Happy Birthday to Roullier White

Our first day of trading was Saturday November 26th 2005. So we are one year old! Thank you to all our loyal customers and friends for your continued support. We look forward to bringing you more fun ideas over the following year. To see our new products visit us at our East Dulwich Store; Roullier White, 125 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, London SE22 8HU. Or on line at www.roullierwhite.com

Decorate your Christmas Tree in Half the Time

If you spend most of December in the attic looking for the Christmas decorations, only to have the dog knock the tree over and have half of them smash, try something radical this year. Our beautifully decorated tree is tied with lots of different black and white ribbons, but you could use red or tartan bows. If you prefer an artificial tree when Twelfth Night arrives the tree can be folded back into its box, bows attached ready for next year! What is more if you do decide to take the bows off you can store them safely in an envelope in your desk drawer, no more hunting around in the attic.

Last Minute Christmas Drinks with Diane Seed

Picture this:

It is a few days before Christmas, you are queuing in the post office, one fifth of the way through your five page to-do list, when you are tapped on the shoulder; ‘I thought it was you. How funny. Simon and I were just talking about you last night. We must get together before Christmas. Shall we pop over tonight? We’ll have the girls and their boyfriends with us and Simon’s sister and brother-in-law from San Diego. Is 8ish OK? Don’t go to any trouble.'

You raise a smile as your heart sinks.

With a few larder staples and these quick recipes from best-selling cookery writer Diane Seed, you will be able to cater a last minute drinks party in no time. 

Diane Seed has been living in Rome since the 1960’s, where she says she went for the men and stayed for the food! Diane is no stranger to impromptu visits as she runs one of Italy’s most successful cookery schools in her home at the Doria Pamphili Palace in Rome.

Hot prawns. Take 500 g of prawns and divide into 6 ramekins, add half a clove of chopped garlic to each bowl with some crushed chili drizzle with some olive oil and leave to marinade for at least two hours. Put into a preheated oven (250 C) for 5 minutes.

Pomodorini al gratin. Take some small cherry tomatoes and cut them in half and put to drain with the cut side downwards. Mix together 3 tablespoons of breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of chopped black olives, 1 tablespoon of capers, some chopped oregano, 2 anchovy fillets, salt and pepper and 1 table spoon of olive oil. Arrange the tomatoes on an oiled baking tray and spoon and press this mixture over each cut side. Drizzle the remaining oil over the tops and bake in a pre-heated (220 C) oven until the breadcrumbs are golden brown.

Pizzette al Gorgonzola. Process 60g of butter with 125g of gorgonzola cheese, 2 egg yolks. Gradually add 200g of flour to make a smooth dough. Leave the dough to rest in the fridge for about 40 minutes then roll out thinly and cut into 5 cm rings with a pastry cutter. Brush the top with a little egg white and bake in a hot oven (200 C) until golden brown.

Keep half a dozen bottles of Prosecco (£7.99 from Oddbins) in the fridge and you are ready for anything!

Diane Seed’s Love Food, Love Rome is £18.99 from Roullier White www.roullierwhite.com

Thanksgiving - a stress free way to give thanks

With the current trend amongst style turks, who are moving away from the traditional turkey at Christmas, it seems that increasingly more game birds are on the yuletide menu. It is little wonder then that our seasonal-staple is feeling more than a little stuffed. If you are planning goose, grouse, pheasant or partridge on the big day, then spare a thought, and give thanks for, as Americans have been for decades; this most nutritious, low-fat and protein-rich of foods on November 23rd. Ask your friends over for an impromptu ‘Turkeyday’ feast.

The first Thanksgiving was to celebrate the pilgrim’s first successful crop in the autumn of 1621, which they shared with the Native Americans; the Wampanoag Indians, without whom the forefathers would not have survived their first year. The Wampanoag Indians brought wild turkey and Indian corn to the thanksgiving table; where it has featured in one form or another ever since.

The pilgrims would have spit-roasted their turkeys whole, we are going for ease not authenticity, so do as Delia decrees and roast joints rather than a whole bird. This will avoid waste and ensure leg and breast devotees get what they want.

Our friends across the pond serve mashed potatoes with their bird, if you hate peeling potatoes and can never get the lumps out, opt for crushed potatoes instead. Buy Charlotte potatoes, no need to peel, just rub them under a warm tap with a vegetable brush, bring to the boil, then simmer until they slip off a knife and crush with butter or olive oil.

