Share Your Easter Family Traditions and You Could Win an Easter Ham

Some of you may not know this, but in addition to writing Food Blogga, I also create content for Pork, Knife & Spoon, the blog of The National Pork Board.

Right now, we're gearing up for Easter by giving away coupons for TWO EASTER HAMS!

Want to win an Easter ham for your family? Do like bunnies do, and hop on over to Pork, Knife & Spoon to find out how!

The deadline for entering is this Wednesday, March 28, 2012 (midnight PST), so hurry! And good luck!

Blogger Went Down and Ate My Posts

Hello dear Food Blogga readers,

Thank you to all of you who have emailed me to say that my last post, a cookbook review and give-away for The Lazy Gourmet, has disappeared.

Last week, my domain host, Blogger, had a serious glitch and went down. It took my last two posts as well as four more I had written and saved. Ugh.

Since many of you had left comments for a chance to win a copy of The Lazy Gourmet, please leave one again today, and I'll announce a winner on Wednesday. Thank you so much for your understanding and patience.

Below you'll find the recipe for Caramelized Fennel I posted from the book. The gals say that "one of the most powerful weapons in the Lazy Gourmets arsenal is fennel." I couldn't agree more.

Best,
Susan



Caramelized Fennel

Serves 2 to 4

Printable recipe.

2 medium fennel bulbs, leafy tops trimmed and discarded (or saved for another use)

3 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 ounce (about 1/3 cup) grated Parmesan cheese

1. Have fennel bulbs, remove core, and thinly slice. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot but not smoking  add fennel and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and beginning to brown about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with salt, stir in vinegar, and remove from heat. Serve topped with grated Parmesan.

Give-Away for Foodie Art Reusable Tote Bag

I'm happy to introduce you to Nicole Docimo, an artist and blogger living in Davis, California. On her blog, Blue Bicicletta: Art and Illustration, Nicole writes engagingly about the joys and hardships of being a full-time artist. Nicole's art work is simple and whimsical, and often encourages the viewer to celebrate life's small pleasures, like stopping to smell the roses.

I have gotten to know Nicole through email exchanges and think she's not only a talented artist but also a lovely person. Indeed, Nicole has generously offered one lucky Food Blogga reader one of her eco-friendly reusable tote bags with the motto: Eat Well and Slowly (pictured below).
 

1. Your art work is simple yet playful and appealing. How did you develop your style? 

My style developed by a series of happy accidents and a weaving together of various interests. A few years ago, when I was getting back into visual art after a long sabbatical, I was really trying anything---collage, painting, block printing. Then one day, my then boyfriend, now husband, noticed that I was always doodling with just a pen on paper, and he said, "Why don't you do that type of drawing more seriously?" At that moment the light bulb went on, and so I started taking my black pen to larger pieces of paper.

At first, I was doing more abstract, pattern-based drawings, but I had also been making large paintings of words that came from my love of poetry and my interest in making poetry more visual. At about the same time, I was taking some graphic design courses and getting excited about typography and design, and then I signed up for an art show/project called "The Sketchbook Project" through the Art House (http://www.arthousecoop.com/) in Atlanta, GA, where 500 artists were each sent a small sketchbook to illustrate under the theme "How to Save the World." That project really launched me into my current style, as I tried to bring simple drawings and messages together to illustrate several ways to "Save the world one person at a time," including things like "Eat Well & Slowly," "Ride Bikes," and "Value Your Time More than Your Money." These drawings have become some of my most popular, and really were the gateway to what is now Blue Bicicletta.

2. An artist's life can be challenging in many ways. How do you stay motivated during slumps?

I think the most challenging thing about being an artist is mental. It's a challenge to push through all of the ideas that are tossed around in society as a whole (and that live in my own mind) about how difficult it is to make a living as an artist. One of the most important things I've learned is that I can do the work, no matter how I feel. I think a lot of people think that artists are always dancing around and feeling inspired, but I don't think that's true in most cases. I think that in order to have a creative career, or just a life in some creative art, you just need to keep showing up, no matter how you feel. Once I realized that I could do my work even when I was not feeling inspired, or at least I could show up and try, that took some of the pressure off, and it became more about just making time for the work and continuing.  I also think that the more art you make, the more ideas you have---so it follows that the more you "show up" the easier it gets to show up.

