Gift Boxes

Hampers..

Here at i-crave we provide a hamper/gift box service to supply our customers with great gift ideas at affordable prices.

Inside each of these hampers is a taste of what i-crave has to offer, with every item carefully chosen from our locally sourced, quality products to suit the hampers’ chosen theme.

As birthday, Christmas, wedding, and anniversary gifts, or to show appreciation of staff and thanks to clients- Hampers are an ideal way to cater for individual needs.

Coffee cravers and afternoon tea lovers... Wine tasters and champagne connoisseurs... Pasta fanatics or barmy for balsamic?!

Whether pre-made or chosen by you, i-crave pack our products in gift wrapped boxes, or rustic baskets with care and attention to detail. The option of personalised label messages is available to add that thoughtful touch.

So why not browse through the i-crave collection and see if you can find the perfect gift?

Hope to see you soon…

i-crave,

2404 Stratford Road

, Hockley Heath, B94 6QT           Tel: 01564 785321



photography by Simon Harding @ http://www.simonhardingphotography.com/

Peppers De Padron!

New in at I-crave...?

Stephens' fresh Home-grown Padron Peppers- with no chemical enhancements!

Padron Peppers, otherwise known as Pimento peppers are a Spanish pepper. Padron is from the Pimientos de Padron, brought to northern Spain by Mexican monks in the 18th century. 

Typically only 1 in 10 are hot in their immature stage, however the longer they are grown and the larger they become- the hotter they get.



Ideally Padron Peppers are great for Tapas, and are easy enough to prepare..

The best way to enjoy Padron Peppers?

Padron peppers are best enjoyed as an appetizer prepared in the most simple way by cooking in a hot olive oil coated frying pan and sprinkled with sea salt before serving.

Ingredients

• 2 generous cups of Padron peppers
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• Sea salt for sprinkling

Instructions

1. Add olive oil to a hot frying pan, when the oil is hot and shimmering add the peppers.
2. Cook and stir the peppers until the skin is brown and blistered.
3. Remove the peppers from the pan, place on a plate and sprinkle with sea salt to taste.

Take hold of a stem and bite into the pepper. They melt in your mouth with a small amount of salty heat chasing a lingering Padron pepper flavor...YUM!

Why not try it yourself..get yourself a pot plant from i-crave for £4.50 :)

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The Bay Tree!

Brand new to i-crave are 'The Bay Tree' condiments and preserves!

From pickles and chutneys to jellies and jams, the new products include;

PICCALILLI

A really crunchy mix of vegetables in a tangy smooth mustard sauce.

FARMHOUSE PICKLE

A traditional English pickle serve with a wedge of cheese or cold meats, makes a great addition to a sandwich

CUCUMBER PICKLE
A must have for pickle lovers, serve with meats, cheeses, burgers, pates, or just on its own with a spoon!

SMOKEY CHIPOTLE BBQ SAUCE

A hot and smoky addition to outdoor and indoor eating, can be used to marinate, or just dollop it on a quality burger for a true taste sensation

CHINESE 5 SPICE MARINADE

Make sure it is never far from your wok. A really tasty sauce to stir fry, marinate or bake meats, fish and vegetables. Be adventurous!

LAVENDER JELLY

Not only lovely with Lamb but with seafood and fish

CIDER APPLE JELLY

Delicious with Pork, also great with Cheese

BLACKCURRANT JAM & RASPBERRY JAM

Bursting with blackcurrant, and the refreshing taste of raspberries, perfect on your scone for cream

We have also added a new flavour to our Bay Tree pasta sauce collection :)

BLACK OLIVE & ANCHOVY PASTA SAUCE

A punchy combination of garlic, capers and olives to liven up any type of pasta.

So why not come on down to i-crave and have a try of the succulent new flavours available!

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Salami!

In at i-crave- Salami “Felcinetto al vino Lunaiolo”- an Umbrasalumi special.

Umbrasalumi is specialised in fresh salted and seasoned specialities, such as sausages, hams, bacons, capocollos, and dried Sausages. Every kind of salamis are produced to grant the customer the 3 biggest requirements of healthy eating: simplicity, authenticity, and taste.

Salami are a family of coarse, dry, boldly seasoned sausages. The intense flavour of salami arises from the long curing process, during which the sausage matures in its skin. This process also means that salami are safe and ready to eat, despite being uncooked.

