Photo by Postmark Chef
UPDATE: The winner of the Postmark Chef recipe kit is…WENDY from Healthier Kitchen. Congratulations Wendy!
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I’ve never yearned to see my name in lights. Yet, I still remember the first byline I ever had as a newspaper reporter (it was atop a short article about the high pollen count in central New Jersey one long-ago spring). And I have to admit that it still gives me a thrill when I look on a bookstore shelf and see one of my books peering back at me.
I feel the same way about this next bit of news I have to share. My friend Nalini Sekhri Martinez creates gourmet recipe kits for home cooks. The kits, which she sells through her online company, Postmark Chef, are designed to help busy people put a great meal on the table. Over the past couple of years, Nalini has worked with some wonderfully talented chefs to turn their recipes into kits; among them, Chef Michel Richard of Citronelle, in D.C.; chef-turned-Washington Post columnist David Hagedorn; and cookbook author and spice maven Monica Bhide.
Nalini and I have been working together to design a Domenica Cooks menu kit featuring some of my favorite recipes, and I’m happy to say that the three-course Italian Citrus and Caramelized Pork Dinner has made its debut. The kit, which you can purchase online here, contains all of the pre-measured, best-quality non-perishable ingredients required to make a gourmet dinner. It also contains a shopping list of perishables to purchase (meat and produce, for example) and detailed cooking instructions and photos. You can also get links to instructional videos and tips.
Here’s what’s on the menu, with descriptions from Postmark Chef’s web site:
Salad: Arugula, Endive and Orange Salad
A bright, citrusy dressing is drizzled over a salad of crisp endive, tangy arugula and refreshing orange segments. The dressing includes cava wine vinegar, some old fashioned seed style mustard and a fragrant orange honey.
Entrée: Balsamic and Marmalade Caramelized Pork Tenderloin on a Bed of Herbed Farro
Pork tenderloin is glazed with a sweet, citrus sauce of orange marmalade and aged balsamic vinegar which is served over a bed of herbed farro. The pork is marinated in wine and balsamic vinegar to give the flavor extra depth. This dish includes ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil from Italy, the chef-favorite Maldon sea salt, and organic lemon zest and rosemary.
Dessert: Grilled Nectarines With Fragrant Honey Served over Ice-cream
A classic and elegant preparation of grilled seasonal fruit (such as nectarines, peaches or pineapples) with a mixture of orange honey and crushed organic aniseed.
I love Nalini’s entrepreneurial spirit, and I’m honored that she asked me to work with her on this kit. To help her launch it, I’m announcing…
drumroll, please…
A DISCOUNT AND GIVEAWAY:
Postmark Chef is offering a 15 percent discount on all of its kits, valid until May 7. Just enter the code DomenicaCooks in the coupon box during check out.
And, here on my site, I will be giving away a kit to one hungry reader (U.S.-based, please). To enter, simply leave a comment below. It can be a comment about home cooking, Italian cooking, or even seeing your name in lights. Anything, really. A winner will be chosen at random on March 14—and by that I mean one of my kids will pull a name out of a bowl.
If you do try out the kit, Nalini and I would love your feedback. Thanks, and Buon Appetito!
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
Hard to tell from your narrative what the kit includes and what needs to be purchased.
Hi Margo,
Thanks for writing. The kit includes anything that is not perishable. In the case of the pork tenderloin, for example, that means orange marmalade, good balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sea salt, lemon zest, and rosemary. The meat needs to be purchased.
Congratulazioni!! Bravissima! Or in California-ese, “This is one cool idea.” Oh my, but I am so pleased to hear your news, and I am anxious to share my unadulterated excitement with you. I love seeing women with entrepreneurial spirit put their ideas to work, and how lovely that you are participating in this venture. This is a bit of a risk – in that it is a new direction for you, and I would like to acknowledge that you are brave to try something new. But this one ought to be good.
The idea of gathering all the non-perishables in one package is smart, and perfect as a gift or for the busy cook. Figuring that with your very well thought out package the cook already has at least 90% of what he or she needs, the trip to the market for the rest – veg, fruit, meat, will be a cakewalk. Real simple.
Over the years I have observed that many cooks, although they want to put together a “fancy” meal they might have seen in a mag, TV, etc. are put off/overwhelmed by a long shopping list. This package will take care of that.
Thank you for sharing your news. You brightened my day. I wish you lots of sales and the utmost success. I await the next meal! You go, girlfriend!
Adri, thanks so much for your good wishes. I was thrilled to work on this kit with Nalini. She is a talented young woman and a perfectionist. She has worked hard to develop these kits and stay true to the recipes of those whom she has worked with. I am keeping my fingers crossed that her company soars.
Those milestones along the way to a dream must be celebrated! Congratulations, this is a unique, practical idea and I hope it brings you continued success!
Thank you, Judy!
What an interesting idea!
Thanks, Karen. All credit to Nalini!
I wish you a great success with this idea. Auguri!
Grazie, cara Elisa. My role is a small one here, but I hope Nalani’s idea takes off. She has worked hard for it!
What a great idea! Can’t wait to try it!
Thanks, Coco!
I’ve tried this kit of yours from Postmark Chef, Domenica! The pork roast was AMAZING! I posted about it on my blog. It was a no-fail, flavorful all-in-one-kit. Will definitely purchase one again next time we have company!
Thank you, dear Betty Ann.
This is great to hear (though why am I not surprised the kit was great?) and the best form of advertising! Thanks for sharing!
what a great idea! Best of luck with this new venture!
Domenica! This is stunningly brilliant and I can only imagine how exciting for you! I would be thrilled! I think the idea is a wonderful way to get people cooking really great food and even better that they’ll be cooking your food! I can’t wait to see where this goes! A huge congratulations! I am waiting for the day (very soon I hope and pray) that I’ll see my own name in the pages of a glossy magazine and on the spine of a book in a bookstore. Wow I can only imagine…
Thank you, Jamie. Really looking forward to seeing you in NY!
And be assured that you will see your name in print!
Its an innovative idea and makes it do easy for someone to whip up a
Great italian meal !
So glad to hear that you like Nalini’s idea, Laviza. I know she has worked hard to refine it to make the kits simple and accessible. Thank you for your comment.
What an awesome idea – love the kit and a great way to get people cooking your food. Ingenious!
Thank you, Meeta. It’s great to see these positive responses.
Wow!How exciting! I love this idea and the menu.
Thank you, Michelle!
Congratulations! Great gift idea!
Yes, good idea!
Great idea. Best of luck!
Such a wonderful idea in today’s, sometimes, over-rushed lifestyle. Meals still hold a functional place in a family beside just nurishment.
Wow!!! Congratulations Domenica!!! What an awesome idea for the cooks recipe kits! Best of Luck!
xx
HOw exciting, thank you and Postmark Chef! I’m looking forward to trying out a new product and getting a taste of your terrific food all at the same time!
Wow, what great news. And what an interesting endeavor–I’d be excited, too. Hope all goes beautifully. Also hope to see you in NY.
Yes, Nancy, in New York for sure. I will be there. Looking forward to it.