Skillet Fajitas & Giveaway

How about a quick dinner while you're planning your Memorial Day Weekend? Last week we whipped up some Skillet Fajitas with Tyson's Frozen Grilled & Ready Chicken.

Tyson is introducing some NEW Frozen Grilled & Ready products that are fully cooked and 98% fat free! We were given the chance to try them out and I loved them!

Want to try them for free?

We have 10 VIP Coupons for Tyson's Frozen Grilled & Ready Chicken and will give them to one lucky reader. That's a lot of easy meals!!:)

Time's up! We have a winner! Linda, please contact me within 3 days and we'll get your prize out to you!

Skillet Fajitas

Ingredients:
1 bag (22 oz) Tyson Frozen Grilled & Ready Chicken Breast Strips
1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
1 medium onion, cut into strips
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 tsp. fajita seasoning

1 can fat-free refried beans
whole wheat tortillas
shredded lettuce, cheese, salsa, and your favorite fajita toppings

Directions:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add peppers and onions and cook until onions start to turn clear. Add chicken and fajita seasoning and cook for 4-5 minutes until chicken is warm and onions are caramelized. Serve with tortillas and your favorite fajita toppings. Enjoy!

Disclosure: I was given a gift card to purchase the Tyson product and ingredients to make a quick and easy dinner. Tyson also provided the free coupons to use as I saw fit. I was not compensated in any way for this post and as always, all opinions expressed are my own.

Very Hungry Caterpillar Snack

How long has it been since we've done a
Book & a Snack? Too long!
Yesterday we munched and crunched,
Very Hungry Caterpillar style!

This snack is super simple! All you need is to print out the Caterpillar Straw Template I made, attach to straws, pick your favorite snacks from the book (or whatever you have on hand), and let the kids use their straws to "nibble" through their food. The kids also each got a cupcake to decorate at the end of our snacktime. Click image below to open and print the template. Fold on dotted line, cut out, and attach to drinking straws. Serve up a table of delicious snacks... and watch your little caterpillars nibble through them! We also read the book while we snacked. Enjoy!

Mini Root Beer Float Cupcakes

With so much excitement going on, I haven't created a true "Gourmet Mom-on-the-Go" treat in awhile--Let's get back to what I do best!
Today we whipped up some super easy
Mini Root Beer Float Cupcakes

I don't drink, but I LOVE shot glasses! I use them for all kinds of things! I've used them for Pomegranate Soup, Sweet Potato Sorbet, use them to serve shots of bisque as an appetizer, put veggie sticks in them & serve on an elegant platter, you name it!

Votive holders work well, too. They're cheap (lots of places have them for 25 cents) and look elegant. They were perfect for these little sweet treats!

Mini Root Beer Float Cupcakes
Makes 32
Ingredients:
1 pkg. Betty Crocker Vanilla Cake Mix
1 Tbsp. Root Beer Extract (in the spice aisle w/ the other extracts)
1 can Root Beer (you can use diet to cut the sugar)
Creme Roulee wafer cookies
Vanilla Icing (storebought or your favorite recipe)
Red Mini Gumballs (or M & M's or other red candy)
Clean votive candle holders or shot glasses
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place 1 Tbsp. root beer extract in 2 C. measuring cup (you'll have extract left over for another batch!:)). Fill cup with Root Beer until it reaches 1 1/2 C. (you'll have just a taste of root beer left in your can). Add to cake mix and stir well. No eggs, no oil, easy!!
Place shot glasses/votive holders on a baking sheet and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Fill 1/2 full with cake batter and bake at 350 degrees for 18-22 minutes until done. Remove from oven and let cool completely. Your kitchen will smell like a soda factory--the kids loved it!:)
Cut creme roulee wafers in half.
Put vanilla icing in canvas bag w/ star tip (or you can just put it in a ziploc baggie and snip off one end). Pipe a dollop of icing onto each cupcake, top with a gumball and half of a wafer cookie. Serve or refrigerate until needed.

Wouldn't these be just adorable too for a summer picnic or end-of-the-year school party?!

Purse Giveaway to CELEBRATE!

I had such an amazing time in Los Angeles with Jenny from Picky Palate on Bertolli's "Into the Heart of L.A. trip", I can't wait to get a few posts together to share with you. Also, don't forget to send me your grilling recipes for a chance to win a new grill!

