Italian-Style Smoky Garlic Bean Dip Recipe and Saucy Mama Giveaway!
Posted: February 28, 2012 Filed under: Contests, Food, Giveaways, Recipes | Tags: appetizer, basil, beans, cannelli beans, challenge, cheese, cooking, easy, foodblog, garlic, garlic mustard, giveaway, healthy, italian, low-cal, mustard, olive oil, parmesan, recipe, roasted pepper, roasted red peppers, skinny mama, snack, tomato, vegetables 23 Comments »***** Voting is open for this contest. Please follow this link and click “Vote” when you get there! It just takes one click!!*****
If you see me walking under any ladders, opening any umbrellas indoors, crossing paths with any black cats, or breaking any mirrors, stop me. Please.
I really don’t care how you do it. Call out my name. Yell and scream at me. Tackle me, even. Just make sure you stop me.
Because I am having quite the streak of good luck lately… and I could get used it.
What am I talking about, you ask?
Well, first there was the Soup Challenge, for which you all so kindly voted my Chickpea Minestrone into second place, and now I have my chance to compete for the judges in two weeks.
Then there was the interview on Flavorful World, where Anthony had such wonderful, glowing things to say about Food for Thought that I was blushing reading it!
And then yesterday I found out that had I won the internal poll of the Marx Foods East Meets Delicious contest for my Green Bean “Fries” and Asian Veggie Burgers!
I’m on a roll baby! I think a trip to Vegas another contest entry is in order!
As luck would have it (heh) Saucy Mama is hosting the Skinny Mama Cooking with Mustard contest right now. And I’m a contestant ;)
For this challenge, bloggers are charged with creating a diet-friendly, quick, easy-to-recreate recipe using at least one of the Saucy Mama Mustards. They sent us a variety of mustards, including Saucy Mama Tarragon Lemon Mustard, Dijon Mustard, Champagne Honey Mustard, Chipotle Mustard, Smoky Garlic Mustard, and Suzie’s Yellow Mustard.
I decided to make my very own “100 calorie pack” of Italian-Style Smoky Garlic Bean Dip using – you guessed it – the Saucy Mama Smoky Garlic Mustard!
Homemade Soft Pretzels with Jarlsberg Dip
Posted: February 6, 2012 Filed under: Events, Food, Giveaways, Recipes | Tags: appetizer, baking, butter, cheese, cooking, dip, egg, flour, foodblog, giveaway, oil, party, pretzel, salt, snack, sugar, yeast 26 Comments »
Ok, people. Listen up. I am about to give you a gift.
A huge gift.
What I am about to give you. Is an excuse. To eat. CHEESE.
That’s right. Cheese.
Lots and lots of cheese. An entire month’s worth of excuses, in fact. For cheese.
I mean, not that anyone should need an excuse to eat cheese other than the fact that it’s ah-mazing. But if you do, here it is: Kitchen Play’s ”29 Ways to Leap into Jarlsberg Dip!“
Over the course of this month, 29 bloggers are giving you serving suggestions, recipes, and fun ways to enjoy the new Jarlsberg Original Cheese Dip. There have already been five great suggestions (well, hello, Jarlsberg Creamed Spinach). And, now, here’s your sixth:
Use it as a dip for homemade soft pretzels!
Fact: big, chewy pretzels are the perfect vehicle to get this delicious cheesy dip delivered straight to your face.
Tortilla Soup
Posted: January 30, 2012 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: avocado, cheese, chicken, chicken broth, cooking, corn, cumin, dinner, easy, ethnic, foodblog, jalapeno, lime juice, mexican, paprika, pepper, recipe, rice, salsa, soup, spicy, tomato, tortilla, vegetables, zucchini 19 Comments »
I, for one, was thrilled that the temperature was well above freezing this weekend.
And not just because I hate the winter. But because it precluded any chance of snow. And for that I was thankful.
You see, last weekend we had snow. The first snowfall of the season, in fact. Unless, of course, you include Halloween weekend as part of the “season.” I don’t. So in my book, it was the first.
