I’m so old that I can remember when advent calendars were a simple Christmas scene on an A4 piece of cardboard, covered in glitter with cut-out numbered doors, and a cute picture behind each door. My brother and I had such pleasure opening a new door each day, admiring the revealed picture and counting one day closer to Christmas. When my children were young, the calendars started to contain chocolate treats. This seemed so wrong, and I’d hunt for chocolate-free calendars for my kids. I’m not convinced they totally bought into this deprivation, but I wanted them to enjoy the simple pleasure I had experienced, without need for chocolate.

However, that was all a long time ago and I admit to having totally given in to temptation with The 12 days Of Tracklements. Chocolate is one thing, but a different jar of Tracklements unique and delicious condiments behind each door is simply irresistible.

Tracklements, a Wiltshire-based family company, create quality food, using simple, honest ingredients. Their products are made by hand in small batches, using traditional and modern recipes and many locally-sourced ingredients and they have an incredible and innovative range of products. I’m gradually working through them all – it’s a challenge but, oh, so worth it.

So how perfect is their 12-jar The 12 days Of Tracklements? An attractive box containing a different yummy jar to tuck into every day until Christmas – just open the door. Let me enjoy the recollection for just a moment as I run through the selection:

Chutneys: Apricot & Ginger, and Tomato & Chilli; Ketchups: Proper Tomato and Sweet Mustard; Strong English, and Robust Wholegrain Mustard; Quintessential Brown Sauce and Caramelised Onion Marmalade; Strong Horseradish Cream, Rich & Creamy Mayonnaise, Sticky Fig Relishand finally Chilli & Red Pepper Relish.

I can verify that each one of these is absolutely heavenly (yes, OK, I admit to having already opened each door and I’ve tried them all) but after much deliberation I’ve chosen two favourites. Proper Tomato Ketchup – perfectly named as this is how tomato ketchup should taste. Over half the ketchup is pure tomato purée, creating a deep flavour-rich thick ketchup, with raw cane sugar, spirit vinegar, lemon juice, sea salt, cloves, allspice and black pepper. As with the other jars, simple pure ingredients for a perfect condiment. It tastes so different from the usual supermarket offerings. Firstly it actually tastes of tomatoes, but the subtle spices turn it into something very special.

My next favourite is the Apricot and Ginger Chutney. Chutney is such a traditional English condiment – perfect with cheese, and as with all Tracklements foods, uses only natural ingredients. Apricots comprise a third of the chutney, mixed with apples, cider vinegar, raw cane sugar, sultanas, ginger, sea salt, garlic and chillies. The bite of the ginger and chillies really complements the natural sweetness of the fruits. I love ginger anyway and the combination is truly delicious.

So if you’re looking for a gift for a special friend, or you just want to treat yourself (and why not?) do grab The 12 days Of Tracklements at just £25 from the website (Gluten free and vegetarian). Also available from fine food delis and farm shops nationwide – this makes an attractive and delicious present for anyone. The challenge is waiting until advent to open the doors.

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.

Brian the founder of Daft as a Brush, Edith Bradley, Marion and Bob Taylor,.

No sooner had the decision been made than Marion and Bob, central to the Columbia Community Association team, promptly set about advertising the event online and contacting local businesses etc.

The Brady Bunch, as she calls them, rallied round in abundance. Marion and Bob also visited Daft as a Brush headquarters where they met the amazing Brian Burnie, founder of this fantastic charity after Cancer struck his wife. Her story, thank goodness, was a success and she overcame this traumatic ordeal. As a result of this Brian told Marion he realized that possessions mean little when your health is at stake and decided to sell his £16 million mansion and all his wares and created Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care. The charity covers Durham, North and South Tyneside and Northumberland and to date 80,000 patients have benefited from this free service.

The charity is run by volunteers who transport cancer patients to and from hospital and frequently stay with them throughout their treatment. Brian’s dream, he said, ‘Is to increase the number who can use the service to 100,000, however, to accommodate this it is essential to fund-raise to make this happen.’

No sooner said than done: the CCA team had raffles and sold Daft as a Brush memorabilia, arm bands, badges, car air fresheners, car window stickers for £1 and sturdy cotton bags for £3.00. The community baked cakes, companies donated cakes and pastries, a necessity for the diabetics, we did not want to leave anyone out.

