Advertisement
Treat yourself!
What's on at the football club?
Cappuccino maker at a bargain price!
Food and drink news
A soup sensation from a celeb chef, eggs with a difference, pewter for the table and flavoursome dried fruit are just a few of the favourites rounded up in the latest food and drink news page. By Jo Hill.
Simply souperb
For the first time, Marco Pierre White has endorsed a food, and his range of Glorious! Soups is well worth the wait. Marco was involved in development at every stage and it shows: these soups take three hours to make, giving them complex flavours and a freshness and generosity of ingredient that really appeals: Vine Ripened Tomato & Balsamic, Wild Mushroom & Cream, Spicy Cuban Beef & Tomato and my favourite, Chicken, Courgette & Orzo Pasta. £1.99 for 600g from Morrisons.
Eggs for Easter
Of course, we couldn’t ignore chocolate. Having chomped our way through a variety of offerings our favourites were both excellent Fairtrade products. Divine's milk chocolate mini egg handbag would be perfect for those who prefer their chocolate in smaller bites, while Observer Food Monthly has described Burnt Sugar as 'the world's best fudge' - combined with a great chocolate egg with honeycomb pieces (think Crunchie bar, but better!) it's a treat for the sweet-toothed.
Go for it!
When I was asked to try Sunraysia Pure Squeezed Prune Juice, I have to admit I was less than enthusiastic. But I was proved wrong: made from Agen prunes, this juice – apart from its health benefits of fibre, antioxidants and potassium – has a clean, pure taste that makes it a real treat. £2.99 from Waitrose.
Fruitful ideas
Southern Alps sells dried fruit with a difference: instead of the usual sticky offerings, or fruit that has had all the flavour dried out of it, these fruits are slow-dried in air so that their full flavour is preserved. We particularly loved the Southern Alps selection, which includes sweet-as-honey mulberries, wonderful figs and slices of mango, pineapple, apple and pear. A great snack or breakfast accompaniment. £14.50 from Harvey Nichols.
Hot toddy, anyone?
Those who are hitting the ski slopes should indulge in a bottle of Macallan Fine Oak single malt whisky for this reviving hot toddy: place 35ml Macallan Fine Oak 10-year-old in a tall glass, add 1 tsp honey, a lemon wedge squeezed, top up with boiling water and stir - a great excuse for keeping out the chills. Those of us who are staying put should simply enjoy the smooth heather and fruit complexity of a truly great malt.
Tip top table
Pewter is becoming hugely popular for tableware and rightly so as it’s hardwearing and stylish. This sauce or Parmesan dish (£42.50) from Tip Top Table would enhance any table. Other products on offer include hard-to-find glass candle rings, from £2.50, designed to stop candle wax from dripping on to the table.
Perfect pies
Donald Russell are known for the excellence of their meat – recommended by many top chefs them – so it was only a matter of time before they diversified into other meat products. These pies are superb – sold in ceramic dishes they look as home made as you can get. Keep them in the freezer for a wholesome midweek supper. The pie selection (£27) comprises beef, lamb, steak & kidney and shepherd's pie.
