Stokes ultimate BBQ Competition

We love BBQs because... 

Barbecue cuisine offers a vast range of culinary creativity. Gone is the charred burger, frazzled sausage or raw drumstick. 

Bring on the marvellous marinades and sensational sauces; salads for sharing and vegetables for grilling.

BBQs are fun for the family and feasting with friends.

Over the next few weeks we will celebrate a summer of beautiful barbecues by sharing recipes, marinades, salads and grilling tips - everything to make your al fresco feasting tastier than ever.

Excitingly, this all kicks off with the 22nd National Barbecue Week between 28^th May and 3^rd June.

The icing on the cake, or sizzle in the sausage, is Stokes Summer Sauces Competition and your chance to WIN The Ultimate BBQ, simply by telling us here: ‘Why you love barbecues’.

Stokes Summer Sauces Competition

 from 28^th May to 15^th July

First Prize

The First Prize is an amazing Grillstream BBQ (left) whose unique double grill means no flare-up, burn-free cooking and easier cleaning. 

The large cooking area, ergonomic design and stylish finish will sensationalise your garden cooking. 

Two independently operated stainless steel burners provide cooking flexibility and control. Use one burner alone and save on gas when cooking smaller meals. Alternatively you can direct grill with both burners for larger al fresco gatherings. 

The lucky winner also gets a full dinner set from Cornishware - a splendid collection of plates, bowls, cups & saucers to grace an elegant evening outdoors.

Runners Up

There will also be 10 Runners Up Prizes of British-grown, fast-lighting gourmet BBQ charcoal from The Oxford Charcoal Company and a personalised mug from Cornishware (above).   

ALL winners will also receive a selection of delicious Stokes BBQ sauces as well as a prestigious Stokes apron.

.

The competition is open from 28^th May and closes on 15^th July.

So, get thinking – why do you love barbecues? Let us know here and you could be a winner.

When it comes to BBQs, 
        Stokes brings the taste

Stokes sauces, pickles, relish and mustards were made for BBQs - or were BBQs made for Stokes sauces? Whichever came first, chicken or egg, Stokes and BBQs were made for each other.

Stokes Original BBQ Sauce is thick and smoky with natural blossom honey and a molasses-style sweetness that can be used as an accompaniment, a marinade or a dipping sauce.

Stokes Hot & Spicy BBQ Sauce is just that. To balance the heat of the chillis, it has even more molasses and honey to sweeten the initial smoky BBQ flavours, letting the spicy heat develop as an after flavour. 

Stokes Sweet & Sticky BBQ Sauce is another flavoursome variation, deeply sweet with a sensational kick of British horseradish and Worcestershire sauce to balance the sticky maple syrup.

Stokes Burger Relish is a red pepper, onion and tomato relish with subtle notes of chilli, made up in the style of a salsa. It promises to transform burgers into something really special.

Stokes Sticky Pickle is scrumptiously sticky with our own unique blend of vegetables in a sweet and spicy sauce made with molasses and black treacle.

Stokes Classic English Mustard is perfect with a beef burger, a strong yet smooth take on the classic mustard without the 'burn'. If you like mustard we think you'll love this!

Other Summer Essentials

Stokes Award-Winning Tomato Ketchup and it's tasty family of ketchups:

 

They each have a place in a marvellous marinade.

 Chipotle Ketchup,Chilli Ketchup, Curry Ketchup and Bloody Mary Ketchup. 

Stokes Real Mayonnaise or any of our delicious Mayonnaises: 

They all sit well with any salad or give a velvet smooth luster to a fresh, crispy slaw. 

Try the creamy aioli of Stokes Garlic Mayonnaise; 

the jalapeno hit of our ChilliMayonnaise; 

the vibrant zing of our Lemon Mayonnaise; 

the ‘must-have-more’ magic of our Mustard & Honey Mayonnaise;
or the Mediterranean hint of garlic and oregano in our Blushed Tomato Mayonnaise. 

Look out for some great BBQ recipes 

and al fresco feasting tips next week.

More foodie thoughts for the week:







National Fish & Chip Day - just got to love it here.












Social sharing - it's foodie heaven  here.









The ultimate salads for the ultimate BBQs here.

If good food makes you happy
...adding Stokes will make you smile ;)

 FOOD MADE BETTER 

www.stokessauces.co.uk

01394 462150

BBQ Side Salads - sharing sensations

Great salads turn a BBQ 
into a great feast

Crunchy salads and tangy slaws are the making of a great BBQ, adding such a range of textures and tastes to grilled meats, fish and vegetables.

The more the merrier when it comes to choices.

