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Walnut & Cinnamon Biscuits from Sharpham Park

In a perfect world, we would all be able to eat exactly what we want, stay in perfect health and feeling great and, preferably, not putting an ounce on! But it can’t be that way for everyone and if you have food intolerances, that’s bad enough, but if you absolutely adore your food then that’s even harder. I have a fabulous foodie friend who is wheat, dairy and nut intolerant, not to mention red meat not being a friend to her system.

Should the love of your life be a sensitive foodie soul, then here’s a few suggestions on gifts that tick the boxes on the foodie front but won’t make the night end in tears.

* Something tasty to accompany the morning cup of tea might go down well, so have a look at these wonderful sounding Cinnamon & Walnut Spelt Biscuits from Sharpham Park. Suitable for those avoiding wheat, these will perk up a cuppa and if you want to bring something special to evening drinks too, then add a packet of the Tomato & Onion Spelt Bites.

* Going a step further, then try treating them to Organic Hazelnut Macaroons from Popina. These are suitable for those who need either a gluten or dairy free treat. Incredibly tasty, they will make you forget about the things they don’t contain and just concentrate on the fabulous tastes that they do.

Little Wallop Goats Cheese

* For something a bit more savoury, but without the cows milk, then how about the wonderfully named Little Wallop Goats Cheese. It’s washed in cider, and wrapped in vine leaves, so looks as good as it tastes. To add a little extra something on the side then add in the Beetroot & Apple Chutney from Godminster.

* Of course most intolerances don’t necessarily mean you don’t get to eat meat but if you have to avoid gluten then you’ve probably been avoiding most sausages. Search no more though, as Sally’s Sizzling Sausage Co only makes gluten free variants, in flavours from Pork & Leek to Chicken & Tarragon. If you’re feeling indecisive, then buy your loved one the sausage taster pack, and put a bit of sizzle into Sunday.

* Something sweet to follow on from all that sizzling? Limit the temptation with theseindividual gluten free cakes from Honeybuns. Presented in a great looking gift tin, these are little parcels of gluten free goodness that make a great treat for any time of the day.

* As long as I can eat chocolate, I am happy. For those who need dairy, wheat, gluten and nut free, then try this Completely Dairy Free Organic Chocolate Gift Pack from A Lot of Chocolate. Plenty of great flavours, including mint, ginger and cayenne.

* And finally if they’re avoiding caffeine, then I’d buy them the Rooibos tea from Bellevue Tea. Naturally caffeine free, this tea tastes great, and comes beautifully packed, in individual envelopes. Very stylish, very tasty.

Most places are getting better at labelling these days, so you should have an easier job of identifying great gifts for even the most sensitive of foodies. Failing that, skip food that day and just order the biggest bottle of champagne (if they’re not avoiding alcohol) or a mammoth bouquet (assuming they don’t get hayfever). Lets hope they’re not so sensitive that whatever you do makes them cry!

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So, the love of your life likes it hot and spicy and you need a great foodie gift for them for Valentine’s Day? Here’s a few suggestions to keep things all aglow.

• Give their BBQ moments a real kick with Slap Ya Mama seasoning blend. Invented by Wilda Marie Fontenot, this
  

  Slap Ya Mama

  is Cajun seasoning with a real kick, and will add something different to even a plain old banger.

• What about mustard that takes things up a notch? Cherith Valley offer a fresh, spicy version with jalapeno and cilantro. A dynamic burst of flavour that will liven up everything from a ham sandwich to a hot dog, and not to mention make a darn fine salad dressing.
• Who says the English can’t be hot? Well Chillililli is a red hot versionof that very English classic, piccalilli, and will definitely spice up your cold cuts!
• Even if they have a cupboard full of chilli, then they really should have a tin of El Avion’s hot smoked paprika. Adding flavour and smoke as well as heat, this is one store cupboard standby that I would not be without. It’s amazingly versatile and a little will go a very long, long way. Love the retro design of this tin, I am guessing it has been like this for ever.
• Get back to some authentic chilli roots, with this great Chilli Lovers Gift Set from Spices of India. Chilli peppers from Kashmir, Reshampatti chilli powder, chilli oil dipping sauce, chilli paste…well, this lot should keep even the coldest night at bay. If they love Indian food, then this is a mix of great authentic stuff with plenty of heat.
• Something to add a bit of sizzle to everything from steak to homemade dip, Jamie Oliver’s Holy Habanero Hot Chilli Sauce is a bit of a winner with us. It’s just a touch too spicy for me but Dr T is well impressed with the kick of it.
• 

  Chilli gone barmy

  Mix it up a bit, with chilli and chocolate. Montezuma’s are one of my favourite chocolate makers, having shopped with them since the early days. And if you need some spicy sweet treats, then the Chilli-Gone-Barmy gift is perfect. I’ll fight you for the Chilli & Ginger dollops!

