Showing posts with label is. Show all posts
Showing posts with label is. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Sneak Peek The Weekend Gourmet Is Taking Part in H E Bs 2013 Meal Maker Challenge!
I’m thrilled to share some really fun and exciting news with yall today: The Weekend Gourmet has been selected as one of 10 Texas food blogs to participate in this year’s 4th annual Meal Maker Challenge, sponsored by H-E-B grocery stores and ConAgra Foods. The challenge is to create fast and delicious meals to help combat the back-to-school rush. For the next five Sundays, I’m going to be sharing a big-flavor family-friendly dish that’s centered around a theme ingredient. Each recipe contains only 7 ingredients and can be ready to serve a family of four in 30 minutes or less. I’m delighted to share the recipes that I’ve come up with for this fun contest! Here’s a sneak peek of each of my recipes to whet your appetite.
The weekly featured products include:
· Week 1: H-E-B Salsas
· Week 2: Hunts Tomatoes
· Week 3: H-E-B Natural Chicken Breasts
· Week 4: Egg Beaters
· Week 5: Peter Pan Peanut Butter
Make sure to come back each week to get all these great recipes...starting this Sunday with my Salsarific Taco Skillet, featuring H-E-B Smoky Citrus Salsa. My Texas-based readers can visit their local H-E-B store weekly to receive a Combo Loco coupon to purchase that week’s theme ingredient and try my recipe out in their kitchens. Since this is a contest, I’ll also tell you how you can vote for and Pin my recipes each week. At the end of the contest, the two bloggers with the most votes will receive some pretty cool prizes! Honestly, just being selected to take part in this event is a huge honor…but winning would be pretty cool too!
Disclosure: I am being compensated for participating in this program. However, all opinions expressed are solely mine.
Friday, February 13, 2015
Christmas Time Is Here Time for a Giveaway! Biscoff Goodies 150 Best Donut Recipes Cookbook Featuring Simple Spice Donuts with Biscoff Glaze
Its December, and the holiday season is officially upon us. To celebrate, I’m teaming up with some amazing “elves” to bring you four weeks of fun giveaways between now and the end of the year!! I’m kicking off the holiday fun today with a double dose of goodies! My good friends at Lotus Bakeries sent me a two-jar pack of Biscoff spread to create an original recipe to share with you. They’ve also got some goodies for yall as well…more details about that in just a sec. But first? I’m going to knock your socks off with a fabulous and fun baked donut! I’ve been eyeing those cute baked donut pans for ages, and I finally gave into temptation and bought one. All because of a brilliant idea that I had to make a baked cake donut topped with a Biscoff-infused glaze!
It was food fate. I also recently received the fabulous 150 Best Donut Recipes cookbook from Robert Rose Publishing. While I was looking through the book last weekend, I had what can only be called a baking epiphany – and that doesnt happen to me all that often. I decided that I could make a fabulous baked spice cake doughnut recipe from the book and create a Biscoff-infused glaze to go on top. I knew right then and there that I HAD to make this recipe happen! So…off I went today in search of a pan for baking donuts at Bed Bath & Beyond. Then, I decided that not only would I top my donuts with Biscoff glaze, I’d also sprinkle pieces of crumbled Biscoff cookies on top of the glaze to take these donuts straight over the top! Don’t say I didn’t warn you…
Simple Spice Donuts with Biscoff Glaze
Donut recipe from 150 Best Donut Recipes
Step 1: Preheat oven to 325 and spray a non-stick donut pan with cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, add: 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp. baking powder, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. freshly ground nutmeg, 1/8 tsp. allspice, and 1/8 tsp. ground ginger. Whisk together and set aside. Add the following ingredients to a small bowl: 1/2 cup milk, 1 large egg, 1 tbs. melted butter, and 1/2 tsp. vanilla. Whisk to combine. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk just until incorporated.
Step 2: Carefully spoon the batter into a large freezer bag. Make sure all the air is removed and snip the corner off of the bag. Squeeze the batter into the wells of the donut pan, about 2/3 full. Bake until the donuts spring back when touched -- about 10-14 minutes. Turn the pan halfway through the baking time to ensure even baking and browning.
Step 3: While the donuts bake, make the Biscoff glaze. Add 1/3 cup Biscoff spread and 2 tbs. butter to a non-stick pan over medium-low heat. Whisk as the spread and the butter melt and are incorporated. Whisk in 1/3 cup powdered sugar...it will look like dough, but dont panic! Add enough half-and-half or cream to reach desired consistency for dipping. I used 2-3 tbs. for my glaze. Remove the donuts from the pan and carefully remove from the pan. Let them cool slightly, then dip the tops into the glaze.