One piquant, another sweet and fruity, perhaps a fragrant aromatic leaf salad and a creamy mouthwatering bowl of joy.

Add fruit to salads for the combined sweet acidity that orange segments offer or the sweet and sour contrasts of strawberries and vinaigrette.

 
Crunchy salads and tangy slaws

Strawberry & Goat Cheese


This epitomises the enjoyment of contrasting tastes and textures as well as temperatures within a salad, combining balsamic, strawberries and crunchy fried goat cheese discs.

Firstly get some nice fresh British strawberries, slice them and toss them in a drizzle of Stokes Olive & Balsamic Dressing. This creates a gentle vinaigrette marinade through which the sweet strawberries will burst when you bite into them.

Meanwhile slice a goat cheese log into discs, flatten each disc and coat them in panko breadcrumbs (just put the breadcrumbs on a plate and press the discs into it on each side).

Arrange a plate of young greens, sliced red onion, cool cucumber and juicy tomatoes. Drain and add the strawberries. Heat some oil in a pan and fry the breaded goat cheese discs for two minutes each side, just browning the panko.

Add these warm crunchy discs to the salad, drizzle with the remaining strawberry-infused vinaigrette and serve.

Piquant Cucumber

This light salad is perfect with a burger-feast BBQ, you might even want to put the cucumber in your burger bun. The cucumber is quickly pickled in cider vinegar, dill mustard and sugar for a refreshing instant tang.

Make the pickling juice by combining 3 tbsp of cider vinegar, 3 tbsp of olive oil, 2 tsp of sugar and 2 tsp of Stokes Mustard & Dill Sauce in a large bowl.

Mix well and add sliced cucumber. Cover with clingfilm and chill for 30 minutes or so.

Before serving, season well and cover with a scattering of chopped chives.

Tomato & Feta Salad 

Chop or slice 1 small red onion, 2 large tomatoes, 1/2 a cucumber and 1 sweet pointed red pepper then set aside.

For the aromatics, create a little herb pile comprising 2 tbsp each of chopped fresh mint, basil and dill (a great combination).

In a large bowl mix 4 tbsp of olive oil with 2 tbsp of Stokes Olive & Balsamic Dressing and a twist or two of sea salt. Add a handful of pitted kalamata olives to the bowl with the rest of your ingredients (not the feta) and coat well.

Let this rest for about 10 minutes then lift everything from the bowl, draining off the oils, plate the salad and crumble over 3 or 4 tbsp of feta cheese.

Broccoli Salad

You'll need:

• 2 tbsp of raisins
• 1 large head of broccoli, cut to small florets
• 1/2 a small red onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp of sliced almonds, toasted
• 2 tbsp of Stokes Real Mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp of fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp of cider vinegar
• A pinch each of sugar, salt and pepper.

Here's how:

Put the raisins in a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Let them sit for about 5 minutes and drain off.

Shred the broccoli in a processor or finely by hand and combine it with the raisins, onion and almonds in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl mix the mayonnaise, lemon juice, vinegar, sugar and seasoning. Pour this into the bowl of broccoli and combine well.

Season to taste and let it stand for at least half and hour to let the tastes marry.

More foodie thoughts for the week:








Socially sharing foodie favourites here.










The ultimate BBQ - it's competition time here.











National Fish & Chip Day - just got to love it here.

If good food makes you happy
...adding Stokes will make you smile ;)

 FOOD MADE BETTER 

www.stokessauces.co.uk

Fish Friday - National Fish & Chip Day

National Fish 'n' Chip Day


We celebrate the amazing efforts and life threatening skills of our National fishermen who go out in all weathers so we can enjoy a fish supper.

So on Friday 1st June, remember their bravery and treat yourself to good old British fish & chips.

Winston Churchill called them 'the good companions' and British soldiers on D-Day referred to them as they moved inshore calling 'fish' on encountering others in the dark, hoping for the safe return answer of 'chips'.

The longest running fish and chip shop first opened its doors in 1865. You'll find it in Yeadon near Leeds trading as 'The Oldest Fish & Chip Shop in the World' - presumably it was called something different back then ... Ye Only Fish & Chip Shop perhaps.

Dickens was an early advocate of the new foodie fashion referring to 'husky chips of potatoes fried with some reluctant drops of oil' in A Tale of Two Cities, first published in 1859 - he then waited 6 years to buy some 'to go' in Yeadon.

DID YOU KNOW: Fish and chips were served in newspaper until 1980 when the Health & Safety Executive said we shouldn't read at meal times.