• No list on hot stuff would be complete without mentioning Gringley Gringo, one of my favourite local businesses. Not only great hot stuff, but a great business too. Whether you order one chilli sauce, or a selection of chilli jellies, you won’t be disappointed.

So, here’s hoping your gift is the start of a red, hot, passionate day. Or at least gives your everyday eating a bit of a boost!

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I’ve already written about my loathing of “special” Valentine’s Day menus, which generally are an affront to most food lovers. I think it makes a great excuse for a night in together, with something really special on the menu. If you think

The New Intercourses: an aphrodisiac cookbook

you might go down that route, then these books are chosen for adding something a little special to your repertoire for the evening.

1. The New InterCourses: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook – this one is almost worth it for the stunningly beautiful photography, but there are also fabulous recipes. In addition you’ll get useful tit bits of info on each of the alleged aphrodisiacs. I can’t vouch for this 10 year anniversary version, as I have the original. Lets just say I am still cooking from it though!

2. Shaken: 250 Very Sexy Cocktails – yep, I would imagine most of these would get an evening off with a bang. Possibly best to eat food too, otherwise you’re not going to get through many of these! Sounds like a fun way to get things going.

3. Romantic Cakes – perhaps you want to create a memorable dessert to finish off the meal, and a beautiful cake would certainly tick the right boxes. Very hearts and flowers, pretty, beautiful and romantic, and also could be incredibly tasty. I don’t know anyone that doesn’t love cake, and this book has some truly beautiful cakes to recreate.

Seriously Naughty Cakes

4. Seriously Naughty Cakes- if you want cake, but not the slushy hearts and flowers stuff, then this is the book for you. From Saucy Stockings to the Roly Poly Strip O’Gram, this is not your average cake decorating book! A creation from this will certainly raise at least a smile.

5. The Cookbook of Everlasting Love: Sex On A Plate or Food As Foreplay – jeez, I’ve no idea if this is any good, but can you imagine nosy people’s faces when they’re browsing through your book shelves and come across this one? Go on, it’s worth it just for that alone.

So, you could create your own naff Valentine’s menu, or create something wonderful and romantic. Either way, it should be memorable, and hopefully very tasty! Enjoy!

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Love meat!

Those of you who’ve read my blog on more than one occasion will know that I try to not feature the obvious, am not much of a lover of the themed gift, and tend to write about stuff that first and foremost tastes great, rather than looks right for the occasion. I’m not going to divert from that now so, if you’re looking for hearts and flowers, you’re in the wrong place.

Instead I’m going to write a series of these for foodies with different kinds of tastes. Perhaps I should have called this first entry My Bloody Valentine, as I thought I would start with great gifts for those that love their meat.

Of course it’s not a traditional gift (unless it’s in the stalkerish tradition of sending an animl heart in a box to an ex, not recommended) but could be good excuse to indulge in some great meat (no tittering at the back please). Here’s a few suggestions from me:

•  A little dried sausage, perhaps? A whole saucisson or two could be just the thing . Try a natural countryside rosette of whole smoked saucisson dried in an old fashioned fireplace by Roches Blanches. Available through Virtual Farmer’s Market.
• Where’s the beef? Well, they won’t be asking that if they take delivery of 18kgs of Longhorn beef from Huntsham Farm. Every cut of beef you could want, from sirloin to silverside and plenty of mince in between. Renowned for their rare breed meat, this is going to be a gift of exceptional taste that will create a whole heap of meals for you to share happily together.
  

