Shopping | Charlotte's VVeb

New Furmint Tokaji at M&S £9.99

07/07/201417/10/2016 by Charlotte J

So, as you may have guessed from some of my previous posts, I’m rather prone to wandering down the wine aisle in a bid to spot new bargains, particularly from Central and Eastern Europe. Last week, while I was in M&S I happened to notice a rather pretty label in a light aqua teal shade. It turned out to be a new Hungarian wine, a Furmint Tokaji, very reasonably priced at £9.99.

I normally associated Tokaj with sweet, dessert wines, so I was rather intrigued to try this one. It was pale in colour and as it turned out, refreshingly crisp to drink. There were notes of pears, apples with just a hint of honey flavour to give it balance.

The drinking suggestions proposed enjoying it with paprika chicken or roast pork which I could see working well. It’s delicate in style so simple grilled fish would also be a good match.

I’ve noticed that when M&S tends to get new wines in they tend to be priced slightly lower, in an attempt to get you hooked, so I’d suggest you make the most of it while you can. Plus if you order six online you’ll get a discount. For more information go to M&S Furmint Tokaji here.

Disclaimer: Always drink responsibly.

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Take Me Home Opens in Zagreb

02/12/201317/10/2016 by Charlotte J

This November (2013) a fabulous new store opened in Zagreb, offering everything from stylish accessories, children’s toys, kitchenwares and home interiors, all produced by Croatian designers.

The shop, Take Me Home, is situated in the city’s Upper Town and is the perfect place to pick up a momento or gift, as well as supporting local innovators and creators. Plus, the shop’s curators favour products made from recycled materials, so you can keep your eco footprint down.

Tomićeva 4 Zagreb / Tel: +385 1 79 87 632

For more information visit www.takemehome.hr

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Russian Shop near Waterloo, South Bank, London

10/01/201106/03/2017 by Charlotte J

I was recently told about a small Russian shop close to Waterloo train station on South Bank in London. Just before Christmas, when I was in the area, I spotted a sign to the small shop, so thought I’d finally investigate. The Russian Shop is quite hidden so you will have to look out for it. Walk through the door and down a dark, narrow staircase and the shop is located on the right. Granted this place is small, the smallest of small, but it is crammed with lots of my favourite Russian products including cheeses, meats, sweets, beer, vodka, and even delicious honey cake.

If you’re in the area and want a taste of Russian, pop in! But be warned, as expected, Russian is the only tongue spoken here! If you are feeling particularly adventurous there is also a Russian hair salon nextdoor!

Russian Shop, Cornwall Road, London SE1

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Polish Treats at Dobry Smak in Aldershot

21/05/201022/10/2016 by Charlotte J

It’s always nice to come across a specialist store doing well, particularly one that specialises in Eastern Europe. The Dobry Smak store in Aldershot stocks a wide range of Polish goodies, all types of food, drink and even media.

Here’s a quick look at what you can pick up

Dobry Smak, Aldershot — Selection of beer

Dobry Smak, Station Road, Aldershot, Hampshire, UK

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Worldwide Food Centre in Aldershot

19/05/201022/10/2016 by Charlotte J

If you live in a big city you can easily take the availability of foreign produce for granted. However, small specialist shops are popping up throughout the country, including in military town, Aldershot. The Worldwide Food Centre is a relatively large shop located on Station Road.

It stocks all manner of ingredients and goodies you could ever want from across the world but particularly boasts plenty of Polish, Turkish and Croatian food.

Here’s a snapshot of what you can find on the shelves

Worldwide Food Centre — Selection of honeys and preserves

Worldwide Food Centre, Aldershot — Selection of Polish Pierogi

The Worldwide Food Centre, Station Road, Aldershot, Hampshire UK

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New Polish Section at Tesco: Pierogi & Smetana

07/05/201022/10/2016 by Charlotte J

Last week I happened across the new Polish section in Tesco on Queensway. Tesco has always supplied some Polish goodies (depending on the store) but this was very much a new and improved section with all manner of sausages, hams, cheeses etc.! Now while I am a real advocate of real food rather than ready meals and ready-prepared food but I thought I’d try out a couple of packets of pierogi (Polish dumplings) and a small tub of Polish smetana (sour cream).

