The Great Oreo Cookie Quest

Oreo cookies are the Marmite of the biscuit world. Some people claim them to be the food of Gods, some cannot quite understand all the devotion (and there are even some heathens who call them the spawn of the devil... Don't believe me?! Search some of the Oreo threads on Mumsnet, and prepare to be amused).
We are very partial to Oreos, and have been for a good number of years, as you might already know, if you frequent my blog.

I have fond memories of little Sash lovingly twisting each Oreo, licking off the white icing inside and then eating the chocolate wafers.
Eddie is also a big fan of these cookies. I often buy a big box of Oreos in Poundland for £2 which has small sealed packets of two - very handy to carry around in a lunchbox.

We are happy to eat them neat (though never dunked, we are not dunkers as a rule) with hot chocolate or tea, or in any cakes and bakes. There's definitely more to Oreos than a "twist-lick-dunk" mantra of the old ads.

This scrumptious biscuit makes a versatile ingredient for many bakes.
We loved Oreo cheesecake i

Oreo brownies are lush too.

Hot chocolate with whipped cream and crushed Oreos is a decadent treat. Especially when coming home semi-frozen from the snow.

... but it's the White chocolate Oreo fudge that gets requested most often in our house. I do prefer dark chocolate, but even I cede my willpower when I cut this fudge into thick chunks. It's sooo good.

You might wonder why am I going all rhapsodical about Oreos.

Have you spotted promotional Oreo packs in supermarkets?

Its biggest promotion for 2018 is called the Great Oreo Cookie Quest. Technically there are separate promotions by Oreo. One is an instant win competition, where you enter a unique code from a promotional pack to try to win a trip to San Francisco or smaller prizes.

The second promotion requires you to download the Oreo Search mobile app and use it to scan real and virtual cookies to earn points in order to win prizes.
If you want to know how exactly to do it, watch an informative fun video by Di at her blog Superlucky.

I don't think we'll be entering this competition, but I would like to wish everyone else Good luck!

Our own Oreo Cookie Quest is the search for the best recipe with Oreos. Do you have a favourite recipe with Oreos you would like to share with us?


This post is an entry for BritMums #OreoCookieQuest, sponsored by Oreo.


Disclosure: Please don't be misled by the word sponsored above. In our case it means we received two packs of promotional Oreos.

What IF? photo competition + What If? no.19 jigsaw puzzle giveaway E: 31 March 2018

I love creative competitions and I love Ravensburger jigsaw puzzles. Combine my two favourites, and I'm super excited. Ravensburger has contacted me the other day to help spread the word about their latest competition, and also offer a lovely prize to my blog readers.

What IF? Photo competition
What IF? you were drawn into a Jigsaw Puzzle?
The search is on for Britain's funniest friends and family!

Oxfordshire-based toy company Ravensburger is giving puzzle fans a chance to feature in their bestselling What IF? jigsaw range.
Launching on 5th March, entrants will be asked to tweet their best funny family and friends photo using the hashtag #WhatIfWeAreAPuzzle.
The winning group will be drawn into the next What IF? 1000-piece puzzle, depicted as entrants in a Challenge-Quiz-Show type scenario. Number 21 in the popular What IF? series, the illustrations will be the brainchild and handiwork of much-loved artist, cartoonist and comedy writer Geoff Tristram.
The winners will also win Geoff's original signed artworks, and copies of the finished jigsaw puzzle, which will be on sale to the public from January 2019.

Launched 5 years ago, What IF? is a firm favourite with puzzle fans across the UK. the series reflects life's unexpected twists and turns, and challenges the consumer to imagine "What IF?"??? Because the puzzle image is not shown on the box, consumers need to use the visual and written clues to help them imagine what the finished jigsaw puzzle might look like.
One thing is for certain - expect plenty of smiles along the way!

Cornee Marlow, Marketing Services Co-ordinator commented: "We are excited to launch this unique and exclusive What IF? competition! Our What IF? fans love to collect every design in the series, and we wanted to celebrate the 21st edition by doing something really special and different. Being part of a puzzle design is a once-in-a-lifetime money-can't-buy prize, and we can't wait to see how creative people can be with their entries. Geoff Tristram has created caricatures of many famous faces, so our winners will be part of a very exclusive club. We look forward to working with Geoff and our winners to create a unique, exclusive and funny puzzle design".

