April 01, 2013

Le Creuset French Oven Giveaway & Easter Bread

Hurrah! It's April and I'm so thrilled to announce my sponsor of the month is, drumroll please.... Le Creuset!! Le Creuset has generously donated one of their gorgeous enamelled cast iron French Ovens in their new seasonal colour: Soleil... and man have we ever needed a little soleil around these parts lately. So if you need a little brightening up in your world too, one lucky Kitchen Vignettes reader is going to receive a very sunny and special delivery at the end of this month, and it could be you! Details on how to enter the draw are below.


I have been drooling over Le Creuset cookware for as long as I can remember. There is just something that makes me feel like all is well in the world when there is a heavy-duty brightly coloured pot of fragrant stew simmering away on my stove. Their outstanding craftsmanship ensures even heat distribution and seals in moisture and flavours. Of course, they aren't cheap, but they are so worth the investment. I was actually lucky enough to get my own two prized Le Creuset wares with my aeroplan points. Forget travel rewards, I'll take Le Creuset over a free flight any day! Their French Ovens are unparalleled for soups and stews and, of course... no-knead bread.

Here is a recap my no-knead bread recipe video, starring a very sunny and well-loved Le Creuset French Oven, and oh, a very fuzzy and well-loved kitty too.



Yesterday, I made a special 'Easter version' of my no-knead bread, with the addition of candied lemon peel, currants, walnuts, and a hint of honey. And I think it just may be the best bread I've ever made. Ever. To get the basic no-knead bread recipe, featured in the video, click here. To get my Easter no-knead bread recipe, scroll below.

Now, to enter the draw to win the lovely 4.3L French Oven (valued at $330), here's what you need to do:

1) Tell a friend or family member about Kitchen Vignettes, and get them to either 'like' my Facebook page, or subscribe to this blog by e-mail (see right-hand sidebar). Both you and your friend will be entered into the draw. 

2) To be eligible for the draw, please leave me a comment below letting me know you and your friend (include their name) have entered the contest. 

3) The more people you introduce, the more ballots you will get. For instance, if you introduce 5 new people, your name will be entered in the draw 5 times.

***This giveaway can only be shipped within Canada or the United States.***

Cut-off time for entering the draw is 5pm Atlantic time, April 30th. I will draw a name at random and announce the winner that evening. Good luck everyone and stay tuned for the May giveaway!



Easter No-Knead Bread

2 cups white unbleached flour
1 cup spelt flour
1/4 tsp instant yeast
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup dried currants
2 tbsp. finely chopped candied lemon peel
1/2 cup walnuts
1 tsp honey
Cornmeal to sprinkle on bottom of French Oven

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, yeast, salt, and add 1 5/8 cup water. Stir together to obtain a sticky dough. Cover the bowl with a lid or plate and allow to sit on your kitchen counter for about 20 hours. 

After more or less 20 hours, your dough should be nice and bubbly. Add in the currants, lemon peel, walnuts, and honey. With your hand (best) or a wooden spoon, mix well for about 2 to 3 minutes. Put the dough back in the bowl and cover. Allow dough to rise for about 2 hours.

Put your lidded French Oven in the oven and preheat to 450 F. Any oven-proof lidded pot will do, but a French Oven will work best. Allow your lidded pot to heat up in the oven for about 15 minutes. Remove and sprinkle cornmeal at the bottom of the piping hot pot. Gently but quickly drop the bread dough down into the pot and immediately place the lid back on. Give the pot a little shake if the dough is unevenly distributed. Return to the hot oven and bake with lid on for 30 minutes. Then turn temperature down to 400, remove the lid, and bake for another 20 minutes or until the loaf is a deep golden brown and has a hard crust. 

Allow your loaf to cool on a rack for at least one FULL hour before slicing into it. Otherwise, the bread may be gummy. After an hour, slice away and enjoy!


90 comments:

  1. If I get two friends to Like you, may I please have your chopping board as well as the French oven?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hahaha, sure, if you get 1 more, I'll throw in my wooden spoon and potato peeler as well!

      Delete
    2. Hi there: two new entries Caroline Pilon (myself) and Cami Prud'Homme Nadelle

      Thanks for doing this!

      Delete
  2. I got two new recruits: Juliet Stevenson and Elly Abramovitch.

    ReplyDelete
  3. And two more! Stella Sehn and Sandra Brunner. At least I think. They liked my plea to sign up on MY FB page at least.

