Win a copy of One Summer in Venice by Nicky Pellegrino

Click here and enter 

to win your copy of:

One Summer in Venice

 by Nicky Pellegrino

(open to NZ residents only).

Homemade mascarpone with Tawari honey, pistachio and dried strawberries for 2015 National Honey Week

Dear Food Bloggers,

Some of you might have seen the recent announcement launching New Zealand’s second National Honey Week, which is taking take place from 16 – 23 March 2015. It is an initiative that has been cooked up to raise awareness and support New Zealand’s unique honey varieties and to encourage more Kiwis to include it in their diets.

Airborne Honey, the country’s oldest honey brand, is leading 2015 National Honey Week. A number of promotions and initiatives have been planned to help New Zealanders take part in the celebrations. Among other activities, public tastings in supermarkets around the country this National Honey Week will give Kiwis the opportunity to taste the nine main varieties of New Zealand single flower honey types – Kamahi, Clover, Rata, Manuka, Honeydew, Vipers Bugloss, Rewarewa, Tawari and Thyme.

How to enter:

All you have to do is concoct a recipe that showcases New Zealand honey. It couldn’t be easier. The Airborne Honey team will be judging the recipes.

When you write your blog post, if you could also mention that it is a National Honey Week recipe that would be great, as it’ll mean we won’t miss your post when we’re collecting entries. You can also email the link to Rachel Bradshaw at nzhoneyweek@gmail.com.  

Entries are open now and will close at 5pm on Monday 30 March 2015. The winner will receive a bumper pack of New Zealand honey varieties and $350 in Restaurant Association of New Zealand vouchers for a slap up meal out. Three runners-up will also receive smaller honey pack prizes.

Best of luck and have some fun with National Honey Week! If you have any thoughts or questions, please feel free to email Rachel Bradshaw at nzhoneyweek@gmail.com.   And here is my entry:

Homemade mascarpone with Tawari honey, pistachio and dried strawberries

Making mascarpone at home is one of my favourite occupations these days! A part from the 'magic' of it, and the resemblance to a chemistry experiment (I made this with Max, actually, he made it with me in the background giving instructions and liked doing it!) it is also so much cheaper, fresh and delicious that the one you buy! 

For the mascarpone recipe just click here, it is easier that you may think! When the mascarpone is ready just add a tbsp of honey (I used Airborne Tawari Honey) and fold. Divide the mascarpone into 4 cups and it is ready to be eaten or topped with what you fancy. 

For this recipe I just toasted a few pistachios in a pan, then I rub them with a tea towel to take away loose skins and chopped them coarsely. Then I also added some Fresh As dried strawberries, crunchy and full of flavour and aroma. A simple dessert that everyone loved!

Photos and Recipes by Alessandra Zecchini ©

And the winner of the Kimono Tango bag is...

Thank you all for entering the Kimono Tango's competition. The winner was selected using Random.org.  

Congratulations Martina! 

And if you like to find out more about this beautiful and unique brand please check out their Facebook Page.

Win a trip to Rome!

In occasion of our Festival Italiano'14 the Dante Auckland is proud to announce the annual raffle with fantastic prizes! There are only 3000 tickets so be quick for your chance to win a trip to Rome!

First Prize

A fabulous trip to Rome offered by United Travel Newmarket

The prize includes: 

1 return economy class airfare to Rome on Cathay Pacific

 3 nights accommodation in a standard room at Hotel Rimini

Rome Hop on Hop off Tour (2 day ticket)

Thank you United Travel Newmarket!

Second Prize, offered by the Blues!

In Italy we support the Azzurri, and in Auckland we support the Blues! 

Win a Blues Rugby jersey signed by the Blues team and framed.

Third Prize, offered by Aceto Downunder!

A $250 Aceto Balsamico di Modena Hamper form Aceto Downunder.

Aceto Balsamico di Modena is the most luxurious and delicious balsamic vinegar in the world,

 used by the top chefs and the discerning gourmands!

Fourth Prize, offered by O'Sarracino!

      O'Sarracino dinner for two (value $160).

      O'Saraccino is an elegant Neapolitan restaurant voted by Metro as one of Auckland' top 50 restaurants.

And five more prizes offered by 

Italian Film Festival in NZ

5 x double tickets for the Italian Film Festival 2014

Take your date out of an Italian night in Auckland with this  great selection of Italian movies! Click below to watch the trailer.

