Is Christmas Really Only Four Months Away?
A few days ago we were basking in the Summer sun, enjoying drinks and bbq's in the garden, looking for ways to keep cool.
Now as we sit looking out on to a bleak day of drizzle and cloud it seems almost too early to be discussing Christmas but the onset of Autumn is only two weeks away.
And if Autumn is upon us then Christmas will be following close on its heels.
Luckily we have some great companies producing fabulous festive fancies and condiments to keep a smile on our face and, if nothing else, we can stop worrying about how good we will look in our bikinis and discover how much we can hide in our baggy jumpers and coats!
OK, so the colder months are not an excuse to comfort eat and it is wise to maintain a balanced diet all year round but when the East India Company are offering such luxuries as 'Caramel & Sea Salt' or 'Seville Orange Marmalade' biscuits to celebrate National Biscuit Month in September it can be hard to resist.
Their luxury biscuit collection range of exquisite sweet and savoury artisan biscuits perfectly encapsulates the company's journey across the globe, bringing together the finest ingredients from across the globe to offer remarkable flavour combinations and a twist on the classics.
Whether you are looking for a sublime sweet biscuit to accompany your tea or coffee break, a wonderful savoury biscuit that can take centre stage on any cheeseboard or the perfect nibble for drinks with friends, The East India Company has the definitive biscuit for you.
Price vary from £4.95 - £5.95 per box but these luxury items are for savouring not scoffing - Summer 2014 will be here before you can blink so everything in moderation.
If Christmas has you frantically searching for time-saving tips then look no further than The Bay Tree. Everyone needs a few short cuts up their sleeve to survive Christmas and to make sure there's enough time to spend with friends and relatives, rather than slaving over a hot stove. Artisan food producer, The Bay Tree, has conjured up some great survival tips on making delicious cheats which taste just like home-cooking, using its stock-cupboard essentials.
For a last minute quick dip heat a few tablespoons of The Bay Tree Hot Chilli Jelly and pour it over cream cheese or any fresh cheese, to serve as a starter/dip with crackers. Or give it a quick whiz with cream cheese to make a spicy dip for crudités or chips.
For an easy pudding, simply serve The Bay Tree Marinated Miniature Figs or The Bay Tree Apricots & Almonds in Amaretto with ice cream.
Create a couple of quick pudding options by mixing a jar of The Bay Tree Raspberry Curd (Great Taste 3-star) with whipped cream and, crushed meringues for Eton mess or mix a jar of The Bay Tree Passion Fruit Curd with a whole egg and pour into a ready-made tart case, then cook until set for a passion fruit tart.
Having grown up on the family's delicious, homemade Cucumber Relish, chef Emma Macdonald had the simple idea that full flavoured, quality chutneys and preserves needed to be brought to the speciality sector and The Bay Tree was launched. Sales went through the roof, awards came thick and fast and to this day the ethos of The Bay Tree Food Company remains the same - traditional cooking methods, quality ingredients with nothing nasty or artificial added, and recipes which are based on home cooking.