If you haven’t yet wheeled the barbecue indoors, then now is the ideal time to make one final use of it. Buy corn on the cob that is still in its husk. Soak the corn in its husk for an hour or so while your guests are arriving then transfer to preheated coals for about 8 minutes. The corn will steam in its husk, which can be then be pulled back and used as a handle, and it will be so soft and sweet there will be no need to add butter.

Wendy Brandon has been selling her marvellous preserves and sauces for many years through some of Britain’s most prestigious store, such as the Conran Shop. Don’t even attempt to make your own cranberry sauce, at around £5.10 per pot, Wendy’s sauce, made with whole fruit and no added sugar, can not be beaten. If you are local to Roullier White, Wendy Brandon is stocked in the East Dulwich Deli, otherwise, visit www.wendybrandon.co.uk

To download a simple, free Pumpkin Pie recipe visit the Roullier White website www.roullierwhite.com, plus some ice breaking drinks coaster idea you can print off.

Talking of ice breakers; then what better way to wow your guests as they arrive than with a Woo Woo? Mix 1 part peach schnapps, with 1 part vodka, with 3 parts cranberry juice. Pour over ice into a Martini glass, add a twist of lime and give thanks!

Pretty in Pink - Princess Phone - it's for you!

With mobile technology as it is and the entire world able to contact you 24/7 do you day dream of the Doris Day days when the phone sat in the hall and only rang once a week? And when it did it was Rock Hudson!

Harking back to those simpler days is the Princess phone, new from Roullier White, and based on an original 1959 design. This updated model features a rotary dial plate with push button technology, flash/redial, ringer volume on/off switch, tone/pulse switch and ear piece volume control.

Truly fit for a princess.

£40.00 from our store in East Dulwich,

Roullier White, 125 Lordship Lane, London SE22 8HU.

020 8693 5150

or online at www.roullierwhite.com

Woodlore - cedar storage solutions

Our American cousins have long known about the benefits of cedar and clothes storage. In fact, a cedar closet is a necessity for many home seekers Stateside. Although in our more modest British homes such a luxury is unlikely Roullier White has sourced a wonderful range of cedar products that have all the benefits of a full closet but at a tiny fraction of the cost.

Aromatic cedar is made up of white and red sections of wood. The white section is referred to as sapwood. The red wood is called heartwood, as it contains the aromatic oils. Roullier White’s Woodlore products include at least 75% heartwood for the greatest aromatic benefit. After one year, a light sanding with a fine sandpaper restores the aromatic properties. People have long used aromatic cedar to repel moths and some types of carpet beetles from fine woolens. Now scientific study has proven that this remarkable wood also works against certain species of cockroaches and silverfish. Although aromatic cedar cannot kill these insects, it does effectively repel them, providing an all-natural alternative to chemical repellents.

Cedar shoe trees, hangers, blocks and shapes play a vital role in protecting fine shoes and clothing. Aromatic cedar helps to repel moths and other insects. Because the cedar is not coated with varnishes or lacquers, the all-natural shoe trees absorb moisture from footwear. Aromatic cedar also deodorizes with a forest-fresh scent.

Partitioned Tie Boxes easily organise a dozen or more ties. They may be stacked or used in standard size drawers. The box is made with aromatic cedar sides and a lacquer-coated hardboard bottom for easy cleaning. The cut-away front allows you to see the contents.

If closet space is a problem, you can still keep shirts and sweaters organized and wrinkle-free, in the Shirt & Sweater Box. The box is made with aromatic cedar sides and a lacquer-coated hardboard bottom for easy cleaning. The cut-away front allows you to see the contents. Holds 2 shirts or 1-2 sweaters.

Cedar Hangers are a perfect fit when closet space is limited. The combination of aromatic cedar, a gently sloped shape and a fluted, no-slip pant bar keeps clothes as fresh as the outdoors and in ready-to-wear condition. Steel hardware is brass-plated.

Simple, sleek and stackable, our cedar racks organize and store shoes while giving your closet a fresh scent. The regular size can hold 3 pairs of men's or 4 pairs of women's shoes, the large size holds 4 pairs of men's or 5 pairs of women's shoes.

Cedar shoemates play a vital role in protecting fine shoes. Aromatic cedar helps to repel moths and other insects. Because we don't coat our cedar with varnishes or lacquers, our all-natural shoe trees absorb moisture from footwear. Aromatic cedar also deodorizes with a forest-fresh scent. Shoemates are a great alternative to traditional shoe trees. A flexible steel spring means one size fits all.

