August Food & Drink News – Whether or not you’ve been (or plan to go) on holiday this month, you can recreate the holiday vibe with all the fabulous products from unearthed®. A recent discovery for me is the Basque Cheesecake – frozen, so can always be at the ready. You get two indulgent Basque cheesecakes, produced in Spain, using full-fat cream cheese, cream, and eggs. While British and American cheesecakes are smooth and creamy with crust, Basque Cheesecake is rich and creamy with a rustic edge and a golden burnt surface. They are also suitable for vegetarians. Once defrosted, keep desserts refrigerated below 5°C and consume within 24 hours. unearthed® Basque Cheesecake (2x100g) is available from Waitrose and Ocado £5
We have a fabulous fig crop this year and we’re indulging ourselves by combining them with Cypressa’s traditional Halloumi Cheese. Sourced from Cyprus, made with cow’s, goat’s and sheep’s milk with a hint of mint, it’s widely available in Ocado, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose. Grill or bake it or pop it in the air fryer. This mild, salty, and tangy cheese keeps its shape during cooking, so it’s also a perfect barbecue partner. Go on, you can imagine yourself in Greece.
Plant-based brand, The Happy Pear, has now launched into Ocado, with its delicious, all-natural and plant based hummus, tapenades, pestos and Dip & Snack pots (for healthy eating on the go).The Happy Pear chilled range is suitable for vegan and gluten free diets. FRRP £3.49 (pesto and tapenade), £2.69 (Happy Hummus and Reduced Fat Hummus) £2.89 (Sweet Beet Hummus and Red Pepper Hummus)) and £2.99 (Dip & Snack).
And while we’re indulging in all those lovely salads this summer, these new mayonnaise flavours and a new jam from Tracklements will add the perfect finishing touch. Sriracha Chilli Mayonnaise with fermented red chillies and garlic delivers a bold, smoky heat, acidity and a touch of garlic. Indulgent Garlic Mayonnaise is rich, smooth, and unapologetically bold, combining the creamy, classic mayo with the warm, depth of garlic. £3.10 / 200g per mayonnaise. Special Edition Shallot & Garlic Jam is rich, savoury, and subtly sweet with a gentle chilli warmth. It layers deep umami flavour from slow-cooked shallots and mellow garlic purée, with a hint of red chilli giving just enough heat. £3.95 / 190g available from fine food delis and farm shops nationwide and online at www.tracklements.co.uk.
British chocolate brand Ombar has launched a Dairy-Free ‘Blonde’ caramelised white chocolate bar in Tesco Extra Stores. It’s a luxurious dairy-free bar, with a caramel and vanilla taste and a creamy texture, that rivals traditional white chocolate – but with a healthier twist. Fair Trade, with organic ingredients, it’s vegan and gluten free too, with about half the sugar of normal white chocolate and no ‘nasties’. £2.75 for a 70g bar.
If you’re planning a spontaneous summer barbecue or relaxing over the bank holiday with friends, Promised Land wines bring a touch of Australian attitude and lifestyle to your glass. Part of the Wakefield portfolio, Promised Land wines are named after an area in the Clare Valley in South Australia, a region that company founder Bill Taylor believed was perfect for crafting world-class wine, a ‘promised land’ for viticulture. Wakefield Promised Land Pinot Grigio: Bright, crisp, and refreshing, this Pinot Grigio is great for lighter moments. Expect zesty citrus, tropical fruit and a whisper of honeysuckle. With no oak influence, the wine stays light – perfect with grilled seafood, summer salads, or simply on its own with a bowl of olives in the sun. Wakefield Promised Land Shiraz Cabernet: This smooth, medium-bodied red combines the richness of Shiraz with the structure of Cabernet. Ripe plum, cassis and a hint of liquorice shine through, balanced by soft oak tannins. It’s a comforting match for hearty pasta, roasted meats or a night in with a good film and better company. Each is £10 a bottle in Tesco.
I’ve long been a great fan of Codorniu cava (and was lucky enough to visit the winery itself last year) but I also really like Codorniu’s still wines: Codorniu Organic Rose – (Ocado, RRP: £10) a single varietal, organic rose wine made from 100% Grenache, with subtle aromas of ripe red fruits and fresh citrus notes. And I was delighted that they also produce one of my favourite Spanish whites: Albarino Organic Wine – (from £8.50 from Co-Op and Ocado) an elegant, refreshing wine crafted from grapes from two distinct vineyards, each fermented separately with selected yeasts to enhance complexity and texture. Aromatically, it begins with vibrant citrus notes of lime and grapefruit, evolving into delicate aromas of stone fruits and subtle white flowers against a mineral backdrop. Followed by freshness that gradually reveals more texture, leading to a prolonged, refreshing finish.
The Seasoned Gastronome