082.

Today is the first of May,

So you know what that means?

It's time I announced the winner of the Market Basket Competition!

One lucky person could be strolling the aisles of the farmer's markets clutching a gorgeous hand woven French Market Basket from The Market Basket Co.

I wanted this to be a fair competition, So I used random.org to find the winner.

And that winner is................

Trina! from The Gourmet Forager

who wrote:

"Oh what a gorgeous basket - perfect for mushroom hunting in Oberon! A good basket is great for letting those mushroom spores drop back to the forest floor. "

Using this basket for mushroom hunting never crossed my mind,

probably as I've never hunted for mushrooms myself,

But this sounds like a perfect use!

Congratulations Trina!

So now I want to know,

What's your favourite thing to pick up at the Farmer's Market?

Personally, I can't leave the farmer's market without picking up some cherry tomatoes

and a bag of freshly picked apples.

081.

You have to know the post is going to be good when it starts with a picture like this.

Yesterday morning I was sitting at my desk, minding my own business when a package arrived on my desk,

This inconspicuous looking package was addressed to me.

So, like a child at Christmas, I ripped and tore at the plastic until I revealed another inconspicuous looking package - This time a white styrofoam box. (Pass the parcel, anyone?)

I then took to the box with scissors, tearing away at the sticky tape to reveal... (dun dun dun) another box!

This box was wrapped in plastic, and set atop of ice packs.

Ice packs are a good sign - They mean two things: One, the package involves some edible product and Two, it needs refrigeration.

So I tore back the plastic to find a pretty brown and white striped box with a brown satin ribbon tied ontop.

Not wanting to wreck the perfectly tied ribbon, I carefully pushed it back so that I could open the box.

The smell coming from the box was amazing and then I saw...

Classic Belgian Chocolate Brownie

Now they are the kind of words I like to hear.

I carefully unwrapped the tissue paper in the box to find,

not one... not two... but sixteen little squares of delicious brownie goodness.

One of those brownies was even wrapped,

This definitely got the "awwh" factor.

And the chocolate from the brownies immediately filled the room,

getting harmonised "mmmmm's" all around.

The only problem was...

Being the good little food blogger I am,

I had to repackage the brownies so that I could take photos of them before they disappeared.

(This is an extremely good motivator, you have no idea how much faster work gets done when you know there's brownies waiting for you in the fridge)

After the photos were taken, I gathered my taste testers and took a bite of the brownie.

The first thing I noticed was how soft they were. I was a bit worried when I first saw them because I thought they might be a bit too hard for my liking. But these brownies literally melted in your mouth (or mine, really)

They also had deliciously crispy tops that were just what was needed. Then the flavour hit me.. boy oh boy did it hit me.

These brownies are INCREDIBLE! And no, I'm not getting paid to say this.

They're deliciously decadent but not too rich that they'd make you feel sick like some other brownies. I'm usually a chewy brownie kinda girl - But I loved the fudginess of these. Chilling them was exactly what they needed.

They were so good, I found myself reaching for a second in no time at all. I was as happy as a pig in mud and my taste testers agreed. These were the best brownies we had ever tasted.

I was so impressed that I hurried off to my computer to email Deb, the founder of Dello Mano, to commend her on such an amazing product. I then hurriedly went through the photos so I could get this post to you ASAP. Usually, I have a system, where its first in first reviewed - But I was so beyond impressed with these brownies that they went straight to the top of the list.

I'd really suggest that if you want someone to love you, you buy them a box of these brownies. I guarantee it'll work - every time. They'd also be a fabulous mother's day present and Dello Mano have some great Mother's Day gift ideas - Including a Dello Mano Amore Mother's Day Gift that comes with a bottle of Moet Chandon Champagne that I know my mum would adore.

Their brownies also come in other flavours, like:

- Coconut and Lime Belgian Chocolate Luxury Brownie

- Espresso Walnut with Dark Chocolate

- Ginger and Orange with Dark Chocolate

- Honey Caramelised Macadamia with Dark Chocolate (Yum!)

