid sticking. When the apples are soft, remove from the heat and mash. Allow to cool and then store in the fridge in an airtight container.

• To prepare the chia bowl oats, combine all ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine.

• Once mixed well, place in the fridge overnight.

• The next morning, layer the oats with the apple sauce and continue to do so until your bowl or serving cup is full.

Nice to Know: The apple sauce can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to one week.

Vegan Saffron Rice Pudding

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 1⁄4 teaspoon of saffron threads

• 8 oz / 225g / 1 cup Arborio rice

• 1 vanilla pod (split)

• 1 tbsp (or to taste) rice syrup, honey, or maple syrup

• Pinch of salt

• 2.75 pints / 1.6 litres / 7 cups almond milk

To serve:

Raspberries and blackberries

Preparation Method

• Toast saffron in a dry skillet for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and crush into a powder with a spoon.

• Whisk together the crushed saffron and almond milk.

• Put all the ingredients apart from the milk into a saucepan.

• Cook the rice on the hob, adding the milk gradually, and stirring fre- quently. (It takes around 25 minutes.)

• Serve warm, with the berries on top.

https://thebodyrescueplan.com

This dessert ticks so many boxes!

Everyone wants to cool down on a hot day, but without making unhealthy choices.

Pukpip is nature’s alternative to Ice Cream with their Frozen bananas dipped in yummy chocolate!

It meets every criteria. It's sustainable as it made by employing only wonky fruits. Incidentally, the dark chocolate ones are vegan friendly. So they are 100% literally perfect!

Pukpip’s Real Frozen Banana Dipped in Milk Chocolate unites perfectly ripe frozen banana with a velvety-smooth 32% cocoa milk chocolate. The flavour combination has received recognition in the 2022 Great Taste Awards. 152Kcal. Available in multipacks of 3 at RRP of £3.99

Available at Plant Organic, WholeFoods Market, and lots of independent health shops, too.

Also available to order online: UK's Online Store for Food, Health, Wellbeing, Beauty & Personal Care (wholefoodsbox.co.uk)

Dark Chocolate

Pukpip’s Real Frozen Banana Dipped in Dark Chocolate combines cool, creamy banana with smooth, sweet 52% dark chocolate. A bittersweet combination. 161 Kcal and Vegan Certified. Available in multipacks of 3 at RRP of £3.99

Available at Plant Organic, WholeFoods Market, and lots of independent health shops

Also available to order online: UK's Online Store for Food, Health, Wellbeing, Beauty & Personal Care (wholefoodsbox.co.uk)



 


 

You can save over 60% on ice cream as demand soars

With temperatures in the UK continuing to rise, shoppers who crave the sweet, ice-cold refreshment of their favourite ice cream flavours more than ever this month, with almost 60% of all ice-cream purchases made during the school summer holidays.  

Those looking to get their favourite ice cream flavours really should nip down to their local Aldi. Why? Because Aldi has utterly delicious, creamy alternatives to popular brands such as Ben & Jerrys, Magnum and Carte D’or for up to 61% less! 

See five of Aldi’s best summer savings to scoop up below… 

Gianni’s Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream (£2.05, 500ml) is packed with all the goodies of premium brand Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie but at a mere at a fraction of the price. Made with delicious chocolate ice cream, filled with chunky brownie bits, this is a no-brainer for all ice cream lovers. 

There's also Gianni’s Milk Chocolate Ice Creams (£1.49, 4 pack) are a must-have in the sun and come in at a whopping 54% cheaper than Magnum, with a saving of 44p per ice cream! 

Aldi shoppers have already made the claim that the Gianni’s Caramelised Biscuit Chocsticks (£2.25, 3pk) is superior to the popular Lotus Biscoff Ice Cream, with the same delicious caramelised biscuit flavour, for exactly half the price.  

There’s nothing better on a hot day than a fruity ice lolly, and Gianni’s Tropico Exotic Fruit Lollies (£1.19, 3 pack) will satisfy any cravings with sweet, tropical flavours of pineapple and passionfruit that rival the popular Solero for almost half the price. 

Mixed with crunchy popping candy bits, Dairyfine Honeycomb Crunch Ice Creams (£1.99, 3 pack) are a fun-filled dessert available at an unbeatable 27% less than the branded Crunchie alternative. 

Gianni’s Strawberry & Vanilla Blitz (£1.15, 6x58ml) offer cool refreshment with flavours of sweet strawberry and smooth vanilla and rich chocolate for 54% less than the popular ice lolly brand Fab.


Aldi launches garlic bread crisps

Aldi have announced the absolutely ultimate combo this month. Aldi has merged two incredibly popular snacks, garlic bread and crisps, to create a tasty treat. New Specially Selected Garlic Bread Crisps!

The Specially Selected Garlic Bread Crinkle Cut Crisps, just £1.15 (150g), will be hitting the shelves on 30th July, the first of its kind to grace a UK supermarket’s aisles.

Packed full of fantastic flavours, shoppers will be hit with the delicious taste of smoky garlic, whilst experiencing the hearty crunch of Aldi’s premium Specially Selected crinkle cut crisp style.

What’s more, Aldi shoppers will be able to continue to explore tantalising new flavours this July with the Specially Selected Croque-Monsieur Crinkle Cut Crisps, also just £1.15 (150g). 

Boasting the classic popular cheese and ham flavour, these French inspired savoury goodies will also arrive to stores on 30th July.

The perfect dinner party nibble or ultimate partner to any summer picnic, both flavours of these luxuriously quirky crisps are set to have shoppers saying oh-la-la!

These mouth-watering new releases will be available to buy in stores nationwide and via Click and Collect from 30th July.