The Dogmother Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 A kind friend emailed me a link to 50p off any of the new New Covent Garden quiches; they look delicious, but their ingredients don't stipulate that the eggs used are free range. I can't help but think that if they were free range, they would be shouting it from the tree tops. I shall be emailing them to ask It doesn't take long to make your own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 A good point. I make my own to use up surplus eggs, but a brand like Covent Garden really should be using the best possible ingredients. Thanks for the link! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 I would love to make my own quiches, it would be a great way to use up eggs, but, I'm rubbish at pastry Might have to buy the ready made stuff Clare, you are right, if they were using free range they would be shouting it from the rooftops! Maybe they'll say they couldn't source enough supplies of free range egg (because Hellmans nabbed it all ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 5, 2010 Author Share Posted July 5, 2010 You'll have to pop down Claire, and we can have a pastry/quiche making session. Nowt wrong with ready made stuff, I always have a packet of the puff pastry one in my freezer - I draw the line at making puff pastry. I have emailed them saying that with their excellent reputation, I'd expect them to be using free range eggs, and asking them to confirm. Will keep you posted... I feel a bit of Omlet pressure is needed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridgy chooks Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 Consdering some of Tescos are now made with free range eggs (and bearing in mind their reputation!), I hope that these are made with free range eggs. You would think that it would say so if they were though. Will be interested to see the response you get and will email myself if you don't get a good response. I love home made quiche but we are only getting 1 egg a day max at the mo as the other 2 aren't in lay yet - no pressure girls!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 5, 2010 Author Share Posted July 5, 2010 I have four broodies not laying at the moment - two are making use of themselves and hatching, the others aren't responding to any treatment at all I shook the roasting pan at them at lunchtime, we'll see if that sorts them. I went to see a friend who has lots of hens, bemoaned my lack of eggs and came away with a bucketful of surplus eggs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 Emailed them. Thanks for the link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 5, 2010 Author Share Posted July 5, 2010 Quote from their site... Our Ingredients We use all natural ingredients, there's nothing artificial about any of our products. We choose the same natural ingredients you’d have in your own kitchen. We carefully select our farmers and growers, they have to care about the food they produce, in the same way as we do. Our carrots are picked for their crunchiest, tastiest flavour, they don’t have to be the same perfect size (we’re not, so why should they be), after all they’re going to be chopped, diced and simmered – it’s the way they taste that counts. We live for our foods... for subtle variations, and unexpected combinations. Looking closely at the site, they seem to cater for all sorts of diets and allergies, but not for customers with scruples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 I would love to make my own quiches, it would be a great way to use up eggs, but, I'm rubbish at pastry Might have to buy the ready made stuff Clare, you are right, if they were using free range they would be shouting it from the rooftops! Maybe they'll say they couldn't source enough supplies of free range egg (because Hellmans nabbed it all ) There's nothing wrong with ready made! My Dad is rubbish at making pastry-he treats it more like bread dough and you end up with a lump of strange stuff! Last time he attempted it he wanted to make Beef patty, but we made mince instead! The secret to good pastry is not to handle it too much. Use your hands to rub in the marge and then gradually add cold water and mix with a knife. Then when rolling it out make sure you have cold hands too. You can always put it in the fridge! Anyway, I shall e-mail them this evening and ask. Although I always make my own quiche... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 My best tip for pastry is make it in a food processor, add an egg instead of water and roll out between sheets of cling film. Since I have been making my pastry like this it has never failed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 There's nothing wrong with ready made! My Dad is rubbish at making pastry-he treats it more like bread dough and you end up with a lump of strange stuff! Last time he attempted it he wanted to make Beef patty, but we made mince instead! The secret to good pastry is not to handle it too much. Use your hands to rub in the marge and then gradually add cold water and mix with a knife. Then when rolling it out make sure you have cold hands too. You can always put it in the fridge! Liz, I'm impressed! You will have to fight off the housemates when you go to Uni I buy my quiches from the Co-op (from the reduced shelf ), they use free range eggs, and their quiches are beautifully light and not at all stodgy, oh, and very reasonable at full price, which I never pay. I'll try to make some with ready made pastry, and freeze them. My mum makes good pastry, I've missed out on the gene Space chick, I haven't got a food processor, my kitchen is very manual Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 It will be interesting to see their reply. Rightly or wrongly, if an ingredient justs says 'egg' rather than 'free range egg' I just assume that it has come from a battery hen and will not buy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 (edited) They've replied to me just now. Not the reply I was hoping for sadly - barn eggs used. Edited July 9, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 6, 2010 Author Share Posted July 6, 2010 (edited) Funny I just received the same one! I won't quote it directly here, but suffice to say that they don't currently use free range eggs and may look at changing their tack if they decide to continue the quiches. I think we will all be getting the same email Do you think they smell a rat? Edited July 9, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 I've replied and used your scruples bit - hehehe. Light the blue touch paper .......... What fun for a Tuesday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 6, 2010 Author Share Posted July 6, 2010 I will reply too, when I've had a cuppa and space to think. If they check their website stats, they'd see the click throughs from the Omlet site and pay us a visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 (edited) Another reply and this time saying that they are happy with their supplier. I have copied them in on some some stats re barn egg production Edited July 9, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 6, 2010 Author Share Posted July 6, 2010 Ooo, that got them a bit shirty, didn't it? Will they break though and pull back from the dark side? I'll email them later so we don't look too planned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 I have asked them directly if they use battery eggs. They have yet to reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 6, 2010 Author Share Posted July 6, 2010 I bet I know what their answer will be.. it'll be 'cagey'...excuse the pun! A a friend has said; What do they mean "significant increase",its a quality product, consumers will be expecting quality. I have copied their reply to an acquaintance who works for the BHWT, I imagine they will be interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 Still waiting for a reply. Their last email came in pdq but not this one ........ I can't understand it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 (edited) removed by Hazel Edited July 9, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 6, 2010 Author Share Posted July 6, 2010 OK, hard hats on, here's my reply to her... Thank you for your reply Debbie, although I have to say that I am disappointed - New Covent Garden products are quality fare, and I daresay that I'm not alone in expecting quality from you, especially when sourcing your ingredients. I am sure that you would find that your discerning customers would see a real selling point in having free-range egg in your quiches and be prepared to pay any extra that might be caused by you sourcing your ingredients with more scruples; after all, the Co-op can produce free-range egg quiches at very little cost, and Hellmans can turn their mayonnaise around (without curdling it!). I look forward to hearing from you on this point - I have always enjoyed trying your new products, but I shan't be a customer with this one until my moral principles are satisfied. Regards and thanks It's not a game, but deadly serious - literally * stands on soapbox and sticks chest out* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 ooooh *points at Claret's chest* Do tell if a reply is forthcoming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 at Clootie M&S only use free range egg in all their products as well. I can't see why the price difference would have to be 'significant'......there isn't a massive difference in egg prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
