Food choices

I'd like to have a quick post on food choices. No, this is not about carnivore or vegetarian. That is an individual choice. No, this is about choices with regard to where we buy our food and about the choices we make.

I'm speaking about whether people think about what they are buyin and where they are buying.

More and more, I am disgusted by large supermarkets aand their tactics. Minimum pay to farmers and other producers and just cutting under the prices of local retailers. This is becoming more and more of an issue. The more power supermarkets have, the more they can control prices and also supply. They can dictate what we eat when. Now to me, this is an unnatural state of affairs. Food should be eaten seasonally. We should have a good variety of choice but I do believe in small businesses. Many of you will be in similar situations. Local high streets barren due to the lieks of Tesco moving in and undercutting the local businesses, then putting the prices up when the local shops are forced to close.

As consumers, I think we should make a stand and prevent this from continuing. Too many of us think 'I'm jsut one person, I can't do anything'. This is simply not true. Firstly, all consumers make a difference. Instead of shopping in your local supermarket, why not try your local butcher/grocer/baker instead. I know, I know, supermarkets have it all under 1 roof and offer convenience. But is convenience really worth losing competition, local shops and ruining local communities (local shops closing = unemplyment). We do have power and we need to act. In the UK, as well as many other countries around the world we are all feeling the pinch. the economy is shrinking. This is (while not a solution) a good direction to take.

SO why not have a look in your local stores/shops and see what they have on offer.

The other note was on choices of foods. Some items (Like coconut milk) come from half way around the world. Is there anything a little closer to home you can buy? This is a global issue with flying foods around the world. Why get honey from the UK when you live in the US and you can get as good a product there?

rant(ish) over :D

On another note, my second book, The Island of the Mist, is now available on both Kindle and paperback formats:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-Kingslayer-Series-ebook/dp/B0092TUS7U/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346945410&sr=1-2

And paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346506656&sr=1-2

and in the US: http://www.amazon.com/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346946271&sr=1-2&keywords=the+island+of+the+mist

And you can still obtain the first book, The Stone in the Sword: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Sword-ebook/dp/B006ZQIEPG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327179005&sr=1-3

Abundant August!

As we rapidly approach August, more and more berries and other fruit are on offer. Some are heading out of season, such as strawberries and brambles (blackberries) but raapberries, nectarines, apples, bilberries and apricots are all coming into season.

I adore this time of year. September is my favourite month seasonal foods wise but I have to say August almost beats it. Many seasonal food lists won't include mushrooms but I have already seen some in the woods - chanterelles. I adore mushrooms, berries and many other Autumnal offerings. Why not get your wellies on and head to the woods with someone who knows what a chanterelle looks like and go fungi foraging! The wonderful addition is that this food is free and fantastic!

Scallops are also in season now. I love these sweet, simple shellfish! Fried in oil (butter is just too rich) and served with a salad which includes nectarines is very seasonal and really tasty!

Fruit in savoury salads brings flavours out and takes the hole dish up a notch. Grapes in a green salad with green peppers, rocket or some other leaf, cucmber, avacado and a dressing is simply divine!

Barbequeing is another wonderful idea at this time of year and is a sure way to get deep charcoal flavours into fish, meat and vegetables alike. Aubergines or courgettes, both available now, are wonderful charred!

Enjoy abundant August!

As you may be aware, I have written a novel, available on kindle and in paperback:
UK Amazon = http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Stone-Sword-N-Roy/dp/1477466347/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1327179005&sr=1-3

and US = http://www.amazon.com/Stone-Sword-Kingslayer-Series-ebook/dp/B006ZQIEPG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1338752368&sr=1-3

October

Firstly, I must apologise for the delay in putting something up. It has been one of those years – death, car accidents, weddings etc. A real roller coaster. Sincere apologies for not taking some time to write a few items for my blog.

Onwards and upwards…

October is a festive month for many and a real feast for seasonal foods. It is the month of game and root vegetables, as well as beer :D
The seasonal foods include:

Celeriac
Pumpkin
Wild Mushrooms
Apples
Truffles
Swede
Cabbage
Medlars
Kale
Grouse (and other poultry such as pheasant, partridge)
Venison
Scallops (also oysters, mussels, winkles)
Sea Bass
Berries are still in season (particularly sloe but you may be lucky enough to get raspberries too)
Swiss Chard
Leeks
Sweet Potatoes

Butternut squash is heading out of season, as are:

Figs
Pears
Globe Artichokes
Mackerel
Plums etc.

There are a few other squashes that hang around – you’ll see them on market stalls and in supermarkets/greengrocers. As this year has been a very odd one, with hot and cold patches where they shouldn’t be, meteorologically speaking :D, some fruit/veg has lasted better than others, and some haven’t yet shown their heads. In Scotland, tomatoes have had a really bad year, some plants yielding few, if any.

A few orange varieties have started to appear again, so you know Hallowe’en is nearby.

As the wheat and barley is cut in mid Sept, I often think of October as the month for baking more than any other month. Why not try baking some fresh bread for yourself, no cheating with a bread-maker :D

Seasonal Foods in May

Spring is fully in the air, and about to make way for summer. Foods are far more bountiful and more varied in nature. While it is still possible to obtain sardines, rocket, spring onion, lamb, morel mushrooms (about to go out of season), watercress (all seasonal in April), they are still abundant in May, along with a few new items.

New for May:
Radish
Crab
Samphire
Chicory
New Potatoes
Asparagus
Nectarines
Elderflower (best in June but early ones coming out now)
Gooseberries (as above)

As with all food, that which grows together usually tastes good together. Those items growing in May tend to complement one another. Crab and Samphire for example, lamb and watercress, morels and asparagus and so on.

One of my favourite, ridiculously easy dishes (sides or as part of a lunch) is raw chicory with hummus (or houmus if you like). I love this combination of the crispy, fresh chicory with the decadent, creamy hummus. I generally cheat and buy the hummus but you can make it. Add flatbread or heated pitta for a wonderful, light Spring/Summer lunch.

Hummus recipe:http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/hummus
Flatbread recipe: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/448336_quick-and-easy-flat-bread-recipe