Tag Archives: buy smoked salmon

Swap chocolate for smoked salmon this Easter

Replace chocolate eggs with healthy fish this Easter

Easter, which is usually a time for chocolate consumption on an epic scale, is around the corner. However, this Easter is very different in as much as we’re all trying to stay healthy and keep our immune systems strong and resilient, which is why John Ross’s smoked salmon boxes and fresh fish boxes are the ideal (and healthy) alternative Easter gift.

 

A copious amount of chocolate is unlikely to boost your immune system (although, believe it or not, chocolate is said to include immune-boosting qualities), whereas fish contains a plentiful source of healthy fats such as Omega 3 and Zinc, which helps your body’s immune system repair damaged cells.

 

So, if you’re looking for Easter gift ideas that don’t require you to leave the house during this strange period then John Ross’s fish box is the perfect Easter-gift-that’s-not-chocolate for friends and family – or even as a gift to yourself (and if this isn’t a time for self care then we don’t know what is).

 

On a more practical level, getting fresh fish and smoked salmon delivered to your door means that you don’t need to venture out of the house, stand outside the supermarket in a long queue or risk going to buy fresh fish or buy smoked salmon only to find an empty fish counter staring back at you.

 

Whether you’re looking to buck the chocolate trend this Easter, buy healthy Easter gifts or simply want a more practical solution to buying the best quality smoked salmon and fresh fish, then John Ross’s smoked salmon boxes and fresh fish boxes might just be what you’re looking for.

 

To buy John Ross smoked salmon or choose from a selection of fresh fish boxes, visit out fresh fish box page here.

 

Burns Night smoked salmon giveaway

John Ross Jr's Balvenie Whisky smoked Salmon on a plate
Whisky smoked salmon: the perfect Burns Night accompaniment

 

 

Yes, it’s that time of year again: the annual celebration of the life and poetry of Robert Burns, who lived from 1759 until 1796. However, to break the tradition of simply offering you smoked salmon recipes for your Burns Night celebrations, we thought we’d go one better than that and actually giveaway a whole side of whisky smoked salmon to enjoy on 25 January.

 

Before we get to that, here are some Burns Night facts that you may not know:

 

  • Robert Burns was only 37 years old when he died, with only £1 to his name
  • Scottish haggis was banned in the US in 1971, when one of its key ingredients – sheep’s lung – didn’t go down the right way with the Department of Agriculture
  • When not crafting poems, Robert Burns was collecting tax as part of his other job as exciseman
  • Robert Burns’ poem, Auld Lang Syne, has been covered by several musical icons – including Mariah Carey – and he has even featured in the Guinness Book of World Records for producing one of the most popular songs of all time
  • Robert Burns fathered 12 children by four women (which may explain his tiny estate!)

 

So, to help kickstart your Burns Night celebrations and to be in with a chance to win a side of whisky smoked salmon, all you need to do is visit our Facebook page, submit your answer to the question below in the Robert Burns post and tag a friend in the competition.

Question

True or false? Robert Burns was the first person ever to feature on a commemorative Coca Cola bottle

 

We’ll then draw the winner at random and notify them by 3pm on Monday 20 January to make sure that they get their smoked salmon delivered in time for Burns Night.

 

Alternatively, if you’re looking for smoked salmon recipe ideas for your own Burns Night celebrations, find out what our favourite Burns Night recipes are here.

 

Don’t forget to follow @johnrossjrsmokedsalmon on Instagram for recipe ideas, promotions and competitions.

Everyone’s a Scottish smoked salmon winner

The British GT3 Championship title win has got us in a celebratory mood! And so we’re giving away some of our brand new style packs of smoked salmon – the new logo of which is proudly featured on the stunning (and winning) Aston Martin.

Once again, congratulations to Graham Davidson and Jonny Adam, and now 10 other lucky people can be winners, too – each of whom have the chance to win a 200g pack of our Traditional Smoked Salmon by taking part in our competition, the details for which are below.

But first, let’s talk about our winners…

What does the finest smoked salmon and motorsport have in common?

Until John Ross Jr decided to sponsor Graham Davidson and his GT3 Aston Martin, probably nothing, but we knew we had a winner in our midst.