At I-crave we use salami in various lunches, it makes a great sandwich filler, pizza topping or addition to salads, particularly potato salads.

Some salamis are good for cooking with – add them to risottos, pasta sauces and other meat and vegetable dishes.

Recipe suggestions? Try a “traditional starter dish” with some of i-craves own products!

12 slices of salami, 6 thin slices of ham, black olives, Italian rustic bread, olive oil, and cracked black pepper- presented on a platter.

Or even try salami for breakfast with “breakfast pizza muffins”!

One English breakfast muffin cut in half, 1tbsp of tomato puree, 1tsp of red pesto, and 1tbsp of olive oil for your base. 2/3 sliced mushrooms, half an onion sliced, grated courgette and salami cut in to small pieces for your topping. Add grated mozzarella or cheddar cheese and hey presto...

...Why don’t you give it a go!

Salt Beef

Corned beef (US) or salt beef (UK) are types of salt-cured beef products present in many beef-eating cultures.

Corned beef features prominently as an ingredient in many cuisines, including the Jewish, Irish American, and Carribean cuisines. Corned beef is also a main part of the German dish Labskaus, well known during World War 2 and still served today in restaurants on Germany's Northern coast.

Salt beef is a Jewish deli meat made from beef briskets cured in brine. The salt breaks down the tough brisket meat while letting its flavours emerge. When sourcing briskets that have already been cured, meat texture comes down to cooking, conditioning and carving.

Here at I-crave we home-cure the beef in a wet salt brine solution for 15 days on the premises. The cured briskets are then patiently simmered with peppercorns, bay leaves, and herbs, for several hours. The beef is more supple and tender due to the brining! 

Second, we slice the beef thinly, which we prepare in sandwiches with horseradish and/or mustard, and sweet pickled gherkins. We also sell in portions of 100g, or whole joints, for customers to purchase for their own recipes!

Other serving suggestions for salt beef? Try the sandwich heated for a whole new kick, in a bagel, salad...

Try salt beef in your breakfast with potatoes, hash browns, and fried egg- what a great way to start the day! 

Even in a hot dinner why not give Salt Beef and horseradish mashed potato a go served with onions, carrots, celery, leek and peeled garlic cloves- Yummy!!

Have your tastebuds been tickled? Follow us on facebook for more salt beef suggestions :)

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Meaning of Espresso...

Not too clued up on coffee? Look out for our updates on different kinds :)

Today I'll brief you a little on the 'espresso'...

The espresso beverage is 25-30 millilitres of strong, black coffee that can also be prepared long (lungo), short (ristretto) or double (doppio). Espresso is the base for all the other coffee beverages you are likely to find on an espresso coffee menu - including a cappuccino, latte, macchiato, mocha, affogato and iced coffee!

A largely unknown fact, is that there is a specific cup that is best for an espresso! This is called a 'Tazzina' meaning 'little cup' in Italian. A Tazzina is designed with certain characteristics; it has sloping sides - for the espresso to gently slide down as it pours from the espresso machine. This ensures the very fine bubbles of crema do not break up as they would if splashed onto the base!

Black or white?

In Italy, more than 90% of the coffee beverages served are straight espresso.

In Australia, nearly all espresso beverages are served with the addition of milk.

In southern European countries, espresso beverages with milk are usually only ordered throughout the morning. At other times of the day, particularly after midday or evening meal, espresso beverages without milk are the general preference.

In countries such as Austria and Germany, where cream is a popular ingredient generally, either pouring or whipped cream is the preferred addition to any espresso beverage!

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Elephant Garlic!

Elephant Garlic in at i-crave! They have a juicy, mild, sweet flavour and are ideal for baking or roasting ♥ recipe suggestions...?

To oven bake; covered baking dish, discard loose skins and puncture all over with fork. Sprinkle bulb with olive oil (1tablespoon per bulb) and season to taste. Bake covered at 150 c for one hour. Delicious as a spread on bread or crackers! And will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks.

Baked Elephant Potatoes; bake two potatoes and one whole elephant garlic wrapped in foil. Once cooked, open up potatoes and remove skins. In a bowl mash potato, garlic, 2oz butter, parmesan cheese, dash of pepper and 1 tbsp of finely chopped onion...return mixture into skins, sprinkle with paprika and pop under grill until brown.

Even make a garlic salsa! Chop garlic with chilli, basil, tomato and onions...add hot peppers for an extra spicy kick..

The list is endless! What do you crave?