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Welcome to our new Food & Drink section, where we feature articles on Sustainable Food & Drink. Our focus will be on organic food and drink, sustainable restaurants, and in particular, we'll be getting to know the people behind these locally sourced food ventures. You may also want to check out our organic food & drink bazaar for more sustainable ingredients and drinks. Bon appetite!

Wednesday
Jun162010

A Tour of the Bolney Estate Winery

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While we love to sip Fairtrade or organic plonk, the idea of enjoying an award winning wine from the heart of the Sussex countryside is equally tantalising. And sustainable too. To keep Britain great, our country needs this tasty type of entrepreneurship more than ever. Bolney Wine Estate, over the last 30 years or so, has produced some highly recommended wines and their 'Rent A Vine' scheme, offered at various points of the year, will make for a highly innovative and patriotic gift for Dad... (and you if opting for the Luxury Tour!).

A wine tour being led by Samantha Linter, the estate's Chief Winemaker - what a job!Hats off to this small family run winery at Bolney Wine Estate for taking on the Roman tradition of wine making with so much panache. The folk at Bolney, over the last 30 years, have built their own impressive wine empire, and taking a tour of their vineyard and wine making process is just the ticket - whether for its own sake, or to celebrate an event like Father's Day coming up this weekend. At various points throughout the year, Bolney Wine Estate offer a 'Rent A Vine' scheme. Here are two currently on offer to celebrate Father's Day - a brilliant idea for the man who has 'everything' or you're running out of creative ideas!

Rent-a-Vine Gift Pack

Dad can enjoy a mini tour of the vineyard and a tutored tasting of the Estates’ award-winning English red wines (one person). At the end of the tour, he will be presented with two bottles of Dark Harvest wine to take home and enjoy at his leisure. Dad can also enjoy a 10% discount on all wines purchased at the vineyard shop – so he might well come home with more than two bottles! Cost: £49.00

Alternatively why not opt for a Luxury Tour & Tasting For Two (he can take you or mum) where Dad could really indulge his inner wine enthusiast.

The Luxury Tour is another great opportunity to experience how a working vineyard and winery operates. See for yourself how wine is professionally made and try the finished products - surely the best bit! To kick things off after tea or coffee, Dad and you/or mum will enjoy a tour of the vineyard, taking a look at the vines, and talking about the growing and harvesting seasons. Then onto the winery to find out how wine is made by the professionals. Following the tour you can enjoy a tasting of three wines and to complete your visit, a Sussex buffet meal featuring locally sourced ham and pâté with Sussex cheeses and pickles - sounds delicious!

What's more, you will take a complimentary bottle of wine home with you. Cost: £75.00 (two people).

A bottle of Dark Harvest 2008At the very least, why not treat Dad to a bottle (or 12!) to show him how much you appreciate him and while you're at it, buy some for yourself.

Bolney Wine Estate boasts a not-be-sniffed-at sizeable collection to choose from, including reds, whites and bottles of the bubbly stuff. Many are award winning too.

At least Bolney is on our radar now and our curiousity is piqued. All we need to do is quaff the English variety!

Cheers.

Visit Bolney Wine Estate to find out more.

(pssst.... you don't have to be 'Dad' to enjoy this tour & taste treat!)

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Wednesday
Jun092010

Catching fish & sourcing sustainably

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Mad fishing policies, crazy catch quotas and outright denial means many of our global fishery stocks are in peril (1) and will only get worse if we don't take action. With omega 3 as essential brain food, not to mention an essential food source for many living around the world, it's natural to swim against the tide and demand sustainable fish. The GIN Lady went fishing - literally - and snoops around for the best places to buy 'good' fish.