And winning’s exactly what happened when they both took the title on 15 September at Donnington. Aside from the prestige of seeing the driver we sponsored win the title, we also enjoyed seeing our new branding featured on another British Luxury brand – the Aston Martin Vantage GT3.

Competition time: WIN a pack of Traditional Smoked Salmon

To continue the celebrations, we’re giving away 10 packs of classic smoked salmon in our brand new packaging (which isn’t even available to buy yet).

If you’d like to be in with a chance to win, all you need to do is visit our Facebook page and Tag a friend in the competition post AND share our new look pack.

We’ll then draw 10 people at random by 3pm on Friday 20th September.

*Terms and conditions apply – see website for more information. John Ross Jr reserves the right to amend or withdraw the competition at any time.

 

Healthy foods that lower cholesterol

Healthy food, healthy heart: Get into National Cholesterol Month with John Ross Jr's healthy food suggestions
Healthy food, healthy heart: get into National Cholesterol Month with John Ross Jr’s healthy food suggestions

 

October is typically associated with the clocks going back and Halloween, but it’s also National Cholesterol month.

 

Unlike smoked salmon, where the ‘too much of a good thing’ rule doesn’t apply, cholesterol is a bit different.

 

Whilst even the very mention of the word can send shivers down people’s spines, it’s important to remember that the body needs cholesterol. But have too much of it and you run the risk of creating layers of fatty plaque that fur up the arteries. If the layer becomes too thick, it can slow down blood supply – or even stop it completely.

 

So, when it comes to diet, what can you do to help reduce cholesterol levels?

 

  1. Smoked salmon

 

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help to reduce blood pressure, smoked salmon – fresh salmon in particular – can boost levels of ‘good’ HDL cholesterol. Whilst it doesn’t lower ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol, increasing your intake of HDL cholesterol helps to remove cholesterol from your artery walls. What’s even better is that there are countless healthy salmon recipes to keep you fit without compromising on flavour. Aim for two portions of fish each week and don’t forget smoked mackerel, which is also an excellent and healthy alternative.

 

To buy smoked salmon click here. To buy fresh salmon, click here.

 

  1. Olive oil

 

With its ability to lower the inflammatory impact of LDL cholesterol, olive oil is not only a healthy addition to the diet, but also a tasty one, too. Extra virgin olive oil is the healthiest and tastiest – however, it becomes less healthy when used to cook at high temperatures so either cook on a low heat, or eat it at room temperature.

 

  1. Wholegrains

 

Whether you like oatmeal, bran or cereals at the beginning of a day (after all, you can’t eat smoked salmon for breakfast every day), there’s no denying the power of the wholegrain in giving your HDL levels a welcome boost. Equally, if you like to eat brown rice or wild rice in the evening, wholegrains are a great cholesterol-busting food.

 

  1. Nuts

 

Whilst high in calories, nuts are filled with healthy fats and are high in fibre. Remarkably, as they contain plant sterols, they actually block the absorption of cholesterol in your body. Throw them in salads or include them with breakfast meals.

 

  1. Avocado

 

This popular healthy fruit also happens to be a food that goes well with smoked salmon. High in monounsaturated fat, avocados reduce risk of heart attack, heart disease and stroke. Not only that but they taste SO good.

 

For healthy smoked salmon recipes that help to reduce cholesterol, take a look at the John Ross Jr blog archive, find us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.

 

Royal wedding smoked salmon

Original Classic Smoked Salmon on plate

It’s almost that time when the streets go eerily quiet as millions of people retreat to their living rooms to watch what is likely to be the most watched televised event of the year.

 

For those who don’t know (and there really can’t be that many), Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be married in only a matter of days following a ceremony that is due to take place at St George’s Chapel, in Windsor, on 19 May.

 

And, in keeping with our desire to commemorate such events with a respectful launch of a limited edition product, we’ve created the Original Rum Cured Smoked Salmon, which draws on a 160-year old recipe using rum and sugar cane to create a unique and distinct flavour.

 

You may remember that we launched this product in 2013 as part of the Coronation Festival – a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation. Now, five years later, we’ve refined our recipe and believe that we have now created the perfect Scottish smoked salmon product.

