Tiny Seeds

“I have a mustard seed, and I’m not afraid to use it.”

Not quite – ‘go ahead punk, make my day’, but a powerful statement in its own right and context.It’s a great quote, isn’t it?

If you search the internet, you’ll see it flung far and wide in memes and Catholic quote collections credited to Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger).Well, he didn’t actually write it but was attributed to it in a paper written to reflect  the religious state of a world still trying to understand the terror attack of 9/11. It attempted to summarise Ratzinger’s overriding strength of faith.

David Goldman wrote: Ratzinger places his hopes on the purely spiritual weapons that made Christianity a force to begin with. He has said, in effect, “I have a mustard seed, and I’m not afraid to use it.”

In so many writings and parables, the mustard seed is metaphorical symbol of strength through faith, whatever that faith / belief might be … even the tiniest bit of faith, you can move mountains.

Nothing will be impossible.Click on the image and you’ll find other simple facts about our (Stokes) relationship with the power of this tiny seed on Instagram – HERE.

NEW RECIPE:We’ve created this recipe for our Field to Fork celebration of Mustard – thank you Rosie, it’s delicious – HERE.

Start with the eggs. Whisk. We found a producer farming high Welfare Standard British Free Range hens whose eggs are perfect and can be delivered to meet our strict criteria for hygiene and quality.

Salt. After much testing of many varieties of salt, we decided that only the best would do, from the Dead Sea. It’s natural, full of flavour yet without the harmful effects of sodium. Just a Twist.

Oil. We add a really fine Rapeseed Oil to create the base of our Mayonnaise. Drizzle.

Then. For our Real Mayonnaise, we add a good drizzle (5%) of amazing Mediterranean extra virgin olive oil. Only then were we proud enough to call it Stokes Real Mayonnaise.For flavourful variations in Stokes’ Mayonnaise Family we replace the olive oil with other exacting ingredients to create…

Garlic Mayonnaise – using just enough garlic to deliver a velvet smooth aioli-style sauce. Juicy sweet prawns love it – and so will you.

TIP:  Stir a spoon or two into creamy mashed potatoes for a mild garlic twist and extra smooth finish.Like a bit of chilli with your mayo? So do we, so…

Habanero Chilli Mayonnaise – is a hot and spicy Mayonnaise with deep flavour from fermented Red Habanero Chilli and fragrant coriander for a real depth of flavour. All this is wrapped in our velvet smooth mayonnaise.

TIP:  Stir in a dash of Stokes Bloody Mary Ketchup to serve with juicy freshwater prawns as a spicy Bloody Mary Rose prawn cocktail sauce.

Try filling a half scooped out beef tomato, mix with a mixture of Habanero Chilli Mayonnaise, plain rice, chopped green peppers, spring onion, chopped parsley, and flaked tinned tuna. It’s delicious.Unleash the Sicilian sunshine…

Sicilian Lemon & Dill Mayonnaise – capture the Sicilian sunshine with this rich and fresh tasting mayonnaise, zingy with Sicilian Lemon Juice and aromatic chopped Dill.

TIP:  Serve as a dip with pan-fried piri-piri king prawns. Delicious as a dip with a plate of hot & spicy chicken wings, or with salt-and-pepper rings of calamari.

Brighten up a sunny bowl of warm and waxy potatoes with chopped chives. It’s an appetising side dish with leftover roast chicken.Mustard & Honey Mayonnaise – is a rich and creamy Mayonnaise, made with Stokes own wholegrain mustard for bursts of mustard grain sensations, Stokes Dijon mustard and the delightful sweeter finish of fragrant blossom honey.

TIP:  Use it in sandwiches instead of butter or margarine. Is great with grilled bacon, roast chicken or for a real treat – a steak sandwich.

Brush it onto breasts of chicken before grilling for a warming sheen for a juicy wrap.

Or stir it into thinly sliced cabbage and red onion for a delicious, quick coleslaw.

ORDER YOUR MAYONNAISE CHOICES – HERE.

1. Marinades: Add mustard to marinades for meats like chicken, beef, or pork. Its acidity helps tenderise while giving a tangy kick.
2. Dressings: Use mustard in salad dressings. Mixing it with olive oil, vinegar, and honey creates a balanced, sharp flavour.
3. Gravy & Sauces: Stir mustard into gravy, creamy sauces, or cheese sauces for an extra depth of flavour. It cuts through richness and adds brightness.
4. Roasting Vegetables: Toss vegetables like potatoes, carrots, or Brussels sprouts in a mixture of mustard and olive oil before roasting for a zesty, caramelised finish.
5. Sandwiches & Burgers: Spread mustard on sandwiches or burgers for an instant flavour boost. It pairs especially well with cheese and cured meats.
6. Mustard Crusts: Coat meats like lamb or fish with mustard and breadcrumbs before baking or grilling. It forms a tasty, tangy crust.
7. Mash & Potato Dishes: Mix a spoonful of wholegrain mustard into mashed potatoes or potato salad for a subtle zing that elevates the dish.
8. Egg Dishes: Add mustard to scrambled eggs, quiches, or devilled eggs to give them a sharp, savoury edge.