Competition opens on Twitter at 10am Monday 5 March and closes at 8pm Friday 23 March 2018. Winners will be announced on Twitter Monday 26 March 2018.
Entry will also be possible via a dedicated email address Ravensburger@provencepr.co.uk

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What do you think? Such a fabulous idea for a unique prize.
I don't think I will be taking part, as my dear husband is a spoilsport, and wouldn't agree to join in.

As a thank you for helping spread the word about this competition, Ravensburger have offered two What IF? jigsaw puzzles as a giveaway prize on my blog.

Two lucky winners will receive one What IF? no.19 "Are we there yet?" jigsaw puzzle each.


To be in with a chance of winning, please enter via Rafflecopter form.

T&C
The giveaway is open to the UK residents only.
Once the Rafflecopter picks the winners, I will contact them regarding address details, if they do not reply within 28 days, the prize will be allocated to another person.

It might be pretty obvious but under new GDPR regulations you must accept that if you win the giveaway, you agree to have your details shared with the brand PR who will dispatch the prize. No other data will be passed or shared. 

Please don't forget to leave a comment, as it is the only mandatory step, I will make sure the winners selected by Rafflecopter have complied with T&Cs.
The prize will be posted by Ravensburger PR.
Giveaway ends on 31 March 2018 (midnight).

CHANGE OF A DAILY TWEET OPTION: 
Since this giveaway started, there is a new rule introduced by Twitter regarding posting duplicate content. Basically they don't want you to tweet the same content daily, or you could be shadowbanned.
For this reason, I have changed the RT option on Rafflecopter. You can only tweet once. If you have been tweeting daily, please do not worry, all your entries are counted. 
I added a Daily Bonus entry instead, and apologies for inconvenience. As I mentioned, this rule was only just introduced.


  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Super Geek Heroes Animated Series (review + competition E: 31 May 2017)

Image credits: Super Geek Heroes

Geek is the new cool nowadays. Meet the super smart team called Super Geek Heroes!



Who are these new children's heroes? They are seven super kids with amazing learning powers.
Jake Jotter, Millie Maths, Ronnie Rock, Vicky Voice, Suzi Smiles, Peter Planet and Ant Active are showing children that education could be a source of great fun.
Their motto is "Having fun in turn with a mission to learn!"

Their super powers originate in three prime and four specific development areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
The development areas and resulting characters are:
Personal, Social and Emotional Development - Suzi Smiles
Understanding the World - Peter Planet
Communication & Language - Vicky Voice
Literacy - Jake Jotter
Numeracy - Millie Maths
Physical Development - Ant Active
Creative Arts & Design - Ronnie Rock

Super Geek Heroes reminded us of another educational TV programme for younger children - animated superhero numbers Numberjacks. And wasn't there a Go Jetters show, where four explorers were going on a world-round adventure?!

We have watched a couple of episodes together with Eddie, as I also wanted to find out what this new show is about. I liked the fact that all the names of geographical locations were sounded for an easier understanding.
These videos are educational and entertaining, with an engaging content.

They cover a variety of topics, from learning about morning routines to facts about rainbows and weather, from keeping fit to telling the time, from sight words to eating healthy food.

The characters are easy to relate to, as they are all young children. Even their names relate to the school curriculum. Eddie's school uses a system of the so called learning muscles (for example, Buzzy the Bee represents Creativity).

For more information, visit Super Geek Heroes. Information for parents and carers could be found at Super Geek Heroes/Parents (all links are removed as expired).

If you like the sound of this excellent new show for children, you might like to enter a competition to win a 6-months' subscription to KidsCast APP, where you can download and view Super Geek Heroes on the go or cast to your TV (among many other programmes for children).

To be in with a chance of winning please watch the video above and answer the following question:
In the first video on the playlist - which continent is number 7 in Peter Planet's lesson?

