Today we are hopping up and down on our soap box as we really want to clear up an important misconception that seems to be almost widespread. Contrary to popular belief, Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Rapeseed oil is absolutely NOT the same thing as Canola oil.

Canola is actually an acronym for CANadian Oilseed, Low Acid. In other words, it is a genetically engineered variety of rapeseed that was bred to have lower levels of erucic acid and to be tolerant to herbicide.  It was introduced to Canada in 1995 and today 80-90% of their canola acres are made up of this genetically modified crop.  On the other hand, Pure Extra Virgin Rapeseed Oil is a totally different thing, it’s the real McCoy, not messed with and most importantly totally GM free.

Rapeseed oil is low in cholesterol, rich in vitamin E, a great source of Omega 3, 6 and 9 and best of all contains less than half of the saturated fat of olive oil and unlike olive oil is suitable for high repeat temperature cooking.  It is without question the best healthy choice for culinary oil and after tasting many we are convinced that Cotswold Gold is the cream of the crop.

We were first introduced to the wonders of Cotswold Gold in the sleepy village of Alderley in the heart of the English Cotswolds. It was a glorious food based weekend and we decided to test this product to within an inch of its life and it passed with flying colours, from pan frying steaks to dressings and mayonnaise, even tempura vegetables, all perfect.  Luckily for us we had a fully qualified chemist on hand (as you do) who could explain the science and background. We were completely sold and within days of our return to the tropics, emails were flying to the lovely Charlie regarding distributorship.  Which, we are delighted to say, he granted.  Since then, his oils have been used by on stage by the likes of Jamie Oliver, James Martin (below right), Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall and the esteemed Raymond Blanc, who not only uses it in his television show ‘Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen Secrets’ but he also in his cooking school at michelin starred 'Le Manoir Aux Quatre Saisons'.

Cotswold Gold was founded in 2009 by the lovely Charlie Beldam (yes, we only ever call him that) and his aim was to provide the highest quality rapeseed oil for culinary use, that was to be grown and bottled on his farm, utilising the waste product into renewable energy thus allowing the company to be carbon neutral whilst operating a near zero waste policy.  Not only has he achieved this, he has had outstanding success and has recently been nominated as part of ‘The Future 50 Companies to Watch’ in the UK and in the judges top ten, no less.   

For any of you lucky enough to see them, rape fields are absolutely stunning to look at, glorious acres of breathtaking lurid golden yellow. They are really quite something and we are obviously not alone in thinking this, as Charlie was recently approached by a Japanese Tour operator wanting to offer tours ‘From field to bottle’ and you can see why, an exemplary product, ethically produced in spectacular surroundings by a real British farmer in the heart of the Cotswolds.  We are loving this one - Thanks Charlie.

As a follow on, to our education blog, we should perhaps also clarify that although Barbadians take their education very seriously, it is not all ‘E = mc2’ ,‘Yes Sir, No Sir’ and all that.  We are West Indians after all, and recreation is given equal merit.  Where else in the world could you learn to play Steel Pan, dance Zumba and Stilt Walk at school?  

Surfing is one of the more popular after school activities and the class photographed below, (last five pictures) was held by the terrifyingly fit and agile, Melanie Pitcher of http:www.surfbarbados.com.  Melanie has successfully taught students from age 7 to 60 and her only prerequisites are that you are competent swimmers and comfortable with the ocean.  The morning of her class, emails flew informing students where the waves were breaking, which somehow served to add to the excitement.  There was something quite magical about sitting on the edge of a cliff as the sun started to set, surrounded by spectacular views watching what looked like little seals bobbing about on the ocean; (double click on the bottom left image to get a real feel of this) a mixture of children and adults, competing as equals, with age being no barrier to the common goal of catching that next wave. The camaraderie was extraordinary.  If you are planning on visiting  the island during school holidays, Melanie offers a fantastic surf camp for children, but be warned – it’s popular, book early.

Barbados has spawned many internationally acclaimed surfers, including the young 14 year old prodigy Joshua Burke, (below) who despite his age, recently competed at the 47th Annual Ron Jon Easter Surf Festival where he became the youngest surfer in the event history to make the finals, (other than Kelly Slater who won the event at 14). Josh claimed third place against some of the US’ most seasoned adult pro surfers.  Like many local children, Joshua also started surfing after school and was taught by his father, Alan Burke, an ex pro surfer himself and proprietor and coach of one of the islands most esteemed surf schools http://www.surfbarbados.net.  Josh’s younger brother Jacob, age 11 recently flew to Hawaii to train with the Billabong team and is already sponsored whilst sister Jodie has won two out of the three events that she has entered.  This extraordinary family of athletes is so steeped in local surf history that there is even a beach named after them.

