Creamline Food Hamper + Giveaway

Saturday, December 23, 2017
Earlier this week I received an amazing delivery from the super lovely and generous people over at Creamline of so many wonderful fresh fruits and veggies as well as delicious fresh bread, scrumptious cheese, tea, coffee, Christmas goodies and more so thank you! We've been trying everything over the past week or so and I've loved everything so far. As well as the amazing hamper I received, they are also giving away a hamper to one lucky winner but you do have to be based within their delivery area of Greater Manchester or Cheshire to be able to win. You can easily check if they can deliver to you by entering your postcode on their website.

Everything came well packaged and protected and I was surprised by how much food I received as well as the variety as there are so many products to choose from on their website all of which are from local farmers and producers around the north west which is amazing. One of the best things about this website as it means that you are supporting your local, hardworking farmers and producers rather than large chain supermarkets!
Veggies
I received so many vegetables which is perfect as I am a vegetarian! I received asparagus (the cutest little bundle of asparagus), parsnips, kale, lettuce, sweet potatoes and brussel sprouts, the latter is perfect as christmas is all about brussel sprouts! The loose items were packaged so nicely in brown paper bags with a stickers on them not only depicting what is in the bag but how many which I loved! I've already used up the asparagus and most of the brussel sprouts and all of the other veggies will definitely be used up over christmas.

Recipe Ideas: 
For the brussel sprouts, what I have been doing with them is cutting off the bottom, removing a couple of layers of the outer leaves and shedding them relatively finely then frying them with the asparagus and celery. I then add a little sour cream or cream cheese to the veggies then add it all to some cooked giant couscous so it makes a light, healthy and delicious alternative to risotto. Giant couscous is much nicer than 'normal' couscous as it's pretty much just tiny pasta.

For parsnips, I love to make roasted, smoky parsnip fries which are so delicious, moreish and perfect when dipped into sour cream mixed with fresh chives. So all you have to do is cut up your parsnips into cubes or fries, add a little olive oil as well as smoked papkika and roast them until just cooked but still a little firm so you can dip them.

For the kale, I love to use it a few different ways, the first is my favourite and that is simply to put it onto a non-stick baking sheet, spray with a little oil and place it under the grill for a few minutes (you have to watch it carefully), until it is crispy! You can then add herbs, seasonings or add it to a salad, sandwich or use it to top pasta. Also I love to add kale to pesto to bulk it out and add in more greens.
Fruit
I also received a selection of fruit including plums, satsumas (again, a quintessential Christmas food) and an avocado. Avocados are a type of fruit which is a little odd but I personally love them and this one is actually ripe and ready, unlike all of the Tesco ones I've bought which definitely weren't ripe and ready, even a week later!

Recipe Ideas:
For my avocado, everyone knows about avocado on toast but have you tried it with homemade bread and a few twists of lime pepper? Lime pepper is so delicious and it is perfect with avocados. I also love to make an avocado and garlic dip for veggies or as a thicker salad dressing.

For satsumas, you can simply peel and drizzle over a little melted chocolate for a...half healthy christmas sweet treat or you can add it to a salad or smoothie. I love making smoothies for lunch, mainly with just whatever I need to use up but satsumas are great in a pineapple, spinach and orange juice smoothie for a boost of vitamin C during the dull winter days.
Preserves & Yoghurt
I am not really a fan of preserves of any kind but they are a perfect Christmas and winter cupboard staple as everyone else seems to love them on crackers or sandwiches over the festive season and new year. I received something my dad is extremely excited about and it's The Cheshire Cheese Company Old Hag Ale Chutney which he has been eyeing up since I received this wonderful delivery from Creamline. I also received The Mrs Darlington's Cranberry Sauce which came in the cutest jar and it will definitely be used on Christmas Day!

Lastly for this section, I also received three yoghurts from Ann Forshaw's Farmhouse including the blueberry & pomegranate, damson & plum and mango & peach flavours, the latter is the only one I've tried so far but it's so sweet and delicious, I'd definitely recommend this brand.