-Pecan and Maple Syrup with Dark Chocolate

And they even have Gluten Free versions available.

Best of all, Dello Mano deliver Australia Wide!

Which means you can have these delicious brownies regardless of whether you live in Tasmania or Western Australia.

These brownies are so incredible that they could probably tempt me into moving to Brisbane,

They get a 1, 000, 000 / 10 and that doesn't even come close to conveying how fantastic they are.

Thank you Deb, from Dello Mano for sending me your delicious brownies - They are amazing.

If you'd like a review of your products - Send an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com

So tell me,

is there a product you've tried that has blown your mind?

080.

Crispy outsides, chewy centres

That's my perfect cookie!

This Sunday, In Australia, it's ANZAC day.

For those of you who don't know, A.N.Z.A.C stands for

Australian

New

Zealand

Army

Corp

and ANZAC day is a national day of remembrance to honor those soldiers.

The cookies you see above are ANZAC biscuits, and are claimed to be the food of soldiers

sent from home by loving wives or mothers because the biscuits don't spoil easily.

Not only do they travel well, they taste amazing.

Seriously, even the dough tastes amazing.

Chewy ANZAC Biscuits Recipe:

• 
  
  1 cup plain flour
• 
  
  1 cup rolled oats
• 
  
  1 cup desiccated coconut
• 
  
  3/4 cup brown sugar
• 
  
  125 grams butter
• 
  
  2 Tbsp golden syrup
• 
  
  2 Tbsp water
• 
  
  1 tsp bicarb soda

Preheat oven to 160 degrees celsius (320 fahrenheit).

In a bowl, mix together sifted flour, oats, coconut and brown sugar until no lumps of brown sugar remain.

Place butter, golden syrup and water in a small saucepan and heat over a medium temperature until butter has melted. Remove from heat and add bicarb soda, stir to combine.

Pour hot butter mixture over flour mixture and stir until well combined. (Feel free to put a Tbsp or so more water if you're not happy with the consistency).

Roll tablespoon sized balls of dough and flatten slightly on a baking tray, making sure to space the cookies about an inch apart so they have room to spread.

Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes, until lightly browned.

Note:

When the cookies come out of the oven, their edges should be quite crisp but the centres will be soft - This makes perfect chewy cookies.

If you're looking for a crispier cookie, leave them in the oven for a further 5-10 minutes.

My original intention for the post was an ANZAC ice cream recipe.

However, my enthusiasm and curiosity got the better of me and I tried a new ice cream recipe instead of my tried and tested one (Bad idea).

I wasn't really awake while reading the recipe, or making the icecream.. so I failed to notice the red flag that this recipe had no sugar in it. Zip, Zero, Zilch..

So lets just say that recipe went straight to the fail pile.

I still wanted ANZAC ice cream though, so I softened a tub of store bought ice cream I had in the freezer

and mixed through chunks of the cooled ANZAC cookies.

Oh boy was it good! I think this is something everyone needs to try.

But don't use store bought cookies! You need the mix of crispy bits and chewy centers... mmmmmm.

Heavenly.

But rest assured,

You'll be seeing a few ice cream recipes in the future

(as long as they taste good)

but for now, the message is:

ICECREAM WITHOUT SUGAR SUCKS!

At least that recipe did.

So tell me,

what's your number one dessert choice?

079.

Today this lovely fruit box arrived on my desk from Snow Goose,

It was filled with delicious fruits, including:

• Grapes
• Pears
• Apples
• Kiwi Fruit
• Bananas
• Oranges
• Avocado
• Papaya

and some fruit I've never actually eaten before like Rambutans

and persimmons and even a custard apple!

All of the fruit was extremely fresh,

unlike some other fruit boxes i've seen where fruit arrives almost too ripe to eat.

So this means you have more time to enjoy it!

These Snow Goose fruit gift boxes would be perfect for a present that's something different,

maybe even a care package for a friend or loved one who's a little too far away.

