We were going to call this a bit of a Marmite dilemma but we just realised that sprouts already have their own love-hate thing going on; either way, you can sort your lunch from just 99p for the rest of this week through Deliveroo, but it does involve the controversial Christmas dish…
The famous festive food is on almost every dinner table during the holiday period whether the people sat around it like them or not — that’s just the cultural existence this divisive vegetable has enjoyed for centuries — but have you ever heard of a ‘sprout butty’ or, more importantly, would you like to try one?
Deliveroo Editions, the purpose-built delivery-only kitchen service that is popping up all over the UK, are looking to win over sprout-haters this winter by coming up with its own take on the Christmas classic.
It is estimated that around 1.5 million Brits have a phobia of the leafy little round veggie and while more than half of the North West (52%) hate them/think they are the worst part of a Christmas dinner, there’s one kind of food that pretty much everyone loves: a simple sarnie.
Are you bold enough to brave a sprout butty? (Credit: Deliveroo)
With that in mind, Deliveroo had the idea to bring the two together in an effort to reinvent the troublesome green and have created the ‘Christmas Sproutwich’ and it’s exactly what it sounds like and more.
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Consisting of homemade sprout focaccia, sprout mayonnaise, a “succulent” sprout stuffing, roasted sprout halves like you’ll see on December 25th, fried sprout shavings and zesty marinated sprout leaves, the sandwich has sprouts in every component and is hoping to elevate their reputation this Christmas.
The beauty of this thing is that it also just goes to show how much you can actually do with the humble little sprout, and with plenty of time to get inspired before the big day too. To be honest, ever since we started cooking them in lots of butter, herbs and bacon, we love the little buggers.
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Now, while Deliveroo are obviously not the only people to have put a twist on sprouts or even create a sprout sandwich, even — Bundobust’s sprout butties and bhajis are legendary and have just returned for their 2023 Christmas menu — we never thought we’d come across ‘sprout mayo’. It’s already earned some fans though:
While they do get a bad rep from time to time, the latest research from the delivery service suggests that roughly three in five (62%) North Westerners believe a Christmas dinner isn’t complete without sprouts and although the majority of us (36%) hate them, around 32% love them.
The question is, will you love the Christmas Sproutwich? You can order yours just in time for your dinner break — or whenever you like, to be honest, we’re not the boss of you — for just 99p via the app or by simply typing in ‘Deliveroo Christmas Sproutwich’ online HERE.
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Available in just a few cities (Manchester being one of them) and lasting only until Friday, 8 December, this could be the moment you switch sides in the great sprout debate. Let us know your verdict as well; we want to see just how far you sprout love/adventurous appetites go.
This recent creative promotion isn’t the only one we’re big fans of either, as an Ancoats institution is holding a great offer in aid of those in need this winter.
Family behind Salvi’s launch new concept, weeks after iconic restaurant closure
Daisy Jackson
Just weeks after the closure of its iconic, 16-year-old Italian restaurant in the Corn Exchange, the family behind Salvi’s have revealed a brand-new concept.
And this time, the reins are being handed over to the next generation.
Salvi’s founder Maurizio Cecco has helped to shape Amò, but it’s all the brainchild of his daughter, Sienna.
Sienna will run the business out of a unit up on Deansgate Mews, serving fresh pasta dishes, pizza sandwiches, tubs of tiramisu, and two-for-£10 spritzes.
The deli aspect of the original Salvi’s has been carried over to Amò too – you’ll find shelves almost to the ceiling filled with Italian pasta, wine, olive oils, pistachio spreads, and more.
Sienna has grown up in restaurants, with her parents launching Salvi’s when she was just two years old.
She said she wants the space to be a livelier, fresher version of the Italian restaurant that has been so loved by Mancs for so many years.
Sienna outside AmòFresh pasta dishesInside Amò by Salvi’sTheir viral frozen crema di caffeLemon granitaInside Amò by Salvi’sTiramisu pots
Amò, which is Neapolitan slang for ‘my love’, will have loads of fresh Italian dishes, including arancini, gnocchi, and hearty pasta plates.
At lunchtimes, guests can order from a £10 lunch menu, with dishes changing daily depending on the best produce the kitchen can get – it could be a pizza sandwich with proscuitto and tomato, a spicy pasta, or a gnocchi bake, always served with your choice of soft drink.
With its position on Deansgate Mews, Amò basks in the sunshine at lunchtimes.
And while it’s definitely a different concept to the original Salvi’s, Amò looks set to carry the family’s Italian food legacy into its next generation.
Award-winning Didsbury bakery La Chouquette reveals incredible new site
Daisy Jackson
La Chouquette is one of Greater Manchester’s top bakeries – an award-winner, with queues down the street every weekend for its authentic French pastries and loaves.
And now they’re ready for a new chapter, revealing a major expansion today.
Owners Catrina and Flo have painstakingly expanded the bakery into the unit next door, creating what feels like a true French bakery.
And in the midst of this huge renovation project, they’ve welcomed a tiny new baby boy – quite the summer for the couple.
Catrina and Flo launched La Chouquette in lockdown, and in a time where people could only get their hospitality fix from takeaways, immediately became one of the most popular spots in the region.
Their success has been so great, you’ll still consistently find queues down the street every weekend, for their top sellers like their authentic almond croissants.
Then in October 2024, they grew the business and launched Piqniq, a new deli in Didsbury village, serving freshly-baked baguette sandwiches, breakfast butties, toasties, tiramisu pots and their legendary pastries.
The new-look La Chouquette features beautiful details like mosaic floors, rich blue walls, wooden shelves, and brass light fixtures.
La Chouquette’s best-selling almond croissantsInside the stunning new La Chouquette in DidbsuryNew savoury bakesThe chausson aux pommesThe counter stuffed with artisan French bakesChocolate chip cookies and cinnamon buns
The huge new counter displays more pastries and breads than ever before, like a hearty chausson aux pommes filled with apples that will be perfect for autumn, plus seasonal treats like a rhubarb creme brulee pastry, and homemade quiche.
Speaking at the grand relaunch today, Catrina said: “The layout has changed, it looks so much more chic, it looks like a traditional French bakery. We’re really excited about it.”
As for what’s on the counter, Flo reassured fans that their beloved almond and pistachio croissants remain, but with some new savoury editions, like a truffle croque monsieur made with croissant dough.
La Choquette has reopened today, and will be open seven days a week from 7am until 5pm.