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Pies for one, intensely fruity cordials, the meatiest ribs, ices to die for and a wine idea from South Africa. Delia Online editor Jo Hill has rounded up her pick of the latest products...
A cool idea
Wine on the rocks? If your reaction is as sceptical as mine was, prepare to drink your words. Frozé, from South Africa (where, a friend tells me, it’s quite common to add ice to wine) is a delightful, very fruity wine that, with ice, makes the most refreshing drink for a hot day – more like sangria than standard wine. From Waitrose, Tesco and other outlets.
Crumbs! They’re gorgeous…
Crumbs and Doilies’ addictive cupcakes are a work of art, with state-of-the-art sprinkles (choose from over 100) and soft icing atop just-out-of-the-oven fresh sponge. Take them to a party, treat your girlfriends to afternoon tea, create a stylish tiered wedding or birthday cake, send them to a friend, make your children’s eyes light up, buy a box for yourself…the possibilities are endless.
Singularly good pies
One-portion pies are a great idea for those who live alone. We liked Simple Simon’s Perfect Pies, made in southern Scotland: as well as the usual chicken, beef and game, fillings include Butter Bean & Brie; Sicilian Style Calamari Pie and Haggis & Whisky. They also do fabulous two-portion casseroles that just need quick reheating.
Pure indulgence
Criterion Ices, established by an Italian family in 1920, makes mouthwatering, natural ice creams that are a real treat. Stem ginger offers the perfect balance of creamy vanilla and spicy ginger, while Belgian chocolate is less dark than many, making it popular with children and adults alike. Why not try the stem ginger with apple crumble or chocolate puds?
Cordially yours
If, like me, you prefer drinks that aren’t packed with artifice, you’ll love Pixley’s vitamin-C-charged superfruit cordials in Blackcurrant, Blackcurrant & Elderflower and Blackcurrant & Scottish Raspberry. Full of fruitiness, you simply dilute them with water and add lots of ice for a great cool-me-down. (Alternatively, for a more adult version, add to cocktails and long drinks.) Or use them in recipes with game and other meats.
Ribticklingly good
As you’d expect from Donald Russell, its beef back ribs are utterly succulent, meaty and ideal for barbecuing – or cook them in the oven, anointed with oil, salt and pepper. If you prefer, jazz them up with a herb and breadcrumb rub, sweet chilli sauce or mustard-and-oil mix. Either way, they’re a real treat.
Add blush to your cooking
Merchant Gourmet’s Sunblush tomatoes are a real treat in your summer cooking: not as overpowering as the sun-dried variety, they are soft and flavourful enough to add interest without dominating delicate fish or chicken. Add them to salads, pasta, risotto – anything really!
