7 minute read
Golden Fork from the North
PICKLE IN THE LIMELIGHT
Mr Vikki’s has moved over to the dark side with its latest creation - a complex yet mellow sweetsour accompaniment for anything Indian.
BLACK LIME CHUTNEY was born out of the postChristmas lull that hits the food trade every year.
In Penrith, this is the time of year when chilli sauce, chutney and pickle producer Mr Vikki’s gets its new product development into gear.
“Every year, after Christmas when we are quiet, we take the opportunity to work on new products. This year we focused on a citrus theme,” says Adam Marks, the chef turned self-confessed chilli head who started Mr Vikki’s in 2005.
From the very beginning, lime pickle has featured in the producer’s line-up, but Adam has always had it in the back of his mind that he wanted to create a sweet version. This year, he did just this, steeping chopped lime in a marinade of tamarind, muscovado sugar, dates and garlic for two weeks until it took on a sweet, sticky taste and dark colour.
“It was my first crack of the whip and I hit the sweet spot first time,” says Adam. “It is quite a complex taste: sweet and sour with a bit of chilli.”
Initially, Adam admits he wasn’t overly confident about it, because of the lack of refinement and adjustment that is usually the rite of passage for any new product.
“I only ever made it once and then produced 500 jars,” he says.
For that reason, the chutney never really got out to markets - it was just quietly added to the producer’s online shop.
But when a customer said that it was the best thing they had ever tasted, Adam realised he was on to something special and entered the chutney into Great Taste. 3-stars and a Golden Fork later, Black Lime Chutney features prominently in the producer’s plans for future growth. “We have sold 500 jars to date. Next we will roll it out on a bigger scale,” says Adam. Whilst it could be easy to get carried away with this success, Adam’s feet remain rooted firmly on Cumbrian ground. “We are basically a family business which prides itself on supplying independent retailers, food service outlets and consumers via our online business. We still do the market stall at Keswick ourselves as we love to meet customers, and most importantly, we are all passionate chilli heads,” he says.
www.mrvikkis.co.uk
Enjoy with a pile of poppadoms and a pint of Cobra or as a condiment with any Indian dish.
FERMENTED BLACK PEPPER HHH
AUSHA
WHAT IS IT? Grown in the hilly Wayanad region of Kerala in India, famous for the Tellicherry peppercorns, they are mixed with powdered sea salt and fermented for a few months before packaging. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Crush and eat raw in salads, mix into rubs and marinades or cook into stews and soups. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): Organic Tellicherry Black Peppercorns 100g HH Fermented Green Pepper H
www.ausha.co.uk
PUMPERNICKEL BREAD H
BIONA ORGANIC
WHAT IS IT? Freshly ground grains made into a traditional pumpernickel bread. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Serve with a variety of sweet and savoury toppings. Enjoy straight from the packet or toasted. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): Bonsan Organic Mylk Hazelnut Cocoa Spread H Bonsan Organic Cashew Bell Pepper Pate H
www.biona.co.uk
AGAVE SYRUP - LIGHT H
BIONA ORGANIC
WHAT IS IT? Squeezed from Mexican agave plants, the light amber syrup is a natural alternative to sugar. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Whisk into cake batters or drizzle into desserts. Add to hot drinks or spoon into overnight oats. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): Raw Organic Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil H
www.biona.co.uk
KAMPOT PEPPER BLACK 90G HHH
BOTREE SEASONINGS
WHAT IS IT? Cambodian black Kampot peppercorns. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Season anything, from soups and stews to pasta and meat. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): Kampot Pepper Red 90g HH Kampot Pepper White 90g H Morogoro Cacao 40g H King Caraway Seeds 45g H Cloud Forest Cardamom 40g H Pemba Cloves 40g HH Wild Mountain Cumin 50g HH Purple Stripe Garlic 50g H Wild Icelandic Kelp 50g HH True Star Anise Summer Harvest 20g H
www.botreefarm.co.uk
BURFORD BROWN EGGS H
CLARENCE COURT EGGS
WHAT IS IT? Free range Burford Brown eggs WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Poach or boil to retain their freshness and distinctive golden yolk. Use as you would in savoury recipes and baking.