    ReplyDelete
  4. And Kendra Boychuk. Can you tell how much I want this?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jill Campbell-Miller2 April 2013 at 13:28

    Hey Aube, looks like I have stiff competition, but I had my friend Lacey Organ "like" your facebook page. You do such beautiful work! If you are ever get back to Halifax let me know!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Aube,

    Michelle Scrimgeour-Brown, Ann Valentini and Max Ryan have liked your facebook page. Susan Scrimgeour comes via Michelle...

    be on the look out for Terri Jo Tollis and Sharon Gilbert. I'll let you know if my other friends join your fan base xo ange (valentinigirl)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Both Phil Tran and I like you on Facebook! Thanks for the opportunity =)

    ReplyDelete
  8. The bread is in the oven as I write, alas in a normal steel pan (I think I feel the way you do about La Creuset- iron bliss). You got some new likes, from Sabina Marchetti, Anne Sophie Cardinal, Pan Erhardt. And you have compliments too! I love how you came out with this fantastic blog, and I believe in you strongly. Bisoux ♡

    ReplyDelete
  9. Khanh Tran suggested I check out your blog - love the video and your cat

    ReplyDelete
  10. I liked your page on Facebook! I also introduced you to Kelly Kelly and Cheryl Hess, who both liked your Facebook page as well! Great blog!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Liked! Also Brooke van Mossel-Forrester! Thanks for the great videos, they're super inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  12. awesome giveaway, love that yellow color!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Well, I liked your page a while back and just got my partner, Dominic Demers to like it too!

    ReplyDelete
  14. i got 4 friends to like your page. elaine bolduc, julie bolduc, laurie bolduc and carol denny

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow, I LOVE your blog! My sister, Emily Leeson, introduced me to it, and we both liked it on fb. Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I just came across your blog (introduced myself :) and can't wait to make this bread! Also liked it on facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I just liked you on facebook and subscribed so I could get my entry! This is gorgeous! -Katie

    ReplyDelete
  18. My husband Michael and I just liked your page! I love the no knead bread recipes!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm entering because Jenny McGruther just posted your page on Nourished Kitchen. Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I (Megan Massaro) liked you and my friend Emily Van Nort liked you too!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anne Biris and my friend Kathleen Barber like your page!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Vicki Davidson and I both are in! I asked her to follow. :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Awesome giveaway (great fb page too!). I came via Christine Elsdon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sent Hope Burnside-Smith to you FB page:)

      Delete
  24. love your blog, and your give-away!
    i shared with Melissa elsdon earlier

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hello!

    Libby Vervaeke and Laura Vervaeke liked your page!! This is an excellent blog, thank-you!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Aube, Interesting workshops at the market yesterday. Shared your blog with Laura Vervaeke and Alison Vervaeke. PS Loved your felted hat!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi, Merkse Wanderwoodsen and Ruby Crumble in the running for sunny Le Creuset and dreamy future bread baking. Great blog, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi there, Khizer Ashraf and Brian Schwarz like your facebook page - fun blog with great pics! Thank you :-)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Very much liked by Sarah Anderson, and Julian van Mossel-Forrester too.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Leigh and Carol have entered your generous contest........I (Leigh) was introduced to your blog when you were at Hope's Edge Farm.....( I have very dear friends there )..........I am grateful to have discovered your words, pictures and your wonderful videos that always have the perfect music choice.......... I am always exited when a new post appears....!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Excitedly entered by Christine Porcaro and Robyn Baylor!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Also added Adrienne Ball!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Entered Gregory Pratt and myself! I heart Le Creuset and have been drooling over their cookware for a decade!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I've got one :) Morgan schloegl

    ReplyDelete
  35. I like you on facebook as christine hammer weideman and got Autumn Weideman to like you as well! I love Creuset and want one so bad!

    sunnybrookdc1@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I liked, Dana Lindzon, and my mom, Rhoda Lindzon, the ultimate foodie in my life, and my greatest inspiration!!!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I am new myself (subscribed to this box: annazed10 [at] yahoo [dot] com + I like you on facebook as Margot Core), but I'm pretty sure that you don't count me as adding myself.

    So! I got my friend Greg Chisholm (agregc (at) gmail (dot) com) to sign up too. He's actually a better cook than I am.

    Now we're not sure if he's supposed to post too or not! Is he?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Anna, no that's ok, Greg doesn't have to post, he's already entered in the draw, as are you. So long as people let me know who they've entered, then I can keep track, so you're all good to go :-) Thanks so much for the follows and good luck!

