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Nonni’s Biscotti Bites: Sweeps, Thoughts and Recipe

May 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

nonni's biscotti bitesBiscotti are among my favorite cookies, but they are usually pretty large and hard to break without making a mess.  Since I have been working on dropping a few pounds before summer starts, I had been skipping them the past few months.  My coffee was lonely.

Lucky for me, Nonni’s recently introduced Biscotti Bites.  They are smaller biscotti.  For me, they were just the right size.  Sometimes I want a little sweet fix, not a big production, just a couple bites. Biscotti Bites are perfect for this.  Each one is in the 30-40 calorie range, so one or two with coffee, or as a quick snack won’t be problematic for the waistline.

I liked the Caramel Milk Chocolate variety the best, closely followed by the Almond Dark Chocolate.  My daughter also seemed most taken with the Caramel Milk Chocolate bites too.  When we got to the Classic Almond flavor, I decided to experiment with using the biscotti to make dessert cups.   The biscotti certainly packed more flavor than graham crackers, and added an Italian flair to the resulting dessert.  The small size of the Biscotti Bites, enabled me to simply empty the bag into my food processor, to grind them up .  I was very happy with the crust, and will be using it again in the future for other desserts too.  Ricotta Pie would ROCK with a crust made out of these biscotti!

biscotti cupsI filled the cups with homemade vanilla filling and blueberries.   I will be posting the recipe very soon, but in the meantime, why not enter Nonni’s Biscotti Moments Sweepstakes .  Nonni’s encourages you to take a well deserved break, just like their Facebook page to enter to win a grand prize of a trip to Hollywood, complete with spending cash & a new digital camera.  Upload a picture of your “Biscotti Moment”, and maybe you will win one of the weekly prize winners of a Nonni’s Biscotti Gift Basket.   Since I get a great deal of satisfaction in a new recipe creation coming out well, this is a Biscotti Moment for me, just as much as relaxing and noshing on a few would be, so that is what I submitted… to each their own right.biscotti bites

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Nonni’s Biscotti and received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Filed Under: Food, Food & Beverage

Giveaway : Kraft Fresh Take Recipes Make Dinner Easy

April 17, 2012 By 9 Comments

southwest three cheese chicken fresh takeWith busy schedules, even avid cooks have a hard time, presenting fresh healthy homemade food for their family at every meal.  This is where a product like the new Fresh Take line from Kraft comes in handy.  It sure simplifies the dinner making process and cuts down on mess to clean up.kraft fresh take southwest three cheese

I tried the Southwest Three Cheese recipe. It is for chicken, pork or fish.  As you can see above I went with chicken for this particular meal.  All you need to make this recipe is the Fresh Take package,  meat of choice, and basic salad fixin’s.  Pretty easy, and something your family members who are not too skilled in the kitchen could certainly prepare.

fresh take mixing bagThis is what is in the package when you open it up.  Complete directions are conveniently located right on the bag itself.  Even a teen, won’t miss that.

fresh take cheese and crumbsPreheat oven to 375 degrees. Open the package, pull apart the separating partition, and mix the topping together, then drop in chicken and coat.  Place on baking sheet and top with remaining cheesy crumb mixture.  Bake for 28-30 minutes (I used breasts, if you are using tenders, it will take considerably less time).  When done, put it on top of a salad and enjoy!

Kraft Fresh Take recipe packets are available in 6 varieties:

  • Southwest Three Cheese: A blend of garlic, cumin and red chili pepper combined with Colby, mozzarella and cheddar cheeses creates a zesty Tex-Mex meal with chicken, pork or fish.
  • Italian Parmesan: For a classic Italian meal, add this blend of parsley, garlic, onion, Parmesan and mozzarella to chicken, pork or fish.
  • Rosemary & Roasted Garlic: This blend of rosemary and garlic with mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan and Romano cheeses is a perfect seasoning for pork and adds delicious flavor to chicken and fish, too.
  • Cheddar Jack & Bacon: Savory herbs, bacon, Monterey Jack, cheddar and provolone cheeses pair perfectly with chicken, pork and fish.
  • Chili Lime & Panko: A mix of chili peppers and lime with Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses spice up fish and complement chicken and pork.
  • Savory Four Cheese: This blend of feta, mozzarella, provolone and Parmesan cheese crumbles with roasted garlic and onion will create a savory burger or classic meatloaf oozing with cheese.

