Pete the Cat Cocoa, Product Review

The thing that I find most difficult about gift giving during the holiday season is figuring out what to get people I shop for, but don’t really know, and by this I mean service people -- the postman, various and sundry other delivery drivers, stylists, manicurists, you get the drift. Teachers also fall into this category (this would also make an excellent hostess gift).

 

What am I talking about? A can of hot cocoa, but not just a normal can of hot cocoa, but an extra special can of rich and delicious hot cocoa made in small batches, right here in the good old U.S. of A, Athens, Georgia to be specific. Pete the Cat Cocoa from the makers of Jittery Joe Coffee comes in a unique and colorful designer can with the image of “Pete the cat” right there on the front. Isn’t this the cutest?

 

I made mine using a frother that also works with cocoa (and is dishwasher safe!), and it was absolute heaven! If you don’t have one of those, you are definitely going to need one to get you through the cold winter ahead. It blends everything to perfection giving you such a wonderful hot beverage with a velvety texture.

  If you want to buy an extra special gift, along with the cocoa, get a frother, and this adorable set of cups (Super cute and the perfect size for cocoa; the saucer gives you plenty of room for a cookie, and the neutral color means they will go with anything.).

Keep Jittery Joe in mind for coffee lovers as well because they also sell gourmet coffee in whole bean or ground, each of which comes in an equally adorable can.

  For more information, visit the website.

 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Many thanks to Jittery Joe, who provided me with a complimentary can of Cocoa mix in exchange for an honest review.

Why you need a Mason Jar Vacuum Sealer.

 

Is your summer produce coming in as fast as mine? I have so many tomatoes coming in that I’m struggling to keep up. In fact, the night before last I had a dream about them. That’s how much they have taken over my life. I also have cucumbers, onions, and jalapeños that I’m picking daily. If you are as inundated as I am, it’s helpful to be able to get that produce to last as long as possible. Naturally, when you grow your own, it is going to last longer than what you get at the grocery store that is who knows how old, but it can still be difficult to keep up.

 

 

 I have found that a great way to keep my produce super fresh is to store it in jars that I have sealed with a Mason jar vacuum sealer. This thing is amazing! This past week I used it for salads. I made a different salad for every day of the week, and do you know that salad stayed fresh for longer than seven days? Not only that, but every salad tasted perfectly fresh, even the one I enjoyed at the end of the week. I love salads, but I hate making them. Now, I mass make them all in one morning, and enjoy them all week long.This works exceptionally well for fruit, chopped vegetables, cubes of cheese, salami, etc. It makes it so easy to put together a salad and the makings of a charcuterie tray with little to no effort. If you don’t have one of these Mason jar vacuum sealers, get one. I am not kidding you. It takes up only a tiny amount of space wherever you choose to store it, pays for itself in food saved, and does such an incredible job at keeping your food fresh. If you are worried about food spoilage, you owe it to yourself to get one (get two!) and share with a friend.

 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Product of the Month - Burger Press

 

I do a lot of cooking, with a repertoire that ranges from simple dishes to those that are quite complex. Despite all of this, my favorite food in my adulthood is the same favorite I had as a youth, and that is the humble, but soul satisfying, cheeseburger. I like making thin, flat burgers that get crispy on the edges, and then will double stack them between layers of melted cheese. I have never been able to get the patties as thin as I wanted because it’s impossible to get the leverage that you need to do so through the use of a spatula; the pressure points are off. That’s why I was so excited to find this Burger Press. It is my new favorite kitchen tool.  It is stainless steel (so easy to care for), has a nice weight to it, and it will smash those burgers diner-style flat. I love how well it works, and that it can be put in the dishwasher after use. I really think this item is going to get more use that everything else in my kitchen.

 This is my product of the month.

Photo from Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

Product Recommendation: Melissa's Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

I do not like sun-dried tomatoes. To me, they're like tomato-flavored raisins. Then, when they're packed in oil, they’re like oily tomato-flavored raisins. But, sun-dried tomatoes do find themselves appearing in a number of recipes that I want to try, many of which are Tuscan-inspired, and I do enjoy this type of food. If you feel the same way about sun-dried tomatoes as I do, then I think you're going to be interested in this product from Melissa's Produce (This is not a sponsored post, I just love it!). It's high up on my list of favorites (along with the Fire Roasted Sweet Red Bell Peppers, Hearts of Palm, and Roasted Jalapeno Peppers). Introducing Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto. Imagine!

