This giveaway is now closed. The winners were Emma F from London, Cheryll Hastie from Peterborough and Sue Lempkowski from Aylesbury.
Three lucky Maison Cupcake readers have the chance to win a copy of Gwyneth Paltrow’s new book Notes From My Kitchen Table which I reviewed yesterday.
There is one mandatory way to enter and several ways to get bonus entries.
This giveaway is only open to readers based in the UK.
The winner will be chosen using an online randomiser and shown at the top of this blog post shortly after the winner has claimed their prize. All being well, this will happen within 28 days – hopefully a lot quicker.
How to Enter
1. Mandatory. Leave me a comment to say what is the most obscure or geeky ingredient you’ve ever cooked with?
2. Second chance to win: subscribe to Maison Cupcake updates by email using this form below and leave a second comment saying you’ve done so.
3. Third chance to win, cut paste and tweet this text exactly as shown in bold – and then leave a third comment saying you’ve done so telling me your Twitter ID:
#WIN Gwyneth Paltrow fab cook book #prize @maisoncupcake https://maisoncupcake.com/giveaway-18/ Pls RT
4. Fourth chance to win “like” the Maison Cupcake facebook page and leave a fourth comment saying you have done so (here, not on FB please but you can write chirpy things there too if you want).
5. Fifth chance to win, leave a fifth comment to say you are following @maisoncupcake on Twitter and tell me your Twitter ID.
N.B. You must leave a further separate comment for each bonus entry otherwise they cannot be selected in the draw.
Heavenly Housewife says
Most obscure/geeky ingredient: white cardamoms.
*kisses* HH
Heavenly Housewife says
And I also tweeted it
Bea Parkin says
Most geeky/obscure ingredient…. radish tops – the bit you normally throw away, I can’t stand waste! http://beafoodlover.blogspot.com/2011/05/glut-of-radishes-try-radish-top-soup.html
Bea Parkin says
And have tweeted 🙂 @BLovesFood
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
Most geeky?
Probably epsom salts that I use to coagulate home made soy milk to make tofu.
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
tweeted
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
I (or Fuss Free Flavours) likes your FB page
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
I also follow you on twitter
Emma says
A while back I procured some pure MSG and tested cooking meat with it – I was so curious to see what effect it would have when used as an ingredient in normal homecooking. I also tasted it on its own – very bizarre. No flavour at all but it is true Umami, in that suddenly your mouth starts salivating as though you’d just eaten some prime steak!
Emma says
I just tried to subscribe to the feed but it keeps just saying (& I’ve tried several email addresses)….
“Please specify a valid email address. [5]…
Email Address Problem
There is an issue with your email address.
Please specify a valid email address. [5]
Please go back and fix the problem, or log in if you have an existing FeedBlitz account.”
Jen - Domestic Angel of the North says
Same here.
Emma says
Tweeted! (@FoodieEmma)
Emma says
“Liked’ on Facebook (Emma Franklin)
Emma says
Already follow you on twitter (@FoodieEmma)
Helen says
I think my geeky ingredient is glycerine – used to make Delia’s royal icing.
Hatti says
soy cream cheese? first time round we bought sheese, crazy cheddar style soy thing, not good. Also actual liquorice sticks to try and get the juice from them…
Thelittleloaf says
I once baked flapjacks for my fitness fanatic boyfriend using protein powder-actually quite tasty!
FionaLynne Edwards says
I once bought Bouquet Garni for a recipe. It’s sat in the cupboard ever since, used once!
FionaLynne Edwards says
I’ve tweeted your tweet @feefeegabor
FionaLynne Edwards says
I already like you on Facebook – Fee Edwards MSE
FionaLynne Edwards says
I follow you on twitter too @feefeegabor
Joanne says
bulls testicles, they didn’t taste too bad considering! @Runnerduck22
Joanne says
HAVE TWEETED @Runnerduck22
Joanne says
Am following on twitter @Runnerduck22
Joanne says
LIKE YOU ON Facebook Runnerduck mse
Mikki says
The most obscure ingredient I have cooked with is gizzards. They make a wonderful salad. 🙂
Mikki says
I am a fan of Maison Cupcake on Facebook!!
kerry robertson says
The most geek thing I use when cooking is garlic. I must try and use it in everything! Have.also signed up
Jen - Domestic Angel of the North says
My obscurest ingredients are either black cardamons (saw them in a Chinese shop and bought them as I’d never seem them before – thankfully I found a recipe to use them in!), or salted fermented black beans (I try and buy some everytime I go to the Chinese Warehouse to make chicken and black bean stirfry, but they didn’t have any for months!)
Jen - Domestic Angel of the North says
I have RT’d the tweet – @JennyStout
Jen - Domestic Angel of the North says
I have liked you on FB
Jen - Domestic Angel of the North says
I am already following you on Twitter – @JennyStout
Karen Scammell says
Home grown yellow pak choi
Meighan @ Cooking With Abandon says
Most geeky? Hmmm. I had a spell where I tried to put ground flaxseed into *everything*. Didn’t work so well.
layla fletcher says
Following on Twitter as @laylafletcher
Cannot subscribe to newsletter as it wont accept my email address
Like on FB
And my food is soy sauce, I use it on everything
Emma @ Mummy Musings says
Hmm, cardamon pods? They’re horrid to eat but I simply can’t make a curry without them!
