The last day of July, which also happens to be my son's birthday. This year he turns 13. Where has my baby boy gone? Time is just flying past so fast. I must be getting old! And now we're heading into August and we haven't even had a summer. Plenty of parcels being delivered over the past 4 weeks containing a real assortment of foodie goodies. I've also got a giveaway this month of two products that I've been really impressed with. More of that and details of how to enter at the end of this post.
Breakfast. The most important meal of the day. We all know that but hands up those who admit to rushing out the door on an empty stomach?! I find breakfast biscuits a really useful grab and go option on days where time is tight. McVities have recently launched a couple of new additions to their range which now comprises of Breakfast Biscuits, Oaty Breaks and Fruit & Oat Breaks. The biscuits are pretty much on par with others I've tried and the Fruit & Oat Breaks remind me somewhat of Garabaldi biscuits. However the big hit for me are the Oaty Bakes. I just can't get enough of these. Loved the Raisin and Cinnamon so much that I was reluctant to try the Porridge Oats and Golden Syrup variant but it's just as good. Crunchy, crumbly and almost granola like. Snapable fingers without the guilt of them being chocolate ones. I've been enjoying them washed down with a homemade breakfast smoothie. My one of choice at the moment is Strawberry, Blackcurrant & Coconut Water.
Thankfully I took a quick snap of The Foodie by James Steen before I packed it in my holiday suitcase. It's now suffering a wee bit with water damage, sand and suncream stains! Its author James is an award-winning journalist and food writer who has ghost written the autobiographies of Marco Pierre White, Raymond Blanc and Keith Floyd. "The Foodie" comprises curiosities, stories and expert tips from the culinary world alongside anecdotes from celebrity chefs. The book is easy reading for a foodie like myself, full of interesting snippets and food history. It contains a mishmash of fascinating facts, some of which were new to me and others that I'd already picked up along the way. Rather than read cover to cover I dipped in and out and will hang onto it as a reference book but not for the preparation advice on how to eat garden snails.
Published by Icon Books, £8.99 paperback, £6.99 ebook.
My next parcel is a sneaky peek at a new gadget from Zyliss which I'm going to be using in a recipe development project for them. It's an EasyPull Manual Food Processor. I think it's going to be really useful for camping and my outdoor foodie and foraging events. So far I've used it for making salsa and breadcrumbs and its great for onion chopping without tears. Perfect for those small jobs that you don't want the hassle of pulling out and washing up a full sized electric food processor for. Watch this space for the full review to come and my commissioned recipe.
rrp £24.99
These bags of snacks from Nothing But have the crunch of crisps with nothing but freeze dried fruit and vegetables. Low calorie snacking (26 - 76 cals per bag) and each bag is one of your five a day. The fruit and vegetables are quickly frozen to lock in the nutrients then sliced into bite sized pieces before the ice crystals are removed by freeze drying. I love the pineapple, girl can't get enough of the grapes and the strawberries taste like fizzy sherbet! The vegetable variants really weren't my thing, I liked the almost foamy/polystyrene texture of the fruit - almost like space food - but prefer my veggies fresh. 3 fruit and 3 vegetable varieties, rrp £1.25 per bag.
Postal subscription services for food boxes have really taken off in recent years both as as gift options or as a monthly treat for yourself. Carnivore Club UK is a monthly delivery service of British Artisan Charcuterie. The meats in the box change every month and the featured supplier the the first box I received was The Real Boar Company. In my parcel were wild boar cigars, duck and plum salami and wild boar and venison salami. Within the selection of cigars my absolute stand out favourite was the Game Salami. The price point for the box is definitely that of a luxury product and it does enable you to explore different charcuterie that you many not have otherwise discovered on your own. However I felt the quantity in terms of product weight was a bit lacking on this occasion but there was no mistaking the quality. I've got another box still to come and look forward to tasting its contents.
Get 20% off your first purchase at www.carnivoreclub.co with code Foodiequine20
£32 for one box or £29 if you commit to the monthly subscription (Subscriptions can be monthly, bimonthly or quarterly)
£32 for one box or £29 if you commit to the monthly subscription (Subscriptions can be monthly, bimonthly or quarterly)
The letterbox snack folk at graze.com have recently launched a new range of mini snack boxes. There's a mix of sweet and savoury within the dozen now available and my particular favourites were the Smokehouse BBQ Crunch (BBQ peas, corn chips and jumbo chilli corn) and the Salted Fudge and Peanut Cookie (St. Ives Cornish vanilla fudge with mini chocolate cookies, redskin and salted peanuts). Over the last 7 years millions of online ratings have been gathered by graze about what people love to snack on and now their snacking expertise is available on the high street as well as online. Some packs count as one of your 5 a day, others are natural sources of protein and none contain any artificial flavours, colours or preservatives. rrp £1.19-£1.49 Sainsbury's, Boots and WH Smith Travel.
