When I read what products were included in this hamper I was to sample I was a little skeptical, beans? Really? Edgell have released a new range of beans snack packs on top of their regular lines and I was asked if I would be interested in receiving a hamper to try out or I had the option to give it away to my readers. At first I thought that I would just give the hamper away to my loyal readers and wasn't all that keen on reviewing the products, but the catch was I was going to be sent some samples anyway so I thought "Hmm, why not, I guess it won't hurt to try it".
Product sampling is obviously something very new to me, my blog was started as more of a journal of all my cooking projects, as a bit of an extension from my facebook photo albums. It's a bit of a perk I guess but then there's always the expectation that free products come with biased reviews. I'll try and be as honest as I can and provide the most constructive feedback where possible. I never really expected that I would be involved in so much more, but I'm glad that this blog has opened up some doors for me like meeting other food bloggers/like minded people, attending workshops, and has also started to influence my eating and cooking too.
While making everything from scratch and using fresh unprocessed ingredients is probably the way to go there are some days where it's just not possible for me, especially cooking for just one person because my family don't really eat the same kinds of food I eat. It's sometimes a struggle to pull together healthy/semi healthy lunches during the work week too, especially for one.
I've used the chick peas and kidney beans before in my cooking so thought that I wouldn't really have a problem using those but what got me stumped were these 3 bean and corn snack packs with sachets of dressing. There are 3 different flavours in the range, Honey & Wholegrain Mustard, Red Wine Vinaigrette & Herbs and Balsamic Vinegar. Beans and dressing? Strange concept? I thought so too. I then also realised that I had seen these snack packs somewhere before, and remembered that someone in the house had come home from the Easter Show with some samples in a show bag and left them on the kitchen counter, where they pretty remained untouched for a while.
I kept looking at the snack packs which I received trying to think of how I could use them and thought a salad would be nice. I took the one with the honey and whole grain mustard sachet to work and bought a chicken breast schnitzel from the chicken shop and grabbed some mixed salad leaves for the base of my salad. Opened the snack pack, poured the contents over salad leaves (no need to drain) and sliced chicken schnitzel and then drizzled with the dressing included and viola! I was quite suprised at how tasty it all was. And filling too.
And there you have it, a tasty, quick, cheap weekday lunch idea that's also nutritious for you. Legumes (or beans for the non foodies) are high in fibre, low in fat, low GI and also a source of protein. The Edgell legume products all carry the Heart Foundation tick too. It also claims to have no added preservatives but as with all processed/packaged foods, read the labels and consume in moderation whenever neccessary. I'd like to see what the other packs taste like so will probably do some experimentation later on. I'd also keep these in mind next time I am stuck for lunch ideas mid week.
(Photo courtesy of Mark Communications)
So thanks to the people at Mark Communications, one of you lucky readers can win a hamper valued at approximately $100. It includes the new range of 3 beans & corn snacking range plus some of the regular lines - kidney beans, chick peas, four bean mix, and also comes with an apron and some nutritional information.
(Photo courtesy of Mark Communications)
The basket itself is a worthy freebie, gorgeous dark brown cane with cute stripey fabric trimming, I'm now regretting not keeping it for myself! The wonderful Mr Ryan is taking me for a picnic to celebrate our 10 year anniversary and I've just realised it would be great to transport our stuff in.
So what do you need to do to win this lovely hamper? I know there are alot of you who follow but don't neccessarily leave comments but you will have to leave one in order to enter the competition. Leave a comment and let me know one of your favourite quick and easy lunch ideas.
Sorry but this is only open to NSW residents as it's quite a bulky item to send out. The competition will close on Monday 19th July at 9:00pm and the winner announced on this page and contacted by email so leave a valid email address. You are allowed to enter more than once but each answer must be different. The judging/winner picking will be passed on to my wonderful boyfriend, who will be unbiased ;).
***Sorry for the delay, it was hard to get a winner out of the mister as he works night shift. We're giving the hamper away to Su - the boyfriend thought that your answer was most creative and appealing to his taste buds, if you could send me an email with your address please. If I don't hear from you by Thursday we will award it to someone else.***
*** Unfortantely Su never contacted me so we have chosen Laura as our winner - Congratulations Laura and I hope you enjoy the hamper!***