      Delete
  38. I have always wanted one of these!
    (Adam Reilly too)

    ReplyDelete
  39. My boyfriend (Ryan Dzoic) and I have just added your email subscription.... We love the blog!!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. monika dzoic and natalie redman have also liked you on Facebook!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Corina fizzard, Kristen Westelaken, brianne Spehar, and Kelly moss liked you on Facebook too !!

    ReplyDelete
  42. love the blog!! and Le Creuset!! Shane Lopes and Doris Jelacic

    ReplyDelete
  43. Josie ngai and Laura Maxfield liked you too

    ReplyDelete
  44. i've reccomended tina maria to like your page! x

    vittoria@the-beautiful-things.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Jaimee McAllister19 April 2013 at 20:42

    Both my mother, and myself have subbed to your blog, and liked you on facebook :)
    slip_of_the_knot666@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jaimee McAllister19 April 2013 at 20:43

      My moms name is Barb McAllister

      Delete
  46. i like you on facebook! name: Tina Maria

    Thanks so much!
    Tina
    shine0914@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Love the blog and can't wait to try some of the recipes.
    I'd be thrilled to win a Le Cruset pot!
    Both my mother in law (MJ Ward) and I (Hilary Tooton) have liked you facebook.
    Thanks very much!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Chuck Wickens, Jenny Perrott, and Emily Blakidis all liked you on Facebook :)

    ReplyDelete
  49. My mother and I subscribed to your blog thank you! Ashleynhotchkiss(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Hi. My husband and I have subscribed to your lovely blog! Thx!

    ReplyDelete
  51. I am a new follower on Facebook (Crystal Schmidt). Also, I got my mother to subscribe to your blog through email (lori54701yahoo)! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Ooh, got my sis too! (she said she subscribed through email with joeykatz15atyahoo)! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  53. I got Steph Vos to like the page

    ReplyDelete
  54. Myself Amanda Wytas-Ackermann and my mother in-law Peggy Ackermann - shared on FB too!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Love the cookware and the colour dose imply spring

    ReplyDelete
  56. I liked your page. And sent over my mom Shelly Rothmeyer

    HarajukuGirl92@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. Beth Lin, Adam Lin, and Susan Ritter - we all liked your page. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Oh and I'm Beth Lin by the way...not sure what I did to make it say anonymous :-)

    ReplyDelete
  59. Sarah Fisher and Melody Hillman liked your page!

    ReplyDelete
  60. Melissa Rose Canaday (me!), Kelly Rose Mukomela and Terry Lynch Soule all liked your facebook page!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Melissa Rose Canaday again...please add Russ Ndg and Sofia Maria Sharpe to the Facebook fan count!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oops...one more for the MRC facebook count: Melissa Boan Wahl.

      Delete
  62. Leigh is adding kevin ...thanks

    ReplyDelete
  63. I liked your page on facebook; I also had Cole register his email address and I registered mine as well!

    ReplyDelete
  64. I liked your page on facebook. Lindsay Cross and I are both in!

    ReplyDelete
  65. I liked your Facebook page and referred my friend Johanna Boydell!

    ReplyDelete
  66. I liked your FB page(Michelle Darensbourg) and I referred it to my friends. I know Varuna Darensbourg 'liked' it too.

    ReplyDelete
  67. My friend Jeanine Jiron Magana just 'liked' your page too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  68. Hey Aube, Colin Proctor and I have now both liked you and would LOVE to win your beautiful Le Creuset and take it on TV with us! www.youtube.com/madewithlovechannel You too - if you are ever out west come cook on the show with us! xo

    ReplyDelete
  69. I and my friend Jennifer Swansburg like you!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  70. Hi --I am subscribed and entered! newkiwi

    ReplyDelete
  71. Your blog looks great, we entered as Little Wholesome and Sarah Hardesty Mitrovic. What a wonderful giveaway.
    littlewholesome.com

    ReplyDelete
  72. 200$ per day and 5,000$+ per month
    http://JobandPay.com/?id=172871

    ReplyDelete
  73. My Friend Laura Hilton Just Liked Your Page.

    ReplyDelete
  74. My friend Nate Barney just subscribed via email to your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  75. My friend Nate Barney just subscribed via email to your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  76. My friend John Fialkowski and I (Rachel Ruth) just entered via facebook and email to your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  77. Hello! Entered on Facebook and email for blog! Laura Demangone, Adylene Muñoz, Alyssa Puckett

    ReplyDelete
  78. My friend Tammi liked your facebook page! :)

    ReplyDelete
  79. My fiancé, Tagan, and I have liked your Facebook page!

    ReplyDelete