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Food & Drink

The Brigade Bar and Kitchen – a modern day brasserie serving up forward thinking plates of food and morals to match.

Founder and chef Simon Boyle has a book of stories of the lives the Beyond Food Foundation and The Brigade Bar and Kitchen have changed. From giving a sense of purpose to saving lives – the formula is tried and tested – inspire and support, give trust and ambition, allow room for growth and nurture along the way.

It is easy to get swept up in the glitz and glamour of the restaurant and bar scene, especially in the bright lights of London town. The quest for the allusive star, the perfectly plated tasting menus, the wine lists to rival encyclopaedias but strip it all back, go back to how it all started and you will always land in a similar place – food brings people together. Whether it is eating it, cooking it or both, it offers a sense of community, stability and familiarity and I believe along with Simon’s guidance, it is these building blocks that help lay the foundation to a new life, one that has now supported over 6000 homeless people.

Frustrated with the notion that not only people become homeless but stay homeless and exasperated with charities handing out blankets but not actually solving the problem at hand, Boyle knew he had an opportunity and a duty to make a difference. Utilising his skills, contacts and first hand experience at seeing what devastation can do – Simon was on the ground following the 2004 tsunami – the charity and restaurant were born.

On a bustling Tooley St, moments from London Bridge station, under the watchful eye of the Shard sits the weekday brasserie with an emphasis on fire cooking, an unfussy, sleek dining room and good, honest food. Hold the foams. As guests are shown to tables by an enthusiastic and passionate front of house team, licks of flames cast gold glows across the space via the open kitchen. The vibe is bustle, in keeping with the fast moving world outside. A sanctuary from the city this is not, more a dance partner – the plates come out fast, the chatter is loud, the energy high. The passion from the kitchen and wait staff alike is palpable and I wonder if it is a direct trickle down notion from Boyle, a man so determined to see change that a fire was lit within him.

We took in the classics to start – potted ham hock and a smoked chicken caesar, given the promise of a kitchen led by fire the chicken could have been a little more bold, I was hoping for almost acrid back notes balanced by sweet lettuce, instead the flavours were subtle – not unpleasant but not the punch in the face I was expecting. The mains are where the kitchen shone – sirloin steak with a smoked lemon aioli, covered in well made chimichurri  and spatchcock Suffolk chicken smothered in a sour cherry harissa, doused in cherry molasses, accompanied by charred corn. The fiery heart of the kitchen can be felt in every dish, be it the light smokiness of a sauce, a char of a vegetable or the down right blackenedness of a piece of meat – the welcome burnish of blistered skins and rendered fats tantalising tastebuds and nostrils alike.

I’m not sure I have ever experienced the flavour combination of chicken and sour cherry, when my friend ordered it I eye rolled, knowing he was doing so because he is one of those cross fitter types and a spatchcock chicken was probably the most suitable thing on the menu for his gains. How grateful I am for his need for grilled chicken because this was sensational. An absolute flavour bomb. The chicken so juicy and tender it fell off the bone, pops of sweet corn cutting through the sour cherry. My steak was good, well licked by the fire, a zingy chimy and punchy aioli to boot. Neither of us being desert people but wanting to try the full menu, we opted for chargrilled rum soaked pineapple and grilled peach melba. I find fire kitchens sometimes run out of steam when they get to the desert portion of the menu, dishes have a wisp of smoke as an afterthought or the fire is forgotten all together.  Not the case here, slices of pineapple taking on caramelisation as the char alchemises the fruit sugars. Plump peaches having sat on a hot grill, take on a whole new flavour profile, the warmth still being held in their flesh, marrying perfectly with the mascarpone ice cream, that welcome sensation of hot meets cold.

The Brigade Bar & Kitchen is balancing the two worlds of social enterprise and modern day eatery perfectly. It is well priced, well thought out and well received. This is your sign to go and eat some food and feel wonderful in the knowledge that you are contributing to a difference in someone’s life.

https://thebrigade.co.uk/

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World Whisky Day – 20th May

Are you a whisky drinker or would you like to be one? Then as it’s World Whisky Day on 20th May this is the perfect time to try a ‘wee dram’ as they say in Scotland.

World Whisky Day is celebrated across every corner of the globe, with Scotch, Irish, American Bourbon and many other whisky variations proving to be in demand.

We have compiled a list of whiskies of the moment, some are robust and smoky, others smooth and creamy, whatever you choose you’re sure to enjoy a glass this World Whisky Day.

Howler Head Whisky, £25.95 Master of Malt

Carefully crafted at Green River Distilling Co. in Kentucky, USA with a proprietary yeast, the finest grains and mineral-rich water filtered through limestone. Distilled in a 100-year-old Vendome all-copper still. The resulting spirit is then aged for two years in American white oak barrels with a #4 “alligator” char in traditional wood rick houses. Following this process, the spirit is then blended with banana flavour, leaving a subtle sweet kick of banana on the finish.

