To Market To Market, June 2011

Hello Dearest Readers! I know I know, it's been too long between To Market To Markets but if you knew how much work was involved in doing these you'd hopefully understand why ;) To Market To Market is the quarterly column where I talk about the best of the items that I am sent (only the stuff that I like makes it here so call me your unofficial taste tester) and thanks to these brands, you get the chance to try them too instead of wondering what they taste like.

Just leave a comment at the end of the story telling me which product you’d like to try and why. The giveaway ends at Midnight AEST on the 12th of June, 2011. And one important thing, I will announce the winners on the 13th of June on this story and post the winner's names. Now the difference is that it is up to you to contact me (the reason why these have been such headaches is chasing people's details). So come back on the 13th and look for your name and who knows, you may have won something delicious!

Carlton Draught Wagyu Beef

**

Now if this prize doesn't make you the most popular gal in town I don't know what will. You won't be complaining of a man shortage once word gets around that you have not only $300 worth of grass fed wagyu steaks but also a six pack of Carlton Draught beer! Now just to explain this clever concept, twenty prized wagyu cows were reared by Jaq Wagyu on two tonnes of hops and ten tonnes of malted barley which is what is used to brew Carlton Draught. The resulting wagyu is tender with a distinct flavour profile-and it does taste different from regular wagyu I promise! We barbecued it up and it was a big hit with the family and in laws with one member eating two entire steaks by himself.

Thanks to  Carlton Draught,  one lucky Not Quite Nigella reader will receive a tray of Jaq Wagyu beef fed on Carlton Draught and a six pack of Carlton Draught both worth $300! As it needs refrigeration, delivery can only be made to Sydney Metropolitan areas.

Helga's

**

"Did you tell them that we already have their bread here?" Mr NQN asked me when a loaf of Helga's new quinoa and flaxseed bread was sent to us. It's true, we had two loaves already going but of course I had to try a slice of this quinoa bread which is low GI with quinoa that very popular grain that is high in protein as well as flaxseed. The bread was spongey and soft and with just the right amount of bits in it.

Thanks to  Helga's,  ten lucky Not Quite Nigella readers will receive a box containing three loaves of the quinoa and flaxseed bread. As it is bread, delivery can only be made to Sydney Metropolitan areas.

Tasmanian Rain

I was lucky enough to visit Tasmania for the first time this year and everyone asked me where was good to eat. The answer was simple: everywhere! The reason is that the Tasmanian produce itself really is wonderful and when you start with wonderful food, then it is hard to mess it up. Tasmanian rain is a new product that is simply just pure Tasmanian rainwater collected from the skies of North West Tamania before it hits the ground. Interestingly it is captured adjacent to the Tarkine wilderness which is where the Australian government collects "pure" air sample for calibration purposes. It is bottled in glass bottles and it tastes wonderfully pure and comes in still and sparkling.

Thanks to  Tasmanian Rain,  ten lucky Not Quite Nigella readers will receive a bottle of still and a bottle of sparkling Tasmanian Rain Water!

Sami's Kitchen Spices

**

Well you know I love family businesses and I love food that is just as good as what you'd make at home, if you had the time or the skill. That means things like fillers, additives and preservatives aren't used and all you get is the best that you would feed yourself, family and friends. Sami's Kitchen is a family owned business and they have spice mixes in resealable sachets in flavours such as Felafel (just add to chick peas to make quick felafel balls); Za'atar (mix with yogurt for a dressing or use as a marinade); Shish Tawook (sprinkle onto fish before grilling or baking) and Shawarma (add to beef mince for burger patties).

Thanks to  Sami's Kitchen,  ten lucky Not Quite Nigella readers will receive two spice packets of their choice (please specify which ones you would like to try).

Manolete Chorizo

**

Well you'd have to think that chorizo was the new national sausage so often does it creep up on restaurant and cafe menus. And to be frank I'm quite happy with that situation! But you know how people always talk about good chorizo versus bad chorizo, well let me point you towards a good chorizo. Manolete is made in Spain in the mountain region of Asturias and is made from Spanish reared pigs and locally sourced spices. It is the only 100% Spanish chorizo available in Australia. It is cured for five weeks and then prepared in a confit of olive oil.

Thanks to  Manolete,  six lucky Not Quite Nigella readers will receive some Manolete chorizo sausages! As it is a refrigerated product, delivery can only be made to Sydney Metropolitan areas.

Philadelphia

**

Now whilst I'd love to send you some cream for cooking I realise that it's a bit troublesome to send out so in its place I am giving away some copies of the Philadephia Philly Simply Heaven cookbook. There are recipes for all sorts of delicious cheesecakes as well as savoury items and the recipes are all very simple so great for weeknight dinners.

Thanks to  Philadelphia,  five lucky Not Quite Nigella readers will receive a copy of Philly Simply Heaven Volume 1!

Be Natural

**

Oatmeal is definitely winter breakfast food and now that we've officially hit Winter I have been making porridge for myself and Mr NQN every Saturday (Sunday is usually something much less healthy ;) ). Be Natural has a vanilla and almond porridge that comes in sachets for innate portion control (although Mr NQN has been known to eat three sachets' worth at a go so we ran out rather quickly!). So we then switched to the pink lady apple and flame raisin cereal which was crunchy and full of good bits. And the're free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives too.

