Visit us at the Nairn Show, Sat 30 July

We’re delighted to let you know that Spice of Life will have an Easy Peasy Curry stand in the Food Fair Section of the Nairn Show – http://www.nairnshow.org.uk/ on Saturday, 30 July.

Yes, we’ll be there alongside the Pipe Bands, Cheerleader Displays, Show Jumping and even Helicopter Rides.  There are also lots of really interesting-sounding charity stalls such as 2 Wit 2 Woo Owl & Raptor Rescue – Wow!

The showground can be found at Kinnudie Farm, Auldearn, 1 mile East of Nairn, just off the A96 – http://www.nairnshow.org.uk/location

At our stand we’ll have some curries bubbling away for you to sample and you can purchase your curry packs with no postage to pay. We’ll even have a special offer available at the show.

Even better is that you’ll be able to see us doing our Fanny Craddock & Johnny (showing our age) bit when we give a cookery demonstration at 1.30pm. Of course, anyone who’s already cooked our curries will know that it’ll be a pretty short demo because our curries are so quick and easy to cook! Because of this, we’ll probably have to pad out our time with a little song & dance and possibly the odd joke or two, so it should prove interesting.

See you there!!

Our Curries Now Available in Switzerland & France

Yes indeed, courtesy of our latest stockist : Jim’s British Market in St Genis-Pouilly, residents in the Ain region of France and over the border in west Switzerland can now purchase The Spice of Life’s proper, authentic curry mixes.

This part of the world isn’t renowned for serving curry with a kick. In fact, last time I visited an Indian restaurant in Ferney-Voltaire, France, and ordered a Vindaloo, it barely tipped the scales at “a bit spicy”!  It was a far cry from what we Brits are used to.

Along with HP sauce, PG tips, Marmite and Heinz Baked Beans, curry ingredients – if they’re available at all in this region – occupy the “UK Foods” section in the supermarket, so it made sense to find a British shop as our regional stockist.

We’re delighted, therefore, to be supplying Jim’s British Market, based at:

147 Rue du Mont Rond, Espace de l’Allondon, 01630 St Genis-Pouilly, France

Jim's British Market

Tel:  +33(0)450 420 418

Opening hours are:

Wed, Thurs, Fri – 10am – 7pm
Saturday – 10am – 5pm
Sunday – 11am – 1pm
Mon, Tues – closed

Jim’s – run by Jim & Margaret – has been supplying the ex-pat community for 15 years.

As well as the shop, there’s a great tea room which serves a full english, fish & chips and even cream teas.  And you can watch Sky TV at the same time!

We look forward to an ongoing spicy relationship with Jim’s and hope to bring you news of more overseas stockists soon.  In fact, if you’re an ex-pat or if you holiday somewhere and know of a similar shop we should be supplying, let us know:

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Stockist Suggestion(required)

.

How to Cook Perfect Pilau Rice

We’ve all been there.

And it’s usually when it’s a special occasion and we desperately want everything to be perfect.

Your curry’s bubbling nicely, filling the kitchen with an authentic aroma (must be using one of our Easy Peasy Curry Mixes!).  You even remembered to warm the plates and the nan bread and now – the moment of truth – you tip the rice onto the plate and it comes out in one, glued-together, lump.  Well, not quite, there’s still a large portion of it stuck to the bottom of the pan just to give you something to do when you scrape it off later.

Fear not, those days are gone.  Here is, in fact, the recipe for perfect rice every time.

Step 1

Measure out – in volume – the amount of rice you need, remembering that we mostly over-estimate.  (Besides which, if you follow this method to the letter, you’ll find you won’t need as much rice because it will fluff up so much.)

Step 2

Rinse the rice well under cold running water and leave to soak in a pan of fresh, cold water.  Soak for at least 30 minutes.

Step 3

Measure TWICE the amount of water compared with the amount of rice, e.g. 1 cup rice = 2 cups water and bring to the boil.  Add salt or a teaspoon of our tasty Pilau Rice Seasoning Mix to the water.

