Well Oiled!

Posted on Mar 15, 2013

Olive oil is part of the staple diet for many across the Mediterranean and after spending three days in Trieste at the Olio Capitale, I can now begin to appreciate why.

First stop was the olive oil bar where we were taught to taste the oils and how to recognise the different flavours that are offered.  My first impression was the variety of tastes from sweet, bitter to highly peppery which would make anyone’s taste buds smile and bounce with enthusiasm.  Who wouldn’t want to add such lovely oils to their salads and vegetables?

From over 150 oil producers, many still using olive groves planted many generations ago, it was lovely to see so many farmers committed to preserving a lifelong tradition of producing a good olive oil.  Many do not produce large amounts in terms of number of litres per annum, but what they do have is the result of care and meticulous detail,  ending up with the highest quality olive oil they can offer.

We sampled extra virgin olive oil from many regions across Italy, including DOP and IGP varieties and many committed to organic and slow food values as well.

We felt that rather like wine, extra virgin olive oil needs to be given a pedestal on which to sit, which gives it the glory it so rightly deserves.

My advice to anyone buying olive oil would be to seek out those oils which are produced by farms and co-operatives committed to preserving the quality of their olive oil.

The highest quality oil will, of course, come at a premium price but this oil will offer you higher levels of polythenols and antioxidants which are now considered by many to be an important contribution to lowering the risk of a heart attack.

So, we can conclude that by keeping our bodies “well oiled” through choosing to add aquality olive oil to our daily diets can only be a good thing!!

 

A large range of olive oils is offered from The Food Resource, to book a tasting please call Mandy on 07715 104936

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The proof of the pudding is in the eating …

Posted on Dec 12, 2012

This being a very old proverb, dating back to the 14th Century, it is doubtful a pudding would have been a delicious sticky toffee substance but more of a savoury dish and, in fact from my research, could have been some sort of sausage?!

So our week of tasting and testing Iberico burgers, sausages, meatballs and ribs could rightly fit the description of pudding!

On this beautiful cold, crisp morning I contemplate how our week of Iberico tasting has gone.

I’ve eaten and cooked lots of pork, it being a family favourite, since the days of my father coming home with seven (I’m part of a large family) pork chops for dinner. The perk of being from a family of high class butchers is that we got to taste and eat good meat and was frequently told “always shop for good sausages.”

So, with this in mind we were all keen to see what all the fuss is about with Iberico fresh pork.

We began our tastings with a “hamburger”, not as we know it, but a real “hamburger”made with Iberico pork which tasted great and (I am told) is also good for me.  Due to the strict feeding controls Iberico pork has high levels of oleic acid, normally found in olive oil and therefore ticks the healthy Mediterranean diet concept we hear so much about.  This is great news, a healthy burger to meet the demands of the expanding burger market. We loved it and the children did too!

Iberico pork has a distinctive taste and cooks and eats well. For pork fans, this is the one to try.

The meatballs cooked beautifully, the sausages had a continental twist, well after all they are from Spain and the marinated ribs were tasty.  We are now looking forward to tasting some of the popular cuts and for me, I can’t wait to taste the tenderloin!

So, going back to how I started …. The proof …. is in the eating!

I thought I knew how pork tastes, but Iberico is in a different realm altogether and I am pleased I took the plunge to challenge my taste buds with a different sort of pork!

If you would like to check out the pudding … please call Mandy at The Food Resource on 07715 104936 and say Iberico please!

Read more about Iberico Fresh Pork Meats at the Food Resource Here

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Going for gold

Posted on Sep 21, 2012

I wonder how many of you have spent larger amounts of time than usual glued to the television watching with pride as Great Britain gain medal after medal…

Well, I have and it has also given my household the chance to chomp our way through many of the delicious charcuterie ranges we are selling.

Last week the gold went to a new Italian prosciutto seasoned with sea salt, delicious on its own, wrapper round melon or served with some stuffed almond olives on the side.

