Foodie Penpals | June reveal

 

 

Yay my favourite time of the month!

Well anything food related is my favourite kind of time truthfully.. I pretty much get through the working day dreaming of deep filled sarnies, cupcakes & Gregs pastys - Wink wink.

 

Anyway, onto this months package. I found myself having a little bit of a meltdown this month as I went to send my package to Romania, I looked up prices on the post office website & found that it would cost a hefty £15+ for a small packet.. Much more than I could actually afford after finding some great unusual spices & hard boiled Yorkshire mix for my penpal Corina from Cori Loves Cooking.

However to my surprise when scraping together the money needed to send the package, I was only charged £7 which was even less than Mays package to Ireland! (How that works I have no idea!?)

 

Well enough about my postage trauma.. Onto what I received!



 

 

During my postage trauma I posted on twitter using the #FoodiePenpals hashtag (we Foodies do like to keep each other updated!) & Emma from Adventures of a London Kiwi reassured me that it will all be worth it once I receive a package from overseas myself.

Up until this month I had only sent over seas & received from the UK, so to be honest I didn't even make the effort to check who was sending to me this month as I usually would. So it came as a massive surprise when I saw the Greek postage stamps lining my address on the package!

 

What I received:

.... Well actually, I'm not entirely sure what it all is!

Usually at this point I would list all the yummy treats.. However I don't know where to start as most of the packaging is in Greek.

 

Well What I do know is I was ecstatic to find Olives in my packet! - I LOVE olives. Although it is a little bit of a pain with them not being pitted, the taste is still yummy & I'm almost through the whole bag already.

I also found some odd looking sweet nibbles. Two of them looked a little like nut brittles similar to what I got in last months package. They are amazingly sweet & I have taken to eating small amounts with my umpteen cup's of tea after work. - I'm not a massive sweet tooth but I've really enjoyed trying these treats, & they're definitely something I'd be interested in having again.

 

The really long looking thing was actually (I think) a nougat bar, surrounded by crispy wafer. I really wish I could tell you exactly what everything is but I'm pretty much relying on my taste buds at the moment! - This treat was actually very mellow in taste but the texture was amazing! Sticky, slightly sweet & then the crunch from the wafer - YUM

 

Finally I also found a box of crackers & what I think are chewing gum?
The crackers were great, myself & creature have been eating these with cheese and on their own. They have a slightly sweet but savoury taste & were a great post work nibble.

The - what I assume are - chewing gum hasn't been trialled yet, I really need to try them but knowing me I'll take a bite & find they're some sort of Willy Wonker "three course meal" chewing sensation & I'll be amazed I didn't chomp on them sooner! - Well a girl can dream.

 

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If you would like to sign up to Foodie Pen Pals (& I seriously recommend you do) click here for more information.

 

What do you think of the nibbles I received this month?

Is Foodie Pen Pals something you'd try getting involved with?

 

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Foodie Penpals | May reveal

 

 Probably my favourite time of the month - Foodie Penpals reveal!

 

I've been so so sooooo excited about getting my package, there was a slight mishap with my partner meaning I was assigned to a new one a little late so this month I had to wait a little longer. Fikir my new penpal was very thorough in finding out what I liked & disliked, & even dropped my parcel off at Mango because we both live in Leeds!
 



 What I received:

Homemade nut brittle

Homemade chocolate coated coffee beans

Lindt chocolates

Jerk Paste

Harissa Paste

2x glass ramekins

Crocodile silicone oven glove!

 

You would not believe how happy I was when I saw the nut brittle & chocolate coffee beans! Its the first time I've ever received something homemade! - So far I've had a little nibble on the brittle with a cup of tea & honestly its so yummy, I LOVE almonds so it's perfect as my evening snack. Not surprisingly, Creature likes it too, so I better get hiding my treats!
The coffee beans are also great as a little snack in my bag, for work tomorrow I have put a small handful of the beans in a reseal bag so I can crunch my way through them on my break.

 

Fikir was kind enough to send me a few bits for the kitchen too, the ramekins were a lovely touch & will be great for when I make homemade mousses & desserts. & The oven mitt is just adorable, at first glance I thought it was going to be a baking mould but I'm so impressed with my new kitchen toy!