  Salami from The Real Boar Co

• Want to see a look of confusion followed by delight? Try wrapping up an 8kg Serrano ham on the bone. It’ll look like you’re sending a haunch of something, but once they’ve stopped being concerned/laughing then delicious ham is guaranteed, for weeks!
• Indulge them in the glory that is a proper pork pie with the only certified organic Melton Mowbray pork pie from Brocklebys. Made with organic Saddleback pork to a traditional 200 year old recipe, this is what a pork pie should really be like.
• Valentine’s Day is no time to be mean, so be generous and go large. How about a whole traditional rare breed pig, all butchered and ready for great eating? Well Keythorpe Traditional Pork & Lamb can offer you just that. It could be any one of the rare breed pigs that they keep, but all are going to be interesting eating, or curing, depending on your loved one’s level of skill.
• For a slight tounge in cheek gift, how about salami from The Real Boar Co? Hopefully they won’t take offence and will get slicing these great British salamis. The Bit of Each gives you three tasty salamis and a chorizo, or you can buy the individual salamis. Great looking cutting boards and knives too.

Meat serving board

• If they’re into roasts, then how about a meat serving board? I like the one that Jamie Oliver has, for having both style and substance. Looks good, spikes will hold the joint securely and the grooves will capture the juices ready for gravy making. Or just pouring directly back onto the meat!
• For a bit of inspiration for recipes, then you can’t go wrong with The River Cottage Meat Book for almost the a to z of all meat. But I would guess most meat loving foodies already have that one, so perhaps something like Rotis by Stephane Reynaud or John Torode’s Chicken and Other Birds for something a bit specific.
• If they would like to take things into their own hands, then there are some really good butchery courses around for the amateur. The School of Artisan Food has an introductory two day course, as well as Lamb & Mutton or Pig in a day, and River Cottage are of course past masters in this.

So, choose to indulge their favourite food choice, rather than falling prey to the norms of Valentine’s Day gifting. It will give them something to talk about, as well as something very tasty to get their teeth into.

Fabulous neon sign photo by SqueakyMarmot on Flickr and Saddleback pig photographed by Dave Hamster.

How to make Valentine's Day not suck

Is there anyone, with the exception of card and lingerie manufacturers, who really loves Valentine’s Day? My particular pet hate is “special” menus for the evening, having being scarred by a Chinese restaurant experience in my earlier years. The pudding of perpetual delight was nothing close to its billing!

I would think most food lovers would skip eating out that night, even without a special menu, as restaurants are going to be packed with people who don’t eat out any other day of the year. In a similar vein, there’ll be a whole raft of gifts for alleged food lovers that most of us would not give cupboard space to, let alone let them cross our palates. So, I’m going to do my best to sort out the good from the bad and tasteless, depending on the kind of foodie you’re going to be buying for.

If you really can’t be bothered to put much effort into it, then I would just order some really good champagne in and retreat for the weekend. If you’re a bloke and want top brownie points, then do that and order roses from The Real Flower Company, they are the most beautiful arrangements ever. Do not, in my experience, order from Next or M&S to be delivered on the day. They’ll be dead before Tuesday and she’ll be ringing for a replacement.

More ideas to follow, to try and ensure a Valentine’s Day of great taste, not one that sucks!

Fabulous shot by Sister72 over on Flickr.

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Given that this is the closest Friday Five to Burns Night, today’s cookbooks all have a Scottish slant to them, which has certainly had its own food renaissance. These books will therefore take you way beyond neeps and tatties, haggis and deep-fryed Mars bars.

Nick Nairn Cook School Cook Book

1. Nick Nairn Cook School - Nick is someone I can watch time and time again, and a few days at his Cook School would be a great present for any foodie. If that is a bit out of reach at the moment (prices seem to start about £150 plus your accommodation) then maybe the book of the school would be a good alternative. Perfect for serious or not so serious foodie, there are sections on technique as well as recipes, so you can brush up on your knifework or need to know how to prep a lobster then this is perfect. And it’s not all about fish, although there are great fish recipes. I’d be quite keen to try the Cook School steak with Cabernet Sauvignon vinegar.

2. Maw Broon’s Cookbook: The Broon’s Cookbook for Every Day and Special Days - these characters will be very familiar to the readers of the “Sunday Post” in Scotland, and this is an entertaining read with some good recipes. This would make a good gift for expat Scottish foodies with a nostalgia for home, and tastes of home.

3. Taste Ye Back: Great Scots and the Food That Made Them - part interviews with famous Scots, and part recipes, this will reveal what dishes they loved. We can enjoy foodie reminisces from Sharleen Spiteri, Ewan McGregor and Andy Murray, and then perfect the dishes that they love.