www.clarencecourt.co.uk
TOMATO SAUCE FOR BOLOGNESE 350G H
HEINZ
WHAT IS IT? Made in Italy using high quality ingredients. No added sugar, artificial flavours or gluten. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Make into a classic spaghetti bolognese, stir into a creamy pasta bake or a layer into a lasagne. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): Tomato Grana Padano & Mascarpone Pasta Sauce 350g H Sundried Cherry Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce 350g H
www.heinztohome.co.uk
ORGANIC RED PEPPER SWEET - PREMIUM H
HODI PAPRIKA
WHAT IS IT? Organic sweet paprika from Hungary. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Use it to make goulash or a stew of your choosing, like Staffordshire beef lobby. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): Very hot red pepper flakes - premium H Smoked very hot red pepper flakes - premium HH
www.hodipaprika.hu
CURRY LEAF POWDER H
KACCHI LONDON
WHAT IS IT? An Ayurvedic spice-blend of curry leaves, split bengal gram lentil, sesame seeds, cumin, dried mango powder, black pepper, red chilli powder and salt. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Use as an ingredient, marinade or garnish.
www.kacchi.co.uk
UMAZING UMAMI MISO MUSHROOM SHAKE
AND SPRINKLE H
KAL’S KITCHEN
WHAT IS IT? This salt-alternative umami seasoning blends shiitake mushrooms with miso, cherry tomatoes and Irish seaweed. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Use to liven up rice or pasta or bring out savoury qualities in meats, fish, vegetables, broths and soup.
www.umazingumami.co.uk
ARTISAN BLACK TRUFFLE & RICOTTA TORTELLONI HH
LA TUA PASTA
WHAT IS IT? Hand folded tortelloni filled with black truffle and ricotta. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Cook in salted boiling water for 3–4 minutes. Best served with truffle butter or olive oil. Plate and garnish with Parmigiano Reggiano. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): Tagliatelle Egg Pasta H
www.latuapasta.com
PIZZA BELLISSIMA H COLD MILLED FLAXSEED H
LINWOODS HEALTH FOODS
WHAT IS IT? Cold milled organic flaxseed high in Omega 3, fibre and protein. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Sprinkle over breakfast cereal or salad, or stir into yoghurt. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): Shelled Hemp H
www.linwoodshealthfoods.com
PIZZASI
WHAT IS IT? 11” hand-stretched fresh pizza base. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Add tomato sauce, mozzarella and toppings of choice, bake for a few minutes and enjoy.
www.pizzasigroup.com
HAND STRETCHED PIZZA BASE H
TENUTA MARMORELLE
WHAT IS IT? Hand stretched traditional Pinsa Romana (Roman pizza) sourdough base. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Dress with pizza toppings and put into a really hot oven for 6-8 minutes. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): Pistachio Panettone H Date and Almond Panforte H Gluten Free Penne H
www.tenutamarmorelle.com
SUMAC CITRUS BERRIES WITH NATURAL EDIBLE DEAD SEA
SALT FROM THE JORDAN VALLEY H
TERRA ROSSA
WHAT IS IT? A blend of whole sumac citrus berries with Dead Sea salt crystals from the Levant - the Jordan Valley. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Sumac adds a tangy, zesty and intense lemony flavour, and is used to impart a dry citrusy flavour. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): Baharat H
www.terra-rossa.com
CITRUS COCKTAIL SALT H
THE SALTY RIM CO.
WHAT IS IT? A citrus rim salt to balance the sweet and sour flavours of a Margarita cocktail. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass and dip in the tin before pouring your cocktail in.
www.thesaltyrim.co.uk
NO 03 CONCHIGLIE RIGATE H
THE YORKSHIRE PASTA COMPANY
WHAT IS IT? Premium British artisan pasta made with locally milled wheat flour. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Conchiglie rigate love storing sauce in their smooth, deep, cave-like interior. Best served with light sauces or ones with chunky pieces. Try using these to make a twist on mac’n’cheese. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): No 04 Tortiglioni H
www.yorkshirepasta.co.uk
Okra Onion Pineapple Jackfruit Mango Bannna Broccoli