 

Finally in my bag I also received some great jars of marinade pastes & a couple of lindt chocolates (there were 3 but I sneakily eat 1 at work before I got a chance to photograph the contents) The pastes look great, I'm always looking for new flavours & ways to inject a little more life into meat & veg.

 

I think I'm most excited about the Brittle and the Jerk paste, Fikir kindly wrote down a few recipe ideas and the instructions on how to make my own nut brittle! So I can't wait to get stuck into some new ideas for snacks & meals.

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If you would like to sign up to Foodie Pen Pals (& I seriously recommend you do) click here for more information.

 

What do you think of the nibbles I received this month?

Is Foodie Pen Pals something you'd try getting involved with?

 

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Foodie Penpals | April reveal



Hey guys!

 

So its that time of the month again, I've finally got round to revealing what I received from my Foodie Penpal Nichola this month. I have actually had the package waiting for me since Saturday but because of bank holiday the concierge service in my block of flats were away so I couldn't collect!

But anyway, I've picked it up today & boy am I pleased! - So pleased in fact that I couldn't wait to show you what I've been sent. Oh & please note that Bo Blab is now a grown up & I finally have a decent camera for photos!!!! YES! Creature bought a Lumix DMC-LZ20, 21x optical zoom baby yeahh!

 

 

What I received:

 

Crimbles Original Cheese Bites

Branstons Cheese & Pickle Peanuts & crackers

Taste #5 Umami Paste

Pergale Dark Mango Chocolate

Choceur Hazelnut heaven

 

Ok so the Branston Pickle peanuts literally lasted 5 minutes, I've been snacking on them after work whilst watching Fools Gold on tele. They really do taste like Branston pickle too! Which is amazing because cheese and pickle is one of my all time favourite flavour combinations.

The Cheese bites I've had similar before with Jacobs Oddities, so I assume they will be much the same - They will be in my bag tomorrow as a snack on my lunch break, yum yum yum!

 

Nichola has also kindly sent me Umami paste. According to the box, the paste is a Mediterranean puree & perfect for stirfrys, pasta sauces & soups etc.. I absolutely LOVE cooking so this is going to be great to experiment with. I'm planning on making a tomato soup soon so I think I may add a little squirt into the stock and see what happens!

 

Finally, I also received two very yummy big bars of chocolate (very generous!) I mentioned in my email to Nichola that I enjoyed dark high % cocoa chocolates, so the Pergale dark choc looks amazing, and so unusual with the mango filling.
She also sent a big ole' bar of hazelnut chocolate which just looks so yummy. You can see the huge whole nuts in the top so I can't wait to dig into that. I think Creature might even pinch this one off me!

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If you would like to sign up to Foodie Pen Pals (& I seriously recommend you do) click here for more information.

 

What do you think of the nibbles I received this month?

Is Foodie Pen Pals something you'd try getting involved with?

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Foodie Pen Pals | March reveal

 

A'up darlin's

 

First off, major apologies for not posting in ages. I've been working full time thanks to Trinity being absolutely crazy busy with the opening few weeks, and we also don't have Internet set up at the man pad yet either so if I want to blog I have to shimmy on down to Caffe Nero! - Well, I suppose thats not all bad though eh?

 

Anyways I know I'm super late but I thought I'd finally get round to showing you what I received from my first month with Foodie Pen Pals. A few weeks ago I posted (see here) about what I sent to Stacey over at Nobody Said It Was Easy & you can also check out what she thought of what I sent here too.

 

This month I received my package from the lovely Lizzie, who sadly doesn't have a blog.
& after answering a detailed email about my likes & dislikes, I asked Lizzie to send me a package of all her favourite things (as I am really easy to please & there is not much I won't eat or try at least once!)

 

 

Lizzie has been kind enough to send me a really nice range of unusual treats & cooking bits!

 

Simon Rimmer Falafel mix

Montezuma Butterscotch chocolate

Naked Gingerbread

Panda lemon filled liquorish

 Biona Organic Thai chili paste

Somaq spice mix

Captain tiptoes Cajun spiced nuts

 

I was really intrigued when I received my package, it smelt really spicy! & I have to admit at a first glance the Somaq really puzzled me. I am a bit of a foodie but I had no idea what it was, however after a little research I've discovered that its a subtle sour noted spice that goes amazing with rice, in yogurt and over meat as a seasoning (so I can't wait to try it!) 