For generations, fish & chips have fed millions of memories - eaten with greasy fingers on a seaside holiday; a treat on pay-day; perhaps a late night supper on the way home from the pictures.

Everyone has their own preferences and tastes vary from one end of the country to the other. Cod or haddock? Salt, vinegar or both? Pickled onion or pickled egg? Scraps? Gravy or curry sauce? Ketchup, mayo or tartare sauce? Stokes? - of course.

Thanks to Aldeburgh Fish & Chips for this. Quality sauces for quality fish & chips.

Quality Sauces for quality Fish & Chips

More foodie thoughts for the week:








Socially sharing foodie favourites here.











The ultimate BBQ - it's competition time here.










The ultimate salads for the ultimate BBQs here.

If good food makes you happy
...adding Stokes will make you smile ;)

 FOOD MADE BETTER 

www.stokessauces.co.uk

01394 462150

Loving the BBQ Competition on Facebook & Twitter

Stokes Summer Sauces Competition

As you may already have seen, the social chit chat has generally been about this week's launch of the BIG BBQ Competition. This is the icing on the Summer cake, or sizzle in the sausage - Stokes Summer Sauces Competition and your chance to WIN The Ultimate BBQ, simply by telling us: ‘Why you love barbecues’.

First Prize

The First Prize is an amazing Grillstream BBQ (left) whose unique double grill means no flare-up, burn-free cooking and easier cleaning. 

The lucky winner also gets a full dinner set from Cornishware - a splendid collection of plates, bowls, cups & saucers to grace an elegant evening outdoors.

 Runners Up

There will also be 10 Runners Up Prizes of British-grown, fast-lighting, gourmet BBQ charcoal from The Oxford Charcoal Company and a personalised mug from Cornishware.   

ALL winners will also receive a selection of delicious Stokes BBQ sauces as well as a prestigious Stokes apron. Find all you need to know about the BBQ Competition here.

.

The competition is open from 28^th May and closes on 15^th July.

So, get thinking – why do you love barbecues? Let us know here and you could be a winner.

 What's happening 
on Facebook & Twitter


Andy here shared his breakfast with us - almost - and boy does it look good. 'Blessing my stomach and tastebuds' said Andy. It ticks all the boxes.

Our thanks went to Sherrid who, until now, has somehow managed to avoid Stokes Bramley Apple Sauce (made with Bramley apples and British cider). You're quite right Sherrid, it's perfect for pork - and what a wonderful idea to have it in a toasted buttered bagel ... sound delicious.

Oh Philippa, you've taken Fish Fridays to a whole new level. The mild garlic aioli and velvet softness of Stokes Garlic Mayonnaise must be delicious with those succulent crab claws - happy Fridays.

Right, it's all round to the Sticky Bun Tearoom at Wolvercroft in Dorset. We know they stock great sauces, so they must serve great teas.

More foodie thoughts for the week:








National Fish & Chip Day - just got to love it here.











The ultimate BBQ - it's competition time here.











The ultimate salads for the ultimate BBQs here.

If good food makes you happy
...adding Stokes will make you smile ;)

 FOOD MADE BETTER 

www.stokessauces.co.uk

01394 462150

National BBQ Week - bring on the barbie

Brilliant barbecues 

COMPETITION NEWS  -  SEE BELOW

National BBQ Week runs from 28th May to 3rd June and, as if we needed one, it's a great excuse to dig out the barbecue and bring on the barbie.

The unpredictability of the weather in this country makes longer term planning of a family barbecue or al fresco supper party quite challenging. Whereas our antipodean friends can light up an Aussie barbie or South African braai whenever they choose.

Tom Kerridge said on the run up to Whitsun, he was being 'super-positive' about the prospects of brilliant barbecue weather this summer. We share Tom's super-positive attitude because we just love a BBQ.

Even the routine of preparation is fun. Checking there's enough charcoal (or gas); cleaning off the grilling rack; gathering the tongs and tools; preparing the meat, vegetables and salad ingredients; making mouthwatering marinades; chilling the Prosecco, beers and pitchers of fruity mocktails; setting your favourite 'outside-ware' - plates, bowls, cutlery and glasses.

There's a buzz in the air (and not just from the bees).


Bring on the barbie
 

Stokes sauces, pickles, relish and mustards were made for BBQs - or were BBQs made for Stokes sauces? Whichever came first, chicken or egg, Stokes and BBQs were made for each other.

Stokes Original BBQ Sauce is thick and smoky with natural blossom honey and a molasses-style sweetness that can be used as an accompaniment, a marinade or a dipping sauce.

