Death By Dandruff. Latest Sherlock Holmes novel ideal for Christmas gifting

EVA Books is proud to announce the release of Death by Dandruff, the sixteenth book in the Unexpurgated Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes series by writer and TV/film producer, NP Sercombe.

Priced at £9.99, Death by Dandruff is available to purchase directly via www.unexpurgatedsherlock.com, Amazon UK, and the prestigious Hatchards bookshop.

The dramatic adaptation of the well-known book series for TV has been underway for three years featuring top industry talent.

NP Sercombe’s Unexpurgated series explores the intimate relationships of the famous characters and delves into their inner humanity. The books provide full, uncensored, and humorous accounts of Sherlock Holmes cases in an accessible format, beautifully illustrated by Juliet Snape.

NP Sercombe commented: “I am excited Harry King Television is currently in discussion with broadcasters and streamers with the aim to produce features based on the Unexpurgated Sherlock series in 2024.  This is the first time the original Conan Doyle stories have been adapted for TV in forty years!”

About Death by Dandruff:

In Death by Dandruff, Watson’s house is up for sale. Miss Clytenmestra Fanning has made an appointment to view the property without realising she would be in competition with Professor Moriarity. She writes a cheque. But what was Moriarty doing there in the first place?

A puzzled Watson walks to Baker Street where Holmes has been engaged by Mr. Gemini Winters to investigate the mysterious job offer. They embark upon a train journey where they meet a man with the most dreadful dandruff. The man acts suspiciously, and it isn’t long before Holmes establishes his devious motivations. After a nasty medical mix-up, they return to London and are forced to intervene in a murderous hostage situation, the architect being James Moriarity.

About NP Sercombe

NP Sercombe is creative producer of television & film in the UK and USA, a screenwriter and creator of The Unexpurgated Adventures of Sherlock. He is CEO of Harry King TV and Cheyne Walk in London and Dr Bink’s Films in Los Angeles.

This will make the perfect Christmas gift for the dedicated Sherlockian in your life. Or as an ideal example of self-gifting, perhaps? Go on! You know you deserve it!

 

Christmas and New Year Safety Tips for Pets: Navigating Festive Celebrations

The Christmas season is a time of joy and merriment, filled with festive decorations, delicious treats, and gatherings with loved ones. As we immerse ourselves in the Christmas spirit, it's vital to remember that our furry friends are also part of the celebration. 

Whilst the Christmas season bring warmth and happiness, it can also pose potential hazards to our pets. 

In this blog post, we'll explore some crucial holiday safety tips to ensure our pets have a safe and enjoyable season.

Mindful Decorations:

Decking the halls with festive decorations is a beloved tradition, but some can be harmful to curious pets. Tinsel, ornaments, and lights may catch their attention, posing a choking or electrical hazard. Opt for pet-friendly decorations, secure ornaments out of reach, and consider using pet-safe alternatives like felt or wooden ornaments. But do be mindful of using paints that aren't toxic to pets.

Safe Feasting:

The holiday season is synonymous with indulgent feasts, and it's tempting to share those delicious treats with our pets. However, many human foods can be toxic to animals, including chocolate, alcohol, onions, and certain nuts. Stick to pet-approved treats, and educate guests about the importance of not feeding table scraps to your furry or feathered friends. For example, birds should never be fed salted nuts.

Quiet Retreats:

The hustle and bustle of festive gatherings can be overwhelming for pets, leading to stress and anxiety. Create a quiet, comfortable retreat for them where they can escape the noise and the commotion. Provide a cozy bed, toys, and perhaps some calming background music to help them relax.

Secure the Tree:

Christmas trees are a focal point of holiday decorations, but they can be hazardous for pets. Ensure the tree is securely anchored to prevent it from toppling over if your pet decides to investigate. Consider using pet-friendly ornaments and avoid using substances like tree preservatives, which may be harmful.

Candle Caution:

Candles are a popular choice for creating a festive ambiance, but they pose a fire hazard if knocked over by a curious or frightened pet. Opt for flameless, electric candles or place traditional ones in secure holders on high surfaces out of reach. Always supervise pets around open flames.

Mindful Gift Wrapping:

Gift-wrapping materials, such as ribbons and bows, can be enticing to pets but can pose a choking risk if ingested. Clean up wrapping materials promptly, and keep gifts out of reach until it's time to exchange them.

Avoid Noisy Celebrations:

Fireworks, loud music, and boisterous celebrations can be distressing for pets. If you're hosting a festive event, provide a quiet space for your pets away from the noise. Consider using calming aids such as pheromone diffusers or calming collars to help alleviate anxiety.

