Day 1 of a Month of Giving Thanks

I know I've been gone for a while but this has brought me back.  No excuses.  No apology.  Just me back...

Day 1 of a month of giving thanks. Today I am thankful for this little girl. Makes me smile, laugh and cry all at once. But she completes me...

Green Leaf & Bananas

I found a really cool giveaway through one of the sponsors of the Foodie Blogroll!!! Thought you all might be interested... Also be sure to "LIKE" them on Facebook to keep up to date on all of their upcoming promotions!

Green Leaf's & Bananas on Facebook



This from and about the sponsor...At Green Leaf’s, we serve made-to-order salads from our “Pick &  Mix” salad bar, delicious wraps, grilled Panini sandwiches and hearty homemade soups. We use only top-quality, fresh ingredients … a difference you can taste in every bite.
For location details click here http://www.greenleafsalads.com/

Celebrate the start of National Salad Month by entering Green Leaf's iLove Salad iPad® Giveaway!

Click the link, fill out the form, and you’ll be in the running to win one of 3 iPad® Mini’s chock full of appetizing apps!
In honor of our crisp, fresh and savory salad offerings, we will be giving away an iPad Mini chock full of savvy salad recipe apps to three lucky fans! Winners will be chosen on June 6, 2013!

This sponsorship is brought to you by the Green Leaf's & Bananas who we have partnered with for this promotion.

Chilean Sea Bass

I am a proud member of the Foodie Blogroll and through them I was able to sample some product from Certified Steak & Seafood Company.

 A little bit about them in their words...


Our commitment to our customers is simple: Offer the highest quality products at the best price and back it with a 100% guarantee. We source directly with no 'middle man' making our supply chain the shortest in the industry. This allows us to maintain the highest quality standards all the way to your plate. On top of this, we sample all products at the moment of final packaging and have a world-renowned laboratory test for various types of adulteration or contamination. This ensures that the food you purchase from us is pure and safe.

Certified Steak and Seafood Company was formed by the three Frisch boys, Mark, Adam, and Steven; all of whom thought that everyone should be able to buy the highest quality steaks and seafood direct. The brothers experience comes from a three generation family owned wholesale company that is one of the largest seafood importers in America.

They have vast experience in sourcing and selling high quality seafood and meat products to the commercial trade — and bring you the same grade of products fine restaurants, resorts, hotels, and high-end retail stores demand – and at a direct price that gives you tremendous value for every purchase.

I was sent some of their Chilean Sea Bass to sample.  We found it to be quite delicious.  We prepared it simply by seasoning with salt and pepper and sauteing in a mix of olive oil and butter melted and heated to medium high.  We sauteed the fish on all sides and served on a bed of greens tossed with some balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

A bit about Chilean Sea Bass...

Chilean Sea Bass

A popular favorite in restaurants across America, the best Chilean Sea Bass now comes to your table courtesy Certified Steak and Seafood. Harvested and processed under close inspection of the National Marine Fishery Service, this soft, tender and smooth fish is a smart and healthy purchase. Impress your family or give as a memorable gift. Facts: Easy to Cook, Wild Caught, 3rd Party Certified, Product of Chile

Visit the Certified Steak & Seafood website! Use coupon FBR125D to get $25 off your order.

This sponsorship is brought to you by Certified Steak & Seafood Company who we have partnered with for this promotion..

Easiest Sausage, Pepper and Onion Recipe ever...

A month or so ago I was chatting with Aggie from Aggie's Kitchen on Twitter (follow me there).  We were talking about dinner ideas and it was decided that dinner was going to be sausage, peppers and onions.  But I was feeling real lazy and insisted on doing it in the crock pot.  Neither of us were really sure it would work.  But it did and...

It turned out good.  Really, really good.  So good in fact that I make it that way at least every other week now.

Sausage, Peppers and Onions in the Crock pot

Ingredients:

• 1 package of Italian style sausage (chicken or pork both work well)
• 2 large peppers sliced lengthwise
• 2 onions sliced
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 can of fire roasted tomatoes
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 can of Northern Beans, rinsed and drained (optional)

Directions:

• Cut sausage links into pieces and brown in a small bit of oil.
• Place peppers, onions, garlic, oregano, tomatoes and beans (if using) in crockpot.  
• Drain the sausage and add to the crockpot.
• Cook on low for 5-6 hrs or high for 3-4.
• Serve over rice, pasta or on a toasted roll like I have above.

Filet Mignon for dinner and a review

I am a proud member of the Foodie Blogroll and through them I was able to sample some product from Certified Steak & Seafood Company.

A little bit about them in their words...

Our commitment to our customers is simple: Offer the highest quality products at the best price and back it with a 100% guarantee. We source directly with no 'middle man' making our supply chain the shortest in the industry. This allows us to maintain the highest quality standards all the way to your plate. On top of this, we sample all products at the moment of final packaging and have a world-renowned laboratory test for various types of adulteration or contamination. This ensures that the food you purchase from us is pure and safe.

Certified Steak and Seafood Company was formed by the three Frisch boys, Mark, Adam, and Steven; all of whom thought that everyone should be able to buy the highest quality steaks and seafood direct. The brothers experience comes from a three generation family owned wholesale company that is one of the largest seafood importers in America.

They have vast experience in sourcing and selling high quality seafood and meat products to the commercial trade — and bring you the same grade of products fine restaurants, resorts, hotels, and high-end retail stores demand – and at a direct price that gives you tremendous value for every purchase.

I was lucky enough to be sent several of their Prime Angus Filet Mignon to sample and review and I have to say they were delicious.  This is like the steaks we used to get in our restaurant days.  Sure do miss those days but at least now I know where I can get good steaks again!  

All we did was season them with our standard grill spice (recipe below) and grilled them on a charcoal grill to medium rare. 

Grill Spice 

Can be used to season steak, chicken, seafood, pork and veggies

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp granulated garlic
1/2 tsp black pepper
1-1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp paprika

Directions:

Sprinkle to taste on any meat that you are about to grill, bake or broil.

A bit about the meat in their own words just in case you don't believe mine...LOL!


Buttery Prime Angus Filet Mignon

If there was ever a steak that you will believe can “melt in your mouth” the Certified Steak and Seafood Prime angus Filet Mignon is it. With a delectable almost sweet beef flavor, and a strong buttery undertone that only Prime angus offers, it has to be tasted to be believed.

Each Prime angus filet is slow aged,  custom cut and trimmed for consistency in color and quality. It is a flavor you will remember long after your meal is over. Great accompanied by grilled root vegetables and horseradish mashed potatoes.

Be sure to visit Certified Steak & Seafood Company to learn more and see all the wonderful product that they offer and while your there use the below coupon code to get $25 off your order!  You can also follow them on their Facebook page, Twitter and Pinterest

This sponsorship is brought to you by Certified Steak & Seafood Company who we have partnered with for this promotion.  All opinions are my own...

Skillet Queso Dip (Chili's copy cat recipe)

Love, love, love Chili's Skillet Queso Dip and I was in need of an appetizer to take to a party this week.  As luck would have it Tony came home with this recipe and all of the ingredients for it! 

You have to try it.  It's dead on...

Chili's Skillet Queso Dip (Cheerios and Lattes)

Ingredients:

• 16-ounce box Velveeta Cheese
• 1 c. milk
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• ½ tsp. ground cayenne pepper
• 15-ounce can Hormel Chili (No Beans)
• 4 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• ½ tsp. ground cumin

Directions:

1. Cut the Velveeta into cubes. Combine the cheese with the remaining ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir frequently until cheese melts.

Serve hot with tortilla chips

A Day of Social Media Silence In Honor of Newtown, CT