What’s He Like?

Darrell says he can really tell he’s starting to lose weight ……..
……. as he can now see his ribs!!!!  What is he like?

Konditoreiüberprüfung - Köstlicher Brotleg aus Feinster Vollmilch Scokolade

Nigel has been unbelievably excited about being put in charge of making the selection of German confectionary, sent to us by our friends Ze Monkeys, to review.

This morning he selected the chocolate that you eat with bread for our delectation and considered deliberation,  to be honest, when we first opened our parcel and delved amongst its many delights, it was the one item that evoked most of our curiosity.

Anticipating our review, we had nipped up to Aldi where we had deliberated for some time as to what bread we should serve said chocolate, our bread of choice is usually “the much seeded one”, but perhaps placed between two slices of a white “Toastie” might be better ….. but in the end, taking into consideration the nature of the unusual filling, we opted for a bag of mini brioche rolls as the most appealing option.

We then decided against spreading butter on our rolls, going instead for a plainer, dry option, so flavours and textures would not get confused……

…… though Nigel couldn’t resist having just a tiny “naked” nibble without the bread.

Let’s just say we were very impressed and can’t believe that we have never thought of experimenting with the idea of a chocolate sarnie before now.

It has to be said that from now on our packed lunches are certainly going to become much more adventurous, we just need to experiment with which pickle goes with chocolate the best, and decide whether a slice of tomato or cucumber would be over egging the butty?

Our understanding of German language is also a very wonderful extra bonus,  we may very soon become bilingual as we now know that “nuts” in German are “nuss”!

And our considered evaluation? Well, we all liked that the chocolate came in 8 slender pieces, which reminded us of thin Easter egg chocolate.  We wouldn’t say it was as creamy and rich as Cadbury or Galaxy chocolate, however it was still very pleasing, especially with the delicate pieces of hazelnut (vollmil?) mixed in.

So, we feel we have sampled well, and can thus award Eszet Vollmilch-Nuss Schnitten an unequivocal and well deserved 85.998 out of 101% of Teutonic noms ……. nom, nom, nom!

Happy Valentines Day

Happy 14th February 2017 …….

To be honest, Cupid’s Arrow hasn’t had time to strike in Evesham …… yet, but you never know.

This morning we shared a few memories of Valentines Days past and wondered what our old work colleague Tallulah was doing now, and whether she herself had found the love she so craved.  Despite our lack of romance of a starry eyed type nature, we are still planning special evening meal to celebrate the day, splashing out on a Marks and Spencer Valentine Meal Deal but split between three ….. a mange pour trois, as they would say dans Paris, the patron city of love!

Dishcloth Dilemma

I try not to be too precious about matters of a domestic type nature, but some things really get to me ……. like, what happens to dishcloths in the wash?

I like to buy a reasonable quality dishcloth, having experimented with the cheaper variety  and occasionally splashing out on a higher end product, but always with the same result……..

…… they always start out flat and perfectly shaped and I am proud to use them …….

…… yet within a couple of washes they seem to bear no resemblance to their former selves, becoming misshapen, twisted and almost impossible to lie flat ……. to wit, they become an embarrassment to my tea towel drawer, and I refuse to iron them. I am now considering just getting a set for “best” when we have guests and then using one of Darrell’s or my ripped up old t-shirts for the rest of the time! Aghhhhhhh!!!

German Confectionary Review - Lach Gummi

Nigel was up at 7.30 this morning, anxious to make his selection for our first German Confectionary Review.

He deliberated for quite some time, but in the end decided on the Lach Gummi or as kindly translated by Ze Monkeys, Laughter Gums.

Let’s just say, they did not disappoint in the laughter department.

Now, we don’t really advocate the playing with food, however we thought that with Lach Gummi it would be acceptable, in fact it was probably expected …… and de rigeuer in Germany.

And as a result afforded much robust laughter at The Towers …..

…… in fact we had to close the windows, just in case we could be heard on the other side of the river, and a boat sent over to see what was happening!

And our score?  Well, it has to be an unprecedented 1001% on our Richter scale of Teutonic Noms, they delivered vigorously in all categories, TV snack appeal, aroma, nutritional value,  flavour, chewability and living up to their name!  We absolutely loved them, which bodes well for the other Germanic confectionary items our box.

But, we didn’t eat them all, we had to think about Darrell’s diet, so what was left has been put in our sweetie jar, to be partaken of as and when, but in moderation.

