giveaways

Friday Faves PLUS A Giveaway for You & a Friend

Hello and happy Friday-holidaze!

My tree has yet to be deckered and the stockings are still not hung by the chimney with care. Hell, I still have to MAKE this year’s new addition’s Christmas stockings (but I’m just saying no to burlap—ew!).

But that hasn’t stopped my holiday spirit to still run high with a glass of hot buttered rum and some fave Christmas cookies (placed upon one of my favorite kitchen towels!)

And that’s why, my friends, I’m sharing the holiday love with you!

The Gift That Just Keeps Giving

Earlier this week I received a bomb diggity Christmas care package from my friends at DeLallo Foods, who if you’ve been around the blog this year you will know is one of my favorite foodie partners.

Man, what a care package it was!

In case you missed the big reveal on Snapchat, here’s the video of us opening our bounty. Do you follow me on Snapchat yet? This is the kind of stuff you’re missing out on!

But it’s Christmas and I can’t be all alone in this DeLallo gift receiving line, so join me!

DeLallo is offering all FoodieCrush followers a 25% discount (!) on all of their online gifts ordered before December 16 when you enter the code FOODIE25.

Order your holiday gifts and see what they have to offer here.

Choose from gift collections of cheeses. Salamis and olives. Pasta pantry staples. Pizza making kits and antipasti galore! But let us not forget the chocolate covered pretzels and Cookie Crush cookies that will leave you spoiled for any other.

But wait! There’s more!

Let’s Do a Holiday Giveaway!

DeLallo Foods has generously offered to send one FoodieCrush follower a gift collection of their choice. Ho-ho-ho!

But that’s not all!

Part of the winner’s giveaway prize is that DeLallo will ALSO send a gift collection FROM you TO someone of your choice.

That means 2 holiday gift collections will find a lucky new home: one for the winner and one for a friend.

It’s the gift that just keeps giving.

Here’s how to enter:

continue to the recipe… about Friday Faves PLUS A Giveaway for You & a Friend

Italian Chopped Salad with Marinated Chickpeas + a Giveaway

Inspired by the famous Italian chopped salad at La Scala, this yummy salad recipe is packed with awesome ingredients and loaded with amazing crunchy textures and flavors thanks to marinated chickpeas, salami, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, Asiago cheese, and a zesty red wine vinaigrette.

Salad might run through my veins like sugar does through those of a baker.

In fact, I’m not sure if I’ve ever gone more than 2 days without a salad in at least one of my rounds of eating. There’s always a side salad with dinner, it could be more fruit filled or sometimes there’s no lettuce at all. It’s a mix and match type of game more often than not.

But where I hit my real pleasure point is when I make a big daddy salad for a filling lunch or dinner.

Pack it with protein.

Add salty bits.

It definitely calls for a sprinkle of cheese.

And where would we be without the sharp tang of pucker-induced salad dressing?

And while we’re talking tangy puckers—not Tanya Tucker—I have a giveaway of over $250 worth of AWESOMENESS (jewelry anyone?) at the end of this post, so set your mouth, and your mouse, to scroll…

continue to the recipe… about Italian Chopped Salad with Marinated Chickpeas + a Giveaway

Anderson Seafoods $300 Gift Card Giveaway

With only 2 more days until Veterans Day, 2 weeks ’til Thanksgiving and just 7 more Sundays to Christmas (whaaaaaat???) I say it’s time to get into the celebrating spirit with a $300 Gift Card Giveaway from Anderson Seafoods.

The first time I tried Anderson Seafoods I was nothing short of impressed. It’s the best quality seafood I’ve ever used as a home cook and since it was shipped overnight I’m pretty sure it was a lot fresher than what I can usually find at my local grocer, or even my fave seafood restaurant for that matter.

continue to the recipe… about Anderson Seafoods $300 Gift Card Giveaway

Obsessed With Cheese Mac and Cheese Recipe

One of my favorite quotes from Jessica’s cookbook refers to her cooking philosophy. “There is no exact science as to how I began cooking my own recipes—but that’s just it: I started,” she says. ” If you want to learn how to cook and how to put your own spins on dishes, like anything else you just have to START.”

Well said, Jessica.

Anyone that’s discovered the deliciousness that IS the blog How Sweet It Is is very familiar with it’s creator’s obsession with neon, 80’s pop culture trivia and that all things are better with browned butter, bacon, and sprinkles.

I featured Jessica on my first list of 5 Food Blogs I’m Following Now, and my respect and devotion hasn’t strayed. Known among her legions of fans as an inspiring creator for recipes, beauty and simply all things fun, Jessica Merchant can now add author to that list with the release of her first cookbook, Seriously Delish: 150 Recipes for People Who Totally Love Food.

Need she say more? I don’t think so. Her book pretty much says it all.