3. What are some of your goals for the next year?

My main business goal for the next year is to keep trying to figure out what combination of things will create and maintain a full-time income for me as an artist. My main personal goals are to continue to learn how to appreciate every day, and be patient with myself.

4. What tips can you offer to bloggers to stay fresh and be creative?

Blog about what you really love and are passionate about. I know people always say this, but I think this is true across the board in life: if you do the things you really love, that really excite you, there's no way to lose: people will see and feel that excitement and get excited too, you will more easily be able to maintain your energy because you love what you're working on, and in general, you will get to feel all of the good feelings that come along with doing something you're passionate about. Passion is never boring for the maker or the viewer.

5. How did you come up with the name of your blog, and when did you launch it?

When I was trying to think of a name for my blog, I knew I wanted a name that conveyed a sense of me. I live in Davis, California, a town that is known for its huge percentage of bike riders, and I love to ride my bike. I am also half Italian, so the word "bicicicletta" (the Italian word for bicycle) seemed like a good fit. Also, I love the color blue, and the word "Blue" had a nice sound with "Bicicletta." So, all of these things just fit together into a creative, playful, fun name. I also like to say that making art feels like riding my bike fast, down hills. So, there you go. I launched my blog in the Fall of 2007 as a way to explore art and share my art with other people, and I haven't looked back. I love blogging---it's such a fun way to share my art and creative process.

To see more of Nicole's work and/or make a purchase visit her Etsy site. She has over 150 items for sale, many that are perfect for the foodies on your Christmas list. 

Now for the give-away! To enter for a chance to win this nifty reusable tote-bag, simply leave a comment or question below pertaining to Nicole's art work by the end of the day, Thursday, December 17th. The winner must provide his or her full name and mailing address. As an extra bonus, if you have submitted a cookie to our Eat Christmas Cookies event, or do so by the 17th, you will double your chances of winning the tote bag. Good luck!

Want to share in our big, festive Eat Christmas Cookies event? Find out how here.  (Several Santa prizes will be given out throughout the event.) And check out the stash of Christmas cookies we've gotten so far.

Congratulations to last week's winners!

Manju of Three Tastes, has won a copy of the cookbook, Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar.
Alta of Tasty Eats at Home has won the Fresh and Easy holiday wine and chocolates. Please email me your name and address so you can receive your prizes.

A Product Review and Give-Away for Cedar Grilling Planks

It's almost the 4th of July, and Americans are gearing up for cookouts. According to the National Retail Federation, 62.6% of Americans will host or attend a cookout, barbecue or picnic this year.

Everyone knows that any decent 4th of July cookout will have hamburgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, potato salad, and watermelon. But if you want to add some panache to your cookout, then consider buying a cedar grilling plank.

Recently I was asked to do a product review for Fire and Flavor's cedar grilling plank. I was quite pleased with it. According to the company, the plank is made from all natural western red cedar and contains no additional flavorings. It was easy to use: I soaked the plank in water for the recommended 1 hour. (Don't skimp on the time, or the wood could burn too much when grilling.) I placed the salmon on the plank and set it directly on the heated grill racks. It cooked in about 15 minutes.

I really loved the fragrance of the wood while it was cooking. It had a sweet, woodsy aroma that definitely whetted the appetite, as was evidenced by the people near the grill asking, "Mmm... what's that wonderful smell?"

The salmon cooked evenly and maintained its shape perfectly. As for the taste, well, it was lovely. I can't say that it had a particularly woodsy flavor; it was more subtle. When I made beef on the plank, however, I detected a more discernible smoky flavor that was delicious. The meat was succulent and not overly charred as it tends to get when grilling.



The plank can be washed in warm, soapy water, air-dried, and reused 1-2 more times, if not overly charred. The plank comes with clear, easy instructions and several great recipes.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this product.

