New Flavor Creations from Ghirardelli

May 10, 2012 By 19 Comments

It is no secret that I heart chocolate.  So much so, that I figure a little Try Ghirardelli's Newest Flavor Creations chocolate into my calorie count at least once a week, if not every day.  When I received the opportunity to try some of Ghirardelli Chocolate’s Newest Flavor Creations, including Gourmet Milk Sea Salt Escape and Dark & Truffle, along with some proven favorites,  I couldn’t reply “Yes, Yes, Please Yes!” fast enough.

When the box of individually wrapped chocolate dreams squares came in, I was SO excited!!

First, I’ve always enjoyed truffles.  Second, I had been wanting to try the flavor sensation of dark chocolate with sea salt.

Ghirardelli Chocolates have long been one of my favorite chocolates because it is ridiculously easy to factor in the 55 to 80 calories for one square into my calorie budget.  If I want more than one square, I simply go for a walk.

ghirardelli flavors

Of the new flavors creations, my favorites are the Intense Dark Sea Salt Soiree and the Dark and Sea Salt Caramel.  Oh. My. Yum.  Let’s just say, I’ve taken a few extra walks.  LOL.

Save 10% on Ghirardelli Mother’s Day Gifts with code: CJ10ED!

Shhh… I think I’m going to order me some more as a Mother’s Day gift to myself.

Ghirardelli Chocolates are available at retailers nationwide, including Target, Walmart, on Amazon, and at Ghirardelli - Premium Chocolate & Chocolate Gifts .

Filed Under: On the Menu, Reviews Tagged With: , ,

The Muffin Tin Cookbook

May 3, 2012 By 17 Comments

I recently received The Muffin Tin Cookbook, by Brette Sember, for review, from muffin tin cookbookAdams Media.  I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I was to try this cookbook.  I have one of the pickiest eaters ever.  At least, I think so.  My son would like to protest all things green and all things new or not previously served.

It is a battle getting him to eat anything that is unfamiliar.  One look and it’s, “Mommy, I don’t like that.”

We are working on that attitude.

I’ve read, though, that if you can make it fun, they are more likely to try it.  Hence, my excitement over this cookbook.  What can be more fun than itty bitty sized meals?

I decided to try the Sloppy Joe Cupcakes one night (see page 59 of the cookbook for their recipe).  Of course, I am not one to leave a recipe unaltered, so I adjusted it a bit.  For one, my son will typically eat my Simple Sloppy Joe Recipe, so I decided to use it instead of the sloppy joe recipe in the book.  As well, the recipe called for refrigerated pie crust.  I thought I grabbed refrigerated pie crust when I went to the grocer.  Instead, I had grabbed refrigerated crescent rolls.  oops.  I decided to make it work.

the muffin tin cookbooksloppy joe cupcakessloppy joe bites

Work it did.  Apparently, food is much more fun if one can hold it.  And we all know that fun equals edible.  HA!

The Muffin Tin Cookbook is chock full of 200 recipes, from quick-serve appetizers and sides to gourmet entrees and desserts, there is an amazing array of tasty options, including:

      • Deep-Dish Pizza Cups

 

  • Shrimp Cakes with Cilantro Lime Dipping Sauce
  • Egg Crescent Pockets
  • Cornmeal-Crusted Mustard Chicken with Sweet Potato Coins
  • Zucchini, Corn, and Tomato Cups
  • Duchess Potatoes
  • Mini Ice-Cream Cakes

Adams Media books, including The Muffin Tin Cookbook, are available in the Adams Media Bookstore, at retailers nationwide, and on Amazon.  Check out the Adams Media eBooks available on Amazon today.

***I received a product sample to facilitate this review.  All opinions are my own. ***

Filed Under: On the Menu, Reviews Tagged With: , ,

Simple Sloppy Joes

April 28, 2012 By 25 Comments

I melded bits and pieces, from three recipes, to make this simple sloppy joe recipe,  It is now a family favorite.

