Food & Drink: Tasty treats by Paloma Lacy
A lot more people have unfortunately found themselves with more time on their hands in their own homes.
Time spent in the garden is essential to everyone’s wellbeing and little surprise that the numbers of those taking up gardening is at all-time high.
With garden centres reopening last week, now’s the time to knock the garden into shape and
perhaps grow your own.
And even if you don’t have any outdoor space – there’s so much you can grow indoors, creating your own window box garden.
It’s not too late to plant cabbage, cauliflower, sprouts, and broccoli among other vegetables, and fruits, try strawberries.
A pretty good place to start, offering a world of green-fingered information is Sow Seeds, a family run business that sells a range of vegetable seeds, chilli seeds, green manure seeds, herb and wildflower seeds
Those baking up a storm but finding it difficult to get their hands on flour, may instead be able to get hold of these neat baking kits that include everything you need to make your own gluten-free pizza or focaccia.
Davina Steel’s family-friendly range is perfect for super simple baking with little ones and available to order online.
Taking all the work out of gluten-free baking, the Davina Steel delicious mixes couldn’t be easier to prepare – simply add water, oil and yeast, then mix, rise and bake!
Plus they are made using only natural ingredients with no hidden nasties and free from 13 known allergens.
For hearty pizzas, stock up on the Pizza Base Mix that will make the yummiest gluten-free tea for all the family.
It makes four tasty pizza bases, all you have to do is choose your favourite toppings!
If you prefer something sweeter, the delicious Chocolate Chip Focaccia is the ideal bake for all the family to tuck into or whip up a tasty afternoon tea with the Scone Mix (makes 8-10 scones).
Each kit boasts a two-year shelf life so you can stock up for the coming weeks and beyond,
knowing you can whip up moreish gluten-free goodies in no time at all!
Choose from six, easy-to-make recipes: Garlic & Rosemary Focaccia, Onion Focaccia, Chocolate Chip Focaccia, White Loaf Mix, Pizza Base Mix (makes four pizzas) and Scone Mix (makes 8-10 scones).
Available to order online and from Ocado and Sainsbury’s, the Focaccia Kits come in 300g kits, RRP £2.99 while the White Loaf Mix (300g), Pizza Base Mix (400g) and Scone Mix (300g) RRP £2.49.
To find out more visit www.davinasteel.com
Lockdown has helped highlight the services of food delivery services beyond the usual supermarkets.
If you are looking for high-welfare, genuinely free-range meat and sustainable fresh fish, Field & Flower fits the bill rather nicely. Recently voted Online Butcher Of The Year, flexible subscriptions offer traceability, while assuring quality of meat and fish.
A small box with 20 servings costs a little over £40 but includes skinless chicken breasts, premium beef mince, salmon fillets, back bacon, beef meatballs, boneless chicken thighs, terriyaki marinated beef skewers.
And you can also order cheese and butter, as well as deli items, including handmade pies and sausage rolls. Yum!
For more click here.
Chocolate for breakfast is surely a no-no? Well, not any more.
Whole Earth has launched chocolate and hazelnut peanut butter which has 80per cent less sugar than the standard chocolate spread.
It’s made without any refined sugar and simply sweetened
with dates.
A nutritious source of protein and fibre, the new peanut butter is the perfect nutritional alternative for those wanting to lead a healthy lifestyle without compromising on indulgence.
Available at Tesco – RRP £4.00 for 340g.