So they say big surprises come in small packages. Well, I always say it's the exception that proves the rule.
A couple of weeks ago I got home from work, tired and grumpy, to find a large box addressed to me waiting on the doorstep. I didn't recall ordering anything from Amazon; it wasn't my birthday; and Nick looked a puzzled as I did. Nothing for it but to rip open the box like a kid on Christmas morning. See - I was feeling better already! Removing the cardboard box revealed a rather handsome little pine crate with rattan panels and thick rope handles. Curiouser and curiouser. But once I flipped open the lid, all was revealed. Food!
Usually when I get e-mails offering me things, it's either blue pills promising that "my little cocktail sausage will become a giant weiner!" (ummm, no thanks!), or publicists in the US wanting to know if they can send me further info on an exciting new link exchange (yawn). But a while back, Kellogg's contacted me to ask if I'd like to trial their new range of baked mueslis. I figurred that I am a breakfast fan and a cereal fan, so I said yes and then forgot about it - until the box arrived.
Inside were mini-cartons of each of the four new flavours, plus a rather lovely wooden bowl and a spoon - a nice touch. The cereals are apparently aimed at people (like me) who find traditional muesli a little... too worthy, too much like hard work, if you know what I mean. I'm always more of a crunchy-oat-clusters or granola kinda girl, but after a couple of days I find most of these too sweet (plus they are usually loaded with palm oil and high-fructose corn syrup which I object to). And if I were to eat the incredible granola from Flaneur every morning, I'd be bankrupt by the end of the month!
The things that I liked best about the range were the fact that they contain nothing weirder that bicarbonate of soda - no E-numbers or palm oil or anything; the fact that they are not too sweet; and the delicious toasty flavour and crunch that baking imparts, setting it apart from unbaked mueslis without losing the virtuous bits. I've had a different one for breakfast every day this week and here are my thoughts:
Almond, pecan & cashew - probably the blandest of the four, but with a good crunch and a lot of nuts. Cashews should feature in breakfast cereals more often!! If y like traditional, not-too-fruity muesli, this will be your favourite.
Almond, pecan and raisin - I definitely like a fruity taste to my cereal and the raisins satisfied that, and I like the fact that the almonds are flaked rather than whole. This flvour is probably the closest to the crunchy oat clusters that I usually eat.
Raspberry and cherry - mmmm, getting frutier! This variant contained no nuts but this was more than compensated for by the presence of dried cherries and freeze-dried raspberries. I loved the tartness of the raspberries, as well as their vibrant colour, of course. My second favourite flavour.
Apple & blackcurrant - but my favourite flavour by a country mile was this one. Like all the others, there was the usual tasty matrix of crunchy wholegrain oats, wheat and barley flakes - but this time they had added a shedload of crunchy freeze-dried apple chunks and dried blackcurrants. And cinnamon. Oh my - heaven in a bowl!!
All four of the flavours will be coming to a store near you in April, so do look out for them and give them a whirl.
My latest column is now live on Food24 - please go and have a look!
And while you are at it, please don't forget to nominate me in this year's South African Blog Awards - the deadline is tomorrow. You have to nominate at least three different blogs, and each blog that you nominate may be nominated in as many categories as you like. You also have to supply a valid e-mail address so that they know you are not a robot, and you may only submit one nomination form so think before you nominate! Read the complete rules here and check out Amatomu for some inspiring South African blogs to nominate. And if you click the pic below, you will find that Cooksister has already been filled in for you in the relevant categories! Just nominate two other blogs in the categories of your choice, enter your e-mail and submit. Easy!
Love the crate and the wooden bowl!! Too tantalising though - as I doubt we'll get them here and even if we do they'll have flown all the way and notched up a huge carbon footprint!!
Posted by: Kit | March 13, 2009 at 12:17 PM
The cereal sounds like n excellent addition to the lineup at Kelloggs Jeanne. Gl;ad you had a chance to try it.
Posted by: Bellini Valli | March 13, 2009 at 04:42 PM
That sounds like my kinda breakie in a bowl! Agree with Kit though - we probably won't get it down here south of Africa... sigh...
Posted by: Natalian | March 13, 2009 at 05:54 PM
Wonder if we will get those over here?
Posted by: courtney | March 13, 2009 at 06:35 PM
By nature, I'm not a nature kinda gal, but with a parcel like this, Kellogg's will easily conform me!!!
Posted by: nina | March 14, 2009 at 04:06 AM
How yummy! I really hope they'll release those here!
Posted by: Anne Skoogh | March 15, 2009 at 03:54 PM