Green cleaning company Ecover have launched a new and improved washing up liquid and sent me some to try out as part of their #greenandclean challenge. I knew of the brand but hadn't used their products in my home although we do always use their hand wash at our outdoor Mud Pies & Foodie Quine events. The new formulation claims to wash up to 40% more plates and perform just as well as conventional cleaners. I set it the hard task of washing all the dishes from a day in the woods with 80 people making pancakes, blaeberry jam and toasting marshmallows. It handled the challenging task really well ably assisted by a recycled washing up brush. I absolutely loved the natural Lemon and Aloe Vera scent.
rrp £1.60 for 500ml
And now to my final parcel of the month which contained a Multi 5-in-1 Scissors and Knife Sharpener Pro from AnySharp. When I posted about these on my Facebook Page I got lots of comments from people who already had one or the other and loved them. Always a good sign. Also picked up a couple of tips about their usage. Wash knives after sharpening to remove shards of metal and don't put the scissors in the dishwasher as it stiffens them. Time for me to try them out for myself.
The first thing that impressed me with the sharpener is that it can be used for serrated blades as well as standard knives. None of my serrated knives have ever been sharpened. I've got a steel which I do use for sharpening my knives but I'm never sure if I've got the angle right. With AnySharp all the guess work is removed. Attach it to any smooth surface with its suction cup base, gently draw the blade through 3 or 4 times and sharpness is restored.
Is it possible to get excited about scissors? I didn't think it was but the Smart Scissors are already proving to be very useful in the kitchen. I haven't tried them in all 5 ways but they can open a bottle and cut trough almost anything with ease. \Meat, bones and an old sim card. Birthday Boy has confirmed they work well if you are left handed. Don't be put off by their rather odd looking shape as they are really comfortable to use.
Anysharp have provided both items (Knife Sharpener Pro RRP £17.49 and Multi 5-in-1 Scissors RRP £14.99) as a giveaway for readers of Foodie Quine. Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget below. To enter, let me know in a comment "What's your most used kitchen utensil?" For additional bonus entries you can follow me on Twitter, Tweet about the Giveaway or like me on Facebook. Giveaway ends 14th August 2015 12:00am. Good Luck!
Disclosure : Thanks to McVities, Icon Books, Zyliss, Nothing But, Carnivore Club, graze, Ecover and AnySharp for providing the above products. I was not obliged to review positively in return. All views expressed are my own. This is not a paid post.
If you're a brand who'd like to have your product featured here, please do get in touch claire@foodiequine.co.uk
My fine grater - for parmesan, nutmeg and ginger - it's used at almost every meal
ReplyDeleteMy spatula it comes in handy for all sorts of different things
ReplyDeleteprobably the grater
ReplyDeletemy salad spinner at the moment, winter its my slo cooker
ReplyDeleteProbably a pair of scissors as I have ben adopted by an older cat who needs the meat I give him to be cut in small portions.
ReplyDeletemy cheese grater xx
ReplyDeleteIt's got to be my little all purpose knife
ReplyDeleteFood parcels in the post have to be the most wonderful thing. I particularly the look of the carnivore club!
ReplyDeleteHas to be the large chef's knife. As well as it's main purpose (Cutting), it is large enough to use as a spatula. I tend to turn things over with it when using saute pan.
ReplyDeletelarge kitchen knife
ReplyDeletegrater
ReplyDeletethe apple corer
ReplyDeleteOUR SLOW COOKER
ReplyDeleteMy crinkle cut chipper
ReplyDeleteTin opener
ReplyDeleteI love food parcels as it gives us a chance to try out some new products. I love the scissors and gadgets too.
ReplyDeleteMy wooden spoons - could not live without them
ReplyDeleteGrater
ReplyDeleteThe slotted spoons
ReplyDeletemy set of knives, always handy!
ReplyDeleteNice giveaway! probably my grater! :)
ReplyDeleteMy big chef's knife although it desperately needs sharpening so fingers crossed that I might win this amazing sharpener
ReplyDeletescissors and knives
ReplyDeleteMy big chefs knife. I cook pretty much everything from scratch so its used every day
ReplyDeleteMy vegetable knife.