 

The  nuts were amazing, & literally lasted a few hours whilst I was revising yesterday. They were yummmmmmy & I'll definitely be seeking these out again. As for the naked ginger bread, that lasted seconds as soon as Creature spied it on the kitchen counter. He is as sucker for anything ginger & from what I made out from the "mmmm's" in-between bites, I think he liked it!

 

I've also already eat the butterscotch chocolate. I'm not a massive chocolate eater, but when I do eat it I prefer the higher percentage of cocoa, so Lizzie (although she didn't know this) did amazingly well with choosing a chocolate I really enjoy. I have to admit I didn't really taste the butterscotch but it definitely made the dark chocolate slightly sweeter and it was absolutely delicious!

 

The Falafel mix is something I can't wait to try too, I've loved Falafel ever since I discovered Prets hot wraps, so I'm really looking forward to trying out making my own.
The Thai chili paste is something I'm going to try out in some Asian inspired soups I've researched into (thanks to a handy suggestion on the packaging)

 

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Overall I was so happy & surprised by my package. It was really nice to be given a few things I've never tried before & being the ever adventurous foodie, I'm buzzing to get on with my new found recipe ideas!

& of course I'll share them in my Recipe of the Week/Month posts too!

 

This month I'll be sending to Bridget at From a Country Cottage all the way from Ireland! & I'm not entirely sure who is sending to me yet, I'm still awaiting word from my months partner.
Bridget has been kind enough to answer all my questions already and I have a little bit of a challenge on my hand with her being a Veggie, but thankfully I have a few vegetarian friends so I'll be seeking advice and flavour tips from them to hopefully send Bridget an awesome package.

(I think this maybe her first month too! As she mentioned she was a newbie) 

 

If you would like to sign up to Foodie Pen Pals (& I seriously recommend you do) click here for more information.

What do you think of the nibbles I received this month?
Is Foodie Pen Pals something you'd try getting involved with?

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Foodie Penpals March | What I sent





Hey guys!

 

I'm uber excited this month as I've joined the Foodie Pen Pals! - If you read my blog you'll know I'm food obsessive, and try and post recipes as often as possible. But recently I stumbled across the #foodiepenpals tag on twitter and fell in love with the concept.

 

Basically, you sign up, and each month you receive a match. Your match could be from anywhere in the world and you have a £10 budget (not including postage) to buy some yummy treats for your Pen Pal. Each month you are paired with somebody different so don't worry, your postage won't be extortionate. (besides, if you're worried, just buy flumps!)

 

This month I will be sending to the lovely Stacey from Nobody said it was easy and receiving from the equally as lovely Lizzie who was kind enough to email me asking for my preferences to tailor my box to my tastes!

 

So, here is a little peek of what I sent to Stacey this month:

 

 

 

* The English Provender co. Moroccan Spiced Chutney
* Salty Dog Chilli peanuts
* Fudge cheddar wafers
* Cupcake cases & sugar flower decorations
* Lindt Chocolate bunny
* Cadburys Caramel chocolate egg

With it being my first ever month, I wasn't exactly sure what type of packaging I should use, and seems as its my first time, I thought I would treat my Pen Pal to a gorgeous vintage style box (Which actually only cost me £1.50)

I themed the contents loosely around Easter, with cute little chicks and some Easter sweets. Along with baking bits & bobs and some spicy nibbles.

Stacey mentioned she was a fan of spice and exotic flavours so the chutney looked perfect, and the little crackers/wafers look like they might be a nice pairing. She also mentioned she was more of a baker than a cook so I bought a few cute sugar flowers and some cupcake cases.
The peanuts were again following Stacey's love of spice & as my box was decorated up for Easter I decided to throw in a few Easter chocolates too.
- I Really hope she likes her box!

If you would like to sign up to Foodie Pen Pals (& I seriously recommend you do) click here for more information.

What do you think of the nibbles I sent this month?
Is Foodie Pen Pals something you'd try getting involved with?

Oh  & nip back soon to see what I receive from Lizzie!

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