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It’s Pancake Tuesday! The dictionary says: “A pancake is a flat cake, often thin and round, prepared from a starch-based batter that may contain eggs, milk and butter and cooked on a hot surface such as a griddle or frying pan, often frying with oil or butter.”
That dry definition hardly does justice to the majesty of the pancake!Let’s get flipping.
Ingredients
150g plain flour
300ml semi skimmed milk
2 medium eggs
1½ tbsp olive oil

To make
Sift the flour into a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Crack the eggs into the well and whisk. Add the milk and continue whisking, until you have a smooth batter. Leave to stand for 20 mins.
Brush a frying pan with a little oil and warm on the hob, over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp of the batter to the pan, tipping gently until it coats the base in a thin layer. Cook for 1-2 mins, or until golden, then flip the pancake over - steady as she goes - and cook for more 1 minute.
Repeat to make 12 pancakes, adding a little more oil to the pan before each addition.

Serve with your favourite topping. So many to choose from…

A gluten-free diet (GFD) excludes gluten, which is a mixture of proteins which are found in wheat (plus spelt, barley and rye).
Many people restrict or exclude gluten from their diets because it can cause gastrointestinal problems. It has to be excluded from the diets of people with Coeliac disease and some other conditions.
It’s no problem to give up gluten - gluten proteins are of limited nutritional value.and are not essential in the human diet.
Of course, it’s still essential to eat a balanced diet.
Base a  gluten-free diet on naturally gluten-free foods with a good balance of  micros and macro nutrients such as meat, fish, eggs, milk and dairy products, legumes, nuts, fruits, vegetables, potatoes, and rice. And our crackers!

Valentine’s Day is coming up tomorrow. February 14 is the day when we can express our love to the fullest - and don’t stop at husband / wife for goodness sake. Take the opportunity to tell your friends, grandparents, parents, cousins that you care.
SHOW them you care by making a delicious meal for them in the evening or by tucking a note in their lunchtime sandwiches…
Valentine’s Day originated as a Western Christian feast day, honouring one or two early saints. According to legend, Saint Valentine restored sight to the blind daughter of a judge and he wrote her a letter signed “Your Valentine” as a farewell before his execution!
Back to romance! The day became associated with romantic love in the 14th century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th-century England, it grew into an occasion in which couples expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as “valentines”).
Enjoy the day.

Here’s a date for your diaries.

Somerset Day 365 champions this beautiful and bountiful British county by supporting communities throughout the year. This year, Somerset Day is combined with VE Day to make the weekend of 8-10 May extra-special.

Last year, Somerset Day saw over 200 events taking place throughout the county - this year the team of organisers is expecting many more as people all over the county come together to put on a celebration too good to miss!

Across the county, there’ll be craft fairs, food fairs, open days, tea parties, cider and cheese tastings – there’s something. Check out www.somersetday.com and take your pick.

Somerset has a special place in our hearts as some of our products come from the county - our butter, organic buttermilk and our mature cheddar.

Nigel Muers-Raby, founder of Somerset Day, says: “We’re been thrilled with the way that people and businesses throughout the county have really got behind this special day and go out of their way to put on some spectacular events.”

A quick reminder that Easy Bean is on the menu at the Fountain Canteen and Lime Tree Café at bath University.

https://www.bath.ac.uk/locations/lime-tree/

https://www.bath.ac.uk/locations/fountain-canteen/

Hope this is reassuring for all those mums and dads busy texting ‘Please eat properly, it will help you study!’

It’s Chinese New Year tomorrow and we wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone Gong Hey Fat Choy!

Also called the Spring Festival, it was originally a day of prayer - but also a chance to defeat a monster called Nian who use to appear on New Year’s Eve.

In modern times, the New Year has been celebrated with fireworks - lots and lots of fireworks - events and, of course, getting together with family and feasting. Of course, homemade is the best and people will be making a special effort - but in these busy times our crackers and crispbreads, which taste as good as homemade, will also find themselves on tables.

2020 is the Year of the Rat - let’s make it a good one!

January is hard! We long for more daylight and warmer days – which we can’t do anything about – but at least we can help ourselves feel better through food! Try these suggestions.

1. Spinach

Spinach is a great energy-booster and it contains loads of healthy nutrients and helps to increase the blood flow to your brain, which will give you just the boost that you need. So eat up!

2. Fish

Seafood such as sardines and salmon contain omega-3 fatty acids, which enhance the production of dopamine and serotonin, two substances that help to regulate mood. Omega-3 rich foods also help to improve skin tone and make your hair shinier and healthier!

3. Oatmeal and fresh berries

The vitamins contained in oatmeal will give you an energy boost and promote happy thoughts. Add some fresh berries for an extra antioxidant boost - blueberries, strawberries, raspberries – or a mix of all three!

4. Banana

Bananas are a fantastic source of natural sugars that will give you an instant energy boost, pick up your mood and bring a smile back to the saddest January face.

10. Complex carbohydrates

Complex carbs such as hole grain bread or brown rice, are absorbed by the body slowly and give a steady release of energy. Carbohydrates help your body to produce serotonin. Foods that include complex carbs are: whole grain pastas and breads, brown rice, sweet potatoes, lentils, peas, etc…

Oh hello, that’s where we come in! Try an Easy Bean meal today for all your complex carb needs!

We’re so grateful to all our stockists - those in the ‘real’ world of the High Street and those who labour behind computer keyboards to supply our customers.

Here’s a shout-out to our fantastic online retailers which currently stock our crackers and crispbreads.

Here’s to the Roaring Twenties!

www.ocado.com

www.amazon.co.uk

www.naturalgrocery.co.uk

www.naturallygoodfood.co.uk (will supply overseas)

www.thevegankindsupermarket.com

www.localfooddirect.co.uk (Somerset)

www.ethicalsuperstore.com

www.planetorganic.com

www.natureshealthbox.co.uk

www.naturalcollection.com

Looking back on the past 12 months, we want to say a heartfelt thanks to all our wonderful customers and suppliers. We would be here without you!

We’ll see you next year!

When we need a quick snack, crackers are always a popular choice. And it’s the perfect quick snack for the festive season when you may well be eating on the go as you flit from party to party!

A cheese and apple topping is the classic, of course, but you could mix it up be swapping out the apple for grapes and swapping the Cheddar for a smoked cheese.

Or how about a slightly melted soft cheese with lightly cooked green beans. Now we’re talking!

Other exciting options – all of which go just SO WELL with the Easy Bean range of crackers (made with chickpea flour) include salmon with sour cream (chives or parsley optional), tuna and mayonnaise, peanut butter (great for the kids!) and sausage / bacon and mustard.

Goodness, the possibilities are endless. Stock up today and have a cracking time.