My Thoughts: I personally enjoyed the Fresh Take Southwest Three Cheese recipe on my chicken very much.  The cheese and spices really made the breaded chicken special.  It had great flavor and crisped up nicely.  The chicken was moist and the topping had so much flavor that I didn’t need much dressing on the salad.

Check out Fresh Takes on the Kraft website, for more information and recipe ideas, as well as a 50¢ off coupon.

I am one of several bloggers selected by Kraft Foods to participate in the KRAFT FRESH TAKE recipe program. While I have been compensated for my time, my opinions are my own, and I have not been paid to post positive comments.

Grocery Gift Card Giveaway

One lucky Mom Foodie reader will win a $50 Grocery Gift Card, courtesy of Kraft. Open to U.S. residents 18+

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Entrees, Food, Food & Beverage, Poultry Tagged With: ,

Red, Red Wine…

April 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This month from The California Wine Club I received a double dose of red.  I tend to prefer red wines most of the time, so I was not sad to see this.  The wines were  from the Le Vigne Winery of Paso Robles (an area know for producing nice red wines). Le Vigne is a winery new in name only.  It was formerly known as Sylvester Vineyards & Winery, and the bottle labels still carried that name.

kiara wines cabernet zinfandel

The included selections were:

Kiara Private Reserve 2007 Zinfandel – I am a big fan of zinfandel and this wine was not a disappointment.  It is not one of the big jammy zins.  This wine is a bit more subtle, providing plenty of berry, and a bit of vanilla oak, but very flexible for meal paring.

Kiara Private Reserve 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon – I often don’t quite agree with the label descriptions on wines, but in this case it was spot on.  This Cabernet was bursting with cherry and had a defined cedar accent.

If you would like to try out new wines along with me, a membership with  The California Wine Club, will provide them, conveniently delivered to your door.

california wine club

California Wine Club Exclusive Deal Code

To kick start your wine tasting experience,  I have an exclusive deal available to my readers, that will get you more wine for your money.  You will be able to receive 4 bottles for the price of 2 in your first shipment from The California Wine Club, with no obligation to continue. You will also be able to receive all reds or all whites or a combo of each, whatever you prefer.
The discount code to take advantage of this deal is:  blommi12

Media samples provided.  All experiences and opinions presented here are my own.

Filed Under: Food & Beverage Tagged With:

Want to Dabble in Wine Tasting? There Is No Need to Deal with Snobs.

March 19, 2012 By 1 Comment

wine snobSo you watch food shows on TV, and see snooty sommeliers and famous chefs pair expensive wines with dishes that you can’t pronounce, but the thought of putting together a delicious dinner with a wine, that will actually compliment it, is enticing.

You don’t need a fancy degree, or special training to taste wine, and figure out what it will be good with.  Just try a variety of wines, and pay attention to how they taste, what you like and don’t like, and either try them with food occasionally, or just think about what they might taste good with.  There really are no right or wrong answers.  Smell and taste each wine, and respect your own thoughts about it.  Period.  You will be the one drinking it, after all.

To learn about wine, you will need to try some variety.  Drinking the same wine, you have for the past few years, won’t do it.  This is where a good wine club can come in handy.

california wine club

I have had the opportunity to try several shipments from The California Wine Club, and have enjoyed the experience each time.  Some shipments had wines I adored while others were good, but not quite as exciting to me personally.  That being said, the wines have always been of good quality, and unique in taste.  Always, well worth a taste, and the information about the winemakers, as well as the wines themselves, that can be found in the magazine that comes with each shipment is both educational and entertaining.