Ardgowan Distillery, Clydebuilt Sailmaker, £52.50 Ardgowan Distillery

A unique blended malt combining six distinctive whiskies from Highland, Lowland and Speyside Distilleries. Each of these whiskies has matured in first fill Oloroso Sherry casks. On the nose it’s peppery with a balance of dried spices, stone fruits, fresh nectarines, chocolate truffles, and Seville orange marmalade. The palate relaxes slowly to reveal butterscotch, marzipan, mangoes, and a hint of vanilla essence. The finish is raisins and spice.

Berry Bros & Rudd, Glen Elgin 2013, £70 BBR Spirits

The nose opens with Glen Elgin’s trademark burnt marmalade notes, alongside apples and pears. Time in the glass brings forward notes of crème brûlée with spiced cream. The palate is muscular, where a perfect balance of fruit and oak waltz over the tongue.

Uhuru Spirits Whisky, £54.99 Uhuru Spirits

A whisky to be enjoyed anywhere, anytime. Uhuru is a passion project with a purpose, with 10% of its net profits donated to charity Tusk, which supports African wildlife conservation. A warming 12-year old blended malt.

GlenDronach Cask Strength, Batch 12, £75 GlenDronach Distillery

The GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 12 boasts depths of sherry as it was matured slowly in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from Andalucía, Spain. On the nose a rich mocha and creamy cappuccino meld with orange and raisin-filled fruit cake, cherry liqueur and sandalwood. A swathe of velvety spice reveals dark chocolate tiramisu topped with flamed Seville orange peel, toasted almond, and crystallised ginger on the palate. The finish is a lingering of amaretto-laced mocha, morello cherry, and sultana on caramelised crème brûlée.

Ardbeg, Limited Edition Heavy Vapours, £120 Ardbeg

Defined by its distinctive profile of pungent earthiness, aromatic clouds of dark chocolate, a billow of aniseed and cinnamon, and a lingering tang of sharp peppermint, Heavy Vapours is the ultimate experimental Islay single malt scotch whisky matured in classic Ardbeg casks.

Glasgow Distillery, Malt Riot Vat No.6, £28 The Glasgow Distillery Co.

Malt Riot Vat No.6 is a blend of hand-picked single malt whiskies from across Scotland with Glasgow 1770 Single Malt at its heart. Notes of pears and apricots combine with sweet vanilla and toffee apples leading to a lightly spicy finish.

Jura, Pale Ale Cask Whisky, £36, Tesco

Jura Pale Ale Cask edition opens with aromas of honeyed cereal, vanilla spice and hints of pineapple. Bright and fruity on the palate, there are notes of sweet citrus and a subtle, tropical hop character. This is rounded off with vanilla and a smooth and creamy finish.

Benriach, The Twelve, £42.95 Master of Malt

Benriach spirit is three cask matured for at least twelve years in sherry casks, bourbon barrels, and port casks. The whisky from each cask is then expertly married together to create a smooth, sherry-rich single malt, layered with baked fruit, maple honey and cocoa, perfectly balanced with a lingering sultana and spiced mocha finish.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, DARK ’N’ STORMY CRÈME BRÛLÉE (from the 2023 FESTIVAL RARE RELEASES), £55 SMWS

A rich aroma of rum-soaked raisins, Turkish delight, cinnamon bagels and glacé cherries welcomed the Panel, bolstered by charred peaches, caramel popcorn and honey-roasted nuts. After the inviting nose, the taste neat came as quite a surprise – a spicy hit of chilli flakes followed by dry/bitter cask char. There was sweetness behind that attack, but it was difficult to get to the vanilla concentrate, fudge and toffee bonbons. Following reduction, we felt that someone had burned an exotic antique tea chest before rum-infused desserts took centre stage on the palate, including warm banana split in a rum sauce, a classic French rum baba … and how about a dark ’n’ stormy crème brûlée?

SMWS Membership (become a member to buy the bottles!):

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 by a few friends in Edinburgh sharing single cask whisky and experiencing a flavour epiphany. Forty years on, SMWS is a worldwide whisky club with almost 40,000 members who treasure flavour and the joy of shared experiences with whisky in its purest form. The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was founded by ‘Maverick-in-Chief’ Pip Hills, out of a sense of adventure, an endless discovery of whisky, friendship and fun.

The Society offers a variety of membership options that can be tailored, starting at a price of £85. Members get exclusive access to SMWS whiskies and have access to four exclusive SMWS Members’ Rooms in Leith, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London along with a global network of 100 partner bars, partner bar discounts, colourful tasting events, whisky education and a monthly members magazine Unfiltered.

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The Best Foods for Gut Health on a Budget

Your gut is home to 70-80% of your immune system, so maintaining its health should be an integral part of any eating plan. Eating for gut health has many benefits, such as reducing inflammation, fighting off infection, and keeping blood pressure under control.