As we celebrate the Christmas season, incorporating these safety tips into our festivities will ensure that our pets can join in the joy without compromising their well-being. By being mindful of potential hazards and creating a pet-friendly environment, we can make this season enjoyable for both our furry companions and our human loved ones. Here's to a happy and safe holiday season for everyone, two-legged, four-legged and feathered alike!

Vegan Smoked Salmon for Christmas? Don’t mind if I do!

New from our friends at Squeaky Bean is their Beechwood Smoked Salmon Style Slices.

If you are hosting a Christmas or New Year party or want an interesting course added to your Christmas dinner table, then you should add Squeaky Bean Beechwood Smoked Salmon Style Slices to your shopping order.

New Squeaky Bean Beechwood Smoked Salmon Style Slices (80g) are available in Waitrose  and Sainsbury’s at a RRP £3.50.

Squeaky Bean Beechwood Smoked Salmon Style Slices are just  as sophisticated as smoked salmon; it has the same silky-smooth texture and smokiness of flavour, yet it's made with 100% vegan ingredients.

For the ultimate Christmastime breakfast or brunch, try Smoked Salmon Style Slices and scrambled tofu or smashed avocado on toast.

Top rye, brush with olive oil and enjoy with pickles for a Scandi-style open sandwich or serve with leafy greens, potato salad or grilled corn. Make a beetroot terrine and garnish with watercress for an eye-catching meat free starter; whatever the occasion, make this new plant-based food discovery the main event. 

Made with plant-based ingredients including root vegetables and smoked in Beechwood just like salmon, Squeaky Bean Beechwood Smoked Salmon Style Slices are also a good source of fibre, naturally low in saturated fat and only 68 kcals per 100g, perfect for meat eaters, meat reducers, flexitarians, vegans and vegetarians alike.

Rebecca Youseman, Brand Manager, Squeaky Bean, said: “20% of vegans and vegetarians revealed to us that they miss eating salmon, so we’ve been working on bringing vegan smoked salmon to the market. 

"It’s been a long time coming but it’s finally here; Squeaky Bean Smoked Salmon Style Slices are 100% plant based, smoked in beechwood for the same richness of flavour and naturally lower in fat, saturated fat and salt than smoked salmon.” 

Squeaky Bean’s Smoked Salmon Style Slices join an impressive line-up of products including the recently launched ready-to-eat Cooking Chorizo Style Sausage, Chargrilled Steak Style Strips, award-winning Applewood Smoked Ham Style Slices as well as Chicken Style Pieces, Chargrilled Mini Fillets and Sandwich Slices; NYC Deli Pastrami, Spanish Chorizo and Salami Style Slices. 

Squeaky Bean’s new incredibly authentic Smoked Salmon Style Slices are ready-to-eat and like the fish version, best enjoyed in a bagel or on toast, with a squeeze of lemon and sprig of fresh dill. This is a big-dill. 

Merchant Gourmet's Chestnut Range. Ideal for your Christmas feasting

Available on their own or incorporated into different recipes, Merchant Gourmet’s chestnuts range is stunning.

Here are three ways for using the range:-

Chestnut stuffing balls

Serves: 4, Time: 20 mins

INGREDIENTS

1 pouch of Merchant Gourmet Chestnut Stuffing

A splash of water

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat your oven to 180C.

Tip the stuffing into a bowl and mix well, adding a splash of water if needed.

Shape into 8 balls and place on a lined baking tray.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.

 

Chestnut wreath

Serves: 8-10, Time: 1hr 10

INGREDIENTS

1 onion, roughly chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 small butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1.5cm cubes

250g mushrooms, roughly chopped

180g Merchant Gourmet Whole Chestnuts, roughly chopped 

120g aalnuts, roughly chopped

30g pumpkin seeds

75g dried cranberries

80g breadcrumbs

3 tbsp nutritional yeast

2 tsp wholegrain mustard

3-4 sprigs fresh thyme, finely chopped (including the stalks)

8 sage leaves, finely chopped (reserving 4-5 leaves for the end)

2 sprigs rosemary

1 orange, zest

Cranberries for decoration, if you like

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a pan and sweat the onion until soft, adding the garlic for the last 2 minutes. . 

Add the butternut squash to the pan and continue frying on a medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring regularly. Then add the mushrooms and cook for another 5 minutes - again stirring regularly and gently mashing the squash with the back of a wooden spoon as it cooks. 

Add the chestnuts, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, cranberries, breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast, mustard, chopped thyme and sage to the pan, season well with salt and pepper and mix everything together well.

