On Affogato and a Heilala Vanilla prize giveaway!

Affogato

Affogato [a-fa-ga-to]: Noun. A delicious beverage comprising a large scoop of premium quality vanilla bean ice cream with a freshly extracted shot of espresso coffee poured over it.

On our travels here and there, Peter and I will often seek out cafes on a quest for good coffee. My caffè of choice is a double shot macchiato with a splash of extra milk. There are times, however, when I'm craving an affogato. More often than not, Peter will order me an affogato, but (dependent on the cafe and our location) there are occasions when he says 'Don't be silly, they're not going to know what that is here!'. My somewhat indignant response to this is usually, 'Well then, I'll explain to them how easy it is to make one.'

The recipe for this exquisite vanilla bean ice cream can be found on the Heilala Vanilla web site. Image courtesy Heilala Vanilla.

Now, I say that to my Peter tongue-in-cheek, but with confidence, because when I managed the fresh produce markets, I taught the owner of the Greek Fish'n'Chip shop how to make a BLT. The fellow was delighted, as the BLT quickly became the bestseller on his menu! Besides, it's not difficult to make an affogato if you have top quality vanilla bean ice cream and fresh, fine quality espresso coffee. And there's a cafe owner or two out there who have included affogato on their repertoire since our visit.

So, how do you prepare an affogato? Nic, expert barista and the NSW State Manager of Toby's Estate, explains that the espresso shot should be poured over the ice cream after its extracted. And that's it! Simple. 

With its creamy vanilla deliciousness melting in flavoursome espresso: affogato is yummy as a beverage, but is also perfect as a simple and delicious dessert, especially when you've made the vanilla bean ice cream from scratch. Of course, you need the best quality vanilla to make the best quality vanilla bean ice cream. Heilala Vanilla has plantations in Tonga and in New Zealand, and the company offers a range of 100% pure, award winning vanilla products to home cooks, chefs and food manufacturers through its online store. In addition to a range of vanilla products, there's a divine selection of vanilla-based recipes on the Heilala Vanilla site, including a recipe for vanilla bean ice cream. 


AND NOW FOR THE FANTASTIC HEILALA VANILLA PRIZE GIVEAWAY!

Thanks to Heilala Vanilla, one lucky reader of Bizzy Lizzy's GOOD THINGS will WIN a Breville smart scoops ice cream maker (wow!) and an exquisite Heilala Vanilla prize pack. A second lucky reader will win a Heilala Vanilla prize pack.

WIN this Breville smart scoops Ice cream maker valued at $399, together with a Heilala Vanilla prize pack valued at $35

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

FIRST PRIZE:       
KATHRYN ELLIOTT - YOU HAVE WON THIS BREVILLE SMART SCOOPS ICE CREAM MACHINE AND A HEILALA VANILLA GIFT PACK~

SECOND PRIZE:
ALEX PRICHARD - YOU HAVE WON A HEILALA VANILLA GIFT PACK

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED THE COMPETITION AND FOR YOUR DELIGHTFUL COMMENTS!

THE PRIZES

1st prize is a Breville smart scoops ice cream maker (valued at $399.00) with a Heilala Vanilla prize pack containing 250ml Heilala Vanilla Syrup and 60ml Heilala Vanilla Paste (valued at $35.00).

2nd prize is a Heilala Vanilla prize pack containing 250ml Heilala Vanilla Syrup and 60ml Heilala Vanilla Paste (valued at $35.00).


HOW TO ENTER AND CONDITIONS

The competition is open to Australian residents only and runs from Friday, 15 February until midnight on Thursday, 28 February 2013. 

To enter the contest, submit a comment on this post and (if you like) tell me about the best vanilla dish you've ever created or eaten and why you'd love to win. Please make sure you enter your email address with your comment, so that I can reach you in the event that you're the winner! And please click  "+1 Do It!" to record your entry via the Rafflecopter below otherwise your entry won't count. 

Opportunities for additional entries:
Share the Vanilla love. Follow me @bizzylizzycooks and @HeilalaVanilla on Twitter (if you aren't already) then RT our competition details for one additional entry. Then 'like' my facebook page and Heilala's page, comment and share on Facebook for one additional entry.  As you complete each task don't forget to click "+1 Do It!" to record your entry via the Rafflecopter below otherwise your entry won't count. (This widget makes it simpler to record all the entries).


DISCLOSURE

Heilala Vanilla has generously sponsored the prizes. I have not been compensated for this post, but am delighted to be able to offer you the opportunity to win. So spread the word, get those entries in and good luck! Thank you Heilala Vanilla. And, thank you, dear readers for supporting Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things.

Fine quality coffee beans from Toby's Estate

Freshly extracted espresso coffee is poured over the scoop of vanilla bean ice cream

A well made affogato is delicious as a beverage, but is also a simple and delicious dessert

Creamy vanilla deliciousness melting in flavoursome espresso coffee

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So, what's the BEST vanilla dish you've created in your kitchen, or the most delicious vanilla dish you've eaten?