The pierogi is available with meat, cheese or cabbage fillings. My favourite has to be the cheese. The meat tastes a little too generic and I’m just not a fan of cabbage. Add the pierogi to boiling salted water, when the first pierogi begin to rise to the surface, cook for 1 minute and then serve. I like to put a little melted butter over the top. For non vegetarians a little crispy bacon could be added. Alternatively, top with a few breadcrumbs toasted in butter. Delicious, if not particularly healthy!

I have no idea why but East European smetana (sour cream) always tastes differently to the sour cream normally available in the UK so this little tub was a real treat!

Go get yourself some Polish delights now!

Tesco

Pierogi with meat £1.40

Pierogi with cheese £1.40

Smetana £0.78

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Hungarian Style on the High Street

04/05/201022/10/2016 by Charlotte J

I was excited to see that French Connection has embraced Hungarian style this season. The high street and online store is now selling this Hungarian Floral Dress and Hungarian Floral Top – both must-have items for this season.

The dress costs just £37-39, while the top is £34-36.

Buy online now at French Connection

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Bourekia – Now Sold at Waitrose!

16/04/201022/10/2016 by Charlotte J

Burek is a popular treat in Bosnia. Originating from the Ottoman Empire a thin filo-like pastry is filled with spinach and salty cheese, though sometimes meat and other fillings. On wandering the aisles of Waitrose a few weeks ago I came across small packets of round bourekia, ideal to use as canapes for a small gathering of friends.

The small green packets contain eight bourekia, filled with spinach, feta and plenty of mint making the taste a real mouth-watering explosion. They can be served hot or cold (personally I feel hot is best but if you are going to head out and enjoy a springtime picnic then cold will suffice).

Bourekia, part of the Waitrose Delicatezze range and found in the chilled aisle, £3.69

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Wine of the Week: Croatian Plavac Mali 2007

09/04/201022/10/2016 by Charlotte J

Yet another East European find in Waitrose, this time a bottle of Croatian red wine! Croatia is renowned for its wine, particularly its red which is hearty, rich and intense in flavour and colour.

Plavac Mali is produced at the Svirče Winery on the island of Hvar, located on the Adriatic. The vineyard is noted for its quality wines. This particular bottle is a ripe, smooth red, from the Plavac Mali grape. This grape variety, indigenous to Hvar, is closely related to Zinfandel and so the wine has a very similar style.

The Plavac Mali is soft enough to drink one its own but makes an ideal pairing to beef dishes such as cevapi served with ajvar. Alternatively serve with a delicious Sunday lamb roast. Packed with notes of punchy berry fruits this bottle is simply delicious and would not be a poor accompaniment to an abundant cheese board.

Plavac Mali Hvar 2007

750 ml

13% vol.

£9.79

Available at Waitrose

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Russian Easter Traditions at The Merchant’s Yard, London

26/03/201019/10/2016 by Charlotte J

Kulich at the Merchant's Yard — Kulich at the Merchant’s Yard

Triple kissing and the giving of eggs as presents are distinctive features of celebrating Easter in Russia. On the first day of Easter people marvel at sunrise early in the morning and predict weather for all of the summer. People put on new clothes as a symbol of new life, a tradition that goes back to the early Christians who were baptised at sunrise on the first Easter day. After the end of Lent, it is acceptable to wear bright and colourful clothes, especially red. It is believed that the gates to heaven are open during Easter week and everybody who dies during this time goes straight to heaven.

The Imperial Kulich is a traditional Russian Easter cake. You will need a lot of eggs, butter and sugar so that the cake remains fresh for a long time. A special 1-1.5 cubic litre, tall cylindrical form, made from aluminium is used for baking the kulich. Forms are washed over with butter and half-filled with dough. The finished Kulich is decorated with sugar frosting, candied peel, nuts and sugar, with a rose placed on top to add the final finishing touch. Kulich, pashka and painted eggs can all be found at the Merchant’s Yard this Easter.

Easter Eggs at The Merchant's Yard — Easter Eggs at The Merchant’s Yard

The Easter breakfast is an important ritual in Russia, bringing all the family members together around a beautifully-decorated table for a sumptuous feast. The Lenten fast is broken by first eating the eggs bless in church. Kulich and pashka are then divided up and then the family can proceed on to other dishes.

The Merchant’s Place, 41 Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge, London SW3 1NX