 

If you’re looking to buy smoked salmon for your own Royal Wedding Celebration, then you can buy our latest product for one month only – either here on our own website or, if you live in London and the South East of England, up to 90 Waitrose stores.

 

However, for this week only, we’re giving away five packs. To be in with a chance to win all you need to do is:

 

  1. Find our Royal Wedding competition post on Facebook and share it
  2. Follow us on Instagram at @johnrossjrsmokedsalmon.

 

We’ll be announcing the five winners by the end of the week.

Smoked salmon pancakes for dinner?

Go 'beyond the blini' with John Ross Jr's favourite 2018 Pancake Day smoked salmon recipe
Go ‘beyond the blini’ with John Ross Jr’s favourite 2018 Pancake Day smoked salmon recipe

It’s Pancake Day, and for that very reason those who buy smoked salmon owe it to themselves to go ‘beyond the blini’ and go the whole hog.

 

Let’s face it, there are 364 days to enjoy smoked salmon blinis – and they’ve become so ubiquitous that it’s sometimes hard to appreciate them. There’s only one Pancake Day.

 

For the purposes of this very short blog we’re going to focus on the blini’s big brother – the standard, toss-able and large pancake. And what better way to do this than to offer you our favourite smoked salmon pancake recipe for 2018.

 

The good news about this savoury pancake recipe is that it is:

 

  1. a) Traditional pancake size
  2. b) Substantial enough to have for tonight’s dinner
  3. c) A WeightWatchers recipe, so healthy and tasty in equal measure

 

Have pancake-making fun tonight. We will be.

 

Avocado, Rocket and Smoked Salmon Pancakes

 

This recipe serves four, so if you’re only making for two you can either halve the contents or use the remaining mixture for tomorrow’s breakfast.

 

Ingredients

 

  • 200g John Ross Jr smoked salmon (you can find this pack in Waitrose)
  • 110g plain white flour
  • A pinch of salt
  • One egg
  • 275ml skimmed milk
  • 5 spays of cooking oil spray
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • A handful of rocket
  • 4 tbsp fat free natural fromage frais
  • 1 tbsp dill, chopped
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • 1 lemon (quartered)

 

Method

 

Select a mixing bowl and sift the flour into it before adding the milk and egg and beating with a whisk until smooth.

 

Grab a large non-stick frying pan, spray with oil, and place on the heat. When hot, add the batter mixture and thinly cover the pan. Cook until it has set and then flip – or toss – over to cook the other side. Once you’ve made four (or two) keep warm and then place on warm plates ready to serve.

 

Share the smoked salmon out. If you are only making two then 100g of Scottish smoked salmon each is even better! Share the avocado amongst the pancakes and then add the rocket.

 

Add one tablespoon of fromage frais on top and sprinkle each dollop with dill. Finally, sprinkle the pepper all over each pancake and serve with the lemon on the side.

 

Share your favourite pancake recipes with us via our Facebook page or via Twitter (@JRJsmokedsalmon).

How much do you love smoked salmon?

Love John Ross Jr smoked salmon to be in with a chance to win a Balmoral Fillet
Love John Ross Jr smoked salmon to be in with a chance to win a Balmoral Fillet

 

Actually, more to the point, how much do you love John Ross Jr smoked salmon?

 

If the answer’s ‘lots’ and you’re someone who likes to buy smoked salmon, then you’re going to love our Valentine’s Day competition.

 

To WIN a John Ross Jr Balmoral Fillet – a product we LOVE and the Crème de la Crème of smoked salmon – in time for the 14th, all you need to do is find our Valentine’s Day competition post on Facebook and:

 

  1. LOVE it
  2. Let us know what food you LOVE
  3. Tag someone you LOVE in the post

 

You can enter between now and 5pm on the 12th February to be in with a chance to win and one winner will be drawn at random – and notified by 5.30pm – the same day.

 

And whilst we’re on the topic of love, we would like to ask you to show us some love by taking a minute to leave us a Google review.

 

As long as you have a Google account it’s really easy to do. And even if you haven’t, it’s really easy to get one.

 

Let the love sharing commence!