T&Cs:
The competition is open to the UK residents only.
If you login as Anon, please leave your Twitter handle or some way of getting in touch with you if you win.
If the winner does not get back to me in 28 days, the prize will be allocated to another person.
The competition ends on 31 May 2017 at midnight.

Good luck!

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Many thanks, everyone!
The winner selected randomly from all correct answers was Leila B! Big well done!

Sudocrem Nappy Rush Game + spring Sudocrem goodie bags giveaway, E: 15 April 2017

A week ago, Sudocrem, one of the UK's most recognisable family brands, launched their brand new fun Nappy Rush Facebook game. There are hundreds of great prizes to win including £100s worth of Nursery prizes, Amazon Kindles, Mothercare vouchers and much much more.
In this fast and frantic mobile facebook game, entrants are asked to take on the #NappyRush timed challenge, where users must apply the correct Sudocrem product at the correct time to earn points.
You'll need to defeat the Nappy Rash gremlins with Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream, use Care & Protect on the clean nappies in order to prevent nappy rash, and throw dirty nappies in the bin to get the best score.
If the users score 10 points in 45 seconds, then they unlock the chance to win an INSTANT prize!
Can you beat the Nappy Rush game?

Prizes include
5 x Amazon Kindle Fire
2 x Tomy TF525 Digital Baby Monitor
40 X Sudocrem goodie bags
3 x BABYMOOV Cosydream
6 x HENGSONG Baby Children's Toy
2 x Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Steriliser Kit
3 x Sensory Miffy Toy
2 x uni-ball Metallic Pens (8 pack)
5 x Posca Pens (6 pack)
5 x £20 Mothercare vouchers


To take part in the Nappy Rush game, all entrants have to do is:
1. Find Sudocrem on Facebook
2. Click on the Nappy Rush competition app
3. The user must enter their details and begin to play
4. If the user achieves a score of 10 points or more in 45 seconds, then they will unlock the instant prize draw
5 Entrants can play every day and earn extra goes too.

Competition ends on 23 April 2017

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To thank me for spreading the word about the competition on my blog, Sudocrem has kindly offered three new Sudocrem goodie bags as giveaway prizes for my blog readers.

These goodie bags include:
Sudocrem Care & Protect
Sudocrem Skin Care Cream
a Sudocrem legionnaires cap (for infants)
a Sudocrem coffee flask
a Sudocrem t-shirt for infants

To be in with a chance of winning, please enter via a Rafflecopter gadget.

T&Cs:
Only one entry per person is allowed (however, you can tweet daily to increase your chances).
The giveaway is open to the UK residents only.
Once the Rafflecopter picks the winners, I will check if the winners have done what was requested. I will contact the winners, if they do not reply within 28 days, the prize will be allocated to another person.
Please don't forget to leave a comment, as it is the only mandatory step, I will make sure the winners selected by Rafflecopter have complied with T&Cs.

The giveaway will close on 15 April 2017 (at midnight)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sudocrem Winter goodie bags giveaway (c/d 15 December 2016)

Image credits: Sudocrem

November is almost over, which for many compers means one thing - daily advent competitions lovingly called advents. Christmas is always one of the busiest times of the year. Are you one of the hero compers who enter hundreds of competitions every day? I confess I often start very enthusiastically, then my mojo vanes after a week or so. I do try to limit the comping time, and choose only those daily competitions which reflect my interests and hobbies - food and drink, books and toys.
Christmas-themed competitions have started already. As of yesterday, Sudocrem has launched their Christmas Chaos game.
Beat the Sudocrem Christmas Chaos. You will have a chance to win £100s worth of instant prizes. In this exciting mobile Facebook game, users are asked to save the North Pole from the Nappy Rash Gremlins.
To stop the gremlins, users must tap the parachutes to stop them in their tracks and earn points.
If you manage to collect enough points, you could win an instant prize.