I received the Mixed Fruit Gift Box which is available all year round and you can even order it with short notice! Which is perfect if you forget someone's special day (It's okay.. I won't tell)

The fruit is presented in Snow Goose's distinctive wooden boxes and protected by wood wool and bubble wrap which sits on top, so you can be sure the fruit won't be bruised when it reaches your special someone.

The mixed fruit gift box starts at $65.00 plus delivery. Snow Goose also has a wide variety of other gift boxes available. Including the Tea Connoisseur Box, Antipasto Dinner Box and Sweet Temptations (Which I definitely have my eye on).

So check out the Snow Goose site to find out how you can order your own.

Delivery is available in NSW, SA, WA, VIC, QLD and ACT

unfortunately not TAS.

So, readers..

Have you got an idea what I can do with the fruits

I'm unsure about?

(Custard apple, Persimmon, Rambutans)

Kristy was sent this Snow Goose Mixed Fruit Gift Box courtesy of www.snowgoose.com.au

If you'd like a review of your products send an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com

078.

I apologise for the lack of posts lately, you see, I've been having computer issues. Lots and lots of sweet, sweet computer issues. Sooooo sweet...

Sometimes I really really dislike technology. Sure I love my DSLR and the internet as well as blogging - but computer viruses drive me absolutely mental. Especially as it stops me from getting to the thousands upon thousands of photos stored on my computer.

But luckily I am back to having a fully functioning computer that is virus free!

which means, I'm back to blogging!

Don't forget that...

so scroll down to my last post and make sure you enter!

All you have to do is comment, and then send me a copy of your comment in an email.

Now I want you to share with me,

What is the one thing that drives you mad?!

077.

That's right! 

It's time for my first ever giveaway!

Imagine you are strolling through a farmer's market..

You grab some tomatoes and potatoes and maybe some celery,

then you walk to another stall and buy some bread. 

You're going to need something to put all of that in, right? 

 These genuine French market baskets from The Market Basket Co. are perfect for the job.

They're hand crafted in Morocco from natural palm fibre with strong Moroccan leather handles, 

and they are way more stylish than your Coles eco bag.

Because these baskets are so strong they also hold alot more, 

so instead of lugging around 10 plastic shopping bags, 

you'll have one stylish alternative.

The handles are long enough to sling the bag over your shoulder, 

which is perfect if you're going to be carrying your buys for a long period of time.

I was lucky enough to receive not one, but two of these gorgeous baskets,
so I'm giving away one to one of my fabulous readers!

I thought these baskets would be perfect for a picnic, 

filled with delicious fresh food and a picnic rug to sit on.
Or for a trip to the beach, as they don't mind getting wet!


The market basket you could win is a classic french style market basket 
edged with bright green Moroccan leather and deluxe 60cm handles.
(see above)
The basket can be carried in the hand, or over the shoulder

and at a recommended retail price of $57.00, why wouldn't you want to enter?

All you have to do to be in the running to win this stylish basket is: 

1. Be an Australian Resident (Sorry if you live elsewhere, I still appreciate you and i'm trying to have another giveaway for you all soon!)

2. Be a follower of this blog! Just click the follow button at the top right.

3. Leave a comment on this post telling me what you'd do with the basket if you win.

4. Send me a copy of your comment in an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com with the subject Market Basket Comp.

and to get an extra entry?

Tweet about this giveaway and comment with a link to your tweet.

Good luck!

The winner will be chosen using random.org's integer generator and will be contacted via email.  
Entries close April 30th 2010

Make sure you follow all the steps to be in the running! 

If the lucky winner does not respond in 5 days a new winner will be drawn.


To find out more information on The Market Basket Co and find out where you can get your own market basket, check out their website 


Kristy received both market baskets courtesy of The Market Basket Co and Handle communications,
If you'd like a review of your products, or you'd like to sponsor a giveaway send an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com

076.

I love Autumn weather. 