4. The Caledonian Kitchen- I’ve featured this one before when I looked at charity cookbooks, but it’s worth a mention again. With recipes from around Scotland, the sale of this book goes to support Action Duchenne, the UK charity working towards finding a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The recipes come from a mix of celebrities and award winning Scottish chefs, as well as from ordinary people across the country who support the charity.

5. The Three Chimneys: Recipes and Reflections- The Three Chimneys is somewhere I’d love to go. Talk about combining spectacular cooking with amazing scenery! The photography is beautiful, and the recipes cover traditional Scottish fayre, as well as more modern updates. I like the idea of Autumn pudding as a seasonal alternative, and cranachan is always worth making.

So, whether you’re doing a full on Burn’s Night dinner, or just perhaps pouring a wee dram, it’s a great excuse to have a look at just how much great cooking has been coming out of Scotland.

Beetroot Relish from Jamie Oliver

Just spotted that the Jamie Oliver sale is in full swing, and there are some good things to pick up, either if you need a gift urgently, or to put aside. I’ve written before that I think this is a great range of products, not just name stamping by Jamie but stuff cooks and foodies, big and small, would actually want.

There are scented candles, always a good standby. and canisters of tea (come on, how can anyone not like tea?) It would be boring of me to mention tea towels again but…! I’m also very keen on the kids gardening kits, as getting kids involved in growing stuff is one step away from getting them cooking it, which really helps with the eating of a bigger variety of stuff.

I would say this any time you are buying a gift, but particulary right now with what’s happening in Haiti, but please buy with thought, not panic, and really consider the person you are buying for, that they really will use and value what you’re buying them. If in doubt, donate what you were thinking of spending, and shop another day when you spot something they will really love.

Regardless of the discount, if they don’t love it, it’s not a great buy, and it’s certainly not a great gift! That said, I’d welcome pretty much all of these! There is a free delivery code, AA1W1A, so you could donate the delivery cost you’ve saved!

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ShelterBox at work in Haiti

It’s Monday morning, everything seems normal. You’ve all had a good breakfast and you’re leaving your home and your family to head off to work.

Imagine if that is the last time everything in your life was normal. If your home and job was gone. If many members of your family were gone. If your children were injured, and there was nothing to feed them, no water to slake their thirst. And no answers to their questions about what was happening, when things would get back to normal.

Almost unimaginable. And yet this is what is happening right now in Haiti.

One of the things I am grateful for is the friendship and community of bloggers and tweeters that I have got to know, and so it is no surprise that a number of them have got together to form Bloggers for Haiti to raise money to raise money for ShelterBox, who are already there on the ground. Each box contains at its heart a 10 person tent, with shelter being absolutely critical right now.

They also give the tools for warmth and cooking, as well as water purification and tools for helping to do things like chop firewood, or dig a latrine. They also have simple, but powerful tools for helping children recover from trauma. The power of play and a smile is brought to life with colouring books and crayons.

It’s hard to think about how those very simple things could have such a huge impact, and how even the smallest donation could make a very real difference. Each box costs £490 and as I write this over £1500 has been raised. Think about giving up the cost of your lunch, the cost of your daily latte, your daily newspaper.

A Just Giving page has been set up, and is one of the easiest ways to give, and please Gift Aid your donation if you can. Please don’t hesitate, the people of Haiti had so little and it’s all gone.

I know, eating local is nothing new, it was all the rage last year. And, lets face it, 2008 and 2009 were incredibly tough years for everyone and just when we thought there was light at the end of the tunnel the snow came. We all wanted to hibernate. Nice and warm, but bad for business.

Melton Mowbray, ruler of rural food

So now the snow and ice are leaving us, this is my plea for you to get out there and support your local food and drink businesses: everyone from the producers to the retailers, the farmer’s markets to the restaurants. Many will have had the best part of nearly 3 bad weeks, which is not the best start for the new year. Never mind food trends, they need you right now. Here’s my shameless plug for the local businesses that will be getting my cash over the next few weeks:

1. Red Lion Inn- these guys don’t really need the plug (they were on the Hairy Biker’s and Olive Magazine called the team in charge the dream team) but they deserve all the praise, and the rewards. Early doors dinner is just £16.50 for 3 courses, and this week included a spectacular smoked haddock risotto with poached egg, pan fried sea bream with chorizo and mash and braised blade of beef.