Emma @ Mummy Musings says
Already ‘like’ you on facebook
Emma @ Mummy Musings says
Follow you on twitter as @B4kersgirl
Helen Boys says
cornichons (tiny pickled gherkins)
Helen Boys says
Have subscribed to newsletter
Helen Boys says
Already like the facebook page
Cheryll H says
Out of date dessicated coconut! I’m not going to let you know HOW out of date *blush*
@pipersky1
Cheryll H says
Have tweeted @pipersky1
Cheryll H says
Following on Twitter @pipersky1
Cheryll H says
‘Liked’ on FB @pipersky1
Gemma Harrison says
gum tragacanth – when making my own sugar paste.
Deer Baby says
Confit de petales de rose. Not really geeky but definitely obscure.
Your email subscription doesn’t like me!
Georgina Ball says
I put Rose Water in homemade rice pudding once, the recipe asked for ONE drop. I thought ‘nah, that can’t be enough’, so put in about six, it tasted WAY too strong so one probably would have been enough.
Georgina Ball says
Like on FB – Georg Ball
Georgina Ball says
Tweeted – GeorgeBee69
Georgina Ball says
Follow on twitter – GeorgeBee69
Karen Lancaster says
My most obscure item is truffle oil…but I am truly addicted. Great on aspargus and in mashed potatoes…even a little added to butter when you sautee mushrooms
tweeting @karenL109 & following
also following on FB
tried to sign up to newsetter but it won’t let me:)will try again after I post this..
Julia says
The most obscure ingredient I have ever cooked with …. hmmmmm ….. probabaly Ladies Fingers !
Julia says
have tweeted @wannabefoodie76
Julia says
I already like you on FB bith as Julia England & A wannabe Foodie
Julia says
I follow you on twitter @wannabefoodie76
Julia says
Have tried to subscribe but it won’t accept my email address 🙁
Ashleigh says
mine would be saffron
Ashleigh says
i have tweeted as @ashlallan
Vanessa Cox says
My most obscure ingredient would be one of the French cheeses from Corsica where you have to scoop the maggots on top…apart from that it’s delicious 😉
Vanessa Cox says
I have tweeted the link
@CoxeeFoxy
Vanessa Cox says
I have signed up to the newsletter 🙂
Vanessa Cox says
I already like the Facebook page.
Vanessa Cox says
I’m already following @MaisonCupcake on Twitter
@CoxeeFoxy
Phil Darling says
My most obscure ingredient would have to be….Lard
Vickii says
Hmmm my obscure ingredient would have to be pumpkin puree. Thank God for Waitrose, it’s not such an obscure addition to my baking anymore 🙂
Pat R says
I wanted to make a calamari dish. I purchased squid that needed to be cleaned and deinked…….what a mess. I never tried this again!
ANNE TIERNAN says
pigs cheeks
Sarah says
Probably wattleseeds for me; lovely in biscuits, or pomegranate molasses.
Sarah says
I already follow you on Twitter @ScrumptiousSal
Sarah says
And I’ve RT’d @ScrumptiousSal, too!
Hilary says
Phew, I didn’t miss it. Seriously, I don’t use obscure ingredients. I am going to have to think about this for a few minutes… um… oh, I’ve got it! It was that umami paste that Waitrose started stocking last year. No. 5 I think it’s called.
Nancy Bradford says
I helped cook brains and eggs once. I have to say it wasn’t wonderful.
Laura Pritchard says
Azuki beans
carole says
saffron
following and liked too
Jo Young says
Haggis – Yuck
David Young says
I tried to sign up but it wouldn’t accept my gmail email 🙁
Jo Young says
Tweeted @BoostieBoo
BTW the post above is me too, it wouldn’t accept my email so I tried hubbies and his details were still on the reply form when I posted – whoops!
Jo Young says
Follow you on FB – JoJo Young
Jo Young says
I follow you on Twitter – @BoostieBoo
laura stewart says
have facebook page please enter me
deborah davies says
snails from the garden. yuck unsuprisingly nonone in the family was brave enough to try them.
Peak says
Millet. I’m still not sure what to do with it but it’s supposed to be good for you.
Rach says
peri peri spice. Obscure when you think I was brought up that seasoning was salt and pepper.
Rach says
Have tweeted @captainsunflow
Rach says
Am following you on twitter @captainsunflow
helena haddock says
Squid, horrible stuff
Chris Bay says
The most obscure ingredient I’ve cooked with is probably pigs trotters. Not that obscure, granted, but it was certainly new for me.