The most recent shipment I received featured two selections from the Three Saints winery, their 2010 Chardonnay and Steak House Red.   Here are the high points of my personal thoughts on these wines.

The Three Saints 2010 Chardonnay had a scent of apples and pears, but strong citrus flavor.  The citrus and acid in this one are very evident, so this would be a good wine to have on hand for seafood, pork or chicken dishes, that have a lot of fat.  This wine would cut through it.

Three Saints 2009 Steak House Red Wine was more my kind of wine (I have been on a red kick lately).  The nose (scent) of this wine was rich in berries, and had a hint of smoke.  As I drank it, one flavor really impressed itself on me, blueberries (not what the “pros” say, but I will own it).  This wine is perfect for grilling season, as it would pair great with a nice juicy steak.

California Wine Club Exclusive Deal Code

To kick start your wine tasting experience,  I have an exclusive deal available to my readers, that will get you more wine for your money.  You will be able to receive 4 bottles for the price of 2 in your first shipment from The California Wine Club, with no obligation to continue. You will also be able to receive all reds or all whites or a combo of each, whatever you prefer.
The discount code to take advantage of this deal is:  blommi12

Media samples provided.  All experiences and opinions presented here are my own.

Filed Under: Food, Food & Beverage, Lifestyle

Bertolli Premium Meal Soup: The Taste of Made-From-Scratch in a Flash #BertolliMealSoup

January 31, 2012 By 2 Comments

Bertolli Meal Soup logoAs someone who cooks from scratch, just about everyday.  I am a bit spoiled and fussy, when it comes to food.  Let’s face it though, no matter who you are, none of us have the time or inclination, to cook everything from scratch.  A time crunch does not mean you have to sacrifice having a quality meal.  I recently tried Bertolli Premium Meal Soup, and found it to be an excellent solution for busy weeknights special.
Bertolii frozen soupI had originally planned to serve some bread or salad with the soup, but once I had emptied the contents of the pouch into my saucepan, I realized that they weren’t kidding, when they called this a “meal soup”.  It was chock full of chicken, veggies and pasta.  This hearty soup would be plenty in itself.

To prepare, all I had to do was add a cup of water and turn the burner on high.  After a few minutes, when most of the frozen sauce cubes had melted I gave it a quick stir.  Once it came to a boil, turn the burner down to simmer, cover and cook for about 5 more minutes, to ensure everything was nice and hot all the way through.  Presto, done.

bertolli soupThe Roasted Chicken & Rotini soup had great flavor, not too salty and full of well trimmed chicken, and veggies that seemed like they had been cut to order.  Both the vegetables and the pasta had a fresh texture.  I loathe mushy pasta, so this is especially important to me.  The process Bertolli has used to freeze the soup as separate components, really gives the results of fresh homemade soup.

For more information about the Premium Meal Soups from Bertolli check out the Bertolli website, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

I was compensated by Bertolli to participate in the Weeknight Meal Special Challenge.  All experiences and opinions presented here are my own.

Filed Under: Food & Beverage

California Wine Club: Great Last Minute Holiday Gift!

December 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

california wine club holiday giftLooking for a last minute holiday gift, they will really love? Why not a membership to the California Wine Club .  It would be a fantastic present for any wine lover, as well as, the foodies in your life.  I have sampled a few shipments, and have been very pleased with the quality of the wines sent.

wine clubThe club is not stuffy at all.  California Wine Club makes tasting wine an easy and enjoyable experience, that you can have right in your own home.  Each moth the club sends two bottles of wine from a small (usually family run) California winery.  They arrive nicely packaged in a specially designed double wine insulator, to ensure no broken bottles.   An informative magazine is also included with each shipment.  The magazine shares interesting information about the producing winery, and the family that runs it. There is also a section in the back, offering bottles that have come in earlier shipments (great if you haven’t been able to find them locally).  If you have never experienced small estate wines before, you’re sure to be surprised at how distinctive they each are, and knowing about the people that made your wine, adds a little to the enjoyment, as well.