2. Caffe & Deli Italia- probably the best proper cappucino going in Melton Mowbray, not to mention a great deli. This is a great independent business, a family business. Skip the chains, head here.

3. The Melton Cheeseboard- we’re blessed around here with great cheese makers, and also with a great cheese shop in Melton Mowbray. If you love cheese, you’ll love it in here. If you’re avoiding cheese, you will need to avoid here! With Stilton from Long Clawson and Quenby and Sparkenhoe Red Leicester, you can be busy supporting several local producers at once.

4. Brockleby’s Farm Shop - perfect for devotees of Melton Mowbray pork pies, Ian Jalland and the team produce the only organic pork pie produced in the borough of Melton, and mighty fine it is too. The farm shop also carries meat from their rare breeds, and a full range of everything that you’re going to need for some great dining at home.

5. The Malt House Deli- if I’m working at home during the week, then I tend to sneak out for breakfast at The Malt House. You can get a full English, but I tend to go for a sausage butty, made with good Lincolnshire sausages. A small but good selection of victuals, and a really good selection of breads, including a very good spelt one.

6. Crossroads Farm Shop- this is my nearest farm shop, and does fantastic pork. Have a look at the pigs in the farmyard, and then pop inside to see what they’ve got. We had a brilliant joint of pork from them to make porchetta at New Year, and Best Foodie Friend had an amazing gammon joint. Cracking bacon too!

7. Colston Bassett Dairy- talk about cutting food miles! During the week and on Saturday morning you can buy your Stilton direct from Colston Bassett Dairy, from the shop on site. Just don’t come at lunchtime, it’ll be closed. If that’s the case, then pop just down the road to Colston Bassett Store, as they carry it too. You might even be able to get into the coffee shop for lunch. Failing that, you could always head over to The Martin’s Arms. Not cheap, but will be one heck of a good lunch.

These are my local food haunts and whilst I’d love everyone to visit them, first and foremost get out and find the equivalents in your area. It’s not just a gift to you and your family, but to them and their families, their employees, their suppliers, their families….and so the circle goes on. Money spent locally continues to do good locally. This is not about being parochial, but thinking about how you spend your money. And maybe think about spending just a little less this week and sending it to the Haiti appeal.

It’s January, it’s been colder than cold, and certainly warming, comfort food has been the order of the day.Except it’s that time of year when huge chunks of people are resolving to eat better. Eating better can mean a whole heap of things, and be for a whole host of reasons from general health through to weight loss.

So here’s 5 choices that are about healthy choices, without being dull, and without being all about lettuce leaves!

The Nordic Diet

1. How Not to Get Fat by Ian Marber - I’ve got a lot of time for Ian Marber, and he does talk quite a lot of sense on the food front. However, with a title like this, I can’t help but wonder if it’s a two page book, and just says eat less and do more. If it’s like his other books, then there’ll be some good recipes too.

2. The Nordic Diet by Trina Hahnemann - there seems to be general rise in interest in Scandinavian cookery, so it was inevitable it would spill over into the healthy eating sector. It has all the foodie buzzwords of locally sourced and seasonal, but also lots of variety. I would think you would find things to cook out of this regardless of whether you were looking for “healthy” food or not. I think this would bring some great new tastes to any table.

3. Anjum’s Eat Right for Your Body Type - bringing together the ancient wisdom Ayurveda with great food to deliver fabulous taste and healthy food. You can do the whole body type prescription thing, or just cook up a storm with some great recipes, combining the best of East and West.

4. The Healing Powers of Chocolate – you’ll have a few weeks to wait for this one, but show me a woman who doesn’t believe already that chocolate has healing powers! This is just the science to back up what we’ve always known. Not so big on recipes, but good to know you’ve got some justification for that next bar of Green & Blacks!

5. The Moosewood Restaurant Cooking for Health - I had one of the original Moosewood cookbooks from my godmother in the US years ago, and it was well thumbed during my vegetarian stage. This one has 200 new recipes, and if they are as good as I remember the old ones being, then it won’t be hard to get anyone to eat healthily. Although it probably won’t make me vegetarian again!

So if you want some healthy ideas, or just new flavours for a new year, then these may be worth a look.