I have tried the game on both laptop and ipad, and found it much easier to score 50 points on the ipad. For some reason, my mouse clicks were not counted well. I didn't win a prize either. :)

The Nappy Rash Gremlins have been joined by two new characters - Scrapes & Graze. These pesky critters take two taps to earn a point, so users must keep their eyes peeled for them.
Prizes include
10 x Amazon Kindles
5 x £20 Mothercare vouchers
15 x £10 Amazon vouchers
25 X Sudocrem goodie bags
and much, much more

To take part in the Christmas Chaos game, all entrants have to do is:
1. Find Sudocrem on Facebook
2. Click on the Christmas Chaos app
3. The user must enter their details and begin to play
4. If the user beats the game, they will be entered into the instant win prize draw
5 Entrants can play every day and earn extra goes too.

Competition ends on 31 December 2016.

To thank me for spreading the word about the competition on my blog, Sudocrem has kindly offered two Winter goodie bags worth over £40 each as giveaway prizes for my blog readers.

Image credits: Sudocrem

To be in with a chance of winning, please enter via a Rafflecopter gadget.

T&Cs:
Only one entry per person is allowed (however, you can tweet daily to increase your chances).
The giveaway is open to the UK residents only.
Once the Rafflecopter picks the winners, I will check if the winners have done what was requested. I will contact the winners, if they do not reply within 28 days, the prize will be allocated to another person.
Please don't forget to leave a comment, as it is the only mandatory step, I will make sure the winner selected by Rafflecopter has complied with T&Cs.

The giveaway will close on 15 December 2016 (at midnight)
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  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Teletubbies: Tubby Snowball (review + competition E: 1 December 2016)

Teletubbies hit out screens back in 1997. By now many of those who watched the first series as young kids, have kids of their own. And it's not just the kids who adored this iconic show.
A friend of mine has recently confessed that she was 19 when Teletubbies made their grand entrance. She still keeps a soft Teletubby toy she bought then, and she used to buy Teletubbies magazines for the colourful stickers. She asked me not to laugh.
Our 14-year-old son used to watch Teletubbies with great enthusiasm when he was a tot. Our younger one was less keen to watch the cute multi-coloured creatures with big tummies and antennae on their heads. He is more of a Peppa Pig and Ben and Holly generation.
Since Teletubbies were relaunched in 2014, sixty new episodes were ordered.
A new generation of families can enjoy the iconic Teletubbies. The latest Teletubbies: Tubby Snowball DVD featuring six episodes was released on October 31.

The DVD includes bonus content - a Teletubbies Holiday Song We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Behind the scenes for grown ups featurette: Building the set.
Synopsis:
"It's a cold day in Teletubbyland and snow falls on the Teletubbies! Join Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po as they find big snowballs, dance with a snowman and watch children make a caterpillar out of snow"
Moving along with the times,Teletubbies can play with the Tubby Phone and have new Touch-screen tummies.
Six episodes included in the DVD are:
Snowball
Packing
Number Four
Flying
Taps
Party
Teletubbies: Tubby Snowball has a run time of approximately 1hr12 minutes.

This lovely DVD will make a lovely gift for a preschooler.

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To coincide with the release of the latest DVD, I have 3 prizes (one copy each) of Teletubbies: Tubby Snowball DVD for my blog readers.
This is a creative competition aimed at young children.

Terms and Conditions:

1. To be entered in the competition, please design/draw your own Teletubbies Snowball picture.
2. Post it on Twitter with your child's name (just first name), a hashtag #teletubbiessnowball tagging me @maximka25 or on Instagram tagging @realmaximka25 with the same hashtag
3. The winning entries will be chosen randomly from all entries.
4. Once you have entered, please leave a comment here to say that you have entered.
5. The competition is open to UK residents only.
6. Once the competition winners are contacted, you will have 28 days to get back to me with your address details.
7. The DVDs will be posted by the PR running the promotion.
8. The competitions ends on 1 December 2016 at midnight.
Good luck!


Disclosure: We received a copy of the DVD for the purposes of reviewing. All opinions are our own.

