Pampered Foods
Magners Light Low Calorie Cider
Magners has always been my preferred choice of Cider. I wouldn’t have a summer barbecue without serving my friends a chilled bottle of Magners. To me, it goes hand in hand with warmer weather and outdoor fun. Slimming world may have reduced the cider consumption somewhat, or at least ensured I only have one bottle but fear not – Magners have released a new range of low calorie ciders and they are the first company to do this!
Magners Light low calorie cider comes in 3 flavours each just as refreshing as the original Magners. Containing 30% less calories yet tasting just a good, this will be sure to be one of the most popular and refreshing drinks this summer.
Gift Reviews, Pampered Foods
Demijohn Raspberry Vodka Liqueur
This has got to be the ultimate (alcoholic) Valentine’s day gift! I adore this Demijohn Raspberry Vodka Liqueur and I am crazy about the bottle! Isn’t it fab?
Demijohn are the most amazing liquid Deli ever. They are a family business founded in 2004 in Edinburgh. The family now have several shops and an online service. The products are locally sourced and some of the ingredients are even handpicked by the Demijohn staff. The company is incredibly environmentally friendly in that they recycle their bottles, use local ingredients, use recycled packaging, etc.
Gift Reviews, Pampered Foods
Patchwork Pate Boozy Box – Chase Extra Dry Gin.
As far as websites go I like to think I have seen it all, or so I thought. If you do nothing else today, have a look at Patchwork Pate! This is one well designed and illustrated site. I simply love it. The images are fab and it is definitely one of the easiest navigated sites ever. The information is clearly given and they also give just the right amount of details about the products. I love the illustration below for a scrumptious Bloody Mark Pate, yum!
I was checking out Patchwork Pate with regards to writing a feature for Valentine’s day and highlighting a few gift suggestions. That was easy – there are many fab gift ideas and hampers to choose from and products to suit all budgets.
In particular I adore the Boozy Box – Chase Extra Dry Gin.
I am including a few of my own photos as I was so impressed with the packing of this box. I had such fun opening it!
This gift box arrived in perfect condition, which is more than I can usually say for my usual post! This has to be because of the expert care Patchwork Pate took to pack my Boozy Box.
‘A fab combination of a bottle Chase Extra Dry Gin accompanied by our Chase Chicken Liver pâté with Chase Extra Dry Gin and some yummy Spelt Fingers to spread it on. Beautifully presented in a wooden gift box’ (Patchwork Pate) RRP £47.70.
I am a little bias as chicken liver pate has always been my favourite, however, this was the best pate I have ever tasted. I am so hooked now and have been scouring the site wondering which one to order next! There are so many to choose from, and some very interesting combinations. As a Valentine’s Day gift, this would be perfect for your other half – I know mine would love it. What better drink to include than gin and such a good gin as well.
If you are shopping for an unusual Valentine’s day gift, do have a look at some of the products on offer. There are Pate’s to suit all budgets and some of the taste combinations sound so delicious.
For further information visit www.patchwork-pate.co.uk
Gift Reviews, Pampered Foods
Monin Coffee Syrup and Cocktail Syrup Gift Sets.
Looking for something a little bit special and different for Valentine’s day this year? Monin have some great gift sets which can be used to make gorgeous coffee and also fabulous cocktails.
The Monin Cocktail Set contains 5 mini bottles of Cocktail Syrup – Mojito Mint, Coconut, Curacao Blue syrup, Passion Fruit and Grenadine. A recipe book is included which guides you through the steps to making the perfect cocktail. You can easily produce Pina Coladas, Tequila Sunrises and many other well-known cocktail drinks.
The recipes are simple, some are even detailing how to make non-alcoholic drinks using the syrups such as smoothies and exotic juices. This would be amazing as a Valentine’s day gift, I mean, anyone can go to Tesco and buy a bottle of ready made cocktail, but why not make your own in a few easy steps?