Our fishing boat's catch of the day - mackerelIf abstinence doesn't appeal, then go fishing for starters. When you're next on holiday, preferably staycationing in Britain, rather than heading down to the local fish and chip shop (unlikely in many places to be locally caught fish), why not pop along to your local harbour master and go on a fishing trip. In Barmouth recently, I was lucky to find probably the hunkiest 'Master' on the British coast (I promised him good pr and there you have it!). He put me in touch with Nigel Merridew, the charming skipper of Top Cat, a 7.2 cheetah cataraman 2009 twin 90 honda. Nigel can take up to 7 people out, and we booked in for a six hour fishing trip the very next day. You can of course just go on a pleasure trip, for dolphin, seal and birdwatching or hire the boat and skipper for a photography trip. For more information, visit Barmouth Boat Trips.

Enjoy a fishing or recreational trip on Nigel's cheetah cataramanJust getting out onto the sea in a boat was exhilarating. Having worked as a marine biologist in the past, I've missed the sensation... the fresh sea air, feeling close to the expanse of the horizon, being close to nature. For us, while fishing has a recreational element, it is first and foremost a quest to catch and eat our own food. When we move to mid Wales later in the year, we are hell bent on this self-sufficient route. Afterall, when in a splendid location like this, in contrast to London let's say, there really is no excuse - it certainly beats the supermarket variety!

Leave the stunning Barmouth Harbour and enjoy a day out fishing and wildlife watchingUnlike fly or spear fishing, bottom fishing doesn't require much skill and anyone can grab themselves a rod to try and catch a fish. If there are any that is. Nigel, our knowledgeable skipper, lamented how the big trawlers further out are scooping up most of the fish by the hundreds of tonnes - and much of it ends up as fertiliser or fish feed - criminal! Artisanal fishermen and women, on the other hand, are feeling the bite. Nigel says "The numbers of mackeral have significantly fallen in the last four or five years." This message was echoed earlier that morning while chatting to the only commercial fisherman in town. Years ago, Barmouth had a lively fishing fleet. Now most of the fish in the shops are sourced from overseas, like Norway.

Despite plummeting fish stocks, we felt hope we would come home with a meal. But only just - The GIN Lady only reeled in one mackerel. On the other hand, the young boys on the boat had far more success! Nigel, our skipper, despite a shared grievance over trawlers and commercial fisherman, still takes home a good catch for his punters. And what was so refreshing was the care he took. No harmful hooks, the careful release of endangered species etc. Depending on the season, with Nigel, you can catch a wide range of fish, including bass, tope, mackerel and bream. We'll be definitely back for more, and highly recommend a trip yourselves - visit Barmouth Boat Trips. If you've never fished before, it's not nearly as daunting as you may think!

But for many of us, the supermarket is the place we shop for fish. The good news is that Waitrose and M&S only source sustainably caught fish, and Asda and Morrison are not so far behind, as Asda are moving to Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) labelled fish by the end of the year, with Morrison's freshwater fish carrying the same notable label. But it's not always this straightforward. While Sainsbury's boasts the largest selection of MSC fish, the tuna in its sandwiches and sushi are far from sustainable - we'd avoid this type of tuna at all costs because it's not pole-and-line caught.

Another great thing us GIN Ladies can do is support the Environmental Justice Foundation’s “Save the Sea” campaign to end illegal pirate fishing (aka illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing). This will encourage the preservation of global fish stocks on which millions of the world’s poorest depend for food and livelihoods.

Tom Aikens recently lent his support to the campaign and this month diners at his restaurant in Chelsea will each be asked to make a £1 contribution to the fundraising campaign. Tom said "It is difficult to overstate the importance of the work EJF is doing to highlight the vulnerability of marine resources and the destruction caused by pirate fishing.  It is a cause that is very close to my heart and I am delighted to play a role in EJF’s fundraising efforts.”

The Environmental Justice Foundation’s Save the Sea campaign includes action to close the loophole in international law that allows states to issue Flags of Convenience. EJF told us "Fishery experts believe that banning the practice would do more to eradicate pirate fishing than any other single action.  It will help protect dwindling fisheries, secure marine biodiversity and support many of the world’s poorest people by improving food security."

