KEY POINTS:
If you love garlic , you'll want to try the Garlic Zoom. It looks more like a child's toy than a kitchen utensil, but simply drop your peeled garlic cloves in and the stainless steel blades will chop it into perfect chunks. And, best of all, you won't
get smelly fingers. $19.99. Ph 0800 655 269 for your nearest stockist.
Hot Stuff
If you like good, healthy food and work in the inner city you'll already know Toss - The Salad People. They've just introduced a range of hot soups and for those cold, rainy days when you don't want to leave your desk, they'll deliver! Five flavours from the menu of 25 soups available daily. Think Kumara & Bacon, Chicken & Sweetcorn, Pumpkin & Coconut Cream. Toss is at 50 High St in the City and 146 K Rd. To order, phone 0800 70 7055 or go to www.toss.co.nz
What a Tonic
Apple cider vinegar is an old-fashioned health tonic that has been used for hundreds of years. We can't get enough of Waihi Bush's certified organic version. Use it to enrich sauces, dressings, marinades and for pickling. $7.65 for 500ml from good food stores.
Bag A Bargain
Get along to Soljans Estate Winery in Kumeu before the end of this weekend, taste some free mulled wine, eat at the cafe and make the most of their annual Winter Wine Fair. You'll get 15 per cent off cases, under-$10 bargains, and they've discounted their award-winning Founders 10-year-old Tawny Port. Cheers to that! Pinot MagicFans of Central Otago wines will be delighted to try this new Pinot Noir Jelly from Provisions Central Otago. Made simply from pinot noir grapes, sugar and water it is light in texture and full in flavour. Serve with rare roast beef, on venison steaks or use as a marinade. $11.50 from Farro Foods.
Coffee Giveaway
For those who like to plunge and to filter, life has become a whole lot easier. Robert Harris has just released a new Multi-Grind coffee which can be prepared either in a plunger or filter machine. To celebrate, we have a prize pack worth $300 for one lucky Viva reader, consisting of 12 packs of Multi-Grind coffee, a Bodum plunger and a set of six Robert Harris cafe cups and saucers. To enter, write your name, address and phone number on an envelope and send it to Robert Harris Competition, Viva, New Zealand Herald, PO Box 3290, Auckland. Entries close July 23, winners announced July 30.
Win Tickets to the Food Show
The countdown has begun for one of the biggest foodie events of the year - The Food Show - which runs from July 31 to August 3 at the ASB Showgrounds. Along with an incredible amount of new products and cooking classes with top local chefs, there will be appearances by top celebrity chefs Gabriel Gate and Peter Gordon (pictured). For more information go to www.foodshow.co.nz or, to go in the draw to win one of five double passes to the event, write your name, address and phone number on an envelope and send it to The Food Show Competition, Viva, New Zealand Herald, PO Box 3290, Auckland. Entries close July 23, winners announced July 30.