PERK UP YOUR PACKED LUNCHES

Perk up your packed lunches, and revolutionise the ritual of packed lunch making, with Merchant Gourmet’s easy-to-use ingredients. With this collection of time-saving products at your fingertips, you can introduce new foods, textures and tastes to your lunchtime menu with creative meals that are as simple as they are satisfying. From Giant Couscous to Balsamic Syrup, these yummy products are perfect for adding substance to sandwiches and salads. They’re also great for making the most of your leftovers or creating a batch of something fast and filling that the whole family will enjoy. Try making your pack lunches with these tasty recipes: • Balsamic Syrup: Thanks to its rich, sweet flavours this Balsamic Syrup goes down a storm with adults and children alike. Drizzle it over your salads or simply squeeze some into a container and use it as a dip for fresh bread or red pepper sticks. • Posh Veggie Sandwich – grab two slices of ciabatta. Stack lettuce, sliced peppers and Merchant Gourmet Slow Roasted Tomatoes on one slice – add gouda or cheddar cheese (plus mayo if desired) and add remaining slice of ciabatta. • Greek Pitta Pocket Sandwich – Microwave Merchant Gourmet Ready to eat Quinoa to packet instructions. Add crumbled feta cheese, cucumber, and pesto. Put in a pitta bread (there’s enough to feed four small people) with a sliced pocket end. • Giant Couscous Salad – Make the couscous following pack instructions. Leave to cool. Grab lettuce leaves, basil, red pesto, SunBlush tomatoes and mix with couscous. Add some slices of mozzarella and drizzle with some small drops of balsamic syrup. Yum! • Cheesy Chicken with Carmargue Red Rice – Cook red rice according to instruction on the packet and add some pre-cooked chicken or ready cooked chicken from the supermarket. Add sliced white onion. Mix with cooked red rice and add sliced haloumi. Yum! – this dish can also be made for veggies with asparagus instead of chicken. All of the recipes above can be eaten cold, so if like most parents, you just don’t have time in the morning, the recipes can be cooked the night before and put straight into the fridge. Merchant Gourmet products are sold in Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrison’s, Waitrose, The Co-operative and many more supermarket chains. For stockist details or to order Merchant Gourmet products online visit www.merchant-gourmet.com Ends 7th September 2010 Issued on behalf of Merchant Gourmet by Public. For further information, samples or images please contact Rebecca Mann/ Liam Grady on 01302 730303 or email rebecca.mann@publicgroup.co.uk or liam.grady@publicgroup.co.uk Notes to Editors: • About Merchant Gourmet Merchant Gourmet was started by Mark Leatham in 1985, sparked by his passion for quality ingredients that make a difference to any meal. Today, the company supplies over 40 products to supermarkets up and down the country, from Porcini Mushrooms to Roquito® Peppers, all of which meet the company’s criteria for ease of use and outstanding taste. • Details for all of these products, exclusive recipes and further information about Merchant Gourmet can be found at www.merchant-gourmet.com