Thursday 24 November 2011

Tefal Sensorielle Range

I was sent the fantastic new Tefal Sensorielle non-stick frying pan to review, and must say I am so impressed. I've had various non stick pans before, and well, none have lived up to my expectations.
The Senorielle range boasts of a new patented non-scratch coating, a new anti-warp base, copper particles that distribute heat evenly across the pan, and Tefals Ultimium non-stick coating allowing oil free cooking.

Upon opening the pan, at first glances i was impressed, but from looking I couldn't tell what it was going to be like when it came to cooking. On the packaging it says to wash in warm soapy water and give it a light coating of oil before the first use. So after doing this i decided i'd cook a cheese omlette. Whenever I cook and omlette, no matter how much oil i use, i am always left with some of it stuck to the pan, so with only using this thin coating of oil I was dubious, and was expecting it to stick.
Well i am still shocked at the fact that nothing I cook has yet stuck to the pan, even when not washed straight away, food that i would usually have to scrub to get off, just came off with a gentle rub.
I know need to purchase all of the pans in the sensorielle range, as i am that impressed.

The Sensorielle range is the first cookware to use Tefal’snew Intensium coating. Intensium is an extra hard mineral base layer which is fused to the other layers, including a visibleholographic layer. Intensium provides the ultimate scratch-resistant surface, designed to withstand the most rigorous use and even resistant when using metal utensils.
The range also features Tefal’s high quality,lifetime guaranteed (for the lifetime of the pan) Ultimium non-stick coating, which enables you to cook without oil – perfect for a low-fat kitchen. The range isdishwasher safe, easy to clean and compatible with electric and gas hobs.

I would highly recommend this to anyone in need of any new pans, the rrp starts from £19, and increases with pan size, but this is a product that I really think will last and will be well worth the money.
They can be bought from a range of online retailers including www.homeandcook.co.uk/.

A huge 5/5 from us :-D
Loren x

Sunday 13 November 2011

Schwartz

Here in the Lorens Little Lovelys household we are HUGE fans of the fantastic range of Schwartz cooking products.We use their simple to use packet mixes, that make a scrumptious meal everytime, aswel as their jars or various herbs and spices.
To name just a few of the products we have used recently are:

-Garlic granules-fantastic for any recipe that requires garlic. 1/4 of a teaspoon is the equivalent to 1 clove of garlic, which is so simple to measure out, far less messy then chopping or pressing fresh garlic, plus Schwartz garlic granules don't start sprouting.

-Medium curry powder-We love curry in our family, once every week or every 2 weeks we have my parents over, and I do a homemade curry, with Schwartz medium curry powder I simply add my chicken, 2 tins of tomatoes, half a teaspoon of garlic granules, a chopped onion, and of course 1 tablespoon of Schwartz medium curry powder and leave to cook. Done in the slow cooker the chicken, beef or lamb becomes so tender, it simply crumbles in your mouth, but if you don't have a slow cooker fear not, it can also be done in a large pan on the hob.

-The fantastic perfect shake range- i've been using garlic italian to make delicious homemade pasta sauce, classic bbq to flavour steak and extra spicy cajun is particulary yummy when doing my spicy chicken pitta breads.

-Flavourful lamb casserole is- just divine, and again I do this in the slow cooker, meaning I can use cheaper cuts of meat, but the end result being fantastic taste and texture.

-Chilli con carne packet mix- Again this is something me or my mom cook every week or every 2 weeks, and is another easy to make yummy, and very filling meal. Chilli is also Eva's favourite food. I often do chilli in the slow cooker aswel(how did i ever live without it), but before i used to cook in a large pan. Simply fry off mince meat, add the meat, an onion, a tin of kidney beans(we add 2 as we love them), 2 tins of tomatoes, a little bit of water and cook. Yummy served with rice and garlic bread.

-Schwartz slow cooker range- which consists of Beef and tomato casserole, Chicken curry, Chicken in red wine and Sausage and bean casserole, all of which are truly delicious, nothing better then walking in from the school run or work to the smell of your tea all ready to be dished up.

-Schwartz mills-We find the Black peppercorns and Sea salt are perfect for flavouring food to taste, both in cooking and at the table.


The Schwartz ranges are so vast that there is something for everyone, from the inexperienced to the professional cook.
Morrisons currently have Schwartz packet mixes on offer, buy 2 for £1.50, so why not head down and get cooking something delicious today.

Loren x

Wednesday 9 November 2011

Kent & Fraser Gluten Free Cookies, Biscuits and Shortbread

I was sent Kent & Frasers Chocolate Chip Cookies, Lemon Butter Shortbread, and Spicy Ginger Crunch Biscuits to review.


I was eager to try these out, as I have a friend who has to eat a Gluten Free Diet, and also I have a few friends with children who have allergies and are on gluten free, dairy free and egg free diets.
These Kent & Fraser biscuits are available in waitroses "free-from" isle.

Kent & Fraser are setting new and higher standards in the world of ‘free-from’ baked goods in their mission to ensure that everyone from foodies to those with food allergies will be able to enjoy their delicious biscuits, cookies and shortbread.

I will be honest, and even after having read the info on these bicuits i was a bit dubious as to how they would taste, as having tasted myself, and heard from others some free from foods don't live up to the expectations of my taste buds.

Firstly i tried the chocolate chip cookies.
Chocolate Chip Cookies − a delicious mix of butter, muscovado sugar and a very generous smattering of rich, delicious chocolate chips. Contains no eggs, wheat or gluten.
These didn't taste like any other biscuits i've tried before, but they were really really yummy. They were buttery, and sweet, but not overly sweet, and the chocolate chips really complemented the biscuit.

Next i tried the lemon butter shortbread.
Lemon Butter Shortbread − this melt-in-your-mouth crumbly shortbread is a flavour sensation of rich sweetness and sharp lemon. Free from eggs, soya, wheat or gluten.
I am a huge fan of shortbread, and this was no exception. The shortbread was buttery and as advertised literally melts in your mouth. The lemon flavouring is perfect, not too sharp as to take away from the buttery sweet shortbread, but just enough to get your taste buds tingling.

Lastly i tried the spicy ginger crunch biscuits.
Spicy Ginger Crunch – a crunchy combination of sugar and spice and made with real stem ginger. Sweetest of all, these biscuits have no eggs, dairy, soya, wheat or gluten.
These were delicious, very crunchy, and you can really taste the ginger and the spice, and is just sweet enough, Kent & Fraser have definately got the balance of the ginger, sugar and spice just right. This is definately going to be a favourite biscuit this winter, perfect for an after school snack on the cold darks afternoons, or as a yummy pudding.



Kent & Fraser’s founder John Selby, says:
“Traditionally gluten-free food has been focused more on functionality than flavour which is a real trade off. Our aim is to develop deliciously clever gluten-free and wheat free cookies, biscuits and shortbread that are perfect in texture, made from 100% natural produce and most importantly taste fantastic."

These biscuits are available from Waitrose, and retail at around £2.29. Yes it is expensive, but unfortunately free from foods do cost more, as more goes into making them. Are they worth the money...Yes. Especially if you or a family member do have food allergies/intollerances. Perfect for an any time treat, for little ones, for parents and even for the grandparents.

To see the full range, or for more information visit www.kentandfraser.com

We give these biscuits a big 5/5, and will be buying them again.
Loren x