Recipe Ideas: 
For the yoghurt, this is less of a recipe and more of a serving suggestion. I use yoghurt as a granola or musli topper or for the Christmas season you could add the yoghurt as a layer in a trifle, it could be an addition to a fruit salad or you might be able to freeze it to make yoghurt lollies or a frozen yoghurt dessert.
Cheese
The penultimate category for this mouthwatering post is the best category, cheese! I received a couple of fancy looking cheeses from The Cheshire Cheese Company including the caramelised onion and red wine cheddar and a gin and lemon Cheshire cheese. They both came with coloured wax around them which just reminds me of christmas and they are a great size too at 200g. We've tried both and I personally love both of them; however the caramelised onion and red wine cheese is completely heavenly but everyone seems to love both and I'll be surprised if they'll still be here half way through Christmas Day.

Recipes:
For the cheese, obviously a grilled cheese or cheese toastie would be incredible (I want one now!) but you could also make a fondue to share this Christmas with breadsticks, homemade bread pieces and veggies to dip into the melted cheese. They would both be perfect as more unique additions to a cheese board or they can be crumbled over veggie bakes, pasta bakes or mixed with your brussel spouts to make sure everyone eats them!
Extras: Pasta, Tea & Coffee
Lastly for this post are the extra items I received that include R Tea Co Fruit Burst Tea, Ellanos Italian Blend Ground Coffee and the Garofalo Spaghetti; I adore spaghetti so I can't wait to use it and I'm surprised it's lasted this long without being opened! Tea is the perfect drink for this time of the year as it's soothing, warming and comforting but without the caffeine of coffee or the calories of hot chocolate. I drink mainly green, herbal or mint tea rather than fruity teas but this one is so delicious.

Recipe:
For the spaghetti, obviously there are so many ways you could use spaghetti but for a vegan version of a creamy, comforting Italian classic it's perfect - I use it to make spaghetti carbonara! To make a quick, easy and healthy vegan carbonara, I first peel and cube one courgette and fry in a little olive oil along with lots of garlic and shallots. Once soft, add to a high speed blender (I use my Nutribullet) until it forms a creamy, thick sauce which should only take a minute or so. Cook whatever veggies or vegetarian/vegan meat you want as well as the spaghetti then combine everything with the sauce. I usually keep everything in a larger pan and heat it gently to thicken the sauce over the pasta.

Now onto the giveaway, if you want to win a similar food hamper filled with fresh fruits, veggies and other wonderful extras (minus the christmas products) then all you have to do is enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below - the more entries you fill in, the more of a chance you have of winning! This giveaway is only open to those within the Creamline delivery areas of Greater Manchester and Cheshire so head over to their website and add in your postcode to check! The winner will be announced on the 6th January.


This winner has been contacted - thanks for entering!

Have you entered my giveaway? What do you think of this amazing food hamper from Creamline? Have you bought from Creamline before? 

20 comments

  1. Those cheeses sound amazing - I'm a sucker for a good cheese and smokey ones are usually my fave xo

    Char | www.charslittleblog.co.uk

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  2. Ah there’s loads in there! This looks like such a good idea for a gift x

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  3. I love the sound of how you cook your sprouts x

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  4. I absolutely adore cheese! We're going to make a huge cheese board tomorrow and watch a Christmas film.

    Roxie | thebeautifulbluebird.com

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  5. My friend recently got a Creamline hamper and when I saw the goods I knew I had to enter your competition. For me, I'd want the bacon! 😬

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  6. The Cheese looks incredible! I would love to try it :)

    Erin || MakeErinOver

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  7. Oh my goodness...gin and cheese! Two of my loves combined haha!
    Chantelle x
    Http://www.thegirlinthetartanscarf.com

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  8. This is such a good selection and I love the sound of those cheeses - yummmmm x

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  9. I love cheeses..and I love Gin..perfect combination

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  10. Everything looks so yummy! Especially the cheese x

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  11. Some fruit and vegetables will be great

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  12. This would make such a good Christmas present! The presentation looks great and I love that all the produce is locally sourced. Xx

    Tania | When Tania Talks

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  13. That Cheese sounds amazing, I need some in my life immediately! x

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  14. You received some amazing goodies in the package and I especially love the sound of the cheese! I've just recently started getting into liking cheese so this now sounds perfect to me! xx

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  15. everything looks so good! sounds like a fab hamper

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  16. I'm a cheesy kinda girl! Cheese hampers are my favourite x

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