Archive for the ‘Real Food Vs. The Supermarket’ Category

There has been a lot in the news recently about so called “fresh” supermarket bread and it’s starting to be very difficult to de-code what they actually mean by the term “fresh”. For example, Tesco’s advertisements of “bread baked fresh in store” have been judged as misleading, and who can blame that judge when it can be mean “bread re-heated in store after being cooked days or weeks before in a factory many miles away”!

Yesterday, the Daily Mail claimed that some of supermarket bread’s hidden ingredients can include biological catalysts, which can be composed of such delights as animal guts. Delicious! I think I’ll be staying well clear of the supermarket bread aisle for a very long time.

Never fear bread lovers, to help you through the minefield of additives and processes, we’ve come up with our simple fresh bread guide…

How long should my bread stay fresh?

This depends on the sugar content but a freshly baked baguette should only stay fresh for a day or two. A sweeter dough can stay fresh for several days.

Sourdough bread, such as Poilane, can stay fresh for longer. They make it using a traditional method which requires no yeast, using sea salt instead as a natural starter. This particular flour-water mixture has stable cultures which are harder to penetrate by yeasts and bacteria – meaning resistance to mould and spoilage – it should last just under a week. It is also really easy to freeze if you can’t eat it straight away.

TIP: If your fresh bread has gone rock hard, wrap it in a damp cloth for 10 minutes, then cook in the oven for 10 minutes to get a nice crispy bread – perfect for dunking in soup.

Supermarket bread can stay “fresh” for an unnatural length. Read on to find out how…

What should be in my fresh loaf?

The basic ingredients are:
Wheat flour
Water
Yeast
Vegetable Oil
A pinch of salt

Hidden Extras – bread hell for sensitive tummies

You might find more in your supermarket bread than flour, water and yeast. Watch out for these very nasty hidden treats…

Calcium Propionate: This is used to stop mould growth in bread. Great for supermarkets – they can stock bread without it going off. Bad for tummies, heads and skin though because it can cause stomach upsets, rashes, tiredness and headaches!

Hydrogenated fats vs. Fractionated fats: Recent studies have shown hydrogenated fats as a major contributor to heart disease. Hard fat such as this is an important part of the Chorleywood Process (a speedy method of producing lots of bread, quickly, with long shelf lives). Beacause of the bad press surrounding hydrogenated fat, producers have been switching to fractionated fats. They don’t have the same bad press…yet. But they have the same properties of hydrogenated fats and could cause the same health problems.

Vegetarians beware: Some supermarket breads contain E471 which is an emulsifier with 2 sources – one being animal fats. They can also contain E920 which is made of animal fat and human hair. Lovely!

Intolerances: The Chorleywood process uses two or three times the normal amount of yeast than that used to traditionally make bread. This could be a cause of the growth of yeast and gluten intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome and thrush. Anyone else feeling a bit queasy?

Bread Heaven

Never fear sensitive guts out there, and frankly anyone who doesn’t want to risk eating human hair and animal guts in their toast, there is an alternative…

1)      Bake your own delicious fresh bread – it’s VERY satisfying to get flour all over yourself and the kitchen and believe me, it’s worth it!

2)      Buy from a ‘real’ bakery! At Natoora, we have the amazing sourdough breads from Poilane. They make all their bread the traditional way, handmade, with no preservatives. For deliveries in London you can also choose from Boulangerie de Paris’ range – all freshly baked the morning of your delivery. And when we say freshly baked, we really mean it!

How to make wholemeal bread

25g fresh yeast
400ml warm water
675g strong plain wholemeal flour
2 tsp salt
15 g butter

Blend the fresh yeast with a little warm water taken from your 400ml. Add a more water to thin the paste to a milky consistency. Cover and leave in a warm place until frothy.

Mix the flour with the salt. Rub in the butter, then add the yeast mixture. Mix to form a firm dough. If it is too sticky, add a little extra flour.

Knead thoroughly until smooth and elastic.

Shape the dough into a ball and place inside a large, oiled bowl. Leave to rise until doubled in size. Knock back and shape into loaves or rolls. Cover with a cloth and leave to rise once more.

Bake in a preheated oven at gas 6 (200C) for about 40 minutes for large loaf, 30 minutes for small loaves or 15 minutes for rolls.

These small golden drops (as the name translates) are incredibly sweet, refreshing and juicy, with a tart edge towards the center of the fruit.  For the softness of the flesh they are best enjoyed as they are or used in jams, chutneys and cakes.

Region: Plums are said to originate in Asia, and the Goccia d’oro is also known as “Shiro” plum in Asia. We get ours from the Milan market, where plums are abundant in the summer.

