Bundts n' Bowls

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

al Fresco Roasted Pepper and Asiago Chicken Sausage Fritatta

Al Fresco Roaster Pepper and Asiago Chicken Sausage Frittat

I'd like to say that I really do enjoy being an Allrecipes Allstar Brand Ambassador. It has opened up a lot of recipes that I would never think to make. Of course, my family is resistant as I have said before. It's like pulling teeth to get them to try something new.
The husband and the daughter did not like the texture of the chicken sausage. Luckily they ate enough to give me their opinions. I do not eat eggs. yuck!

This recipe is very easy to make, my teenager could make it and it's pretty quick.

I realize my posts always seem so negative. I really don't mean them to be. It's not always easy to find a recipe that is new and using products that I normally don't or would use.

"This was okay. The family ate it but wouldn't care to have it again. Neither the husband or daughter cared for the texture of the chicken sausage. I don't eat eggs so I can't give a personal opinion. " - opinion posted on Allrecipes.com

Friday, October 12, 2012

Baked Ziti Casserole

Baked Ziti Casserole

"I will say the only thing I was surprised about when it came to any of the recipe starters was how thin they are. While they have good flavor, it is very light. I over cooked the pasta, I had never made a baked anything pasta, so the ziti didn't hold its shape and turned to mush. I did not have sausage so I skipped it. My family was not impressed but I believe it have been my alterations and not the recipe itself. I had to open a jar of pasta sauce to try to salvage the dish and it was still a flop. BUT... like I said the flavor of the recipe starter was good! I would definitely try this again, make sure I have all the ingredients and cook the past appropriately!"

What can I say about this dish. I have never cooked ziti in my life. I have since tried to make it again, and still had the same results of over cooking it. I feel like I can't really give a review based on my inability. Flavor was good, very light as I have said before.

I think I might try this again, just using a different type of pasta. I need something not so delicate, maybe some of those tri colored spirals my daughter likes.

Smothered Pork Chops and Potatoes

Smothered Pork Chops and Potatoes using Progresso's creamy portabella mushroom Recipes Starters Cooking Sauce.

"I made this last night and it was a huge hit with the family. I did not use the potatoes but I did add mushrooms and sauteed onions. The recipe starter has a nice but extremely mild flavor. I would make this again."

Smothered Pork Chops with Potatoes

Here is the review I left on the Progresso website.

Not the best pic, got a new camera now, better pics for future recipes! I should have waited to take the pic until I had added the rest of the sides. It just looks so blah.

This would have to be my favorite dish I've made using the Progresso Recipe Starters Cooking Sauces. Not a lot of tweaking to be done. I did thicken the sauce, leave out the potatoes, and add some garlic and onion powder. I left out the potatoes because we prefer mashed potatoes that putting potatoes in dishes.

I would make this again and pass the recipe to friends and family. Super quick and easy. The onions and mushrooms completed the dish, I think.

The husband and daughter loved it and had no idea that I had used one of the products for the Allstar program. They are usually not so keen on trying new things.. but they really liked and said they would like this if I made it again. That makes it a winner in this house.

Chorizo Con Queso

https://progresso.com/Recipes/Recipe-Starters/chorizo-con-queso/3c4ffec9-bb55-44f5-8283-db31ef6c3f78

(Again, sorry for the crappy quality of the picture, have a new camera now so they will be better!)

"This was delish! I ended up added a pinch of chili powder and some cayenne pepper. My chorizo was spicy but just didn't give it enough kick. Overall this is a keeper! It was so good, we even used it as a topping for baked potato. I would not use the chorizo next time for the potato. Excellent!"

Okay, so this was the review I posted on the Progresso website. I'd like to expand a bit. This was surprising good. I would like to note you will hear me mention this when I talk about the Progresso Recipe Starters Cooking Sauce.. it is a bit thin, and the flavors are very light, but a very good base and just needs a little tweaking.

The only thing I did not like about this product was that it is not so tasty to reheat. Of course, this could have been contributed to the cheese that is added to it. It was a little gritty and had an almost bitter taste that lingered on the tongue.

I'm not sure I would run out and buy this product every month, but it will be kept as an option to cut down on some prep.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Al Fresco Basmati and snow pea stir fry with teriyaki chicken meatballs

I am an Allrecipes Allstar Brand Ambassador(a voluntary position) and I’m not compensated for my work with Allrecipes.com. Products received from advertiser are only used for experienced-based reviews on Bundts n' Bowls. The reviews, content and opinions expressed in this blog are purely the sole opinions of T. Graham.