Sudocrem #SaveChristmas competition

This photo of my then 4-months' old Eddie popped earlier this morning as a TimeHop image on Facebook. Eddie's now 5 (going on 13, if you ask me, as he's got opinions on everything). Those cute coat and hat from Next have been passed on to another little boy in Russia, though I do keep the handmade blue blanket which was knitted by my friend Joanne. Time truly flies. It might be a cliched expression but it's spot on. Where did all these years go?!
Thankfully the days of the nappies are over for us, as I was thinking today, looking at the new Facebook #SaveChristmas competition run by Sudocrem (link removed as expired)

The Nappy Rash Gremlins are coming and it is up to Sudocrem fans to
#SaveChristmas, in return for some spectacular prizes!
In a mobile friendly, fun game, users have to tackle the Nappy Rash Gremlins who are
coming to ruin Christmas. Parachuting from the sky, the Gremlins are looking to get
down chimneys and put a stop to the Christmas spirit. Prizes include Amazon Kindle
Fires and Amazon vouchers, plus prizes from Miffy, Milton, Aquabeads and many,
many more.
There are also thousands of exclusive discount vouchers to be won throughout the
game. So what are you waiting for? Break those parachutes to save the day and earn
prizes!
To find out what’s in the nappy, all entrants have to do is:
1. Find Sudocrem on Facebook (www.facebook.com/sudocrem) and “Like” the
page
2. Click on the ‘Save Christmas’ app
3. Beat the Nappy Rash Gremlins and avoid the presents to earn points
4. If a user scores 40 points in the 60 second time limit, users will have the chance
to win an instant prize
5. Entrants can play every day and earn extra goes too!

Launch: 23rd November 2015
End date: 11.59pm 31st December 2015

Good luck to you all!

Disclosure: I received vouchers as a Thank you for spreading the word about this competition and Infacol competition.

Infacol Challenge Game

Advent competitions are starting soon. Cannot wait, my fingers are already twitching in anticipation. I have been entering the advents for many years, and though I haven't won anything spectacular, I usually win a couple of prizes. But with the avalanche of advents, don't forget about the other festive competitions.

Today I wanted to alert you to a Facebook competition run by Infacol, a brand which many parents know well as it's a medication for the treatment of wind, infant colic and griping pain. Apologies for a gratuitous photo of newborn Eddie, but this little guy was a very colicky baby, and Infacol was one of the brands we used, trying to help him.

Have you already discovered the Infacol Challenge Game on Facebook (link removed as expired)?

Infacol is offering fans the chance to WIN some top baby

prizes in their brand new Facebook game!

In a brand new Facebook game, users are invited to take on the Infacol Challenge in

return for BIG prizes from Phil & Teds (worth over £500) and Venture Studies.

Based on a mobile friendly Facebook app, the Infacol Challenge asks users to

navigate there way through two exciting games. The first is the tricky dropper

challenge, which demands that users use the dropper to hit the target. The second

game is a frantic bubble buster where users must tap the bubbles in the baby’s

tummy before the timer is up. Only those who complete the challenge in the set time

of 80 seconds will have a chance of winning.

Terms & Conditions apply.
To enter, all users have to do is:
1. Find Infacol on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Infacol) and “Like” the page
2. Click on the ‘Infacol Challenge’ app
3. Users must then take on Infacol Challenge
4. If the user beats the clock and completes both games in under 80 seconds,
then they will be entered into an instant prize draw!
5. Entrants can play every day and earn extra goes too!
Key dates
Launch: 18th November 2015
End date: 11.59pm 31st December 2015

I have tried the game, but I'm totally rubbish at it. My ancient laptop and a vintage mouse don't do fast. Maybe I could try to have a go with my ipad. I don't have a baby anymore (sob), but one of my friends has recently had the cutest little boy, and I'd love to surprise them with a prize. So, I'll keep trying and keeping my fingers crossed. 
And good luck to you all too!

Win tickets to Grub pop-up restaurant (ends 2 March 2014 NOW CLOSED)

Are you brave and adventurous when it comes to food? Then this competition might be perfect for you!
One of my lucky blog readers has a chance to win two tickets to Grub pop-up restaurant sponsored by Chang Beer for Wednesday 5th March – Saturday 8th March 2014

"Chang Beer is offering one lucky reader the chance to win a pair of tickets to Grub’s first London pop-up next month! Suppliers of premium, edible insects, Grub is bringing tasty and nutritional dishes to British plates. The winner and a friend will be treated to a seven-course experience of traditional Thai dishes with a twist, including Chang tempura grasshoppers, soy-roasted cricket miang wrapped in betel leaf, washed down with a free bottle of Chang Beer, the perfect accompaniment to Asian cuisine.