Eating a diverse diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes is key for supporting your microbiome’s health. It is also important to make sure you’re getting plenty of prebiotics, and polyphenol-rich foods will help ensure this occurs.

Freezing fruits and veggies helps you save money while still getting a nutritious boost. Plus, these affordable options don’t contain added salt, sugar, or preservatives. They are also perfect for soups and smoothies.

If you are looking for the best foods to improve your gut health on a budget, continue reading.

What Is Gut Health?

Your gut health is determined by many factors, such as your body composition, family and genetic history, stress management strategies, and food choices. Researchers are still learning how these elements interact to affect the balance of bacteria in your microbiome.

People with healthy gut microbiomes have a lower risk of developing inflammatory bowel diseases and digestive conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. However, everyone’s microbiome is unique, meaning certain foods may cause issues for some individuals.

Eating the right foods for your gut is essential, but taking probiotics can also help promote a more balanced microbiome. Yogurt, fermented drinks like kombucha and sauerkraut, and yogurt are all excellent sources of probiotics. In addition to probiotics, fiber supplements also helps to maintain a healthy gut.

The Best Foods for Gut Health on a Budget

Your gut plays a significant role in digestion, weight regulation, and more – so it’s no wonder why having a healthy gut is so beneficial to overall well-being. Good news! Keeping your gut healthy with simple dietary adjustments is cheaper than you might think. Here are the best foods for gut health on a budget.

Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is replete with essential vitamins, minerals, and probiotics. Plus, it contains enzymes that aid in the absorption of these vital nutrients by the body. Furthermore, this fruit is replete with fiber and is low in calories. Sauerkraut offers numerous advantages, but the most significant is that it aids digestion. Packed full of enzymes and lactic acid, it supports healthy intestinal flora. The best thing is that it is affordable. You can easily prepare it at home or buy it from the store.

Kefir

Kefir is a dairy-based drink with millions of probiotic bacteria. It offers benefits like supporting digestion, encouraging bone health, and controlling blood sugar levels. It also contains essential vitamins and minerals like calcium, vitamin D, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc that support digestion. Homemade kefir can be made using whole or skimmed milk and kefir grains that can be found at health food stores.

Kombucha

Kombucha is a fermented beverage containing probiotic bacteria and may have health benefits. Additionally, it’s replete with antioxidants that reduce inflammation and protect against heart disease. Kombucha can strengthen immunity and decrease the likelihood of infection. But it may not be suitable for everyone, so make sure you speak to your doctor first to confirm whether it’s safe for you.

Yogurt

Yogurt is an easy and delicious way to incorporate probiotics into your diet. These beneficial bacteria support immunity by decreasing inflammatory markers and combatting infections. Fermented dairy products like yogurt are created by adding beneficial bacteria to cow, goat, or sheep milk and allowing it to be culture. This results in a thick and tangy snack that’s also known to be good for your gut.

Leeks

Leeks make for a nutritious and low-calorie food choice, packed with soluble fiber. Plus, they contain beneficial fructans for gut health as well as Vitamins C and K. They can be used in soups, stews, stir-fries, casseroles, and savory pies. When cooked down to a sweet and oniony flavor that pairs well with many other ingredients, shallots become an indispensable ingredient.

Watermelon

Watermelon is an incredibly versatile, delicious, and nutritious fruit that you can eat raw or add to recipes. Not only is it a budget-friendly alternative for ice cream and other sweet treats, but it also has several health benefits for your gut health that you should not overlook. Furthermore, watermelon helps to promote regular bowel movements. It contains essential nutrients like water, fiber, and potassium that support a healthy digestive system.

Beans and Legumes

Legumes, peas, and lentils are an excellent way to get your daily servings of protein. Plus, they have heart-healthy properties as well as the potential to improve gut health, according to past research. Beans and legumes are an excellent addition to any diet, versatile enough for use in many recipes. Not only that, but they’re also affordable to purchase at your local grocery store.

Nuts

If you’re searching for an easy way to improve your gut health, nuts are an ideal choice. They are replete with protein, fiber, and other beneficial nutrients. At the supermarket, you’ll likely encounter a wide variety of nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and hazelnuts. However, you should only consume small amounts of nuts that are unsalted.

Rolled Oats

If you’re searching for a nutritious yet budget-conscious meal option, rolled oats are a perfect choice. These grains come from whole oat groats that have been steamed, flattened, and then dried in a kiln. Oats are an excellent source of resistant starch, which is not digested by the stomach and travels directly to the large intestine, where it feeds beneficial bacteria for gut health.

Onions

By adding onions to your meals, you can help improve the health of your gut. They provide essential nutrients such as fiber, vitamin B6, folate, and iron. Plus, they contain allium and allyl disulfide, which may reduce cancer risks, regulate blood sugar levels, soothe inflammation, and treat infections.

