/PRNewswire/ -- Moe's Southwest Grill is encouraging their fans to express themselves and their love for Moe's hot, flavorful, melted white cheese sauce, by entering the I Love Queso Video Contest at www.ilovequeso.com.
Moe's is accepting videos no longer than one minute in length and 50 MB in file size from today until August 1. A panel of Moe's judges will consider originality, quality, humor and sincerity - yes, the genuine expression of love for Moe's queso is part of the criteria - and will award one winner $1,000 and free Queso for a year and five finalists free Queso for a year.
"We created ilovequeso.com not only to host a video contest, but also to create a permanent home for one of our best-loved products," says Joel Bulger, vice president of marketing for Moe's. "The site is intended to live beyond this promotion and serve as a place for Queso fanatics to engage with the brand, express themselves, share content and hopefully, have some fun."
Remember the obsessive, all-consuming, can't-stop-doodling-his-name-on-everything-in-sight feeling of middle school love? The I Love Queso campaign was designed with that feeling in mind with the hopes of sparking nostalgia, a smile and some inspiration for the next great online video. For more information including the official rules, please visit www.ilovequeso.com.
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Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
A Winning Recipe: A Decadent, Easy Dessert Bar
(NAPSI)-Baking a mouthwatering dessert bar doesn't have to be difficult. This dessert, using brownie mix as an easy base for a delicious treat, was one of 100 recipes that vied for the $1 million grand prize in the 44th Pillsbury Bake-Off® Contest.
Peanut Butter-Toffee Cheesecake Brownies
1 box (19.5 oz) Pillsbury® Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix
½ cup Crisco® Pure Vegetable Oil
¼ cup water
2 Eggland's Best eggs
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 can (14 oz) Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk
½ cup Jif® Creamy Peanut Butter
1 bag (8 oz) Heath® milk chocolate toffee bits
1 cup Hershey's® milk chocolate baking chips
3 tablespoons whipping cream
Heat oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray 13x9-inch pan with Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray.
In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, oil, water and eggs 50 strokes. Spread in pan; set aside.
In large bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add milk and peanut butter; beat until smooth. Stir in 1 cup of the toffee bits. Spread evenly over batter.
Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until cheesecake layer is set and edges are light golden brown. Cool 30 minutes. Refrigerate 40 minutes.
In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and cream uncovered on High 40 to 60 seconds or until melted; stir until smooth. Spread over cheesecake layer. Sprinkle with remaining toffee bits. Cool completely. Store covered in refrigerator. Makes 36 brownies.
See all 100 winning Bake-Off recipes at www.pillsbury.com.
Bake-Off is a registered trademark of General Mills; Jif, Crisco and Eagle Brand are trademarks of The J.M. Smucker Company, Elsie trademark used under license; Eggland's Best is a registered trademark of Eggland's Best, Inc.; Hershey's, Heath and Heath Bits 'o Brickle are registered trademarks of The Hershey Company, Hershey, PA, 17033.
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Peanut Butter-Toffee Cheesecake Brownies
1 box (19.5 oz) Pillsbury® Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix
½ cup Crisco® Pure Vegetable Oil
¼ cup water
2 Eggland's Best eggs
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 can (14 oz) Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk
½ cup Jif® Creamy Peanut Butter
1 bag (8 oz) Heath® milk chocolate toffee bits
1 cup Hershey's® milk chocolate baking chips
3 tablespoons whipping cream
Heat oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray 13x9-inch pan with Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray.
In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, oil, water and eggs 50 strokes. Spread in pan; set aside.
In large bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add milk and peanut butter; beat until smooth. Stir in 1 cup of the toffee bits. Spread evenly over batter.
Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until cheesecake layer is set and edges are light golden brown. Cool 30 minutes. Refrigerate 40 minutes.
In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and cream uncovered on High 40 to 60 seconds or until melted; stir until smooth. Spread over cheesecake layer. Sprinkle with remaining toffee bits. Cool completely. Store covered in refrigerator. Makes 36 brownies.
See all 100 winning Bake-Off recipes at www.pillsbury.com.
Bake-Off is a registered trademark of General Mills; Jif, Crisco and Eagle Brand are trademarks of The J.M. Smucker Company, Elsie trademark used under license; Eggland's Best is a registered trademark of Eggland's Best, Inc.; Hershey's, Heath and Heath Bits 'o Brickle are registered trademarks of The Hershey Company, Hershey, PA, 17033.
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Tips for Preserving and Canning Summer Fruits
(StatePoint) When faced with an abundance of local fruits and vegetables at the peak of their seasonal freshness, there's only one thing to do: preserve them!
Preserving allows you to keep eating your family's favorite fruits and flavors long after the season has passed. But preserves aren't just for your morning toast. You can use preserved fruits and vegetables in baking and cooking -- in everything from muffins and breads to glazes and chutneys for meat and poultry, and even for your own relish and barbecue sauces.
