Foodie Parcels In The Post & Tipple Box Giveaway

Time again for a roundup of the foodie parcels I've been receiving over the last month or so. It's always nice to receive a parcel in the post but even nicer if its edible - or drinkable. Here's what my lovely Postman Adrian has been bringing me of late. He never leaves parcels anywhere stupid, unlike the courier company who shall remain nameless that left my latest TippleBox delivery in the dustbin! 

A rather healthy looking parcel of goodies arrived from Nairn's Oatcakes. Much more than just oatcakes though. Mixed Berries and Dark Chocolate Oat Biscuits and amazingly good Oat Crackers with Sunflower Seeds. These disappeared very quickly. Heavenly topped with cheese. I love oatcakes served up with stovies and beetroot, it's an absolute match made in foodie heaven. They are such a versatile biscuits. My favourite topping has to be avocado mashed up guacamole stylee with a wee bit of lemon juice, black pepper and smoked paprika. My regular companion on BBC Radio Scotland's Kitchen Cafe, chef Mark Greenaway is making an appearance on the Rough Oatcakes boxes. I did tease him that he was only there to keep the mice away. The real story is that he's devised a fantastic range of Oatcake Topping Recipes. You can read about my visit to Restaurant Mark Greenaway earlier this year for a fantastic lunch to celebrate Scottish Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil aka Scotland's Gold.

Keeping with the savoury nibbly theme was a package from Walkers Sunbites which arrived just in time for after school snacks. Of course I had to try them out too just to make sure that they were OK for the kids... These new multigrain snacks come in Pitta Bakes and Crispy Crackers variants. The grains in question are Corn, Wheat and Oats. As a fan of their existing Crispy Snacks I was hopeful that these would be just as good. Before tasting I had high hopes for the Pitta but it was the Crackers that really hit the spot with the lightly salted being my favourite. The on-the-go option of a single serving of crackers and dip in a self contained box worked really well. All Sunbites Snacks are oven baked to give them extra crunch and contain 30% less fat on average than regular crisps. The whole range of products are suitable for vegetarians and contain no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. Sounds like guilt free nibbles to me. 

Such a Sweeet package from Digestive kings McVities. Cuddly toys and chocolate biscuits is surely a winning combination in anyones book. McVities are currently running an on pack promotion to win your own sweeet friend as seen in their oh so cute adverts. There's a one in ten chance to text and win a Chocolate Digestives Kitten, Digestives Puppy, BN Owl or a Jaffa Cakes Tarsier. My son was rather disappointed that we didn't receive a Tarsier as in his 12 year old opinion it is by far the best. Daughter was however happy to give a home to a kitten and a puppy. I honestly don't know how there is room for her to sleep in her bed as it contains so many cuddlies. There's another Sweeet creature just been launched. Have you spotted him yet? AN Alpaca in a library with the Grange Hill theme tune. I understand samples of the new Deli Choc biscuits that it's advertising are currently enroute. Look out for them in next months #foodieparcelsinthepost Alas no cuddly Alpaca toy as yet.

A Totally Chocolate recipe book signed by its author Eric Lanlard, award winning master patissier and international baking star was a lovey treat from the Happy Egg Co. Eric has devised a fab recipe for them to celebrate Easter with both chocolate and free range eggs. Click through for his Peanut Butter & Chocolate Egg Cups recipe. I shall be taking inspiration from Totally Chocolate to use up all the Chocolate remaining after Easter and look forward to decorating and rolling my Hard Boiled Happy Eggs on Easter Sunday.

A lot of my foodie parcels have been rather chocolate heavy of late 'Tis the season for it after all. Alas my daughter has given up both Chocolate and Sweets for Lent so was feeling somewhat left out. Nakd came to the rescue with some of their gluten, wheat and dairy free raw fruit and nut bars. The one which immediately caught her attention was Berry Delight however whilst she started off enthusing about the flavour the texture was not up her street. Her loss was my gain. Gingerbread and Pecan Pie were good but Bakewell Tart was great. Who knew raw fruits and nuts smooshed together could taste so good. I'm now on a mission to seek out the Rhubarb and Custard flavour.

Since the turn of the year a box of cocktails has been arriving in the post on a monthly basis. Yup, you read that correctly. Cocktails by post. What's not to like?! I shared details of Tipple Box back in December when it was launched with the help of Crowdfunding. For £24 a month Tipple Box will deliver a box of craft cocktail ingredients straight to your doorstep. Each box contains two different recipes, with enough ingredients to shake up to 8 glasses worth of cocktails. Just add ice and friends! In my humble opinion this concept beats an organic veggie box scheme hands down. 

I've been really impressed with the quality and variety of premium brands contained within the boxes so far. The miniatures are a great opportunity to try a new drink before splashing out on a full size bottle. Admittedly not all of the Cocktails have been exactly to my taste but I've had a great time making and drinking them none the less and you can always get creative and adapt the recipes to suit. If you fancy yourself as a bit of a Tom Cruise in the Cocktail department FOODIEQ will give you £10 off a box at www.tipplebox.co.uk Discount code is valid until 30/04/15

Tipple Box UK have provided a one off Tipple Box Delivery as a giveaway for readers of Foodie Quine. Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget below. To enter, let me know in a comment "What's your favourite Cocktail?" For additional bonus entries you can follow me and Tipple Box on Twitter, Tweet about the Giveaway or like me on Facebook. Good Luck! But remember that everyone's a winner as FOODIEQ will give you £10 off a box at www.tipplebox.co.uk Discount code is valid until 30/04/15

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure : Thanks to Tipple Box, Nakd, The Happy Egg Co, McVities, Sunbites and Nairn's Oatcakes for providing the above products. I was not obliged to review positively in return. All views expressed are my own. This is not a paid post.

If you're a brand who'd like to have your product featured here, please do get in touch claire@foodiequine.co.uk