Jessica’s cookbook is jam-packed with family favorites and homages to her grandmother, nicknamed Mother Lovett, with many recipes featuring her inspiration and tutelage and where her love for cooking began—in the kitchen for Sunday dinners.

Most recipes in her book clock in at 20-45 minutes of prep time making time in the kitchen totally doable for newbie cooks to those that want to spend the time but simply don’t have it, including this Obesessed-With-Cheese Mac & Cheese. And you can enter to win a copy of Seriously Delish for your very own at the end of this post.

continue to the recipe… about Obsessed With Cheese Mac and Cheese Recipe

Bacon Cheddar Chicken Burgers with Guacamole and BBQ Mayo + a Grilling Package Giveaway

I try my best when it comes to cooking and baking from scratch for my family and friends. But sometimes, the time it takes to cook from scratch takes a back seat to having fun in the sun. Today I have a great recipe and $100 Grilling Giveaway at the end of this post that’ll help you balance the two.

My dad taught me something early in life. You always want to have back-ups. Whether it’s extra rolls of toilet paper, another pair of your favorite flip-flops, or having enough pickle relish on hand to feed the Spanish marines (one of my mom’s favorite sayings), you gotta have extras for those times in need.

That’s why my freezer is my friend. Frozen veggies, frozen shrimp and of course, ice cream. They’re all at the ready when in need in the kitchen. Recently, I’ve added a new freezer back-up that’s become a summer staple. Gold’n Plump Chicken Patties.

continue to the recipe… about Bacon Cheddar Chicken Burgers with Guacamole and BBQ Mayo + a Grilling Package Giveaway

What to Eat, See and Do In Seaside Florida and a Weekend Vacation Giveaway

Sugar-fine sand to dig your feet into, casual beach vibes and amazing dining, great shopping and stuff to do. My weekend vacation to Seaside, Florida was the best weekend getaway I’ve had in a while. And when you enter this giveaway for a weekend getaway in Seaside, YOU’ll have the chance to enjoy it.

Man, we packed a lot into a long weekend, with tons of eating and sight-seeing. Enjoying it with a few food blogging friends made it all the sweeter. But after learning it was named Travel & Leisure‘s Best Family Beach, I must say, I can’t wait to take the fam back for a visit. To see more of our food loving adventure, check out the hashtag #SeasideGirlsGetaway on Instagram.

Because the beach is where it’s at! Am I right, or am I right?

Here’s my guide of what to do, see and eat on a long weekend in Seaside, Florida.

continue to the recipe… about What to Eat, See and Do In Seaside Florida and a Weekend Vacation Giveaway

Crushing on Scarletta Bakes and Breakfast Tostadas Plus a Giveaway

If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. We have a feeling that might the motto of this auburn-curled and witty dame behind the blog Scarletta Bakes. And the creator of these simple but amazingly tasty Breakfast Tostadas with Cumin-Roasted Fingerling Potatoes. Because she has flavor like that.

Her name is actually not Scarletta. The spunky, self-taught cook, blogger, photographer, and cookbook author‘s real name is Meagan Micozzi. Her husband affectionately penned the nickname “Scarletta,” for her tendency for her cheeks to turn a bit scarlet when she’s all fired up. Sounds like a girl after our own hearts.

Getting in the kitchen and baking seemed to be best way for this spitfire to simmer down, thus, Scarletta Bakes was born in 2011. Naturally, the Arizona resident’s favorite ingredient is chiles, and she’s often armed with the usual suspects…ancho, habanero, chipotle, and jalapeño. This girl is not afraid to pack a punch!

continue to the recipe… about Crushing on Scarletta Bakes and Breakfast Tostadas Plus a Giveaway

$100 Albion Fit Giveaway

As I write this post for a $100 Albion Fit Giveaway, I’m watching the big—or actually much smaller, leaner and more toned—season finale of The Biggest Loser.

Coincidence? It’s probably more like a get off the old butt and get moving motivator.

After re-upping the gym membership and making my 2014 diet and fitness goals, I more than welcomed the offer from Albion Fit to check out their workout wear.

The fact that the company is based locally in Salt Lake City and is named after one of my favorite canyons (the wildflowers in the springtime are INSANE) makes my eagerness to try their fitness gear all the more attractive.

And a little workout giveaway doesn’t hurt either.

continue to the recipe… about $100 Albion Fit Giveaway

My Favorite Things plus iPad Air Giveaway

‘Tis the season aka the Golden Season. Golden bells, golden bubbly champagne and everything that sparkles turns to gold during the holidays. So let’s embrace it loud and proud.

To celebrate the holidays I’ve teamed up with 7 other bloggers to each share a few of our favorite things with our readers and give you the opportunity to win one, or all, of our favorite loves. And as another present to you, with each entry on every blog you’ll be entered to win a 16 GB Apple iPad Air.

Ready to see what else we’re giving away? Oh, yes. Yes you do. Let’s do this thing!continue to the recipe… about My Favorite Things plus iPad Air Giveaway