You can send as many months as you like to your recipient. Discounts are available on 3, 6, 9 & 12 month packages. The first shipment will also include a $25 voucher so they can re-order their favorite wines.  Each shipment contains two bottles, if you prefer to do two red or two white wines, rather than one of each no problem.  To take advantage of this deal and get an additional 10% off your order, use the promo code: blommi and follow this link to  The California Wine Club. 

Product sample provided.

Filed Under: Food & Beverage, Holiday Gift Guide 2011 Tagged With: ,

NewAir AIC-210 Ice Cream Maker Review

December 13, 2011 By 2 Comments

ice cream makerI was recently sent a NewAir AIC-210 Ice Cream Maker for review.  This ice cream maker is much different than the one my parent’s used when I was a child.  Memories of packing salt and ice into the sides of the old style ice cream makers , and waiting for hours to have any ice cream to eat, didn’t draw me back to the process, as an adult.  This ice cream machine is far different from the set-up my parents used though.

homemade frozen yogurtThe NewAir AIC-210 Ice Cream Maker has a built in compressor, so making ice cream becomes as simple as mixing your ingredients, pouring them in, setting the timer, and pressing the button.  I made some frozen yogurt in the machine, and it was ready in just 40 minutes, with minimal cleanup.  My daughter loved the yogurt, and it is a great way to try out something unusual.   Our frozen yogurt concoction was made with vanilla frozen yogurt, milk, chocolate Slimfast powder & a banana.  I figured my daughter and I both liked this combination as a smoothie, so why not a frozen treat.

I will certainly be having some fun with this next summer, making ice cream and frozen yogurt featuring fresh fruits and berries.  I might try a couple wacky recipes I have seen online, like bacon ice cream, as well… why not.  The Newair AIC-210 would make a wonderful gift for the foodie or ice cream lover in your life.   It is quicker and easier to use than most ice cream makers , so I think they will be pleasantly surprised.

Product sample provided.  All experiences and opinions presented here are my own.

Filed Under: Food & Beverage, Holiday Gift Guide 2011, Household Tagged With: , ,

Apothic Red: A Versatile Wine for Your Holiday Table

December 13, 2011 By 1 Comment

apothic red reviewApothic Red is a delightful vinter’s blend.  It is rich and smooth, with the flavor of cherries and a bit of spiciness.  The blend is a mixture of Syrah, Zinfandel and Merlot, and has acquired excellent characteristics from each.  The wine retails for a reasonable retail price of $14, but I recently purchased it 2 for $19.99, from a local wine seller.

I would suggest Apothic Red as an excellent red choice to serve with dinner, or as a hostess gift.  In my opinion this is a smart buy.

Disclosure: Sample provided.  I have indeed bought it since then.

Filed Under: Food & Beverage Tagged With: ,

Spaghetti w/ Crispy Pancetta and Aspargus Recipe from Barilla (Gift Card Giveaway & Coupon)

December 7, 2011 By

I generally develop and write my own recipes here, but this week I have a great recipe for you from the Barilla Taste & Share Challenge’s Dinner Kit.  To help families transition into eating more whole grains,  the folks over at Barilla have developed a nice catalog of healthy recipes, utilizing their line of whole grain pastas.  There are quite a few vegetarian choices among the recipes, but I ended out selecting one which featured the Italian equivalent of bacon.  Just a small amount of this delectable pork fat treat, truly brings this dish to a higher level, while not adding much actual fat, since it is very well rendered in the cooking process.  I also loved the way the diagonal cuts to the asparagus, made it cook through quickly, while maintaining a nice texture.  As an added bonus, this recipe was fully prepared and on the table in about 20 minutes.  I will certainly make this recipe again.

barilla whole grain pasta

SPAGHETTI WITH CRISPY PANCETTA AND ASPARAGUS

Ingredients:

