Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Smoke Alarm Soup and a Giveaway

DSC06418No one was harmed in the making of this recipe. Just my cookbook. A total loss. I thought it could be salvaged but after taking a swim in the sink (my first reaction upon finding it up in flames) and suffering some major charring, it smelled like a fire-pit and so did the entire apartment.

DSC06416 The pup was super concerned. So concerned in fact he didn’t have time to fix his deep-cut v-neck or make sure his ear wasn’t flipped backwards.

DSC06404 At least the soup was a success. And now we aware that out smoke detectors need new batteries. And putting cookbooks on flat-top stoves is never a good idea. Deep v-necks aren’t either.

DSC06403 Chicken Tortilla Soup (adapted from The Hungry Girl Cookbook)

  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 4 ounces boneless skinless chicken breast cooked, shredded
  • 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1/2 cup sweet corn, frozen
  • 1/2 cup onion, chopped
  • 2 jalapeno peppers, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili pepper

Optional garnishes: Sour Cream, Cilantro, Shredded Cheese, Tortilla Chips

In a medium pot sprayed with Pam, cook onions, garlic, seasoning and spices over medium heat until onions soften, 3 to 5 minutes.

Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.

Add the corn and diced tomatoes and continue to cook for 5 minutes.

Add chicken, jalapeno and lime juice. Stir for 2 to 3 minutes.

To serve, top with desired garnishes. Serves ~4.

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So I promised a giveaway… here it is!

green giant-4-web

MyBlogSpark contacted me to see if I wanted to do a Green Giant sponsored giveaway for my readers and of course I accepted. The prize pack includes:

  • Insulated Tote Bag
  • Serving Bowl
  • Serving Spoon
  • Pedometer (!!!)
  • Coupon for FREE Green Giant Product

They also sent me the same prize pack and I’ll tell you right now, it’s pretty awesome. I LOVE the bowl and can’t wait to use the insulated bag this summer for cook-outs or transporting my favorite beverages.

I was sent the Broccoli & Cheese Sauce to try which I mixed with a serving of whole wheat pasta for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that was filling yet relatively low in calories.

To Win:

1. Leave a comment telling me which vegetables you often buy frozen (if any).

2. Tweet about this giveaway, “Green Giant Giveaway: @lemongroveavenu Smoke Alarm Soup and a Giveaway” and leave me a comment telling me you did so.

3. Follow me and leave another comment letting me know

4. Follow me on Twitter and leave a comment letting me know

I’ll pick a winner using random.org on Tuesday 2/15.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Chili-Lime Roasted Chickpeas, a contest and a GIVEAWAY!

DSC06434

I can’t tell you where I’ve been or why I haven’t posted lately. And I don’t mean that in a “if I told you, I’d have to kill you” sort of way. I mean that in a “I’ve been excruciatingly lazy” sort of way. So for that, my apologies. And though tasty, my comeback recipe isn’t extravagant by any means but these chickpeas are full of flavor and addicting.

DSC06442 If you’re more civilized refined than myself, you may choose to scoop these into a small dish for yourself (much to the appreciation of your fellow partygoers). Though not at all necessary if your friends don’t care about where your hands have been. Not gonna lie, part of me just wanted to show off my new pretty red condiment spoon.

Chili-Lime Roasted Chickpeas

Ingredients

  • 2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 2 T extra virgin lime olive oil (if using regular olive oil, add a few t of lime juice)
  • 2 T Chili Powder
  • 1 t cayenne pepper

In a bowl, mix chickpeas, olive oil and spices. Let marinated for at least 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375. On a cookie sheet lined with parchment, spread even layer of chickpeas. Roast for 25-35 minutes, checking and mixing every 8 minutes or so.

Chickpeas are ready once outside is crispy but inside is still soft.

DSC06449

Remember back in November when I participated in The Recipe Impossible Challenge hosted by Joanne, one of my favorite bloggers, and Marx Foods?

Well, I didn’t win. BUT, I did win a giveaway sponsored by Marx Foods for 24 Quail! I received them back in December and have been excited about sharing the dishes created using them. But that’s not what this is about. Because I won that giveaway, I was made eligible for another Marx Foods sponsored recipe contest, this one called The Ridiculously Delicious Challenge.

This one works a bit differently in that I have to initially tell all of you what fantastic treats I would choose as my prize should I win the contest. Marx Foods supplied us with a list of the potential prizes and instructed us to choose 3. ‘Twas not an easy task, I want to try so many of them but I narrowed it down.

My first choice was a no-brainer. The Specialty Sausage Sampler is an essential ingredient in a “Farewell to Winter Sausage Party” I’d like to host. Get your mind out of the gutter, it would truly be an event to celebrate the delightfulness of the product of efficient butchery.

Specialty Game Sausage Samplercred

With varieties like these?!:

Venison Sausage with Merlot & Blueberries
Lamb Merguez
Buffalo Sausage with Chipotle Chilies
Duck Sausage with Foie Gras & Sauterne Wine
Duck Sausage with Orange Liquor
Rabbit Sausage with White Wine
Wild Boar Sausage with Cranberries & Shiraz

Smoked Duck Sausage with Apple Brandy
Elk with Pear & Port Wine
Pheasant Cognac
Wild Boar with Roasted Garlic & Marsala
Venison with Red Wine & Demi Glace

I mean!!!

Next up, Wild Pink Salmon Fillets. Why? Well, first of all, I consider Salmon to be the sexiest fish in the sea. Look at it,

Bulk Pink Salmon Fillets

Don’t even tell me you disagree. As a lover of mostly all fish, Salmon is and will always be, the first one I’d choose to bring home with me. What a better complement to my Sausage Party than some sexy Wild Pink Salmon. You’re nodding your head now. I’m thinking of a preparation of grilling on a cedar plank? I’ve been promising such a thing to my veggie roommate since we moved in together back in April.

Lastly, since it wouldn’t be a true meat party without more meat, I’d love to add the Kobe Beef Sliders to the Menu.

Bulk Kobe Beef Sliders

The many ways I can prepare these is mind-blowing. I’ve professed my love for sauces before and that would come into play big time here. Perhaps a Wasabi Aioli? Some chipotle ketchup? Or some marinated mushrooms? Most likely, all of those and more.

I hope that I can share another fun recipe with you using products supplied by Marx Foods!

In the meantime, click here, scroll down to The Goodie List, and leave a comment telling me which 3 goodies you would choose!

Also, check back for a fun giveaway later on this week!