All available from our store in East Dulwich; Roullier White, 125 Lordship Lnae, London Se22 8HU - or on line at www.roullierwhite.com

Bald's Original Furniture Balm

We are thrilled with our fantastic new product; Bald's Original Furniture Balm which gently restores and refurbishes your furniture without removing character and patina. 

We have found that it is ideal for any wood and perfect for dealing with those accidental scratches and scrapes that occur on all our best loved pieces no matter how much we treasure them.

To put it to the test we left a Chair outside for 5 weeks. Just look at the before and after! Click here to see the outcome!

http://www.roullierwhite.com/index.asp?function=DISPLAYCAT&catid=87

A blend of monastic and natural oils derived from medieval formulae and 21st Century technology. Presented in a specially commissioned bottle, wax sealed with the company's own seal and with a fragrance reminscent of a country house or fine library.

Pop in and buy some from us for £13.50 at Roullier White, 125 Lordship Lane, London SE22 or pick some up online at www.roullierwhite.com

Hogwash - odour removing soap for cooks

Hogwash - odour removing soap for cooks.

Intrigued by the fact that a bowl of ground coffee will remove unpleasant odours from the fridge, we went on to develop this specialist cook's soap. Handmade in Britain from only the finest natural ingredients including ground coffee, Hogwash, will neutralise unpleasant smells such as garlic, onions or smoked salmon. Hogwash also contains rich olive oil which will remoisturise hands that have been preparing food. No animal products are used in production and this product has not been tested on animals.

One craft cardboard box contains 2 x 100 gram bars.

£7.50 from Roullier White, 125 Lordship Lane, London SE22 8HU.

Or www.roullierwhite.com

The original True Blues - extremely handy household gloves

The original True Blues - extremely handy household gloves 

No doubt you have heard all the rave reviews about the ultimate household gloves – it's all true. True Blue Kitchen Gloves have been called the most durable, versatile, comfortable pair of gloves you’ll ever own. They slip on and off easily thanks to a cotton liner that absorbs perspiration. Their amazing dexterity allows for a good grip, even when you’re polishing thin fork or washing slippery glasses. True Blues are made of vinyl so they won’t crack like latex gloves, even after months of hard wear. You can even toss them in the washing machine. My pair purchased in New York in 2000 are still going strong. Being fully molded they are great for people with arthritis, as they easily slip on and off and the fingers never close up and stick together and split.

Silver Spoon - the most successful Italian cokkery book ever!

The Silver Spoon - the most successful Italian cookery book.

The Silver Spoon is the most influential and successful cookbook in Italy . Originally published in 1950, it became an instant classic, selling over one million copies in eight editions. Considered essential in every household, it is still the most popular wedding presents. 

The Silver Spoon was conceived and published by Domus, the design and architectural magazine famously directed by Giò Ponti from the 1920s to the 1970s. A select group of cooking experts was commissioned to collect hundreds of traditional Italian recipes and make them available for the first time to a wider modern audience. In the process, they updated ingredients, quantities and methods to suit contemporary tastes and customs, at the same time preserving the memory of ancient recipes for future generations. They furthermore included modern recipes from some of the most famous Italian chefs, resulting in a style of cooking that appeals alike to the gourmet chef and the amateur enthusiast. 

A comprehensive and lively book, its uniquely stylish and user-friendly format makes it both accessible and a pleasure to read. It provides an introduction to every course, and an in-depth explanation of the main type of ingredients. Each recipe is accompanied by a recommended list of wines, whilst a section devoted to menus (seasonal, special occasions, everyday) aims to help not only with the cooking but also with the planning of the perfect culinary event. Never translated before, The Silver Spoon has now been adapted to an international market, with every recipe scrutinized for suitability, measurements converted and methods rewritten to accommodate cultural differences, while maintaining the authenticity of real Italian cooking. 

The new layout emphasizes its contemporary appeal and the colour-coding of each section simplifies the process of cross-referencing ingredients and methods. This is a monumental and unsurpassably prestigious cookbook that will share the bookshelves with classic titles such as The Joy of Cooking and Larousse Gastronomique. 

With over 2,000 recipes illustrated with specially commissioned art work and photography, the book is destined to become a fresh and definitive classic in the Italian cuisine booklist.