Best Burns Night smoked salmon recipes

Whisky Smoked Salmon: the perfect Burns Night smoked salmon
Whisky Smoked Salmon: the perfect Burns Night smoked salmon

 

In keeping with our tradition of providing you with Burns Night recipes, we thought for 2018 it would be nice to offer a) a Burns Night starter recipe, and b) a post Burns Night brunch recipe, which is perfect for the morning after – particularly if you’ve over indulged.

Both include our Whisky Smoked Salmon, which is perfectly apt for Burns Night.

Don’t forget to enter our Facebook competition for a chance to win a 454g pack of our Whisky Smoked Salmon, which runs for today (23rd January) only. For details of how to enter visit our Facebook page.

More importantly, if you’re looking to buy smoked salmon or buy fresh salmon in time for Burns Night, make sure you order by close of play today.

For starter: Potted Whisky Smoked Salmon

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 300g John Ross Jr fresh salmon fillets (you can buy a whole fillet and freeze the rest for another time)
  • 100g butter
  • 150g John Ross Jr Whisky Smoked Salmon, diced
  • 2 x lemons
  • 100g pot of sour cream
  • Salad (to serve)
  • Melba toasts to serve
  • Pink peppercorns

 

Method

Cook the fresh salmon in tin foil containing half of the butter and half of one lemon until deliciously flaky.

Once cooked, remove the lemon, tip the juices into a bowl and add the cooked salmon, the sour cream and the zest of the other lemon half. Mix up before adding the smoked salmon and then mix again. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Divide the mixture between individual jars. Take the remaining lemon and cut small slices of lemon, one to go on the top of each jar. Melt the remaining butter in a pan with the peppercorns and leave to cool – but before it’s solidified, pour it over each jar and leave to really cool in a fridge until cold.

When ready to eat, serve with the melba toasts and the salad.

 

For brunch: Aberdeen Potato Scones with John Ross Jr’s Scottish Whisky Smoked Salmon

This is one of Jamie’s – but with an Aberdeen twist.

Serves 2

Ingredients

  • 100g John Ross Jr Whisky Smoked Salmon
  • 250g floury potatoes with skins on
  • Sea salt
  • Ground pepper
  • 50g plain flour
  • 1/2 a small bunch fresh chives , finely sliced
  • 1 knob of butter
  • ¼ level teaspoon baking powder
  • Olive oil
  • 3 medium sixed eggs
  • A pinch of watercress
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 lemon cut into wedges

 

Method

Slice the potatoes into 2.5cm chunks before cooking until tender. Leave to cool and then return to pan, add the plain flour and mash them up really well.

Add the chives, butter and baking powder and mash once more. Season to taste and divide the mixture into two balls with your hands before dusting with flour.

Take a pan large enough to cook the two balls, add olive oil and when hot, place the balls in to cook, patting them down until flat and equal in depth. Turn every few minutes until cooked through and golden brown in colour.

Beat the eggs and when the scones are cooked place each one on a plate. Put the pan straight back on the heat, add some more oil and pour in the egg mixture. Use a spatula to keep moving the egg mixture around so that you get a scrambled egg with a lovely texture.

When cooked, layer on each scone before adding a piece of Whisky Smoked Salmon on top. Garnish with any leftover chives you may have.

Drizzle over a little extra virgin olive oil and serve with wedges of lemon.

We hope you enjoy your Burns Night celebrations and hope the morning after isn’t too painful. Please share any of your dishes – pictures and recipes – with us via our Facebook page.

Ring in the New Year… with last year’s food

Of course we’re not referring to food that’s past it’s best, but excess Christmas food that’s now lost its festive appeal and, let’s be honest, might benefit from having a new and non-festive take on it.

 

Most of us have leftovers still in the fridge from the Christmas and New Year celebrations – and that often includes smoked salmon, too.

 

So, to see in the New Year here are two top leftover smoked salmon recipes to give you inspiration for tonight’s dinner (and, depending on how much is left in your fridge, tomorrow’s dinner, too).

 

The best bit is that you don’t even have to buy smoked salmon to enjoy these easy recipes!

 

Smoked salmon and potato rosti with poached eggs

We came across this lovely recipe in The Herald and couldn’t resist giving it a John Ross Jr twist and sharing it with you.