Conclusion

Gut health is essential for warding off chronic diseases, reducing inflammation, boosting immunity, and maintaining a healthy weight. Furthermore, it has an impact on moods and memories. The good news is that you don’t need to spend a fortune on supplements or exotic root extracts to improve your gut health. Instead, new research indicates it’s possible for you to eat smartly and maintain a healthy microbiome through proper nutrition. Add more fermented foods to your diet, like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir. Not only will these tasty snacks aid digestion, but they also nourish the beneficial bacteria in your gut that support it as well.

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Lunch at The Lost & Found, Greek Street Leeds

With so much choice these days of where to eat, how do you choose which is the best option for you? Are you down for the cheapest spot in town, do you only visit the trendy places, do you return to your favourite restaurant, or are you queueing at the doors of a newly opened diner?

We’re into returning to some of our old favourites at the moment in Leeds. Our writer, Rachel McAlley was invited to sample the new spring / summer menu at The Lost & Found on Greek Street in Leeds, here’s how it panned out.

Lunch was booked for a Thursday afternoon and the sun was shining, which meant that Greek Street was buzzing with lunchtime customers. This side of Leeds is always a pleasure to visit during the week as there’s a mix of office workers, city dwellers, students, and shoppers taking tables at the restaurants.

We were sat near the window, which was great for people watching. The menu arrived and we were instantly heads down to see what it offered. This was our fifth visit to The Lost & Found Leeds on Greek Street, our first experience wasn’t great, but each subsequent visit thereafter has been excellent, and this is why we return.

The menu has everything from nibbles and small plates, to large plates, pizza, steaks, sides, and a set lunchtime menu too. If you’re into cocktails, the bespoke cocktail menu is one not to miss either as it has some fabulous spring/ summer additions like a Picante Margarita, and a Lychee Martini to name just a couple.

Food Time

It was time to order. We opted for the set lunch menu and chose the Pork & Black Pudding Sausage Roll along with the Crispy Squid to start with. The sausage roll was the standout dish as it came with an apple & plum ketchup which added a sweetness that cut into the meaty flavour of the black pudding and pork.

Our main dishes included a Cheese & Bacon Burger. This was served with red Leicester cheese, smoked streaky bacon, tomato and onion chutney, salted skinny fries, red pepper ketchup and garlic mayonnaise. We also ordered a Hot Honey Halloumi Open Sandwich, which came with hot honey glazed halloumi, houmous, rocket, and pickled red onions. Plus an extra side order of Triple Cooked Chips. The burger was definitely a favourite from the mains as it was cooked perfectly and the chutney gave it a little zing.

Obviously, we shared a pudding because, well it would be rude not to! Sticky Toffee Pudding was our dessert of choice. Served with miso caramel sauce and toffee honeycomb caramel ice cream, it was simply delicious. Now, if we’re being honest, we didn’t need a dessert as we were stuffed from having starters and mains, but who can resist a sticky toffee pudding when it’s on the menu, not us.

The service was very good as the team were on hand as and when they were needed. There was a large walk-in booking of around 20 guests to contend with on top of all the other tables, and the team managed it perfectly. It was a great atmosphere in the restaurant with a bustling lunchtime trade.

Will we return to the Lost & Found Greek Street for a sixth time, of course we will. The food is delicious, the service is excellent, and the décor is beautiful.

Visit The Lost & Found Greek Street to book a table.

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Magical May Food & Drink News

Always so much to share about food and drink launches across the UK each and every month, but there’s something special about May. May brings with it warmer weather, the promise of summer on the horizon, lighter nights, and generally a sense of better times ahead.

Without further ado let us share some fabulous news about food and drink products new to launch that you can get your teeth into.

Food News

Pleese, Freezecakes

Silky smooth and irresistibly creamy, swirled with crunchy biscuit pieces and pockets of indulgent sauce – the world’s first frozen cheesecake (in a tub) hit supermarket shelves across the UK recently. The revolutionary dessert is brought to you by the Instagram-famous cheesecake connoisseurs, Pleese (previously Pleesecakes), known for their fully loaded cheesecakes. They include Butterscotch & Caramel, Lemon & Raspberry, and Double Chocolate. Priced at £5 each (350g tub), from Co-Op and Waitrose.

Munchy Seeds

Sweet and savoury snack packs come in five tasty combos from Munchy Seeds including Mega Omega, Mild Chilli, Honey Roasted, Salted Caramel, and Warm Cinnamon. Containing vegan or vegetarian roasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds, full of fibre and containing more than 6g of protein in each pack, these flavourful snack packs are a quick and easy way to add more nutrients to your diet. Priced at £0.75p per snack pack or £5 for the full snack pack range, from Munchy Seeds.