Tickets on sale at the Dante Alighieri Society of Auckland, $5 for one or $20 for a pack of 5. Remember that there are only 3000 tickets for sale, so be quick! 

The winning tickets will be draw on September 28th, 3:30pm, 

at the Festival Italiano

 Questions? info@dante.org.nz


All money raised will go towards the Dante Auckland school for children to run our classes and holiday programmes. The school of the Dante Auckland doesn't receive any funding from Italy or New Zealand and relies entirely on its own finances, donations and the work of our volunteers. This raffle is our yearly fundraiser so thank you all for your support. 

(And don't forget to Like the Festival Italiano on FB to win even more prizes, this week we have $50 voucher for Settebello Pizzeria Italiana!)

Win tickets to Andrea Bocelli in Concert in Auckland

Festival Italiano ’14 is thrilled to open the official Italian Festival season in Auckland with the concert of Italy’s (and the world’s) most beloved tenor Andrea Bocelli on 11 September 2014, Vector Arena.

Be sure not to miss this very special event, book your tickets here: http://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/Andrea-Bocelli-tickets/artist/773296

And to celebrate the opening or the Italian Festival season the concert organisers are offering a Festival Italiano fan the chance to win two bronze tickets, to enter go to Festival Italiano FB Page.

Win the Italy Home Replica Shirt in time for the FIFA World Cup

Over at the Dante Auckland Blog there is a fab giveaway open to all Kiwis (and Italian Kiwis!) to win the Italy Home Replica Shirt.

Click here to enter, or visit the Dante Auckland FB group.

Win double passes to the Oscar winning movie The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza) … Italiani, l'avete visto?

La Grande Bellezza is coming to New Zealand, read on if you like to win a double pass for this unique Roman experience!

Italiani, l'avete visto? Vi è piaciuto?

To celebrate the release of this year’s Foreign Language Film Academy Award Winner The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza) the Dante Alighieri Society of Auckland has five double passes to give away. To enter just click here and read the instructions. Competition ends Sunday 15 March, winners will be announced on Monday 16 March. NZ only.

About the film

Rome, in the splendour of summer. Jep Gambardella – a handsome man with irresistible charm, despite the first signs of ageing – enjoys the city’s social life to the full. A successful journalist and inveterate seducer, in his youth he wrote a novel which earned him a literary award and a reputation as a frustrated writer. He masks his disenchantment behind a cynical attitude, which makes him view the world with bitter lucidity. Weary of his lifestyle, Jep sometimes dreams of taking up his pen again, haunted by memories of a youthful love which he still hangs on to. But will he ever manage it? Can he overcome this profound disgust for himself and others, in a city whose dazzling beauty sometimes leads to paralysis?

View the trailer here: www.thegreatbeauty.co.nz

Director: Paolo Sorrentino

Cast: Toni Servillo, Carlo Verdone, Sabrina Ferilli 

Runtime: 142 min

Rating: M - Nudity

Happy New Year and Sweet New Zealand!

Happy New Year to everyone, I hope that 2014 will bring you joy and many happy moments! And if you also plan to have a 'sweet' year and more blogger friends, why not start by posting something for Sweet New Zealand?

You could share one of the yummy puddings you made during the holidays (old posts are good too, as long as you add the logo), or some sweet fruit salads, juices and sugar-free desserts to start the year in a healthy way, or some ice-creams for summer, or something that you bake with the kids during the holidays… anything sweet really, from breakfast to supper!

This is the 30th consecutive edition of Sweet New Zealand, and I will be hosting it from this blog.

Last month (December 2013) our host was Alice from Alice in Bakingland so check out her round up here for some ideas.

If you’d like to enter here’s how:

1. This event is open to all bloggers living in New Zealand (even if you’re not a Kiwi), as well as all Kiwi bloggers living and blogging overseas.

2. You can enter anything sweet: cakes, biscuits, slices, desserts, even drinks. You may submit as many entries as you like, including old posts if you want.

3. Your entry must contain the phrase Sweet New Zealand, the Sweet New Zealand badge (choose your own size), a link to the host, and to this post – so if you are submitting an older post remember to update it accordingly.

