Tazo Chai Challenge #SweetMeetsSpicy #ad

tazo vanilla caramel
I received these products for free from Smiley360 in exchange for my honest review. You can join Smiley360 at http://smiley360.com .

What is Chai? In Hindi, “chai” simply means “tea”. Tazo Chai is the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. Tazo takes the robust Indian classic flavors like ginger, pepper and cardamom and blends those flavors with tender black tea.
They take these filter bags one step further by adding spices like rich chocolate and vanilla caramel.
If a latte is more to your liking, Tazo has a drink concentrate for you. These latte flavors are delicious hot or iced.
Tazo Chai lends itself to great flavor combinations. The possibilities are only limited by your tastes and imagination.
Tazo asks, “How do you enjoy Chai?”
I didn’t know where to start.
So I asked several of my tea drinking friends for help.
Each one was given a free box of Chocolate, Vanilla Caramel or Original Chai. I asked each one for their favorite way to enjoy Chai and their thoughts on Tazo blends.
I found that you can sweeten your tea with an assortment of sugars, honey, agave and more. Add milk if you like. Regular, soy milk, almond or nut milk, even condensed milk.
So here are their favorites combinations and comments:
Marie D.: “I like the regular chai tea with canned (condensed milk) and sugar. It makes like a latte.”
Steven: “My kids wanted to drink it (vanilla caramel) up in one day. I said ok. We can get some more.” Steve likes his chai no sugar.
Ruth: “Jake (Ruth’s son) is Tazo fan. He’s gonna go nuts when he see this box!” Ruth liked her regular chai tea with almond milk.
Jake: “Can I try ’em all? I love chai tea!” Jake uses honey or raw sugar in his tea.
Lori: “I like a cup of tea after dinner. My son put cinnamon in the vanilla one. He says to try it that way.”
Alec: I gave Alec a chocolate sample because he couldn’t find it in any stores in our area. “I made it like Mexican hot chocolate with some cinnamon and cayenne. It was very good.”
Gathered here were spices found in chai blends plus suggests from my taste testers.
tazo samples
tazo chai test 1
I tried all the teas with different milks and sweeteners.
I think my favorite is Tazo Vanilla Caramel with cinnamon and honey.
Follow the hashtag, #SweetMeetsSpicy on twitter for the latest reviews and Tazo chai news.
Connect with Tazo on their Website , Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and Pinterest for product information, news and updates.
Which Tazo flavors will you try first?

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Antipasto #SundaySupper

Compensation was provided by Gallo Family Vineyards via Sunday Supper, LLC. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author, and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Gallo Family Vineyards.
Antipasto Platter
Thanksgiving is a time when friends and families travel near and far to get together. For some, it’s the only time of year they see each other. That makes it even more important to serve up quality time as well as quality food and wine.
Over the years, as my family evolved so did my Thanksgiving meals. I think that’s true for most families. We gathered guests from 2 to 20 at a table. In-laws, friends both old and new and guests they bring: new faces, new boyfriends or girlfriends, and kids of all ages.
Sometimes dinner was a traveling show. I have already packed up an entire spread from turkey to dessert and cooked it at a relative’s home too frail to travel. It was quite an undertaking but the rewards far outweighed the effort.
We often took turns playing host. When my daughter got her first apartment she put out an elaborate spread. Orange Pomegranate Turkey, chestnut stuffing, you know “the works”.
One constant was and is that we always have nibbles. Those all-important snacks and finger foods to pick at while decompressing from travel. The cook needs a bit of nosh too!

My Mom put out the famous relish tray to welcome guests. Piles of assorted pickles, ring bologna, cheese cubes, olives and for some reason, hot peppers. Crudités platters popped off and on the scene depending on the host.
Charcuterie boards became quite popular around here a few years ago. I stick to offering something that appeals to everyone. Antipasto.
Antipasto
Antipasto Platter
Antipasto (plural antipasti) means “before the meal” and is the traditional first course of a formal Italian meal. A tray of Antipasto can be as simple as a few cured meats, cheese and vegetables or as elaborate as you like with shrimp, nuts and fruits.
Of course your guests need something to drink.
Gallo Pinot Grigio
 

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Gallo Family Vineyards Pinot Grigio and Gallo Pinot Noir fit perfectly into your Thanksgiving meal plans.

Gallo Pinot Grigio pairs well with an appetizer like antipasto. The light-bodied, crisp, clean taste is a good match for smoked cured meats, acidic foods like the marinated veggies and shrimp. This wine also pairs well with your star, the turkey!

Gallo Family Vineyard Pinot Noir medium-bodied red compliments poultry, beef and hearty seafood.

Here is my take on Antipasto.  It makes a great way to start off your Holiday meal.
Don’t forget to set out a small bowl for guests to discard olive pits!