  • 1 box Barilla Whole Grain Spaghetti
  • 2 oz. Pancetta (julienned)
  • 2 bunches of  Asparagus (sliced thin on  bias)
  • 1 clove of  Garlic, Chopped
  •  tbs.  Fresh Italian Parsley (chopped)
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes
  • 1/2  cup Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (grated)
  •  Black Pepper to taste (freshly ground)
  • 3 tbs.  Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions:

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
  2. HEAT a medium sized skillet over medium heat. Add the oil to the pan and sauté garlic until slightly browned, about 1 minute.
  3. ADD asparagus, sauté over medium heat for 4 minutes. 
  4. ADD tomatoes, season with salt and black pepper, sauté for 3 additional minutes or until tomatoes are warmed through and skins are slightly blistered.
  5. SAUTÉ pancetta in a small sauté pan on low heat until crispy, and drain the extra fat. 
  6. COOK Whole Grain Spaghetti according to package directions, drain and toss with the sauce. Stir in cheese, parsley, and top with pancetta before serving.

Note: I mistakenly purchased 4 oz. of the Pancetta, so I fried it first, drained it well & left half in the pan which I used to cook the vegetables, then topped the plate with the reserved Pancetta, as directed in the recipe.  ( I know, extra fat… but it is far too good to waste.)

barilla taste and share challenge Check out this and many more wonderful recipes,  learn about the importance of eating whole grains, and share some money saving coupons for yourself and some friends on the Barilla Taste & Share Challenge.

Grab a Coupon!

Barilla has made it even easier for Blommi readers to take the Whole Grain Taste & Share Challenge!  For a limited time, visit: http://on.fb.me/TryWholeGrain, enter box code 1129 and select two of your Facebook friends to share Whole Grain with. You’ll be instantly eligible to print a $1-for-2 coupon and your friends will each receive a $1-for-1 coupon good for any variety of Barilla Whole Grain pasta.

Disclosure: I was given the opportunity to share my experience with Barilla Whole Grain pasta, as part of a sponsored blogging program.  I  was compensated for my participation. All opinions and recipes presented here are my own.

Visa Gift Card Giveaway

One lucky Blommi reader will win a $100 Visa Gift Card courtesy of Barilla, to help get them on track with healthy eating.

Entry Options (do as many or as few as you like, but make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry)

      • Tell me in a comment below, that you will try the Taste & Share challenge.
      • “Like” Barilla US on Facebook
      • “Like” Blommi on Facebook
      • Follow this blog via email or RSS  (One entry each).
      • Follow both  @TwiMommi and @BarillaUS on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway can be done 3x per day at least 1 hour apart (account must be public and have at least 50 followers). feel free to use this tweet: ” Win a $100 VISA Gift Card from @TwiMommi & @BarillaUS  http://blommi.com/?p=24007 #Giveaway  ”
      • Follow me on Stumble Upon , Pinterest or Google + (one entry each, leave your user name in comment).
      • Stumble, Pin or +1  this or any other recipe post from Blommi.com (each can be done once per day) The dropdown sharebar on the left side of page makes these easy.
      • For 3 entries! Grab my ad button (available here), or add Blommi.com to your blogroll -> blog must be public with minimum 25 followers. Leave a link where it can be found, in your comment. (remember to leave 3 separate comments)
      • For 3 Entries! Blog about this giveaway with a live link back to this post  -> blog must be public with minimum 25 followers. (be sure to leave 3 separate comments)

One winner will be randomly selected from all valid entries, and will have 48 hours to respond to their prize winner email notification. If winner fails to respond, within that time period, a new winner will be drawn. Giveaways hosted on Blommi are sponsored by third parties. Site owner will of course endeavor to see all prizes are fulfilled, but is not responsible for missing or damaged prizes. Contest ends December 15, 2011 at 11:59 pm CT. Open to US residents , age 18+.

Filed Under: Food & Beverage, Recipes
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