Food

Over the last few weeks we’ve been having a little taste of Italy.  Tesco sent us their new range of pizza toppers and pasta sauces, so that we could try them out at home.

The Tesco Tomato & Mascarpone Pasta Sauce is made from mascapone cheese which is blended with fresh tomatoes to create a very creamy pasta sauce.  We used this in the same way that we usually use a pasta sauce: we quickly fry up some onions, peppers, mushrooms, or whatever else we have that’s suitable, then add the sauce and the cooked pasta.  This made for a hearty, quick family meal packed with vegetables.  It’s was a very tasty sauce made a little bit more special by the creaminess of the mascapone.

At the weekend my husband cooked meatballs with pasta.  He makes these quite regularly from a Jamie Oliver recipe and he used the Tesco Tomato & Vegetable Sauce for Meatballs with it.  It was a very popular combination and the sauce complemented the meatballs nicely.  In fact, they were so popular that my son has bagsied the leftovers for his dinner one night.

I often use pizza toppers when I make a homemade pizza. It’s something I tend to make with my son (and any visiting children) and I find that making my own dough (in the breadmaker), adding toppings and cooking the pizza is enough work for an after school dinner.  Hence, using pizza toppers to provide a tasty tomato sauce is a useful time saver.  Tesco offer a Tomato & Herb Pizza Topper and a Tesco Tomato & Garlic Pizza Topper, so you can ring the changes a little, or choose a sauce to match your other toppings.

 

 

I absolutely adore pizza, and there are countless reasons why it holds a special place in my heart. First and foremost, the flavors and variety that pizza offers are simply unparalleled. From the classic margherita with its harmonious blend of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, to the indulgent combination of pepperoni, mushrooms, and gooey melted cheese, every bite is a burst of pure culinary bliss.

The versatility of pizza is another reason why I find it so irresistible. Whether I’m in the mood for a thin and crispy crust or a thick, doughy one, pizza caters to my cravings perfectly. It accommodates all sorts of dietary preferences and restrictions, allowing me to experiment with different toppings, sauces, and cheese types. It’s a canvas for endless creativity, and I can personalize it to suit my tastes or explore new and exciting flavor combinations.

One of the things I love most about pizza is its ability to bring people together. Whether it’s a casual get-together with friends, a family gathering, or a celebratory occasion, pizza has a way of creating a convivial atmosphere. Sharing a pizza with loved ones, each grabbing a slice and engaging in lively conversation, forms lasting memories and strengthens bonds.

Moreover, pizza possesses a timeless quality that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. It is cherished worldwide, from the traditional Neapolitan-style pizza in Italy to the deep-dish delight in Chicago. Pizza has become an emblem of comfort food, a universal language that connects people from all walks of life.

Tesco Finest have launched a new range of pizzas that are lower in calories.  We tried out the Finest Woodfired Chargrilled Pepper and Tomato & Chipotle Chilli Salsa, plus the Finest Woodfired Chicken, Mint & Coriander pizza.

Both pizzas have a stonebaked, woodfired pizza base.  The base is made from Italian 00 flour and extra virgin olive oil.  The Finest Woodfired Chargrilled Pepper and Tomato & Chipotle Chilli Salsa pizza has a topping of rich tomato sauce (made with San Marzano plum tomatoes), with a tomato and chipotle pepper salsa.  Added to that there are chargrilled red and yellow peppers and fresh green chillies for a bit of heat.  Meanwhile the Finest Woodfired Chicken, Mint & Coriander pizza also has a San Marzano plum tomato sauce, with marinated chicken pieces on top.  Once again, there are chargrilled red and yellow peppers with a mint and coriander, extra virgin olive oil dressing.

The Finest Woodfired Chargrilled Pepper and Tomato & Chipotle Chilli Salsa pizza was nicely spicy.  This was my favourite of the two that we tested.  I’m a bit of a lightweight in the spice department and for me this was as spicy as I like it, without being dull or insipid.  My husband (R) tried it too and he liked it.  The Finest Woodfired Chicken, Mint & Coriander pizza was less of a success.  I served this up to us two adults, my son (6) and his friend (also 6).  I wasn’t very keen on the combination of mint and pizza and neither were the boys.  R enjoyed it though.

As I’m trying to cut back a little on the calories at the moment, the fact that these Finest pizzas were lower in calories was a real plus for me.

I think though that my favourite pizza comes from Pizza Express, in fact the Etna pizza from Pizza Express is my all time favourite.

Recently I was sent some samples from The Ready To Enjoy Range by The Saucy Fish Co. to review. There are four flavours in the Ready To Enjoy Range: Roasted Sweet Chilli Salmon with Tomato and Chilli Chutney, Smoked Salmon with Sticky Maple Dressing, Roasted Lemon and Herb Salmon with Sicilian Lemon and Dill Mayonnaise and Steamed Salmon with Lime and Coriander Dressing.

When The Saucy Fish Co. say they are ready to enjoy, they aren’t exaggerating.  You can serve them up straight from the pack if you want.  Alternatively if you prefer, you can heat them up.  Either way they’re very easy.  You just take them out of the packaging (heat on a baking tray in the oven if you want to) and add the dressing or sauce to serve.

Ready meals can often be dull, uninspired and unhealthy, but the Ready to Enjoy range breaks that mould.  There are strong flavours like the Roasted Sweet Chilli Salmon with Tomato and Chilli Chutney which is really gutsy.  The Roasted Lemon and Herb Salmon with Sicilian Lemon and Dill Mayonnaise variety really packed a punch too.  They are a great way to get in one of your portions of oily fish too.  The pack of two fillets is the perfect size if you are eating alone, in a bit of a hurry, or don’t want to bother with lots of preparation.  The fish is of good quality and all the fillets were very tasty.  Sauces too were of a high standard and complimented the salmon nicely.