The Monin coffee syrup gift set is also excellent. I love the different flavours and would find it difficult to pick a favorite. The gift selection includes 5 different tastes – caramel, vanilla, hazelnut, gingerbread and chocolate cookie. Each of these added to coffee transforms your morning cuppa into a delicious taste experience, not to mentioning impressing your friends at a coffee morning!
Visit www.monin.com for thousands of fab recipes or download the free Monin Ultimate Cocktails App for Android and iPhone.
I can’t recommend these sets enough, for your own pleasure, but also as a gift for someone special this Valentine’s Day.
The Monin Coffee Syrup and Cocktail Sets retail at £6.99, and are available from Tesco, Lakeland and creamsupplies.co.uk
Gift Reviews, Pampered Foods
Coole Swan.
I can’t think of a tastier treat to snuggle down on the sofa with this Valentine’s Day than Coole Swan!
Coole Swan is my no.1 from the very first sip, but how could it be anything else?? Made from a combination of malt Irish whiskey, diary cream and Belgian white chocolate, Coole Swan is the ultimate in exquisite taste sensation. I do believe I can taste every ingredient with each sip. I love that there are no artificial anything included so you can be sure this is a 100% natural product. The team certainly have the best accompanying quote with their product -‘we are not here for a long time, we are here for a good time’ !
Made in county Meath in Ireland, this fabulous liqueur, true to its heritage, is named after a poem by none other than the great W B Yates – ‘The Wild Swans of Coole’. I first experienced this drink at the local town show where representatives had a stand, encouraging people to sample. I needed no encouragement and went by that particular stand more than once!
If you have yet to try Coole Swan, please do. It is presented in a beautiful white bottle, reminiscent of the old Victorian milk bottles thus making this a wonderful gift to present to your special someone on Valentine’s day. Its at times like this I really wish my husband reads this post and decides to give his ‘wonderful wife’ a bottle of Coole Swan this Valentine’s Day.
Coole Swan can be purchased from John Lewis and more information can be found online at www.cooleswan.com
RRP £22 for 750mls.
Gift Reviews, Pampered Foods
Christmas foods to compliment your table 2014
Smith & Kinghorn Hampers.
I am beginning with the best this year! If you have yet to discover Smith & Kinghorn Hampers don’t delay any longer. These hampers are wonderful and will bring some Christmas cheer to any home lucky enough to receive one.
Full of festive goodies, I was delighted with my hamper. I have had quite a few Christmas hampers in the past and with Smith & Kinghorn all of the contents are easily used by ‘normal’ people – no ‘far fetched’ items which look good but you have no idea how to use them!! They contain goodies like Thorntons chocolate, mustard, crackers, chutney, etc all of which tasted great and have been produced by award winning food and drink companies. I have to admit I saved the Walkers white chocolate and raspberry cookies for myself! These are way too good to share.
There are 2 hampers to choose from so you will really be spoiled for choice.
The hampers are buy one get one free at the moment but this offer expired so be quick! All products are from the UK which is a huge bonus. This is so much better for the environment as there are less ‘air miles’.
RRP £49.99 including delivery. www.smith&kinghornhampers.co.uk
Galloway Lodge has been producing the finest preserves and chutneys in Scotland from 1971 and they even rivel my hubbys grandmother’s best jam – and that’s really an achievement!
My favourite and absolute must is the Bladnoch Whisky Marmalade.
‘A good tot of single malt whisky from Scotland’s most southerly distillery adds a little zing to this marmalade’ (Galloway Lodge)
There simply is no better breakfast than this superb Whisky Marmalade on toast. The whisky flavour rings true with every scrumptious bite perfectly complimenting the more traditional marmalade taste experience.
Another delicious product is the Chilli Jam. This is the ultimate topping on crackers with a good cheese – I love it! The texture is perfect and the taste so delish.
Have a look online at www.gallowaylodge.co.uk
The selection is really excellent with products to appeal to all tastes.
Fairfields Farm Crisps.