To enter, just answer the following question:

What does Chang mean in Thai?

Goat
Elephant
Rabbit

Healthy, sustainable and delicious, let Grub convert you to the insect revolution. Grub are leading the way for the next generation of foodies and trend-setters by incorporating insects into flavoursome dishes that not only taste great but also pack a serious protein punch. To try it first hand, visit the Grub pop-up restaurant, sponsored by Chang, which will be taking over Monikers in Hoxton Square for four days, kicking off on Wednesday 5th March 2014. Tantalise your taste buds and come on a journey of discovery with Grub’s insect inspired Thai street food feast – even the most sceptical will be converted.

There will be two seatings each night, 6-8pm and 8:30-10:30pm, and tickets are £36.50 each.

For more information on the pop-up restaurant including how to secure a spot or to buy some quality insects from Grub, visit Grub online

or follow the brand on Twitter @EatGrubOfficial or at EatGrubOfficial on Facebook.

To find out more about Chang Beer visit their webpage Chang beer, or follow ChangBeerUK on Twitter and Instagram".

T&Cs:
One entry per person
Open to the UK residents only.
The competition ends on 2 March at midnight.
The winner will be selected from all entries on Monday morning with the Raffleking, I will email the winner and would need the reply on the same day.
The tickets will be reserved for the winner at the restaurant.
I will pass the details of the winner to the promoter.

Good luck!

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Wow! Lots of brave and adventurous people around!
The winner as chosen by Raffleking is Rebecca U. Well done, Rebecca! Please get in touch with as soon as possible.
Thank you all for taking part and keep an eye on my blog for more giveaways to come.

Denim Blogger Challenge with House of Fraser

Love them or hate them, blogging challenges are a great fun! House of Fraser has challenged bloggers to create an ultimate Denim look by putting together a selection of clothes to go with the Denim. Inspired by the Jazz Age and The Great Gatsby, I have picked a few items to imitate a visually dazzling ensemble.

For my pièce de résistance  I have chosen Ted Baker's Gerrie Deco print Denim. These skinny jeans could be a versatile starting point to create either a festive outift, or a casual look (still pretty chic and alluring).
This seductive True Decadence Deco Sequin Dress is short enough to be worn as a top with the skinny jeans, an absolutely delightful piece. As it is sleeveless, you can easily wear it with Biba Deco Bead Mesh Tipper which is a glorious piece of design, very Gatsbyesque thanks to its heavy embellishment highlights. It screams luxury (and a bit of decadence).
Dapper Office Lucy in the Sky court shoes feature an elegant metal toe detail, and are comfy for any dancing queen, while a Coast Deco necklace would complete this ensemble perfectly.

Biba Deco Illustration print tee is a stylish homage to the roaring 20s. It sports a trendy gold and sliver art deco print on the black background. It will easily transform any casual look into a festive one, and will add a touch of glamour to the Denim look. This is another great top that would look spectacular with the skinny jeans. This is a more casual look.
Accessorize it with a cloche hat, shoes and a fabulous Biba clutch. A timeless classic.
They say, many people watched Downton Abbey for the outfits and hats, and I cannot agree more. I was lusting after those fabulous hats. While browsing House of Fraser, I found it very difficult to limit myself to choosing just one hat. I love hats, can I pick at least two?
Dickins & Jones Embellished Cloche hat is simply marvellous. An an absolute steal at £35. Wear it, and you will look every inch a chic flapper.
Aftershock Lydia Black pointed high heels would look spectacular with this outfit.
Finally, a few more accessories to choose from...

Linea Bow Detail cloche is a less ornate hat of the two I have chosen. But then you can add as much sparkle as you want with the Untold Jade Stud Clutch bag, 1928 Silver Coil bracelet and Coast Deco earrings.

And that's it, I am ready to party.

