Archive for February, 2008

Britians Dodge Traditional Foods To Lose Weight

British CheeseUs Brits are a nation of perpetual purgers, apparently, with over half claiming to have been on a diet in the last 12 months. Not me though!

Nearly 1 in 5 claim they are “always on a diet” painting a rather stark picture of our relationship with food. What’s worse is that even though 72% believe eating sensibly involves eating a range of nutritional foods the vast proportion of people are still severely limiting themselves on foods such as cheese.

This new research, undertaken by the British Cheese Board uncovered that as well as cutting out high fat foods such as cakes and crisps, people also admitted to cutting down on, bread, potatoes, and pasta. Dairy based products seem to be hit the hardest however with 49% cutting down on cheese and 1 in 10 also denying themselves milk and yoghurt leaving their calcium intake dangerously low.

Even though nearly a quarter said they missed cheese the most when on a diet almost 1 in 5 said they wouldn’t even allow themselves low fat alternatives that would enable them to get the calcium they needed without jeopardising their weight loss.

The researchers have conclluded that people are still falling for fad diets rather than committing themselves to a healthy yet balanced eating plan.

The importance of eating across all food groups has been emphasised for years, and yet it seems it is something we are still struggling with. Is it because of the varied media reports about what we should and shouldn’t eat? Is it a desperate need to be thinner at any cost? Or are we genuinely still unaware of our nutritional needs?

Looking for Champagne Marmite?

Marmite with ChampagneIt has caused a storm from England to California – people just can’t get enough of these limited edition Marmites. I’ve still got mine, by the way, unopened, in a unique heart shaped box…. do I keep… or sell on EBay?

For those still desperate to get their hands on a jar of the Champagne Marmite (designed for Valentines but maybe good for Mother’s Day too?) should head on over to EBay. At the time of writing there are 110 listings for the stuff; and yes I see many have jumped on the Mother’s Day connection too.

Prices range from £2.99, through a ‘Buy It Now’ batch at £6.50 up to £12.99!

15th Cornwall Wine and Food Fair

15th Cornwall Wine and Food FairExperience some of the finest wines and local foods at the 15th Cornwall Wine and Food Fair billed as the region’s premier food event showcasing a first rate selection of the hospitality industry’s very best food and drink producers and suppliers.

The 2008 fair will host an exciting collection of 350 wines together with 25 locally produced food and drink producers. 2008 will also see the introduction of many new and exciting wines including champagnes, ports and madeira and a number of growers and winemakers will be on hand to assist in the wine tasting.

The fair is the largest event of its kind in the South West of England and has built an enviable reputation attracting food and wine lovers from all across the region and last year’s event saw over 3000 visitors attend.

An exciting addition to the fair this year is the introduction of cooking demonstrations, given by renowned local chefs who will be on hand to provide hints and tips on sourcing ingredients and cooking with style.

Castang Wine Shippers, the organisers, are offering an exceptional opportunity to win a FREE 3 day mini-break in Bergerac for 2 lucky people. A ‘lucky draw’ number will be allocated with each case of Bergerac wines purchased.

The fair is at the China Fleet Country Club with unlimited free parking and easy access from Cornwall and Plymouth the club is a premier venue for larger events such as the Cornwall Wine and Food Fair.

Note: The fair is also hugely popular with individual wine and food enthusiasts and is FREE OF CHARGE, BUT BY INVITATION ONLY. The event will be fully signposted from both sides of Plymouth. Tickets for the fair are available on request from Castang Wine Shippers

Food and Beer 3: Abbot Ale

Welsh RarebitThe third recipe designed by Michelin-starred chef, Tom Kerridge specifically designed to match Abbot Ale. The first in this mini-series was Slow Cooked Shoulder of Lamb with Anchovies and Mint for Old Speckled Hen and the second Thai Fishcakes with Greene King IPA.

Abbot Ale or Hop

Welsh Rarebit (ideally served with triple cooked chips)

  • 1/2 pt Ale
  • 400g Strong Cheddar (grated)
  • 200 ml double cream
  • 1 large tbs English Mustard
  • 1tsp Cayenne
  • 10 Splashes of Lea and Perrins Worcester Sauce
  • 5 Spashes of Tobasco
  • 2 Yolks

1. Reduce the ale down to glaze. Add the double cream and reduce by half.
2. Add the cheese and stir until melted.
3. Add the rest of ingredients and roll between 2 sheets of baking parchment and freeze.
4. Toast some bread and then cut the rarebit to fit the bread. Place on top and grill under a hot heat until browned.

Triple Cooked Chips

  • 10 Large unwashed potatoes
  • Chopped parsley
  • Malden salt

1. Cut the chips to the size you require.
2. Cook in boiling salt water until just soft.
3. Remove from the water and leave them to steam dry.
4. Place in a fryer at 140ºc and cook for about 10 minutes until all water has been removed.
5. Take out the fryer and cool.
6. When needed deep fry at 180ºc until golden and very crispy.
7. Serve with Béarnaise Sauce.
8. Béarnaise Sauce is the same as hollandaise but with chopped tarragon in it.

Tapas & Wine Tasting at Barcelona Tapas Bar

Barcelona TapasBarcelona Tapas Bar Y Restaurante has recently been voted Wine List of The Year 2007 by Square Meal’s Imbibe Magazine and this award-winning collection is extensive and inclusive, allowing diners to sample wines of all manner of grapes and varieties, from all over Spain. On Barcelona’s wine list you can find selections from large renowned Spanish Winemakers such as the Torres Mas La Plana as well as lesser known family run vineyards such as Can Blau, an exciting new winery making one of the finest wines in Monstant, on the edge of Priorat.

Complementing this list, Barcelona Tapas y Restaurante hosts a wide range of events including Barcelona’s tremendously successful wine tasting dinners. In a relaxed atmosphere, guests sample hand picked wines from world famous Spanish vineyards along with an extensive accompanying selection of delicious Tapas.

The price for the wine tasting dinners is £45 per person which includes a tapas meal.

To give you a better idea of the wine evenings, below is a sample menu for the latest evening they held at the Lime Street branch…

MENU

Ochoa Rosado Lagrima Accompanied By Ensalada De Pimientos Asados Al Horno, Tomate, Cebolla Y Bonito Del Norte
(Oven Roasted Pepper Salad With Tomatoes, Onions & Tuna)

Ochoa Merlot Accompanied By Fabes Con Jabali (Wild Boar & Fabes Bean Casserole)

Ochoa Tempranillo Accompanied By Jamon Iberico (Iberian Ham)

Ochoa Reserva Accompanied By Cubitos De Ternera A La Parilla Con Salsa De Cabrales
(Grilled Tender Pieces Of Veal With A Blue Cheese Sauce)

All Courses Served With Bread And Their Exclusive Extra Virgin Olive Oi L & Rioja Balsamic Vinegar