"Almost everyone has a memory about preserving. Maybe your family put up dill pickles every summer, using cucumbers harvested from the backyard garden. Or you remember picking plump berries in the hot afternoon sun, then helping your mother turn them, magically, into jams and jellies," says Rick Field, co-author with Rebecca Courchesne of the new book "Williams-Sonoma The Art of Preserving."
Nowadays, preserving no longer is a household necessity, but bottling up a season's bounty to carry you through the year still evokes a welcome nostalgia for the past.
Here are some tips from Field and Courchesne for aspiring and experienced preservers:
* Go to the source: Unless you have fruit trees in your backyard, a farmer's market is usually the best place to select ripe, unwaxed fruit during peak season. Remember, preserves are only as good as the fruit you put in them!
* Avoid overripe fruit and overcooking: Pectin is the natural carbohydrate found in fruit skins and seeds that allows preserves to jell. However, fruit loses its pectin as it matures or when it's cooked too long. For preserves with a balance of sweetness and consistency, gently cook slightly under-ripe and just-ripe fruit.
* Essential ingredients: A balance of acid and sugar in fruit spreads ensures not only a good set but a pleasing flavor. Lemon juice and refined white sugar are most commonly used, but you also can use organic sugar or evaporated cane juice. Don't use honey, maple syrup, or artificial sweeteners, which are too strong.
* Flavorings: Fresh, flavorful herbs and spices -- from rosemary to rosehips -- can add layers of nuanced depth to your fruit spreads.
* The right equipment: Home-canning kits, found in most supermarkets or kitchen-supply stores, should be paired with a wide, shallow nonreactive pan when cooking preserves. The wider surface area ensures excess liquid will evaporate quickly.
* Storage: Exposure to sunlight or too much heat can cause fruit spreads to lose color, flavor, and texture. Store jars for no more than a year in a cool, dark place.
For more preserving tips and more than 130 recipes for cooking and baking with preserved produce, read "The Art of Preserving."
Preserving can make for fun family time in the kitchen this season and year-round enjoyment at the kitchen table. So start bottling up those favorite flavors!
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Preserving allows you to keep eating your family's favorite fruits and flavors long after the season has passed. But preserves aren't just for your morning toast. You can use preserved fruits and vegetables in baking and cooking -- in everything from muffins and breads to glazes and chutneys for meat and poultry, and even for your own relish and barbecue sauces.
"Almost everyone has a memory about preserving. Maybe your family put up dill pickles every summer, using cucumbers harvested from the backyard garden. Or you remember picking plump berries in the hot afternoon sun, then helping your mother turn them, magically, into jams and jellies," says Rick Field, co-author with Rebecca Courchesne of the new book "Williams-Sonoma The Art of Preserving."
Nowadays, preserving no longer is a household necessity, but bottling up a season's bounty to carry you through the year still evokes a welcome nostalgia for the past.
Here are some tips from Field and Courchesne for aspiring and experienced preservers:
* Go to the source: Unless you have fruit trees in your backyard, a farmer's market is usually the best place to select ripe, unwaxed fruit during peak season. Remember, preserves are only as good as the fruit you put in them!
* Avoid overripe fruit and overcooking: Pectin is the natural carbohydrate found in fruit skins and seeds that allows preserves to jell. However, fruit loses its pectin as it matures or when it's cooked too long. For preserves with a balance of sweetness and consistency, gently cook slightly under-ripe and just-ripe fruit.
* Essential ingredients: A balance of acid and sugar in fruit spreads ensures not only a good set but a pleasing flavor. Lemon juice and refined white sugar are most commonly used, but you also can use organic sugar or evaporated cane juice. Don't use honey, maple syrup, or artificial sweeteners, which are too strong.
* Flavorings: Fresh, flavorful herbs and spices -- from rosemary to rosehips -- can add layers of nuanced depth to your fruit spreads.
* The right equipment: Home-canning kits, found in most supermarkets or kitchen-supply stores, should be paired with a wide, shallow nonreactive pan when cooking preserves. The wider surface area ensures excess liquid will evaporate quickly.
* Storage: Exposure to sunlight or too much heat can cause fruit spreads to lose color, flavor, and texture. Store jars for no more than a year in a cool, dark place.
For more preserving tips and more than 130 recipes for cooking and baking with preserved produce, read "The Art of Preserving."
Preserving can make for fun family time in the kitchen this season and year-round enjoyment at the kitchen table. So start bottling up those favorite flavors!
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Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Cooking Light Launches Nationwide Search for the Chef with the Healthiest Cooking Approach
/PRNewswire/ -- Cooking Light launches a nationwide search to find the chef with the healthiest and most innovative cooking approach. The contest, searching for a self-taught or professionally-trained chef, launches today at CookingLight.com/castingcall. It runs through August 14, 2010.
