Simple Ingredients – Sensational Suppers. Proof that a little confidence, a few Stokes Sauces, and a handful of pasta can go a very long and tasty way. Prima Pasta – tips and tastes to bring a little magic to your kitchen.
Italian-style pasta has a way of making the rest of the culinary world look as though it’s trying just a little too hard.
[Onion, courgette, tomatoes fried in extra virgin olive oil and garlic, folded together in a spoon or two or our Bloody Mary Ketchup then stirred into spaghetti with a handful of olives, torn basil leaves and a final drizzle of oil. Grated parmesan cheese on top and … perfect in minutes.]
While some recipes arrive with ingredient lists so long you’ll need a shopping trolley and spreadsheet to deal with it. Great Italian pasta dishes often begin with a handful of carefully chosen ingredients and a packet of dried spaghetti, linguine, or pappardelle.
[While the pasta simmers, toss a few prawns with onions and tomatoes in a little oil. Add 2 or 3 spoonfuls of pasta water to the prawns and a couple of spoons of Stokes Garlic Mayonnaise. Stir quickly and fold the smooth aioli prawns into the pasta – done!]
It’s a kind of culinary magic trick.
A slow-simmered beef ragu, rich with tomatoes, wine and aromatic herbs, finds its perfect partner in ribbons of pappardelle or tubes of penne.
[Can’t beat the classic beef ragu. Try using half and half minced beef and finely sliced rump steak for fantastic texture. Brown with chopped celery, carrot, courgette, Italian mixed herbs, and crushed garlic. Add equal amounts of red wine and beef stock and a tin (or two) of chopped toms and simmer, simmer, simmer.
When reduced to a thick sauce, enhance the tomato taste with Stokes Real Tomato Ketchup (it’s thick enough to replace tom puree). Now I like a chilli kick so, add Chilli Ketchup for mild support, or our Habanero HOT Sauce for extra punch.]
Fresh seafood, perhaps clams, mussels, prawns or crab, mingles with garlic, olive oil, a hit of chilli and a splash of white wine to transform a simple bowl of linguine into a taste of the Mediterranean coast.
[Spaghetti Vongole – one of my absolute favourites. Sweet sweet clams in a tangle of buttery pasta – simply wow! So good, you’ll find the RECIPE HERE.]
Robust Italian sausages or tender meatballs provide the heart of a sauce that clings passionately to strands of spaghetti, creating dishes that are both comforting and memorable.
The beauty of these dishes lies in their simplicity.
There is nowhere for poor ingredients to hide and no elaborate techniques to distract from the essentials. 
They’re proof that in Italian cooking, a little confidence, a few Stokes Sauces, and a handful of pasta can go a very long way.
What is the origin of the phrase “doesn’t cut the mustard”?
Mustard is one of the great crops of East Anglia. Great swathes of brilliant yellow cover the countryside before seeding, turning, and drying. Back in the day it was cut by hand with scythes.
If a poor worker was not up to the job, they “would not cut the mustard”, so were dismissed.
Mustard is a spice, widely considered the most famous British spice. In its whole or ground powder form, it is derived from the seeds of the mustard plant and used to add flavour, aroma, and heat to cooking.
It is historically the only spice commonly cultivated in the UK, with Norwich-based Colman’s being a household staple since 1814 … but of course, now Stokes has come along to put perfect mustard smiles on your faces.
In fact our mustard powders come from Coleman’s farms, but our special recipes are different.
The versatile nature of mustard means it can be categorized in a couple of ways:
As a Spice: The dry, whole seeds or milled powder are used as an essential dry spice in spice rubs, marinades, curries, and pickling brines.
As a Condiment: When the ground spice is mixed with liquids like vinegar, water, or wine, it transforms into the thick, spreadable condiment.
Enjoy our mustard musings.
Classic English Mustard.
Made with the finest of mustard seeds from Norfolk. A smooth and strong Classic English Mustard but without the notorious ‘burn’ of other mustards.
If you like mustard, we think you’ll love this!
Cauliflower Cheese Fritters
These low-carb cauliflower fritters are seriously yummy and only contain 3 ingredients (plus herbs & seasonings) 😍.
Emily from @whatIateforbreakfast says: “You know I love a fritter for breakfast, although they’d be great for brunch, lunch & dinner too!”
RECIPE HERE.
Cider & Horseradish Mustard.
This is a Wholegrain Mustard. Made with cider vinegar, British dry cider, horseradish and a ‘popping’ blend of yellow and black mustard seeds.
It has everything! Sophisticated and deliciously layered in flavour, with a subtle horseradish finish.
Roast Chicken w. French Style Peas
Andy’s recipe flavours the Chicken and keeps it lovely and succulent. The skin can always be removed after cooking if you wish.
The peas alone are amazing.
A pungent, medium-hot Dijon Mustard made from very finely ground mustard seeds. It’s a great mustard, perfect in the recipe below.
Woodland Mushroom & Pancetta Strudel.
This is an absolute star of a recipe from resident Chef, Andy.
Crunch through the crispy filo pastry to a feast of Haricot beans, wild mushrooms and pancetta in a creamy, cheesy, Dijon Mustard sauce.
TASTY TIP
Add a bottle of Aspell’s Premier Cru Cider when building the Chicken Stock for an extra ‘wow factor‘. It really works!
1. Login to your Stokes Sauces account. If you’re not yet registered, set up an account here.
2. Copy your unique referral link which can be found under the ‘Referral Coupons’ tab on your account dashboard and share with your friends.
3. When your friends visit the website and sign up for an account via your link, they will get 10% off at checkout.
4. Once your friend’s order has been processed, you’ll also receive a 10% off voucher code. This can be found under the ‘Referral Coupons’ tab on your account dashboard and valid for 3 months.
1. Copy & Share Your Link
2. Your friends can register via your link
3. You will get 10% coupon on the referral order purchase.
4. Your friend will also get a 10% discount coupon in return on Signup
