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Rod and Ben’s Summer Soup

by Andrew on April 3, 2012 in food, In Search Of..., Specialist Shops with No comments

Rod and Ben's Summer SoupsRod and Ben’s Soup Club has voted two delicious NEW soup flavours on to the line-up of summer soups, which will be available from May 1st. A dozen members of its “Brotherhood of Broth” spent hours putting soups through their paces on Rod and Ben’s organic Devon farm near Exeter – and were ultimately bowled over by two exciting new Thai soups: Thai Chicken and Thai Vegetable, which will join the ranks of seasonal summer favourites such as Gazpacho, Tomato and Basil, Pea and Mint and Courgette and Tomato.

Rod Hall, Rod and Ben’s owner, whose 100% natural organic soups have won a host of Great Taste Awards, says:

“Thai soups are a new departure for us but as soon as the Soup Club tasted the two new contenders everyone was adamant that they had to be part of the Rod and Ben’s Summer Soup range. Thai flavours are light and delicious and lend themselves perfectly to a light summer soup – and who can argue with the decision of the Brotherhood of Broth?!”

Wheat and gluten-free, and sometimes dairy-free, the summer soup range is made using simple recipes so that the ingredient’s integrity – colour, flavour and texture – is preserved. The summer full line-up includes:

• NEW Thai Vegetable – wheat and gluten-free
• NEW Thai Chicken – wheat and gluten-free
• Carrot and Coriander – wheat and gluten-free
• NEW Gazpacho – dairy-free
• Tomato and Basil – wheat, gluten and dairy-free
• Pea and Mint – wheat and gluten-free
• Haddock Chowder – wheat and gluten-free
• Chicken and Vegetable – wheat and gluten-free
• Each month there is a soup of the month – a great way to taste the seasons!

Rod and Ben’s Summer Soup 2012 range is available from May 1st – October 1st from independent retailers (including Abel and Cole, Riverford, Planet Organic stores, Union Market, Selfridges and As Nature Intended), delicatessens and farm shops all around the country, South West Morrison’s stores and by mail order via www.rodandbens.com. Pots are 600g and have a RRP of £3.49 – £3.99.


Black Pudding and Pear Pie Recipe

by Andrew on March 6, 2012 in food with 1 Comment

black pudding pear pieIn celebration of National Pie Week a recipe from Food Network Chef Andy Bates – a Black Pudding Pear Pie.

Black Pudding & Pear Pies
Ingredients
• 400g pork mince
• 200g black pudding, chopped
• 1 large diced pear
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh sage
• 1 tsp. freshly ground nutmeg
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
For the pastry:
• 450g plain flour
• 200ml water
• 170g lard
• 1 free-range egg yolk, beaten
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method
How to make Black Pudding and Pear Pies
1) Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2) For the filling, mix all ingredients together and season well. Then divide into four 150g portions.
3) For the pastry, sift the flour and salt into a bowl and set aside.
4) In a pan, heat the water and lard together and gradually bring to a simmer, or until all the lard has melted. Bring the mixture up the boil and then pour this onto the flour mixture. Mix well with a wooden spoon to create a firm dough.
5) Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and knead the dough quickly for a few minutes. Roll the dough out flat, take one of the pie portions and place on the pastry. Cut around the portion leaving enough room for you to fold the pastry around the mix creating a parcel. Repeat this with the remaining portions.
6) Roll out the remaining pastry then stamp out with pastry cutters 4 mini circles for the lids. Brush the lids with beaten egg yolk, then place the pastry on top of the pies and press down to seal. Cut a small hole in the top of each pastry lid and transfer into the oven for 35 minutes, or until the pastry is golden-brown and the meat is completely cooked through.
7) Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Beyond Dark Chocolate

by Andrew on February 14, 2012 in food, Specialist Shops with No comments

beyond dark chocolateIt’s a family business; taking the daughter-in-laws business degree thesis on a healthy eating food to a fully formed idea. Beyond Dark chocolate was born.

“What I found so fascinating was that scientific research studies had shown that cocoa and dark chocolate had some amazing potential health benefits. They both contain flavanols which are anti-oxidants. These flavanols have numerous health benefits associated with their antioxidant properties – most notably they have been observed to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, promote a healthy heart and lower the risk of some cancers and diabetes. All of a sudden I had a healthy reason to eat dark chocolate.”

“although a standard dark chocolate does have higher levels of antioxidants compared to some other foods the high fat to antioxidants ratio of the chocolate means that there are no real health positive benefits to the consumer. This started a four year voyage to create a healthy antioxidant-rich chocolate. Thanks to our cocoa bean selection and production process Beyond Dark contains up to three times more antioxidants than a standard dark chocolate, that’s the antioxidants equivalent to 25 oranges, 8 bananas or 5 apples in every 35g pack, making our chocolate a health positive indulgence.”

Beyond Dark was launched in November 2010 and is now available in Sainsburys in the premium chocolate section as well as over 200 independent retailers across the UK. Holland and Barret have also just started selling Beyond Dark. It is also available online via the Beyond Dark website.

Lindor Collection Gift Box

by Andrew on February 10, 2012 in food with No comments

lindor valentines collection boxIntroducing the new assorted Lindor Collection gift box, a lovingly created chocolate collection from the Lindt Master Chocolatiers for you to give to that special someone this Valentine’s day.

Taking the gift of Lindor in a new direction, the Lindt Master Chocolatiers have brought together the finest selection of Lindor truffle flavours in one beautiful gift box, set to make mouths water and pulses race.

This special Valentine’s gift is packed full of delicious Lindor truffles with melting centres and mouth watering flavours including: Lindor milk, white, extra dark, hazelnut, Stracciatella and Irish cream. Each exquisite 285g box provides 19 delicious Lindor truffles and 3 Lindor milk chocolate truffle hearts to enjoy with your Valentine.

The Lindt Master Chocolatiers have unmatched expertise when it comes to the art of chocolate making, and are driven by their passion for skilfully creating delicate masterpieces such as the unique Lindor truffle, with its luscious melted chocolate centre, and ideal for tempting the one you love.

The Lindor Valentines Collection Gift Box is available online for £7.99.

Coldpress Fruit Juice

by Andrew on January 12, 2012 in food, Supermarkets with No comments

coldpress fruit juice Coldpress fruit juice is a new drink from Closed Loop Foods made from 100% fruit juice with four times the shelf life of conventional chilled fruit juices.

Having launched successfully and being stocked immediately by in excess of 200 Waitrose outlets and being positioned competitively as a credible alternative to the ordinary range of juices Coldpress is fast expanding across the United Kingdom.

Coldpress provides a more thirst quenching, better tasting juice that is much high nutrition value than it’s competitors. By using a cold pressure as opposed to boiling the juices the brand retains a lot of its existing aromas and textures that the heated juices do not hold. Its unique bottle design sees it being an exciting and breath of fresh air in what is a fairly crowded market in the UK.

Coldpress is available in 250ml and 750ml bottles designed for the consumer market and retail routes as well as the new ‘Bag in a Box’ product that is far more cost effective to the restaurant, bars, clubs and other outlets.

Coldpress Fruit Juice is available in seven flavours that include – Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, Valencia Orange, Apple & Lemon, Apple & Passionfruit, Apple & Raspberry, Apple & Strawberry.

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