Step 3

Rinse the rice again and tip it into the pan of boiling water.  Turn the heat down to simmer and cover the pan.  Make sure the water doesn’t boil over but that it continues to bubble.

Step 4

After about 5 minutes, stir the rice ONCE.  Replace the lid and continue to cook for approximately a further 5 minutes until all the water has been absorbed.  You can remove the cover for the last couple of minutes of cooking time.

Step 5

Fluff up the rice and serve.  There should be no water left to tip out of the pan.

The mistake so many people make is that they continually stir the rice which breaks down the starch, causing it to stick together.  To cook rice well, you must resist this urge and control the temperature closely so that the rice has time to cook gently and absorbe all the water without sticking to the pan.

Step 6

Enjoy!

The Good Food Van!

If you live in or around Inverness you may have seen this van doing its rounds.  Its the Good Food Van and owned by the very friendly and helpful Gavin.  He stocks a good selection of our curries and, as he’s a huge curry fan himself, he is able to give his customers personal recommendations!  Gavin and his Good Food Van go  round to various offices and homes in Inverness and the surrounding areas selling a whole range of award winning FRESH local produce, from meat, fish, bread, cheese, potatoes, all vac packed, to our Spice of Life Easy Peasy Curries!  No minimum purchase and FREE delivery!

January Sale on Easy Peasy Curries

Of course we’re jumping on the bandwagon and lifting your spirits with a January sale.  For the month of January you can enjoy a massive 33% OFF four of our popular curries.

Nayiaza: (pictured) a medium-spiced tomato & coconut curry containing NO onions and NO oil – NOW ONLY £1.17

Nayiaza Curry

Tandoori: an easy version of an eternal favourite – NOW ONLY £1.17

Saag Aloo: a classic side dish of spinach & potato – NOW ONLY £1

Kidz Curry: a mild, tasty introductory dish for young ‘uns or to ease adults into the wonderful world of curry – NOW ONLY £1

Visit the site now and take advantage of our FLAT RATE postage (no matter how big your order), speedy delivery, excellent customer service and, of course, our fabulous curries which taste just like your Indian Grandma makes ‘em!

FREE Chilli for December & Some Chilli Cooking Ideas

To celebrate feeling a little Chilly, for the entire month of December we’re giving a FREE Chilli with all curry orders over £10 (excluding P&P), and someone will be doubly lucky as one of these free Chillis will contain a HOT TICKET which you can exchange for one of our fantastic Christmas Curry Gift Boxes containing 4 beautifully packaged curries of your choice!

Place your order NOW to see whether you can turn your £10 into over £14 – talk about Christmas magic!

Chilli Twists

• Once you get your chilli, decide how hot you like it.  There are some whole dried chillis in the pack which really heat things up.  If you prefer a milder chilli, just pick one or more out.  You can always keep them on the side and add them in later.
• To cool down a chilli you’re finding too hot, serve a dollop of yoghurt or soured cream.  A side helping of fruit chutney will also help take the sting out.
• Vegetarians can still enjoy our chilli.  I always make it with veggie mince. So far I’ve tried Realeat, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons and they all work very well.  Alternatively, just mix a whole bunch of veg with the tin of tomatoes. A cheap and cheerful option is to use a pack of frozen mixed veg (ideal for campers).
• For a novel and increasingly popular twist, why not stir in some dark chocolate – mmmm, delicious.

If you have more ideas, why not add a comment to this post and share your creation with everyone.

Enjoy!

Christmas Gifts for Curry Lovers

You’ve heard of “putting the world to rights” – perhaps you’ve even done it yourself, over a glass of vino or a pint or two, well here at The Spice of Life we’ve been busy sorting out the eternal problem that is WHAT CAN I BUY HIM/HER FOR CHRISTMAS???

If you’re already beginning to fret that it’s starting to look an awful lot like socks again, never fear, allow Easy Peasy Curries to come to the rescue.

Gold Curry Gift Box

For the curry lover in your life, we really have got it all sewn up for you with the launch of our gorgeous Easy Peasy Curry Gift Boxes.

There are four combinations from which to choose – two colours and two sizes – Gold/Black or Silver/Black with both choices available in Large or Small.

