Old Chang Kee

By Paloma Lacy

Adaptability was the secret to surviving lockdown, and Old Chang Kee, which boasts two central London sites, continued to prosper during the period thanks to local delivery.

Fans of the restaurants in Goodge Street and Covent Garden which have now reopened have been enjoying Singapore curry puffs and curries from the comfort of their own home.

Starting out with a small delivery radius, huge demand warranted an extension of delivery within the M25.

The curry puff, Old Chang Kee’s best-selling item, is a Singaporean homage to a Cornish pasty, samosa or empanada.

The buttery pastry filled with meat, vegetables or potatoes and aromatic spices is a combo that’s hard to beat and excellent value at £2.95.

There’s also a range of curries that feeds two and costs £11.50.

Signature Singapore Chicken Curry is particularly good. Everything arrives frozen so you can stock up.

www.oldchangkee.co.uk Old Chang Kee began as one humble hawker store in 1950s Singapore, quickly growing a reputation for its now famous curry puffs.

It’s now a family-run business with over 90 outlets across Singapore.

Customers can of course pop into the Central London restaurants for hot meals cooked onsite.

English rum is actually a thing now. Small batch, premium spiced rum expertly and ethically crafted in the West Country by Devon Rum Co is putting it firmly on the map.

It’s strongly influenced by the sea, tides, wind, salt, sandy beaches, barbecues, the moors and stunning landscape.

Craft rum made in an ‘English Style’ with a blend of Caribbean rum from Jamaica and Guyana.

This blend of pot and column-stilled rum is created working with one of the world’s leading blenders and importers of traditional Caribbean rum.

Once landed in the UK, it’s mixed with distillery strength nectar with soft Devonia spring water to bring it down to a drinkable strength of 40% abv, giving the rum a unique local quality.

It’s then infused with a special recipe of natural aromatic spices, pepper and citrus zest.

Available to purchase from https://www.devonrumcompany.com/

There are a few weeks left to visit meat-free street food trader Bassal’s at Boxpark Croydon for vegan and vegetarian dishes with a Middle Eastern twist.

The Dorking-based restaurant can be found at Unit 27 in Boxpark until October 5.

The pop-up has quickly developed a following of dedicated vegans, as well as those trying to be more mindful of their meat consumption.

Main courses start at £5.95 and side dishes from £1.99, including moussaka and falafel.

Visit www.bassals.co.uk for more information.

Most snack foods that go crunch aren’t particularly good for you. That is, until now.

Kallo, the rice cake specialist, has come up with Veggie Cakes in two delicious flavours: beetroot & balsamic and pesto and spinach.

All the fun and taste of crisps, but with very little fat. Made with lentil and pea proteins, Veggie Cakes are satisfying an appetite for plant-based proteins.

The naturally nutritious snack is low in fat and calories, high in protein and fibre and, unlike many other healthy snack brands, is made with 100 per cent natural ingredients.

Intended to be used as a base to spread toppings on to – a bit like a cracker – they are tasty enough to munch on their own.

RRP £2.99 and available from all major supermarkets.

Marinating meat is essential for enhancing flavour and doing so overnight will give the best results.

By the time you’ve had dinner and cleared up, the next night’s dinner is probably the last thing on anyone’s mind.

However, these quick and easy marinade seasonings from Flava It are a great store cupboard staple, offering delicious marinade seasonings, including the signature Chinese blend, boasting hints of star anise, cinnamon and ginger; the sweet and smoky family favourite Smoky BBQ  and the refreshing Garden Mint, which works wonderfully with lamb.

RRP 75p and available at Tesco and Morrisons. Flava It (www.flavait.co.uk)