ZENB Sauces

Two delectable new ragu ZENB sauces just launched. They include Aubergine with Basil & Olive Oil, and Mushroom with Marjoram & Olive Oil. The ZENB name is derived from the word zenbu (全部) the Japanese expression for whole, and the ragu sauces reflect this and use as much of the whole vegetable as possible, including skin, seeds and stem. Priced at £3.33 each, from ZENB.

Nairn’s, Coconut & Chai Oat Biscuits

Delicious Coconut & Chia Oat Biscuits are bang on trend flavour-wise and are packed with natural flavour from toasted coconut and added crunch from chia seeds. They contain no artificial colours or flavours, are full of the goodness of wholegrain oats and are high in fibre too. Compared to over 100 similar everyday-premium biscuits they contain 55% less sugar on average, and they are only 45 kcal per biscuit. Priced at £1.40 from Sainsbury’s.

Locako, DIY Peanut Butter Collagen Brownies

Who said low-calorie snacks had to be boring? At 96Kcal per brownie slice, the DIY kits can be enjoyed guilt-free and in the convenience of your own home. With just a few easy additional ingredients, such as butter and eggs, the only struggle you’ll have when making these is having the self-control to share the treats. Available from Locako, priced at £10.39.

Drink News

Hawksbill Rum

Hawksbill brings together the very best Caribbean rums from Trinidad and Guyana, along with its own blend of spices, and combines its rum with a worthy cause: helping to save endangered turtles. The Hawksbill range includes Caribbean Spiced Rum, Mango Spiced Rum and Pineapple Spiced Rum. With every bottle sold 10% of the profits goes to the Barbados Sea Turtle Project in the Caribbean, helping to protect the environment of the Hawksbill Turtle and preserve its future. Priced at £23 per 70cl bottle, available from Hawksbill Rum.  

Fettercairn Single Malt, Warehouse Collection, Warehouse 14

Fettercairn Distillery announced the final instalment of their Warehouse Collection, an experimental limited-edition release. From pioneering Master Whisky Maker Gregg Glass, ‘Icons of Whisky 2023 Distiller of the Year’ is a rare and remarkable Single Malt, bottled at 51.2% ABV (non-chill-filtered and natural colour). Warehouse 14 is shaped by Fettercairn’s unique dunnage Warehouse 14 and the whisky maker’s expert balance of unusual casks. Priced at £70 from Fettercairn Whisky.

Fungtn, Lion’s Mane Mushroom Coffee

Fungtn has teamed up with Balance Coffee to launch a brand-new Lions Mane Mushroom Coffee, combining speciality high grade coffee with high quality dual extract of Lions Mane Mushroom to create a ground coffee for home brewing. The unique ratio of coffee to mushroom gives a warm depth of flavour to the coffee and helps to balance the caffeine hit, whilst adding the benefits of Lions Mane. Lions Mane has shown in studies to help improve memory and mental clarity, balance the caffeine impact on the body as an adaptogen and help increase focus. Priced at £18.99 for 250g, from Fungtn

Belvoir, Summer Spritz

A new fruity blend crafted with nature to taste wild from Belvoir. The limited edition Summer Spritz is a juicy, sweet and vibrant blend of sparkling spring water mixed with strawberry, apple, elderberry and lime juices, and finished with a hint of cooling mint. Made with 100% natural ingredients, it contains no preservatives, flavourings, artificial colours or artificial sweeteners and is suitable for vegans. Priced at £2.25 (750ml bottle), from Ocado and Amazon, launching into Aldi at the end of June.

Greene King, Craft Beer Launch

Brewing company Greene King has launched two new premium beers craft beers. Level Head, a 4% session IPA and Flint Eye, a 4.5% dry hopped lager. Level Head offers delicately balanced tropical and grapefruit notes. Flint Eye combines peach aromas with subtle pine notes showcasing a crisp and refreshing lager. Priced between £5.50 – £6 from Tesco, Waitrose, Morrisons, and Sainsbury’s.

Château del ISH, Alcohol Free Sparkling Rosé

With notes of plum, strawberry and raspberry this blend of Merlot and Pinot Noir grapes is nicely balanced in its acidity and perceived as dry (or Secco) for sparkling wines. Château del ISH Sparkling Rosé gives you that classic easy-to-drink rosé experience. Priced at around £19 per 750ml bottle, from The Mindful Drinking.

Cook Book News

Özlem’s Turkish Table

Özlem’s Turkish Table: Award-Winning Cookbook Shares Authentic, Easy-to-Follow Turkish Recipes.Written by Özlem Warren, Özlem’s Turkish Table was named “Best in the World” at the 2020 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Heritage for Turkey and received an Honorary Mention at the 2020 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards. This book shares easy-to-follow authentic Turkish recipes and, with the current fundraising efforts from Warren, aims to raise funds to help those who were devastated by the recent earthquake in Turkey. 25% of sales will go straight to Turkey Earthquake Relief when purchased on the UK GB Publishing website. Priced at £25.99.