Entrants must submit a three-minute prep-to-plate video of a healthy, original recipe on which they will be judged. Four finalists will be chosen from the entries to compete in a live cook-off event at The Taste of Atlanta, a two-day outdoor food festival in Atlanta, GA, on October 23 and 24, 2010. The Cooking Light judges will select the winner, who will be named the "Healthy Chef of the Year." The winner will receive a $10,000 prize package including a kitchen makeover, a year's worth of free groceries, and the opportunity to become a contributor to Cooking Light magazine and CookingLight.com in 2011.
Any and all skill levels are welcome to enter, from home cooks to culinary school graduates. Entrants must be legal residents of the United States and 21 years or older at the time of entry. Anyone who is paid to cook for a living is not eligible to enter.
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Entrants must submit a three-minute prep-to-plate video of a healthy, original recipe on which they will be judged. Four finalists will be chosen from the entries to compete in a live cook-off event at The Taste of Atlanta, a two-day outdoor food festival in Atlanta, GA, on October 23 and 24, 2010. The Cooking Light judges will select the winner, who will be named the "Healthy Chef of the Year." The winner will receive a $10,000 prize package including a kitchen makeover, a year's worth of free groceries, and the opportunity to become a contributor to Cooking Light magazine and CookingLight.com in 2011.
Any and all skill levels are welcome to enter, from home cooks to culinary school graduates. Entrants must be legal residents of the United States and 21 years or older at the time of entry. Anyone who is paid to cook for a living is not eligible to enter.
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NOAA, FDA Continue Ramping Up Efforts to Ensure Safety of Gulf of Mexico Seafood
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are taking additional steps to enhance inspection measures designed to ensure that seafood from the Gulf of Mexico reaching America’s tables is safe to eat.
The federal government, in conjunction with Gulf States’ regulatory agencies, is playing an active role in ensuring the safety of seafood harvested from federal and state waters. The federal government, led by FDA and NOAA, is taking a multi-pronged approach to ensure that seafood from Gulf waters is not contaminated by oil. The strategy includes precautionary closures, increased seafood testing inspections and a re-opening protocol.
“Closing harvest waters that could be exposed to oil protects the public from potentially contaminated seafood because it keeps the product from entering the food supply,” said Dr. Jane Lubchenco, undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “Combining the expertise of NOAA and FDA is the best way to use our scientific abilities to help the American people in this emergency.”
The first line of defense is NOAA’s fishery area closures, which began May 2 and are adjusted as the spill trajectory changes. FDA has concurred with this approach. The current federal closure of 32 percent of federal waters encompasses areas known to be affected by oil, either on the surface or below the surface, as well as areas projected to be affected by oil in the next 48 - 72 hours. The closed area also includes a five-nautical-mile buffer as a precaution around the known location of oil.
“FDA and NOAA are working together to ensure that seafood from the Gulf is not contaminated with oil,” said Margaret Hamburg, M.D., Commissioner of Food and Drugs. “It is important to coordinate seafood surveillance efforts on the water, at the docks and at seafood processors to ensure seafood in the market is safe to eat.”
To help prevent tainted seafood from reaching the market, NOAA created a seafood sampling and inspection plan. Just after the beginning of the spill, it collected and tested seafood of commercial and recreational fish and shellfish species from areas where oil from the spill had not yet reached. NOAA is using ongoing surveillance to evaluate new seafood samples to determine whether contamination is present outside the closed area. If fish samples have elevated levels of oil compounds, NOAA will consider whether to expand closed areas.
The federal effort to ensure seafood is not contaminated with oil will also include NOAA’s dockside sampling of fish products in the Gulf. NOAA will verify that catch was caught outside the closed area using information from vessel monitoring systems that track the location of a vessel or information from on-board observers. If tainted fish are found in dockside sampling, NOAA will notify FDA and state health officials for further action.
FDA operates a mandatory safety program for all fish and fishery products under the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Public Health Service Act and related federal regulations.
FDA will first target oysters, crab, and shrimp, which due to their biology retain contaminants longer than finfish, for additional sampling. Finfish rapidly metabolize the oil so the risk of exposure is far less than the other seafood species previously mentioned. The sample collection will target primarily seafood processors who buy seafood directly from the harvester. Monitoring this first step in the distribution chain will help to keep any potentially contaminated seafood from consumers.
FDA has also created a focused inspection assignment designed to help seafood processors review their individual source controls to ensure proper documentation and exclusion of any seafood obtained from unknown sources from entering commerce.
The two agencies are also establishing a re-opening protocol. NOAA will reopen closed areas only if it is assured, based on consultation with FDA, that fish products within the closed area meet FDA standards for public health and wholesomeness.