And unlike most people, who are excited about the first snowfall and celebrate by building snowmen, making hot chocolate, and cuddling by the fireplace, I did none of those things.
Instead, I took the opportunity to carry my friend on my back, slip on the slush, fall, rip my tights, skin my knees, and bruise both knees and a shin.
I blame the snow.
So when I learned that this weekend would be snow free, I celebrated in a more responsible manner: I made soup.
Yes, delicious Tortilla Soup. Much less dangerous. Much more tasty. I’d say it was a good decision all around.
Eggland’s Best Brinner Party: Recap, Recipes and Giveaway!
Posted: June 29, 2011 Filed under: Food, Giveaways, Recipes | Tags: bread, breakfast, brinner, brunch, cheddar, cheese, cooking, egg, eggs, foodblog, french toast, giveaway, parmesan, party, potato, potatoes, recipe, savory 49 Comments »
I come from a set of mixed parents. My mom is of one ilk. My dad another. They have different beliefs. Different philosophies. Different practices.
No, I’m not talking about religion. Or nationality. I’m talking about rule following.
Yes, that’s right. Rule following.
You see, my mother is a devout rule follower. If you tell her that she must stand on this line, with this form, and give it to this person? She’ll be there. Completed form in hand. Because those are the rules.
My dad? Not so much. He might be there. But he would find a shorter line. And give his form to a different person. And have them fill it out. And if that didn’t work? He’d leave. Because why should he stand on a long line, just because someone says so? He’ll figure it out on his own.
And then there’s me. I’d like to think I fall somewhere in the middle. For the most part, I’m totally with my dad on this one. I mean, why should I do something a certain way just because that’s how it’s supposed to be? Who cares? What does that mean anyway?
But for me, (and this is where my dad and I differ) there are some exceptions. When it comes to school or work, I follow the rules. To a ‘t’. Every time. Mostly because I don’t like to get in trouble.
So when Eggland’s Best contacted me to see if I wanted to host a Brinner Party, it was an absolute no brainer. Breakfast…. for dinner? It’s the perfect compromise! You’re supposed to eat breakfast for… well, breakfast… but we would be having it for dinner! What better way to break the “rules” with no chance at all of getting in trouble, than with a delicious meal? Brilliant!
So I called a few friends, invited them over, and it was set. Using the “Brinner in a Box” I received from Eggland’s best, I was able to create a delicious and budget friendly Brinner to remember.
Quinoa and Israeli Couscous Risotto with Spinach and Parmesan and BIG NEWS!
Posted: June 7, 2011 Filed under: About me, Food, Recipes | Tags: carrot, cheese, chicken broth, cooking, couscous, ethnic, foodblog, garlic, healthy, italian, mushroom, onion, parmesan, quinoa, recipe, risotto, spinach 36 Comments »
I know, I knowww. You don’t have to say it. I already know.
I am a bad blogger.
I haven’t posted in a week. And let’s be honest. That last post was L-A-M-E lame. So really, I haven’t posted a good post in over two weeks. Super lame.
But I’m back! And I can assure you that this post is most definitely NOT lame. Because not only do I have a tasty recipe for you, but I have news.
Big news.
HUGE news.
Jake and I are engaged!!!!
Friday night, we went to dinner Nomad, a romantic little Moroccan restaurant in the East Village. It was gorgeous out, so we sat outside in the front of the restaurant. At the end of the meal, Jake got up to go to the “bathroom.” When he came back to the table, the waitress was following close behind him carrying two glasses of champagne. She placed the champagne on the table, and Jake got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! Of course I cried like a baby said yes!
Jake putting the ring on my finger!
We are both so excited, and can’t wait to start planning! (Ok, maybe I’m a little more excited about the planning part of it, but we are both really excited.)
I promise to keep you posted on some of the fun wedding updates throughout the planning process. (Who am I kidding? You are going to be up to your ears in wedding updates by the time our wedding rolls around.)
So I hope this exciting news counteracts any prior lameness. Oh, and this recipe probably doesn’t hurt in the lameness category either.