ReplyDeleteHazel Rea - @beachrambler
Bread knife
ReplyDeleteWooden Spoon
ReplyDeleteClaire D
cheese grater
ReplyDeleteThe slotted spoon
ReplyDeleteMy silicone whisk, i love it x
ReplyDeleteMy pair of Sabatier Santoku knives. I cook a lot from scratch so these knives are used daily for preparation of all my meals.
ReplyDeletei think my fish slice is used most lol
ReplyDeleteVegetable peeler
ReplyDeleteCooks Knife, it pretty all much starts here
ReplyDeletemy io shen knife
ReplyDeleteHard to say, but probably the kitchen scissors, or the vegetable knife.
ReplyDeleteMy cylinder cheese grater
ReplyDeleteWooden spoons for cooking
ReplyDeletemy spatula
ReplyDeletepotato peeler
ReplyDeleteMy chefs Knife
ReplyDeleteScissors
ReplyDeleteMy chef's knife - used daily and so useful
ReplyDeleteWhat's your most used kitchen utensil? . . . . . my kettle
ReplyDeleteIt has to be my spoons used for cooking
ReplyDeleteWould have to be the cheese grater
ReplyDeleteMy collapsable strainer,I use it virtually every day,from draining veg to pasta,I love that it folds flat unlike the rigid metal ones and takes up very little room x
ReplyDeleteOur cheese grater!
ReplyDeleteThe tin opener!
ReplyDeleteUtility knife
ReplyDelete~ Anthony G
My peeler! Xx
ReplyDeletemy tin opener
ReplyDeletetin opener :)
ReplyDeleteMy small sharp vegetable knife closely followed by the grater
ReplyDeleteMy electric tin opener
ReplyDeleteCheese grater
ReplyDeleteThe dishwasher
ReplyDeleteThe Kettle.
ReplyDeleteI use a kitchen chopper the most
ReplyDeleteMy spatulas
ReplyDeleteGarlic grater.
ReplyDeleteMy tin opener.x
ReplyDeleteThe grater I think - I use it for all sorts of things :-)
ReplyDeleteKitchen knives
ReplyDeleteThe cheese grater
ReplyDeletemy slower cooker atm
ReplyDeleteMy best kitchen knife
ReplyDeleteMy chefs knife
ReplyDeleteThe kettle - I'm always having a brew!
ReplyDeleteMy kettle need my morning cuppa
ReplyDeleteMy large chefs knife.
ReplyDeleteit has to be my grater x
ReplyDeleteMy chef's knife!
ReplyDeletemy cooks knife - struggled for ages with other knives before finally investing in a proper cooks knife and now love it!
ReplyDeleteMy masher!
ReplyDeleteMy slow cooker!
ReplyDeleteAshleigh
my grater
ReplyDeleteMy old paring knife that I inherited from my grandparents
ReplyDeletemy kitchen tongs. Its so multi-functional. Used in the kitchen for turning meat in a frying pan, roast potatoes in the oven and imperative when you're having a BBQ outside for those sausages, burgers etc
ReplyDeleteMy kitchen knives
ReplyDeleteMy favourite knife
ReplyDeletemy small sharp kitchen knife
ReplyDeleteThe Kettle - it never gets a moment's rest!
ReplyDeleteMy really cheap electric hand whisk, gets used the most and is probably the cheapest gadget I own!
ReplyDeleteThe toaster
ReplyDeleteMy silicon scraper
ReplyDeleteKitchen scissors
ReplyDeleteMy kitchen knives.
ReplyDeleteMy microwave
ReplyDeletefood processor
ReplyDeletemy colander - it is the holey grail!
ReplyDeleteMy knives
ReplyDeletemy Global vegetable knife
ReplyDeleteThe scissors - I can't seem to get anything open!
ReplyDeletemy vegetable knife
ReplyDeleteChopping board
ReplyDeleteMy vegetable peeler, I use it for making ribbons of carrots and courgette when I make a stir-fry, as well :)
ReplyDeleteMy cook's knife definitely gets the most use of all the utensils!
ReplyDeleteMy kitchen knife
ReplyDeleteChopping board!
ReplyDeleteMy Paring Knife
ReplyDeleteMine is the garlic press - we have it with everything
ReplyDeleteMy chef's knife.
ReplyDeleteMy knife
ReplyDeleteMy garlic press
ReplyDeleteMy OXO Mandoline gets used plenty
ReplyDeleteI would agree with a lot of the comments on here about graters, knives but I will go with a spatula. I have several but one of the best is from the Jane Asher range at Poundland!
ReplyDeleteSpatchula
ReplyDeleteSlotted Spoon
ReplyDeleteThe small unserrated knife
ReplyDeleteProbably my Kenwood Mini Chopper. That thing is awesome.
