News
Pepsi to drop artificial sweetener aspartame
This worries me a bit - Pepsi are removing aspartame, a controversial artificial sweetener, from their diet drinks in America, but not in the UK. Why is this? Apparently the decision is based on American preferences, us Brits like the drink as it is. Is it just me, or is this a bit odd? Many studies have been carried out on aspartame, some of which have linked it to serious medical conditions, although regulatory bodies in the UK and US have discredited this research and the sweetener is deemed safe for human consumption. I'm definitely going to read up on this more...doesn't feel right to me.
British asparagus on course for a bumper year
Spring is (kind of) here which means the beautiful asparagus makes a brief appearance on our plates. The British season only lasts for two months so you better enjoy it while it's here, the Peruvian veg is just not the same. Probably something to do with the 6,000 miles it travels. For recipe inspiration take a look at this lovely lot for salads, soup, risottos and tarts.
Real Bread Week
The Real Bread Campaign fights for better bread in Britain, whether that is at home with you kneading the dough or using a bread-maker, or heading to your nearest Real Bread bakery to try their fine loaves. As the name suggests, the campaign is all about 'real bread' which uses just four ingredients - flour, water, yeast (either commercial or a natural sourdough starter) and salt. Eh, you might say, isn't that what all bread is made from anyway? Most of the bread sold in the UK also contains flour improvers and processing aids - hmm, take a look at the Real Bread site for info on these additives. From May 9th-15th Real Bread Week is being held across the country to raise awareness of real bread, help support local bakeries and for you to enjoy discounts on classes, ingredients and equipment. Get them muscles flexed for some well kneaded action! (sorry, embarrassed face)
Cadbury's New Chocolate Bar Combines Seven Flavours
Wooaaaaah check this out! Seven flavours in one chocolate bar, amazing. I love Cadbury's Dairy Milk - yes, I know it's very sweet, doesn't have high cocoa solids and all that fancy pantsy stuff. #notguiltypleasure They'll only be producing 50 of these handmade bad boys so get on Cadbury's Facebook and Twitter pages to find out how you can win one.
Reviews
Wahaca
I love this restaurant, it is the place to go for proper authentic Mexican food - delicious fresh flavours with no sign of the oily, cheese infested dishes which give Mexican a bad (and unhealthy) name. The chain was started by Thomasina Miers who won Masterchef many years ago; her vision is tasty Mexican food with high quality ingredients - free range British meat and sustainable fish, along with recycling everything including all food waste. This ethos has seen Wahaca go from strength to strength with many restaurants in London plus one in Bluewater in Kent and Cardiff. Go with friends and share lots of little plates (the pork pibil taco is seriously good) with plentiful cocktails - perfect.
Local News
Aubrey Allen's Summer BBQ Preview Evening
In Leamington we are very lucky to have the award winning (and Royal approved!) Aubrey Allen butchers; not only is their meat excellent (Bumblebee sausages are a particular fave), the friendliness and knowledge of the staff is second to none. They always happy to help annoying customers like me who want 20 chicken thighs boned and skinned, plus you can ask their advice on any cut of meat and they will present you with a whole host of ideas to turn it into something brilliant. Next Wednesday 6pm-8.30pm Aubrey Allen is hosting a feast of BBQ products and some lovely bits from the deli - salads, marinades and sauces. Leamington Wine Company will also be there with some summery wines. Tickets are £10 per person or £5 each if you are a Privilege Card holder (this is worth getting as it's free and you collect points for prizes). Fingers crossed the weather is half decent.
Recipes
Hot-smoked salmon salad with a chilli lemon dressing
I made this delicious salad last weekend for a family meal - it's really simple to put together and took hardly any time at all. Bonus points from me. And it is just right for a big get together, BBQ or buffet. I only used 6 salmon steaks as the offer in Tesco was 3 packs for £10, this was plenty. The fresh herbs are essential. Some purple sprouting broccoli along with the asparagus works well.
Caramel banana blondies
This is a recipe I come back to again and again. Baking doesn't get much easier than these cakes - you melt stuff in a saucepan, add in bananas and flour, chuck it in a tin and taa-daa, some chewy, sweet blondies. Start checking if they're ready after 35 minutes, you want the middle to be a little soft underneath the crusty top. I sometimes use a slightly bigger tin so don't worry if you don't have a 20cm one, just use what you have and keep an eye on the timings.
Food for Thought
34 Ways To Waste Less Food
There are some really great points in this article, like buying organic milk because it lasts longer so saves you money despite the higher price, how organising your fridge can make products stay fresher, great composting tips and my favourite - save your Parmesan rinds and add them to bolognese or minestrone soup for added savoury flavour. Top tip.
This week I have been mostly eating salted caramel Gu desserts, making social media cake pops (day job) and generally running around like a headless chook. This bank holiday weekend is very very welcome. Hope you all have some exciting and relaxing plans. I'm heading to Oxford on Monday for the British Street Food Festival - it's going to be tough, 15 stalls of delicious food - I better loosen the belt.