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Tesco and Jamie Oliver team up to create Jamie’s 5 Ingredient Meals, an advertiser funded programme for Channel 4

Tesco and Jamie Oliver are continuing to strengthen their five-year relationship by working together to bring a brand-new advertiser funded series, Jamie’s Five Ingredient Meals, to screens this October. With the ambition to help families get the most out of their weekly shop, making their shopping list shorter and their store cupboard favourites go further.

The 4 x 60” programmes will air at 8pm on Channel 4 from Monday 16th October. Using his bestselling book, Five Ingredients Mediterranean, for inspiration, Jamie will prepare hassle-free dishes that surprise and delight while being easy on the wallet.

With only Five ingredients easily sourced from Tesco, Jamie will show how familiar ingredients from fresh, frozen and store cupboard items can be transformed into recipes ranging from sweet pea orecchiette to a delicious spinach and feta pie.  

The cost per serve of the recipes will start from as little as 50p and the maximum will be £1.70. At least two recipes per show will cost under £1 per serve.

Brand new ‘Tesco idents’ made by Jamie Oliver Productions, will intro and outro each quarter of the show, featuring the mouth-watering 5 Ingredient dishes. The Tesco products being used in each dish will also feature around Jamie’s kitchen. 

In each episode, Jamie is joined by a renowned chef as they share their culinary heritage and influences. In episode one, Jamie is joined by renowned Spanish chef Jose Pizarro and in later episodes he is joined by Alex Ainouz, Itamar Srulovich & Sarit Packer, as well as Jamie’s friend and mentor Gennaro Contaldo!  

Tesco Group Customer Director, Emma Botton, said: “Although families are keeping a close eye on the household budget, they still want to create meals that are delicious and interesting, using ingredients that they already have at home or that they can get by popping down to their local Tesco store. Jamie’s energy and passion is infectious and we’re sure he’ll inspire families up and down the country to have a go at the recipes in their own kitchens.” 

Jamie Oliver Group, Chief Commercial Officer, Megan Van Someren, said: “We're incredibly passionate about inspiring as many people as possible to experience the benefits of cooking. That’s why it’s perfect to partner with Tesco to create this entertaining and engaging advertiser funded programme, demonstrating how only 5 everyday ingredients can be transformed into delicious, affordable dishes.”  

In addition to the new programme, Tesco and Jamie will continue to help the nation create delicious and nutritious meals through their partnership across Tesco and Jamie Oliver channels. 

Tesco and Jamie Oliver are supporting the new series via their own channels, across social and digital platforms. The recipes will be available online at Tesco Real Food. 

www.tesco.com

Asda has Halloween offerings

It’s spooky season, and Asda is revealing its Halloween offering for 2023, with frightfully good deals to get shoppers into the spirit.

With over 30 products in its range, including themed sweet treats, dinnertime ideas and an array of seasonal favourites, there’s everything you need to have the fright of your life.

Looking for spooky sweet treats for all the family?

Shoppers can trick-or-treat themselves to a selection of Halloween-inspired bakery items and snacks. The decadent Miles the Millipede Cake (£6.00) is perfect for sharing and available as a traybake (£6.00), while the Miles themed Cupcakes (£5.00) and Gingerbread biscuit (£0.65) make for a delicious post-trick-or-treating snack.

There’s something for everyone to enjoy, with a range of other themed treats like the brand-new Mummy Loaf Cakes (£2.50) and Ghost Muffins (£2.00).

Expecting a group of little monsters at your door? Asda has you covered. With brand-new products like the Halloween Chocolate Lollies (80p), Stacker Marshmallows (£1.00) and the explosive Eyeballs Popping Candy (£1.00), you won’t be short of goodies to hand out on the big day.

Thinking of throwing a Halloween dinner-party?

The all-new Boo The Bat Pizza (£2.00) makes a deliciously spooky teatime treat for children and adults alike. Topped with delicate mozzarella and a delicious tomato base, this novelty bat-shaped pizza is perfect for those looking to add some excitement to Halloween mealtimes, and completely customizable; a perfect activity for Halloween pizza parties.

