We don’t normally review stuff from places we haven’t actually visited or been to physically. BUT, we are making an exception today. In our defence we have been to Bristol, and it was while I was researching places to go and buy stuff in the Bristol area that I saw The Spicery and thought that their products looked interesting and well worth a try.
Eater Not A Cooker
But before we go on you must remember that this review is made by someone who in 56 years of living on this planet has NEVER made anything that was even remotely edible for man or beast. The extent of my culinary skills is chucking a ready meal into the microwave and waiting for the ping. Boiling a kettle for a Pot Noodle is peak cordon bleu for me. I’m an eater not a cooker.
However. I bought the Easy One Pot Goulash kit from The Spicery, and as Mrs Van Man was working late and I was at a loose end I thought I might have a go at making yet another disaster meal. I’m nothing if not persistent and enthusiastic!
The spice kit comes in a clever little pack – you cut the cardboard at the top and the recipe card folds down with the little packet of spices attached to the recipe.
Only Four Ingredients
There are basically only 4 ingredients to this recipe thankfully. It says on the recipe that once cooked serve the Goulash with potatoes or crusty bread – even better that means even less cooking for me as we already have a loaf of crusty bread in. Smashing.
The recipe card says that preparation time is 10 minutes – I’m not sure it even took that long.
Preparation basically consists of chucking the cut beef into a large pot, rough chopping some onions, rough chopping some peppers (any colours) and adding that all to the pot with the spice pack and a bit of water … what could possibly go wrong? With me doing the cooking … anything and everything probably … most likely.
Then you have to put the lid on the pot, let it simmer for two hours and Bob’s supposedly your Uncle.
So did I end up making the usual catastrophic meal? Did I end up burning down the house? Are my vet bills going to be sky high again after the dogs get poisoned by eating Van Mans attempt at Goulash?
NOT A BIT OF IT!!!!!
The Result Of My Efforts
I have to say it was one of the most tastiest meals I have had in a long time. Mrs Van Man was ASTOUNDED by the meal I served up – she even had the audacity to accuse me of ordering it online from a restaurant.
I felt 10 feet tall – the accomplishment of ACTUALLY FINALLY making an edible meal. Not only an edible meal but a tasty edible meal at that. Mrs Van Man had seconds it was that good.
Move over Madhur Jaffrey. Jamie Oliver, you just don’t compare. Heston? Heston who? There’s a new chef on the block, yes the Van Man cometh.
Seriously, it was sooooo easy to do, and the final results from only a few ingredients and the spices was truly astonishing. The colour of the Goulash, the aroma, the taste – it was all just superb. Do yourself a flavour (no, it’s not a mis-spelling), buy some Easy One Pot Goulash spice kits today.
You can buy all The Spicery kits from their fantastic online store here: The Spicery Website They also have free recipes and all sorts of other great information and offers.
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