Quality: July is the peak of the season for this variety of plum. Later in the summer we will get some amazing Reine Claude and Mirabelle plums from France, but for the moment the ones from Italy are the best on the market.

Cost: We always let you know the price per kg so you can easily compare our prices. You will struggle to find this variety for sale anywhere else!

Natoora“ Baby “Goccia d’oro” plums“ £4.77/kg

TASTE: San Marzano tomatoes are the most sought after tomato for sauces. Their meaty texture, sweet and intense flavour, lack of excess water and seeds, and a particular skin (very easy to peel), are the reasons that make any sauce made with these tomatoes a success.

REGION: These tomatoes are said to have originated in Peru, but donated to the Naples kingdom in the 18th century, they found a rich soil and the perfect weather on the volcanic slopes of Mount Vesuvio.

QUALITY: The best time of the year to enjoy this beautiful tomato is definitely the summer, and at the moment our buyers in Italy are recommending this variety as particularly good.

COST: We always let you know the price per kg so you can easily compare our prices. You will struggle to find this variety for sale anywhere else!

Natoora“ San Marzano Red Tomatoes“ £4.70/kg

Cherries are simply superb at the moment, plump juicy and with an amazingly full flavour. Our cherries from Moissac are certainly worth a try. They are not only much much tastier than anything you’ll find in the supermarket, but they are also cheaper! Read on to find out more…

Taste: These amazing cherries are large, purple and shiny. Cherries from Moissac are of the “black” variety, and are beautifully crisp, juicy and fragrant.

Region: These cherries are among the best on the market at the moment. They are grown in Moissac in the Tarn-et-Garonne region of France. This region is famous for the production of some of the most amazing fruit in France, particularly for the Chasselas grapes.

Quality: These cherries have a much richer flavour compared to the supermarket varieties; buying them on a weekly basis you can be sure we only get the best, at their peak. French cherries are at their best now. In July we can look forward to British cherries.

Cost: We always let you know the price per kg so you can easily compare our prices. Our cherries are not only superior in quality but also cheaper than so called “premium varieties” found in the supermarkets:

Natoora “Moissac Cherries“ £7.50/kg
Ocado/Waitrose “Cherries Waitrose“ £7.76/kg

(prices checked on 28/6/2010)

Our datterini tomatoes are truly one of a kind! They taste simply amazing – no supermarket alternative can possibly compare. What’s more, they’re cheaper than the supermarket alternative. Read on to find out more…

Taste: Deliciously sweet, these small tomatoes on the vine are a real treat and a favourite among top chefs. They are featured in the menus of Theo Randall’s, Hibiscus and Petersham Nurseries to name a few!

Region: They are grown in Southern Italy, and benefit from the sunshine and the rich soil in which they are harvested. This tomato is nothing like the greenhouse ones you buy in the supermarkets!

Quality: We only source the finest grade available on the market. Our buyers select what is looking and tasting best! All tomatoes are now reaching the peak of the season, and will taste amazing throughout all summer.

Cost: We always let you know the price per kg so you can easily compare our prices. You will struggle to find this variety anywhere else!

Natoora “Datterini Tomatoes “ £8.07/kg
Ocado “Organic Sultan Jewels Tomatoes ” £10.90/kg
(Prices checked on 28/05/2010)

For more information and to buy, click here.

Borlotti beans are an Italian speciality and are usually only found in British supermarkets preserved in tins. Ours are amazingly fresh, perfectly plump and creamy, and of course, fantastic quality!

Taste: Our fresh borlotti beans are incredibly nutty and creamy, the ideal addition to soups, stews and casseroles. And they can be enjoyed cold in salads with some Tropea onion and balsamic vinegar

Region: They are traditionally grown in Northern Italy, where they’re considered a staple food. The best varieties such as the Lamon beans grow on the Dolomites.

Quality: It’s almost impossible to compare fresh beans with dried or frozen. The flavour is significantly different. Fresh is always our first choice, perfect for salads, soups, purees and much more…

Cost: We always let you know the price per kg so you can easily compare our prices. At the moment you will struggle to find them anywhere else!

Natoora “Borlotti beans” 250gr £1.72 (£6.88/kg)

For more information and to buy, click here.

Purple Sprouting Broccoli is one of Spring’s greatest treats. The tender stems, delicious leaves and beautiful sprouts are not only colourful but very tasty too! We get ours every morning from New Covent Garden Market so they are always amazingly fresh and packed with flavour. What’s more, they’re cheaper than the pre-packed supermarket versions!

