Tomatoes, Chocolate Caramel Slice and Great Prizes..

www.Foodlovers.co.nz

Hi there,
This gorgeous summer weather has meant that we are picking loads of produce from the garden, My cherry tomatoes are flourishing and their larger cousins are just heading from green into light shades of red. It is only a matter of a few weeks before we will have enough tomatoes for sauce as well as eating.
Courgettes, basil and rocket are enjoying the summer sun and my pumpkin is hopefully going to continue growing for yet another month to be a contender in our growing competition.

With a glut of tomatoes in mind Michal has some wonderful ideas for preserving tomatoes, enabling you to taste the warmth of summer even in the depths of winter.

Fragrant Melon Fruit Salad

1/2 cup sugar
1 star anise

2 cm piece of ginger, peeled and sliced into thin sticks

1 tablespoon lime or lemon juice

1 vanilla pod, split down the centre

1/2 medium water melon

1 rockmelon

4 mint leaves, roughly torn

Place the sugar, star anise, ginger, lime juice and vanilla in a small saucepan and heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
Using a melon baler scoop the melon into balls and place in a large bowl. Alternatively chop the melon into chunks. Strain the syrup although you may like to leave the star anise in, pour over the melon and scatter with mint leaves.

Serves 6-8.

After much discussion on the food forum on the attributes of a really good chocolate caramel slice I had to do some experimenting of my own. This recipe combines all of the things that I think a caramel slice should have - textured oaty base, lots of caramel and a dark chocolate topping.

Our foodlovers competition page has this week been revamped with a range of new prize draws. All subscribers are eligible to enter and currently up for grabs is dinner for 2 at the pretigious Royal Easter Show Wine Awards, tickets to Cheesefest, samples of Em's power bars and premium Chai tea.

This week Virgil laments the demise of the real iced coffee. Remember the days of instant coffee, and full cream milk? Has our progressive coffee culture ruined the iced coffee? And what about iced chocolate and dairy made milkshakes.....

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Extra virgin olive oil has the most delicate of flavours and is now available in Sealord's Tuna Sensations range. Perfect for quick and easy meal ideas, Sealord Tuna Sensations with Extra Virgin Olive Oil is bound to be a hit with the whole family. Or if you feel like something with a little extra taste with the subtle flavour of olive oil try Sealord’s Tuna Sensations with Olive Oil and Garlic.
Click here to check out our website for delicious seafood recipes ideas

Have a great long weekend,

Helen