This is a sponsored post for Woolworths
I’m a bit of a cooking show connoisseur, truth be told, and I actually very seriously considered entering Recipe To Riches back when they did a call-out for contestants. I spent a little while trying to figure out what I could make a huge batch of that would sell well, but had to bow out at the last minute, as I wasn’t sure I could juggle that with a newborn Pepper. I still don’t know what I would have made! Pepper’s pretty edible though.
Last night I got to watch three contestants battle it out on the show, each with a unique version of a popular product. Straight off the bat, Leo Panetta and his chimi churri sauce had my vote – anyone with the good sense to listen to NOFX had to be worthy! Despite the fact I wrote his name down as LEON Panetta (who was actually the US Secretary of Defense and the Director of the CIA), proving once again that my love of American politics has overtaken my brain.
After brief confusion as to whether coriander is actually continental parsley (hot tip – it’s NOT), my poor punk buddy was let go. His chimi churri was too lemony, sadly. And his pronunciation of “oregano” was making me think of the movie Heathers (although that is a Good Thing).
It was tough to choose who from the remaining two to back, (Nillawan the software engineer nearly had my vote, because NERD GIRLS UNITE!), but Manju and her threatening rolling pin was hilarious. I liked her gumption. I secondly liked the sound of her samosas. I thirdly liked how she had a flash mob at her product launch, although for half a second there before I knew what was going on, I thought the chick in the pink shirt sprinting over was actually going to crash tackle her or something – girlfriend was agile.
Now, can we talk about the samosas? OH MY GOD, THE SAMOSAS. I trotted off to Woolies the next morning to buy a packet (briefly getting lost because I couldn’t see through the misty glass in the freezer section), and took them home to try. They took longer than the 15 minutes stated on the packet, but boy were they worth the wait. Flaky, golden pastry and a flavoursome, spicy filling – exactly what you want when you grab something from the freezer. I also liked that it was written on the box that they were suitable for vegetarians. Very helpful.
I even got a second packet for Pepper’s party this weekend, but they’re a bit spicy for kids. I, however, will give them a good home.
Looking at the filling after getting over the joy of the first bite was even better – straight up you see actual spice, potato chunks and peas. They’re full of chana masala, garam masala, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, chilli flakes and curry leaves. They are divine.
I’m also going to be giving a rundown of next week’s episode, which I’m very excited about – one of the products looked like some kind of caramel sauce, and if that wins I will be very happy indeed! Tune in Tuesday at 7.30 on Channel 10 to find out. And until then, grab yourself a box or two of Manju’s authentic vegetable samosas at your local Woolies. They’re only there for a week!
Teresa says
September 19, 2013 at 7:59 amI love that you’re reviewing these! I admit to being a bit of a cooking show addict too and love the look of these vege samosas. Unfortunately, they’re not available in my wee country Woolies so I’ll cross my fingers they make the cut and become available nation-wide!
Veggie Mama says
September 19, 2013 at 10:05 amI really, REALLY like reading reviews of things, I like people to go before me and tell me what it’s like so I know if it’s worth the bother! I’m so lazy. In this case, I was happy to take one for the team, because samosas.
Suzie says
October 1, 2013 at 7:51 pmGot these for the footy grand final over the weekend , very yummy and spicy.The next day we got the tummy rumbles the next day, thought i was back in Thailand , but It most likely was the amount of wine I consumed with them ,Great Blog by the way .I don’t have any kids living at home , but I do have a new and first Grandchild ,you have lots of great recipes I can whip up for her when she visits.
Veggie Mama says
October 2, 2013 at 7:38 pmWell thank you! I’m pleased you like the recipes – they’re a lot of fun to make!
HypnobirthingBrisbane says
September 19, 2013 at 9:01 amI immeadilately
MotherDownUnder says
September 19, 2013 at 9:02 amI immediately thought of pancetta…cured meats on the brain!
I love a good samosa…I will look for these next time I am in Woolies.
And PS I hope Pepper has the best first birthday! Wasn’t she just born three weeks go?
Veggie Mama says
September 19, 2013 at 10:04 amYou will see her before she turns one! You can try the samosas at the party, but you will want to stock up after you’ve tried them. Honestly, what does that whole Panetta thing say about me?! I need to get out more…
MotherDownUnder says
September 19, 2013 at 12:38 pmWe can’t make it to the party! I have to be at uni all day! Poo!
I am sure it will be a great day…I hope that all of Pepper’s birthday wishes come true!
Veggie Mama says
September 19, 2013 at 1:54 pmNooooo! You will miss the jumping castle!