So there you have it: As well as abstinence or cutting down, here are three ways to help our ocean's catch: Go fishing the artisanal way; buy only MSC labelled fish products; and support EJF's Save The Sea Campaign. Happy fishing :-)

References:

www.barmouthboattrips.com

(1) http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/sea1933.doc.htm

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Monday
May172010

British asparagus delights and recipes

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It's bonanza time, as the British asparagus season is in full swing. Throughout May and June, we can indulge our taste buds with one of nature's greatest superfoods. Before we share a wonderful array of creative recipes, here's why we think you should go asparagus shopping by the bucket load! But talking of shopping, make sure you check the label as our supermarket snoop this week has revealed many a tray from Peru - a food crime surely?! Even better, visit your local farmer's market.

This herbaceous plant not only tastes divine, asparagus is an incredible superfood, with disease-busting properties. It provides a great defense against cancer and heart disease, and will kick start your immune system. It's jam-packed with the anti-oxidant Vitamin A, folic acid (pregnant anyone?) and dietary fibre. It also contains plenty of potassium, yet low in sodium and fat, perfect for a healthy heart. What's more ladies, it does wonders for our libidos. Back in the 1600s, the herbalist Nicholas Culpepper claimed asparagus ‘stir up lust in man and woman’. Hmmm, if like me, you're experiencing a passionate drought, grab your/a man and serve up lots of asparagus! To inspire some seasonal lust and a healthy heart, immune and body system, here are some yummy recipes to dine on...

Asparagus, Pea and Goat's Cheese Souffle

Don't be scared to make a souffle, as once perfected this will make a cracking starter or main if served up with a Great British salad.

Serves 6 | Preparation 20-25 minutes | Cook 30 minutes

What you'll need

50g butter
30g walnuts, lightly crushed (leave out if you want a 100% British sourced meal, as our walnuts are harvested late summer, well past the British asparagus season)
300g British asparagus
200g fresh British peas (shelled weight)
200ml whole milk
2tbs flour
3 eggs
100g goats cheese
Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper

Get cooking

1 Preheat the oven to 200°C / gas 6.

2 Melt half of the butter and use it to brush the inside of 6 ramekin dishes. If you wish, sprinkle the walnuts into the dishes and tap around the edge so they stick to the butter. Arrange on a baking sheet and set aside.

3 Cut the asparagus into 1cm pieces, leaving the tips a little longer. Cook with the peas in plenty of boiling salted water until tender. Drain and, reserving the asparagus tips, puree the stems and peas to a coarse paste using a hand blender or food processor. Set aside.

4 Melt the rest of the butter in a heavy bottomed saucepan. Add the flour to make a roux and cook for a minute before whisking in the milk. Cook the sauce for a few minutes until thickened and remove from the heat.

5 Chop the goats cheese into cubes and stir through the sauce along with the pureed asparagus and peas. Season generously.

6 Separate the eggs carefully, tipping the yolks into the asparagus sauce and the whites into a really clean metal bowl. Stir the yolks through the sauce to mix well.

7 Whisk the egg whites until stiff and fluffy. Don't over whisk as they will be too dry to fold through the asparagus sauce.

8 Take a large spoon of the egg white and stir it vigorously in the sauce, then pour the sauce into the bowl of eggs whites. Using a large metal spoon fold the sauce very, very gently through the egg whites.

9 Spoon the mixture very gently into the prepared ramekins and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Try to resist opening the oven door whilst they are cooking as they will collapse.

10 Serve immediately with a simple green salad.

British Asparagus & Cheese Brunch Muffins

If like us you'll be hoarding up on asparagus, this recipe will produce a wonderful snack to munch on.

Makes 12 large muffins
Preparation 15 minutes
Cook 25 - 30 minutes

What you'll need

12 spears of British asparagus
400g self raising flour
200g Joseph Heler Cheshire cheese, cut into small cubes
125g butter
1 small bunch chives, snipped into pieces
150ml milk
100ml plain yogurt
1tsp Suffolk Mud English mustard
2 eggs
Salt & freshly ground black pepper

Get Cooking

1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas 6 and line a 12 hole muffin tin with cases.

2 Cut the asparagus stems into small pieces, about 1cm in length, leaving the tips a little longer and blanch in boiling water for a couple of minutes. Drain and refresh under cold running water, separating the tips from the pieces of stem.

