Saturday 25 February 2017

Healthy living made easy

We recently read that one in five people chose to diet and eat healthily as their New Year’s Resolution on January 1st. However, statistics have shown that the majority apparently broke their resolution within 9 days, whoops… If you’re one of the many that cracked, do not fear, Hunters of Helmsley is here!

With the treats we have in store, healthy eating needn’t be a bind. We have snacks, drinks and meal ideas to get you back on track and loving a very healthy lifestyle. So, what are we waiting for? It’s time to crank up the spiralizer, dust off those old trainers and prepare to post every meal we eat onto Instagram.

We’ll start with something to quench a thirst and keep you going. We have a huge range of teas that are great for providing vitamins and minerals whilst keeping you hydrated. We’re loving Tea Pigs, Taylors of Harrogate and Cartwright and Butler to name only a few alongside our own delicious blends ranging from the herbal to the ever so fruity.

Enjoy a light dinner or lunch of a warming bowl of Yorkshire Provender soup. Many are gluten free with delectable flavours including beetroot with horseradish, carrot and butternut, chicken and butternut and even vegan Moroccan vegetable tagine, yum! Our Ian Taylor free-range fresh farm eggs could be the perfect snack when boiled and served with spinach on the go, or as a base to lots of fab recipes. Whip up a vegetable filled omelette, scrambled eggs on wholemeal toast or flour-free banana pancakes using egg whites. If you’re missing a great British fry up, swap it for a satisfying brunch of poached eggs and Staal Smokehouse smoked salmon, full of good fats.

Those feeling conscious of supermarket nasties will enjoy taking to the kitchen to make their own bread whilst simultaneously filling their homes with that unmistakable smell. Use Wessex Mill’s wholemeal rye flour, Side Oven’s stoneground organic wholemeal or Biona’s coconut flour as the base to a brilliant bake. That way you know exactly what you’re eating and can be sure that sugar hasn’t snuck its way in. Alongside bread, a healthier option to satisfy a savoury craving comes in the form of Scrubbys vegetable crisps. These crunchy creations are gluten free and offer fewer calories without sacrificing taste - we love the four vegetable blend.

If you’re stocking up on lunchtime salad ingredients, our Brianna’s home style dressing is an absolute must. Options in-store include poppy, Dijon honey mustard and creamy blue cheese for those seeking something indulgent on top of all that goodness. For a tangy treat, Little Doone’s sweet balsamic vinegar is just perfect drizzled onto ripe vine tomatoes. If you want to add some pizazz to your meal enjoy venison steaks. Venison has the highest protein and lowest cholesterol count of any mainstream meat and is also extremely sustainable, win win!

So even if you did fall off the healthy eating wagon in January, it’s never too late to get back on track!


Sunday 19 February 2017

Hip hip hooray, it’s pancake day!



Whip out the old frying pan, pancake day is just around the corner!

Taking place on the 28th of February this year, Shrove Tuesday precedes Ash Wednesday and is linked to the festival of Easter. Traditions stem back thousands of years with events beginning by a bell being rung to call people to confession. This came to be called the ‘Pancake Bell’ and is still rung today. Anglo Saxon Christians would then travel to their churches and take part in confession before being ‘shriven’ (absolved from their sins). Following this process, some would choose to fast for 40 days. Many people still choose to take part in lent and give up luxury items for 40 days during the run up to Easter.

Of course, all of this is very interesting but here at Hunters of Helmsley we’re always keen to know where food comes into it. The familiar ‘pancake day’ was thought up as a way of finishing off any perishable rich foods, like eggs, milk and sugar in order to avoid waste. Whilst we may not be quite as thrifty or strict in the modern world, we do still love to celebrate pancake day!

In order to create the perfect pancake we must start with the basic mix. Take fresh milk, free-range local eggs (available in store) and flour. We have lots of different varieties including regular, coconut, buckwheat, rice and tapioca, ideal for those with allergies or intolerance's. We also have an array of oils that will make flipping a piece of cake.

Once cooked it’s time to indulge with some terrific toppings. We have an array of fruit and chocolate sauces, date, agave and maple syrups and sugars. We also have a variety of nut butters from the amazing Natural World. These delightful butters come in Almond and Coconut, Pecan and Fig, Pistachio or Hazelnut and Carob.
For those seeking something savoury and satisfying, add some pizazz with tasty cheese. A striking blue can really hit the spot whilst a mellow cheddar compliments tangy Marmite or chutney beautifully. Finally, why not create a real show stopper by flambéing your pancake in rum or cognac, delish!

So, pop into Hunters for everything you need this pancake day. You’d be flipping mad not to! 

Sunday 12 February 2017

Love is in the air with Hunters of Helmsley

The romantics amongst us are looking forward to Valentine’s Day coming around once more on the 14th of February.

There, St Valentine fell in love with the jailer’s daughter and sent her a goodbye letter signed ‘from your Valentine’ on February 14th, the day of his execution. Of course, his ending sentiment has filled greeting cards for centuries since with people young and old sharing the love.
Lovers across the nation are set to send cards and gift their partners with flowers, teddies, trinkets, trips away and much more. At least they better be, or they’ll be in big trouble…

Here at Hunters of Helmsley, food and drink is more our thing so we’re stocking up shelves with pressies guaranteed to keep you in the good books. Treat the love of your life with a box of Butlers chocolate, adorned in special Valentine packaging. Make them melt with everyone’s favourite Lindor balls, available in 6 flavours chocolate


Why not spoil the love of your life with a hamper full of goodies – and if you’re lucky they might share! There’s ready made hampers which can be delivered across the country, or we’ll happily make you your own full of your favourite’s favourites!

Those wanting to bring a bit of sparkle into their relationship, can pop open a bottle of Taste of Paradise sparkling wine and make it extra special with Wild Hibiscus flowers filling up the bottom.

Finally, those looking to spoil their other half with a slap-up meal can pop instore for cooking advice and all the ingredients needed for a romantic feast. We have a selection of treats including smoked salmon, meats and cheeses that will make a beautiful platter. Pheasant, fish and beef will make an excellent centrepiece for a posh dinner whilst Chapman's fish Wellingtons provides an easier an extremely reliable option.

With that in mind, all that’s left to do is enjoy spending quality time with your special person.