“We recognize that the effects of the oil spill continue to grow as oil continues to flow,” said Dr. Lubchenco. “As remediation efforts continue, it may be possible to alleviate some of the economic harm caused by the oil spill by reopening previously closed areas. NOAA will reopen areas only if assured that fish products taken from these areas meet FDA standards for public health.”
Before the BP oil spill, NOAA operated seafood inspection services in the Gulf – consisting of a handful of personnel – on a fee-for-service basis for the seafood industry.
Today, samples collected as part of NOAA’s efforts are sent to the National Seafood Inspection Laboratory in Pascagoula, Miss., where federal and state sensory testing analysts trained to detect certain thresholds of chemicals, which are not normal background odors in seafood, evaluate the catch. Samples are also sent to NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle for chemical testing.
According to the most recent data available, seafood samples had been collected during 18 sampling missions by NOAA and contracted fishing vessels in areas inside and outside the closed fishery area.
From those 18 sampling missions, 640 fish and shrimp samples were processed for either sensory or chemical testing. Of the 640 samples, 118 fish samples were presented to the team of 10 expert assessors for sensory testing in the Pascagoula Laboratory. Four hundred sixteen fish and shrimp samples were sent to NOAA’s Seattle testing laboratory for chemical analysis.
“FDA has set up a hotline for reporting seafood safety issues,” said Commissioner Hamburg. “We encourage fisherman and consumers to report potential contamination to 1-888-INFO-FDA.”
FDA is responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of more than a trillion dollars worth of products that are critical for the survival and well-being of all Americans.
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit NOAA at http://www.noaa.gov or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov
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The federal government, in conjunction with Gulf States’ regulatory agencies, is playing an active role in ensuring the safety of seafood harvested from federal and state waters. The federal government, led by FDA and NOAA, is taking a multi-pronged approach to ensure that seafood from Gulf waters is not contaminated by oil. The strategy includes precautionary closures, increased seafood testing inspections and a re-opening protocol.
“Closing harvest waters that could be exposed to oil protects the public from potentially contaminated seafood because it keeps the product from entering the food supply,” said Dr. Jane Lubchenco, undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “Combining the expertise of NOAA and FDA is the best way to use our scientific abilities to help the American people in this emergency.”
The first line of defense is NOAA’s fishery area closures, which began May 2 and are adjusted as the spill trajectory changes. FDA has concurred with this approach. The current federal closure of 32 percent of federal waters encompasses areas known to be affected by oil, either on the surface or below the surface, as well as areas projected to be affected by oil in the next 48 - 72 hours. The closed area also includes a five-nautical-mile buffer as a precaution around the known location of oil.
“FDA and NOAA are working together to ensure that seafood from the Gulf is not contaminated with oil,” said Margaret Hamburg, M.D., Commissioner of Food and Drugs. “It is important to coordinate seafood surveillance efforts on the water, at the docks and at seafood processors to ensure seafood in the market is safe to eat.”
To help prevent tainted seafood from reaching the market, NOAA created a seafood sampling and inspection plan. Just after the beginning of the spill, it collected and tested seafood of commercial and recreational fish and shellfish species from areas where oil from the spill had not yet reached. NOAA is using ongoing surveillance to evaluate new seafood samples to determine whether contamination is present outside the closed area. If fish samples have elevated levels of oil compounds, NOAA will consider whether to expand closed areas.
The federal effort to ensure seafood is not contaminated with oil will also include NOAA’s dockside sampling of fish products in the Gulf. NOAA will verify that catch was caught outside the closed area using information from vessel monitoring systems that track the location of a vessel or information from on-board observers. If tainted fish are found in dockside sampling, NOAA will notify FDA and state health officials for further action.
FDA operates a mandatory safety program for all fish and fishery products under the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Public Health Service Act and related federal regulations.
FDA will first target oysters, crab, and shrimp, which due to their biology retain contaminants longer than finfish, for additional sampling. Finfish rapidly metabolize the oil so the risk of exposure is far less than the other seafood species previously mentioned. The sample collection will target primarily seafood processors who buy seafood directly from the harvester. Monitoring this first step in the distribution chain will help to keep any potentially contaminated seafood from consumers.
FDA has also created a focused inspection assignment designed to help seafood processors review their individual source controls to ensure proper documentation and exclusion of any seafood obtained from unknown sources from entering commerce.
The two agencies are also establishing a re-opening protocol. NOAA will reopen closed areas only if it is assured, based on consultation with FDA, that fish products within the closed area meet FDA standards for public health and wholesomeness.
“We recognize that the effects of the oil spill continue to grow as oil continues to flow,” said Dr. Lubchenco. “As remediation efforts continue, it may be possible to alleviate some of the economic harm caused by the oil spill by reopening previously closed areas. NOAA will reopen areas only if assured that fish products taken from these areas meet FDA standards for public health.”
Before the BP oil spill, NOAA operated seafood inspection services in the Gulf – consisting of a handful of personnel – on a fee-for-service basis for the seafood industry.