ReplyDeletemy ceramic knifes.
ReplyDeleteMy bread knife.
ReplyDeleteMy stick blender - it's amazing what I can mae it do without dragging the food processor out!
ReplyDeleteProbably my garlic press. I have garlic in everything
ReplyDeleteSpork! :)
ReplyDeletetongs
ReplyDeleteMy chopping board, whether as a surface for chopping, mashing, or peeling, it gets used all the time.
ReplyDeleteMines got to be the Potato peeler.
ReplyDeletegot to be my toaster
ReplyDeleteCeramic knife
ReplyDeleteThe kettle, cant stop having tea.
ReplyDeletemySantoku knife
ReplyDeleteMy largest knife
ReplyDeleteprobably the grater or garlic press - leanne w
ReplyDeleteA small sharp knife
ReplyDeletemy chip pan
ReplyDeleteThe garlis press so much easier buying it pre done
ReplyDeleteMy veggie peeler
ReplyDeleteMy chopping knife does everything from chop veg to open parcels!
ReplyDeleteSpatula
ReplyDeleteMy blender is brilliant, I couldn't do without it now.
ReplyDeletefish slicer
ReplyDeleteMy chopping knife is always in use.
ReplyDeleteMy garlic crusher
ReplyDeletechopping board :)
ReplyDeleteMy apple corer. I peel and core apples daily for my little ones
ReplyDeletecheese grater
ReplyDeleteThe bread knife
ReplyDeleteMy large chefs knife, it chops, crushes, scoops and stirs
ReplyDeletemy wooden spoons!
ReplyDeleteA knife!
ReplyDeleteIt has to be a large knife as it can be used for more than just cutting
ReplyDeleteMy knife, I love chopping veg.
ReplyDeleteo;d Indian market knife and OXO peeler
ReplyDeleteMy husband
DeleteThe wooden spoon is used for everything.
ReplyDeletethe scissors! i use them for everything
ReplyDeleteMy ceramic utility knife is probably my most used kitchen item.
ReplyDeleteMy blender, so versatile.
ReplyDeleteProbably my bread knife, I use it for all sorts of things.
ReplyDeleteTHat would have to be between knifes and tongs
ReplyDeleteMy folding chopping board!
ReplyDeleteMy vegetable knife.
ReplyDeleteThe chopping board
ReplyDeleteour sharpest knife
ReplyDeletepizza cutter.
ReplyDeleteCeramic pan set
ReplyDeletethe chopping board
ReplyDeleteMicrowave. (it IS a combination oven, so not everything is microwaved, honest)
ReplyDeleteKitchen knives
ReplyDeleteThe chopping board
ReplyDeleteI thinks its the cheese grater that I use the most!
ReplyDeletemy small sharp knife
ReplyDeleteMY large kitchen knife
ReplyDeleteMy nutribullet has to be the winner in our kitchen, every morning for my smoothie and after my workouts for a protein shake. Also great to finely chop nuts for on top of meals/salads :)
ReplyDeletemy wooden spoon
ReplyDeletemy nutribullet
ReplyDeleteI love my silicon spatulas
ReplyDeleteDefinitely wooden spoon.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Gurney x
my cheese grater
ReplyDeleteMy chopping knife
ReplyDeleteButter knife
ReplyDeleteMy small all purpose knife
ReplyDeleteWooden spoon
ReplyDeleteTin opener!
ReplyDeleteMy small black handled knife. use it every day over and over.
ReplyDeletecarole n
knife
ReplyDeleteMy silicon spatula. I use it for almost every meal preparation.
ReplyDeletemy best knife
ReplyDeleteFish slice
ReplyDeletemy cooks knife
ReplyDeletemy vegetable peeler
ReplyDeleteCooks knife
ReplyDeleteThe multi purpose knife
ReplyDeleteSpatula because it has so many uses
ReplyDeletestick blender
ReplyDeleteMy spatula. EJ Dunn
ReplyDeletemy scissors
ReplyDeleteOur knife, although the end has fallen off now, ha ha.
ReplyDeleteMy mid sized knife is the one I always go for :)
ReplyDeleteThe bread knife
ReplyDeleteMy monkey potato peeler
ReplyDeletemy scissors :)
ReplyDeleteLittle black knife that is used for everything!
ReplyDeleteChefs Spoon
ReplyDeletesmall little knife that i think is meant for meat but i use it for everything! x
ReplyDeleteMy small sharpest knife
ReplyDeleteGizmo electric can opener
ReplyDeleteMy red handled sharp knife...which is no longer very sharp.
ReplyDelete