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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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Hot with a heart

On Saturday I was at West Bridgford Farmer’s Market, which was a first, which is a bit shameful to admit as it’s really close to here. I went with Best Foodie Friend who, when she was in tarts, used to trade there, which means she knew a lot of the folk braving the rain and cold behind the stalls.

We spent quite a long time chatting to Debby at Gringley Gringo. I must admit I’ve seen their stall before but not wandered over, but boy was it worth it. Not just for the great chilli products, but the great stuff they do in the background around community involvement. Before their move to bigger premises, chilli plants were given free to local schools and community groups, who were then payed for the harvest. Now they have space for their own polytunnels but the community is still getting involved, and getting something out of it.

So, this counts as good local food, and a good community business, and I would encourage you to both support them, and to find other examples close to where you are to support. I came away with a great gift set for Christmas, comprising Jalapeno & Ginger Dipping Sauce, Chipotle Sauce and Gringo Gold Hot Chilli Sauce. This is going to be perfect for a couple who are opposite ends of the chilli love scale!

I particularly like the Jalapeno & Ginger, as I’m a bit of a wimp on the heat front. This makes a good change to a sweet chilli sauce, and I could see using it in its place with everything from fishcakes to just dipping crisps in it. The Tounge Tickle Chilli Pickle sounds like it would liven up cold cuts on Boxing Day, whilst the wimps amongst us will be having the Jalapeno, Lemon and Cardamom Chilli Jelly instead!

If you’re up near Clumber Park then you can drop in and see them, as they now have a shop and you can get to see how it’s all made. I love that the Community Growing Project is a joint venture between them and the National Trust, who own Clumber Park. If you work at a school in the area and are not involved already, it sounds like a great thing to get kids involved in. The more involved kids are with food the more they appreciate it and will think about what they are eating. If that’s not a way to solve an obesity crisis I’m not sure what is.

Gringley Gringo, I salute you, a true food hero if ever I saw one!

Chilli pepper image by lizziebob on Flickr

Not sure if this belongs here, but it does involve both food and a gift, so sort of fits. If nothing else it might give you a laugh.

For some reason, Grandma Pat decided to buy us a family photo experience from Boots last Christmas. And as this Christmas rapidly approaches we decided we best get our rears into gear and get booked in. But no longer do you just roll up, try not to grimace and go home to await the awful result. Oh no, now we’ve been asked to bring props, and changes of wardrobes.

Food has emerged as a theme. Not sure how helpfully though. The family brainstorm last weekend seemed to take us on a naked chef route. Really, can you imagine? All of us in just our aprons and pants? Well, memorable I suppose. I suggested the rolling pin, Dr T looked pale. I think cookbooks may be involved on my behalf, the others can take their own favourite book.

But then one major problem has emerged in the last 48 hours….Dr T is sporting an amazing black eye. His story goes that it involves the cutting of fresh chilli for the salmon stir fry, an unfortunate/forgetful rub of the eye, a dollop of yoghurt and then an incident with an overly enthusiastic door handle. It’s a fabulous fib if it’s not true!

So right now we’re facing into my skill with concealer or just shooting him from one side.

Well, that or a pirate theme.

So, about those naked chefs…..