Taste: Nutty and flavoursome, with delicious edible leaves, this delicacy is the ideal accompaniment to a proper Sunday roast. They go really well with a hint of citrus, to liven up the taste.

Region: It’s a fairly easy plant to grow, and does well in temperate climates, but doesn’t like hot weather. We get ours in the UK, where the weather is cool enough at this time of the year.

Quality: We only source the finest grade available on the market. Our buyers only select what is looking and tasting best!

Cost: We always let you know the price per kg so you can easily compare our prices. Our purple sprouting broccoli are not only superior in quality, but they are also better value than what is usually found in the supermarket:

Natoora “Purple Sprouting Broccoli“ £4.70/kg
Ocado/Waitrose “Purple Sprouting Spears“ £8.90/kg
Abel and Cole “Purple Sprouting Broccoli“ £6.42/kg

(prices checked on 05/05/2010)

For more information and to buy, click here.

Avocados are a real summer treat – perfect in salads and for refreshing dips. Quality really matters when selecting your avocado as they are really best enjoyed as they are, perhaps with a dash of lemon juice and pepper. We only select the Haas variety for this very reason! It is simply the best! We’ve not only chosen the best variety, but we make sure to buy the best of the best at market so from the first bite you’ll know you’re eating something really special. What’s more, we’ve done a price comparison this week and we’re even cheaper than those sold in some of the supermarkets. Read on to find out more…

Taste: These beautiful Haas avocadoes are wonderfully creamy. They are great in salads and the perfect variety for your Guacamole, but are extremely versatile when paired both with chicken and fish (particularly raw fish) as their oily flesh and delicate flavour will enhance the subtle aromas and taste of your tartare or maki.

Region: Haas avocadoes have been grown successfully in Spain for many years, as there they find the perfect conditions the plant requires: a temperate climate, saline and well aerated soils.

Quality: Our Haas avocadoes are wonderfully rich in flavour, with a distinctive nutty aroma and dark, pebbled skin.

Cost: We always let you know the price per kg so you can easily compare our prices. Our avocadoes are not only superior in quality but also cheaper than so called “premium varieties” found in the supermarkets:

Natoora “Small Haas Avocado“ £0.85 each, £5.31/kg
Abel and Cole “Avocado” £1.39 each (price per kg not given).
Ocado/Waitrose “Perfectly Ripe Hass Avocado“ £0.99 each (price per kg not given).

(prices checked on 26/4/2010)

So what are you waiting for? Buy online today and see what all the fuss is about.

With the sun shining, the birds singing and the days getting longer, we’re really feeling it’s time for some refreshing foods. Our courgettes are so fresh you can even eat them raw, they’re perfect in salads and are really superb quality! Read on to find out why they taste so great…

Taste: Crunchy, sweet and refreshing, this versatile vegetable is used in many recipes and can be cooked in many ways. Boiled, fried, stewed, grilled… and when courgettes are at the beginning of the season, they are fantastic eaten raw.

Quality: We only source the finest grade available on the market. Our buyers only select what is looking and tasting best!

Growing: Although courgettes are now available all year round, they are best enjoyed in the summer, when they are at their best.

Cost: We always let you know the price per kg so you can easily compare our prices. Our courgettes are not only superior in quality, but they are also better value than what is usually found in the supermarket:

Natoora “Courgettes“ £3.36/kg
Abel and Cole “Courgettes” £3.98/kg

(prices checked on 15/04/2010)

For more information and to buy, click here.

We’ve searched far and wide and not been able to find fresh broad Beans in any of the supermarkets! Ours are absolutely amazing at the moment – super fresh and full of flavour. Read on to find out more….

Taste: Now at the beginning of the season, our broad beans are so young and fresh that they don’t need cooking. Just remove them from the pod and from their skin and eat them as they are, or try them sprinkled with lemon juice and accompanied by a salty pecorino.

Region: These broad beans are among the best on the market. They are grown in Southern Italy and specifically in Basilicata, where they are considered a staple food.

Quality: The difference between fresh and dried or frozen beans is so great it’s almost impossible to compare, as the flavour changes significantly. Fresh is surely the best choice and the most versatile as it’s good for salads, soups, purees…

Growing: Broad beans are among the most ancient plants in cultivation and also among the easiest to grow. It is believed that along with lentils, peas, and chickpeas, they became part of the eastern Mediterranean diet in around 6000 BC or earlier.

Cost: We always let you know the price per kg so you can easily compare our prices. At the moment you will struggle to find them anywhere else!

Natoora “Broad beans“ £5.20/kg

For more information and to buy, click here.