Advertisement
Treat yourself!
Frugal and fabulous!
Online temptation...
What's on at the football club?
Food and drink news
What's the latest must-have product? Delia Online editor Jo Hill has discovered the best muesli ever, a wonderful alternative to Parmesan, a tonic to give your G&T a tonic, superb mayonnaise and a host of other foods.
Give breakfast a boost!
If, like me, you love muesli but end up picking out the one ingredient you hate (in my case, dried apricots), you'll love this brilliant product from muddycook.co.uk. Make up your own bespoke breakfast cereal from an online menu: base, grains, fruits, seeds, nuts and extras. The muesli then arrives in a stylish paper bag with your chosen name on the label! My combo of oats, dried mulberries, raspberries, nuts and amaranth pops is proving so popular I've even had to hide it from the rest of the family...
Grand grana padano
Grana padano - an unpasteurised hard cow's milk cheese from Italy's Po Valley provinces - has a wonderful grainy texture (hence the 'grana' in its name). Use it as you would use Parmesan...for sprinkling over pasta and risotto dishes, or in shavings over salads and summer recipes. It also makes the most wonderful cheese for a cheeseboard and would be superb with pears, apples or grapes. £3.35 per 200g from Waitrose.
A real tonic
Just as the weather heads out of winter, many of us will be looking ahead to a refreshing G&T as the sun goes down... if so, liven up your evening tipple with Schweppes new Hint of Pomegranate tonic or Russchian - which gives vodka an intriguing and delicious flavour. They're also brilliant for cocktails. £0.89 from major supermarkets.
Let's hear it for oxtail!
Fashionable oxtail is a real treat - especially from Donald Russell, whose quality standards ensure that the meat has depth of flavour and practically falls off the bone after cooking. We casseroled it with red wine, woody herbs, mushrooms and other wintry veg - superb! £26 for six servings. The good news, too, is that Donald Russell has lowered its delivery charges: £5 per order up to £80; over £80 free.
Sweet success
Those trying to reduce their sugar intake, on a low GI diet or diabetics will enjoy using Fruisana fruit sugar (made from fructose, found in fruit and honey), a less refined sweetener than many on the market. It's nearly twice as sweet as standard sugar, so you can use up to 33% less for the same result! Suitable for fruit dishes such as stewed fruit and crumbles, as well as baking and preserves, a major plus in my view is that it doesn't have the unpleasant aftertaste you get with some artificial sweeteners. From Sainsburys and good health food stores; £1.19
for 250g.
A brilliant bourbon
Unlike Scotch whisky, which can be made from several different grains, bourbon is primarily made in America from corn since the 18th century, originating in Bourbon County, Kentucky. Woodford Reserve bourbon has a velvety, gentle character and wonderful toffee flavours - ideal for those who prefer their whisky to be quite subtle. Available from Harvey Nichols, Waitrose, Selfridges and selected Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda and Threshers.from £24.99.
A fab fish supper
Young's new Salmon en Croute is a must-have for the freezer (along with Delia's latest cheat finds, of course). Cooked from frozen in just 45 minutes, it's a gorgeous combination of sustainable Wild Alaskan pink salmon, butter puff pastry, dry vermouth, parsley and fish stock. Perfect at this time of year with purple sprouting broccoli or new-season peas and carrots. Available from major supermarkets, £2.99 for a 400g pack (chilled) or £2.49 for a 370g pack (frozen).
Mayo to go
We love Tracklements - all of its preserves and condiments are made to a small enough scale to ensure real quality control. The latest addition to the range is this wonderful mayonnaise, sourced in France and made to a traditional recipe. Wonderfully unctuous, it's made from free-range egg yolks and Dijon mustard to give a rich, smooth texture - perfect with lovely summer salmon and salads. From delis, butchers and farm shops nationwide; about £2.60 for a 275g jar.
