Showing posts with label Cooking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cooking. Show all posts

February 28, 2015

PRODUCT REVIEW: Ozeri Green Earth Frying Pan with Textured Ceramic Non-Stick Coating (100% PTFE and PFOA Free)

I received this free product from the company in exchange for writing a review on my blog.

I am not being compensated any further. The company's links are at the bottom of this post.



Ozeri Green Earth Frying Pan with Textured Ceramic Non-Stick Coating  (100% PTFE and PFOA Free)



I am IN LOVE with this pan! It's smooth, it cooks EVENLY, and it washes FAST! Even when I didn't get back in the kitchen the other night to wash it, the next day it still cleaned up fast!




And it's so pretty! I know, I know; it's weird to say that about cookware... but seriously, ladies, we do love our nice-looking cookware, don't we? ;) Men will love this too! It's thick, tough, durable...




I am going to get more pieces in this line and give them all to my son who is majoring in culinary: he's going to have his own nice set now!



There are various sizes, this one is an 8-inch, my next one that's already on the way is the 10-inch smooth bottom!


GET YOURS HERE!!

SEARS:
http://www.sears.com/ozeri-12inch-green-earth-frying-pan-with-textured/p-00825881000P


HOME DEPOT:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ozeri-8-in-Green-Earth-Frying-Pan-with-Textured-Ceramic-Non-Stick-Coating-from-Germany-100-PTFE-and-PFOA-Free-ZP1-20/203725616


AMAZON:
http://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Textured-Ceramic-Non-Stick-Coating/dp/B005470CB6/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1425165015&sr=1-2&keywords=ozeri+8-inch+pan




Utilizing GREBLON -- an ultra-safe ceramic coating from Germany, the Green Earth Pan by Ozeri is one of the world's first frying pans to achieve non-stick perfection while remaining absolutely free of PTFE, PFOA and other harmful chemicals. Conventional cookware and other ceramic cookware brands achieve their non-stick performance through a coating of PTFE (PolyTetraFluoroEthylene), a synthetic substance that has waxy properties. At very high temperatures, PTFE begins to decompose and release fumes which are documented to be lethal to birds and small pets, and which can be harmful to humans. In addition, traditional pans incorporating PTFE are often manufactured with the aid of PFOA (PerFluoroOctanoic Acid), which the EPA has classified as a 'persistent pollutant of the environment'. With the Green Earth Pan's GREBLON ceramic from Germany, even under high temperatures, no harmful toxic fumes are ever released into the environment. This is because the Green Earth Pan utilizes a 100% ceramic coating inspired by nature - not a laboratory. The Green Earth Pan's ceramic coating is completely free of PTFE and PFOA, and far more durable and scratch-resistant than other non-stick surfaces. With better non-stick properties, the Green Earth Pan allows you to saute, fry, bake, boil and braise with as little as half the amount of oil normally used, and cleaning is a breeze. The Green Earth Pan by Ozeri is made of the highest quality die-cast aluminum that allows for even cooking and fantastic browning without hot spots. It boasts a magnetized bottom for rapid heat transfer on induction stoves, and a heat resistant silicone coated handle. This version of the Green Earth Pan features a textured ceramic cooking surface. The elevations of the textured cooking surface create air pockets which distribute heat underneath food to enhance cooking performance. Your satisfaction is guaranteed. 




I was asked to test and review this product,
with no other promise of compensation,
but to give my honest opinion.

February 03, 2015

Crock Pot Cheesy Pasta and Beef Casserole





Crock Pot Cheesy Pasta and Beef Casserole
Ingredients

1 tbsp canola oil
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tsp Worcestshire Sauce
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
2 8oz cans tomato sauce
14. 5 oz can diced tomatoes in basil, garlic and oregano
1 pound penne pasta
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet and brown beef
2. Transfer beef to crock pot, stir in onion, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes
3. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours
4. Cook pasta on stove top according to directions
5. Stir cooked pasta into beef mixture just before serving
6. Top with Cheddar cheese


January 17, 2015

Quick Italian Cream Cake







Quick Italian Cream Cake

1 package white cake mix with pudding
3 large eggs
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 (3 1/2-ounce) can flaked coconut
2/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted
3 T Rum (optional)

Cream Cheese Frosting (below)

Beat first 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer 2 minutes. Stir in coconut and pecans. Pour into 3 greased and floured 9-inch round cakepans.
Bake at 350° for 15 to 17 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. 
Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
Sprinkle each cake layer evenly with rum, if desired; let stand 10 minutes.
Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. 