Step 4: Place the donuts on a sheet of parchment or foil. While the glaze is still warm, sprinkle the tops of each donut with crumbled Biscoff cookies. Let cool until the glaze is set, about 15 minutes. Try to be patient...its worth it!
These doughnuts are bursting with holiday flavor…the spices are so comforting! They bake up pillow-soft, and the Biscoff-infused glaze pairs perfectly with the spices in the doughnut. Add crunchy bits of Biscoff cookies on top, and you’ve got one amazing donut. These donuts would be a really fun breakfast for Christmas morning, and I’m sure Santa would LOVE to find a couple of these when he stops by to deliver Christmas presents this year! These babies are definitely Santa-worthy!!! Keep in mind that the recipe above is a half batch, which makes 6 donuts…I knew that’s all that we could be trusted with at Casa Garcia, but feel free to double the ingredients to make a full dozen.
Now…about the giveaways! Biscoff is going to give THREE of you a set of four favor boxes like the ones pictured at the top of this post. Theyre filled with pre-wrapped packs of Biscoff cookies! They’re adorable and perfect for giving a little something to anyone who deserves a special holiday pick-me-up. These favor box sets are also being sold on the Biscoff website, and 10% of the proceeds will go Teach for America to support new teachers who are committed to serving in high-need public schools. For all the details, visit www.Biscoff.com/Teach. One giveaway winner will be chosen by leaving a comment below. A second winner will be chosen via my Facebook page, and a third winner will be selected via my Twitter feed. If you dont already follow me via Facebook and Twitter, now might be a good time to join the fun!
Disclosure: Lotus Bakeries provided me with a two-pack of Biscoff spread to facilitate this post. In addition, Robert Rose Publishing provided me with a review copy of 150 Best Donut Recipes to review as part of this feature. The opinions expressed are my own.
Now…about the giveaways! Biscoff is going to give THREE of you a set of four favor boxes like the ones pictured at the top of this post. Theyre filled with pre-wrapped packs of Biscoff cookies! They’re adorable and perfect for giving a little something to anyone who deserves a special holiday pick-me-up. These favor box sets are also being sold on the Biscoff website, and 10% of the proceeds will go Teach for America to support new teachers who are committed to serving in high-need public schools. For all the details, visit www.Biscoff.com/Teach. One giveaway winner will be chosen by leaving a comment below. A second winner will be chosen via my Facebook page, and a third winner will be selected via my Twitter feed. If you dont already follow me via Facebook and Twitter, now might be a good time to join the fun!
For the Twitter and Facebook entries, be on the lookout for me to post a special post sometime in the next couple of days. The first person who responds to these posts when they go live wins…it’s that simple. If that wasn’t enough, I also have a very special GRAND PRIZE gift pack to give away! One lucky reader will receive a two-pack of delicious Biscoff spread – one jar each of creamy and crunchy – plus a copy of the 150 Best Donut Recipes cookbook from Robert Rose Publishing. Entries will be accepted until 1159 p.m. this Saturday, 12/8. Please make sure to leave your e-mail address on your comment so my elves can find you if you’re a winner! I will notify the winner(s) via e-mail on Sunday. Good luck!!!
Disclosure: Lotus Bakeries provided me with a two-pack of Biscoff spread to facilitate this post. In addition, Robert Rose Publishing provided me with a review copy of 150 Best Donut Recipes to review as part of this feature. The opinions expressed are my own.
Our Next Featured City for A Food Lovers Weekend In is New York!!
Im happy to announce the next city in our travelogue series A Food Lovers Weekend In... After visits to New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Austin...our next featured city is going to be New York!! We leave in just under 3 weeks, and were so excited for this amazing trip. Technically, this trip is 5 days long...so its more like A Food Lovers Supersized Weekend in New York. Weve got a few special bonus features planned since theres so much food and fun to be had in The Big Apple. In addition to the normal two-part travelouge highlighting our weekend, well also be spotlighting the best in New York Sweet Treats AND two date-night options to showcase the romantic side of the city. Weve been to New York several times in the past few years, and its one of our most favorite places to visit. Trying to pack the best restaurants into only a few days is impossible, but weve managed to put together a really fantastic itinerary for our readers.We will be featuring some of our New York favorites, including: Shake Shack, Levain Bakery, Carnegie Deli, Vanessas Dumplings, Aureole, and Doughnut Plant. We have visited all of these places on previous trips and know our trip wont be the same unless we visit them again! Heres a few pictures to whet your appetite...
