Time for our monthly round up of our favourite foodie stuff
On the box – Lots to choose from again this month, but my pick of the month goes to ‘The Great Comic Relief Bake Off’ There were some cracking moments but I don’t think you could beat the first episode which saw the glamorous Joanna Lumley reunited with Jennifer Saunders to bake against Lulu and Dame Edna. Jennifer was deservedly crowned Star Baker by regular judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, but there were some Absolutely Fabulous moments with Joanna Lumley’s baking efforts which including using her make up mirror to decorate her Northern Lights inspired cake.
Website – I’m turning to Asda this month and their Click and Collect service. It’s not perfect but it’s a lot easier than trailing round the shop after work to look the items on your shopping list only to find many have sold out or you can’t find them. With the Click and Collect service you can add the items on your shopping list to your virtual basket the night before whilst drinking a bottle of wine then a nice person at Asda does the shopping for you the next day – all free of charge. Simply take your order number with you, key it into the screen and wait for someone to bring your shopping to you. The only fault I can find is that there is no option for the Create your own Pizza service (damn), so I still end up wandering the store for 10 minutes, but it’s definitely quicker and less stressful that ‘normal’ shopping in a supermarket.
Food Festival – Along with the start of Spring, March thankfully sees the start of the food festivals again. More reliable than the British weather, these events are a great opportunity to support local independent producers and try something new, with many offering free samples to try before you buy. We featured the ‘Cooking the Books‘ festival on our site earlier in the month but my favourite festival in March had to be the Spring Food Festival at Thoresby Courtyard. I stocked up on all sorts of goodies ranging from chocolate and wine to beer and pasties. Sponsored by Notts Flavours, Fellows Morton & Clayton and The Eagle, we’ll definitely be back for the Winter Food Festival in November to stock up in time for Christmas. For more details visit:
http://www.adelanta.co.uk/winterfoodfest.html
Event – We were lucky enough to be invited to Chino Latino’s birthday party in March and so got to enjoy free samples of their delicious fusion food, washed down with free Prosecco without even buying them a present. Here’s hoping we’re on their guest list for next years bash.
Recipe – I’ve tried all sorts this month, some more successful than others,but for taste and ease I’m recommending another Not Quite Nigella recipe this month. Not only is it quick to make, but her recipe for Butter Chicken is low calorie as well.
http://www.notquitenigella.com/2013/11/08/low-calorie-butter-chicken/
Restaurant – I’m choosing Hart’s on Standard Court this month. On my visit this month I tried the tasty Potato Gnocchi followed by a delicious Lime Panacotta. Consistently excellent, this stylish Restaurant is worth a visit any time of the year.
http://www.hartsnottingham.co.uk/restaurant/
Kitchen Accessory– OK, this isn’t new to me but it’s not a cop out. I feel you should know about the little soldier that is my mini Magimix. I’ve thrown everything in to this little guy and he takes it on. Nuts no problem. He comes with many attachments but I tend to stick with the main blade that seems to tackle any task with ease. The squeezing attachment is pretty cracking too. Prices start at £119,950 depending on the colour and it’s worth every penny, so if I was to tell you to invest in one product this month, this would the one.
http://www.johnlewis.com/magimix-le-mini-plus-food-processor/p231569197
Product – If there’s one thing I love its chocolate. If there’s two things I love its wine and chocolate, so imagine my delight at finding wine with chocolate in at the Thoresby food fest. Made by family business MarRon based in Lincolnshire, the red wine I purchased tastes a lot like the chocolate syrup you put on ice cream (I may, accidentally of course, try it with ice cream one day). Very sweet but without becoming a Port. For more information visit www.marronliqueurs.co.uk
Cheat – I’m going to throw this one in for those of you that love the smell of a baking pud but perhaps don’t have the time or your sponges fail to rise to the occasion. Instructions: Nip to one of your local bakers 2) Buy cake 3)Take cake home and store in cupboard 4) Light up a Lemon Pound Cake candle from Village Candles and your house will smell like you’ve baking all damn day, in fact days later, my lounge still smells of this little beauty. With the scent of vanilla cupcake, lemon and hazelnut, but no calories this beautiful candle is available in Nottingham from Bubblelush on Carlton Hill. www.bubblelush.co.uk
Cheat – I’m going to throw this one in for those of you that love the smell of a baking pud but perhaps don’t have the time or your sponges fail to rise to the occasion. Instructions: Nip to one of your local bakers 2) Buy cake 3)Take cake home and store in cupboard 4) Light up a Lemon Pound Cake candle from Village Candles and your house will smell like you’ve baking all damn day, in fact days later, my lounge still smells of this little beauty. With the scent of vanilla cupcake, lemon and hazelnut, but no calories this beautiful candle is available in Nottingham from Bubblelush on Carlton Hill. www.bubblelush.co.uk
So there you go, have a great Easter and we’ll see you next month for our April favourites – Warning – May contain chocolate!
By Tanya Raybould