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Authentic Italian Sauces

We all know about spaghetti and marinara sauces coming from Italy and alfredo sauce as well. But there are many different Italian sauces that you may not have even thought of. But what makes a sauce authentically Italian? According to experts, an authentic Italian sauce uses traditional ingredients from the area where it was made including tomatoes, cream, cheese, meat, and herbs.

There are literally dozens of different kinds of authentic Italian sauces, but they are usually either made with a tomato base or a cream base. They almost always have tomato, garlic, oregano, basil, and other Italian herbs. Actually, there are several basic Italian sauces that include pasta sauce, cheese sauces, and pesto.

Different kinds of Italian sauces

First, there is the classic pasta sauce with tomatoes, olive oil, diced vegetables, and Italian seasonings. Then, there is the Bolognese sauce, which comes from Bologna, Italy. It has two types of meat in it such as chicken, pork, beef, or veal. They are chopped into small pieces and added to tomato sauce, chili peppers, oregano, white wine, and cream.

Marinara sauce is a tomato sauce made of garlic and tomatoes mixed with olive oil, oregano, parsley, basil, and onions. It may also have ground sweet peppers, chili peppers, and carrots with something sweet like honey or sugar. Amatriciana sauce is less common but is from a small town in Amatrice, Italy. It is made with cured pork, garlic, onions, and olive oil.

Alfredo sauce is a white sauce made with heavy cream, cream cheese, and butter as well as Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, and pepper. It is often served with fettuccine noodles and commonly known as fettuccine alfredo. It is rich and creamy with subtle sweetness, perfect for just about any dish. Pesto sauce is another Italian favorite with a distinct flavor from pine nuts and tangy cheese, basil, garlic, and olive oil.

Vodka sauce is a creamy textured sauce that is often serve with ziti, tortellini, rigatoni, ravioli, or penne. It is made with vodka (of course), tomatoes, cream, garlic, onions, and parmesan cheese. It may also have romano, pecorino, and prosciutto. Carbonara sauce is also an Italian sauce made with cream, pancetta, parmesan cheese, and vegetables but it also has eggs, bacon, and peas.

Frequently asked questions

What are Italian sauces used for?

Although spaghetti sauce, also known as tomato sauce or pasta sauce, is typically used for spaghetti, it can also be used for lasagna, ravioli, and other pasta dishes. Just like marinara sauce, it can also be used as a condiment or dip for different appetizers like mozzarella sticks or toasted ravioli. Also, alfredo sauce is often used for chicken dishes like chicken alfredo.

Is Ragu a brand or an Italian sauce?

Ragu sauce (not the brand) is a tomato or marinara sauce with meat. Authentic ragu is made with minced veal, pork, pancetta, beef, chicken, or sausage browned with onions, carrots, and celery before simmering on low heat for several hours with wine and tomato puree. The brand name Ragu is not the same thing, but it is an American brand of spaghetti sauce named for the authentic sauce.

Tips and Tricks

You do not have to use spaghetti noodles every time. You can use just about any pasta with red sauce to make an Italian dish.

Similarly, you do not have to pair alfredo sauce with chicken. It also tastes great on veal, beef, and pork.

Although almost all Italian sauces have garlic, there are those that do not have any of these. In fact, garlic is more of a southern Italy seasoning.

Also, not all Italian sauces have tomatoes either. The obvious one is alfredo but then there is carbonara, bechamel, pesto, and meat sauce.

Brown butter is another authentic Italian sauce that does not have tomatoes. It is just butter that has been heated until it browns and gets that nutty flavor.

There are more than 350 different types of pasta. Try using more than just spaghetti, lasagna, fettuccine, penne, macaroni, and rigatoni.

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Canada

The Best Poutine in Calgary and Edmonton

Ah, poutine – the ultimate Canadian comfort food.

For those of you who don’t know, poutine is a delicious dish of fries, cheese curds, and gravy that originated in Quebec, but has since spread all across Canada.

And, let’s be real, there’s nothing quite like a hot, steamy plate of poutine on a cold winter’s… or, fuck it, even on a hot summer’s day.

So, without further ado, here are the top ten places to grab a plate of the best poutine in Edmonton and Calgary.

Smoke’s Poutinerie – Located in Calgary, Smoke’s Poutinerie offers classic poutine for $10.99. The fries are crispy, the gravy is rich, and the cheese curds are squeaky – everything you want in a good poutine.

Gravy – Located in Edmonton, Gravy has a menu dedicated entirely to poutine, so you know they’re serious about their fries. Their classic poutine costs $9.50 and is topped with homemade beef gravy and fresh cheese curds.

