Hello everyone!
And welcome to the new Feisty Tapas Newsletter.
Feisty Tapas has evolved enormously in the last year, in fact, in some ways it feels like it has a life of its own so I thought it would be good to start compiling information and sending it to your inbox on a regular basis.
My Thermo Cooking UK with Feisty Tapas Facebook Group turned two last month. That's two years of cooking, interaction, engagement, new passions, new friendships and mostly the joy of being told 'your group has changed my life' - something I didn't actually believe until a few months ago when I toured the land when Jo Whitton came on her UK Tour and I started meeting my community more regularly.
I must admit, it's involved many hours, sweat and even tears at times, but I love what I'm doing. I love the opportunity to meet my readers and that they even pop to see me at blogging conferences just because I'm nearby. I love that I'm sent gifts in the post 'just because' - the handmade gifts especially made for me now lovingly grace my home office (as you can imagine they tend to be a tad polka dotty).
Most of all I love my hugely supportive community who not only are there for me through the good and bad times but also for each other. We know who is going through tough times and who has had good news, we can guide each other and we go out of our way to make sure the way we cook suits us, not anyone else's ideology. (Some might say we're pretty Feisty, ahem!)
There's no online life versus real life anymore because they've merged into one - with my tribe now organising local meet-ups and cook-offs. The 'London & Surrounding Areas Dinner Ladies' are now in full swing, which other areas will join next?
To every blogger and company trying to beat the Facebook algorithm, this is where it's all at: Facebook groups. You have to dedicate a lot of time, you have to be good at online engagement and you have to excel at sticking with it when things get tough, but mostly you have to enjoy it. Once you've got those in place, it becomes easy peasy and makes you wish this is what you could do for a living. Warning: it is life-changing though.
I created a second Facebook Group a few months ago, dedicated to Pressure Cooking, and I'm loving it. If you're in the UK and interested in knowing more about this area of the cooking world, have a pressure cooker that needs more use (of any type, I personally use Instant Pot) or fancy getting one and want in on lots of knowledge sharing, join us in the Facebook Group here.
And finally to say thank you...
To all of you, for your support over the last few months while I've not been well. Your support has been incredible and I'm so very grateful.
Now, on to lots of fun!
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Recent Recipes You Might Have Missed...
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Pressure Cooked Lamb Tagine: for this recipe I've taken inspiration from lovely readers and Facebook group members Nic and Amanda, as well as from the Hairy Bikers. Reader Jenny G tested it for me and really enjoyed it, so much so that it now makes a regular appearance on her table. I'm hoping you will love it too. Fancy giving it a go?
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Pip's Perfect Thermomix Porridge For One: The fabulous Pip who helps me out with admin in the Facebook Groups (who I also refer to as my rock) has kindly shared her recipe for the creamiest porridge! It doesn't stick to the bottom of the Thermie bowl and is very easy to make on a sleepy morning. P.S. That's the BBC Good Food magazine on the Readly app on my iPad, if you haven't checked out Readly yet, keep reading for details of a discount (I do like a good offer).
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Delicious Discounts You'll Love
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Instant Pot - Only available until 30th November, if you'd love one for yourself, or to give one away for Christmas, this is your chance!
This is the pressure cooker I have, the Instant Pot or iPot as lots of us call it, and I really do love it. Mine was sent for me to try by the Instant Pot company (thank you!). Don't forget I now run a Pressure Cooking group so there is no chance you won't use your new gadget because, well, you know what I'm like! No gadget worth the money is ever relegated to a cupboard if I have anything to do with it!*
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Readly: a newsstand at your fingertips full of cooking, lifestyle and craft magazines galore. Take a look at the feisty offer here.
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Mia Tui: Use code Therm25 to get 25% off anything on the website. The Mia Tui discount was the discount that led to all other group discounts and the lovely Charlotte, owner of the company and creative genius behind the most organised bags ever, has given us a new higher discount in the run-up to Christmas.
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News From The Groups...
A big thank you to Fairy V for stepping into the Christmas planning helm and getting everyone cooking in both groups. My health hasn't been great in the last few months and she has done a fantastic job. Makes so far include: lime pickle, mango chutney, piccalilli, spiced arancello, chocolate liqueur... The full list with all the recipes will be on the blog very soon, I'll send out another email as soon as it is. For now, click here to go straight to the Christmas makes thread on the Thermo Cooking group.
(A thrifty tip from Fairy V: orange rind for spiced arancello, and rindless oranges as part of stock for ipot Gammon joint!)
Cook-alongs and Cook-offs
Cook-alongs happen in the comfort of your own home. I choose a recipe that we can all try and you make it when you can, then we share our experiences and photos and give feedback. If it turns out that you are making it at the same time as someone else, even better, do it over Skype or FaceTime - it's good to have company in your kitchen!
Cook-offs are in person, the London & Surrounding Areas Dinner Ladies just held another last week.
(Here are some pics of last week's cook-off!)
This week's Cook-off -->
Dumplings - yum! Check the Thermo Cooking group for more details. Fairy Vanessa is in charge of this one so make sure you ask her any questions.
If you're not part of my groups and would like to know more, drop me a line at feistytapas@gmail.com with Feisty Cook-off as the subject.
Be sure to share your photos in the groups and on your social media using the hashtag #feistytapas
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Ways To Support The Feisty Tapas Community...
A huge thank you to all of you who have been supporting the groups by using my Amazon affiliate links and buying Instant Pots*. I also have affiliate links to Lakeland, Just Ingredients and BuyWholeFoodsOnline.co.uk on the right side of my blog.
*Disclaimer: I receive £5 per sale of the Instant Pot using my code.
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Get In Touch
As always, I love to hear from you. What would you like to see in future Feisty newsletters? I always take your feedback on board, and would love to know how I can help you out the most!
Have a gorgeous week, whatever you're cooking!
Maria
xx
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