Today, samples collected as part of NOAA’s efforts are sent to the National Seafood Inspection Laboratory in Pascagoula, Miss., where federal and state sensory testing analysts trained to detect certain thresholds of chemicals, which are not normal background odors in seafood, evaluate the catch. Samples are also sent to NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle for chemical testing.
According to the most recent data available, seafood samples had been collected during 18 sampling missions by NOAA and contracted fishing vessels in areas inside and outside the closed fishery area.
From those 18 sampling missions, 640 fish and shrimp samples were processed for either sensory or chemical testing. Of the 640 samples, 118 fish samples were presented to the team of 10 expert assessors for sensory testing in the Pascagoula Laboratory. Four hundred sixteen fish and shrimp samples were sent to NOAA’s Seattle testing laboratory for chemical analysis.
“FDA has set up a hotline for reporting seafood safety issues,” said Commissioner Hamburg. “We encourage fisherman and consumers to report potential contamination to 1-888-INFO-FDA.”
FDA is responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of more than a trillion dollars worth of products that are critical for the survival and well-being of all Americans.
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit NOAA at http://www.noaa.gov or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov
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Friday, June 4, 2010
Trendsetting Desserts
(NAPSI)-Perfectly portioned, colorful and delicious, cupcakes are everywhere. You can find them in bakeries and coffeehouses, on dessert menus and at weddings.
It's not just professional bakers who are getting into the cupcake movement. Home cooks are whipping up tasty creations for their family that look as good as they taste.
One easy way to add pizzazz to your baked treats is with baking cups. For example, fashion-inspired Reynolds® Baked for You® StayBrite™ Baking Cups are unlike other paper baking cups--the patterns won't fade during baking. Their brilliant colors and designs are still visible even on chocolate cake after baking.
Here's a fun idea using a monkey-and-banana theme to help make your next party a jungle of delight.
CHOCOLATE BANANA CUPCAKES
Makes: 24 cupcakes
24 Reynolds® Baked for You® StayBrite™ Baking Cups
1 package (18.25 oz.) chocolate cake mix
3 eggs
¾ cup milk
½ cup oil
3 teaspoons banana extract, divided
1 cup mashed ripe banana
1 container (16 oz.) chocolate frosting
Banana-shaped candies
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place Reynolds Baked for You StayBrite Baking Cups in muffin pans.
Place cake mix, eggs, milk, oil and 2 teaspoons banana extract in a large bowl. Beat with mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Stir in banana. Spoon batter into baking cups, filling about ⅔ full.
Bake 20 to 22 minutes.
Stir 1 teaspoon banana extract into chocolate frosting. Spread on cupcakes. Top with banana-shaped candies.
Reynolds Kitchens Tip: For extra flavor, add banana extract ¼ teaspoon at a time to frosting until desired flavor is reached.
Learn More
For more information, recipes and inspiring ideas for making your own personalized cupcakes, visit www.ReynoldsCupcakeCentral.com.
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It's not just professional bakers who are getting into the cupcake movement. Home cooks are whipping up tasty creations for their family that look as good as they taste.
One easy way to add pizzazz to your baked treats is with baking cups. For example, fashion-inspired Reynolds® Baked for You® StayBrite™ Baking Cups are unlike other paper baking cups--the patterns won't fade during baking. Their brilliant colors and designs are still visible even on chocolate cake after baking.
Here's a fun idea using a monkey-and-banana theme to help make your next party a jungle of delight.
CHOCOLATE BANANA CUPCAKES
Makes: 24 cupcakes
24 Reynolds® Baked for You® StayBrite™ Baking Cups
1 package (18.25 oz.) chocolate cake mix
3 eggs
¾ cup milk
½ cup oil
3 teaspoons banana extract, divided
1 cup mashed ripe banana
1 container (16 oz.) chocolate frosting
Banana-shaped candies
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place Reynolds Baked for You StayBrite Baking Cups in muffin pans.
Place cake mix, eggs, milk, oil and 2 teaspoons banana extract in a large bowl. Beat with mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Stir in banana. Spoon batter into baking cups, filling about ⅔ full.
Bake 20 to 22 minutes.
Stir 1 teaspoon banana extract into chocolate frosting. Spread on cupcakes. Top with banana-shaped candies.
Reynolds Kitchens Tip: For extra flavor, add banana extract ¼ teaspoon at a time to frosting until desired flavor is reached.
Learn More
For more information, recipes and inspiring ideas for making your own personalized cupcakes, visit www.ReynoldsCupcakeCentral.com.