I use it in every recipe that calls for sun-dried tomatoes. Because a lot of good ingredients go into this pesto (The highest quality sun dried tomatoes with extra virgin olive oil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic and seasonings,), the depth of flavor in any recipe where it is used is so much better than if sun-dried tomatoes are used alone. It also adds no bitterness. I use anywhere from one heaping tablespoon to two heaping tablespoons depending upon how many sun-dried tomatoes are called for, or just according to my own personal taste. Once you try this, you will never go back to sun-dried tomatoes again. Why should you?

Come back tomorrow for a tasty example of the use of this pesto in place of sun-dried tomatoes in a delicious Tuscan Shrimp dish. You won’t want to miss this!

This post may contain affiliate links.

Viki's Granola, Product Review

As you all know from the many recipes that I have shared with you, I make my own granola. Because I do, a commercial variety has to be pretty special in order to turn my head; Viki's Granola does just that. Good-for-you delicious, it has no preservatives, is sodium free, contains no trans fat, is full of healthy whole grain, is gluten free, kosher, dairy free, and gives you high energy while being sweetened naturally, so is not cloying like a lot of other varieties.

Not a cereal eater? There are loads of other ways to enjoy Viki's Granola. My new favorite way is to toss it with popcorn when making caramel or kettle corn.  It is a wonderful addition!  Other ways include:

Sprinkle on muffins or quick breads before baking
Use as a replacement for oats in streusel topping
Turn your favorite fruit and yogurt into a delicious parfait
Toss with salad
Stir into pancake or waffle batter
As a crunchy ice cream topper

I think you'll find that its uses are endless. You won't want to be without it.

Yep, it’s that good.

I received complimentary packages of Viki’s Granola in exchange for an honest review.

CedarLane Quinoa & Vegetable Enchiladas, Product Review

When CedarLane® offered to send me a package of frozen Quinoa & Vegetable Enchiladas, how could I resist? I mean, I love enchiladas, and have a bit of a fondness for quinoa, so I figured why not give them a try. Once they arrived, however, I had blogger's remorse. What would I say if I didn't like them? Not everyone can like everything, right? I had the whole scenario planned out in my head. I would thank them kindly, give them the old “It's not you, it's me” routine because, more and more, I just knew that these were not for me. Meanwhile, we had a bit of a health upheaval here, and as time passed, my worries continued.

So today I finally popped them into the oven and made up some pico de gallo while they baked. My reasoning, of course, was that when I didn't like them at least I would have some good, fresh pico de gallo to eat. Well, as it turns out, I didn't like them, I loved them! Honestly, I could not believe how good these were. These did not taste as if they had been frozen at all, but had a very fresh taste. Plus, the taste is complex. Some frozen enchiladas just have an overall taste of some amalgam of dubious Mexican ingredients. With these, I could taste each ingredient, the corn, black beans, quinoa, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, yellow squash, and the poblano crema, and the tortilla actually tasted like corn. As an added bonus, they are hearty, satisfying, gluten free (if that is an issue for you), and only 340 calories, for an entire fill-you-to-the-brim with delicious goodness meal! Did I mention that they are good for you? Each serving contains 12 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber.

I'm glad to know that they are available at my local market _____ because, at first chance (actually, I am leaving now!), I am buying more.

These are seriously good, with seriously impressive nutritional value, along with the ease of being microwaveable. Run, don't walk to your nearest store and stock up. 

Yep, I liked them!

 

Salted Butter Caramel Lava Cake, a READY TO BAKE LIQUID BATTER

My guess is that, more than once, you are going to find yourself in a situation similar to the one I was in yesterday. I had just slipped into my coat, grabbed my purse, and was ready to head out shopping when the doorbell rang. Fully prepared to collect the next stack of boxes delivered by our able-bodied UPS man, Brian, and head out on my way, I was, instead, greeted by a good friend who had just returned from a trip out west, and was stopping by for a visit.

