I love surprises, and a juicy mystery is always fun. So when the nice FedEx man delivered this box last week, I honestly got all excited! I was invited (or was it challenged?) by Kitchen PLAY and Foods from Chile to accept a shipment of mystery ingredients, all very fine food products that originate in Chile, and create a dish from what I found inside. Who could resist?
Although I already knew that Chile produces some very fine wines, and fruit like blueberries, grapes and plums, I have to admit that I was a little nervous – I had no idea what to expect. I took this wooden crate out of the packing box and I almost felt like I was in an episode of Chopped. Well, you know, except for the fact that I was still in my jammies and Ted Allen was nowhere to be seen. Still!
So what was inside? Here you go:
Click on the image to make it larger!
And man! What a surprise! There was smoked trout! And smoked salmon – that’s right – lox! There were also: Mussels packed in olive oil, fresh grapes, a plum, fresh blueberries, raisins, prunes (do you feel hipper calling them dried plums? fine.), a bottle of blueberry juice, fig chutney with merken (a spicy condiment made of smoked, dried red chili pepper and toasted coriander, ground together), an OXO avocado tool, and a very generous apron (I like very long strings that you can wrap around and tie in the front. No, I don’t work out. Why do you ask?). *Deep breath!* Alas, no wine. But almost as exciting, there was a bottle of extra-virgin olive oil!
Did you know that Consumer Reports named Chilean Olive Oil the best imported olive oil in its September 2012 issue? I’ll bet you were thinking it would be Italy, right? Nope!
So, I have a job for you. And if you play your cards right, there just might be a little sump’n sump’n in it for you, too. Click on over to Kitchen PLAY and give me some ideas of what you think I should make with these great Foods from Chile. Unlike Chopped, you don’t have to include every single item (and frankly, I won’t cry if you skip the fish and mussels, seeing as I’m not a fish/seafood person). If I choose your idea as my inspiration, you’ll win your very own bag of goodies containing Foods from Chile (valued at $30)!
Of course, I love your comments here! But in order for me to consider your idea, you must leave it at this link for Kitchen PLAY. That way, even if I don’t choose yours, one of the other four bloggers participating in this challenge might, and you could still win! So, leave your idea or recipe for a dish made with some of the great ingredients I received in my Mystery Package by 11:59 p.m. on April 25th. On May 7th I’ll unveil the dish inspired by you, and announce my chosen winner and inspiration.
Also on May 7th at 7:00 p.m., we’re having a Twitter party! We’ll be talking about our recipes and you, some of the great foods that come from Chile, and we’ll give away five more gift crates packed with Chilean goodness! Go ahead and reserve your spot at the party here, put on your party hats and thinking caps (for some of you, that’s the same thing), and give me some great ideas!
Ooh I love Chilean food. Make some “Once” (Chilean afternoon tea) platters with the fruit, use the Oxo avocado tool to make some “Palta” (avocado) mashed and seasoned with the olive oil on toast. Add a little seafood spread made with the smoked trout or salmon. Perfect
Great idea, Gabi! Would you please click over to the Kitchen PLAY site & leave your suggestion there, too? Then I can count your idea toward one of our prizes! The link is all over the post. Thanks!