 

Serves 2

 

  • John Ross Jr smoked salmon (as much or as little as you’d like)
  • 1 egg (whisked)
  • 1 tablespoon plain flour
  • 10g melted butter
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 2 tablespoons of crème fraîche (you may even have this leftover in the fridge, too)
  • 2 potatoes, peeled and grated
  • Lettuce or any leftover salad
  • Fresh dill
  • 2 eggs
  • Salt and pepper for seasoning

 

Method

 

Lose as much moisture from the potatoes as possible by squeezing the grated potato in a colander. Then transfer to a large bowl, add the whisked egg, flour and seasoning. Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and add in the butter. Use a cooking ring to form the rosti and place a dollop of the potato mixture inside it before compacting it with a spoon. Repeat once more until you have two rostis. Cook each one for 10-12 minutes until crisp and golden before transferring to a plate.

 

Poach both eggs in a pan of hot boiling water and whilst they’re poaching, mix the chopped dill and crème fraîche.

 

When done, top each rosti with the lettuce or salad, smoked salmon, poached egg and a spoonful of the crème fraîche and dill mixture – and enjoy.

 

 

Smoked salmon and avocado

 

Wasting avocados is almost as sacrilegious as wasting smoked salmon.

 

With this simple and delicious smoked salmon recipe you don’t have to do either – and it’s really healthy, too. Perfect for that obligatory New Year health kick.

 

Serves 2

 

  • As much or as little John Ross Jr smoked salmon as you can muster
  • 1 avocado
  • Lemon juice
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and cracked black pepper

 

Slice the smoked salmon into little medallions. Season with olive oil, black pepper, salt and the lemon juice. Toss together in a bowl and leave to the side.

 

Halve the avocado and scoop out the flesh with a spoon, making sure to keep the shape intact. Then slice into strips and also season with salt, pepper, oil and lemon juice.

 

Arrange the salmon and avocado in a cocktail glass and garnish with salad.

 

Have you made any interesting and delicious smoked salmon dishes using Christmas leftovers? If you have, then why not share them with us on our Facebook page. The person who shares the most innovative dish will win a 200g pack of our Classic Smoked Salmon

Last orders… at the smokehouse

We know it’s not quite as punchy as ‘last orders at the bar’, however we expect you’ll be hearing that phrase plenty over the next couple of weeks.

 

On to serious matters, then – well, serious if you want to buy smoked salmon online (or buy John Ross Jr smoked salmon online, at least).

 

Our last day for dispatching online orders is Wednesday 20 December. Unfortunately, we will not be able to guarantee Christmas delivery on orders made after this date – so make sure you order while you still can.

 

To be honest, you’ve probably been unable to escape us following the recent 12 Days of Christmas campaign, which, for the last two weeks, has seen us provide 20 per cent off a different, delicious item every day – for one day only.

 

We’ve been pushing the promotion via social media and our newsletter, which you can subscribe to via the home page. For those who have missed it so far then there’s still two days left including today’s offer, which is 20 per cent off a side of Kiln Roasted Salmon.

 

Now, each and every day’s promotion has been unveiled at 6am of that day. However, as tomorrow is the twelfth day of John Ross Jr’s Christmas and therefore the last day of the promotion, we thought we’d use this blog to give you an advance warning so that you’re fully prepared.

 

For those who are aware of our smoked salmon products and have been following our smoked salmon recipes throughout 2017, then you’ll hopefully be pleased to know that tomorrow’s offer is the multi-award winning Balmoral Fillet – a product that’s best described as the fillet steak equivalent of the smoked salmon.

 

So, if you want to buy the Balmoral Fillet for £30 instead of £37.50 (and if ever there’s a time to eat this stunning item it’s Christmas), then check our website from 6am tomorrow morning.

 

But of course, the real reason for this blog is to remind all those who have been too busy to buy smoked salmon for Christmas to do it before close of play on Wednesday 20 December. Don’t forget and don’t miss out!

 

All that’s left to say now is have a wonderful Christmas and from everyone at John Ross Jr, have a very happy New Year.

Buy smoked salmon for Christmas before it's too late
Merry Christmas from everyone at John Ross Jr – and don’t forget to order online before 20th December to make sure you get your smoked salmon for the festive period