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This is my entry to Denim Blogger Challenge set by House of Fraser (link removed as expired)

Come Dine with me Russian style

If your idea of a Russian dinner is influenced by the austerity movies or the black and white Garbo film where the Russian officers throw the glasses behind themselves in unison after emptying them (I tried to find that scene on Youtube but couldn't), then your views are far from reality. Would you like to have a glimpse of what it could really be? Let's not just visit any festive dinner. You are invited to a New Year's eve party, or Come Dine with me Russian style.

That's me, in my home town, sitting by an old wooden house (not ours, we lived in an apartment)

The table will be laden and groaning under the variety of dishes on offer. New year's eve party is often a big family celebration, with friends coming and leaving through the night, as they visit as many parties as possible. And everywhere you come, you are expected to eat and drink and be merry.
In the Soviet times aka my childhood and young adulthood, there were three salads which were a must for any festive table, be it a birthday party or a New Year's eve.
These are: an Olivie salad (it is known in the West as the Russian salad, but is actually much nicer), a "seledka pod shuboi" (lit. a herring under the fur coat) and a Vinegret.
Herring under the fur coat is a salad that I remember with fondness though I make it very rarely (my dear husband is not keen on anything pickled or salted). I make my own salted or cured herrings as the marinated herring you can buy here in the delis is just not the same. For the salad you will need the cured herrings, potatoes, onion, apple, carrots, beets and egg with the much loved mayo. If you fancy finding out more about these salads and read the recipes, please follow the links above, they will take you straight to the recipes.
Vinegret is a vegetarian salad made with cooked beets, potatoes, carrots, sauerkraut, apples, pickled gherkins, shallots and peas. Very colourful and full of vitamins.

Herring under the fur coat and Vinegret

Olivie salad, another blast from the past. 
The recipe is attributed to the now obscure French or Belgian chef Olivier who opened a restaurant in Moscow in the 1880s. The original recipe asks for the partridge meat to be one of the ingredients of this salad.
My version is closer to the Soviet-style recipe. From my childhood I recall the days when we went out to friends' party, and the women would be sitting in the kitchen, chopping the ingredients and mixing the salad in the big enamelled wash-basin. This is a very satisfying mix of the cubed turkey meat or ham, with the hard-boiled eggs, cornichons, olives, apples, carrot, potatoes, onion, peas, all smothered with mayo.

Salad Olivie

These salads as well as all the other appetizers are served typically with a shot of ice cold vodka. Put a bottle of Stolichnaya in the freezer for a couple of hours (don't worry, it won't turn into ice due to the high alcohol content). Personally I prefer a glass of champagne. In the Soviet times many Russian families celebrated with a bottle of Sovetksoe champagne, but I have no idea if this brand still exists. I would offer a bottle of Veuve Clicquot or Moet & Chandon if you want to splash.

While the photo of Stolichnaya is my own, the image of the Soviet champagne is taken from a cook book Kulinariya 1955, USSR

The table will be laden with salads and appetizers, all kinds of pickles, pirozhki, and sliced cold meats.

Pickled baby cucumbers and tomatoes

Pirozhki stuffed with mashed potatoes & mushrooms

Blini with cured salmon and soured cream

And if you thought that was all, you'll be wrong. Yes, you might feel stuffed already. There is still a main course to come, but there is no hurry. There is a whole night ahead, with music and TV on. At midnight raise a glass of champagne and toast the New Year. You might want to go out and watch the fireworks in the main square. After a brisk walk in the cold, you might be ready to have the main course.

Don't expect a roast turkey for the main course, it is not very popular in Russia. Instead it will be a roast duck or goose, with beautiful roast apples and stuffing, served with the roast potatoes and other veg.

There is no typical Russian new year's eve dessert as such. Christmas pudding would be almost unheard of, and not particularly fancied either. Every family will have their own favourite cake, fruit and nuts, or open a big box of chocolate to have with a coffee to keep you going until 5 or 7am.
Most likely, you wouldn't want any cake, but wouldn't mind a bit of a refreshing fruit salad.

Often we would add a dollop of ice cream to coffee and make coffee glisse.

Dance through the night with me!


Dress code? I wanted to tease you and invite you to get dressed in the national Russian outfits...