In the meantime, I have great news & someting for you!
I just found out that I am a finalist in The Real Women of Philadelphia Cookoff! Savannah, here I come! I can't wait to meet Paula Deen!!
I really wanted to share my excitement with you, so I decided to give you something I bought in L.A....I couldn't resist this purse!

Isn't it adorable??! (Jenny bought a black one). So, to say thanks for being a part of our kitchen adventures, I'm giving it away to one of you!
The first person (who wasn't in L.A. with me!:)) to leave a comment with the correct answer(s) below will win the purse! Also, I had so many sweet emails about this necklace that I'll pick one random comment to win a baking charm necklace!
To Enter:
Leave a comment letting me know the names of these three people (pics below) I met in L.A.

First person with the correct answer wins the purse! On May 20, I'll pick one comment, any comment, to win the necklace. Purse giveaway open to U.S. Residents, necklace giveaway open to anyone worldwide!

Here are your clues:

Person #1: Famous chef, the star of our Bertolli Event

Person #2: Famous chef known for amazing vegan creations, has been on Oprah.
Person #3: Not a chef, but definitely famous! Her brother passed away last year.

Grilling Recipe Cookoff!

Are you ready for some Grilling and Great Prizes?
We want your best grilling recipes!

Sams Club is sponsoring the Grand Prize and it’s
a cherry red (love it!)
Sams Club 2010 Patio Grill!
(click image for more details)
Not only is Sams Club a great place to shop, did you know that they’re a fantastic online resource for food/recipe ideas?
Check out the "Let’s Eat!" section on their Spring page.
They have some amazing marinades, salads, and desserts for outdoor entertaining!
What about this Watermelon Salad? YUM!

We also have amazing gift packs for 2 runners up!
Runner up #1
(Click on the photo below to see the amazing prize pack!)
Sponsored by:
Aprons n More
Words to Sweat By
Yours Truly

Runner up #2
(Click on the photo below to see the amazing prize pack!)
Sponsored by:
Words to Sweat By
Keep Calm Shop
Yours Truly

And, some other fun news, I am so excited to announce that among other foodies we have celebrity guest chef Nicole Aloni on our judging panel! (In case you don’t know her, she is amazing! She opened her first catering business at age 13, has catered 6 Academy Awards, an event for the Queen Elizabeth, several U.S. Presidents, and countless other events)!

So, let’s get on to the details!
The Results are in!
All the finalists had great recipes, you can download them here.

The judges have sent me their picks and the winners are:
1st Place: Brooke's Buttermilk Chicken
2nd Place: Jennifer's Spicy Grilled Chicken Chipotle Pizza
3rd Place: Michelle's Tilapia Parmesan

The results were SO CLOSE that I'm going to send a few goodies to each of the finalists! I'll email you to get your contact info. Congrats to our winners!!

While you fire up the grill, here are some great safety tips for grilling meat, courtesy Sam’s Club. You can view it here.

Lotsa Dots Cake and fun news!

I've met so many cool women participating in the Real Women of Philadelphia contest, among them Christine Buckley, who happens to own the uber-tasty cake mix company Cake Chalet (have you seen their flavors? Chocolate Waffle Cone? YUM!). She offered to join in our Birthday Cakes for Foster Kids project and donate some of ther super tasty mixes. How cool! Here's a cake I finished with my friend Shalece last night--I wish we could be there to see her family's faces when they get it! There are lots of amazing women participating in Real Women of Philadelphia, come join us!

I am just so amazed how much fun we've had with these cakes! It started as a little local project to do with my girls (we are working with Olive Crest) and I've heard of so many of you doing the same thing in your hometowns! Think of how many foster kids are getting some special TLC! Bravo to you!
Now, I think regular fondant tastes terrible, so this creation is covered in Marshmallow Fondant. Recipe is here. Yummy! The finishing touch is a spray of luster dust that really made the cake sparkle. fun, fun, fun!

And now, some amazing news! Our Finger Lickin' Healthy Food Cookoff will be up on Monday and I'll be.....in L.A. with Jenny from Picky Palate at a food day with Bertolli and Rocco DiSpirito! I can't wait! Thank you, Jenny!

