New flavors on toast!

Currently listening to: "Children of Sanchez" by Chuck Mangione

I recently got my hands on some new jams and curds from Cottage Delight (the parent company of my much raved about Spanks) and decided to do a taste test with my now self proclaimed "Jam and Curb Connoisseur" housemate (below).

Firstly, Blackcurrant Curd

I was most excited about this one being a big fan of lemon curd I was keen to try it, and believe me it didn't disappoint.

The texture is everything you'd expect from a curd, however this one is one has bits of blackcurrant in it. The initial taste is a hint of buttery lemon then a subtle taste of blackcurrant takes over your mouth. We tried this on both brown and white toast, but I have plans to put it as a filling for a cake... YUM!

Next, Red Gooseberry Jam

Now I do like jams but I find quite a few (especially strawberry jam) a bit too sweet and the acute bitterness of some marmalades too sharp. However this jam lies somewhere between the two. Although strictly not a marmalade as it doesn't contain citrus zest the Red Gooseberries give aslight bitter twist. I really enjoyed this jam much more then I thought I would and will definitelybe buying some more to put on my toast in the morning.

Whilst on the topic of cottage industry retail, I was informed about a website (Local Food Advisor) aimed at promoting local food suppliers.

Anyway, better get ready to go out. Going for a Chinese with the sailing team after a no wind training session :(

Hunters Chicken

Currently listening to: "Chop Suey" by Richard Cheese

How rubbish has the weather been this summer?! I can't remember the last day we had the resembled anything like summer but today dreadful, I daren't leave the house as I risk coming home looking like a drowned rat due to a sharp shower. I offered to cook for the family this week which gave me an excuse to use my new Spanks products.

Hunters Chicken

Serves 4

This is a pub classic dish which is so easy to make, but what makes this dish is the choice of ingredients.


4 Free range Chicken Breasts
2 Balls of fresh white mozzarella (sliced)
4 slices of Waitrose Palmer Ham (really spelt Parma Ham)
Spanks 'Gents Sauce'

Preheat oven to 200c. Once the oven is heated, place a slice of Palmer Ham (Parma Ham) on top of each chicken breast and put in oven for 30mins. Take out of oven and lightly over the ham in Gents Sauce. Cover each breast with the sliced mozzarella and grill 'till it has melted covering the whole breast.

Serve with seasonal veg.

Although the directions on the bottle of gents sauce says it goes well with strong cheese when used lightly in this dish it really helps bring out some awesome flavours.

For afters we had various cheeses with water biscuits and crackers. I used this opertunity to get out my other new spanks product "Apple, Raisin & Walnut Chutney". I'm not normally a big fan of chutney, nor am I a fan of cooked apple but this version really did take me by suprise. So much so we nearly finished off the whole jar in one night.

Anyway, I've also gone through a bottle of Spanks Tangy Tomato Ketchup in the past week but that's a story for another post!

P.S The Gents Sauce is a great hangover cure with grilled cheese on toast!

Chicken and Chilli Tomarto Pasta

Currently Watching: The British sailors clearing up at the Beijing Olympics!

It's been a frantic couple of weeks with me going on holiday then my computer quite literally blowing up! Anyway, I'm back now and loving following the Olympics.

I made this a few weeks ago using what I could find in the fridge...

Chicken and Chili Tomato Pasta

I made the sauce with cherry tomatoes as I love the sweet flavour of them in a sauce. Basically, boil 300g of cherry tomatoes per portion needed. I know it's a lot but they really do reduce quite a lot. Once the skins start to come loose drain and mash! Keep simmering...

Fry off chopped onion, chili, garlic and pepper then add to tomato sauce. Fry your desired meat (in my case Chicken) and add to sauce. Add spinach for the final 30secs of cooking. Season to taste and serve with pasta.

This is a very simple dish but full of flavour.

I've just taken delivery of lots of new Spanks products so expect some exotic recipes very soon!

Just thought I'd share this photo I took down Crosby beach of Anthony Gormley's "Another Place"

Mike

P.S Oh, please can everyone watch "Last Choir Standing" and vote for "Only Men Aloud"... I'm close mates with about half of the lads, and I feel they really do deserve to win!

Post-pub food

Currently listening to: "Jeu du rapt" - Igor Stravinsky

I was walking back from the pub and much to my horror the local chippy had shut early, and because of the current extreme weather conditions I didn't want to walk the 400mtr round trip to the next fine takeaway establishment, so I briskly walked home praying I still had some food in the cupboard! Luckily I had some raw chicken left over after my previous "Spanks" dish, so I went about using some more presents from my eldest sister.

This time I used some of the "Thai Curry Paste" made by Cottage Delight (which is the parent company of Spanks) that my sister gave me for Christmas.

As per usual I didn't read the label or "recipe suggestion" and went about it my own way to make a curry sauce to accompany my poached diced chicken and rice. I simply, add a healthy dollop of paste into a hot pan followed by as much double cream as it takes to make a substantial sauce. Add more paste if needed…

Yet again this paste is full of great flavours and I can see an increasing amount of my loan being spent buying different products from both of these companies!

SPANKS...

Currently listening to: "Nothing Else Matters - S&M Live Album" Metallica

OMG, this is my 2nd post today!

I had to post after having such a great lunch; my eldest sister gave me a bottle of Spanks Lime, Chilli & Herb Marinade as Christmas present. Well today I finally got round to trying it and it was amazing, so full of flavour.


The bottle recommends use with fish or lamb, but being a student all I had in was chicken, veg and pasta. It worked fantastically as a Chicken, Mediterranean style roast veg, and pasta dish...

Their website has a compendium of marinades, dipping sauces, dressings and many other great looking products. I'm going to order some seasonings and see what they're like... watch this space!