Tag Archives: vegetables

Pale Green Dot Fruit & Veg Box Review | Win A Fantastic Food Box

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pale green dot, fruit and veg box, fruit, veg, vegetables, box, food, London, We reviewed a fruit and veg box from Pale Green Dot and we loved it so much that we are now running a competition for one lucky reader to win one of their own. All you have do is follow us on Twitter and then tweet at us, or follow us on Facebook and leave a message to let you know you have entered the competition. The closing date is the end of June and you have to live in London, Surrey, Sussex or Kent.

The fruit and veg box is definitely the best fruit and veg box I have tried. The spring onion is sublime: so unlike the ones you get in a supermarket. It has lettuce still attached to its roots and Sussex chard. The tomatoes are ripe and juicy. It even has asparagus and delicious aubergine. The box is filled to the brim with healthy deliciousness. We love. Pale Green Dot have more food boxes now including a BBQ one. Have a look below.

pale green dot – even more food boxes now available for home delivery across London and the South East

 

Pale green dot, sustainable suppliers of home delivered fine quality fresh, seasonal and local produce, dairy basics, meat and cheese, are now launching an even more extensive range of boxes.  Becoming quite the ‘one stop shop’ the pale green dot home delivery website features a new premium vegetable box, a fruit box, beer box, wine box, Italian box, and coming soon, a curry box.

 

Previously operating in the hospitality sector, pale green dot has managed an incredible turnaround in order to ensure that those living in London and the South East are able order online and enjoy fresh produce delivered to their homes.

 

Response to the boxes has been so positive, the company will be delivering to homes post lockdown to customers who have come to enjoy the quality, convenience and variety of what they are receiving.

The new premium vegetable box at £25.00 contains a greater choice and twice the amount of seasonal fresh produce than the company’s standard box, including ingredients such as new season Cornish mid potatoes, Sussex chard and Bobby beans from Jersey.

The fruit box at £15.00 is full of fresh and colourful fruits. Perfect to eat, drink and preserve it usually includes mango, pineapple, pomegranate, melon and kiwis as well as apples, grapes, oranges and blueberries.

The BBQ box contains meat and poultry sourced predominantly from small farms rearing free-range native breeds. All items are vac packed and can be frozen. The box includes steaks, burgers, sausages, marinated chicken legs and lamb koftas.

 

The Italian box  has everything you need to make flavour-packed pasta without having to leave the house. It includes pasta (wholemeal and white), pesto, fresh garlic, herbs, olive oil, parmesan cheese and passata and tomatoes at £25.00.

 

Two Tribes have partnered with pale green dot to supply their beers for beer boxes from £13.50.

 

There are three wine boxes, red, white and mixed, the boxes contain a curated selection of six bottles, familiar and new, old world and new world from £56.00 each.

 

All the boxes are available to order online at https://www.palegreendot.co.uk/home-deliveries and can be set up for regular deliveries, or one-off orders. Pale green dot aims to deliver boxes by the next working day.

 

To keep minds at ease, pale green dot are implementing the highest safety and hygiene standards across the board when it comes to both packaging and delivering in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

 

Orders can be made via this link –  https://www.palegreendot.co.uk/home-deliveries

 

www.palegreendot.co.uk

 

Easy Ways To Cook Vegetables. How to Get Your 5-a-Day.

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Getting our 5-a-day is hard. Or at least, I have often found it so. It is easy to grab a piece of fruit but eating vegetables requires more effort. At least that is what it feels like sometimes. Since lockdown it has been harder to get some foods. We have had a weekly delivery of fruit and veg. There are a number of companies that do this.

It has set a challenge to use everything up as I refuse to have food waste. This has always been the case but even more so now. I will be sharing tips on the coming weeks but here is what I am doing at the moment.

Every few days I make a a huge salad or a traybake of roasted vegetables. This does as a lunch for a few days and also a side for supper. It is very easy to do. Sure there is a lot of chopping, and my children are usually trying to get my attention, but because you only have to do it every three days it is not that bad.

Salad potatoes can be boiled for 15 minutes. I add rosemary or parsley to them.
potatoes with herbs, cooking vegetables, how to cook potatoes,

Cauliflower can be boiled in 15 minutes. Carrots take 5 minutes. I add as many herbs and spices to the various vegetables as possible. A lot of  fruit and veg boxes come with a bag of fresh herbs. You might also have some in your cupboard. Five spice anyone?

Aubergine can be roasted for 20 minutes in the oven. I tend to add olive oil and salt and pepper. It tastes delicious. You can also pan fry it. Beetroot is great baked in the oven for 45 minutes. You can even bake it whole. Add olive oil and wrap in foil. I tend to cook things at 180. The roast vegetables can be added to the salad and vice versa. I love adding fruit to veg. Oranges go great with aubergine. It is a lot of work cooking and, lets be honest, tedious, but when you make a lot you only have to do it every three days. That is for a family of four.