However, I am, not sure how long Nigel will last!

A Proposed Theoretical German Confectionary Review Becomes A Reality …..

OMG …..there has been much robust excitement going on behind the scenes chez nous,  e-mails have been flying back and forth between The Towers and our lovely, lovely friends Ze Monkeys  in romantic and Teutonic Germany, pondering the possibility of our doing a “theoretical German confectionary review”. 

Now, to our shame, we have never (to our best knowledge) experienced anything of comestible German origin, so to refuse such a wonderful offer would be most rude, so arrangements were set up and we have been anticipating a postal delivery ………

….. and yesterday morning it arrived, the intercom buzzed and when Darrell went to the door there it was, a box of Germanic mystery!

The expectation that filled our lounge was both tangible and palpable …. my hands were shaking as I started to open the box.

Just inside the box, resting on the top, was a card that Darrell opened and read out to of us with a quivering voice…….

……. you could have heard a pin drop, Nigel and I hung on every word.

And then, we delved further into the box, beyond the paper protecting its contents …….

but what greeted us was overwhelming, we had perhaps expected a bar of chocolate and perhaps a biscuit or two, but what we found was a veritable supermarket sweep of wonderfulness!

…… and everything had a note on it, so that we would know exactly what each item was, just in case the German language flummoxed us a little.

There was chocolate with hazelnut bits and, can you believe, chocolate you put on bread, now that’s a first, for any of us!

There was the very intriguing sounding “Laughter Gums” with extra vitamins, always a bonus ……..

…….. and alphabetical Russian Bread ………

…….. it was becoming almost too much to bear………….…….…....where on earth would you start when embarking on a series of German Comestible Reviews?

Darrell was a little concerned about his slimming regime, but decided to roughly guess the Syn value of each item by comparing it to the nearest British equivalent thus, hopefully, preventing any untoward fluctuations on his weigh-in days.

I have put the box in a safe place, Darrell and I have agreed to let Nigel choose a “treat” every other day to review and muse upon, and there is to be no poking ……..

What can we say? Thank you Ze Monkeys, we will not let you down, and if there is anything of a British comestible nature that you can’t get freely in Germany it would be a pleasure to return such a wonderful thought ….. perhaps some scratchings, or something local to Evesham?  We await your requests!

THANK YOU

Doing My Bit To Help Darrell.

I have become the proud owner of an Iceland Bonus Card.I thought I would do my bit to help and encourage Darrell’s in his new eating regime ventures.  I will now be alerted via e-mail whenever there are any exclusive Slimming World offers “on” …… and considered comestible purchases can be made……..

…… especially as Darrell has become quite partial to a Slimming World Syn free pork sausage and the odd Singapore Noodle.

Pudding Review - Dr Oetker Lemon Pud in a Mug

When Darrell and Nigel were Poundshop shopping in The Homeland last week  Darrell made a considered purchase of two packets of Dr Oetker lemon flavour Pud in A Mug (2 for £1), thinking that they might make an interesting Microwave Pudding Review.

And on their return to The Towers Nigel, naturally,  was a most willing assistant in their testing.

It couldn’t have been more simpler, all they had to do was put 4 tablespoons of milk into a mug, add the contents of the packet and mix until smooth ….. making wishes as they whisked at Nigel’s insistence ……

……. before putting in the microwave for 90 seconds at 600mph.
All bode well ……
….. but the proof of the pudding, they say, is in the eating…….

…… and it has to be said, that it on this occasion Dr Oetker’s lemon pud in a mug disappointed and was found wanting by our “experts”.

The pud was spongy, but in an artificial microwave type way, which then gave way to a very distinct chewiness which in turn lacked a preferred comely moistness. Custard may have helped, but would still have not hidden the rubbery undertones it would be disguising.

For 50pm it was worth a punt, but sadly a punt that will not be repeated at The Towers, as Nigel and Darrell only awarded it a most emphatic and paltry 0.98 on their Pud in a Mug scale of almost none existent noms.  Oh well, onwards and upwards hopefully for their next pudding review.http://www.oetker.co.uk/uk-en/our-products/home-baking/pud-in-a-mug/product-range/pud-in-a-mug-sponge-pudding/pud-in-a-mug-lemon.html

NB:- for all those concerned for Darrell’s diet, all “SYNS” were accounted for during this review and no Darrell’s weight loss was not in any way hindered.