Morel Mushroom and Brie Tart
Posted: May 8, 2011 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: appetizer, brie, butter, cheese, cooking, foodblog, garlic, half and half, morel, mushroom, onion, puff pastry, recipe, rosemary, tart 31 Comments »
This past week was a big week for food bloggers everywhere. Between Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day, you couldn’t help but find a festive taco, burrito, or enchilada recipe, or a tasty Mother’s Day coffee cake or dessert suggestion.
You’ll notice that I posted for neither occasion.
See, for me, this past week was less of a festive one, and more of a hectic one. Between planning a dinner for 60 people for work, traveling to Boston for said dinner, studying for an accounting midterm, taking the midterm, and traveling to Washington DC for my little brother’s graduation, there was no time for such festivities.
There was barely time to do what I had to do!
But one fun food blogger activity I was able to squeeze in was the Morel Recipe Challenge hosted by Marx Foods. (And get another step closer to one of my 27×27 goals in the process!)
For the contest, the kind folks at Marx Foods sent me and fourteen other food bloggers some dried morel mushrooms to create an appetizer recipe. The winner will get 4 more lbs of fresh morels!
I had never worked with, or even tasted morels before, but I love my mushrooms, so I figured I would give it a shot. After tasting the morels in this Morel Mushroom and Brie Tart, I knew I had made the right choice!
Spicy Tortellini Chicken Soup and 27 by 27
Posted: April 27, 2011 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: Barilla, basil, bell pepper, black pepper, broth, carrot, cayenne pepper, cheese, chicken, cooking, cumin, foodblog, garlic, italian, olive oil, onion, oregano, paprika, parsley, pasta, recipe, red pepper, salt, tomato, tortellini 37 Comments »
Today, my friends, I am 25 ½.
Yes, it’s my half birthday. And yes, I know I’m well past the appropriate age to celebrate a half birthday.
But I’ve been inspired to write a list of goals. (I do love my lists.) And since it’s not the New Year or my Birthday, and I’m certainly not patient enough to wait another six months, I figure my half birthday will have to do.
So here it is. My list of 27 goals to complete by my 27th birthday. These are not big, life changing goals, mind you. They are everyday goals that could easily fall through the cracks if I don’t track them. I’ve added a tab up top that I will keep up to date, and I’ll be sure to keep you abreast in my posts. (Because I know you are just so interested.)
Without further ado, my 27 by 27 List:
Food
1. Take two cooking classes
2. Use five new to me ingredients
3. Go to a new restaurant in each of the 5 boroughs of NYC
4. Enter five food/recipe contests
5. Cook at least one recipe from each cookbook I own
6. Bake French macaroons
7. Go completely meatless for a week
Health and Fitness
8. Go to 25 yoga classes
9. Run in a 5K
10. Take a spin class
11. Take a kickboxing class
12. Drink at least 64 oz of water every day
Blog
13. Reach 300 followers on the Food for Thought facebook page
14. Reach 700 followers on my twitter account
15. Feature a guest post on this site (any takers?)
16. Write a guest post for someone else’s site
17. Meet 3 other food bloggers in person
Travel
18. Visit 2 new U.S. Cities
19. Travel to another country, preferably in Europe
Community
20. Participate in an event for a cause
21. Volunteer for a day
Miscellaneous
22. Plant an herb garden on my fire escape
23. Learn how to really use my camera
24. Do one touristy NY thing
25. Surprise Jake with breakfast in bed
26. Watch 3 movies from the AFI 100 years… 100 movies list
27. Read 5 books that have nothing to do with school
Because I am oh-so-organized and ever prepared, not only am I posting this list today, but I am also posting a recipe which will help me complete one of the listed goals! If you scroll back to item #4, you will see that I plan to enter at least 5 food and recipe contests over the course of the next year and a half.
Well, here is entry number one of five: a delicious Spicy Tortellini Chicken Soup!
Cauliflower Cheese Soup
Posted: April 13, 2011 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: cauliflower, cheddar, cheese, chicken broth, cooking, foodblog, lemon, milk, mozzarella, olive oil, recipe, soup, vegiterian 17 Comments »
I need to start off this post by apologizing.
