Archives for May 2018

Jarlsberg® Cheese, the nationally recognized premium brand of cheese, invites you and your family to whip up a gourmet meal that is simple, elegant and scrumptious. May 18 is National Souffle Day – so why not celebrate in style with this incredible, easy-to-use recipe from Jarlsberg® Cheese?

PERFECT FOR THE WARM SUMMER EVENINGS

Depending on what ingredients you use, the Soufflé can be served both as a savory main dish or sweetened as a dessert. Here we’ve combined this French classic with a tangy lemon vinaigrette and a fresh tomato and watermelon salad which makes it perfect as an appetizer or main course, preferably enjoyed outdoors on one of those warm summer evenings.

Ingredients

JARLSBERG® CHEESE SOUFFLÉ

1 cup milk

2 dried bay leaves

2 shallots, finely chopped

4 small ramekins

Baking paper

1 cup butter

4 tbsp. plain flour

salt

1 pinch cayenne pepper

1 tbsp. Dijon mustard

1 cup grated Jarlsberg® cheese

5 eggs with the whites and yolks separated

Jarlsberg® cheese for the topping

WATER MELON SALAD

watermelon

1 cup tomatoes

1 cup hazelnuts, roasted

1 lime

1 orange

2 cups olive oil

MAKES 4 PORTIONS

TO MAKE THE SOUFFLE

Pre-heat the oven to 400 °F. In a pan, heat the milk, bay leaves and shallot until boiling. Remove the pan from the heat and let the contents rest for 20 minutes. Grease the inside of the ovenproof ramekins.

The soufflé mixture will rise quite high, so don’t overfill the ramekins. Melt the butter in a pan and stir in the flour.

Cook, stirring, for 1 min.

Strain the rested milk mixture, and gradually whisk it into the butter and flour mixture.

Cook over a low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.

Remove from the heat. Stir in mustard, salt, cayenne pepper and grated Jarlsberg® cheese. Then stir the egg yolks into the mixture. Whisk the egg whites until stiff and gently fold them into the mixture, a little at a time. Divide the mixture between the greased ramekins.

Sprinkle a little extra Jarlsberg® cheese on top, if desired. Bake on the bottom shelf of the oven for 20-25 minutes until the soufflés are golden and well risen. They should be slightly soft in the middle. Slice the tomatoes and melon.

Make the vinaigrette by whisking the juice of the lime and the orange together with the oil and mixing well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve the soufflés immediately after they are taken out of the oven.

Serve with the tomato and watermelon salad garnished with roasted hazelnuts and with the vinaigrette.

I recently received some delicious samples of Jarlsberg^® Cheese and am really impressed! Stay tuned because they will be featured again soon!

About Jarlsberg^® Cheese:

In 1956, we created Jarlsberg® Cheese, using an original Norwegian recipe. Why does Jarlsberg® cheese taste so mild, nutty and delicious? It’s all part of the legend…and Norway’s most guarded recipe!  Jarlsberg® Cheese is endorsed by the Good Housekeeping Nutritionist Approved Emblem. All Jarlsberg Cheese varieties are naturally lactose and gluten free.

For a complete product list and recipes, go to www.jarlsberg.com

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to post. I also received Information, image, and recipe to post. 

Have a picky eater that doesn’t like fruits and vegetables? The Phyter Foods has introduced the 1^st line of refrigerated, veggie-based food bars that are really kid-friendly! I love that they have no preservatives and are free of chemicals and added oils and fats! They are also made with fresh vegetables and fruits as the leading ingredient. They are also soft to eat but do not stick to your teeth!

The Nutrition Bar Line features: Kale + Apple, Berries + Peanut Butter, Sweet Potato + Coconut, Butternut Squash + Peanut Butter and Beet + Cocoa food bars.

More info:

• Loaded with phytonutrients – hence Phyter
• 100% plant-based, Organic, GMO-free, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, kosher and vegan
• Sweetened with low-glycemic coconut sugar to reduce blood sugar spikes
• With no preservatives, the bars are found in the refrigerated area at the grocery store

Find out more at https://phyterfood.com

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. An image was also provided. 

    

MAM Perfect Night (glow in the dark) pacifiers are a must this Spring!

MAM, a leading designer brand of award-winning, medically sound and innovative baby products introduces the MAM Perfect Pacifier, which has been clinically proven to support healthy jaw and tooth development. The MAM Perfect Night, a glow in the dark pacifier is also offered.

The MAM Perfect comes in a convenient storage case that allows the pacifier to be quickly sterilized in a microwave, reassuring parents of the health protection for their children. An easy hold button is also featured on the pacifier making it simple for baby to grab and easy for parents to attach to a pacifier clip. It’s curved shield, big air holes and innovative inside surface comforts baby and helps to prevent skin irritation.

Offered in a range of designs featuring cute and whimsical animals and cheerful stars and moons for babies of all ages (0-6 months and 6+ months), the MAM Perfect and MAM Perfect Night are available at Babies “R” Us and Amazon. The pacifiers are sold in a single pack at a recommended retail pricing of $5.49 and in a two-pack with a recommended retail of $8.99.