Sarah Cooper says
mirin
Christine Johnson says
Tripe had to make it for a relative, did not have a clue how to cook it, he ended up dipping it in his cup of tea, Gross
Christina Massue says
Would have to be saffron
vicky haddock says
Mussels, horrible things
cathyj says
black pudding yuck!
@_cathyj_
sandi says
Most obscure ingredient I have cooked with is black salsify
peter says
saffron brought back from India
Kelly Koya says
Ooh lots of things, I’ll try just about anything once.
I still have a bag of frozen frogs legs in the freezer I need to cook for my 6 year old, who insisted he wanted a whole bag just for him. He loves them cooked chinese style. And escargot of course, though that will be jsut for meee!
Indian drumsticks (long green vegetable) which is really tough on the outside, but you scrape out the middle with your teeth!
Ostrich, venison, wild boar, rabbit, oh and reindeer burgers for last xmas eve – told the kids we were eating Rudolf 😉
Kelly Koya says
Am follwoing on facebook, those macaroons look lovely!
Have recently become more interested in baking (I’m normally a savoury person!) and working my way through the HUmmingbird bakery book.
Kelly Koya says
follwing on twitter @kellykoya 🙂
Samy says
Not unusual but i add wholegrain mustard to every dish! i cant get enough of the stuff
Samy says
newsletter will not accept my hotmail address either 🙁
Samy says
already following on facebook
Samy says
tweeted @lillyfer85
Samy says
following on twitter @lillyfer85
Emma Cooper says
I had to use chocolate essence for a Mississippi Mud Pie I make recently, its really difficult to get in the UK!
Emma Cooper says
Have liked the Maison Cupcake facebook page. :]
Emma Cooper says
Following on twitter, @emmacooper
Haydee Bell says
Rosehips are strange, the are prickly inside and can make ur skin itch like itching powder when raw! Rosehip syrup is just delicous as a cordial or as an ice cream topping!
Maya Russell says
I’ve cooked Lady Fingers or Okra and found them really hard to find here. Bit slimy too but delicious!
Maya Russell says
Subscribed to the e-newsletter already.
Maya Russell says
Have tweeted @maisietoo
Maya Russell says
Have already liked the FB page.
Maya Russell says
Follower on Twitter @maisietoo
Kelly says
The most obscure ingredient I’ve cooked with is probably Kudzu
Kelly says
Have re-tweeted on Twitter @953am
Kelly says
Liked Maison Cupcake on Facebook
Kelly says
I’m following Maison Cupcake on Twitter @953am
SUSAN HALL says
These days its very common but when i was younger and a nanny for a rather well to do family i was very surprised when i was shown how to cook partridge for the first time – and still love it now.
Stephanie says
rosewater
Angie says
Tamarind
Angie says
I’ve tweeted @angiehoggett
Angie says
already like on FB
Angie says
already follow on twitter @angiehoggett
Joseph Jones says
Tamarind very ocscure ingredient
Joseph Jones says
subscribed to Maison Cupcake
Laura says
Squid, my work surfaces are still stained!!
Laura says
Signed up to your mailing list
Laura says
Tweeted the link to the competition
Laura says
I have liked you on facebook
Laura says
I am following you on twitter @napkinface
Janet says
Pumpkins from my garden produced seemingly endless puree – for use in cakes and savoury dishes. Also surprisingly found white puffballs in my garden. They appeared out of the blue and made wonderful soups!
natalie holland says
The most geeky ingredient? There have been many – but probably kombu. It’s a key ingredient in Dashi stock, used in japanese cooking. I am very big on japanese food and have tried to make it as authentic as possible 🙂
natalie holland says
I already subscribe to your newsletter. 🙂
natalie holland says
I have tweeted about your giveaway @fairydustwing
natalie holland says
I already like you on facebook (natalie holland)
natalie holland says
I already follow you on twitter @fairydustwing
Sue Lempkowski says
Obscure item – a boring one but shrimp paste
Joanna Sawka says
The most geeky ingredient – a mouse. I have no idea how the hell it happened.
Joanna Sawka says
tweeted @joanna_kow
Joanna Sawka says
following on FB
Joanna Sawka says
following on twitter @joanna_kow
Catherine Gregory says
I have used mealworms before, yes really. Made my friend some lollies with them as she loves them (yuck lol)
Catherine Gregory says
Have tweeted @Cat1980uk
Erica Price says
Winter savory – a herb from my garden. OK but not very exciting was the verdict.
Erica Price says
Tweeted @ericahughes
Erica Price says
Following you on twitter @ericahughes
Erica Price says
Liked on fb
Andy Craig says
Geekiest ingredient? Squid Ink – not sure I’ll use it again!
Andy Craig says
Have subscribed to the newletter
Andy Craig says
And am following on twitter @Putters_delight
Shufflette says
Star Anise
Jules says
Most obscure ingredient? Possibly fresh violet heads.
Jules says
And I follow you on twitter @domesticjules
Jayne says
Palestinian Za’atar or Jamaican pimentos would be my geeky ones.
Jayne says
Tweeted
Jayne says
Think I subscribed- had problems getting my email recognised!