SNACK ATTACK: Marks and Spencer Salad Wraps

Thursday 27 May 2010

You know the feeling. Mid afternoon comes and the hunger pains strike. Tempting as it may seem to scoff a chocolate bar or that sneaky packet of crisps those nasty blighters are rammed full of calories and hidden fats. My new favourite snack? Marks and Spencer Salad Wraps.

Tasty and only 30-50 Calories a pack? Definite winner.

These little wraps knock up a measley 30 - 50 calories a pack! A definite winner in my book. My personal favourites are the Sweet Chilli Prawn Wraps & Mango Salad Wraps.

 Guilt free snacking at its best

 These refreshing wraps are packed full of flavour and come with their own accompanying dip; the sweet chilli has a punchy kick! The perfect guilt free treat for a hot summer day!

FOOD MUST HAVE: Cakewich Sandwich Cake Mould

Wednesday 26 May 2010

 Isn't it great when food and stupidity mix? My new food love, not that this is entirely practical, is the Cakewich mould. If you've mastered the basics of birthday cakes and royal icing, give this one a whirl. Ok so Perpetual Kid stocks some truely ridiculous stuff, but the food related comic items are great gift ideas that stimulates your inner silliness! We likey!

Check out the mould here -> CAKEWICH SANDWICH CAKE MOLD

FAVOURITE READ: Mexican Food Made Simple - Thomasina Miers

Tuesday 25 May 2010

Here's what my nose is stuck right in at the minute. I'm a great lover of Mexican food and I’d wasted too many restless nights dreaming of owning my very own Mexican bible and low and behold, here it is!

My culinary prayers were answered this month with the release of Thomasina Miers’ ‘Mexican Food Made Simple’ waltzed onto my bookshelf.

Since purchasing this title from the new godess of Mexican eating I've tested a few of the recipes and hand on heart can assure you they don't disappoint. I've mastered the art of dry roasting for my salsas and now know how to make THE best guacamole; no comparison with the nasty shop bought alternatives. The night when my mexican medley was served was a night of happy eating from me and my boyfriend. Nothing quite beats the satisfaction of fresh tasting mexican flavours, made at home. The time has come my friends.

This book is pure cooking magic. Far from greasy Tex-Mex alternatives, this book goes back to traditional Mexican roots, compiling of refreshing soups and in season alternatives to firm favourites such as burritos and the sometimes troublesome to make tacos. Love your tortilla chips? Fear not as Tommi Miers has got it covered, with recipes ranging from traditional tomato salsa to some more adventurous alternatives. If that sounds too hot to handle then wash it down with a thirst quenching margarita or a baked cheesecake featured in the final chapters of this book. This quite simply is a must buy and to be frank a real investment.

GUILTY PLEASURE: Come Dine With Me

You can pretty much rest assured that when it comes to Come Dine With Me, it's all about the Marmite. You either love it or hate it. My poor boyfriend, is definitely on the hate team, and I take it publicly now to apologise to him for the copious amounts of time I have made him watch it on a weekday afternoon. For that, I am truely sorry.

But try as I might to resist it, I truely can't. I don't know what it is, maybe the fact that people around the UK generally can't cook and on the whole serve up some pretty disgusting looking stuff, or perhaps the downright audacity of some of the contestants. Who knows. I really can't get enough of it and sometimes, yeah I'm sort of ashamed to say it.

If you're feeling in a party frame 'o mind and have four friends, all of mildly irritating personalities, Come Dine With Me has released the ultimate guide to dinner party perfection, available to buy now. Feeling more adventurous? Why not apply, Channel 4 are always looking for new contestants. So if you can't cook, have an extrovert personality and fit in to any of the following: camp, middle aged female, businessman, young blonde, quirky indie types then applications are being taken.


Anyway because I'm feeling generous here's of my favourite eps, with 'The One and Only Linda Lennon, and quirky John, not to mention Leeds' very own answer to Elton John! . Sadly I couldn't find my ultimate fave, Series 1, Episode 3 from 2005 featuring the quite frankly legendary Vera, who made raspberry coulis by "Ya mix a bit of raspberry jam wit' bit'a hot water'" You couldn't make it up.

NEW FOOD LOVE - Marks and Spencer Food to Go - Raspberry Panna Cotta

Monday 24 May 2010

Here's today's new food love. Retail giant and renowned food favourite Marks and Spencer have today announced via their Facebook page (very 21st century M&S, kudos!) the launch of their new and improved Food to Go range.

Our must try? Mini Sublime Raspberry Panna Cottas complete with mini spoon!! Perfect for on the go fine eating. This dessert, one of the world's most elegant custards deriving from Italy is a crowd pleaser at any foodie circle, and makes a welcome change to the mundane chocolate bars and sweet alternatives found on the desks of Britain.

I'll be sure to be buying one of these on my next visit to my local M&S!

MADE IT: Chicken Terrine Cold plate

There's no two ways about it. When the weather is scorching hot, salad is quite simply the only thing I fancy. Great for diets, sadly not mine. This was last night's offering. A freshly made picnic terrine made from streaky pancetta and a lovely medley of chicken, flavoured with Dijon and a sprinkling of Pistachios for the filling. It seems like a culinary mountain to climb, but with a loaf tin and a bit of patience this is a truely yummy picniccy treat.
Yesterday's dinner, homemade terrine with a watercress and rocket salad medley, coleslaw, pork pie and gherkin

The recipe for the Chicken Terrine comes curteousy of firm food favourite Marks and Spencer, from their own book, Picnics & Outdoor Eating I bought the book on a whim, and quite frankly for £5 think it's an absolute steal!

 
Finishing it all off with a dollop of Chilli Jam and a glass of red. Yum!

Eat with Gusto and Glee

Sunday 23 May 2010

Welcome to Gusto and Glee!

For as long as I can recall, I've been fobsessed. Yes obsessed with my food. If Grub Anonymous existed I'd be there. Hi, My Name's Sophie and I'm addicted to food. In fact why should it be anonymous? Food is bloody fantastic.

Having graduated and at present jobless, I've found great pleasure in solving the woes of unemployment by spending my days salivating over cook books and food guides online, so thought it only fair to share the foodie wealth with the world.

Here I present to you a brand new blog jam packed with my foodie musings and latest must haves
whether it's the new must have Jamie Oliver release, the latest stoneware casserole dishes from Le Creuset or what tasty treats I'm growing in my garden, i'll be sure to keep you up to date.

I hope you enjoy the tasty morsels I deliver up to you, remember if you're going to eat with anything eat with Gusto and Glee!


Sophie

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