Embarrassment!

I am embarrassed that my last post was on July 7th!!! That's six weeks ago; I could give you a whole host of excuses, but instead I'll tell you a little bit about our holidays in a wet Bretagne. We must have had the wettest week of the summer, but we were undeterred in our efforts to explore the North-west coast of Brittany.

We stayed in a fabulous gite near Morlaix, called 'Coat d"Amour', which also operates as a chambre d'hotes (or B&B). We rented the converted stables, which was a charming, single-story, 16th century building. It was ideal for Hector who could crawl to his heart's content. The property was on 12, wonderfully planted acres complete with swings and swimming pool. We did not have a single opportunity to try either - it was like a holiday in Ireland!!!

Morlaix was a bit disappointing as there is no real 'heart' despite it being quite an old town. Highlights from the surrounding area included Perros-Guirec, and a little town to the North-west of Perros whose name we can't remember. Head for the Cafe du Port on the non-touristy side of town for a view of the bay and seriously authentic crepes and galettes.

We spent 1 night in Dinan on the way back, and this was the best night of the holiday. We stayed in a charming hotel in the centre of town with a stunning garden. Dinan was buzzing with life and we had one of the best meals this year in a family-run, small restaurant called 'La Fleur du Sel'...traditional dishes with modern twists served by the delightful patron and his son.

Our final night of the holidays, the sun was by this point shining of course, was at La Fevrerie at St Genevieve, east of Cherbourg. We stayed in the family room and had a sumptuous breakfast with a choice of 5 breads, as many home-made jams, homemade yoghurt, pastries, fruits, madeleines, creme caramels and the list goes on. Suffice to say we rolled onto the ferry!

Since then we've had our heads down getting ready for the Speciality and Fine Food Fair 2010, as well as moving into our new kitchen. Do come and visit stand 141 at the year's best trade event for deli owners. Finally, as a triple gold winner we are attending the Great Taste Awards Presentation evening in Fortnum and Mason on September 6th. Will the Amaretti be crowned supreme champion? Watch this space!

Limonetti and Lamb

I received the first order for Limonetti today, they look and taste beautiful. I have a few new customers (Cornwall, Hertfordshire, Canterbury amongst other places), but I am waiting until the new kitchen is completed before adding too many more customers. We also hope to have a part-time employee from August!

We will hear about the Great Taste Awards in July...I am sceptical as my lovely, fresh biscuits may only be judged now (two months after they were baked...). I am judging some foods for the awards on June 24th - apparently I can judge my own biscuits, but I think I'd recognise them and be 100% biased in their favour.

The lamb is not a new biscuit. Rather, tonight we had a lovely half shoulder of lamb. I dry roasted some cumin and coriander seeds (maybe a dessertspoon of both), and two cardamom pods, and added them to four cloves of smashed garlic and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

I made four deep cuts in the lamb and stuffed them with the spice and garlic mixture. 60 minutes in a 175 degree oven, and you have one incredibly tasty supper. We had it with our new favourite vegetable, which is a 'smash' of peas, broad beans, garlic and olive oil. Comfort food for the return of winter!


A bientot!

Success?

Well, the Amaretti sold out in 36 hours so baked a repeat order today. I am secretly rather pleased! The ongoing marketing assault is going reasonably well - biscotti now being sold in delis from Lymington (of course) to Cardiff and on up to Harrogate. Not a bad spread. We are entering the Great Taste Awards, which will give me a really objective view on the quality of the products. Meanwhile I continue to seek more customers (if any of you are thinking of starting a food producing business selling to delis, January to March seems to be EXTREMELY quiet in the deli world - encouraging owners to stock new products is like trying to prevent chocolate melting on the Equator). Does that stop me??? Does it heck.

Adios amigos.

PS Will someone please post a comment??