I was rather impressed with this company, they put a lot of effort into their work ethos, individual taste and presentation.
Fairfields Farm crisps is UK based and managed by husband and wife, Robert and Laura Strathern. The business was set up in 2006 and has grown from strength to strength.
I love the variety of flavours and for Christmas 2014 they have a new taste sensation, Turkey, Sage & Onion! These need to be sampled to be believed. They went down very well in my household and I will be purchasing again. I also was keen on the lightly salted parsnip – parsnip being a favourite taste of mine, so I was delighted to discover these crisps.
Have a look online, there are some very interesting flavours which sound delicious.
For further information visit www.fairfieldsfarmcrisps.co.uk
Colman’s Mustard – 200th Anniversary limited edition vintage jars.
Wow, I love vintage so snapped these up right away! The limited edition jars from Colmans are actually the original designs from long ago so you can’t get more original or vintage than that!
There are 3 design to choose from and I have them all. We use a lot of mustard year round as well as at Christmas. Did you know there is very very little fat in mustard despite the amazing zing it adds to any food?
Perfect for adding tradition to your Christmas table and excellent in a gift bag or hamper, these jars retail at £0.99 (100g) and £1.59 (170g).
Limited Edition Ben de Lisi Ryvita Tin.
Ryvita, I love it. So much healthier than bread and with none of the bloat factor! Ryvita has always been a favorite with slimmers and we have plenty of choice with so many different varieties. Now there is even more reason to buy Ryvita with this fab new tin to store the crackers in.
‘The award winning and internationally acclaimed designer, Ben de Lisi, renowned for his vibrantly modern designs across homewares and fashion, has teamed up with Ryvita® to create an exciting new limited edition for the popular Ryvita® Tin range’ (Ryvita)
My Ryvita tin sits proudly on my kitchen counter as it is much too cool to store in a cupboard. The eye catching abstract design looks really well and I have had lots of people commenting on it and asking how can they get one!
The Ryvita Ben de Lisi tin is limited and will sell out so be quick to snap this up. It would make a lovely little stocking for only £7.99
For further information visit www.ryvita.co.uk
Branston.
So, you have the crackers, now what do you put on them? Nothing other than some of the new chutneys from Branston! I have tried both the new flavours – Caramelised Onion and Mediterranean Tomato and cannot choose a favourite.
Both would be delicious with cheese, both hard and soft, on any type of cracker. The jars look as appetizing as the contents are and they will definitely add some festive spirit to your Christmas table. I made a wicked goats cheese tart with the onion chutney on the base – it went down a treat with my sisters – yet another occasion where they said, ‘ Did you really make this??’ – so it must have been good!
Super value at only £1.49 and easily picked up in your local supermarket.
I was delighted with the recipes I found online as well. As an avid sandwich lover, there are lots of interesting yet simple ways to use branston to add some fab flavour to any old sandwich.
For further information and recipes visit www.bringoutthebranston.co.uk
Shloer Celebration.
To compliment these delicious foodie gifts why not choose a bottle of sparkling Shloer Celebration?
The Christmas party season beacons and with it the familiar sound of bottle corks popping – is there anyone who doesn’t love this sound? Yes, those who are the designated driver! However, non-drinkers and drivers can appreciate a lovely bottle of Shloer Celebration in 2 flavors.
I recall Shloer from when I was a child, mum always had red and white grape flavour on the table most mealtimes. Nowadays there are so many more flavours to choose from along with this bubbly version. I would point out that Shloer contains no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives – a big issue with most mummies and fast becoming the topic of 2014. People are more aware now than ever of the ‘disadvantages’ of artificial additives.
‘Shloer Celebration White Bubbly has a crisp and full bodied flavour, using the very best in white grape juices to create the perfect glass of fizz – no alcohol required! Best served chilled.
Shloer Celebration Pink Fizz is a fresh and fruity combination with the vibrant flavours of red and white grape juices fused together to create a beautiful sparkling rosé juice drink. Best serve chilled.’ (Shloer)
Very good value – RRP £2.99
Licor 43.
