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Thanks to all those that have responded so far to my “Plea for a Menu for Hope“ - if you’ve bid or written a post because of it, please make sure you email me (and the link) so that I can say thanks in the form of my blog tips or answering an internet question.

Here are some instructions for use for my Menu for Hope prize (EU 27) Artigianale Basket - some recipes and ideas to use these great products, and then I’m going to highlight a few of my favorite Menu for Hope prizes at the bottom. I hope something takes your fancy!

Some instructions for use for the Menu for Hope Artigianale Basket (code EU27) - you remember what’s in it, don’t you?

Bronte Pistachio Cream and Crema di Mandorla
Similar in consistency and usage, these sweet creams are recommended for everything from spreading on bread to mixing with mascarpone and stuffing in fruit, from sticking inside a crepe to topping ice cream, and you can use them to actually make ice cream, too!

• David Lebovitz’ Pistachio Gelato
• Matcha cupcakes with pistachio cream and totoro “truffles”
• Pistachio Cupcakes with Rose Petal Buttercream

Aceto Balsamico (Balsamic Vinegar) from Modena
I love this vinegar and oil as a dressing (or sometimes just the vinegar!) I also added a few drops to my Roasted Butternut Squash and Tomato Soup.

• Panna Cotta with Strawberries and Balsamic Vinegar
• Ricotta-Mascarpone Mousse with Balsamic Strawberries from Elise at Simply Recipes
• Kalyn has a huge list of her recipes with balsamic vinegar
• Balsamic Fudge Drops from Habeus Brulee
• Cipolline Onions with Proscuitto and Balsamic Vinegar from Cook (almost) Anything At Least Once
• Roasted Balsamic Figs from Cook Sister

White Truffle Oil
The infused oil makes a great garnish and is best added last for full effect. Try this on my Roasted Cauliflower soup!

• Roasted New Potatoes with Caramelized Onions and Truffle Oil from Elise at Simply Recipes
• Cauliflower Soup with White Truffle Oil at Epicurious.com
• Goat Cheese Toasts with Truffle Oil at Food & Wine

Fillets of white tuna under oil
This delicious, white tuna can be used to top a crostini alone, or mixed with some white cannellini beans or homemade Pickled Eggplant and salt and pepper. I would throw this tuna in with my Robiola and Walnut-Chive Pesto Rounds or my Fresh Lemon Pasta.

• Pasta with Tuna, Arugula, and Hot Pepper from Elise at Simply Recipes

3 bars fair trade Modica chocolate
Eaten wonderfully on its own, they suggest that it can also be melted to make hot chocolate. I used a few of these bars to roll my Hazelnut Chocolate Palline in them.

Zibbibo and Fichi d’India jellies
These jellies, while probably a little too exotic for traditional toast and jam situations, are wonderful with cheese or used to make something more exotic like Pannacotta con zibibbo e pistacchi from il cavoletto di bruxelles (sorry, only in Italian).

Nduja “pepperoncino & salame” spread
Probably one of my favorite ingredients in the basket, Nduja is definitely spicy but delicious. Often called “Calabria’s Viagra,” my favorite way of eating it is spread on toasted bread, with a fresh mozzarella ball on the side. You’ll see that the milk in the cheese will tame the spiciness a bit. It can also be mixed in with spaghetti for a spicy meal - Marco has a recipe for Nduja pasta with ricotta - yum!!

These next items don’t need much introduction or instructions for use! They are just plain delicious!

• 5 packs “Cioccolata densa” Hot Chocolate
• 1 half liter (1/2l.) bottle of extra virgin olive oil f
• 1 “Spaghettata” dry herb pasta mix
• 1 tin “Amarelli liquirizia” pure licorice
• Pastiglie Leone in a collector’s tin

So, now you know more about my prize and how to use it! Don’t forget to bid for EU27.

Menu for Hope Prize Picks

Here are some of my picks out of the huge list of prizes this year!! Check out the entire list of Menu for Hope prizes on Chez Pim.

Prizes from Fellow Expats and Bloggers in Italy
I definitely want to recognize all my fellow expats and bloggers in Italy offering prizes - all women! Brave!

• EU02: San Lorenzo Hamper, with specialties from San Lorenzo, Italy, from Il Bog di San Lorenzo (Europe only)
• UK35: Another San Lorenzo Hamper, with specialties from San Lorenzo, Italy, from Kitchen Pantry (UK only)
• EU30: 5 day COOKING WITH FIRE workshop in the the heart of Chianti with Judy Witts Francini of Divina Cucina in Italy along with Kate Hill of French Kitchen Adventures from Divina cucina
• EU19: Cooking lesson in northern Umbria for one, from Think on it
• EU05: Dinner with the blogger Sigrid of Il cavoletto di Bruxelles in Roma
• EU36: Vintage Gourmet vegetarian food for carnivores cookbook, and a gorgeous Christmas box with one of Sandra’s homemade jam from Un tocco di zenzero

Five things I’d love to see under my Christmas tree:

• UE03: A Homesick Texan Care Package of Texas Foods, from the Homesick Texan
• UE13 and UE14A Box of Cookies Homemade by Deb at Smitten Kitchen
• UW06: Best of the Ferry Building” Gift Basket from Married…with Dinner
• UW22 Are you unable to try any of the Tour del Gelato stops? Create your own Gelato Dream Flavor from Gelateria Naia
• UE05 1 Ounce of Saffron Threads, from Jaden’s Steamy Kitchen

Prizes in France

I love France! These prizes are designed to help you have a great trip!

• EU01: Win an Edible Paris custom food itinerary from Rosa Jackson
• EU11: a Foodie week end with French girl Fanny of Foodbeam
• EU08: Have Teatime at La Cocotte from RKhooks
• EU04: Go on a Paris Market Tour and Lunch for Two from umami
• EU22: a Paris food seminar walk for two from Context Travel
• EU24: A lovely food tour of Lyon and a basket full of homemade chocolaty goodies from Chocolat & caetera
• EU07: A signed copy of Clotilde’s upcoming book on Paris: “Clotilde’s Edible Adventures in Paris.” from Chocolate and Zucchini

India and its Delights

Since I’m going to India in three (!!) days, I’m especially interested in these prizes about Indian cuisine:

• UC06: Four Indian cookbooks with spice tin, spices, Indian teas, and assorted dals from Tigers and Strawberries
• UW02: Modern Indian Cooking by Hari Nayak and Vikas Khanna AUTOGRAPHED from Jugabandi Blog
• UK12: The National Association of Indian Women Cookbook from Quick Indian Cooking
• UK23: 2 indian cookbooks (with spice kit) from Spicyandhra
• AP07: A bag of the world’s hottest chillies, homegrown in Nagaland, India from Rambling Spoon
• UC 12: Grains, Greens, and Grated Coconuts, Recipes and Remembrances of a Vegetarian Legacy by Ammini Ramachandran from Indian Food Rocks

Now head over to the FirstGiving page for the Menu for Hope and go crazy!