Friday, November 27, 2015

Panettone - all kinds: from Italy, England, Tesco, Morrisons, Caffes, Wine Society

Panettone is a traditional cake from Italy, made at Christmas. I first tried panettone when I was given it at Christmas at Fellini caffe restaurant in Hatch End. My panettone came in a big box. When I received one in a tin, I was much more excited by the tin than the contents.


The panettone looked great, huge. I wasn't over-impressed by the taste. Until this year, when we had the remains of a previous year's panettone every day for elevenses for over a month. Now I'm hooked.

It's like brioche, like croissant, but slightly less over the top with the calories. if you can resist eating a whole one!


I am now absolutely an addict. I look for the piece of panettone with my coffee, the way other people anxiously ask, 'where's the milk', or 'got any sugar'?

Panettone can be presented in a decorated cardboard box, but also in a keep it until next Christmas circular high tin. Handy to keep as a home for any panettone which you buy which does not come in a tin.

The following year I saw several tempting large, luxurious high-priced presentation boxes in another Hatch End cafe. I must admit I was daunted by the price.

Now panettone is in several supermarkets in England.


Wine Society
I also saw pentane in the Wine Society's shop in Stevenage.  They have a catalogue. You have to be a member to buy. I have found it well worth while to have at least one member of the family a member.

This is the one in the Wine Society.


Panettone. Now in England, is ubiquitous. Meaning it is found everywhere.

Morrison's panettone. Best price I've found. Fruit was fine. The 'cake' rather too bland for my taste. I'll try the chocolate next.

Paxton and Whitfield Panettone. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

Morrison's Panettone
This week I have tried two. The cheapest was only £2 from Morrison. Cooked in their bakery in the Hatch End branch of Morrison, that quintessential English supermarket. What was good about Morrison's panettone? The irresistible bargain price.

What about the taste? The sultanas. Large sugary sultanas.

The label says it also contains currants and candied peel. I haven't yet found that. But today I had a small piece.

(If you've read my posts before, or met me, you will know that I attend Toastmasters International. We are taught to commend, recommend, commend. Praise, add a suggestion, for improvement, praise. In other words, I do not rant and rave. I damn with faint praise.)

However, if you want more of a melt in the mouth egg flavour, you might try a panettone from Italy.This one says Antica Ricetta which I presume means ancient recipe.


This was ours in England.


This tin says Merry Christmas.


This tin says 'panettone classico'.

Plenty of information, which you can translate with guesswork, or on translate Google.

Panettone in Singapore
Similar from Cold Storage in Singapore, catalogue on their website, scroll down beyond sweet treats,
Singapore $31.350 for a 1000 gram size.
https://coldstorage.com.sg/media/uploads/pdf/cs_catalog_2015.pdf

Americans can use the Panettone circular high tins as popcorn containers, or vice versa, use a popcorn container to store panettone. 

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, researcher, author and speaker.


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