Despite its generally renowned gentle waters, much of this local surfing success may be attributed to the Island’s thirty-five surf breaks.  The most famous of these being Bathsheba’s often 8ft ‘Soup Bowl’, which quietly attracts many of the international greats, including the aforementioned Kelly Slater, (proudly sporting his eleventh ASP World Championship).  In his 2004 interview with Surfer Magazine Slater said that ‘The Soup Bowl’ had provided him with possibly the best few days surfing of his life and cites it as being one of the top three waves in the world. 

For anyone planning to surf Soup Bowl without the expert guidance of either Melanie or Alan, our suggestion would be check with ‘Chicken’.  Chicken is a Soup Bowl lifeguard of legend and can purportedly read those waves like a book.  Folklore has it that he likens them to his perception of a woman.  ‘One moment they can be the sweetest, most perfect thing on earth and the next they can chew you up, it all depends on their mood’. 

Oddly enough, we have recently had emails asking what side dishes we serve when we have a BBQ and in fairness, you would think that this is a pretty straightforward question, but it’s actually not.  The problem is, that it is rarely the same thing twice.  

Living on a tiny island we are at the mercy of produce availability so, for the most part, it all depends on what we can get our grubby little mitts on at the time.  

West Indian living means that rice is a staple for us, so those lovely baby new potatoes always feel like a bit of treat.  Rosemary grows prolifically in the garden, so as long as the spuds are in stock, this is one of our easy mid-week favourites served with a good steak and a simple green salad coated in 'Olives et Al' Shallot and Orange dressing.  Simple but yum!  

We promise to post some more adventurous recipes, but in honesty, as a busy working household on a Wednesday night, this was supper! 

1 1/2lb baby new potatoes
Olive Oil
Rock Salt
7 sprigs fresh rosemary, stripped from the stalk and finely chopped
2-3 cloves garlic crushed
Approximately 2 oz butter
Freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 180c/350f/GM4.  Place the potatoes in a large roasting tin with enough olive oil that you can lightly coat them with a quick shake of the tray, but don’t overdo it, roughly 2 tbs, add a good shake of the rock salt and several twists of freshly ground black pepper.  Bake for about 30 mins or until the potatoes start to colour and shrivel slightly.  Add rosemary, garlic and butter, shake the tray again and bake for another ten minutes and then, subject to taste sprinkle a little more rock salt.  

Those who are lucky enough to have visited Barbados, will almost all agree, that there is nothing prettier than the pride of dress that you see in Barbadian school children.  There is something very heartwarming about the immaculate uniforms and perfectly matched ribbons and whilst visitors adore taking holiday snapshots of them, generally not much thought is given to the education itself. When we chat with visitors and explain that we actually live here, full time, it is often met with an aghast ...”but what about education and schooling?”, which always amuses us no end.  So perhaps it is time for a bit of flag waving and setting the record straight.  

Barbados is currently ranked as having the fifth highest literacy rate in the world (99.7%) while more developed nations like the UK and the USA come in at 44th and 45th respectively.  The Barbados Government spends an average of 7.6% of GDP on education, which equates to one fifth of the National Budget; globally ranking the Island as 14th worldwide against the British 47th, whose system, ironically, was the one from which Barbados’ education model originated. Barbados also continues to outperform many of the first world developed countries and the regional CXC examinations are generally considered substantially more difficult and stringent than their UK GSCE comparatives.  

Old school manners, with resplendent ‘P’s and ‘Q’s and a full understanding of the correct form of address, are the norm.  (It’s quite easy really, when in doubt, simply use Auntie or Uncle) and as a general rule, Barbadian children almost always greet their elders with a respectful ‘Good Morning or Good Afternoon’ and tend to have a natural open disposition. 

It is not necessarily a ‘PC’ system; in fact in many senses to some, it teeters on the draconian, with flogging in schools still legal, but, that said, the global statistics prove its efficacy.  Many of the ‘Island Store’ team are old enough to have been the recipients of a quick ‘clip around the ear’ and wouldn’t dream of even beginning to debate the politics of this with anyone.  Sorry Auntie.