Eating raw food is great and retains nutrients. I find raw cabbage tastes amazing and has a satisfying texture. I have a large Mason Cash baking bowl which I make a huge salad in. There was one week where we did not get a fruit and veg box and my husband and I really noticed the difference to our health. A plant based diet is the easiest way to great health.

In the evenings and weekends I write in the kitchen while my husband looks after the kids. I am right near the fridge which is not good, but instead of snacking on unhealthy foods I just dip into my huge bowl of salad. Try it, put all of your favourite fruit and veg in a big bowl and pick at it when you are hungry. It will change your life and your health.

Please share any cooking tips or recipes with me. Lots of love and stay safe, Catherine xx.

 

 

Pale Green Dot Start Fresh Fruit and Veg Box Home Delivery Initiative

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veg delivery, fruit and veg delivery, food delivery, coronavirus, COVID-19, fruit, veg, vegetables, London, delivery, food delivery, Pale Green Dot supply the finest quality fresh, seasonal and local produce to some of London and the South East’s finest restaurants year round. In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, with so many restaurants sadly having to close for the foreseeable, their premium quality fruit and veg is now available for the public to order for themselves to be delivered straight to their door.

 

The quality of produce is sensational, and allows  members of the public to avoid supermarket shopping, perusing empty shelves and bringing home simply whatever might be left available.  The Essential Fresh Produce Box (£12.50) includes traditional root veg (onions, swede, beetroot, carrots, potatoes), leaves and green veg (salad bag, Savoy/Tundra cabbage, leeks), coloured veg (peppers, vine tomatoes, aubergines) and local fruit (apples, pears). The Veg and Staples Box (£20) includes all of the above as well as milk, bread and eggs as well. Boxes can be delivered as a one off or even weekly.

“We are getting amazing quality fresh farm produce to people in their homes at an affordable price.  We’re so proud to be doing our bit to keep British farmers and our Pale Green Dot family in work whilst supplying the public with fantastic quality produce at this time.” says Jo Farish from Pale Green Dot

 With supermarkets running low on fresh produce as it is, this new initiative gives people a fantastic opportunity to stay healthy and nourished with restaurant quality fruit and veg at a fair price.  As well as this, the initiative also gives security to their farmers who at this time may feel incredibly anxious about supply and demand in the hospitality industry.

Thanks to this initiative, the farmers and growers who work for and with Pale Green Dot have new clientele through these times to keep business going until things return to normal and supply can begin again for the hospitality industry.  As well as growing and farming, Pale Green Dot employees are also helping to deliver these fresh produce boxes around London and the South East to those who aren’t just running low on fresh supplies but also those who cannot leave their homes at this time.

Orders can be made via the website.  Pale Green Dot aims to deliver boxes by the next working day but of course delivery times will be determined by demand and capacity during these unprecedented times.

To keep minds at ease, Pale green Dot are implementing the highest safety and hygiene standards across the board when it comes to both packaging and delivering in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

 

Orders can be made via this link – www.palegreendot.co.uk/veg-box

www.palegreendot.co.uk

This Month’s Health & Beauty Picks

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Here are our top health and beauty picks for this month.

Cawston Press Juice

cawstonepress

Three new juices from Cawston Press. Sweet Greens, Sunshine Blend and Radiant Roots. These are a delicious and unique fruit and vegetable blend. They taste great and are super healthy. They are free from added sugar, sweeteners, preservatives and colourings. What more could you want?

£2.99 from the chilled drinks cabinet in Tesco.com

Proactiv+

proactivreview

proactiv+

proactivbox+review

A classic for people with sensitive and spot-prone skin. It leaves the skin hydrated whilst reducing the appearance of spots and blemishes. Now new and improved from skincare experts Dr Katie Rodan and Dr Kathy Fields. It’s superior Smart Target Technology is specifically developed to deliver more salicylic acid straight to the pores, leaving skin fresh, healthy and spot-free. Ola Jordan and Nicole Scherzinger are fans. We have tested it and are very impressed with the results.

Eye of Horus Husk Brow Define
huskbrowdefinereyeofhorus

eyeofhorus brow definer

brow liner

Australian make-up brand Eye of Horus has just launched its own brow offering: the Brow Define. This is a brilliant brow definer. Slimline to make realistic strokes and it lasts. We were very impressed. Even better, the formula is enriched with Castor Oil, known for its hair growing properties. There is a handy brush on the other end to blend and it is long-lasting and smudge proof. It is also paraben-free. Win-win.

horus

£15 from beautybay.com

 

Biotrue ONEday Contact Lens
biotrueonedaylenses

New to the market is Biotrue ONEday, a premium disposable contact lens developed by Bausch + Lomb.