Were adding lots of new restaurants this trip -- everything from casual to gourmet cuisine! Were going to be visiting the following locations for brunches, lunches, and dinners...and some post-show desserts:
- Normas at Le Parker Meridien
- The Palm One
- Per Se
- Stone Rose Lounge
- Motorino Pizza
- Murrays Cheese Bar
- The Meatball Shop
- Le Cirque Cafe
- Lincoln Ristorante
- David Burke Townhouse
- Empanada Mama
- Restaurant Thalia
The sweet shops that well be spotlighting include:
- Serendipity 3
- Salt of the Earth Bakery
- Liddabit Sweets
- Bakery at Eataly
- Beurre et Sel
- Il Laboratorio del Gelato
- Kees Chocolates
- Laduree Macarons
- Afternoon Tea at The Plazas Palm Court
Although it doesnt appear like were doing more than eating 24/7, we actually have lots of non-food adventures planned as well...everything from live music performances to paying tribute to the lives lost on 9/11.
Well be visiting the 9/11 Memorial to pay our respects at the site of the former World Trade Center. We wanted to visit the past two trips, but couldnt get any of the limited available passes. Since we planned this trip months in advance, we were successful this time. Ive heard that its quite a moving experience to stand at the reflection pools where the Twin Towers once stood.
Michael and I are huge music lovers, so our two featured New York date nights will include performances by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic featuring Emanuel Axe. We are so excited about these two performances! Were also planning visits to some of our favorite New York attractions, including Rockefeller Center and Times Square. Those are two of our favorite places to soak in the citys atmosphere and people watch! Our hotel sponsor for this trip is the upscale Library Hotel Collection, made up of four gorgeous boutique properties. Well be staying at all four properties during our trip and sharing our experience as part of the travelogue.
Well be visiting the 9/11 Memorial to pay our respects at the site of the former World Trade Center. We wanted to visit the past two trips, but couldnt get any of the limited available passes. Since we planned this trip months in advance, we were successful this time. Ive heard that its quite a moving experience to stand at the reflection pools where the Twin Towers once stood.
Michael and I are huge music lovers, so our two featured New York date nights will include performances by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic featuring Emanuel Axe. We are so excited about these two performances! Were also planning visits to some of our favorite New York attractions, including Rockefeller Center and Times Square. Those are two of our favorite places to soak in the citys atmosphere and people watch! Our hotel sponsor for this trip is the upscale Library Hotel Collection, made up of four gorgeous boutique properties. Well be staying at all four properties during our trip and sharing our experience as part of the travelogue.
We are counting down the days until our departure, and we cant wait to share our experience with our readers. Michael -- my husband and my dining out and travel photographer -- is going to take tons of amazing pictures that will make you feel like youre right there with us in The Big Apple! Look for the articles to publish here in late May.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Voting Is Open for The Gulf Oyster Industry Councils Taste America Guest Blogger Contest!
- New York
- Boston
- Philadelphia
- Washington, DC
- Miami
- Chicago
- Las Vegas
- Phoenix
However, I truly believe that we’re an ideal fit for this contest, and wed do a great job for the GOIC. So...Im asking for your help. If you enjoy our culinary travelogues andwould like to see us visit one of the cities above to share their culinary highlights with you, then show us some love. Voting is very easy via Facebook. There are a few simple steps, which take all of 30 seconds…but it would mean a lifetime of culinary memories for The Weekend Gourmet. Here’s how to vote for us:
- Click on this Facebook link.
- Like Gulf Oyster Industry Council when prompted.
- Vote for The Weekend Gourmet by entering your e-mail address [NOTE: This does NOT sign you up for promotional e-mails. Its to ensure that each person only votes once].
- Feel good knowing that youve helped The Weekend Gourmet move one step closer to winning!
Voting lasts until Labor Day (September 2nd) and is open to any Facebook user. After you vote, please feel free to share the voting link via your social media avenues as well. If everyone reading this article takes 30 seconds to vote for us? We’ll win this contest in a landslide!
To sweeten the pot, I have a fun incentive to share with my readers. Anyone who votes for The Weekend Gourmet and leaves me a comment below letting me know will be entered in a giveaway featuring signature food items from the city we visit. Its just our way of saying thanks for your support! The giveaway could be H&H Bagels and Levain Bakery chocolate chip cookies from New York…or perhaps Garrett’s Popcorn from Chicago...or perhaps some other culinary surprise. But...we have to win the contest first. Thank you in advance for your support!
Speaking of seafood, come back here tomorrow…I’ll be sharing a fabulous recipe for Pecan-Crusted Lemon Pepper Tilapia with Pico de Gallo Cream Sauce. It’s easy to make and bursting with the big flavors that I love.
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