This week, however, the gold medal goes to the mini salami. I have placed one on a wooden board and watched how various members and visitors to the house have sliced a small piece then slice after slice, the relay went on.

It seems as though Caula have really got it right this time. A great snacking size salami which has been rolled in black pepper or herbs. With the casing removed it makes both slicing and eating easier. Delicious on its own, served with a glass of wine, use as a pizza topping or make tasty sandwiches, the list goes on.

Great picnic food and I, certainly will be packing a couple to snack on as we set off on holiday next week.

A close silver was awarded to the tapas range. So easy, just open and serve. Different varieties consisting of ham, olives and cheese, chorio, ham and olives, ham, chorizo and fuet – so easy rip off the top and serve with some crusty bread – all set to GO on yet another snacking delight!

So you will see it is not only the atheletes that have excelled in winning themselves some medals but some of our suppliers too!!

Are they any charcuterie products you think deserve a special mention and even, an accredited gold medal?!

 

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Welcome to The Food Resource

Posted on Sep 21, 2012

We’re a dedicated team that can source any product for you with the right specifications, provenance and most importantly, price. The Food Resource knows the language and can talk to suppliers large and small to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for, without you having to find and import the products yourself.

Our current product list includes some mediterranean favourites…stuffed olives …sundried tomatoes… artichoke hearts…olive oils…cured spanish and italian meats… and much more! Anything we don’t have, we can find and deliver directly to you.

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Pasta Ready Meals from Pagani

Posted on Sep 21, 2012

Pasta Ready Meals from PAGANI

Following a concerted search we are delighted to welcome Pagani Pasta Ready meals into our selection of foods from the Mediterranean.

 

From the days 80 years ago (a bygone era when ‘Mama’ made the pasta and fillings using original recipes and ingredients) to today’s modern 60,000 sq. m facility the Pagani family have been proudly at the helm.

The original recipes are still used today but with new modern techniques, the legacy of Mama’s pasta meals are transported to 90% of the countries in the EEC. Today we welcome them into the UK market.

The Pagani range includes a selection of filled pasta meals in a variety of interesting shapes including: – Tortellini,

  • Ravioli,
  • Ravioli Mezzaluna
  • Ravioletti with a Prosciutto Crudo filling
  • Tortellini with a 3 cheese filling
  • Tortelloni with Ricotta and Spinach
The Food Resource Pasta Ready Meals Tortellini ham filling
The Food Resource Pasta Ready Meals Tortellini cheese filling
The Food Resource Pasta Ready Meals Half Moon Ravioli ham filling
The Food Resource Pasta Ready Meals Ravioletti ham filling
The Food Resource Pasta Ready Meals Ravioli big size ham filling
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Enjoy these pasta ready meals cooked on their own as a quick snack or add them to part of a larger meal with your favourite sauce, or sprinkled with olive oil and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

In three convenient pack sizes 250g, 500g and 1kg packs – ideal for retail and food service.  Larger pack sizes are available on request.

A great ambient product, with a 12 month shelf life.

For further information contact Mike Skelton on 07730 748511 or Contact Us Here

 

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Iberico Fresh Pork Meats

Posted on Sep 21, 2012

Iberico is to pork what Wagyu is to beef …

The Food Resource is pleased to now be selling a range of Iberico Fresh Pork Meats.

 

 

From the finest black Iberian pigs, fed on natural feeds we are pleased to launch a great affordable range of Iberico Fresh Pork and frozen Iberico pork.

We offer full traceability from the field to the plate with an emphasis on animal welfare that allows us to provide Iberico all year round.

Iberico meats are renowned for their quality and taste and are also recognised for their cholesterol friendly benefits, as well as high oleic acid content due to the breed. Using the CEBO method of feeding we can confirm that due to strict regulation of genetics, breeding and feed the oleic acid benefits are found to be as good as RECEBO.

With an emphasis on the importance of The Mediterranean Diet we can offer healthy, yet tasty iberico fresh pork to suit all recipes.