Chill 2 hours before slicing!

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 (16-ounce) package powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla and pecans.

Frost cake when completely cooled.




January 13, 2015

White Velvet Chocolate Mousse



White Velvet Chocolate Mousse

(add thinly sliced strawberries for garnishing 'hearts')

Serves: 6-8

Created by The MDM Team, Sunday, December 30, 2007
Creamy, dreamy and oh so sweet. That's the best way to describe this out-of-the world dessert experience. Garnish with raspberries or strawberries for an even better punch and to match Valentine's Day colors - (you can also slice the strawberries thin and they will resemble hearts!).



Ingredients
8 oz. imported white chocolate, chopped
1 3/4 cups whipping cream
4 tbsp. light corn syrup
3 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
Mint leaves




Methods/steps
Stir white chocolate, 1/4 cup cream and 2 tbsp. syrup in saucepan over very low heat until chocolate is melted and smooth. Pour into a bowl and allow cooling to lukewarm. Beat 3/4 cup cream with electric mixer to firm peaks. Fold cream into the white chocolate mixture in 2 batches. Divide mousse among 4 custard cups. Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours. Can be prepared up to 2 days ahead. 
Bring remaining 6 tbsp. cream and remaining 2 tbsp. corn syrup to simmer in heavy saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to low, add semi-sweet chocolate and stir until melted and smooth. Cool to room temperature. Spoon enough sauce over each mousse to cover completely. 
Garnish with mint leaves, and with a dollop of chocolate whipped cream.





VALENTINE'S DAY will be here in one month, gentlemen (and ladies) :)






MEN (and women)... soon it will be Valentine's Day - you do NOT need to spend hundreds of dollars on each other! That is a waste of hard-earned money... trust me... just use your imagination... let me tell you how cool a HOMEMADE card is along with a homemade dinner or dessert... VERY! You know why? You had to put your feelings into it. Yes, we like chocolate, we like flowers, but most of all, we like YOU as a person, otherwise we wouldn't be with you. Do not waste a load of money on something that lasts one day! And hand-holding, a hug, a kiss on the forehead... oh my, I get weak in the knees thinking about it. Just love me, that's all I ask :)








There are lots of desserts and recipes here on my blog, just use the years and links on the right to find something good
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>



Maple Pecan Pie







Maple Pecan Pie

  • 1 prepared pie dough
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 4 Tbsp melted butter
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups pecans (halves and some whole)
  • pinch of Kosher salt
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl beat eggs. Stir in maple syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and salt. Mix until well-combined. Add pecans and stir. Pour into prepared pie crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 – 45 minutes or until golden brown and the filling is set.


January 06, 2015

****CONTEST IS CLOSED**** Let's get this GIVEAWAY going!! One bottle each of Regular PB2 and Chocolate PB2!! Ends January 9, 2015 11pm EST



****CONTEST IS CLOSED**** 

Using random.org, the winner was
Christy Seguin, congratulations!!
I will be sending you an email, please make sure to read it and answer back, you have 48 hrs!





See my original post and review about PB2 here:

http://wouldyoulikesomeheartwiththat.blogspot.com/2014/12/product-review-pb2-peanut-butter.html

This product can be used in all kinds of recipes from baking to cooking! It's an alternative for people with certain food allergies.








Enter below in the COMMENTS by simply letting me know what your favorite dessert or sweet is. Do you prefer fruit? Or chocolate? Nuts? How about a slice of fancy cake?



You must leave your EMAIL ADDRESS so I can contact you. 

**Winner will be chosen this coming Friday night using www.random.org, and contacted on Saturday morning, IF they followed the directions: LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS! If you don't leave your email, you won't go into the generator. Simple.