3 In a large bowl, mix the flour with the cubes of cheese.

4 Melt the butter and pour into a jug. Stir through the chives, milk, yogurt, Suffolk Mud mustard (or equivalent) and eggs. Mix well until combined and season generously with salt & pepper.

5 Gently fold the wet ingredients into the flour & cheese, and stir through the asparagus stems. Be careful not to over mix and stop as soon as the mixture is combined.

6 Spoon the mixture evenly between the muffin cases and push an asparagus tip into the middle of each. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes until golden. Best eaten hot out of the oven, spread with a little cold butter.

Are we beginning to whet your appetite now?!

Somerset Fondue with British Asparagus and New Tatties

The little one and I often bus or train it to Somerset to visit family, but later in June it's to go foraging with the wild man, Andrew Sartain. While here we'll also forage for some regional cheeses, as this fondue has really grabbed our attention!

Serves 4 | Preparation 10 minutes | Cook 15 minutes

What you'll need

For dipping:
1 bunch British asparagus spears
250g new potatoes

For the fondue:
25g butter
2 tbsp flour
250ml Thatchers Katy dry cider
3 fresh sage leaves
200g mature Somerset Cheddar            
200g Lubborn Somerset brie
1 tsp Suffolk Mud English mustard
Salt & freshly ground black pepper

Get cooking

1 Put the potatoes into a pan with cold water, bring to the boil and cook until tender.

2 Whilst the potatoes are cooking, melt the butter in a heavy bottomed saucepan and add the flour to form a roux. Cook for a minute over a low heat, being careful not to let the roux burn.

3 Pour in the cider, whisking vigorously until you have a smooth thickened sauce. Simmer for a couple for minutes and add the sage leaves and mustard, then reduce the heat to as low as possible.

4 Cut the cheese into small cubes. Begin to gradually add them to the hot cider sauce stirring well and making sure the cheese is fully melted before you add more. Once all the cheese is incorporated season to taste.

5 Cook the asparagus in boiling water for 4-5 minutes until just tender. Drain and arrange on a platter with the cooked potatoes.

6 Transfer the fondue to a fondue bowl or eat straight from the pan, dipping in the asparagus and potatoes.

If you're planning a supper party, this will make for an intimate interactive start!

British Asparagus Ice Cream and Smoked Salmon Toasts

Now this could be just the ticket for a very posh dinner starter, or the ice cream component for your kids. My pre-schooler turns her nose up at asparagus, but ice cream could be the solution to get the nutritional benefits into her!

Serves 4 | Preparation 30 minutes | Cook 15- 20 minutes, plus chilling

What you'll need

For the ice cream:
1 bunch British asparagus spears
500ml whole milk
Zest of 1 lemon
4 egg yolks
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the toasts:
2 slices white bread, toasted
150g smoked salmon
1 egg, beaten
1tbsp cornflour
1tbsp chives, finely chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper
2tbsp sesame seeds
sunflower or groundnut oil for deep frying

Get cooking

1 Prepare the asparagus by chopping it into 1cm pieces, leaving the tips a little longer.

2 Bring the milk to a gentle simmer in a saucepan and add the lemon zest and the chopped asparagus, reserving a few of the tips to use as a garnish. Poach the asparagus in the milk for about 5 minutes, or until tender. Turn off the heat and leave to infuse for 10 minutes.

3 Whilst the asparagus is infusing in the milk begin to make the smoked salmon toasts by finely chopping the salmon and mixing in a bowl with the egg, flour, chives and salt and pepper.

4 Cut the crusts from the toasted bread and cut each slice into 2 triangles. Spread the salmon mixture over one side and dip in sesame seeds. Chill in the fridge until you are ready to eat the ice cream.

5 Returning to the ice cream, pour the milk and asparagus into a liquidiser, add the egg yolks and process until smooth. Return to the pan and heat very gently, stirring all the time, until the sauce has thickened. Season generously and pour into a bowl and chill.

6 Once the asparagus sauce has chilled churn it in an ice cream maker, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Freeze until required.