I’m sorry.
You see, I made this soup the very same day that Biz posted the recipe. I remember because I happened to have everything on hand except the cauliflower. So on my way home from work, I stopped at the store and picked up a head of the stuff.
I wasted no time in trying it out for myself. Because Biz said it was good. Because it looked easy. And because I’m impatient.
And I was happy I did. Because it was good. And it was easy. And I’ve long accepted that I’m impatient.
Anyway, that was back in January (that I made the soup, not that I accepted that I’m impatient.) And now, here we are, half way through April, and I still haven’t shared it with you.
Shame on me for keeping this recipe all to myself. Especially when I know that as soon as I post it, you’re going to run out and make it. Because I said it was good. Because it looks easy. And because you’re impatient.
We have so much in common.
Stuffed Baked Potato
Posted: April 4, 2011 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: baked, baked potato, broccoli, cheese, cooking, dinner, foodblog, lunch, potato, recipe, spinach, vegetarian 21 Comments »
This morning I woke up early. 6:00 AM, to be precise…
Ok, ok. Maybe I hit the snooze once or twice. But still!
For those of you that have been keeping up with my posts (or for those of you that know me in real life and have ever tried to talk to me before 9:00), you already know that I am NOT a morning person. At all. I refuse to get out of bed before the very last second that I need to. Ever.
But this morning Hell did not freeze over. Nor did pigs fly. The reason for this early rise was to work out.
Unbelievable, I know.
I’ve decided that I am going to start doing the Insanity program by Beachbody again. And since I have school several days per week after work, or tend to make excuses about being tired, bored, or just not feeling like it after work, I have designated the morning as my new workout time.
Last summer, I did the program, and I was literally in the best shape of my life. I did the workouts every single day, without fail. I had been determined to get in shape for one of my girlfriends’ bachelorette party in Las Vegas, and it worked. I felt great, and I looked great (if I do say so myself.)
But when I got back from Vegas, I started getting lazy. I started skipping workouts, adding extra snacks, and eventually, was no longer as toned.
Now, with the summer approaching and two more friends’ bacheloette parties coming up in Cabo and Vegas, I am determined to get back into great shape. And now that you know about it, you can help hold me accountable!
Today’s recipe is a tasty and filling lunch designed to give me the energy I need to keep up with the workouts and stick to my healthy eating plan. It’s actually adapted from a recipe in the P90X nutrition guide, not the Insanity one, but since they are both from the same company, I figure it works.
Crustless Asparagus Quiche
Posted: March 23, 2011 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: asparagus, brunch, cayenne pepper, cheese, cooking, cream, dinner, eggs, foodblog, fritatta, garlic, half and half, lunch, mozzarella, olive oil, quiche, recipe, shallot, spinach 32 Comments »
I like to consider myself a relatively intelligent person.
I’ve always done well in school. I’ve been inducted into various honor societies. I’ve even won $8000 on Who Wants to be a Millionaire.
But, there are still a number of things in this world that puzzle me on a daily basis.
For example, what is the internet? Like, really, what is it? Or where is it? Or how does it work? It’s so confusing to me I don’t even know what question to ask!
Or, for those that are less technical, here’s one for you: Why do some people think it’s ok to wear tights as leggings? I had the pleasure of seeing this fashion faux pas on Park Ave yesterday. Who told her that was ok?? Didn’t she look in the mirror before she left the house?
Of course, among the list of ridiculous interesting questions I have compiled about the world around me, there are some food related questions.
How can mold (which is gross) make cheese (which is delicious)?! Why would anyone eat snails? And what is the difference between a crustless quiche and a frittata?
Well, I am happy to report that I have discovered the answer to that last one.
After a quick google search lot of time and research, it seems to me that the only difference between a crustless quiche and a frittata is that a frittata is just eggs plus whatever ingredients you want to use, and a crustless quiche includes some sort of milk or cream to create more of a custard-like consistency.
Voila, mystery solved!
