Welcome to Christmas Cookies Week Recipes and Giveaway!

This post is sponsored on behalf of #ChristmasCookiesWeek. The generous sponsors, YumGoggle, Sprinkle Pop, Silpat and Adams Extracts have provided us with products for recipe creation and a giveaway for our readers. As always, all opinions are my own.

christmas cookies 2018
 

Thank you to Ellen at Family Around the Table and Christie at A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures for hosting #ChristmasCookiesWeek.

 

Prize Package #1:

 

From Adams Extracts comes a selection of baking delights including their prize-winning pound cake mix, pure vanilla extract, pure peppermint extract, double strength pure vanilla extract, pound cake flavor extract and vanilla cinnamon sugar.

 

Adams traces its beginnings back to Battle Creek, Michigan, when John A. Adams began making and selling his Green Plant Sarsaparilla extract, Adamur, in 1888. In 1905, he moved his family to Beeville, TX. At the time, most vanilla was sold to pharmacies and was often labeled “Do not bake or freeze.” John A. Adams, whose imagination was stirred by his wife’s yearning for a flavoring that wouldn’t bake or freeze out, announced that he could produce a better vanilla than the one his wife was currently using. Working with just $6.71 worth of materials on top of an old icebox, John A. Adams discovered the formula he wanted.

 

Prize Package #2:

 

YumGoggle is giving away a variety of holiday and Christmas cookie cutters. The winner of this prize package will receive a sleigh, large ornament and two cookie cutter sets. The first is a mug/ sweater set called Ugly Sweater Specialty Cookie Cutter Set and the second is a Santa/ reindeer set called North Pole Specialty Cookie Cutter Set. Each set includes 2 cookie cutters, 2 templates, 2 instruction cars and 4 bonus templates.

 

The YumGoggle gallery features food photography from contributors around the world. If you’re looking for a recipe, chances are you’ll find it on YumGoggle. The photos not only whet your appetite but you can easily find the recipes by clicking the photo.

 

Prize Package #3:

 

The winner of this Sprinkle Pop prize package will get their choice of 3 sprinkle varieties, at $35.00 value. Winner will be contacted by or need to contact Sprinkle Pop for fulfillment.

 

Sprinkle Pop offers trendy sprinkle mixes that you won’t find anywhere else. Fun fact: Over 50% of their sprinkle mixes are dyed in house, making each experience one of a kind. Sprinkle Pop also creates one of a kind confetti shapes that are unique to their mixes. Make every occasion a festive one with these fun sprinkle creations.

 

Prize Package #4:

 

One winner will receive an 11 5/8 inch x 16 1/2 inch Silpat® baking mat which is perfect for all of your cookie baking throughout the year. Reduces the need for parchment and is reusable.

 

The original silicone baking mat made from a dedicated silicone with reinforced fiberglass mesh. Nothing sticks to Silpat® which means you’ll spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying your baking creations. Silpat® replaces the need for butter, grease, oils, and sprays.

  • Multi-purpose non-stick silicone baking and pastry mat.
  • No cooking sprays, oils or parchment paper needed.
  • Not to be used as a cutting surface.
  • Can be used in the oven, microwave and freezer.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: Thank you #ChristmasCookiesWeek sponsors: Adams Extract, Sprinkle Pop, YumGoggle and Silpat for providing the prizes free of charge. The #ChristmasCookiesWeek giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Four (4) winners will be selected at random from entries received. The prize packages will be fulfilled by and sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. #ChristmasCookiesWeek bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household are not eligible to enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the #ChristmasCookiesWeek posts or entry.

Posted in What's For Dinner? | 2 Comments

5 Gift Ideas for BBQ Lovers

I received product for review. I received no further compensation. All opinions are my own.
Hey BBQ lovers! If you love barbecue or know someone who does (who doesn’t) then I have some gift ideas for you!

bbq

Here’s some outstanding products to get grilling with Grill Beast.

Beastometer

beastometer

Properly cooked food brought and held at the correct temperatures contributes to safely prepared food. The Beastometer is made of durable stainless steel capable of measuring temperatures between -40° to 450°F. Learn more about Beastometer here.

Beast Injector
beast injector
Inject your favorite cooking liquid directly into the meat. Your steaks, chops, chicken and more grill up tender, juicy and delicious! Learn more about the Beast Injector here.
Beast Armor
beast armor
Safely handle hot foods and cookware with ease, protect your hands and arms from painful burns, and enjoy peace of mind when cooking, grilling, or smoking. Protects up to 662 degrees!
Learn more about Beast Armor here.

Connect with Grill Beast on their social media for product news, recipes and contests!

Website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, YouTube.

Photos credit Grill Beast Website.
wing rack

If you love wings but hate the hassle of constant turning and basting, then I have a product to show you!

Cave Tools Wing Rack and Drip Pan Works on your grill or in your oven or smoker. The rack holds up to 12 drums or wings.
You can purchase your Chicken Wing & Leg Rack at Cave Tools Website.

wing rack

I chose to give the rack a test run in my oven. Chicken legs basted in BBQ sauce sounded pretty good to me!

It has a deep drip pan for catching all those delicious juices. The unit is dishwasher safe too.