La Poutine – Located in Calgary, La Poutine offers traditional Quebec-style poutine for $8.99. Their gravy is made with beef stock and their cheese curds are imported from Quebec, so you know it’s legit.

The Holy Grill – Located in Calgary, The Holy Grill is known for their burgers, but don’t overlook their poutine. Their classic poutine costs $9.95 and is topped with homemade gravy and cheese curds.

Bully Food Truck – Located in Edmonton, the Bully Food Truck serves up some of the best street food in the city, including poutine for $12. Their gravy is made with beef and pork bones, and they use Kennebec potatoes for their fries, which makes for a deliciously crispy poutine.

Peters’ Drive-In – Located in Calgary, Peters’ Drive-In is a classic burger joint that also serves up a mean poutine. Their classic poutine costs $5.95 and is topped with homemade gravy and cheese curds that will have you coming back for more.

Burger Baron – Located throughout Alberta, Burger Baron is a fast food chain that is known for their poutine. Their classic poutine costs $5.99 and is topped with cheese curds that are made in-house.

And there you have it – the top places to grab a plate of the best poutine! Make sure you eat it every day or you won’t get your Canadian citizenship and a kiss on the cheek off dreamy old Trudeau.

Recipe

If you’re feeling ambitious, here’s little recipe to try making it at home.

Ingredients

  • French fries (enough for 4 people)
  • Cheese curds (around 1 cup)
  • Gravy (around 2 cups)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

  • Spread the fries out in a single layer on a baking sheet.
  • Bake the fries for 20-25 minutes or until they are crispy and golden brown.
  • While the fries are baking, pop the kettle on and make your gravy.
  • Once the fries are done, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a large bowl.
  • Add the cheese curds to the bowl and mix them with the fries.
  • Sit in the bath.
  • Pour the cheese curds and fries mix all over your body, rub in the gravy until the cheese is melted and the fries are nice and gravy brown and begin the devouring of every single last bit.
  • OR keep it all in a massive bowl, pour on the gravy. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious homemade poutine.

Easy, right?

So go ahead, indulge in some cheesy, gravy goodness and experience the taste of Canada!

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City Guides

Tulum Terrace: London’s best kept secret

Located at the back of Kings Cross away from the crowds of Granary Square is Rotunda, situated in a Grade II-listed building overlooking Regent’s Canal, this is the perfect spot for alfresco drinks and fabulous food. I was invited down to experience their newly opened Tulum terrace bar that wraps around the edge of the restaurant featuring an abundance of greenery, walkways and photo opportunities, it oozes bohemian-chic vibes, transforming the waterside terrace into a tropical oasis.

The bar is lively and vibrant and serves up a range of classic and creative cocktails, with a focus on tequila and mezcal. The new summer cocktail menu will whisk you off to the beaches of Tulum. My favourite was the Rio Rosa with pink peppercorn and dill infused Rooster Rojo Tequila Blanco, lime juice, strawberry cordial, honey, pink grapefruit, and bergamot tonic. However the Las Bandidas with Mezcal Union Una, Frangelico, Antica Formula, St Germain Elderflower and lime was also delicious. The bar also offers an impressive selection of Mexican beers, wines, and spirits, as well as a range of appetising bar snacks and small plates, including tuna tartare tacos served with tequila, lime and pico de gallo salsa. The Sticky Corneyside Farm beef croquettes with habanero mayonnaise and lime are also to die for.

The focus here is on high-quality, locally sourced meat and seafood. While this year’s look, feel, and menus are all Mexican inspired, the food provenance remains wholeheartedly British. The quality of meat is exceptional, all the beef and lamb served are sourced from its own farm (Corneyside) in Northumberland, reflecting their gate-to-plate philosophy.

The menu features a range of delectable dishes, including grilled steaks, fresh seafood, and succulent Chimichurri spatchcock poussin. The highlight, however, is the chargrilled rump of Texel lamb with habanero, courgettes, and mint yoghurt, the meat was tender and the combination of habanero and mint yoghurt provided the perfect balance. My date ordered the Corneyside Farm beef brisket chilli con carne, which came with tortilla chips, guacamole and salsa, both hearty and flavourful it had just enough heat.

Rotunda is one of those places you want to keep to a secret, with stunning views and a stylish, modern interior I guarantee it will be your summer go-to for sundowners and a bite to eat.

There’s a planned programme of Mexican-inspired events across the summer from tequila tastings to terrarium workshops.

Upcoming events:

  • Starting in May – Saturday morning brunch and yoga with The Fore gym
  • Thursday 11th May – Margarita masterclass
  • Monday 10th July – Pina Colada masterclass
  • Monday 24th July- Tequila and taco tasting in honour of world tequila day
  • Saturday 3rd June – Brunch and terrarium workshop with Botanical Boys

For more information visit the website.