About MAM – standard setting baby products 

MAM combines technological innovation, medical function and contemporary design to develop superior baby care products that support a baby’s development from day one. Since MAM developed its first pacifier in Vienna in 1976, it has evolved to become a global authority on baby care product design and quality. Today MAM products are used by families in over 60 countries and on six continents. To find out more and view MAM’s baby care range of award-winning pacifiers, bottles, cups, teethers, oral care items, coordinating accessories and gift sets visit www.mambaby.com.

Follow MAM

Facebook: facebook.com/MAMbabyUSA

Twitter: @MAMBABY

Pinterest: Pinterest.com/MAMUSA

Instagram: mam_usa

Warmer weather this season means that Babo Botanicals clear zinc sunscreen spf 30 is a must! 

Help prevent sunburn with Babo Botanicals SPF 30 clear zinc sunscreen. Our formula is non-nano, contains high UVB/UVA protection and, as always, is all natural and kid-safe.Contains 19.0% Zinc, the most effective and safest sunscreen ingredient, and skin-soothing certified organic oils. This hypo-allergenic clear zinc sunscreen is non-greasy and doesn’t run in eyes. I love this one! It really works great! Babo Botanicals sunscreen products are reef safe and free of oxybenzone and octinoxate.

https://www.facebook.com/babobotanicals

https://www.instagram.com/babobotanicals

https://twitter.com/babobotanicals

The b.box Snack Pack is just perfect for Spring Picnics and travel this Spring! 

Australia based b.box was founded in 2007 by Dannielle Michaels and Monique Filer.  b.box products are fun and functional to make parent’s lives that little bit easier with a touch of cool thrown in.  The award-winning b.box collection of innovative designed everyday baby essentials includes the Travel Drying Rack, Sippy Cups, Diaper Wallet, Baby Bottle + Dispenser, Diaper Caddy, bibs, Snack Pack, Mesh Feeder, Baby Spoon, Bowl + Straw, Toddler Cutlery Set and Divided Plates.  For more information visit www.bboxbaby.com. The Snack Pack is just perfect for toddlers!

Look for them online!

Facebook/bboxforkids

Twitter/bboxforkids

Pinterest/bboxforkids

Instagram.com/bboxforkids

Happy Spring! Stay tuned for upcoming Summer Baby round up in June!

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. Images were also provided.

Spice Islands teams up with Taste Buds Kitchen as their Official Spice Partner in a year-long program that includes thousands of cooking classes, workshops and special events nationwide from May 2018 through May 2019.  Spice Islands selected Taste Buds Kitchen for this alliance to support the cooking school’s mission to provide home chefs cooking classes that are fun, educational, enjoyable and easy. During the classes instructors guide participants in amazing ways to cook with spices to enhance meals for the whole family. Cooking classes using Spice Islands will inspire people to turn to spices when creating recipes to make them more interesting and flavorful. The classes will bring to life such dishes as Homemade Garam Masala using several Spice Islands Spices, Poached Pears featuring Spice Islands Saigon Cinnamon, Butternut Squash Empanadas featuring Spice IslandsGarlic Powder and Smoked Paprika as well as hundreds of other recipes and ideas. For more information including the upcoming schedule and to register for Taste Buds Kitchen cooking classes featuring Spice Islands premium spices, visit www.tastebudskitchen.com.

“We are delighted to partner with Taste Buds Kitchen to create a program for a year-long series of classes that allows Spice Islands to be part of thousands of classes, workshops and events for people to really enjoy and learn more about spices,” says Julie Gould, Spice Islands Brand Manager. “We know that home cooks will love the Taste Buds Kitchen classes and learn how to bring the world of flavor home.”

“Our program truly is one of laughter, fun and food and we are thrilled to showcase and use the high quality Spice Islands in our classes, workshops and parties,’’ says Taste Buds Kitchen Founder, Jessi Brelsford.

The union between Spice Islands and Taste Buds Kitchen is a perfect match as it allows the home cook to learn about the value of cooking with spices and ways to incorporate spices into meals, through the series of classes and workshops that will take place over the year.

Taste Buds Kitchen’s mission is to be the top culinary entertainment experience for kids, families and adults by engaging and delighting our budding chefs in the kitchen. They support kids, families and food and strive to create a lifestyle around connecting, learning and growing in the culinary playground of the kitchen. What began as a few holiday baking classes and cupcake birthday parties, quickly evolved into much more. Taste Buds Kitchen events now include an ever-growing variety of culinary classes, parties, camps and special events that combine a mix of hands-on engaging recipes, both savory and sweet, for kids and adults.

Taste Buds Kitchen and Spice Islands know that not all spices are created equal. To achieve such rich flavors and premium quality, Spice Islands buys many spices whole, such as black peppercorns from Vietnam, India and Malaysia, and then mills them in its facility to release their rich flavors and capture them in each bottle.  Spice Islands premium spices and seasonings adhere to strict specifications to ensure high volatile oil levels, meaning a higher quality and more flavorful product.  From cultivating long term relationships with farmers throughout the world, to handpicking many of the spices, to maintaining traditions of drying many of the herbs and spices in the sun – tender care is put into each harvest to ensure the highest quality product.