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First Lady Invites Bertucci's Chef Stefano Cordova to Kick-Off 'Chefs Move To Schools' Program for Solving Childhood Obesity
/PRNewswire/ -- Northborough, MA-based Bertucci's Corporation announced today that it's own Chef Stefano Cordova has been chosen by First Lady Michelle Obama to participate in her "Chefs Move To Schools" program that calls on the nation's chefs to adopt a school, work with teachers, parents, school nutritionists and administrators to help educate kids about food and nutrition. Chef Stefano, along with 299 other national chefs, has traveled to the White House for today's official kick-off. "Chefs Move To Schools" is part of Mrs. Obama's larger initiative of 'Let's Move!' to solve the childhood obesity epidemic.
"I am honored to participate and represent the Bertucci's kitchen in the First Lady's 'Let's Move!' campaign along with others in my field from across the country. I have always been an advocate for healthy, fresh and smarter ingredients in preparing dishes for our guests - especially children," said Chef Stefano Cordova, Vice President and Executive Chef for Bertucci's Italian Restaurants. "We are excited to adopt a local school where we'll put the First Lady's plan in motion to create healthy dishes incorporating tastes children love. Our whole wheat pizza and multigrain pasta are popular with families in our restaurants."
The "Chefs Move to Schools" program, run through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will pair chefs with interested schools in their communities so together they can create healthy meals that meet the schools' dietary guidelines and budgets, while teaching young people about nutrition and making balanced and healthy choices. With more than 31 million children participating in the National School Lunch Program and more than 11 million participating in the National School Breakfast Program, good nutrition at school is more important than ever.
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"I am honored to participate and represent the Bertucci's kitchen in the First Lady's 'Let's Move!' campaign along with others in my field from across the country. I have always been an advocate for healthy, fresh and smarter ingredients in preparing dishes for our guests - especially children," said Chef Stefano Cordova, Vice President and Executive Chef for Bertucci's Italian Restaurants. "We are excited to adopt a local school where we'll put the First Lady's plan in motion to create healthy dishes incorporating tastes children love. Our whole wheat pizza and multigrain pasta are popular with families in our restaurants."
The "Chefs Move to Schools" program, run through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will pair chefs with interested schools in their communities so together they can create healthy meals that meet the schools' dietary guidelines and budgets, while teaching young people about nutrition and making balanced and healthy choices. With more than 31 million children participating in the National School Lunch Program and more than 11 million participating in the National School Breakfast Program, good nutrition at school is more important than ever.
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Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Thousands of Pizza Lovers across the Country Vying for a Slice of the Papa John’s Pie in Recipe Challenge
(BUSINESS WIRE)--More than 7,000 pizza lovers spanning all 50 states think they have what it takes to create Papa John’s next menu item – and win a portion of the sales dollars in return. But there’s only room for one new pizza on Papa John’s menu. Which recipe will come out on top?
“The passion for our quality pizza and fresh ingredients is evident in every entry.”
Last month, Papa John's International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) asked its loyal customers to share their ideas for the next great specialty pizza on Facebook as part of the company’s first ever “Papa’s Specialty Pizza Challenge.” Thousands of recipes later – and with three weeks still remaining in the contest – Papa John’s finds itself sifting through a number of top contenders.
Recipes have been inspired by far-away places. There’s “The Big Texan” from a customer in Cambellsburg, Ind., “The Kentuckian” from a Papa John’s fan in Las Vegas, Nev., “Mediterranean Medley” in Dayton, Ohio, plus hundreds of interpretations of what constitutes a “Hawaiian” pizza.
Pizzas have also been named in honor of loved ones, like “Dad’s Ham & Cheese” in Lexington, Ky., “Mom’s Not Cooking Tonight!” in Overland Park, Ks., and “Grammy’s Favorite” in Valparaiso, Ind.
And then there’s pure creativity, such as “The New PB&J” from Augusta, Ga., “Kabobbin’ Kick” in Cuddy, Pa., and “The TNT! (Thin ‘n’ Tangy!) from Escalon, Calif.
“Every day there’s a new recipe, story, or name that catches our eye as customers have come out in droves to share their favorite combinations of Papa John’s ‘Better Ingredients,’” said Papa John’s Chief Marketing Officer Andrew Varga. “The passion for our quality pizza and fresh ingredients is evident in every entry.”
Through June 14, participants can enter “Papa’s Specialty Pizza Challenge” at www.facebook.com/papajohns, where they will be asked to create and name their very own specialty pie on Papa John’s fresh, never frozen original dough with sauce, cheese and a combination of up to seven Papa John’s better ingredients, including:
* Fresh-Packed Tomato Sauce: Made from vine-ripened tomatoes, which go from the vine to the can in an average of six hours
* Cheese made from 100 percent mozzarella
* 100 percent Real Meats: Bacon, Beef, Ham, Grilled Chicken, Pepperoni, Sausage, Spicy Italian Sausage
* Fresh-Cut Vegetables: Onions, Green Peppers and Roma Tomatoes
* Other high-quality ingredients: Including baby portabella mushrooms from Greece and black olives grown in the rich soils of southern Spain
But Papa’s Specialty Pizza Challenge isn’t just about recipes. Participants must also share in 250 words or less what makes their pizza so special for a chance to win. Judges will take the pizza creation, the pizza name and the story into consideration when completing their score sheets.
