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Best of British
Food and drink news
Which new products are worth buying? What's happening in the food world? Every few weeks we'll aim to showcase the best new foods in the shops or from online suppliers and pass on the good news. Watch this space...
You’ll jump at kangaroo!
Bored of beefburgers? Sick of pork sausages? If so, you might like to try something more exotic from Freedown Foods such as crocodile tournedos, bison burgers, kangaroo fillets, wild boar sausages and ostrich and kudu steaks. The verdict? Succulent, gamey meat that responds well to pan-frying or grilling or, for the kangaroo, a Thai-style recipe. Ostrich had quite a strong flavour, crocodile was akin to monkfish and kudu – our favourite – was similar to a really good fillet steak. Freedown also supply gorgeous, melt-in-the-mouth pata negra Iberico pork medallions. Selection packs for 4-8 people from £30.
Sabai, sabai
In Thai, sabai sabai means chilled out, so it’s a good name for the exciting new Sabai Wine Spritzer with Pomegranate. A refreshing combination of Thai fruit wine, soda and pomegranate – the wonder fruit packed with antioxidants – it’s at its best drunk over ice and, with just 5% alcohol, is a good choice at parties for those who don’t want to drink too much. Available from Tesco for £4.99 for 4 x 275ml bottles and in 900 bars across the UK.
Oil from home
Oleifera may sound as if it's from the Algarve, but in fact this smooth, mild, cold-pressed rapeseed oil is made by farmers in Northumberland – a plus point for those who prefer to avoid air miles. It’s not just an ethical choice, though: rapeseed oil has less than half the saturated fat of olive oil and 10 times as much omega 3, plus vitamin E; like olive oil, it is also high in monounsatured fat, which appears to lower levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol. Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall has described rapeseed oil as “a really good all-rounder in the kitchen”, ideal for dressings, mayonnaise and cooking; from £6 for 500ml.
The organic dram
If, like me, you find many whiskies too harsh, I’d urge you to try silky-smooth, organic Benromach – the first bottled single malt whisky to be fully certified by the Soil Association. Using organic malted barley and local spring water, Benromach is made by just two men at Speyside’s smallest distillery and matured in American oak casks to give a wonderful complex, rich character that epitomises Scotch whisky at its best. Benromach's website describes its character as charred oak aromas, sweet vanilla and toffee flavours and a fruitiness that remains when diluted; £26.99-£28.99 for a 70cl bottle.
What's new?
Kensington’s new Whole Foods Market is truly fabulous. Promoting natural, organic foods and local food artisans, it’s an exciting way to shop: food sampling and takeaway selections mingle with thousands of fresh, organic and all-natural ingredients in every department. Where else could you find 40 varieties of house-made sausage, over 10,000 grocery items and a 12-metre-long seafood counter under one roof? The salad bar stretches for miles and there’s every ready-made dish imaginable – from sushi to crab cakes, antipasti to risotto – for easy suppers and impressive entertaining.
Magic masala
Those of us who love authentic Indian food but don’t quite have the time to sun-bake our own spices then grind them for keeping as they do in the Punjab will love Magic Masala. Based on a traditional recipe it contains 15 natural ingredients (most shop-bought masala has only six) which gives a wonderful fragrance, complexity and depth of flavour. Use it in curries or add a flavoursome touch to anything from baked beans to casseroles and marinades. £4.99 for 100g tin.
Who’s blushing?
Merchant Gourmet specialises in some of the world’s greatest foodstuffs. For summer cooking, we love wheat-, gluten- and nut-free Sunblush® tomatoes – sun ripened Mediterranean tomatoes, slowly oven roasted then steeped in oil, garlic and oregano to enhance their rich, tangy flavour. Softer, juicier and less overpowering than sun-dried tomatoes, they add depth of flavour and colour to pasta, salads, pizzas and sandwiches. £2.49 for 240g from major supermarkets.
Spuds you’ll like…
If you think all potatoes are the same, you’re in for a surprise. The Real Potato Co has introduced two new varieties to the UK: Bellini and Piccolo, the former a good, all-purpose spud, the latter ideal for salads. Bellini boiled up well and had a very good texture that suggests it won’t fall apart in a soggy heap. The flavour was good too; look out for both varieties in larger Tesco branches. Bellini is £1.88 per 2kg pack; Piccolo will be launching at the end of June.