Plus, with many on the lookout for nifty party foods, the Firecracker Koftas with Green Slime Sauce (£4.50), Breaded Ghosts (£3.00), Halloween Spicy Breaded White Fish Goujons with a Scotch Bonnet Sauce (£2.75), and the Hot and Spicy Breaded Goujons with Boofalo Sauce (£3.00) are a great way to spice up any spooky celebration, perfect for hosting friends and family.

Also perfect for a pre-trick-or-treat dinner, is Asda’s new range includes the terrifyingly spicy Extra Special Carolina Reaper Pork Footlong Sausages (£3.50). Perfectly seasoned and succulent, the sausages are sizzling with the world’s hottest Carolina Reaper Chilli and packed with flavour. 

Paired with a deliciously soft Extra Special Sliced Brioche Hot Dog Roll (£1.95), they’re sure to spice up your night. For those who can’t handle the heat, the Smoky Garlic Flavoured Steaks (£6.00) are the perfect antidote, with a vampire-repellent smoked garlic aroma.

In search of some frightfully fun creepy crafting ideas?

Halloween wouldn’t be complete without a carved pumpkin at the door. Whether you’re getting ready to create a masterpiece or a more understated gourd, the Extra Large (£3.00), Large (£2.50), Medium (£1.00) and Munchkin Pumpkins (£0.79) for little ones will be available to purchase from the 25th September.

For those looking for Halloween baking inspiration, with a selection of cake and biscuit decorating kits, such as the Creepy Monster Cupcake Kit (£4.50), Pumpkin Biscuit Kit (£2.50), and the Cake Décor Edible Eyes Sugar Shaped Decorations (£1.60), you won't be short of spooky activities to get into the spirit.

The full range will be available to buy in-store and online from the 2nd October to the 31st, with a number of Asda Rewards incentives running over the course of the month.

www.asda.com

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Gino D’Acampo's new line of kitchenware to Asda

Renowned, award-winning Italian Chef Gino D’Acampo introduces new lines to his existing George at Asda range, offering an accomplished kitchenware collection to households everywhere, with stylish essentials at accessible prices. 

Promising to elevate every element of home cooking, the collection includes a range of items such as utensils and small appliances, crockery, aprons and ovenware from just a mere £3.

Crafted with an unmistakable Italian touch, Gino’s collection combines style and functionality, catering to both the novice and the seasoned chef. The introduction of electronic appliances - including the ever-popular air fryer, milk frother and health grill, seamlessly blend ease of use with professional performance, making a hearty, home-cooked meal accessible to all.

Key lines include staples for every kitchen and offer exceptional quality and value; saucepan sets are £65, a 5L digital air fryer £65, fast-boil kettle is priced at £27 and 4-slice toaster is just £34. All Available in a palette of muted, sophisticated shades, which perfectly compliment Gino’s new glazed earthenware dinner sets. 

With a wide selection of utensils, oven trays, casserole dishes and even a stylish wooden salt and pepper shaker set at just £14, these everyday essentials are sure to become kitchen stalwarts.

“I’ve really enjoyed bringing this collection to life and I cannot wait to see it being used in homes across the country. I’ve created all you need to cook everything from a quick snack to the finest meal; and it’s super affordable too.” said Gino.

Gino's first drop for George Home exceeded all expectations, with sales doubling projections and capturing the hearts of discerning home cooks nationwide. This latest collection is poised to build upon that success and introduce exciting new additions that are destined to become kitchen heroes.

“We’re delighted by the popularity of the collection so far,” said James Johnson, Cookware Buying Manager at Asda. “Gino resonates with our customer and his stylish designs are exactly what George Home shoppers are looking for, we’re extremely pleased with the result and look forward to seeing it fly off the shelves!”

The collection is now available both in-store and online at george.com

Got a foodie to buy for this Christmas? Then the Gino D’Acampo range is well worth looking into.

Hungry? Shopping? Morrisons has a new café menu!

Hungry shoppers look no further, Morrisons has unveiled its new tasty café menu which includes two very tempting additions; Loaded Crosscut Fries and Mini Fish Fillet Burger, both available in all Morrisons cafés.

For a mere £3.00, the Loaded Crosscut Fries are smothered with a cheesy sauce and BBQ drizzle. Customers can top the dish off with a selection of grated cheese, bacon, or BBQ pulled pork for an extra £1 - £1.50. 