Now for the best part! Fire and Flavor is offering a lucky Food Blogga reader a chance to win a Fire & Flavor "kit," with goodies such as a cookbook, cedar grilling planks, and cedar papers. Click here for details, and leave your comment below by the end of the day, Sunday, June 28, 2009!

Orange and Ginger Glazed Planked Salmon
Makes 2 servings
Print recipe only here.

2 (4-6 oz) salmon filets
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon unseasoned rice vinegar
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1 teaspoon orange zest, plus extra for garnish
salt and several cranks freshly ground black pepper
1 scallion, thinly sliced, for garnish

1. In a small bowl whisk all ingredients from Dijon through black pepper. Using a pastry brush, coat salmon filets with the sauce.

2. Preheat grill to medium low (350-400 degrees F), and set soaked plank on grill rack. Close lid, and heat for 3 minutes. Flip flank over, and place salmon on top.

3. Close lid. Cook for 12-15 minutes, or until salmon turns pink and the flesh is opaque in the middle.

4. Remove plank from grill. Sprinkle salmon with sliced scallions and serve immediately.


You might also these grilled dishes:

Grilled Watermelon Slices with a Honey-Lime Syrup

The Southwest Hamburger

Lamb Kebabs

A Tootsie Roll Fudge Recipe and a Give-Away

If you've been alive at any point in the last several months, then you've likely heard these phrases ad nauseum. "The Dow is down." "It's time to downsize." "Americans are hunkering down." Down. Down. Down. Ugh. How about a little cheering up, up, up?

Apparently there's a sweet lining in all this gloom and doom: candy. That's right. According to a recent NY Times article by Christine Haughney, as US unemployment has risen so too has Americans' candy consumption. Not just any candy though; the old-fashioned, make--you-feel-like-a-kid-again candy such as Tootsie Rolls, Bit-O-Honey, and Mary Janes.

Why candy? Maybe because the sugar high is soothing. Maybe because it instantly brings to you back to your childhood, which was blissfully free of adjustable rate mortgages and shrinking 401Ks. Maybe because Costco sells 10 pound buckets of the stuff for about $5. Whatever our individual reasons, we're definitely eating more candy. From mom and pop candy shops to candy giants like Hershey's, profits have been sweet.



So you can imagine how happy I was when I received a box of candy from Tootsie Roll Industries that contained many of my childhood favorites such as DOTS, Blow Pops, and, yes, Tootsie Rolls.

It was a blast from the past. The first candy I ate was a black licorice Crow. As soon as my teeth sunk into the sticky, gooey drop, I was instantaneously transported to a 1982 movie theater watching E.T. Then I went around the house all week giddily blowing monster-size pink bubbles with the Dubble Bubble gum, much to Jeff's chagrin. He also found Andes Candies mints on his bed pillow and Tootsie Rolls in his lunch bag. It was a good week.

Today I'm excited to say that you too have an opportunity to taste some Tootsie Roll nostalgia! That's because Tootsie Roll Industries is a hosting a give away on Food Blogga. Click here for the details, then leave your comment below.

Since two people can only eat so many Tootsie Roll midgees (yup, that's what they're called), I decided to get creative and make some Tootsie roll fudge. Yes, it is as good as it sounds. I adapted my mom's amazing peanut butter fudge recipe; it's made with melted Tootsie Rolls, crushed gingersnaps, and ground pecans. It may not stop your stocks from falling, but it sure will make you fret a little less.



Tootsie Roll Fudge
Makes 49 pieces
Print recipe only here.

1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 stick unsalted butter
48 Tootsie Roll Midgees (about 2 cups)
1 cup crushed sugar snaps (or similar crisp ginger cookie)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup coarsely ground pecans

Coat a 9-inch square cake pan with cooking spray.

In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, add sweetened condensed milk, butter, and Tootsie Rolls. Stir continuously until butter and candy are completely melted and mixture is thick and smooth. Remove from heat.

Add crushed ginger snaps, vanilla extract, and pecans. Using a rubber spatula, mix until well blended.

Pour fudge into the prepared pan. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.

Slice into 7 equal rows to create 49 square pieces. It's a good idea to use a ruler to ensure equal size pieces. Fudge can be made up to a week in advance and refrigerated.