Basmati and Snow Pea Stir Fry with Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs

First let me say, I do not like using prepackaged, precooked anything. But I signed up for the Allrecipe Allstar Brand Ambassadors because I love to try new things. So I knew going into this that I would be stepping out of our norm ( for us) when it came to ingredients. Having said that, I will give my honest opinion on all the recipes that I make, and I will try to keep an open mind and set aside my prejudices.

I will also apologize in advance for the quality of my pictures. I have the worse camera EVER! and until I get a new one I have to endure the slightly blurry photos I share ( with much embarrassment..Sorry!!).

Okay, I will say the meatballs keep their firmness and have a generous ginger flavor. It would be better to brown the meatballs before adding the rest of the ingredients. I doubled the sauce. My husband refused to take a bite. He stubbornly rebels against all things that I do not mix the ingredients to. He wouldn't taste it, no matter what I tried to bribe him with. My daughter did try the dish. She felt the texture of the meatball was a little weird with the peppers, but thought the dish wasn't "horrible". I'll be honest and say I tried the meatballs before and after it was put in the dish. I personally do not like ginger, and it was all I tasted. I also do not like hoisin sauce, which turned me off from the dish. But I think it looked yummy!

Why then did I make this particular dish? I thought it would entice my husband to try it since he likes stir fry, hoisin sauce and he loves ginger! It was easy to make, took almost no time at all. Since my family can't always be reliable to try new things, I use my neighbors (they are like Mikey.. they'll try anything!). They loved the dish. They ate it with relish and even had seconds and asked for the recipe. The loved the meatballs and even were surprised that it was chicken. I was relieved to have someone to give me an opinion I could use.

Hello!! Hello!!

I am an Allrecipes Allstar Brand Ambassador(a voluntary position) and I’m not compensated for my work with Allrecipes.com. Products received from advertisers are only used for experienced-based reviews on Bundts n' Bowls. The reviews, content and opinions expressed in this blog are purely the sole opinions of T. Graham.

I, at times find this to be difficult. I am at a stay at home mother and wife. I cook from “scratch” 99% of the time. I do not use prepared, pre cooked, or premade items. No T.V. dinners here! I use fresh ingredients; I have an actual butcher (not the kind you find in the grocery market). I do my best to grow my own vegetables or at least buy them from local farmers markets.

I do not consider myself superior in any way to cooks who use items of convenience. Given my financial situation I am extremely lucky that I have the luxury (extremely careful planning). Living on an income of less than $1000. A month, I find myself in the same situation as millions of other people. Choosing what foods to buy is a grueling task. I have to feed a family of 3, which includes a meat eating husband who won’t settle for less and a teenage girl whose taste buds change day by day.

There are days I long for the quickness of opening a box of hamburger helper or popping a T.V. dinner in the microwave. What I do not miss is the price of these convenience foods. 10 for $10. Sounds pretty good until you are making 2 per person and everyone is still looking for more afterwards. It turns out to be just not cost efficient. I would prefer to fill my limited freezer space with a variety of meats.

I’ll not stand on my soap box and preach the evils of what I call “fast food” in the kitchen. I could drone on about fat and salt and unknown ingredients – but I’ll spare you. Given the choice I would hope you would give “home made from scratch” a try. I know for some individuals and families this type of cooking is unrealistic. We all do the best we can. I’ve checked out books and websites about once a month cooking. Personally, that never appealed to me. I rather like cooking daily (remind me I said that when I am tired and have no desire to cook!). I have known people who swear by once a month cooking. I have checked out books and websites on how to feed your family for $50. a week. Completely unrealistic! The price of food differs so drastically from state to state and with price increases everyday there is no way for it to be accurate or even remotely possible (unless daily ramen noodles are to your liking).

I plan my meals for the month, and I grocery shop once a month. I will continue to get fresh ingredients as needed, but the bulk of the shopping happens at the beginning of the month. So far, this has worked for us. I can offer you a look inside my kitchen and maybe pass on some recipes you would like to try or some helpful tips. I do not claim to be an authority on cooking or saving money on groceries. I am just like so many others trying to feed my family and hopefully make it fulfilling and enjoyable.

I use family recipes, some from friends, magazines, cookbooks and websites like Allrecipes.com. I will do my best to site the source of each recipe I post. If I do not know for sure, I will post that as well.