I was recently asked out to dinner by a new friend. It was wonderful – delicious food and perhaps a little too much of a rather nice Barolo. But now my dilemma – the return invitation. What to cook? I admit to lacking the enthusiasm for hours over a hot hob these days, but thanks to my dear friends at Tracklements I find I can cheat.

I absolutely love Tracklements, a Wiltshire-based family company who create quality food, using only simple, honest ingredients. All their products are made by hand in small batches, using ingredients sourced from farms and small businesses across England. They’re constantly creating new and exciting products which means there’s always a large selection of high quality, delicious and innovative products, and their latest invention – Shallot & Garlic Jam is to die for. Made with shallots, raw cane sugar, cider and balsamic vinegars, garlic, red chillies, sunflower oil, salt and black pepper – that’s it – simple pure ingredients as always. And the taste is divine, the rich warmth of the shallots and garlic mixed with the heat from the chillies – it adds depth to a cheese board, or a gourmet burger – or mix it into a hake and bean stew to instantly raise the dish to cordon bleu level (guess what I’m preparing for my friend’s visit).

Available at Tracklements £4.20 for 190g jar – delicious.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.