You might also these candy inspired recipes:

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and Chocolate Chunk Cookies





Snickers Cookies





4 sweet recipes featuring favorite childhood candies on my NPR article, "Grown-Up Tricks For Treats."


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It's a Food Blogga Give-Away for See's Candies!

Looking for a delicious Easter gift this year? Forget the Peeps and the jelly beans. Give the gift of See's Easter candy instead. There's an adorable and tasty treat for everyone on your bunny list including classic foiled wrapped chocolate bunnies, springtime truffles, bunny lollipops, and my personal favorite, peanut butter filled chocolate eggs.


See's Easter gift boxes come wrapped in festive Easter egg paper.

See's Famous Old Time Candies® was founded in California in 1921. See's is beloved throughout the western US, and especially in California, which is dotted with scores of their charming candy shops. Enter any shop, and feel like you're stepping back in time. The impossibly polite staff are dressed in pristine old-fashioned black and white uniforms that evoke a warm sense of nostalgia. Dozens of delectable See's candies are displayed in cases like jewels, and myriad beautifully wrapped gift boxes are there for your choosing. Plus the best part of the experience, as See's devotees know, is receiving your complimentary piece of See's candy after you make your purchase.



What makes See's Candies so scrumptious? According to the company, "to produce the best possible boxed chocolates, we at See's acquire the choicest and finest grade raw ingredients from all over the world. Making over 100 varieties of candies, we have maintained our reputation for excellence by strict adherence to See's 'Quality Without Compromise®' motto."

I can attest that their chocolate is among the finest available, as I have been savoring them my entire life. The first time I went to a See's candy shop, I was about 10 years old. I was so smitten, that I thought, Forget being a doctor or a lawyer when I grow up. I want to work in a See's candy shop. Well, that didn't pan out, but living in California is the next best thing. And since you can order See's candies online, you can enjoy them no matter where you live.


Some of my favorite See's candies pictured above include walnut squares (dark chocolate and caramel with English walnuts), Kona mocha (coffee and chocolate buttercream topped with toasted coconut), and Scotchmallows (honey marshmallow and caramel dipped in dark chocolate).

Now for the really exciting part: One lucky Food Blogga winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to See's candies! Not sure whether you want creme filled Easter eggs, assorted dark chocolates, or nuts and chews? Then I'd recommend ordering a custom mix so you can select the confections that are nearest and dearesnt to your heart. Here's what you have to do to win:

Just tell me why you'd like to win the See's Candies gift certificate. Please respond by the end of the day, Monday, March 23, 2009. That's it.

With the help of random.org, 1 winner will be randomly selected and announced in a future post, so please check back. The give-away is open to all Food Blogga readers wherever you live. The winner will need to provide her or his real name and mailing address. Don't have a blog? Just leave an active email address where you can be reached. Good luck, everybody!

It's a Food Blogga Cookbook Give-Away!

Last fall I received a copy of the cookbook Food to Live By, written by Myra Goodman, who along with her husband, Drew Goodman, runs Earthbound Farms in San Juan Bautista, California. The cookbook is a wonderful collection of recipes that feature fresh, organic California produce. Myra's tone is conversational, and she shares numerous personal anecdotes that you'll find engaging. For an example of a recipe, check out this delicious persimmon and date bread that I blogged about last year.

Earthbound Farms has recently launched a series of online videos featuring Myra. In the video "A Simple Salad Dressing," for example, Myra demonstrates how to make an easy, flavorful, and versatile dressing. So if you're interested, then check them out.

Now for the best part: Earthbound Farms is offering one lucky Food Blogga reader a free copy of Food to Live By. Here's what you have to do to win:

Leave a comment below telling me why you'd like to receive the cookbook. That's it.

The deadline to submit is
midnight, pacific time, Monday, November 10th.

One winner will be randomly selected and announced in a future post that week, so please check back. Anyone is eligible; however, if you don't have a blog, then please leave an email address where you can be reached. The winner will also have to send me her or his name and mailing address.

Good luck, everybody!