All entries are being featured in a gallery on Papa John’s Facebook page, from which “Papa” John Schnatter himself and his team of experts will choose ten semi-finalists. Those ten recipes will then be tested and tasted by Schnatter, a secret celebrity judge and other judges at company headquarters in Louisville, Ky. Schnatter, who personally developed many of the specialty pizza combinations currently offered by Papa John’s, and the other judges will trim the choices to the three best recipes, which will be showcased temporarily on Papa John’s menu (August 2 – August 29), with the ultimate winner being the highest-selling pizza!
And because the stakes – a portion of sales dollars from the winner’s recipe – are so high Papa John’s is offering the top three finalists a marketing budget of $1,000 to help drive sales of their respective pizzas.
The grand prize winner will also receive free Papa John’s pizza for life as well as a chance to appear in a “Papa’s in the House” TV commercial. For more details on “Papa’s Specialty Pizza Challenge,” including official contest rules, visit www.facebook.com/papajohns.
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“The passion for our quality pizza and fresh ingredients is evident in every entry.”
Last month, Papa John's International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) asked its loyal customers to share their ideas for the next great specialty pizza on Facebook as part of the company’s first ever “Papa’s Specialty Pizza Challenge.” Thousands of recipes later – and with three weeks still remaining in the contest – Papa John’s finds itself sifting through a number of top contenders.
Recipes have been inspired by far-away places. There’s “The Big Texan” from a customer in Cambellsburg, Ind., “The Kentuckian” from a Papa John’s fan in Las Vegas, Nev., “Mediterranean Medley” in Dayton, Ohio, plus hundreds of interpretations of what constitutes a “Hawaiian” pizza.
Pizzas have also been named in honor of loved ones, like “Dad’s Ham & Cheese” in Lexington, Ky., “Mom’s Not Cooking Tonight!” in Overland Park, Ks., and “Grammy’s Favorite” in Valparaiso, Ind.
And then there’s pure creativity, such as “The New PB&J” from Augusta, Ga., “Kabobbin’ Kick” in Cuddy, Pa., and “The TNT! (Thin ‘n’ Tangy!) from Escalon, Calif.
“Every day there’s a new recipe, story, or name that catches our eye as customers have come out in droves to share their favorite combinations of Papa John’s ‘Better Ingredients,’” said Papa John’s Chief Marketing Officer Andrew Varga. “The passion for our quality pizza and fresh ingredients is evident in every entry.”
Through June 14, participants can enter “Papa’s Specialty Pizza Challenge” at www.facebook.com/papajohns, where they will be asked to create and name their very own specialty pie on Papa John’s fresh, never frozen original dough with sauce, cheese and a combination of up to seven Papa John’s better ingredients, including:
* Fresh-Packed Tomato Sauce: Made from vine-ripened tomatoes, which go from the vine to the can in an average of six hours
* Cheese made from 100 percent mozzarella
* 100 percent Real Meats: Bacon, Beef, Ham, Grilled Chicken, Pepperoni, Sausage, Spicy Italian Sausage
* Fresh-Cut Vegetables: Onions, Green Peppers and Roma Tomatoes
* Other high-quality ingredients: Including baby portabella mushrooms from Greece and black olives grown in the rich soils of southern Spain
But Papa’s Specialty Pizza Challenge isn’t just about recipes. Participants must also share in 250 words or less what makes their pizza so special for a chance to win. Judges will take the pizza creation, the pizza name and the story into consideration when completing their score sheets.
All entries are being featured in a gallery on Papa John’s Facebook page, from which “Papa” John Schnatter himself and his team of experts will choose ten semi-finalists. Those ten recipes will then be tested and tasted by Schnatter, a secret celebrity judge and other judges at company headquarters in Louisville, Ky. Schnatter, who personally developed many of the specialty pizza combinations currently offered by Papa John’s, and the other judges will trim the choices to the three best recipes, which will be showcased temporarily on Papa John’s menu (August 2 – August 29), with the ultimate winner being the highest-selling pizza!
And because the stakes – a portion of sales dollars from the winner’s recipe – are so high Papa John’s is offering the top three finalists a marketing budget of $1,000 to help drive sales of their respective pizzas.
The grand prize winner will also receive free Papa John’s pizza for life as well as a chance to appear in a “Papa’s in the House” TV commercial. For more details on “Papa’s Specialty Pizza Challenge,” including official contest rules, visit www.facebook.com/papajohns.