 

 

Antipasto

Yield: 10 to 12 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound Sopressata
  • 1/2 pound cured Chorizo
  • 8 ounces fresh Mozzarella pearls
  • 8 ounces smoked Mozzarella or Provolone
  • 1 (10-ounce or larger) jar roasted red and yellow peppers
  • 1 8-ounce jar marinated mushrooms
  • 1 6-ounce or larger jar marinated artichoke hearts
  • 1 1/2 pound assorted olives
  • 1 loaf crusty French bread, sliced
  • Quality olive oil and vinegar for dipping add fresh herbs of choice and minced garlic
  • 1 cup whole Peperoncini

Instructions

  • Cut Smoked cheeses, Sopressata and Chorizo into bite-sized chunks. Blanche Chorizo if desired.
  • Drain peppers, fresh mozzarella, mushrooms, olives and artichoke hearts.
  • Arrange ingredients on a serving tray.
  • Garnish with Peperoncini and fresh herbs if desired.
  • Set out bread slices and dipping oil.
  • Garnish table with fresh fruit and nuts if desired.
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While we give thanks for our blessings let’s keep in mind those less fortunate. I donate time and food to Second Harvest Bank.

Gallo gives back to their community in so many ways. I’m especially happy to share their program called,  Every Cork Counts™ .

Gallo Family is committed to helping Meals on Wheels America to improve the health and quality of life for the seniors they serve. For the sixth year in a row, Gallo Family Vineyards invites Americans to help end senior hunger and isolation with our annual Every Cork Counts™ program. Gallo Family Vineyards will donate $1.00 to Meals on Wheels Program for every Gallo cork you send in. If you can’t send in your cork, even a photo of your cork will count. How great is that?

Feeding the hungry and helping our seniors is so important. Thank you Gallo Family Vineyards!

Follow the Recipes Paired with Wine Pinterest Board for more Sunday Supper Family sharing of their favorite recipes paired with Gallo Family Vineyards wine.

Stop by Gallo Family Vineyards Wine Blog for more ways we give thanks.

Gallo has a handy Store Locator to find your favorite Gallo wine in your area.

Connect with Gallo Family Vineyards on your favorite social media: Facebook,  Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Antipasto

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Apple Almond Quick Bread #TheRecipeRedux

Apple Almond Quick Bread pairs tart Granny Smith apples and almonds together for an exciting taste treat!
Apple Almond Bread sliced
Welcome to the November edition of The Recipe Redux Challenge. This month members are putting their best loaf forward…

November 2015 – Theme: Creative Quick Breads


recipe redux
The Challenge:

The holiday baking season is upon us. And this month we’re going way beyond grandma’s banana bread. From sweet to savory and whole-grain to gluten-free, show us your new quick bread creation fresh from the oven. And if you have a tip for wrapping and giving your lovely loaf, please share that too!

Holidays were times when Mom and Gram baked banana breads and zucchini loafs to slice thin and display on sheet pans for hungry guests to pick at. Today quick breads can be lighter with less oils and eggs. I love experimenting with quick breads. Mixing different flours, switching up the fruit or nuts and liquids can make delicious new favorites.

I like to share my quick bread creations with friends. Giving whole loaves can be a challenge. Unless you have multiple pans, you can be baking all day.

Usually there are a lot of sweets floating around during the Holidays. I found that giving a recipe card and slice or two of the bread is enough. That way if they love your creation as much as you do they can bake one whenever they choose.

If you really want to give full loaves, consider using the mini pans. You can bake individual loaves. So cute.
This Apple Almond Quick Bread is adapted from a standard white quick bread recipe. I substituted almond milk for sour milk or buttermilk for more almond flavor. Enjoy a slice with a glass of almond milk!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Apple Almond Bread collage
Apple Almond Bread close up

Apple Almond Quick Bread

Serving Size: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup shortening (I used half vegetable shortening half whipped butter)
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup almond milk
  • 1 unpared Granny Smith or similar tart apple, grated
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds

Instructions

  • Cream together sugar and shortening, Add eggs.
  • Stir in almond milk and apple.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add to wet mixture.
  • Reserve about a tablespoon of almond slices to sprinkle on top. Gently fold in the rest of the almonds,
  • Pour batter into a well greased 5x9x3-inch loaf pan. Let pan rest for 20 minutes then bake at 350 until brown and inserted toothpick comes out clean. About 45 minutes.
  • Cool on rack.
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Enjoy these tasty, healthier quick bread ideas from The Recipe ReDux Members!


Posted in #TheRecipeReDux, apples, bread, breakfast, brunch, Christmas, fall, gifts, nuts, What's For Dinner? | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #174

Welcome to another fun Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party!

Please share your recipes, crafts and DIY projects with our friends!

Before we get started let’s say, “Congratulations” to last week’s winners!

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You can find the links to our Host Favorite Picks here at Daily Dish Magazine!

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click for fun ideas

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