As you can see, the skin self bastes and came out nice and crisp.

wing rack

You can also get your Wings Rack at Amazon.

Visit Cave Tools on Facebook and Twitter .
Intensity Academy Chai Chipotle Q’ BBQ Sauce
Chai Chipotle Q
Intensity Academy Chai Chipotle Q’ BBQ Sauce is an all natural organic tea infused barbecue sauce. This smokey sweet barbeque sauce is mild in heat but packed with flavor! The chipotle peppers merge with the chai tea created to please your pork, chicken, ribs beautifully!
Find out more about this sauce and the fine line of hot sauces here from http://www.intensityacademy.com/.
Visit them on Facebook

grill-guide-final
Check out this great grilling guide infographic grilling guide for everything grilling for BBQ!
Source: PartSelect.com

Reprinted with permission from PartSelect.com

Posted in bbq, What's For Dinner? | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Orange Almond Bars

Orange Almond Bars serve sliced almonds and candied clementine peel in a soft warm spice bar. An anytime treat tasty enough for gift giving and holiday parties.

Orange Almond Bars

I love this time of year when I bake the flavors of the season. Cinnamon, clove and orange fill the air with warm inviting scents.

Almonds and walnuts are my go to nuts for baking. I personally feel almonds work better with orange and warm spices. Toasted almonds sprinkled on top add depth the these bars. I use raw almonds in the actual dough to release oils and flavor while it bakes.

Orange Almond Bars

Candied fruit peel adds a bit of texture and sweetness to these bars. I used clementine peel because it is already thin without heavy pith and cooks and candies in practically no time. plus these are in season

If you never candied your own fruit peels, you are in for a treat. Here’s the recipe I use via MarthaStewart.com.

Orange Almond Bars

Food for Thought…What are your go to spices and flavors as we enter the holiday season? Do you hang onto fall scents and flavors? Does your taste buds start leaning towards Christmas offerings of mint, chocolate and maybe eggnog? I love to hear your thoughts in a comment below! 

In the meantime, enjoy today’s recipe!

Orange Almond Bars

Orange Almond Bars

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Yield: 12 bars

Serving Size: 1 each

Orange Almond Bars

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups sliced almonds, divided
  • 1/4 cup candied clementine or orange peel
  • glaze
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

  • Toast 1/2 cup almonds at 350 degrees for about 5 minutes until lightly browned. Set aside to cool.
  • bars
  • Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, overlapping edges for lifting out baked bars.
  • Spray lightly with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • Dissolve honey and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Transfer to mixing bowl to cool. Add spices.
  • Add egg and vanilla to cooled mixture. Add remaining raw or blanched almonds and candied peel.
  • Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Add to mixture. Transfer to prepared dish.
  • Lightly spray a sheet of plastic wrap with cooking spray. Use the sheet to lightly press and level dough. Leave set as is for about 1 hour before baking to let flavors blend.
  • Preheat oven to 375. Remove plastic and bake dish for about 25 minutes until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cool in pan on rack for about 30 minutes before removing block and cooling on rack. Cut cooled block into bars of desired size.
  • Mix together glaze. Dip bars in glaze and set aside on parchment paper. Sprinkle with toasted almonds. Drizzle with remaining glaze if desired.

Notes

Tint glaze with food coloring if desired to match theme.

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Clementine Beet Goat Cheese Holiday Salad

Clementine Beet Goat Cheese Holiday Salad serves juicy clementines, pickled beets and tangy goat cheese over arugula with dotted with pepitas. A colorful presentation for your holiday table.
clementine beet goat cheese salad
Clementines are part of the mandarin-orange family. These tiny treats are about two-inches in diameter, easy to peel and typically seedless. They’re in season now!

clementine beet goat cheese salad

I love pickling my own vegetables. It’s fast and super easy. I used canned beets for this recipe but roasting your own beets is wonderful too!

You can use any kind of vinegar to change up the flavors. I prefer a white balsamic for roasted or canned veggies and apple cider vinegar for raw veggies like cucumbers.

This salad is my new favorite for a Thanksgiving or Christmas table. The colors fit in for and theme. Win, win!

clementine beet goat cheese salad close

Clementine Beet Goat Cheese Holiday Salad

Clementine Beet Goat Cheese Holiday Salad

Clementine Beet Goat Cheese Holiday Salad

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 2 servings

Serving Size: 1 each

Clementine Beet Goat Cheese Holiday Salad

Ingredients

  • 2 cup arugula
  • 1/2 cup red beets
  • 1 clementine, segmented
  • 2 ounces goat cheese
  • 1/4 cup grape tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon shallot
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup pepitas

Instructions

  • Pickle beets with sugar and 1/2 cup vinegar. Mix and allow to marinate 15 minutes.
  • dressing
  • Whisk together oil, 1 tablespoon vinegar, honey, salt and shallot. Arrange arugula, beets, clementines, tomatoes on two plates. Top with goat cheese and pepitas. Drizzle with dressing.
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Food for Thought…What’s your favorite salad for Thanksgiving? Does your family insist on one? I would love to hear your thoughts in a comment below!

Posted in brunch, Christmas, holiday, salad, Thanksgiving, vegan, vegetables, vegetarian, What's For Dinner? | Tagged , | 3 Comments