7 When the ice is made finish the salmon toasts by heating the oil in a large saucepan until hot. You can test if its hot enough by frying a cube of bread in the oil - it should turn golden brown in a minute. Once the oil is hot as the salmon toasts, sesame side down and fry for 2-3 minutes or until crisp and golden. Remove carefully and drain on kitchen paper.

8 Cook the reserved asparagus tips in boiling water until tender and drain well.

9 Arrange a couple of scoops of ice cream in a pretty dish and top with a smoked salmon toast and a tip of hot asparagus.

Today our recipes were generously given by British Asparagus, a fantastic resource for recipes, how to grow your own, as well as several festivals running across the UK to celebrate this amazing superfood. We hope, like us, you'll be enjoying a British food fest with asparagus as your seasonal early summer star. Bon appetite :-)

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Thursday
Apr222010

Chilli Central at the Virtual Farmers Market

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There's nothing better than a chilli condiment to spice things up a bit, and at Virtual Farmer's Market we've uncovered a treasure trove of products at their Chilli Central. What we particularly love is their source... small food producers here in the UK. This is the raison d'etre of Virtual Farmer's Market, aka VFM, to support independent British food producers under one virtual roof so you can fill your shopping trolley full of farmer's produce - and in particular, hard to find products, the sort of food you can't typically find on the high street. Please use GINLADY at checkout to get yourself a 20% discount too for the next four weeks!

All your chilly spice needs will be met at Chilli Central, where you'll find every conceivable chilli condiment, from jam, jelly, dressing, sauces and oils. Let's kick off with the spiciest of the lot - Vampire's Revenge. Vampire's are all the rage on telly and at the movies, so why not introduce some fire to your food larder with this plum, garlic, habanero chilli relish. This hot concoction will complement red meats and according to VFM, their locally produced Pork and Stilton sausages with onion mash! Sounds divine. £3.90 for a 227ml jar. Buy online (enter GINLADY at checkout).

South Devon Chilli Farm harvests 10,000 chillies a year and create a range of yummy chilli sauces, preserves and chilli chocolate. Their Chilli Jam is their best-seller, pictured below right, and jazzes up cold meats, sandwiches, fish and eggs. We also like the idea of Hot Apple Chilli Jelly, a simple recipe made with Bramley apples, organic unrefined sugar and fresh chillies. According to VFM "Chilli Jelly is excellent with cold meats and cheeses in sandwiches and can also be used with sweets such as cheesecake. Try mixing a teaspoonful into some peanut butter!" Inspired by the Aztecs and Mayans, blending chillies and chocolate is now a British product from the South Devon Chilli Farm. This British Chilli Farm offers two versions: A bag of chilli chocolate, and another bag blended with orange oil - sounds delicious! Visit South Devon Chilli Farm at VFM and grab yourself a 20% discount with our GINLADY coupon.

Now let's turn our attention to some chilli concoctions to further spice up your palate. A stir fry is one of the easiest and healthiest meals to rustle up, so why not try Mrs Huddleston's Hot Chilli Jelly! Mrs Huddleston sources fresh seasonal ingredients from local farmers in Buckinghamshire and never use artificial colourings, fillers, additives or preservatives – "only the best natural ingredients as you would use at home". Buy Mrs Huddleston's Jelly here. Clippy's Apples is another local producer you'll want to know about, particularly as their Handmade Apple, Redcurrant & Chilli Jelly is the perfect accompaniment to lamb. It's also great with cold meats, cheeses and tuna, salmon or trout. Buy now from VFM and add GINLADY at checkout to take advantage of our current 20% discount offer.

No larder is complete without a handy relish or pickle to add a different dimension to your cold meats and sandwiches. The Chillililli Relish is a GOLD GREAT TASTE AWARD WINNER being jampacked with chunky vegetables and spicy flavour. Partner with cold meats and a baked tattie and your left overs will be transformed! Equally delicious is Tree's Can't Dance Green Chilli Pickle. A favourite choice among chilli lovers, it's made with hot fresh green chillies marinated with sweet garlic and a secret blend of spices to create a flavour sensation. Buy online and enter GINLADY at checkout.

