Archive for May, 2007

Global Grub Cookbooks

by Andrew on May 31, 2007 in Books For Cooks with No comments

Global Grub CookbooksWipe clean covers, ingredient lists, fold flat spine, clear and easy instructions – you can see the thought that has gone into this book.

Aimed entirely at the novice the first in a planned series of Global Grub books offers recipes such as Quick Chicken Masala (takes 30 minutes), Hot Chicken Satay baguette (takes 30 minutes) and Sizzling Garlic-Buttered Prawns (takes 20 minutes). There are 9 recipes in total.

Each recipe occupies two pages – on the left a picture, an ‘easy-to-cook’ rating and a shopping list (including a wine or drink recommendation). On the right are the instructions split between preparation and a cooking guide set by minutes.

Their features list includes:

  • from book to cooked in 30 minutes – all dishes take only 30 minutes or less to prepare and cook
  • minute by minute cooking guide – clear and simple instructions for effortless cooking
  • easy to cook rating – each dish has an easy to cook rating 3 dots equates to ‘straightforward’ for example
  • wire-bound, laminated pages – designed to lie flat on a work surface the book’s wipe-clean pages will help protect it from cooking spillages
  • compact design with shopping list system – designed to carry with you, each dish has a time-saving shopping list to take to the supermarket. Ingredients are listed and categorised in the order they appear in most supermarkets, so you wont forget an item whilst in a particular food department

“A great little book – and all for the price of a cheap bottle of plonk!” The price includes a donation to the Association of Children’s Hospices.

Available from Amazon.co.uk for £3.95 or direct from Global Grub for the same price.


Manna Organics Ready Meals

by Andrew on May 29, 2007 in Online Retailers with 2 Comments

Manna Organics screenshotManna Organics Beef Braised in Red Wine came out top in the latest Observer Food Monthly taste test for best beef ready meals; its listing highlighted this company to us here on the Foodie List.

“Formed in 2004, we are a company striving to create top quality organic cuisine using the simplest of ingredients.

We offer the convenience of ready prepared dishes without the artificial additives and preservatives you see listed in foods today. Each dish is made in small batches to ensure we maintain that home made quality.

Our kitchens are situated in Dorchester, Dorset. As the Southwest is home to over a quarter of all organic farms in the UK, we have a plethora of fantastic produce right on our door step.”

The award winning beef dish costs £4.60 for a single portion or £8.50 for a double. Postage is for orders less than £25 costs £10. Orders less than £45 (but more than £25) costs £7, Orders less than £75 (but more than £45) costs £5 and more than £75 is free. A whole host of Dorset based delis stock the Manna range.

Other dishes cover starters, chicken and fish dishes, vegetable accompaniments and desserts. A heart shaped Lime Cheesecake costs £4.95, Pork Meatballs comes in at £4.95 and a Thai Red Chicken Curry at £8.50 for a double portion.

A Cure for Gout – Coffee

by Andrew on May 27, 2007 in On The Web with 9 Comments

Coffee and cookies copyright Andrew BarrowGout – considered one of the worst types of pain that human beings can experience but researchers may just have found that drinking large amounts of coffee can cut the risk of this illness by about half.

Gout is a form of arthritis where a compound, uric acid, accumulates and causes inflammation in joints and long thought of as the preserve of port-swigging gluttons of a by-gone age, but 1 to 2 out of 1000 men aged over 40 years are diagnosed with gout each year.

How coffee works in guarding against gout remains unclear. Researchers do not believe that caffeine has a protective effect as decaffeinated coffee was linked to a reduced risk of gout, while regular tea had no impact on risk. They suggest that another component of coffee, an antioxidant called chlorogenic acid, might somehow lower levels of uric acid in the blood.

Taste of Bath

by Andrew on May 25, 2007 in Tasting Events/Shows with No comments

Taste of BathTaste of Bath is a new festival celebrating regional cooking and food & drink from Bath and the South West. The setting couldn’t be bettered being just below the Royal Crescent, in the gardens of Royal Victoria Park. The Taste of Bath runs from Thursday 28th June to Sunday 1st July.

The show will showcase 15 of the best restaurants from Bath, Bristol and the South West and will include a special producers market hosted by Delicious Magazine. You will be able to view top chefs up close and personal at The Times Chefs’ Theatre with Alessi, Taste wine at The Wine Experience, and sample beers at the Speciality Beer Masterclass plus you can buy local produce at Producers’ Market.

Premium tickets cost £25 each and include tokens to spend on signature dishes from the restaurants at the show.

Ferranti Olive Oil

by Andrew on May 23, 2007 in Delicatessens, Online Retailers with 2 Comments

FerrantiWhen Gwyn & Jacqueline Jones moved to the beautiful Catalan region of Spain they were seeking a healthy and more relaxing way of life.

What they were not to know was that just two years later they would be producing and exporting back to the UK some of the finest Single Estate extra virgin olive oil under the brand of ‘Ferranti‘. Ferranti is the family name of Mr Jones’ grandfather and was chosen by the husband and wife team as the perfect name to brand and market their superior oil.

The couple bought an olive farm, which had a small ruined casita, or ‘finca’, on the land. Following renovation they set themselves the task of tending to the olive groves and learning everything about olive growing from the local Spanish farm workers. As their olive groves flourished they were encouraged to purchase a total of 6 more olives groves across the region from which they now produce the unique Ferranti olive oil.

The oil produced is unique for a number of reasons. Firstly the groves are interplanted with almonds and citrus, and surrounded on its boundaries by wild rosemary and thyme, all of which contribute to creating the unique natural flavour of Ferranti oil. Three varieties of olives are grown on the Ferranti estate: Sevillenca, Morrut and Farga and some of the larger trees in these ancient groves are reputed to be at least 800 years old.

Unlike other olive oils the olives are not mixed and crushed with olives from other farms. Instead, they are hand raked and arrive at the mill in perfect condition for their own independent crushing. It is therefore classified as Single Estate extra virgin olive oil, with the combination of modern and traditional milling methods producing an oil of real superior quality.

Gwyn and Jacqueline Jones’ are truly passionate about the production of their olive oil. The meticulous record keeping of the pressing of the olives by Mr Jones means that he can even tell you from which tree(s) a particular batch of oil has been produced.

Despite the lovely background story the website, which offers much more than just the delicious sounding olive oils, doesn’t quite live up to expectations. Images fail to load, background details to many products are non-existant and, you have to ask, if it’s a Spanish site why Italian products are featured. No postage charges are detailed.

The oils themselves are split into two groups – single variety and blends. Prices are £9.99 for 500ml or £4.99 for 250ml.

The Ferranti Website address is http://ferrantioliveoil.co.uk

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