A Prize Oh So Sweet...

Once again we have a great competition for our UK readers only. The fact that I'm not in the UK and can't enter this competition myself is just a tad annoying, but it's no reason to preclude others from having the chance to enter.

To celebrate the opening of their Facebook We Love Baking page Tate & Lyle are offering one lucky reader the chance to win a selection of their sugars.

All you have to do is to leave a comment here on George's lovely blog before Wednesday 25th of August telling her all about your fondest baking experience. The winner will be announced the next day.

For my Irish readers Tate & Lyle are probably the most popular sugar producers in the UK. Established in 1921 following a long history of its founding members involvement in the sugar trade. Probably best known for two products, which Mssrs Tate & Lyle repectively 'invented', the first being Golden Syrup and the second being Sugar Cubes.

With their factory still on the banks of the river Thames, Tate and Lyle have now undertaken to become the first UK sugar manufacturers to produce all their products from Fair Trade sugar cane. So why not give it a whirl and see if you can win this oh so sweet prize...

Have A Bash?

You know thinking about it, I really do have a thing about kitchen gadgets. The fact that I don't use the most of them, despite it being a matter of life and death if I didn't get them is entirely beside the point!

One such gadget is the humble pestle and mortar. I do however use mine with alarming regularity and surprisingly enough so does my twelve year old son. Sadly my version of the pestle and mortar is not what it could be. A present from my erstwhile ex-husband many years ago my love for this object has endured despite the fact that it is of green Connemara marble. Ungrateful? No, not at all. I just prefer the more traditional stoneware type...

Perhaps then, it's just as well that George from Culinary Travels is only able to offer her present give-away to our American readers.

"I have the team over at CSN stores (who have more than 200 online stores that sell everything from cookware to yoga accessories to bamboo flooring to barstools) to thank for allowing me to give away this great prize.

To enter all you need to do is leave me a comment here, making it clear if you are in the US, by April 29th and I will pick a winner on May 1st. I’ll then contact the winner directly and pass their details on to CSN stores so that they can arrange dispatch of the item."

So, best of luck and if you're the lucky winner try not to think of me and my Connemara marble while you're busy bashing away with your lovely new granite pestle and mortar!

Happy bashing...

Polly Pierce

Hand Made Irish Cards For All Occasions

For Polly Bread Matters...

Interestingly enough I completed a consumer survey yesterday evening, which focused mainly on two things I am passionate about. One of these is cheese and the other bread! The whole survey questioned my purchasing habits and whether or not I value quality over price, quoting examples which I had to choose from.

Occasionally ridiculous prices were thrown in, as a test measure - to see if I was truthful and paying attention. I have to admit that I stuck to my guns where cheese was concerned; I can't abide sour milk with colourings and fancy packaging and only ever buy cheese in block form!

It is somewhat ironic then that George's latest post dealt exclusively with the subject of bread. Thanks to George, who introduced me to this lovely book (and website) ; I am now beginning to feel somewhat guilty about my behaviour regarding bread. (Well, the kids prefer white sliced and I like it toasted!)


I think the cover says it all! Why not click on the picture and let yourself be transported to Andrew Whitely's website where you can purchase an autographed copy...