That's me, in my early 20s, in a Russian dress (I was a member of the ethnographic society)

... but please don't worry. Informal cocktail attire would do perfectly well. I have even found a perfect dress for myself, a Slav Tsar dress from a new Verushka collection by White Stuff.

This is my entry to Come Dine with Furniture blogger competition. Hope you are inspired by my extensive menu and would really come and dine with me!

Discovery Instagram competition

Do you love Mexican food? Then you must be familiar with the Discovery range of Mexican food. Are you one of the thousands of foodies who love snapping their kitchen creations and take photos of dishes when they go out for dinner?

Then you will love a new competition.

Discovery is launching a brand new Instagram page!  

Today is officially the first day of the Discovery Instagram competition.

What is this competition about?

"To celebrate the launch of the brand new Discovery Foods Instagram page at the beginning of July, we’re encouraging all you food fanatics to get creative in the kitchen. We’re looking for the most creative uses of Mexican food with great images to share with all our fans.

 

Simply create a delicious and beautifully presented Mexican meal using Discovery Food products and share your photo with us via the Instagram page to be in with a chance of winning one of 10 exciting prizes to the value of £25 every week for 4 weeks!"

  

To make sure Discovery find all entries, please can you include the following quote in your photo caption: 

'My #deliciousdiscovery entry for a chance to win £25 Amazon voucher with @Discoveryfoods'

Good luck! 

You can read all the T&Cs in great detail here.

White Witch Cake

You might have seen my post about the Narnia cooking competition launched by Harper Collins (see Are you a Narnia cooking star? for all the details, terms and conditions).
This is my own creation, a cake inspired by Narnia.

White Witch Cake
Ingredients:

2 large eggs
2 bananas
200g self-raising powder
1 tsp baking powder
200g golden caster sugar
50g butter, unsalted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2tsp cinnamon
2tbsp ground almonds

For the icing
2 tbps cream cheese, low fat
50g icing sugar
30g butter, unsalted
1 tbsp brandy

For the decorations
3 tbsp Dr Oetker Apricot glaze
Dr Oetker Ready to Roll White Icing
Dr Oetker Soft Silver Pearls
Queen Writing Icing
Ready-made merigues (small size)
1tsp of softened butter

1. Preheat the oven to 180C.
Grease the sandwich tins and line with the baking parchment (or use the cake release spray, then you don't need the parchment paper)
2. In a big mixing bowl sift the flour with the baking powder.
3. Mash the ripe bananas with the fork and whisk together with the sugar.
Whisk the egg yolks until the mixture is pale and creamy. Whisk the egg whites in a separate bowl until stiff. Add the eggs to the big bowl with the flour and ground almonds and mix well, adding cinnamon and vanilla extract too. Fold the egg whites in the mixture, using a large wooden spatula.
4. Spoon the mixture into the sandwich tin and smooth the top with the spoon.
5. Bake the cake for about 35-40 minutes or until it feels firm. Using a wooden skewer, check that the cake is done.
6. Leave the cake out for about 10 minutes, then carefully move to the wire cooling rack and leave there until completely cool. Carefully cut into two layers using a thin long knife.
7. Prepare the icing by mixing the cream cheese with the icing sugar in the bowl, then add the softened butter and the brandy, mix until it is smooth and shiny. If the icing is too thick, add another spoonful of brandy.
8. Spread the icing on top of the first layer and sandwich the two layers together.
9. Using a knife, spread the Apricot glaze over the top and sides of the cake.
10. Roll out the Ready to roll icing on a non-stick board to 5mm thickness. Drape the icing over the cake carefully. Use the rolling pin as a support tool to move the icing onto the cake without tearing it. Gently smooth the icing across the top of the cake, using your hands. Be careful not to leave the fingerprints, so don't press to hard. Smooth the icing down towards the base of the cake and trim any excess at the base with the knife.
11. Leave the cake for a day before decorating.
12. Using the writing icing, carefully draw your design. Add the silver pearls at the end.
13. Press each meringue in the softened butter, slightly, just to make it easy for the meringues to hold onto the sides of the cake.