Try these delicious recipes from Taste Buds Kitchens using Spice Islands Spices.

Spice Islands® Butternut Squash Empanadas

A Taste Buds Kitchen recipe

Makes 12, approximate 4” empanadas

Ingredients

2 cups                 all-purpose flour

¼ cup                  cornmeal

1 tbsp.                Spice Islands® Dried Oregano

2 tsp.                   sugar

2 tsp.                   Spice Islands® Paprika

2 tsp.                   Spice Islands® Salt

6 tbsp.                unsalted butter, cold

2                           eggs

½ cup                  water (more or less as needed)

Filling

7 oz.                    butternut squash, roasted and mashed

2 tbsp.                frozen corn

¼                          red bell pepper, diced

¼                          onion, diced

2                           garlic cloves, minced

2 oz.                    cheddar cheese, grated

¼ cup                  vegetable stock

2 tbsp.                olive oil

¼ tsp.                  Spice Islands® Garlic Powder

1 tsp.                   Spice Islands® Cumin

Pinch                   Spice Islands® Salt and Pepper

Egg Wash

1                                                           Egg

                             2 tbsp.                water

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients for the dough; flour, cornmeal, Spice Islands Oregano, sugar, Spice Islands Paprika and Spice Islands Salt. Cut butter in and mix until if forms pea-size pieces. Then add eggs, mixing one at a time. If the mixture is dry, add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and mix until it just comes together as a dough that forms a ball and is not sticky to the touch. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes.

While the dough chills, make the filling. Sautѐ onion and red pepper until soft, then add minced garlic until fragrant. Add to a medium mixing bowl with mashed butternut squash, corn, grated cheddar cheese, vegetable stock, olive oil, Spice Islands garlic powder, Spice Islands Cumin and Spice Islands Garlic Powder, Spice Islands Salt and Pepper. Mix thoroughly until combined.

Once dough is chilled, cut into individual portions, about 1.7 oz. each. Roll out the dough portions between 2 pieces of parchment paper about ¼” thick, into 4: circles. Then place a heaping spoonful of butternut squash filling into the middle of each round (be very generous with the filling). Fold dough circle in half, over the filling and seal with a fork.

Place on prepared baking sheet and brush each empanada with egg wash (egg and water whisked together). Bake for 15 – 20 minutes until golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.

Spice Islands® Red Wine Poached Pears

A Taste Buds Kitchen Recipe

Serves 4 adults, approximately ½ pear per person

Ingredients

1 ½ cups             red wine

1 ½ cups             water

¼ cup                  sugar

½                          orange, sliced

4                           cloves

1                           Spice Islands® Cinnamon Stick

1                           Spice Islands® Star Anise

2                           Bosc pears

Whipped cream

½ cup                  heavy cream

1 tbps                  confectioners sugar

1 tsp                    Spice Islands® Vanilla Extract

Pinch                   freshly grated Spice Islands Cinnamon

Instructions

In a shallow pot, large enough to hold several pears laying flat on the bottom, bring red wine, water, sugar, orange slices and Spice Islands spices to a boil and reduce to a simmer.

While liquid boils, peel pears, but in half and core. Leave stem attached if possible. Place pears into simmering poaching liquid and poach for 30 – 60 minutes (depending on size and ripeness of pear) until tender when pierced with a fork.

While pears poach, make fresh whipped cream. Put heavy cream, confectioners sugar and vanilla extract in a large bowl and whisk briskly until fluffy (do not over whip). Keep whipped cream chilled until pears are ready.

Once pears are poached, move to a cutting board and cut 5 – 6 slices out of each half, keeping the top intact. Fan pear slices out onto a plate. Top with whipped cream and freshly grated Spice Islands Cinnamon.

Credit: Spice Islands®.

About Spice Islands

Since 1941, Spice Islands has sourced only the highest-quality spices from around the world. Discover a world of flavor in your own kitchen with our premium Saigon Cinnamon, Cumin, Bay Leaves and many more fine spices, seasonings, dried herbs, extracts and flavorings sure to make your next meal an adventure.

About B&G Foods, Inc.

Based in Parsippany, New Jersey, B&G Foods, Inc. (NYSE: BGS) and our subsidiaries manufacture, sell and distribute high-quality, branded shelf-stable and frozen foods across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.  With our diverse portfolio of more than 50 brands you know and love, including Back to Nature, B&G, B&M, Cream of Wheat, Green Giant, Las Palmas,Le Sueur, Mama Mary’s, Maple Grove Farms, Mrs. Dash, New York Style, Ortega, Pirate’s Booty, Polaner, SnackWell’s, Spice Islands and Victoria, there’s a little something for everyone.  For more information about B&G Foods and our brands, please visit www.bgfoods.com.