Explore the Taste of the Americas - Encona Sauces*

It’s coming up to BBQ season and I can’t think of anything better than eating delicious BBQ foods, especially delicious marinated meats. When I was offered the chance to try a couple of sauces from the Encona range, I knew they would be a summer staple in my food cupboard if they tasted good. The sauces did not disappoint and I can safely say they will be sticking around and making an appearance this summer!

The first sauce I received was the Encona Mexican Smokey Jalapeno Sauce. This is made up of a delicious blend of chillies and spices to give a rich sauce with a smokey flavour. Perfect for adding to Mexican themed meals! This sauce is gluten free and of medium heat. I think it would be perfect for marinating chicken, adding to fahitas or tacos. We served this with some nachos and it gave them the perfect kick teamed with the crunch of the tortilla chips. This would also really compliment fish dishes to give them that extra bit of flavour.

Encona sell a range of authentic, versatile, hot and spicy sauces from around the world. With over 20 different sauces and marinades there is something for everyone with flavours from across the world. With heat levels ranging from mild to extra hot there is something for all tastes. You can use the sauces for dipping, marinades, stir fries and salad dressings. They are incredibly versatile and there are so many different flavour combinations you can come up with.

The next sauce I tried was the Encona Brazilian BBQ Sauce which is also a great marinade for all fish, meats and vegetables. I can imagine brushing this onto chicken and vegetable skewers before barbecuing for a perfect spicy meal. I added a teaspoon of this delicious sweet and spicy sauce to my Boston Baked Bean and Bacon Soup and it gave it the perfect kick and really livened up my lunchtime. This particular flavour is even suitable for vegans.

Next time you’re in your local supermarket why not check out the range of Encona sauces available and cook yourself a feast. Head over to the Encona website for hundreds of recipe ideas for your sauces!

*I received these sauces free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.

Beer & Burger Night - Feat. Brewbarrel*

When I think of Summer I picture BBQ’s in the garden, fun times with friends, burgers and a nice cold beer. With my Birthday and Father’s Day around this season it’s a great time to celebrate. I was recently contacted by a company called Brewbarrel who offered me the chance of brewing my own customised beer within just one week. What a fantastic idea I thought this was and a great concept.

Brewbarrel was founded in Germany with the aim of providing the German Beer Market with a bit more variety in what is generally available. Home brewing wasn’t popular and kits available were difficult to use and produced different results. Now Brewbarrel have spread their wings and joined us in the UK meaning you too can get involved with brewing your own beers.

The website is simple to use and you can customise your barrel to suit your taste. I picked lager with standard hops and the addition of cherry flavouring. The perfect combination of sweet and bitterness and a firm favourite in my household even with people who don’t normally like beer. When the barrell arrived I was really impressed with the size. Prices start at £25 and for that you get 5 litres of beer which is around 10 pints – a lot cheaper than pub prices! You can choose from a number of flavour options, beer styles and hops. I chose to customise my beer with cherry from the fruit section but there were so many other categories including spices, wood, aromas and other special additions. All of the ingredients you need are weighed out and delivered to your home. If you’re stuck for choice, there is a handy gift section with all sorts of pre-made ideas.

It takes just 10 minutes to prepare the beer for fermentation and as someone who has never done anything like this before, I found it so simple to do. Once the barrell has been prepared the beer needs to ferment at room temperature for 5 days, then matured in the fridge for a further 2 days. After the week is up, you are free to serve your beer straight from the barrell. I couldn’t believe how easy it was! I prepared this a week in advanced of my planned burger night and it went down a storm with my guests.

I made homemade burgers and topped them with cheese. They were delicious alongside the cherry lager I had created. I still can’t believe how quick and easy it was to create and how well it went down with the people who enjoyed it.

These Brewbarrels make a great gift and I think they would be the perfect Father’s Day present for June 19th!

Crack out the BBQ, cook some burgers and bring out your Brewbarrel! Head over to their website and start customising your best brew.

*I received this Brewbarrell free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.