You have 48 hrs to reply to the email I send you on Saturday or I will pick a new winner!!

I appreciate SHARES! It helps my blog grow, which in turn attracts more companies, that then offer more giveaways!

Have an amazing week!

Go...

v
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December 30, 2014

I am IN LOVE with Krusteaz various muffin mixes...




I make these quite often and I don't know why I have never posted about it before.
I prefer "cake" or "bread" over muffins, so I make these, and banana bread 'muffins', in a bread pan or a bundt pan, and slice off what I want. The time is lower and I don't have to wait as long.
I also reserve and add a little of the berry juice into the mix to keep it moister :) Sometimes I get very brave and add flavorings, but they are not needed at all, it's just something I do on occasion.

Love love LOVE!!




#krusteaz
www.krusteaz.com

December 29, 2014

PRODUCT REVIEW: PB2 (peanut butter substitute, gluten-free) AND CONTEST/GIVEAWAY to be added very soon!!


(GIVEAWAY TO BE ADDED SOON, SIT TIGHT...)




I tried a few different recipes I found online throughout the week and we have really enjoyed using these PB2s!

It has the consistency of powdered sugar so it works perfectly in things like cake icing, and it's a super-concentrated peanut taste so it gives amazing flavor!
Other than that, you can add it to protein shakes, make protein balls, pancakes, add a little water & maple syrup for the best pancake topping ever!

Here are the online recipes we tried:


PB2 Popcorn

Serves 2
Ingredients
1 Tbsp. coconut oil
1/2 tsp. salt (or less)
2 Tbsp. PB2
1/3 cup popcorn kernels
1 Tbsp. powdered sugar
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, combine coconut oil, salt, and a tablespoon of PB2. Melt in the microwave for 20–30 seconds.
2. Place the popcorn kernels in a large microwave-proof bowl, pour the oil mixture over top, and stir to coat. Cover with a vented lid, and cook on high until there’s a second or two between popping noises. If your microwave has a popcorn setting, go ahead and trust it.
3. Immediately after removing the popcorn, sprinkle it with the remaining PB2 and the powdered sugar. Toss all together, and enjoy.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Calories: 103
Protein: 3 grams
Carbs: 7 grams
Fat: 8 grams
____________________________________________



I LOVE making various banana breads, and this was pretty darn good!

PB2 Banana Bread
Serves 8
Ingredients
2/3 cup PB2
1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 scoop unflavored whey isolate
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2–4 packets of stevia
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3 very ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 cup egg whites
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a standard size loaf pan by lining it with foil or parchment paper, and then spray it lightly with coconut oil.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the PB2, flour, whey protein powder, baking powder, salt, stevia, and cinnamon.
3. Add the mashed bananas and the egg whites to a separate bowl, and beat together until smooth. Stir in the applesauce and vanilla.
4. Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, and stir until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, and bake for about a half hour. The peanut butter banana bread is done when a toothpick can be inserted into the middle without getting covered in uncooked batter.
Nutrition Facts per Serving
Calories: 109
Protein: 9 grams
Carbs: 19 grams
Fat: 1 gram
_________________________________


I want to add this amazing article from a dear personal friend of mine who is a beast in the gym! :)

Hello my Defiant Friends!
As you all know, I love to cook, bake, decorate cakes, and just generally love everything about food.  I also love to create original recipes that work on a healthy nutrition plan.  On my training and nutrition program, I get one ‘Feed Meal’ every week, and I usually choose pancakes as my meal.  If I were given the choice of a last meal, it would probably involve pancakes.  I just LOVE them!
You can easily make very healthy pancakes using protein powder alone, so they are low carb.  But for my Feed Meal, I need some carbs.  So here is the most amazing recipe I have come up with in a long time.  These pancakes turn out moist & hearty, more like an apple cake.  I have always loved peanut butter on fresh apples–something my mom taught me when I was a kid.  So I use a peanut butter ’syrup’ which I think goes amazingly well with the apples,  but you can just use maple syrup or honey if you don’t have the specialty ingredients lying around.  This completely satisfies my sweet tooth, while avoiding eating a damaging food like a carrot cake with white flour, sugar, etc.  This recipe uses no refined white flour, & you can even make it completely flourless if you’d like.