Preheat the oven to 180°C/ 350°F. Tip the mixture into a greased bundt tin pushing down firmly into the tin, and bake for 45-50 minutes until golden and crisp on top.

Allow to cool briefly and then tip onto a flat plate. Fry the reserved sage leaves and rosemary sprigs  in 1 tbsp oil until crispy and use these to garnish the wreath along with the orange zest and cranberries, if using. 

Ultimate (Christmas) leftover sandwich

Serves: 2, Time: 25 mins

INGREDIENTS

1 x 250g pouch of Merchant Gourmet Spiced Grains & Chestnuts

1 tsp cornflour

Leftover roasted vegetables (i.e carrots, parsnips)

Leftover braised red cabbage

Kale/ spinach / winter greens

Pickled red onion slices

Thick sliced white bread

Vegan mayonnaise 

INSTRUCTIONS

Tip the Spiced Grains & Chestnuts into a pan with approx. 50ml water and heat gently.

Sprinkle over the cornflour and mix well to combine, stirring over the heat for 3 minutes.

Take off the heat, put into a food processor and blitz the mixture until the grains break down slightly

Shape into small patties and put on an oiled tray and bake for 15 minutes.

Layer up your ultimate leftover sandwich as follows and make sure you pack in plenty of each: bread, cranberry sauce, kale, roasted root veg, Spiced Grains & Chestnuts patties, braised red cabbage, spinach, pickled onions, mayo, bread.

You can learn more about the range here https://www.merchant-gourmet.com

That's Food and Drink: That's Nice News! Nice to Launch Canned Sparkling ...

That's Food and Drink: That's Nice News! Nice to Launch Canned Sparkling ...: London-based wine startup, NICE ( www.nice-drinks.co.uk ), makes great tasting wine from wineries they love.  The female-led team is innovat...

Lanique Spirit of Rose. The perfect Christmas gift

Raise a toast this Christmas with Lanique Spirit of Rose, which is a completely natural spirit with aromas of delicate rose, fresh raspberry and cherry, and hints of Turkish delight. 

Just pair it with your favourite champagne for a sophisticated twist on a classic tipple or opt for an elegant cocktail to get into the festive spirit.

For cocktail connoisseurs, the Lanique Rose Negroni is a real party starter and party pleaser:

25ml Lanique, 25ml gin, 25ml Campari, served over cubed ice and garnished with a cinnamon stick for a super seasonal serve. Available now for £25.99 per 50cl bottle and £32.99 per 70cl bottle.

www.lanique.co.uk

The Whisky World Unveils Exclusive Single Cask Christmas Malt from Bimber Distillery

The Whisky World, an online retailer which focuses on retailing only the best in fine spirits, is thrilled to announce the release of its exclusive limited edition Christmas single malt from the renowned Bimber Distillery. 

This exceptional whisky, distilled at Bimber's London home and bottled from a single cask, is being exclusively sold at www.thewhiskyworld.com

Bimber Distillery, which is situated in North Acton, is well known for its unwavering commitment to producing top-quality, single malt whisky. 

This limited edition Christmas whisky is no exception and has been bottled after careful maturation in a single Pedro Ximénez cask. The resulting single malt is one that’s perfect to leave out for Father Christmas on Christmas Eve, as it features a sleigh-load of raisins, sultanas and liquorice alongside with rich yule logs and spiced fruits. 

These festive flavours are enhanced by the bottling strength of 56.7% and reflected in the striking label featuring Father Christmas. Only 265 bottles are available and were put on sale at the beginning of December; and this surprise release is expected to sell very quickly, so do get your orders in quickly.

The Whisky World's commitment to offering premium and unique whiskies aligns perfectly with Bimber’s ethos of producing exceptional single malts, starting with the grain grown on their own farm and ending with their direct-fire stills and hand-selected casks. 

Says Abe Lubelsky of The Whisky World: "This exclusive limited edition Christmas single malt is a true gem and a testament to the exceptional craftsmanship of Bimber Distillery. We are thrilled to present this extraordinary and very festive whisky to whisky connoisseurs for Christmas 2023" 

What does it taste like?

Tasting notes from The Whisky World

Nose: Candied orange peel, Terry's chocolate orange, vanilla-iced gingerbread men, glacé cherries, dates, sultanas, a malty, toasted oak undertone. Notes of Christmas brandy, apricot jam and elvas plums follow on. 

Palate: Rich hot chocolate - the kind made from proper chocolate flakes - with cream on top. Sherry-soaked Christmas cake that's bursting with cherries, raisins, ginger, almond flakes and cinnamon. 

Finish: Baking spice, sherry oak and rich, juicy chocolate-covered cherries linger in a very festive finale.