With the benefits of adding olive oil to our daily diet and eating more vegetables and fruit, we can now add Iberico pork knowing that it contains monounsaturated fatty acids and good levels of oleic acid.  From research this has shown can reduce the levels of harmful or bad cholesterol.

Iberico also contains high levels of protein and is rich in vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12, niacin, folic acid, zinc and iron.

There are three types of Iberico pork:

Bellota – fed on acorns and pasture outside.  Only available a few months of the year.

Recebo – fed on acorns and pasture plus natural feeds.

Cebo – fed on natural feeds, and outside a minimum time

Our range includes:

Iberico burgers

Iberico meatballs

Iberico sausages

Iberico Belly Rib Strips

Iberico bone/boneless loin

Iberico collar

Iberico half loin

Iberico tenderloin

Iberico spareribs

Available both fresh and frozen

Please call Mandy Collins for further information 07715 104936 or Contact Us Here

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Rufus Teague Meat Rub, Spicy and Fish Rubs

Posted on Jul 17, 2012

 

 

Buy Rufus Teague Meat Rub directly from The Food Resource we have the Meat and Spicy Meat Rub and the Fish Rub in stock – For a better deal the multi pack with one of each is available

All prices are quoted including postage and packaging included, trade enquiries welcome.

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A Cheese of Many Colours!

Posted on May 2, 2012

Gone are the days when cheese was cheese, we are now able to purchase cheese made with cow’s milk, sheep’s milk, goat’s milk, buffalo milk and even no milk at all!  In their efforts to innovate, cheese manufacturers are now offering a selection of flavoured cheeses to add to the cheeseboard.

What about colourful cheese though?  We are all used to the blue cheeses, but how do we feel if red and green cheeses were now to feature? Great for Christmas or to create colour, but surely the debate is not how they look but how they taste!  We have tried this range and have to say, after much scepticism, that they are extremely tasty, versatile and deserve recognition on any cheese counter.

We are launching a range of cheese flavoured with popular flavours such as pesto, wasabi and even marmalade, for those Paddington enthusiasts amongst you.  Imagine having marmalade cheese on toast for breakfast, jacket potato with pesto or wasabi on a canapé selection.  It begins to make the idea of flavoured cheese even more attractive for those traditionalists amongst you.

Take a look at our exciting new range of flavoured Gouda.  A popular cheese now made with many of the tastes we all enjoy.  Take a look at it on The Food Resource website for more information, prepare to be dazzled!

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Basiron Flavoured Gouda

Posted on May 2, 2012

The Food Resource is pleased to launch a brand new exclusive range of flavoured Gouda cheeses.

These cheeses are sure to brighten up and excite any cheeseboard or palate.  This cheese is produced in the Netherlands by an old family cheese trader. Trading since 1884, they have now expanded their activities to include this new and exciting range.

 

The Basiron Range is one of the most unique and innovative cheese ranges in the world. At present it comprises 13 separate flavours all made with an exciting mix of fresh ingredients.

The range is available in 4.5Kg wheels or the pre-packed 225g wedges.

The 225g wedges are currently available in the following flavours:

  • Basiron Pesto Verde
  • Basiron Pesto Rosso
  • Basiron Marmelade
  • Basiron Mombassa
  • Basiron Wasabi
  • Basiron Hot Chilli
  • Basiron Olive & Tomato
  • Basiron Herbs

To find out more or request a quote click here
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Gluten Free Pasta Ready Meals

Posted on Feb 21, 2012

The Food Resource has launched a new range of Gluten Free pasta ready meals to the UK. A quick and easy meal prepared in less than 10 minutes.
The Fusilli ai Funghi from the range was Highly Commended for the 2012 FreeFrom Food Awards

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Fusilli-ai-Funghi-Gluten-Free
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Available in three recipes:

Fusilli with Mushrooms

Penne with Seaford

Pasta with Beans

Benefits

Ambient

15 month shelf life

1 x portion

 

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