Time to pull out those casserole dishes and slow cookers and get warmed up for winter. 

In the spotlight this week are our French Puy Lentils.

Originating in France, these small green lentils are a great alternative to regular lentils. They take less time to cook and retain their shape better as they have very little starch.
 
Joanne Flanagan has created us this fantastic Braised Puy Lentil recipe that’s sure to be a favourite with the whole family.

Braised French Puy Lentils

Ingredients:

• olive oil
• 1 small onion finely diced
• 2 celery sticks finely diced
• 1 carrot finely diced
• 1 cup of Puy lentils
• 3 spring of fresh thyme
• 750ml stock of your choice (I used beef because I was serving it with lamb)
• Squeeze of lemon
• Final drizzle of Extra-virgin olive oil, to taste

Method:

1. Heat the olive oil in a wide saucepan over a medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened.
2. Add celery and carrot stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the lentils, so they’re coated in the oil and cooking juices, then add the thyme sprigs and hot stock.
4. Season with freshly ground black pepper.
5. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the lentils are tender but still holding their shape, and the stock is absorbed.
6. Add a dash of boiling water if lentils look a little dry during cooking.
7. Discard the thyme sprigs.
8. Stir the lemon juice and a good slug of extra-virgin olive oil into the lentils and adjust the seasoning.

We served the lentils as side dish with lamb, sweet potato chips, Greek salad and tzatziki. Yummo!

Native to South America, Inca Berries are similar to Gooseberries.
 
A bright yellow berry when fresh and this colour darkens when dried.

They are a taste explosion in your mouth with an intense sweet flavour that ends with a slight tang not unlike an apricot.
 
Thanks to the small little seeds inside the berry is high in fibre,  a good source of antioxidants and may have anti-inflammatory qualities.
 
Eat them on their own or mixed in with your favourite muesli or yoghurt.  Add them to your favourite nut mix for an on-the-go snack or try adding them to a cheese platter at your next gathering.
 
Our Inca Berries are organic and preservative free!
 
If you’ve never tried one, come in store and try one today. You’ll wonder how you ever did  without them.

I've always loved a great loose leaf tea and brewing a pot of tea for my afternoon pick me up is a daily ritual.  It takes that little extra time but the end product is worth it.  So whether you need a pick me up or a slow me down we have 11 different varieties in store. Your bound to find that perfect one.

Organic English Breakfast Tea

This is an organic whole leaf tea variety from Sri Lanka. The full leaf of this tea gives it a full bodied flavour that you don’t find in English Breakfast teas that just use the tip of the leaf. Let it brew for a bit longer and you’ll be rewarded with the perfect cuppa. Drink black or with milk and/or sugar.
 
2 teaspoons per cup and infuse for 3 - 5 minutes. 

Organic Earl Grey Tea
 
Black tea with a distinct citrus bergamot flavour. This tea goes back to the early 1800’s in England. Traditionally it was consumed in the mornings but don’t let tradition stop you from drinking this as an afternoon pick me up. Drink black or with milk.
 
2 teaspoons per cup and infuse for 3 - 5 minutes. ​

Organic Chamomile Tea

A member of the daisy family this tea is well known for it’s calming properties. It is said to help with insomnia when drunk before bed or ease an upset stomach.  It has also been traditionally  used as an anti-inflammatory.  
 
Infuse 2 -3  teaspoons with boiling water for  10 mins.

Organic Echinacea Tea

Commonly known as the purple coneflower. It's traditionally used for boosting your immune system and may help lessen the symptoms of a cold.  It has a light pleasant flavour and good tea for this time of year.
 
Infuse 2 -3  teaspoons with boiling water for  10 mins.

Organic Green Sencha Tea

This popular Japanese tea is grown in full sun  and harvested in the first or second new leaf growth . The leaves are steamed to prevent oxidation thus creating a refreshing and uplifting tea. When brewed it has a  greenish golden colour.
 
Allowing 1 teaspoon per cup. Infuse with water that is just before the boil for 1 minute.

Organic  Matcha Powder

Matcha is grown in the shade to generate more chlorophyll. As a powder, it allows you to consume the whole leaf increasing the amount of caffeine and antioxidants. Matcha is also popular in baking.
 
Add 1 – 2 teaspoons to a cup. Add a small amount of water (heated to just before the boil is best) and mix into a smooth paste.. Then add more water and it’s ready to drink.  Milk and  sweetners can be added. 

Organic Hibiscus (Rosella) Tea
​
Hibiscus sabdariffa also known as Rosella is a beautiful bright red fragrant tea.  This tea is high in Vitamin C. It has a pleasant tart flavour that can be sweetened with sugar or honey if preferred.
 
1 teaspoon per cup is all that is needed. Allow to infuse for 3 minutes.

Organic Licorice Root Tea
​
Licorice root makes a sweet tea and can be blended with added herbal teas to provide an alternate sweetener to sugar.  Traditionally it has been used to treat symptoms of the common cold and stomach upsets.
 
1 – 2 teaspoons per cup depending on how strong you like it. Allow to steep in boiled water for  3 – 5 minutes.

Organic Peppermint Tea
 
Naturally caffeine free peppermint tea is golden and smooth tasting with a refreshing minty aroma. It’s believed to act as a muscle relaxant and relieve stress.
 
It can be served hot or cold. Honey can be added for a sweet twist.
 
1 teaspoon per cup and infuse for 2 – 3 minutes. 

Organic Rooibos Tea
 
A naturally red herbal tea with a sweet taste and is caffeine free alternative to black and green tea. It’s red colour is created by fermenting the leaves. It’s high in antioxidants. Can be served with milk and sugar.
 
1 – 2 teaspoons of tea in a mug and allow to infuse for 5 minutes. 

Autumn Cardamon Tea
 
Our most popular tea and it’s easy to know why. It’s strong cardamom scents immediately draws you in.  Blended by The Vegan Teahouse, it's a gorgeous mix of Cinnamon, Calendula, Rooibos, Cardamon and Ginger. 
​
You can drink it black or with your favourite milk and a spoon of honey.