For those of you who like a Christmas with a little bit of a ‘kick’ you have to try Licor 43. A leading drink in its homeland, Spain, Licor 43 is now available closer to home.
I adore a little something in my Christmas coffee and am always experimenting adding this and that and topping my coffee up with a little cream. Never have I had as gorgeous a liquor to grace my palatte – this is so yummy! Vanilla and caramel are my 2 favorite flavors so that is probably why this is such a huge hit with me.
My parents came for lunch last Sunday and instead of being offered a traditional Irish coffee I presented them with a long hot coffee with Licor 43, topped with whipped double cream. They both loved it and of course mum was on the internet that evening to purchase some of her own!
Aside from coffee, licor 43 can be enjoyed straight and in a variety of recipes all of which can be found online. I recommend the Apple Pie shown below – this would make a fab after dinner drink.
Licor 43 Apple Pie
• 25ml Licor 43
• 100ml cloudy apple juice
• Dash Angostura Bitters
Pour Licor 43 into a glass and top with cloudy apple juice and Angostura Bitters. For an extra treat top with whipped cream and cinnamon.
Licor 43 is available in selected Asda stores nationwide and from www.drinksupermarket.com RRP of £17.50 – £17.99.
Licor43 is distributed in the UK by Cellar Trends, the UK’s leading distributor of specialist wines and spirits.
Follow Licor43 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Licor43UK
Taylor’s Port.
Looking for something to compliment your cheese board? Taylor’s port will hit the spot. This late bottled vintage full bodied and velvety smooth port is a must for everyone’s table this Christmas.
Available from Asda, Tesco and Sanisburys, this can be picked up while you are doing your weekly shop and stored until Christmas.My husband and I have enjoyed a bottle of Taylor’s port and were very impressed. We would buy a bottle of port about once a month and enjoy it with cheese and crackers after dinner or even at suppertime. Taylor’s port didn’t disappoint and we have a bottle stashed away for Christmas evening.
For further information and recipes to accompany, visit www.Taylor.pt
Excellently priced at only £14.99
Pampered Experiences, Pampered Foods
Giraffe – for great family food in London.
My sister traveled to London the month before we ventured over the water ourselves. This was perfect timing in my opinion as she was able to feedback her experiences and she would know what we would enjoy and what to recommend – or not!
Visiting a Giraffe restaurant was top on her list of what she recommended was an absolute ‘must’ to do.
Gift Reviews, Pampered Foods
Blue Nun Gold for Father’s Day 2014.
I was delighted to recently get my hands on a bottle of ‘special’ sparkling white wine from Blue Nun. Special? Yes, very special. If you want to treat Dad to something a little bit different this father’s day this is the gift you should buy! Blue Nun Gold will dazzle and definitely impress any receiver.
The wine itself is delicious, with a full-bodied rounded flavour, making it a perfect accompaniment to a wide variety of meals. Of course, it would also be perfect for any special celebration or indeed just a girl’s night in!
BLUE NUN is one of the world’s oldest German wine brands, and was created in 1921 by H. Sichel Söhne. From there it has grown in popularity and is now recognised and loved worldwide.
Blue Nun Gold Edition 75cl bottles are available on-line only via www.drinksdirect.com priced under £10 or the mini bottles are available in ASDA stores nationwide priced at £2.25 each.
Pampered Experiences, Pampered Foods
Fire and Stone Covent Garden, London.
Our first ever family trip to London went well, in fact, very well. My plan was executed with precision – we had 4 days to see the sights and I made sure we literally did see ALL the sights (almost). We also enjoyed a fab meal in Fire and Stone – such a great restaurant!
Gift Reviews, Pampered Experiences, Pampered Foods
London City Cruises April 2014.
My recent trip to London was fab! I don’t know where to begin but I have to emphasize that you must never visit this vibrant city without having a City Cruise on the Thames.