Local people and ex patriots of Brady Square travelled to be part of the fund-raising day though Margaret Graham, Frost Magazine editor, and with roots firmly embedded in Brady Square, had Covid so had to miss the fun. She was not happy, everyone. Really she was not. Duck!

The tables were set and were spectacular, it was all so scrumptious. How could anyone resist when these delicious cream cakes were shouting “Eat Me” so eat me they did. They also provided boxes for the folks to take the delicacies home with them.

Andy Hayes, a friend to CCA, and a volunteer himself arrived in one of the Ambulances and Marion’s dear friend Brian Mason adorned the building with Daft as a Brush signage.

Local businesses put collection buckets in their premises, and everyone was thrilled to be involved, and of course, the raffle helped things to tick along.

The total raised by this amazing community was… believe it or not… £1,200.

The last thing for Marion to do was to liaise with Daft as a Brush for the cheque photoshoot.

“Smile everyone you are simply the best.”

‘Indeed you all are,’ says Margaret Graham, editor, now back on her feet, and cross about missing such a lovely day. .

Few things are more likely to strike fear in the heart of most cooks, than the words, ‘I’ve invited a vegan to dinner.’

And equally from the other side, there is nothing worse than being invited to dinner as a vegan, and watching everyone tuck into delicious food whilst pretending to be excited by a fruit salad.

Of course these are extreme examples, and all hosts would wish to be more adventurous in the kitchen, but where to start?

Fortunately, Danielle Maupertuis has the answer, for puddings at least, with her latest recipe book. ‘Vegans deserve better than a Fruit Salad.’

Maupertuis is an award-winning Belgian pastry chef who writes as though she was a talented friend, standing behind you in your own kitchen. The recipes are written in an easily understood fashion, offering advice as and when you need it.

This recipe book is divided into sections, Cheesecakes, Chocolate Desserts. English Classics with a Modern Twist, Tarts Cakes and Gateaux, Mini cakes and Petit Fours, Festive Desserts and finally Basics, which covers Creams, Mousses, Pastries, Sponges, finishing with a section on Ingredients and equipment.

What I particularly liked about this recipe book was that nothing seemed off limits, no rare ingredients, recipes not overly complicated, and yet each one mouth-watering and impresive.

This recipe book, containing over 70 recipes, would make an Ideal Christmas or birthday gift, not just for vegans, but also for cooks like me, who wish to extend their range.

‘Vegans deserve Better than a Fruit Salad,’ by Danielle Maupertuis, £11.99.

‘As Founder of USound I am delighted to be able to tell Frost Magazine more about us. We provide a range of affordable, skilled narrators who have access to their own recording space and can deliver a finished audiobook that meets industry standards. We also champion new and exciting talent from the likes of LAMDA and other acting sources and connect them to the publishing industry. (Check out our EXCELLENT rating with ALLi’s self-publishing services.)‘

The Frost Magazine team, and editor Margaret Graham, were fascinated to hear about such a venture. Margaret is the author of over 20 novels, with a few creative writing books thrown in on top, and vividly remembers her first novel being turned into an audio version. It was tape in those days, and as she traveled, or indeed, she and Dick traveled in the car, she’d pop it into the tape player and listen while the actor brought it to life. It was a revelation. Dick preferred it too, as the alternative was singalong music and as he so frequently said, Margaret seldom if ever hit the correct notes let alone in the correct order.

Tapes are a forgotten concept, first overtaken by CDs but now… ‘USound develops digital audio files that are ready for uploading to audiobook platforms like Audible.’ James continued. ‘So, once the files are completed, they can be downloadable by the author who, incidentally, can choose anyone from our lists of experienced veterans of the industry – to whizz students who are fresh on the scene (and everyone in between).’

The author, James also told us, can also work directly with one of USounds narrators who are more than ready to collaborate and create something special, and with USounds two pre-negotiated rates per word count, this sounds doable, and actually, superb value. But hang on James, how can these authors reach all the people who might want to read their work?

‘We will be happy to advise on how to get the audiobook to the public, and can also provide an uploading service to major platforms. Clearly Dick can relax, and listen to Margaret’s latest work, safe in the knowledge that there will be no singing on this trip!’

Margaret decided to move along quickly to show you just one of the successful award winning authors who have used USound,

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audible-The-Chessmen-Thief/dp/

Find out more about the fantastic collaborative and helpful USound here