Apple Pie Protein Pancakes Recipe

-1 medium apple, sliced
-1/2 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze almond milk (or water)
-1 whole egg
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1 tsp apple pie spice
-dash of nutmeg
-dash of ground cloves
-1 to 2 scoops Vanilla protein powder (I use Sun Warrior)
-1/4 cup Bob’s Red Mill Pancake mix
-1/2 tsp Baking Powder
-Dash Himalayan salt
-Stevia or Ideal Brown Sugar xylitol to taste
-1/8 cup chopped pecans–optional
-raisins–optional
Syrup*

Blend the apple slices with the liquid & the egg until the apples are completely blended.  Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl & make a well in the center.  Pour in the apple mixture & whisk very gently until blended. Do not over mix. If too stiff, add more liquid; if too runny add more protein powder. Fold in the pecans & raisins, if using.
Heat a griddle to very hot–400 degrees. Pour or spoon mixture onto griddle. These will steam a lot  & create big bubbles on top as they cook.  Watch to make sure the bottom isn't burning, and turn over as soon as they are cooked enough to hold together.  They are very dense & moist, not fluffy & light like regular pancakes. I love the heavy apple-cake-like texture!
Serve with PB2 ‘Syrup’* or use honey, Grade B maple syrup, blackstrap molasses, or your favorite pancake syrup.  Savor every bite!  And you may even want to lick the plate when you’re done!  Haha!
You could also use oats instead of the pancake mix.  Just blend them up with the apple & egg.

PB2 ‘Syrup’*
-2 Tbs PB2 or other dehydrated low-fat peanut butter
-Stevia or Ideal Brown Sugar Xylitol to taste
-Water, honey or maple syrup to preferred consistency
-Himalayan salt to taste
In a small bowl or cup, place the PB2, sweetener & salt.  Add water, honey, maple syrup–or a combination thereof–slowly, mixing with a whisk until thoroughly blended.  It doedoesn'tke much liquid to get a syrup-like consistency.
*******************
PB2 is an amazing product by Bell Plantation.  It’s dehydrated, defatted peanuts that becomes peanut butter with the addition of just a few drops of water.   You can purchase it by clicking here or the sidebar to the right:  PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter.   For really amazing decadence, they have a Chocolate PB2!  This is NOT to be used in great amounts, but is a wonderful alternative to eating half a jar of regular peanut butter, as some of us can do if we get started on it & lose control!
*******************
Also, let me stress again that this is a Feed Meal, otherwise known as a Cheat Meal, for me.  It’s not something I can have everyday on a pre-contest or even Improvement Season nutrition plan.  For the average person who is not getting up on stage, though, it would be a great breakfast treat anytime, or freeze the pancakes for later & take them with you.  Very portable, & you can roll them up & munch on them even in the car–without the syrup of course!  But they are delicious on their own.
See—eating healthy can be really easy & delicious!!!
Be Defiant!  Fight For Your Health!
Christy


I hope you enjoy this if you make it! :)
_______________________________________


A tip from the company:
Just a hint...sometimes if you start out with using a little less than a tablespoon of water and then gradually adding the water to the PB2 you can get it more to a consistency that you like. 

PB2 is made with the highest quality peanuts that are slow roasted and then cold pressed to remove the fat and oil.  All that’s left is a delicious natural roasted peanut flavor.  PB2 with chocolate is simply PB2 blended with the finest cocoa beans to give you rich chocolate flavor.  Both are all natural, made with no preservatives and are gluten free.  If you have any doubts about the benefits of PB2 versus traditional peanut butter, keep in mind that PB2 is all natural without the fat or added hydrogenated oils of other brands.  PB2 and PB2 with chocolate have only 45 calories per serving (2 Tbsp) and 0 grams of saturated fat.  When compared to traditional peanut butter which is 190 calories per serving (2 Tbsp) and 3 grams of saturated fat.  
AND HERE:
http://www.bellplantation.com/

While you're there, grab some of their snacks!!



#PB2