Print
Simple Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground meat of choice (burger, venison, turkey)
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • 1 tsp mustard
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 2 tsp Worshetershire sauce
  • 2 TBSP Brown Sugar Blend Splenda
  • 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper*
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion*
  • *optional

Instructions

  • In bowl, combine ketchup, vinegar, mustard, lemon juice, Worshetershire sauce, and Brown Sugar Blend Splenda. Mix throughougly and set aside.
  • In skillet, saute bell pepper and onion, then add 1 pound ground meat. Brown together, then drain any grease. Add sloppy joe mix, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
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http://thatbaldchick.com/2012/04/28/simple-sloppy-joes/

I’ve also sneaked other veggies in, or smothered in cheese, but I have to be careful that they are ground pretty fine as Mister has an eagle eye for green.  I promise to get a picture next time I make it!

Filed Under: On the Menu Tagged With: , ,

Japanese Noodles with Grilled Chicken and Peppers

April 27, 2012 By 19 Comments

I picked up some Japanese Buckwheat Noodles recently, and wanted to give them a whirl.  Not having a recipe, I decided to “throw together” dinner.

Why is it that those always end up being my favorite?

I used pre- cooked chicken breast strips, two bell peppers, an onion, some olive oil, and some lite soy sauce.

Japanese Noodles

Put them together, and what have you got?  Japanese Noodles with Grilled Chicken and Peppers.  Hubs and I both devoured ours.  Sister enjoyed it as well.  Mister?  Well, he protests all things new and all things healthy.

Japanese Noodles with Grilled Chicken and PeppersBuckwheat Noodles with Grilled Chicken

Here’s the recipe, just in case you’d like to try it…

Print
Japanese Noodles with Grilled Chicken and Peppers

Rating: 5

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Serving Size: 1/4 dish

Calories per serving: 480

Buckwheat noodles are perfectly complimented by grilled chicken, peppers, and onions, with a touch of lite soy sauce.

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces buckwheat noodles
  • 8 ounces grilled chicken breast strips, precooked
  • medium red bell pepper, sliced
  • medium yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • medium onion, sliced
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 Tablespoons lite soy sauce
  • Non-stick cooking spray
  • 8 inch sauté pan
  • 10 inch sauté pan
  • 2 quart pan

Instructions

  • In a 2 quart sauce pan, prepare the buckwheat noodles per package instructions, set aside.
  • In an 8 inch saute pan, saute sliced bell peppers and onion, in 1 Tablespoon olive oil, until tender.
  • Spray the 10 inch saute pan with non-stick spray and heat chicken breast strips.
  • When chicken is heated through, combine the chicken, peppers, and onions in the 10 inch sauté pan.
  • Add buckwheat noodles to the now empty 8 inch sauté pan with one tablespoon olive oil and two tablespoons lite soy sauce.
  • Toss lightly.
  • Plate the buckwheat noodles and top with grilled chicken, pepper, and onion mixture.
  • Serve hot.
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Honey Mustard Pretzel Crusted Chicken

April 23, 2012 By 18 Comments

We eat a lot of chicken, which can become very boring, lest one is creative.

Honey Mustard Pretzel Crusted ChickenAfter perusing the cupboards one evening, I decided to do something different with the chicken that was on the menu for the evening.  I pulled out the Ken’s Honey Mustard Dip, a 12 ounce bag of sea salt and cracked pepper pretzels, and the parmesan cheese.

The resulting dinner was one of the best pieces of chicken I have eaten in a LONG time!

And of course, I’ve decided to share the recipe with you, because I know you like good eats, too!

Check this out…

Print
Honey Mustard Pretzel Crusted Chicken

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Coarsely chop, or crush, pretzels and set aside.
  • Spray bottom of baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Arrange chicken breasts in one layer, leaving a little space between each piece.
  • Top each chicken breast with about 1 tablespoon of Honey Mustard Dip
  • Then top with coarsely chopped Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper Pretzels
  • Sprinkle Parmesan cheese evenly over dish
  • Bake at 350F for 30-40 minutes, or until chicken breasts reach internal temp of 170F.
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http://thatbaldchick.com/2012/04/23/honey-mustard-pretzel-crusted-chicken/

Super easy and OMY.

As in, Oh My Yum!

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