The hamper. The wonderful hamper.
Thanks be to Jason and Antonia for this unstinting generosity in supplying us with the world's most amazing hamper ever. Sure, there a re bigger hampers out there, maybe even with nicer things in them - I'd rather not speculate - but this one is the most amazing because it is OUR HAMPER.
Sampling the delights of the hamper - supplied by the unerringly professional and constantly smashing Rebecca or Pride of Northumbria - is a project that will take months to complete. Well, in some cases. In the case of the chocolates, it's already all over. So, here we go with the results so far:
1: Hellish Relish
Wow! This relish really is hellish - it's Hellish Relish. It sure is relish, but it is undoubtedly hellish. A piece of it, one atom thick, would blow most taste buds away. In light if this, my initial spoonful proved to be......unwise. To sum-up, Hellish Relish really is Hellish!
Verdict: Hellish!
2: Strawberry and Champagne Preserve
Wow! It's certainly packed full of strawberries, but the champagne is just detectable. I'm glad really, because too much alcohol taste can ruin things. Beer, for example.
We had some of this jam, with freshly baked scones and large amounts of Roddha's clotted cream and some fresh strawberries. It was OK. I'm lying, of course. It was amazing.
Verdict: Amazing.
3: Sticky Toffee Pudding
Not yet sampled - watch for part two of this tasting extravaganza.
4: Olive Oil with Blasamic Vinegar
Not yet sampled - watch for part two of this tasting extravaganza.
5: Beef Jerky
It's real beef jerky, made in Northumberland. I tried some beef jerky once in the USA and thought it was the toughest most horrible stuff I had ever eaten. This is a world away from that. I managed to eat a bit and quite liked it, much to my surprise. That said, I don't think I am in any danger of becoming addicted to it. I certainly would not describe it as shoe leather.
Verdict: Shoe leather.
6: Ross's Pickled Onions with Chillies
I've always loved pickled onions, right back from when my mother used to pickle her own. I remember all the spices laid out, and the gallons of vinegar, as well as all the jars washed till they were bright and squeaky and lined up ready. Pickles were highly regarded in our family.
This jar of loveliness brought back all the good memories, and a whole new dimension, via the chillies. Quite an experience.
Verdict: Quite an experience.
7: Orange Marmalade
Not yet sampled - watch for part two of this tasting extravaganza.
8: Raspberry Vodka
Not yet sampled - watch for part two of this tasting extravaganza.
9: Plum Chutney
A truly massive taste, but beautifully balanced. Fruity, but with a definite Zing!
Verdict: A definite Zing!
10: Chocolates
In the shape of a love heart, this hard truffles are reminiscent of a Cadbury's Whisper bar. Quite hard, and definitely dark chocolate. They're at room temperature, and yet still hard. I feel they would be more nice softerer, but you can't have everything.
Verdict: You can't have everything.
11: Goat's Cheese
Not yet sampled - watch for part two of this tasting extravaganza.
12: Lindisfarne Mead
Not yet sampled - watch for part two of this tasting extravaganza.
(I had some years ago, but prefer to taste again when we open it.)
13: Doddington Dairly Fudge
Not yet sampled - watch for part two of this tasting extravaganza.
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So, there you have it. Some amazing stuff in there - and still much to try. I will repost this entry when all the tastings are complete.
Massive massive thanks to Jason and Antonia for giving us this present. It's truly fantastic.
You haven't had the poisoned thing yet then?
Posted by: Jason | February 27, 2006 at 09:09 PM
Posted by: Liz Marshall | February 27, 2006 at 11:57 PM