4. To submit your entry, email me at alessandra (at) clear (dot) net (dot) nz by 28th January 2014 with:

• name of recipe with the link to the post you’re contributing 
• a photo from your post (not more than 250 kb if possible)
• your name, your blog name and a link to your blog
• 
  
• A roundup of all the entries (with links and photos) will be published at the end of the January. Leave me a message below if you have any questions. 

I look forward to your sweet entries!

Ciao

Alessandra

Photo and graphic by Alessandra Zecchini ©

National Honey Week recipe: Parmigiano with Airborne Bush Honey and coffee - Parmigiano con miele e caffè

New Zealand's first National Honey Week ( 25- November - 2 December) starts today, and to celebrate I am proposing something a bit different: Parmigiano con miele e caffè!

I wish this was one of my creations, but I cannot take the credit: it is in fact an appetizer (but also served as a cheese course, or with a good vino da meditazione - meditation wine that I first tried in my village in Italy (Sestola, an excellent Parmigiano producing area) about 20 years ago. It was very fashionable then, and it may be still now for all I know, I am not sure, but it is definitely very original, and too good not to share!

All you need is real Italian Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio (over 30 months aging), good quality creamy honey and good ground coffee (espresso quality). If you cannot find 30 month old Parmigiano, look for a 24 month, or you can try with a younger Parmigiano, but really, here you have only three ingredients, and the better they are, the best the end result.

Cut the Parmesan into bite size chunks, spread with honey and sprinkle with ground coffee. The pairing of these three flavours really works. I used Airborne Bush Honey because I like bush honey, but I also had it with other New Zealand honey varieties, and I guess the honey choice goes down to personal taste (and the coffee choice too... but make sure it is finely ground!).

Happy National Honey Week everyone!

If you like to enter a recipe with honey you could win a fantastic bumper pack of New Zealand honey varieties – including Manuka, Rata, Kamahi, Clover, Honeydew, Vipers Bugloss and Tawari. Prizes also include the Jamie Oliver “Cooks Summer” recipe book (to help you kick off the festive/summer season!), a behind the scenes cooking experience with Geoff Scott, at Vinnie’s and a luxurious meal for two. If you aren’t able to get to Auckland, the team at Airborne will happily organise something equivalent in your area. Three runners-up will also receive smaller honey pack prizes. You can email the link for your entry to:
jennifer@airbornehoney.co.nz. 

click here for the full details.



PS
This recipe was one of the finalists!

Photos and recipes by Alessandra Zecchini ©

2013 NATIONAL HONEY WEEK “COOK SOMETHING YUMMY WITH HONEY” NZ FOOD BLOGGERS COMPETITION

The other week I mentioned this competition, so if you are interested please read on and start to think about honey!

How to enter:

All you have to do is concoct a recipe that showcases New Zealand honey. It couldn’t be easier. Manuka honey is our hero honey this year so do consider using it in your competition recipe. However, any honey recipe will be eligible. Geoff Scott, and the Airborne Honey team will be judging the recipes.

Entries will open at 3.59pm on Friday 22 November 2013 and close at 11.59pm on Monday 2 December 2013. Email the link to Jen Boyes at jennifer@airbornehoney.co.nz.

The winner will receive a bumper pack of New Zealand honey varieties, the Jamie Cooks Summer recipe book (to help you kick off the festive/summer season!), a behind the scenes experience with Geoff Scott, at Vinnie’s and a luxurious meal for two. If you aren’t able to get to Auckland, we will happily organise something equivalent in your area. Three runners-up will also receive smaller honey pack prizes.

Competition Terms and Conditions

1. Entry is only open to New Zealand residents. Employees and the immediate families of Airborne Honey, Vinnie’s and its agencies associated with this promotion are ineligible.
2. Airborne Honey reserves the right to verify the validity of entries and to disqualify any entrant who tampers with the entry process or who submits an entry that is not in accordance with these Conditions of Entry.
3. The Cook Something Yummy With Honey competition commences at 3.59pm New Zealand time on Friday 22 November 2013. Entries close 11.59pm on Tuesday 2 December 2013. 