The Mini Fish Fillet Burger is lovingly crafted from fresh, battered fish and served in a bread roll both straight from Morrisons Market Street counters alongside chips and mushy peas, all for just £6.00.

To celebrate the launch, Morrisons is also giving shoppers more reasons to shop by securing some extra More Card points when visiting a Morrisons café. Until 5th November, More Card holders can: 

Earn 400 points when purchasing the new Loaded Crosscut Fries

Earn 600 points when purchasing the Cottage Pie on a Thursday

Earn 600 points when purchasing the new Mini Fish Fillet Burger on a Friday

Earn 600 points when purchasing Half a Roast Chicken and Chips on a Saturday

The new menu still includes popular favourites such as the all day breakfast, fish & chips and bangers & mash, and available all day, every day, families can continue to take advantage of the Kids Eat Free offer when purchasing an adult meal over £4.50.

For more information on Morrisons Cafés, visit: https://my.morrisons.com/morrisons-cafe/

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The Bitter Truth About Stevia: Why It May Not Be a Good Sweetener

In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards healthier eating habits and reduced sugar consumption. As a result, alternative sweeteners have gained popularity, with stevia taking centre stage as a "natural" and calorie-free sweetening option. 

While it may sound like the ideal sugar substitute, there are several compelling reasons why stevia may not be the best choice for everyone. In this blog post, we'll explore the downsides of stevia and why it may not be a good sweetener after all.

Bitter Aftertaste

One of the most common complaints about stevia is its bitter aftertaste. While it's significantly sweeter than sugar, this intense sweetness is often accompanied by a noticeable bitter undertone. Many people find this bitterness off-putting and report that it can negatively impact the taste of their food and beverages. This bitter aftertaste can be particularly pronounced in some brands and forms of stevia, making it a less-than-ideal choice for those who seek a truly sweet and enjoyable taste. (I was thinking it was just me who was troubled by the bitter aftertaste problem? I have just eaten a stevia sweetened mango yoghurt and the unpleasant bitter aftertaste is still troubling me some ten minutes after I finished it.)

Highly Processed

Stevia is often marketed as a "natural" sweetener because it is derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. However, the reality is that most commercial stevia products are highly processed and refined. The leaves undergo a series of chemical processes, including extraction and crystallisation, to create the final stevia sweetener. In this sense, the end product bears little resemblance to the natural, unprocessed plant. This level of processing raises questions about whether stevia can truly be considered a natural sweetener after all.

Potential Health Concerns

While stevia is often touted as a healthier alternative to sugar due to its zero-calorie nature, some studies have raised concerns about its safety. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has questioned the potential genotoxicity of certain steviol glycosides, which are the compounds responsible for the sweet taste in stevia. Although these findings are not definitive, they do underscore the need for more research and careful consideration before fully embracing stevia as a safe sugar substitute.

Impact on Blood Sugar

Another factor to consider is that stevia may have varying effects on blood sugar levels from person to person. While it's generally considered safe for individuals with diabetes because it doesn't directly raise blood sugar, some studies suggest it may affect blood sugar control differently in different people. This means the impact of stevia on blood sugar isn't as predictable or consistent as one might hope.

Adaptation and Cravings

Using sweeteners like stevia can alter your palate and taste preferences. Since stevia is far sweeter than sugar, it can lead to an increased preference for overly sweet foods and beverages. Over time, this can make it challenging to enjoy naturally sweet foods like fruits and vegetables. Additionally, there's some evidence that artificial and highly sweet tastes can trigger cravings for more sweet items, potentially leading to overconsumption of calories from other sources.

While stevia has its merits as a low-calorie alternative to sugar, it's essential to consider its potential drawbacks. The bitter aftertaste, processing methods, potential health concerns, effects on blood sugar, and the potential for increased sweet cravings all highlight why stevia may not be the best sweetener for everyone. 

It's important to approach stevia and other sugar substitutes with a critical eye, weigh the pros and cons, and consider your personal health and taste preferences when making choices about your sweeteners. In the end, moderation and balance may be the key to a healthier and more satisfying approach to sweetness in your diet.

Incidentally the reason for publishing this blogpost is that my wife is quite severely allergic to stevia and we decided to do some research on the potential downsides to using stevia, as we realised my wife cannot be the only person so impacted on by stevia.)

(Image courtesy of Kimberly Protasio from Pixabay)

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