Large will hold 8 curries and Small holds 4 curries.

Silver Curry Gift Box

Inside, the curries will be packaged in luxury deep purple acid-free tissue paper.

We can even include a gift tag with your message and send the whole package direct to your recipient if you wish, solving several problems in one go as this means no more:

• trekking out in the cold and schlepping around the shops looking for gifts
• fighting with the sellotape and gift wrap and ending up with something like the dog’s dinner
• finding a suitable box that will withstand the rigours of the postal service
• trundling down to the Post Office and standing in line to post

and getting around to doing all that so you post in good time for the fast approaching “last posting day”.

Tell you what, how about you pour yourself a nice glass of sherry and crack open the mince pies and let us take care of  it all for you?

Simply visit our website,  select your curries, choose your packaging, enter details in the comment box (at checkout) of how you want everything packaged (if ordering more than one at a time) and of the message you want on the tag, and enter a different shipping address if you want it sent elsewhere.

It couldn’t be easier.

So if you know someone who loves curry, you simply cannot go wrong with one of our gorgeous gift boxes.  An unusual, useful and attractive gift they’ll really thank you for.

Of course, you could always stick with the Christmas Reindeer Jumper idea, but you’d better get started, there’s not too long to go!

New Stockist in the Highlands!

The Storehouse Farm Shop, Evanton,
Foulis Ferry, Evanton, Ross-shire, IV16 9UX

Tel: 01349 830038
Email: info@thestorehouseathome.com

www.thestorehouseathome.com

This fantastically stocked farm shop is inspired by owner, Quintin’s, love of farming, and love of food!  So its no surprise that he’s decided to stock our curry spices in his shop. 

The shop attracts coach parties from all over Scotland and beyond as there’s so much to do and see, including a local heritage museum, history and wildlife exhibitions, picnic area, stunning views (including basking seals) and a fantastic restaurant.

They stock meat from their own farm and will shortly have vegetables and flowers from there too. They specialise in supplying fresh and local produce (like ours) so you can be sure when you shop there you are enjoying the best Scotland has to offer.

2 new suppliers in Lochcarron!

If you are a Spice of Life curry lover, then Lochcarron is definitely the place to be! 

Lochcarron lies amidst some of the finest scenery in the British Isles and is an absolute paradise for all those who love the great outdoors. Many people who visit this beautiful area do so to escape from it all, to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, and to enjoy the peace and tranquillity and the truly spectacular views.  The village has a population of around 900.  Now there is yet another reason to visit!

We are delighted that we have 2 new stockists in this lovely part of the Highlands of Scotland.

R & C MacLennan, Butchers 

MacLennan Butchers

Butcher’s Shop, Main Street

Lochcarron, Ross-Shire, IV54 8YB

Tel: 01520 722229

Butchers shop and mobile shop. Deliveries: Tues. Applecross; Wed. Achmore & Plockton; Thurs. Shieldaig; Fri. Kyle of Lochalsh. All products:- Pork, Beef, Lamb and Venison of highest quality.

Lochcarron Food Centre

Main Street

Lochcarron, Lochcarron, Ross-Shire, IV54 8YD

Tel: 01520 722209

E-Mail: emmawilks@aol.com

Well stocked Spar food shop and licensed general store situated in the centre of Lochcarron village. Also has filling station and small DIY department. Open 7 days per week except Christmas and New Year bank holidays. Parking available near shop in parking bays on opposite side of road.

Heard You Missed Us, We’re Back!! Get Your FREE Chick Pea Dhal before Oct 31

Curry & Margaritas

We’re back from Las Vegas and busy spicing up a storm to fill all the orders that came in whilst we were away and we’ll get these posted off tomorrow.

We’ve posted some pics of us living it up, if you’d like to view them.  They’re on the “I Love Easy Peasy Curries” Facebook Group, which you’re invited to join (and you’ll get to add your comments – good and bad).

NOTE:  All orders placed during October will have a FREE Chick Pea Dhal added to them as our thank-you to our customers.  There’s still time to take advantage.

(Posted by Maria, Sussex)