The Biotrue lens is made from HyperGel™, a new material which helps maintain eye health because it works like your eyes:

  • Matches the water content of the cornea
  • Allows optimal oxygen transmission
  • Mimics the protective lipid layer of the eye to eliminate friction and improve comfort

Biotrue ONEday is available from Asda.com and independent opticians.

 

 

 

Spiralizer Review: Is This The Coolest Kitchen Gadget?

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Spiralizer review

vegan bolognese courgette pastaI never thought I would be the type to write about a kitchen gadget but here it is: my love for my Westmark Spiromat 11332260 Spiralizer. My spiralizer was actually a birthday present from my brother. Even weirder for me, to ask for something domestic for my birthday. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not domestic. But if anything will turn anyone into a (one-time) domestic goddess it is the spiralizer. I made vegan bolognese with it. (Above picture)

So what does it do? Well it turns vegetables into noodles and pasta. Yes, that’s it. Why so good? Well it’s fun to use and instead of having carbs you can have courgette pasta. Which is absolutely delicious and very healthy.Frankly I am obsessed and I am not the only one. Blogger Deliciously Ella featured the spiralizer on her blog and it sold out on Amazon.

Although the Spiralizer looks hard to clean, you can just pop it in the dishwasher. It comes with a few different attachments for variety and it is very easy to use. Because it is fun to use you use it more, therefore you eat more healthy. I should stop now as it is ruining my street cred to gush so much about a kitchen appliance but I really do love it. Vegetable noodles and pasta are great and less stodgy than the real thing. I still love pasta but I do find it heavier and more filling. This gadget is also perfect for the gluten intolerant.

 

You can buy a spiralizer here.

 

 

Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe | Vegetarian Food

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My husband has stopped eating meat, which means I have had to develop something of an imagination when it comes to cooking. I came up with this dish after being inspired by a lentil and tomato dish I had at an Italian restaurant in Putney called The Italian Boys. This is completely different, but I was greatly inspired by the combination of tomato sauce and lentils. So here is my take on it.

I have called it a hotpot after my husband suggested it. It tastes amazing, if I do say so myself.

Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe Vegetarian Foodcooking

Cooking time: 30-40 minutes

Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe

You will need:

3-4 Leeks.

A tin of chopped tomatoes.

Lentils (150-200g)

3 carrots

A tablespoon of olive oil

A dollop of butter

La Rosmarina sauce. (We get ours from Fattoria La Villa but you can buy it from somewhere else or make your own. The ingredients are tomatoes, extra virgin oil, fresh rosemary, garlic, salt and hot chilli pepper. Only use a tiny amount of the hot chilli pepper, you want a slight kick, this is not a spicy dish).

 

Leek And Lentil Hotpot
Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe | Vegetarian FoodLeek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe | Vegan

Method

Thoroughly clean the lentils and then add them to a pan. Pour cold water over them and then bring to the boil. Cook for 20-30 minutes. Next clean and chop the leeks and the carrots. Then take a frying pan and add a dollop of butter or spread. Add the leeks and the carrots and sauté them for 10 minutes. Add a tablespoon of olive oil. When the leeks and carrots are cooked add the lentils and then the rosemary sauce. Finally, add the tin of tomatoes. Stir it all together and make sure it is all hot. Job done: Leek & Lentil Hotpot. It is quick and easy.

If you can’t get your hands on some La Rosmarina sauce, although I recommend that you do, add some fresh rosemary, a clove of garlic, a touch of salt and a very slight amount of hot chilli pepper to the dish. The hot chilli pepper can be taken out altogether if you do not want any spice, or add a little more if you are so inclined.

Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe Vegetarian Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe Vegetarian Food

This is an amazing dish that really locks in the flavour and is very healthy. If you cook it for yourself, let me know what you think.

Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe Vegetarian Foodcooking

 

Cauliflower and Leek Soup Recipe

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This Cauliflower and Leek Soup Recipe is a great vegetarian soup. Lower in calories than the classic potato and leek soup. It is a good alternative and tastes delicious.

cauliflowerandleeksouprecipe

You will need:

3 leeks

40g of butter

1  cauliflower

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2L stock of your choice. I use vegetable sometimes but not always.

salt and  pepper to taste

cauliflowerandleeksouprecipesaute

How to make it:

Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pan. Use a medium heat. Saute the leeks, the cauliflower and the garlic for roughly 10 minutes. Stir in the stock and then bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, cover and allow the mixture to simmer for 45 minutes.

cauliflowerandleeksoup

After 45 minutes remove the soup from the heat. You can then blend with a mixer if you want it to be smooth. I don’t, I like my soup chunky. Add a good dollop of butter or double cream if you want. It is optional but I add more butter. It really adds to the taste. Add salt and pepper to taste too. Done! Simple and delicious.