Foodies In The News

[Earthmaiden]

Before the boycott on M&S started I bought pesto there to feed GD (M&S is on the way to school). It was very superior to many and I quite agree with the position it got in the taste trial.

[mistakened]

(Reminds me I have some frozen basil puree in the freezer with which to make pesto.)

I had not realised that you could freeze basil puree, although it is obvious. That is the answer to next summers excess basil

Moira

[herbidacious]

There was an article somewhere - Guardian probably - about doing this rather than freezing it as pesto. It involves quite a bit of olive oil - possible some with the basil when you puree it and then to cover the surface. I only did one small amount last au tumnwhen I was about to go on holiday, and didn't want to bother making pesto, but also didn't want to leave the grow from seed pot of it to be watered by cat sitters, as it was going 'over' a bit, so haven't defrosted it to try. I should find the article...

There are quite a few nice recipes in the Guardian food supplement today imo... (sometimes there are none of interest to me).

[Pepper Pig]

https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2 ... rket-pesto

[Suffs]

Oooh yum …. and I don’t really have much of a sweet tooth!

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/m ... nd-delight

[Stokey Sue]

https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2 ... rket-pesto

Pleased to see my current unopened jar of Filippo Berio is recommended, I bought it because it was on a good offer in Morrison’s last week, not had before. The Mutti one is nice.

[Pepper Pig]

Gadgets. https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2 ... en-gadgets

[Earthmaiden]

I wonder if the juicer lasts any longer than the ones I had when used for fairly tough things regularly (ie. not just soft fruit)

[Stokey Sue]

Magimix juicers are supposed to last well, all Magimix stuff is pretty well bomb proof

I've got quite a few of those, although I sort of collect mortar & pestle sets (I recently broke a small glass pharmacy one ) I much prefer my spice grinder for making curries etc, the mortar is good for crushing and coarse grinding but I don't think my hands are strong enough to really grind most spices, Wouldn't be without a Thermapen (or cheaper version) or a Microplane type grater (mine is actually a much cheaper OXO Good Grips one, seems just as good to me)

[Pepper Pig]

Pie of Pies.

Scottish kebab pie crowned UK 'pie of pies' https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cddym06rmqno

[miss mouse]

Gadgets. https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2 ... en-gadgets

A potato masher there. I use the electric beater but there is an alternative

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Official-Elect ... 51468&th=1

I'm behind on my gadgets.

[Amber]

I don’t like electric potato blenders, I like my potatoes mashed (possibly with lumps ), not puréed.

Interesting linked article about the dinner party gifts….I think I prefer the generic wine/flowers/chocolates.

[Suffs]

I agree Amber … pommes purée is not the same as mashed or even creamed potato.

[Suffs]

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/m ... ant-review

[mistakened]

Jay's last review for the Guardian, I believe that he is moving to the FT

[scullion]

yup, goggling says he is.

[RockyBVI]

I don’t like electric potato blenders, I like my potatoes mashed (possibly with lumps ), not puréed.

Interesting linked article about the dinner party gifts….I think I prefer the generic wine/flowers/chocolates.

Totally agree on the dinner party gifts!

[Stokey Sue]

I agree Amber … pommes purée is not the same as mashed or even creamed potato.

I agree that pommes purées and mash are different but I’d reject either with lumps, which I strongly object to.

[Earthmaiden]

Firm mash (but still with plenty butter and milk/cream) is my favourite - soft lumps are fine not if piping. I hate potato puree style in all but a few dishes.

Dinner party gifts are interesting. It depends on the hosts. I think a food gift suitable for the people, clearly not meant to be consumed during the party and not something fresh like fruit which needs using up, works.

[Suffs]

One of the nicest dinner party gifts I remember receiving many years ago now… must’ve been in the 80s… was a little earthenware pot of home-made wholegrain beer and honey mustard. It was gorgeous… I still have the little pot in my kitchen and I think of the person who gave it to me every day.
Another lovely gift was from a couple where the chap was a fine furniture maker and turner… they gave me a little turned yew-wood pot with a lid that fits really snuggly … i’ve not seen that couple for 40 years, but the pot sits on my dressing table (it’s where I put my pearl ear studs every night when I go to bed) and I think of them every morning.