5. The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

4. In the event that a prize, or an element of a prize, is/are not available, Airborne Honey reserves the right to substitute prize(s) in its discretion to the same and equal recommended retail value and/or specification.
5. Airborne Honey shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which is suffered (including but not limited to indirect or consequential loss) or for personal injury which is suffered or sustained, as a result of participating in this promotion or accepting any of the prizes, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law.
6. Airborne Honey shall not be liable for any prizes/merchandise that has been lost, stolen, forged, damaged or tampered with in any way.
7. Entrants consent to Airborne Honey using the entrant's name, likeness, image and/or voice in the event they are a winner (incl. photograph, film and/or recording of the same) in any media for an unlimited period of time without remuneration for the purpose of promoting this competition (including any outcome), and promoting any products manufactured, distributed and/or supplied by Airborne Honey.

Photos by Alessandra Zecchini©

National Honey Week, an opportunity for NZ food bloggers

I received a press release today about the First National Honey Week in NZ, and I though of sharing an extract from it with my fellow NZ bloggers. If you like honey read on! 

Photo by Alessandra Zecchini©

National Honey Week will take place for the first time this year from 25 November – 2 December to raise awareness and support of New Zealand’s sweetest natural resource and to encourage more Kiwis to include it in their diets. Led by Airborne Honey, the country’s oldest brand, a number of promotions and initiatives have been planned to help consumers take part in the celebrations.

Each year, a different hero honey will be highlighted. Manuka is this year’s star.  

New Zealanders will be encouraged to take part in National Honey Week through a series of contests and giveaways on Facebook and Twitter. On top of that, New Zealand food bloggers will be able to enter their honey themed recipes into a “Cook Something Yummy with Honey” competition during National Honey Week. Among a host of other prizes, the winner will receive a behind the scenes experience at Vinnie’s and a luxurious meal for two. 

 

There are a number of delicious ways to incorporate New Zealand Manuka honey into daily life. So why not start now!

1. Honey is much sweeter than table sugar. Substitute your daily teaspoon of sugar for a drizzle of Manuka honey in your cup of tea in the morning.
2. Honey isn’t just for toast! Use Manuka honey in savoury dishes and marinades. The rich, malty tones make it perfect for stir-fries.
3. Honey can help counter the effects of the 'morning after'. A simple hangover remedy can be made quickly and easily by blending 15ml orange juice, 150ml natural yogurt and 2tbsp honey.
4. Make sure your honey is the real deal and good quality by checking the label. Look for the pollen percentage (a high percentage means the honey is true to type – Manuka should contain at least 70% Manuka pollen), HMF number (lower the better, HMF numbers below 10 are best as a high number means the honey is heat damaged) and place of origin.

Win a bottle of Sovrano Limoncello!

Dear readers, I like to share with you this competition, especially if you like lemons and limoncello!!
Go to Sovrano Limoncello facebook Page, like and share the Sovrano Limoncello at the Festival Italiano 2013 post, and be in the draw to win a 500ml bottle! Open to NZ residents only.

Good luck!
Alessandra

Win a flight to Italy and other wonderful prizes at the Italian Festival

Photo by Alessandra Zecchini ©

Ok, I know that I haven't been posting too many recipes recently, please forgive me, but the Italian Festival preparations are taking up all of my spare time now (and a bit more than that actually). But it is going to be a great day, and a chance for all the Italians in Auckland to get together, and all the Kiwis to live like an Italian for a day. And if you live in Auckland please come along, info in the poster below.

In occasion of the Festival Italiano the Dante Alighieri Society is also raising money for the Italian School for children (open to all children who wish to learn Italian, regardless of their ethnic background). The Dante is a non-profit registered charity, totally self-founded, and aims to keep the cost of the children classes really low. To help paying for tutoring and buying material raffle tickets will be on sale at the Festival, and you can also buy them at the Dante rooms in Freemans Bay community centre from Monday 15 October, 1 for $5 or 5 tickets for $20. And yes, I am selling them too, remind me if you meet me in the street! Only 3000 tickets printed, so more chances to win. 

Thank you to our generous sponsors this year's prizes are:

First Prize: $2000 voucher from STA Travel

 Second Prize: $200 (4 x $50) restaurant vouchers from Gina's 

Third Prize: One bottle of Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena valued at $180 from Aceto Downunder

Fourth Prize: one $150 gourmet hamper from Sabato

Fifth Prize: $50 worth of Giapo ice cream (5 x $10 vouchers)

Prize draw at the Festival Italiano, 28 October 2012, 3:30pm.

Winners, if not present at the draw, will be notified by telephone.

Thank you for supporting the Dante Italian school for children, and 

Buona Fortuna!