When you think of Iceland what springs to mind, frozen chicken nuggets, pizza etc.? What if I told you there is more to Iceland? Being me, I have to see and taste to believe and luckily last week I got to do just that. The lovely guys from Iceland Foods kindly invited me and a handful of other bloggers to attend a product tasting at Aveqia (kitchen and meeting room) in Central London. We were fortunate enough to meet their MD Nick Canning and his lovely team as well as savour some of the Autumn frozen food range available soon.
I really don’t understand people that turn their noses up at frozen foods, as long as they taste great, they don’t contain an endless list of artificial colours, flavours and preservatives then they can be just as good as foods made fresh or ready made fresh meals. Anyone that cooks knows that foods can taste better a day or two later but have you experimented with freezing. I sure have, especially with the likes of chilli con carne and bolognaise, these can be just as yummy frozen and eaten at a later date. Not all shop bought frozen meals are made with poor quality ingredients and up until now I didn’t realise that Iceland was the first supermarket to ban MSG from their own brand products (1986). In 1990 they took the lead in banning mechanically recovered meat from all their own products, in 1998 they were again the first to stop using genetically modified ingredients in their own products and in 2006 they removed all hydrogenated fats from their own product (the same year as M&S). The products stocked by Iceland are not cheap, poor quality products like some that can be found elsewhere and I’m glad to say that my eyes have now been opened to this. Iceland even won 6 awards for their frozen foods this year alone and had numerous dishes shortlisted which just goes to show how good their food has become! Want to see for yourself? Take a look at ‘this‘ impressive list.
There are numerous benefits to freezing food.
1. Freezing foods is a natural way of preserving foods.
2. Increasing the amount of frozen food that we eat can help reduce food waste and
save money!
3. No need for preservatives.
4. You can enjoy all types of foods even if they are not in season.
5. Freezing foods may reduce harmful microbes that can cause poisoning.
We got to try a great range of foods from meat and fish, veg and side dishes and even desserts.
On the menu:
I got to try the Tom Kha soup and was pleased to note that this was full of flavour and well worth a space in my freezer.
To be honest I was impressed. I haven’t bought food from Iceland very often but after this tasting I am inclined to shop there more and also make the most of their free delivery. I’m really excited about discovering they do sweet potato fries. Although simple to make from scratch I find I don’t always use the sweet potatoes up or forget to use them for a week or more so they either go bad or I am concerned that they are no longer fresh, not a concern if I buy frozen. Not forgetting they aren’t easy to cut in nice neat chip shapes!!! The asparagus was also really good, I had never thought to freeze it before so it was great to learn that you can and it stays in perfect form. My favourite fish from those sampled was the cod, this was well matched with the sweet potatoes.
Then my favourite part dessert!!!!!!
The crème brulee was yummy, smooth and creamy with a gorgeous flavour.
There was also a soufflés challenge. The challenge, to use the mix prepared by a chef with 16 years cooking experience, cook and then compare the result with soufflés from Iceland.
So which is Icelands?
This one?
Or this one?
I can’t keep you guessing over something as important as dessert. So here is a quick clue.
The first batch sunk!!! The obvious winner taking into consideration taste and appearance, drum roll please…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Icelands!!!!
I was having such a great time that I totally lost track of the time but luckily I made it back just in time (lol) to pick up the children. Thanks so much for inviting me guys and hopefully I will get to visit you all sometime soon.
This is NOT a sponsored post and all thoughts and opinions stated here are my own.
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Wow! I usually only visit Iceland if I have run out of party food during the festive season, I didn’t realise they did such great looking fish and meat products.
I know, how good are they! I’m so pleased I got to go as I’d have never know otherwise.
I usually avoid Iceland but after seeing all the delicious things that can be made, I’ll give it a shot! I don’t tend to buy frozen foods, not because I don’t like them, just because I’m not in the habit of it. I usually buy what I’m going to eat immediately so it never really crosses my mind! Looks like you had great fun at this event 🙂
They are well worth a try, I didn’t really shop there much before but after going to the event and trying the foods I will go more often now.
Well everything looks amazing I must admit. I do use my freezer for frozn vegetables and frozen fish and I find it is a usedful stand by when you are tired and can’t go to the shops. You can whip up a meal in no time with food in my freezer
It’s so handy and the frozen fish was really nice.
I must admit I don’t buy alot of freezer products because I am always wary of the taste, but some of these look really good. x
They taste as good as they look too which is great.
Oh wow, I didn’t know there were that many benefits to frozen food. Thanks for sharing 🙂 xx
No problem Claire, I do think frozen food can be really handy and great for us.
I love iceland! I went there all the time when I was a student to get my frozen veg and meat. It’s so handy and so good for you!
They are brilliant, i didn’t realise before how good they are.
This looks really good. I love the look of the desserts. x
They were yummy and are so simple to make.
This is a really interesting read, we don’t shop at Iceland as we don’t have one near us – but everything looks great!
That’s a shame, maybe see if you can get them to deliver to you, their food was really nice.
This is fantastic. We tend to only do Iceland for party food and simple quick dinners, but these look fantastic!
I know I’m so glad I was invited along as I never knew how good they are.
Great post. I do not often go to Iceland but when I do I often manage to find a lot of bargains. Some of their products can be very tasty – the pictures in your post proves this.
They look lovely don’t they and taste just as good.
Wow – this is one of those posts that have opened my eyes. I am the first to admit I am an Iceland snob and will never go into the shop and turn my nose up. I am clearly being an idiot! I didn’t know they let the way when it comes to quality food and that they’d won so many awards. The food looks delicious too! I’m going to stop being so judgemental and pop in next week!
Well if you manage too then make sure you grab some sweet potatoes, fish, creme brulee and souffles!!!!!
There is definitely a misconception that frozen food is unhealthy which needs to be dispelled. I love a frozen meal from time to time and yours looked truly scrumptious! Xx
They really were good, I was impressed. Not at all what I expected.
Those fish dishes look absolutely divine. I really should use fish more when cooking dinner x
It’s so easy with the frozen fish to increase your weekly intake and you can jazz the fish up really easily to if you want.
For my starter I will have tomato and basil soup and on the side I will have sweet potato fries and creamed lentils and for desert a good ol’ creme brulle should do the trick. How did you get the invite?
Lol, Ana that sounds live a lovely meal choice. I got an email through from their marketing company I believe.
Wow what some delicious looking dishes, I would never have guessed they were from Iceland. x
They do look great, I’m now on a hunt for an Iceland with the sweet potatoes, they were lovely 😉
I stopped using Iceland years ago but maybe I should give them another go! My friend is always telling me to try them again as she is a big fan. The leg of lamb looks delicious so that will be on the menu next Sunday! 😀
I was surprised as to how good they now are.