I quickly shed my coat and kicked it into the laundry room as I ushered him inside to a cozy, half-decorated home with only a few grounds of coffee left to make a pot, and cupboards virtually bare. “Come on in!” I greeted him enthusiastically as my mind raced over what I could throw together with some limp celery and a couple of slick slices of salami. And then it hit me! I had three packages of ready-to-bake French baking mixes that were touted to be ready in 10-15 minutes. Not 10-15 minutes prep time, mind you, 10-15 minutes TOTAL time.

Raising my eyes to the heavens, I mentally thanked esteemed French dessert maker PrePat'33 for creating what is surely the ultimate in convenience foods, and started preheating the oven while entertaining my guest. As I served the coffee I poured the ready-to-bake liquid batter into six ramekins, crossed my fingers, and popped them into the oven.

Fifteen minutes later, dusted with powdered sugar, I served a delicious salted caramel dessert to my very impressed friend.

People, these are the convenience food of the century! Filled with wholesome real ingredients, READY TO BAKE LIQUID BATTERS are inspired by actual French recipes. The handy pouches keep for up to a year in your cupboard and bake in 10 – 25 minutes, depending upon which delicious treat you prepare. And the best part is that no additional ingredients are needed. Simply pour the READY TO BAKE batter into a cake pan or muffin tin, and bake. That is it! Is your mind blown yet? It should be! These mixes are going to make life so much easier. From the casual situation that I was in to your fanciest soiree, consider serving one of these easy, delicious desserts, that you can dress up with ice cream and toppings, a dollop of whipped cream, or simply a sprinkling of powdered sugar as I did.

A variety of these fabulous desserts at under $4.00 per pouch, are available in stores across the Unites States, including Central Market stores in Texas, WINN DIXIE stores in Florida, Louisiana and South Carolina, Meijer stores in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois, and Fairway stores in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The products are also available online through igourmet.

I have personally tried, and can highly recommend, the Caramel Salted Butter Lava Cake -- based on a traditional French recipe, it contains gourmet salt from Brittany, Chocolate Cake -- indulgent and loaded with real cocoa, and Gluten-free Brownies. I am now champing at the bit to try the other varieties: Chocolate Lava Cake, Brownies, and what will surely be breakfast saving, Blueberry Muffins, that are loaded with real blueberries.

Now is the time to stock up, for you, and for everyone on your gift list. Imagine stuffing stockings with French baked goods. Ooh la la!

Disclaimer: I received complimentary samples of this product in exchange for an honest review.

1907 New Zealand Water, a natural choice

I was watching the news the other night, and one of the reporters was doing a story on the water in the St. Louis area that, for 30% of the customers, “tasted funny.” But, the reporter added, they should be assured that it was safe and they “were working on it.”  Uck, I thought, as I reached for a cool bottle of 1907 New Zealand Artesian water. What was giving it that funny taste?

If you have ever experienced something similar, or wondered why that cup of coffee, glass of iced tea, agua fresca, or other water-based beverage “tasted funny,” have you ever given a thought to the water? Perhaps it's time that you should. As my son always says, “If you think that water has no taste, then you haven't been to Michigan.” I can add Pennsylvania to that list, along with Iron County in Missouri where I was punished sent to Girl Scout Camp one summer where we totally understood after that wretched week where Iron County got its name.

Water is an important, yet largely unappreciated ingredient in many things, and yet I doubt that most people give it much thought.

Sourced 680 feet deep at the foot of New Zealand’s Kaimanawa Ranges, resulting in pure, uncontaminated water, 1907 New Zealand water is naturally alkaline. The high alkalinity helps to keep your body well-balanced, and fight the high levels of acidity that can result from a fast-paced lifestyle that may not consist of all of the best foods all of the time.

So the next time you want a cool, refreshing beverage, or rich cup of coffee, reach for the water that will ensure that you get a pure, fresh, clean, unadulterated taste to whatever you are drinking.

Thanks to the good people at 1907 for providing me with some of the best water that I have ever tasted!