I’ve just come across an ingenious gadget – sauce dispensing chopsticks!! They look alarmingly similar to the pipettes we used to use in science lessons but I like the idea!

I hate it when I drop a whole piece of sushi in the soy sauce, the rice soaks it all up and promptly falls apart in the bowl, leaving just the sliver of fish grappled between my chopsticks.

These chopsticks look like they could solve all my sushi problems! :)

Don’t you love a new year?

It’s like a clean slate – everything gets to start afresh, from your diary to your gym programme to your diet. So what better time to make a fresh start with a new food blogging event! As the foodblogging community has expanded and developed, events seem to have become increasingly specialised. There is an event for sweet-tooths (SHF), an event for herb-lovers (WHB), an event for eggy literati (EoMEoTE), an event for Filipino cuisine (Lasang Pinoy), an event for adventurous chefs (Paper Chef), an event for wine-lovers (WBW) – even an event for food photographers (DMBLGiT). But nothing broad enough to include everyone, and nothing basic enough to appeal to everyone from the bachelor cooking on a two-plate stove to the professional chef. Well, until January 2007, that is. [Read more...]

Bolo Rei (King Cake) is a Portuguese fruit bread traditionally served to celebrate Dia de Reis on January 6th (Epiphany), however it is popular throughout the Christmas season. It is a ring shaped buttery brioche-style bread laced with glazed fruits, citrus peel, dried fruits and pine nuts. The shape of the bread represents the crowns of the three Kings and the garnish of sliced glazed fruits represent the jewels on top. [Read more...]

It is part of our culture, here in Britain, to have a feast on Christmas day, whether it’s a traditional turkey roast with all the trimmings or an alternative of favourite foods. However, in Portugal, the emphasis is very much on Christmas Eve, with a special meal being eaten in the evening. The main dish of the meal is often salt cod (boiled) accompanied with a variety of winter vegetables (boiled), chickpeas, hard-boiled eggs and raw garlic. Interesting combination I think you’ll agree! [Read more...]

A little while ago I bought a book on the recommendation of a friend and I know it’s going to sound corny, but reading that book has actually changed my life!!! The book – Imperfectly Natural Woman, the Author – Janey Lee Grace. For those of you who read my personal blog (guinchogirl.com), you’ll know I’ve been raving about the blessed thing for weeks now! In short, the book is full of tips on how to live your life in the most healthy, happy and eco-friendly way, (the perfect stuff) whilst still contending with the ‘imperfect’ stuff that day-to-day life throws at you.

Janey also has a website, including discussion forums based on the topics in the book. Discussion on the forums has inspired two of the forum members to start a bulk buying network for healthy and organic produce. Sarah and Nikki (aka Soapnutter and Dottyspots on Janey’s forum) have identified a need for healthy and organic foods at more reasonable prices. Many people would like to buy and eat more organic produce but unfortunately it is priced out of their budget. These prices can be achieved to some extent by buying in bulk, but suppliers will often charge a minimum order of around £250. That’s an awful lot of food! [Read more...]