An Uncommon Surprise

What a week.

Monday morning brought a construction crew to school to make much needed roofing repairs to our cafeteria.   This meant rerouting student foot traffic, moving employees’ vehicles and dealing with noises from the large machinery and much banging.  (I do have to say that the construction company is super good to work with and made every effort to make this mostly painless.)

I say mostly painless because as I was cautioning a staff member to be extremely careful as we were walking between two buildings where some roof debris had fallen, I had the painful pleasure of stepping smack-dab on a nail.  Of course, I was wearing basically sole-less Yosi Samra shoes.   These shoes are great for the 6000+ steps I walk everyday.   Not so good for muddling around a construction site.

Across the street I went to the clinic for a tetanus shot and then to the main office to fill out embarrassing accident paperwork with questions like “If you experienced a sudden pain, what were you doing when this occurred?”

Duh!  I was stepping on a nail.  (I felt like a dumb-ass.)

All is well now except my arm is still sore from that tetanus shot.

Anywhoo, I got home that evening and found a great surprise on our doorstep.

A box from Uncommon Goods.

Uncommon Goods was a sponsor of the recent #FreshTastyValentines event and every blogger that highlighted the company in a post received a $50 gift certificate.  Score, right?

I had to share what I ordered.

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A Turkish Tastes of the World Cooking Kit and a Very Veggie Spice Collection.

Vanessa Larson put together the Turkish spices and seasoning for the Tastes of the World Cooking Kit. Larson is a bon vivant vagabond that is currently living in Paris.   Some of her favorite recipes are included with the spices including the following:

  • Warm Yogurt Soup with Rice and Chickpeas
  • Spinach and Rice Pilaf with Barberries
  • Eggplant with Bulgur and Pomegranate
  • Veggie Shawarma with Tahini Sauce
  • Spiced Lentils with Chard and Herbed Yogurt

The kit itself contains red bulgur, shawarma seasoning, urfa biber, aleppo pepper, and kokte seasoning. The name of Larson’s company is Saffrons+Kumquats.  I love it!

Turkish Cooking Kit

Turkish Cooking Kit.

I also can’t wait to use these ingredients and highlight her recipes here soon.   I think I am most excited about the Warm Yogurt Soup with Rice and Chickpeas.

The Very Veggie Spice Collection is “small batch crafted” and packaged by Urban Accents.   This box contained a plethora of spices that will come in most handy for the spring and summer months.   It includes “Veggie Roasting” combinations in the following blends:  balsamic & roasted onion, Parmesan Mediterranean, sweet & spicy Moroccan, and Asian curry & honey.  I also received two bottles of corn on the cob seasonings in chili lime and chipotle Parmesan.  Lastly, the box contained a package of sweet & tangy pickling spice.

Very Veggie

Very Veggie Vegetable Lovers Collection.

 

Seriously, I cannot wait for the first carrots so I can use the Asian curry & honey blend.  Or, the first brussels spouts for the balsamic & roasted onion.  Or, the first beets for the sweet & spicy Moroccan.    The possibilities are boggling my mind at this point.

Thanks again to Camilla from Culinary Adventures with Camilla who hosted the whole #FreshTastyValentine event and worked with Uncommon Goods as a sponsor to get us those $50 gift certificates.

Thanks to Uncommon Goods for leaving a package on my doorstep on an otherwise pretty crappy day. (I think we only have a couple more weeks of dodging roofing materials and nails.)

8 comments to An Uncommon Surprise

  • I love a package with my name on it. This sounds like a wonderful one. Sorry to hear about your foot. Ouch!

    • Arm was sorer than the foot. Serves me right for not wearing steel-toed shoes! LOL

      I can’t wait to use these seasonings!

  • mae

    I don’t see how you can blame yourself when a construction company is behaving irresponsibly! I hope there are no consequences from your injury. Enjoy your spices.

    best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

  • Well that sucks, getting a nail in your foot! You did deserve a good great after that. What a COOL little box you had delivered, how much do I want that box of treats ☺️

  • Oh gosh, I’m sorry to hear about that nail! Hopefully it wasn’t too painful and you’re recovering nicely now.
    I love all these spices you received in the mail! Reading the descriptions are making me hungry!