Southwest Avocado & Sausage Quiche

You know, ever since Avodaco and Guacamole decided to see other people, Avocado has really been getting around! Lately he's been partying with Penne in Italy.
Well, this week he stopped in Paris for a delicious little tête-à-tête with quiche.
The best of Europe and the Southwest? Oh-La-La! Southwest Avocado & Sausage Quiche
makes 2
Ingredients:
2 medium avocados
2 deep dish frozen ready-made pie crusts
1 can diced green chilies
1 lb. sausage
6 eggs
2 3/4 c. whole milk (you can cut the fat by using fat-free half & half, it still bakes beautifully!)
2/3 c. parmesan cheese
1 C. swiss cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook sausage until browned, remove from heat and drain fat. Add can of diced chilies and stir.
Divide sausage mixture among two deep dish ready made frozen pie crusts. Combine swiss and parmesan cheese in a bowl. Sprinkle 1/2 c. of cheese mixture on each quiche. Peel avocados and remove pit. Chop into 1/4"-1/2" cubes and sprinkle on top of cheese. Sprinkle remaining cheese mixture on top of avocados. Break eggs into a large bowl and whisk for 30 seconds. Add milk, salt, pepper, and stir well. Place quiches on a baking sheet (you'll thank me later in case they spill over!!) and pour egg mixture into each crust until it reaches the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes until set. Remove from oven, slice, and serve. This is also delicious served cold! I just had some for breakfast, yummy!!

Figgy Philly Tarts

I have great news! Our Finger Lickin' Healthy Food Cookoff will be up on Monday and among other amazing prizes, guess what you can win...
A brand new grill
from Sams Club!
So, brush off your best grilling recipes and check back Monday to see how you can participate!

As many of you know, I've been busy making videos for the Real Women of Philadelphia Contest. Well, this week Paula Deen suggested we change things up, so I kind of went nuts this week...I hope I don't scare the RWOP judges!:) But, the video was so funny that I had to share. Plus, the recipe is good!

Figgy Philly Tarts
Makes 30
Ingredients:
12 oz. Philadelphia Cream Cheese
2 pkg. frozen mini fillo shells
2/3 c. fig preserves
zest from two small oranges
2 Tbsp. honey

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Place mini fillo shells on a 9 x 13 pan.
Cut cream cheese into 30 cubes. (cut into thirds lengthwise, then in 10 rows the opposite direction)
Place one cube cream cheese in each of the fillo cups.
Add 1 tsp. fig preserves on top of each cream cheese cube.
Sprinkle orange zest on top of fig preserves.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 5 minutes, until warm.
While tarts are baking, drizzle your serving platter with honey.
Remove tarts from oven, place on serving platter and serve.

White Chocolate Potato Chip Cookies

This week, we're giving away a $25 AMEX gift card! Go here to leave a comment and enter.

What makes you happy?
For me, it's many things. Some are my family...cooking...cookies...and potato chips!
Why not put them together?!

Remember back in the 50's when putting potato chips in everything was all the rage? Well, we went retro and invented some White Chocolate Potato Chip Cookies. They were deeelicious! The potato chips added a bit of salty crunch that got two thumbs up at our house. Little C was a HUGE fan! When she opens her own diner, you can bet they'll be on the menu...

Lay's Potato Chips wants to know, what makes you happy? You can check out what others have said at Lay's Happiness Exhibit, a photo project to document happiness across America.
So, upload your happy photos and you may see it on a bag of Lay's Potato Chips! Ends May 31.

White Chocolate Potato Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
2 sticks Butter
1 tsp. Baking Soda
¾ C. Granulated Sugar
1 tsp. Salt
¾ C. Brown Sugar
1 Egg
1 Tbs. Vanilla
2 ¼ C. Flour
1 C. White Chocolate Chips
1 1/2 C. Crushed Lay's Potato Chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whip butter until creamy, then add sugar and beat. Add Salt, vanilla, soda & egg. Add flour and mix well.
Now for the "secret ingredient"!...
Stir in potato chips and chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoon onto greased cooke sheet and bake 8-11 minutes until edges are barely brown. Enjoy!

Why the Lay's Happiness Exhibit?
“Our consumers understand a basic truth – that the happiest moments in our lives are truly the simple ones. And science has proven that happiness is contagious,” explains Gannon Jones, vice president, portfolio marketing, Frito-Lay North America. “This insight inspired us to create the ‘Happiness Exhibit’ as a way to spotlight the moments of simple happiness that people treasure most. And there’s no better medium than photography – everyone has a photo in their collection that captures a happy moment.”

Disclosure: I was given a bag of Lays Potato Chips and grocery gift card to create this recipe. I was not compensated in any way for this post and all opinions, as always, are my own.