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Afternoon Tea

Why this music-themed Afternoon Tea really strikes a chord

Amidst the palpable excitement of the King’s Coronation, thousands of people across the nation are indulging in Afternoon Tea.

This culinary tradition started in the 19th century when the British aristocracy had a habit of eating only two meals a day: breakfast and dinner.

The Duchess of Bedford, who was a close friend of Queen Victoria, found herself getting hungry in the late afternoon. She decided to invite some friends over for tea and snacks to alleviate her hunger pangs.

The idea caught on, and soon Afternoon Tea became quite the fashionable social event. The menu included tea, sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of cakes and pastries. The ritual of drinking tea with milk and sugar, served in fine bone china cups, became a symbol of British culture the world over.

Fast forward to 2023 and Afternoon Tea remains a highly popular tradition, not only in Britain, but also in many parts of the world. Hotels and restaurants around the globe offer their take on this classic ritual, with various themes and creative twists.

One such example of this is the music-themed Afternoon Tea at the Middle Eight hotel in London’s Covent Garden in the heart of the city within walking distance to theatre land.

Their Covent Garden Crescendo menu is a delectable fusion of music teemed with delicious treats. All dietary requirements are catered for, although it’s best to give the hotel as much notice where possible in order to accommodate.

Music-themed Afternoon Tea at the Middle Eight hotel in Covent Garden
Music-themed Afternoon Tea at the Middle Eight hotel in Covent Garden

Served on an elegant serving tray, guests can enjoy a selection of sandwiches which includes the highly fashionable ‘Coronation Chicken’ which comes with a subtle yet tasty cured herby mayonnaise, grilled vegetable sandwiches which has a layer of hummus, and a dill-infused smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich. There’s also a herby sausage roll for meat eaters.

For those hankering after something sweeter, there’s a fantastic selection of sweet treats all of which are music themed. We absolutely adored ‘To the Best’ – a cloud-light lemon meringue tart with sweet lemon cream which was lighter than air and had a real kick to it.

Music-themed Afternoon Tea at the Middle Eight hotel in Covent Garden
Music-themed Afternoon Tea at the Middle Eight hotel in Covent Garden

‘Strike a Chord’ with its sweet centre of fresh raspberries sits atop a moist almond cake and is topped with a raspberry coulis and gold leaf.

One particular standout is the tangy ‘Blood Orange Opera’ paying homage to the music that surrounds the hotel. With layers of blood orange jelly, this moreish moresel also has citrus pannecotta which gives a sharp yet sweet taste that is unforgettable.

Music-themed Afternoon Tea at the Middle Eight hotel in Covent Garden
Music-themed Afternoon Tea at the Middle Eight hotel in Covent Garden

From the pistachio macarons with a dynamic treble clef emblazoned across the vibrant green disc filled with a buttercream to the nutty ‘Hazelnut Harmony’ choux delight, there’s truly something for everyone when it comes to the Middle Eight Afternoon Tea.

Can you really say you have had Afternoon Tea without indulging in a scone or two? Whether you pronounce it to rhyme with ‘bone’ or ‘gone’, you will love the vanilla and fruit scones that are topped with jam and clotted cream.

Whether you choose to team it with a glass of fizz or a cup of tea of which you can choose from traditional blends like Earl Grey, Lapsang and Darjeeling, or something a smidge more unusual like the intriguing Covent Garden blend which combines peppermint, black tea and blue cornflowers to create a full-bodied and slightly sweet yet spicy tea, your beverage of choice will elevate your Afternoon Tea to the next level.

As Alice Walker says ‘Tea to the English is really a picnic indoors’, whilst there isn’t much in the way of music weaved into the decor which is a little bit surprising, the room where you take the tea is light and stylish with an abundance of books everywhere and the staff are polite, efficient and friendly.

If you love music and feel that an Afternoon Tea is hard to beat, then head on over to the Middle Eight hotel in Covent Garden and enjoy a sweet symphony of treats!

£45 per person or £55 per person with a glass of Prosecco.

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Food & Drink

The best of Spain here in the UK this May – Estrella Galicia Gastronomy Month

This month it doesn’t matter what the British weather throws at us as Estrella Galicia are bringing the best of Spain to our shores for Gastronomy Month. Read on to find out about events and hot bites you can’t miss this May.

Beer and Bite

Back again for 2023, Estrella Galicia has partnered with over 100 venues in the UK and Ireland. The concept is simple but irresistible – grab an ice cold Estrella Galicia and a tapas dish starting from just £4.95!

Participating venues include Sabor, La Condesa, Casa Monolo, La Bandera (Manchester), Gambas (Bristol) and Ole Tapas (Bath).

Find out more here

Special events

Estrella Galicia have also cooked up (pun intended) some special events this month. From tasting menus and chef-hosted dinners to ‘Spanish Fiestas’ – enjoy the vibrant culture of Spain without reaching for your passport.

Book your tickets here.

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