Chelsea Sutherland says
September 19, 2013 at 9:17 amI was so surprised by how good the Recipes to Riches recipes have been! That Chilli Con Carne from a couple of weeks ago has been my favourite and I have a stockpile in my freezer where I’ve been stalking Woolies and snapping up the last of the stock if any are a bit slow to take them off the shelves. I know you’re not a meat eater but they were similar to the samosas – you could see the real ingredients – the spices and veggies. If you didn’t serve it in the little plastic tray it came in, you could probably pass it off as homemade it was that good. (/end gushing, haha).
Veggie Mama says
September 19, 2013 at 10:02 amI saw someone else post about it recently and they were gushing too! I think it’s such a game changer when the flavour is still intact after all it has to go through to be sold commercially. I saw an actual fennel seed, and was all ‘OMG WINNING!’ haha. I also wanted to try the chili sauce from last week but was too late 🙁
Cate says
September 19, 2013 at 9:38 amInteresting, I like the look of them as they don’t look greasy-the main thing that puts me off Samosas from indian restaurants. And I make my own kasundi (and chimichurri) so I have plenty of dipping sauces!
Veggie Mama says
September 19, 2013 at 10:01 amOh that’s the first thing I thought too! because they’re not deep-fried, I guess. They’re just crunchy and good without being oily. I had mine with mango chutney, but feel free to send some of your sauces my way!
Naomi_Not Just A Mummy says
September 19, 2013 at 9:46 amMmmmm I was tempted to give these a whirl after the episode. I definitely thought Manju for the win.. The Exo sauce was a bit confusing (I kept calling it OXO sauce which made me think of a sauce made of crushed up Oxo cubes.. not delicious). I’m thinking the toddler might like these.. Or if he doesn’t, I’m happy to clean up the leftovers.
Veggie Mama says
September 19, 2013 at 10:00 amhaha that’s what I thought too when you said OXO sauce! Do they even still sell those bad boys? They are pretty spicy, but if your toddler is into that sort of thing, then party on!
Nikki | Styling You says
September 19, 2013 at 11:38 amI loved all the products this week … the trick is getting those mass quantities happening, isn’t it? Love this show. The opportunity for grass-roots home chefs is even greater than Masterchef as you’re producing a product that so many people can buy.
Veggie Mama says
September 19, 2013 at 8:24 pmI think it’s sort of more accessible for the everyday person to win this one. Maybe I should have entered!
ne says
September 19, 2013 at 2:56 pmI’d have to disagree. I tried the samosas last night and I was really dissapointed. The pastry was quite good, but not the filling. The spice/herbs are too overpowering we have trouble finishing the whole lot (and we are asians who eat curry/herbs/spices on a weekly basis! :P)
The samosas are so-so, I’ve definately had better.
Veggie Mama says
September 19, 2013 at 8:23 pmI ate half a box! I thought it was great, considering the bland fare that usually comes from a frozen food. But everyone’s tastes are different, not everyone is going to love them 🙂 were you hoping for an XO sauce win?
Kelley @ magnetoboldtoo says
September 19, 2013 at 7:59 pmI saw these today at Woolies. Surprisingly ALL the other products were still available too. Boxes and boxes of em.
Whatevz.
Might give em a go, along with the croquette thingies. No one makes chiili as good as me of course so wont be bothering with that.
Veggie Mama says
September 19, 2013 at 8:20 pmGet me some of that smoked chilli sauce wouldja? Xx
Erin says
September 20, 2013 at 12:58 pmIn a case of crazy coincidence, I am actually eating some of those samosas right now! They are quite tasty for a freezer product, and I also like that they aren’t oily. A bit of chutney would not go astray though, unfortunately I am all out. I also really like the croquettes from the first week, this probably won’t sound appealing to a lot of people, but they tasted just like a grown up version of cheese and bacon balls. Yum.
Veggie Mama says
September 20, 2013 at 1:20 pmHaha that sounds pretty awesome to me! I was clever, and bought a jar of mango chutney as I was buying the samosas! Although I did think they were pretty good on their own.
Lisa Mckenzie says
September 20, 2013 at 1:19 pmThey look very nice I will try them ,thanks for the heads up Stacey and enjoy Pepper’s party x
Veggie Mama says
September 20, 2013 at 1:19 pmI’m just making the decorations now! So excited 🙂
SlapdashMama says
September 30, 2013 at 4:14 pmThey look really good! Well done Manju!
Veggie Mama says
October 2, 2013 at 7:38 pmShe’s a clever clogs.