Stokes Hot & Spicy BBQ Sauce is just that. To balance the heat of the chillis, it has even more molasses and honey to sweeten the initial smoky BBQ flavours, letting the spicy heat develop as an after flavour. 

Stokes Sweet & Sticky BBQ Sauce is another flavoursome variation, deeply sweet with a sensational kick of British horseradish and Worcestershire sauce to balance the sticky maple syrup.

Stokes Burger Relish is a sweet red pepper, onion and tomato relish with subtle notes of chilli, made up in the style of a salsa. It promises to transform burgers into something really special.

Stokes Sticky Pickle is scrumptiously sticky with our own unique blend of vegetables in a sweet and spicy sauce made with molasses and black treacle.

Stokes Classic English Mustard is perfect with a beef burger, a strong yet smooth take on the classic mustard without the 'burn'. 

If you like mustard we think you'll love this!

Try something a little different

BBQ'd Corn Cobs 

Corn cobs off the BBQ are delicious, the intense heat caramelises the sweet kernels. Try one of these two sauces and you're in for a sensational side dish.

TIP: Before placing the corn cobs on the grill, blanch them for 3 or 4 minutes in boiling water first, pat them dry then brush each with a little olive oil. Turn them quite often on the grill for about 8 to 10 minutes to colour them evenly.

...with miso mayonnaise:

Put 4 tbsp of Stokes Real Mayonnaise, 2 tbsp of white miso paste and the juice of half a lemon in a bowl and mix really well. As soon as the cobs come off the BBQ, coat them with the miso mayonnaise and enjoy.  

...with Mexican Elotes Sauce

Put 4 tbsp of Stokes Real Mayonnaise, 4 tbsp of soured cream, 150 g of crumbled feta cheese, the zest and juice of 1 lime, 1 tbsp of Stokes Chilli Jam, 1/4 tsp of smoked paprika and 2 tbsp of finely chopped coriander in a bowl and combine the ingredients really well.

Coat the cobs well with your Elotes sauce and you'll be carried off to the streets of Mexico.

Grilled Sardines

These are as popular in Portugal as a hot dog in America. Walk anywhere in Lagos and the air will be full of smoking sardines served with confit potatoes.

Simply gut fresh sardines (if they're not already done for you) dry them with kitchen paper and cover them with sea salt, then rest them for an hour (ideally).

When you are ready to grill them, brush the salt off, brush them with oil and grill them for no more than 2 minutes each side.

Serve immediately with a wedge of lemon and good dollop of Stokes Real Mayonnaise.

Croatian Stuffed Pljeskavica

You may not be able to say it but you'll love eating it if you like cheesy burgers, Balkan style. Mix 500 g of minced beef with finely grated garlic (1 clove), and 2 tbsp each of finely chopped red and white onion.

Add 2 tbsp of Stokes Burger Relish and season with paprika, salt and pepper. Form the meat into flat patties.

Roll each around 1 tbsp of grated hard goats cheese by holding the pattie in one hand and forming a well in the centre of it with your thumb. Pop the cheese into the well and roll the meat round to enclose the cheese.

Grill the burgers each side and serve sprinkled with more cheese. Served with raw onion slices on warm flatbreads they are wonderful. TIP: if you like a chilli kick, replace the relish with Stokes Chilli Jam and serve with a good dollop of mayonnaise (Stokes of course).

Costa Rican Pork Tenderloin

Save the airfare and make this simply delicious dish yourself. Carving it at the barbie will be a star attraction. It's all about the marinade.

Place your tenderloin(s) in a plastic bag with: 1 tbsp of cider vinegar, 4 tbsp of olive oil, 1 tbsp of Stokes Chilli Jam, 2 grated cloves of garlic, 1 tbsp of Stokes Dijon Mustard and a good handful of chopped coriander.

Coat the meat well and let it rest for at least an hour. Drain it and rub it with Stokes Original BBQ Sauce then run a metal skewer though the middle lengthways.

Grill, turning constantly for 15 to 20 minutes until the central juices run clean from the skewer.

Stokes Summer Sauces Competition

We are going to celebrate the start of National BBQ Week by launching a massive Stokes Summer Sauces Competition with your chance to win BBQ goodies.

Because we love them so much, it will be all things barbie throughout the summer. Watch this space and enjoy.

The competition launches on Monday 28th May. 

Watch your inbox for details.

More foodie thoughts for the week:







Summer salads - dressed with love here.










Caption competition and other social news here.










Baking with tomatoes - some surprising recipes here.

If good food makes you happy
...adding Stokes will make you smile ;)

 FOOD MADE BETTER 

www.stokessauces.co.uk

01394 462150