Lately Sydney has been having some of the most gorgeous blue skied days,

today was no exception so I decided to spend it with my family at Carss Park.

We decided to have some lunch at the Carss Park Cafe & Grill out in the sunshine

and the food was fantastic, as was the view. 

I love being outside, I get stir crazy being inside for to long.

Whether it be to go for a simple walk or for a picnic with friends,

I'm all for it. 

I've also got some exciting news!

My very next post will be my first ever giveaway!

 So you've got to keep your eyes open so you don't miss it.

The prize is perfect for an Autumn picnic,

but i'm not letting you know what it is just yet.

So tell me, lovely readers

What's your favourite thing to do on a Sunday?

Brunch? Lunch? Laze about?

075.

the wombats(?) go marching one by one hoorah hoorah!

Recently I was sent some Orgran products to review.

The first on my list were the 'Outback Animal Cookies' in both vanilla and chocolate.

These cookies are:

• gluten free
• wheat free
• dairy free
• egg free
• yeast free
• GMO free
• soy free
• nut free
• vegan 

So they're perfect for people with allergies or those who follow a vegan diet.  

The cookies also have 12.8% dietary fibre.

The cookies are available in two different packs - Loosely boxed or a bag or 8 individually portioned snack packs.

The snack packs, at 22 grams per pack, are perfect for on-the-go snacks or a treat in kids lunch boxes.

The cookies themselves were quite nice, 

personally I prefered the chocolate cookies as they had a richer flavour. 

The vanilla cookies were quite plain, but still enjoyable.

The texture is much different from regular cookies (for instance Tiny Teddies) due to the use of rice and pea flour,

the cookies themselves aren't overly sweet and I'm sure kids would love them.

The individual packs would be great for kids to share with friends who may have allergies, 

or for parent's planning kids birthday parties where guests have intolerances.

Orgran's Outback Animals are found in Health food stores and the health food section of most supermarkets. 

My taste testers and I have given them a 7/10 ratingand agree these would be perfect for people with allergies or those with a strict diet :) 

Now I want to know, 
is there an "on the go" food you carry with you?  


Kristy received Orgran Outback Animals courtesy of Orgran Natural 
If you'd like a review of your products, send an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com

074.

Just a quick post and a delicious recipe :)

The holidays always mean a time of entertaining in my household, 

and this easter has been no exception so far. 

I quickly whipped up these glazed orange cakes this morning 

as I wasn't in the mood for a heavy cake after last nights good friday feast

that was jam packed full of food.

eat your heart out, seafood lovers!

I love quick, simple, easy to prepare cakes

and this one is perfect if you're in a rush like I was

as it's delicious warm. 

O

Orange Glazed Cake Recipe 


185 grams butter, softened
2 tsp finely grated orange rind
2/3 cup castor sugar
3 eggs 
1 cup SR flour
1/2 cup plain flour 
1/3 cup milk 
1/2 cup orange marmalade


Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius (355 degrees fahrenheit)
Cream butter, rind and sugar until light and fluffy 
Beat in eggs one at a time until combined 
Sift in flours and add milk, mix until smooth and fluffy.
Spread cake mix into greased and lined cake pan (or muffin tins etc.)
Bake for 25 - 30 minutesor until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
Stand cooked cake for 5 minutes before turning out onto a cake rack.
Warm marmalade for 30 seconds in the microwave, until it is of a more spreadable consistency
Brush warm marmalade over warm cake's top and sides and leave to cool.


The recipe makes a regular loaf sized cake, however I made a smaller loaf and 6 friand sized cakes - Which took about 20 minutes to cook through. 
Don't be worried if the cake looks quite brown on the outside but still underdone on the inside, it's normal,
Once cooled the cake will have deliciously crunchy sides and a soft, moist middle. 




I hope all of you have a fantastic easter :) 
and eat loads of delicious chocolate and good food

 But I do have to warn you, 
If you make this cake.. you will be tempted to eat it all.
It's incredibly moreish.