Red, Gold and Green is a British importer of the finest chillies. Their small curated range includes the oak smoked ‘Pasilla de Oaxaca’, a chilli grown in the cloud forests of Mexico; the traditional ‘Chipotle Meco’ smoked jalapeno, known in Mexico as the true Chipotle (and a very different chilli to the Chipotle found in most supermarkets); and the Kashmiri Mirchi, the definitive Indian chilli that adds a new dimension to any Indian dish. Even better, your chillies will arrive in 100% recycled paper bag but still arrive fresh when delivered to your door. Buy Red, Gold and Green chillies - and add GINLADY at checkout to get your 20% discount!

Another condiment that'll take pride of place in your larder is the BLUE Spicy Sauce. BLUE specialise in blueberry products and this spicy sauce is a fantastic stir fry sauce with hints of garlic, ginger and chilli - expect to see whole blueberries too - delicious. But this spicy sauce can also uplift a number of other dishes, such as bolognaise, casseroles, gravies and is delicious over roasted vegetables. Buy now from VFM and get your 20% discount by entering GINLADY at checkout.

The products in the spotlight here are by no means all the chilli products available at the Virtual Farmer's Market Chilli Central. There are many more wonderful chilli creations, not least the David's Chilli Oil. The GIN Lady drizzled this over one of her leftover meals - cold roast pork, pea and wholegrain rice dish - this chilli oil completely transformed it from a dry, rather dull dish into something utterly delicious!

Visit VFM's Chilli Central today, and enter GINLADY to get your exclusive 20% discount - we highly recommend a buying spree to update your larder with some chilli spice!

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Wednesday
Mar312010

Alice In Wonderland Inspired Fair Trade Tea

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Alice In Wonderland has inspired many a mad hatters tea party, but it wouldn't be complete without Clipper's limited edition of loose leaf teas inspired by the magical story. Loose leaf tea is the best way to drink tea - the tea making ritual slows and calms us down, and whether it's for some quiet contemplation or to share among a gaggle of friends and work mates, loose leaf tea tastes a whole lot better than a tea bag dumped into a mug. The GIN Lady has been sipping the lovely Alice Tea, a tasty Assam Ceylon blend that's Fair trade too, making it feel soooo much better too. You won't be able to find this or the other Alice inspired limited edition teas in the shops so read on to discover where to find them, and you may well be tempted to enter their prize draw as well to win yourself a limited edition Alice in Wonderland tea pot and teas as well!

Just like the 3D Alice In Wonderland movie, Clipper's limited edition teas and blends are an imaginative twist on a classic tea. No, you won't enter a 3D world like Alice does, but you will want to respond to the 'Drink Me' call!

We have three limited edition teas to choose from: Alice Tea, which blends the warm, full bodied taste of Assam with the citrus, lighter taste of Ceylon; Queen of Hearts Blend, a more delicate tea featuring Earl Grey and a touch of bergamot; and Silver Needles, playing on the white rabbit, which is made from the delicious (we can't get enough of!) white tea. Clipper's white tea is sourced from a very high quality source in China and uses the finest delicate buds and boasts "a slight peachy sweetness".

The GIN Lady has merrily sipped on Clipper's Alice Tea, and definitely think it's worth while buying the whole limited edition - only available at Clipper's online shop - if anything to enjoy loose tea again. Like many of you, we've succumbed to the convenience of a tea bag (a Clipper one mind you!), but there's definitely room in our beverage cabinet for some loose teas too... to help us slow down and enjoy life more.

While we'd love you to join us in buying some limited edition teas, in view of its limited nature, you may also want to enter Clipper's prize draw to win "some lovely Clipper crockery so that you can have your own Mad Hatter's Tea Party!" Five lucky people will win a Clipper tea pot, 2 mugs and 1 of each of their 3 limited edition Alice in Wonderland inspired loose teas. Enter Clipper's Prize Draw here!

To sip Clipper Teas and to find out more, visit their very funky website today!

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