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!
Endive and Bulgur Salad With Poached Eggs
Posted: February 16, 2012 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: balsamic vinegar, bulgur, cooking, easy, egg, endive, foodblog, garlic, mushroom, olive oil, parmesan, pepper, poach, recipe, salad, scallion 12 Comments »
Now, I’m not one to brag.
Ahem. Please, no comments from the peanut gallery.
As I was saying. I’m not one to brag. But this year I had not one. But two. Yes, two Valentines.
The first, of course, was my wonderful fiancé, Jake. He treated me to a delicious pre-Vday brunch at Norma’s at Le Parker Meridien on Sunday, and surprised me with beautiful pale pink roses on Valentine’s Day itself! I certainly am a lucky girl ;)
(Side note: anyone looking for brunch in the NYC area, I highly recommend Norma’s.)
And my second Valentine was California Vegetable Specialties!
Ok. I know that’s not a person, per se, but I still count it. After all, they did send me a Valentine! A beautiful bouquet, in fact. Of endives!
Now anyone that knows me knows that I love presents. Especially surprise ones. And especially ones related to food.
So when the box unexpectedly arrived at my office, full of beautiful, fresh endives arranged in a charming bouquet? Well, let’s just say it was love at first sight.
I knew the only way to truly honor my new Valentine was to make something delicious out of the colorful veggies.
So I searched high and low, and finally found the perfect recipe to showcase the beauties in all their glory.
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.
Kale and Tiny Chicken Meatball Soup
Posted: January 11, 2011 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: bread crumbs, carrot, chicken, chicken broth, cooking, dinner, easy, egg, foodblog, kale, onion, parmesan, recipe, soup, vegetables 19 Comments »
It’s January 11, 2011. Just eleven days into the New Year. Eleven days since that moment.
You know the one I’m talking about. The moment when you vowed to be better. To live better. To be the best you can be.
Yes, January 1 at 12:01am was your time. Maybe it was the excitement. Or the champagne. Or that peppy Ryan Seacrest. But in that moment, you knew it was time to take the plunge.
So you vowed to eat healthier, cook more, drink more water, exercise more, sleep more, read more, make more money, save more money, spend more time with family, spend more time with friends, and pay more attention to the dog.
In fact, you were so excited about the new 2011 you, that you logged right on to twitter and tweeted your master plan to your dearest friends. All 500 of them. Read the rest of this entry »
Chicken and Ricotta Meatballs in Broth
Posted: September 13, 2010 Filed under: About me, Food, Recipes | Tags: challenge, cheese, chicken, chicken broth, easy, lemon, nutmeg, parmesan, project food blog, ricotta, spinach, thyme 32 Comments »You know those people that like to play games just for the sake of entertainment? People that say “it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.” Or “everyone’s a winner as long as they have fun.” They don’t keep score in Scrabble. They let other people bowl during their turn. They root for players on the opposite team.
Well, those people are just plain crazy. Of course it matters if you win or lose! Why else would you play? My motto is more along the lines of “There’s no crying in baseball!” a la Tom Hanks than “Everyone’s a winner blah blah blah.”
If you couldn’t already tell, I am more than a little competitive. I can turn even the most personal, introspective, or meditative activities into contests.
Like yoga. I love yoga. But I must admit, half the fun is trying to beat the other people in the class. I want to bend farther than the girl next to me. Hold my pose longer than the man in front of me. Keep my leg straighter than the woman behind me. It’s a sickness.
Spicy Zucchini Soup
Posted: September 7, 2010 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: basil, bread, cheese, chicken broth, dinner, garlic, jalapeno, lemon juice, lunch, onion, parmesan, pepper, soup, spicy, zucchini 26 Comments »I’ve been hearing a lot of people complaining about how it’s still so hot outside. They are asking for the cooler weather. They are wishing summer would just end already. They are ready for the fall.
If you are one of those people, listen up, because I’m only going to ask nicely this one time: Please stop. (See? Wasn’t that nice? I even said please. Next time I won’t be so polite.)
If you are one of those crazy people wishing for the fall, I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt. Because even I, someone who is such a summer loving person, can see why wishing for fall might seem tempting. The temperature is a little less extreme, the leaves turn beautiful colors, and pumpkin pie is abundant. Sounds good so far.
The problem is that you’re being shortsighted. (Sorry, I don’t usually like to call names, but this is an extreme situation.) You see a season filled with football, Halloween candy, and apple picking. But you know what you’re forgetting? Fall leads to winter.
Mozzarella Stuffed Turkey Meatloaf
Posted: August 4, 2010 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: cheese, meatloaf, mozzarella, onion, parmesan, spinach, turkey 11 Comments »I’m not a chicken. You’re a turkey!
Anyone else remember that D.A.R.E. commercial? That’s the first thing that popped into my head when I saw that this week’s blogger secret ingredient is ground turkey. It just always struck me as so funny. I’m probably the only one who even remembers it, and you probably think I’m crazy. Nothing new.
Anyway, you’re a turkey if you don’t go home and make this Mozzerella Stuffed Turkey Meatloaf for dinner. Tonight. I know that some people are not big fans of using ground turkey, as it can easily get dried out in the cooking process, but the addition of spinach and grated onion to the turkey meat keeps it moist and tasty. (The gooey cheesy layer in the middle doesn’t hurt either!)
Sweet Caramelized Onion Dip
Posted: July 9, 2010 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: appetizer, caramelized onion, cream cheese, dip, mayo, onion, parmesan, sour cream 1 Comment »
The next time you throw a party, make this amazingly delicious Sweet Caramelized Onion Dip. In fact, make it ASAP. Go!
What’s that, you say? You’re not throwing a party any time soon? Throw one anyway, just as an excuse to make this dip. Ok, ok, that may be a little overkill. If you need another reason (other than it’s so delicious and everyone around you will love you and praise you and ask you for more), try one of these:
- Bring it to someone else’s party/BBQ/gathering. Didn’t mom always tell you not to show up empty handed?
- You have extra crackers and need a reason to finish them. (Not that I’ve ever needed a reason to polish off a sleeve of Ritz crackers, but hey, maybe you’re one of those strange people that does.)
- It’s raining/snowing/too hot to go outside/too cold to go outside.
- You’re just plain bored. (I’m not really familiar with this feeling, as I try to cram so much into my days that I end up stressing myself out. But I hear it does happen to some people. Probably the same ones that need an excuse to eat the crackers. Weird breed.)
- It’s Tuesday. (Ok, maybe I’m stretching it here – I’m trying to give you a lot of options so you have no excuse not to make it ASAP.)
But in all seriousness, make this dip. It is so delicious you will be the hit of any party where it’s served.
Homemade Tortilla Chips and Artichoke Parmesan Dip
Posted: July 2, 2010 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: appetizer, artichoke, chips, dip, easy, magic bullet, parmesan, tortilla 4 Comments »
Last weekend, Jake and I had a few friends over for drinks. After some planning, I had come up with a few appetizers to nosh on in addition to the obligatory cheese platter and crudetes. I would serve the Grape Tomato Bruchetta from yesterday’s post, Carmelized Onion Dip (keep an eye out for this recipe in the next week or so), and some Artichoke and Parmesan Phyllo Pastries.
That morning, all of the preparations were going well. The bruchetta was marinating in the refrigerator, the Onion Dip was warming in the oven, and I was ready to begin the phyllo pastries. I was feeling good.
I followed the first half of the recipe and made the artichoke parmesan filling. Still feeling good. Then I took the phyllo sheets out of the freezer, and read the directions on the box…. (this is where it gets interesting)…
