Peggy's Pick of The Products
I'll be honest, it was all tricks and no treats around here this year. This lovely man came to our Hallowe'en party, dressed as James Bond - very suave. I think he was interested, but the next day he turned up in overalls when we called in someone to unblock the gents. Puts you right off, doesn't it?
The less said about our fireworks party, the better. I thinks the kiddies enjoyed it, but I could have done with a lot more sparkle. Still, at least I'll be free to make sure we're ready for the Christmas rush...
Colman's mustard/Knorr Paste Bouillon
The rugby club were a bit personal regarding the turkey last December, so this year we're offering roast beef as an alternative on our Christmas set menu. I've laid on plenty of supplies of Colman's mustard and I'm using roast beef variety Knorr Paste Bouillon to make a lovely rich gravy, just in case the meat's not up to scratch - the butcher's still never explained where that horseshoe came from.
Unilever Foodsolutions: 0800 783 3728 www.unileverfoodsolutions.co.uk
Moy Park Foodservice Combos
Have you ever noticed how food always looks nicer on someone else's plate? We're going for sharing buffets this year. Moy Park Foodservice has some great ideas from its Menu Makers range, including the Hot Cheese Plate - Crumbed Brie wedges, baby Camembert and mild goat's cheese, served with a selection of fruit chutneys, grapes and crusty bread; the Classic combo - Crunchy Chick 'n' Mini Fillets, Buffalo Wings and spring rolls, onion rings and breaded mushrooms, served with ranch coleslaw and dips; and Fiery Chicken Platter - Wings Of Fire, BBQ Drumsticks and Hot and Spicy Chickwich Dippers served with onion rings and dips.
Moy Park Foodservice: 0800 085 2749 www.moyparkfoodservice.com
Brakes Terrines
We've gone very upmarket with our Christmas starters. We're serving Brakes Terrines - there's a Poached & Smoked Salmon Terrine with Lemon & Dill, and Crab Terrine with Coriander, Lemongrass & Ginger. Both lovely with a salad garnish. Or chips, probably.
Brakes: 0845 606 9090 www.brake.co.uk
MKG Foods single serve desserts
I haven't been able to look at a Christmas pudding since that incident with the flaming brandy and the vicar's wife. The new luxury single serve desserts from MKG Foods are a much better idea. There's a traditional Luxury Crème Brulée and a Raspberry Crème Brulée, and my favourite, a Pot au Chocolate. They come in earthenware pots in units of 12.
MKG Foods: 01922 453131 www.mkgfoods.co.uk
KFF fairtrade range
We sell a lot more coffee at this time of year - and not only as a hangover cure. I've been buying the fairtrade lines from KFF because I like to do my bit. They've just added a new range of fairtrade organic flapjacks and cereal bars, which the Christmas shopping crowd should enjoy with a morning coffee.
KFF: 01622 612345
Hellmann's Sandwich Delight canapès
It was February last year before we tracked down the last of my fish paste delights - I wish people would just leave them on the plate if they don't like something. This time around, I shall be using Hellmann's Sandwich Delight to make my canapés. I'm going for cherry tomatoes with chives & parsley filling; langoustine with cucumber & dill filling on fennel seed crackers; and mini croque monsieur using Delight Original filling flavoured with Colman's dijon mustard.
Unilever Foodsolutions: 0800 783 3728 www.unileverfoodsolutions.co.uk
If you've got a product you'd like Peggy to put through its paces, please email details, with a picture, to pubfood@thepublican.com