Thanks to  Be Natural,  five lucky Not Quite Nigella readers will receive a pack containing one of one box of the vanilla and almond porridge and one Pink Lady Apple and Flame Raisin cereal!

Sonoma

**

I know it's hard in a city like Sydney or a country like Australia to name your favourite bakery as there are so many but Sonoma has always been one of my favourites. Their sourdough is crusty but not so crusty that it rips the roof of your mouth and the inside is dense and spongey-perfect for soaking up precious butter ;) And don't get me started on the rest of the breads...

Thanks to  Sonoma,  five lucky Not Quite Nigella readers will receive a fresh loaf delivered to them in a Sonoma tote bag. As it is bread, delivery can only be made to Sydney Metropolitan areas.

Continental Stock Pot

**

It's soup and risotto time and you know what the base for soup is right? Stock! Now British chef Marco Pierre White has loaned his considerable name tothis product and I was lucky enough to meet him and have him demonstrate this in a masterclass by making a soup and a risotto. He prefers this small little jellied stock to salt as it allows him to control seasoning better. The best part for me though is not having to chop onions for a risotto (a task I loathe). Yep that dreaded job is no more if you use this!

Thanks to  Continental,  three lucky Not Quite Nigella readers will receive a pack containing one of each of the stocks (chicken, beef and vegetable)!

Smirnoff & Gordon's

**

I remember how popular the Smirnoff packs were in a previous To Market To Market. These packs of ready made mixes are great for entertaining and there are two new flavours to join the party. Gordon’s Gin and Ocean Spray Ruby Red Grapefruit and Smirnoff No. 21 and Cloudy Apple! Call these your portable bartenders in a box. Put them in the fridge and dispense for a happy party.

Thanks to  Smirnoff and Gordon's,  two lucky Not Quite Nigella readers will receive a pack containing one of each of the Gordon’s Gin and Ocean Spray Ruby Red Grapefruit and Smirnoff No. 21 and Cloudy Apple! Winners need to be over 18 years of age and will need to show proof of age.

Vinyl Design

**

I have a bit of a tea towel fetish-yes it's true. I have a drawer full of them. You see not only can they be pretty but they're practical too! The Vinyl Designs  cotton linen teatowels have cute silhouette motifs and are a new line in addition to the wall coverings.

Thanks to  Vinyl Design,  one lucky Not Quite Nigella readers will receive the tea for two teatowel!

So Dear Readers, leave a comment as to which item you’d like to try and why and you could be receiving it in the mail! And don't forget to check back on the 13th of June when I put up the winner's details. Thanks again to these generous brands: Carlton Draught, Helga's, Tasmanian Rain, Sami's Kitchen, Manolete, Philadelphia, Sonoma, Be Natural, Continental, Smirnoff & Gordon's and Vinyl Design for providing the fantastic prizes!

**The winners are (comment numbers and names below). Please email me within 30 days (by July 13th) to claim your prize, otherwise it will sadly have to be forfeited :(

Carlton Draugth Wagyu: 27-Rozzie Kaye (please note that you will have to provide a Sydney metropolitan address to redeem this prize)

Helga's quinoa bread: 29-Anna, 141-Jane, 145-Patch, 153-Mariah, 183-Happy Sapien, 187-Kelly, 188-L.L.N., 190 -Brenda, 200-Muppy (please note that you will have to provide a Sydney metropolitan address to redeem this prize)

Tasmanian Rain Water:  8-Laura, 53-Joy, 56-Megadrama, 86-Jasmyne Tea, 89-Ellen, 102-Jessica, 148-Jo, 175-Stefanie, 199-Emma

Sami's Kitchen: 26-Sarah, 32-Elizabeth, 38-EHA, 45-Julie Sherlock, 48-Rhiannon, 57-Joanne T., 61-Emma, 74-Charm, 80-Naz, 84-Emily Stephens

Manolete Chorizo: 2-Linda F., 6-Christiana, 7-Kristy, 22-Michelle, 106-Su, 131-Wendy (please note that you will have to provide a Sydney metropolitan address to redeem this prize)

Simply Heaven Cookbook: 68-Kiara Leigh, 71-Amanda, 108-Anna, 121 Alix, 135-Lee

Be Natural: 24-Christine, 25-Ann, 69-Fatima, 85-Min Ai, 87-Hannah

Sonoma Bread: 15-Cindy, 55-Jackie, 90-Shan, 101- Robyn, 119 Rosa (please note that you will have to provide a Sydney metropolitan address to redeem this prize)

Continental Stock Pot: 4-Lovigia, 78-Claire K., 149-Carolle d'Argent

Gordon's and Smirnoff: 35-Will, 75-Jackey

Vinyl Designs: 100-Penelope

Winners, please email me at: info{at}notquitenigella{dot}com (replacing the at and dot with the characters) your postal details and I shall forward them for dispatch. Please ensure that you use the same email address that you entered the competition with and you put the item that you have won in the subject line.

Happy Eating everyone! xxx

Lots of love,

Lorraine

xxx