Handpicked Smoked Salmon and a Club Chocolat Francais Giveaway

NOT my Wartime Kitchen, but the other one, full of tempting treats and deliciousness!


The first time I tasted smoked salmon was at my Great Aunt and Uncle's home in West Kingsdown in Kent.  We used to go down there at Easter and go on exciting trips into London!  I must have been about 7 years old and Aunty Phyllis made us smoked salmon sandwiches, she bought end pieces which were not so expensive, but I was so impressed (a very early foodie!) and loved the smoky saltiness of this delicate fish.
Smoked Salmon is not such a luxury  now with more farmed salmon but it often disappoints being wet or greasy.  Not so the MacGilvray Finest Smoked Salmon sent to me by The Handpicked Food 
Store. Here is what MacGilvrays say about their smoked salmon:

"All of our smoked salmon is sourced by fine food purveyors MacGilvray from the cold clear waters of the Scottish West Highlands.  It has been dry cured and oak-smoked in traditional brick built kilns and we believe it to be the finest available."

The salmon was firm, not too finely cut and just melted in your mouth.  The smoke was subtle and didn't overpower the flavour of the fish.  In fact, it was just how I remember that first taste of delicious smoked salmon in the 1960s!  The Handpicked Food Store is a new venture from the people who bring you well-established The Handpicked Collection  both are well worth a visit for gift shopping. 

Club Chocolat Francais Autumn Collection and a Giveaway

I am feeling really spoiled, first smoked salmon and now delicious french chocolates.  I've reviewed Club Chocolat Francais before and I have to say that this collection is even better than the last.  There are some stunning flavours enrobed in the very best dark, milk and white chocolate.




This was my absolute favourite from this selection it's the 'Citron Coriandre' and it absolutely bursts onto your tongue with an incredible lemon and spice taste that I've never encountered in a chocolate before.  I also loved the Petales Framboise, again the intensity and freshness of the fruit flavours are really not like anything you get in a standard box of chocs.



Club Chocolat Français comes is a family business, established 20 years ago in Southwest France, in the country side. Their workshops are surrounded by orchards. These orchards provide the plums and hazelnuts  used for the chocolate creations.


If you love Gourmet chocolate, have a look at the Club Chocolat Francais chocolate club, each month you get 34 luxury handmade chocolates delivered to your door  - mmm heaven!

GIVEAWAY

I have three full size boxes of Club Chocolat Chocolates to giveaway to three lucky readers.  Just follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter widget.
This competition is open to readers in the UK and Europe only as Club Chocolat Francais chocolates are handmade using the finest ingredients with no artificial preservatives added. The high quality of our products makes speedy delivery a necessity.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Labels: bagel, chocolate, Club Chocolat Francais, cream cheese, giveaway, Rafflecopter, smoked salmon, The Handpicked Collection, The Handpicked Foodstore, win

posted by Janice @ 12:12 164 Comments

Rhubarb Bakewell Tart and a Giveaway!

There is some dispute on line as to whether there is a traditional food to celebrate May Day.  However, although some recipes appear, there doesn't seem to be any one dish that defines May Day.


Applicances Online have agreed to give one of you £30 of Amazon Vouchers for telling me what your May Day Dish would be.  Enter using the Rafflecopter widget at the bottom of this post.

So what would you make to celebrate May Day?

Apologies if your comment does not show, it will still be counted through the Rafflecopter widget.  I'm having a little bit of trouble with the Google 'no follow' ettiquette!
Read more »

Labels: almonds, Amazon, Appliances Online, Bakewell Tart, custard, giveaway, May Day, Rafflecopter, rhubarb

posted by Janice @ 08:56 18 Comments