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Oscar Mayer WIENERMOBILE Vehicle Goes up for Bid on eBay
/PRNewswire/ -- Hot dog fans nationwide now have the opportunity to bid on eBay for the once in a lifetime experience of riding SHOTBUN in the Oscar Mayer WIENERMOBILE vehicle. The proceeds from the auction will support the Oscar Mayer Good Mood Mission to benefit Feeding America®, the nation's leading hunger-relief organization.
The "Ride SHOTBUN in the Wienermobile for the Day" package is open for online bidding from May 25 through June 4, 2010 by visiting eBay.com/OscarMayer. The auction package includes: the use of the Oscar Mayer WIENERMOBILE for one day, a catered Oscar Mayer brand cook-out with all the fixings for up to 50 people and everything needed to make the day perfect, including a grill and grilling utensils, a cooler and to help hot dog season last throughout the year a one-year supply of Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs!
Ty Burrell, from the hit TV show "Modern Family" has joined the Oscar Mayer Good Mood Mission to rally America to help Feeding America provide food to people struggling with hunger.
"Not only do I get to ride SHOTBUN in a 27 foot-long hot dog that's spreading miles of smiles, I get to rally America to help to share good moods to help hungry families," said Ty Burrell, official Oscar Mayer Good Mood Ambassador. "My job is to make people laugh and now it means even more because the Oscar Mayer Good Mood Mission is truly helping others."
More Chances to Win
In addition to the eBay auction, people across the country can also get a chance to ride SHOTBUN by joining the Good Mood Mission. Visit www.GoodMoodMission.com and click on the Ride SHOTBUN button before July 31, 2010 and tell us what you would do with the Wienermobile for the day. Four lucky winners will receive the chance to ride SHOTBUN in the Wienermobile, along with $5,000 to help spread good moods. For every good mood America shares, the Oscar Mayer brand will donate one pound of food to Feeding America, for a total donation of up to three million pounds of food.
"Thanks to America's support of the Oscar Mayer Good Mood Mission, we have reached our initial goal of donating two million pounds of food to Feeding America," said Sean Marks, Senior Director, Marketing for Oscar Mayer. "Now, we are raising the bar and our donation and want America to join us to help reach our new goal of three million pounds of food for Feeding America."
It doesn't get better than riding SHOTBUN in the Wienermobile this hot dog season to benefit Feeding America!
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The "Ride SHOTBUN in the Wienermobile for the Day" package is open for online bidding from May 25 through June 4, 2010 by visiting eBay.com/OscarMayer. The auction package includes: the use of the Oscar Mayer WIENERMOBILE for one day, a catered Oscar Mayer brand cook-out with all the fixings for up to 50 people and everything needed to make the day perfect, including a grill and grilling utensils, a cooler and to help hot dog season last throughout the year a one-year supply of Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs!
Ty Burrell, from the hit TV show "Modern Family" has joined the Oscar Mayer Good Mood Mission to rally America to help Feeding America provide food to people struggling with hunger.
"Not only do I get to ride SHOTBUN in a 27 foot-long hot dog that's spreading miles of smiles, I get to rally America to help to share good moods to help hungry families," said Ty Burrell, official Oscar Mayer Good Mood Ambassador. "My job is to make people laugh and now it means even more because the Oscar Mayer Good Mood Mission is truly helping others."
More Chances to Win
In addition to the eBay auction, people across the country can also get a chance to ride SHOTBUN by joining the Good Mood Mission. Visit www.GoodMoodMission.com and click on the Ride SHOTBUN button before July 31, 2010 and tell us what you would do with the Wienermobile for the day. Four lucky winners will receive the chance to ride SHOTBUN in the Wienermobile, along with $5,000 to help spread good moods. For every good mood America shares, the Oscar Mayer brand will donate one pound of food to Feeding America, for a total donation of up to three million pounds of food.
"Thanks to America's support of the Oscar Mayer Good Mood Mission, we have reached our initial goal of donating two million pounds of food to Feeding America," said Sean Marks, Senior Director, Marketing for Oscar Mayer. "Now, we are raising the bar and our donation and want America to join us to help reach our new goal of three million pounds of food for Feeding America."
It doesn't get better than riding SHOTBUN in the Wienermobile this hot dog season to benefit Feeding America!
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Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Make summer super with potluck-perfect recipes
(ARA) - From block parties to backyard barbecues, summer is when people get together and enjoy the delectable tastes of the season. The classic American potluck is always a favorite gathering, especially when friends, family and neighbors bring out their best dishes for everyone to enjoy.
The perfect recipes for summer parties are ones that are quick and easy - providing maximum flavor for minimum time spent in the kitchen. When it comes to cooking for a crowd, go with something that will reliably get rave reviews, while keeping in mind whom you're cooking for. If it's a crowd with a more sophisticated palate, you can try something a little more adventurous. If it is a group with notoriously picky kids, go a little more mild with kid-pleasing classics. If it's a big enough crowd, you might even want to try both.
It's always a great idea to take a healthful approach to whatever you bring to the table. Whether you're bringing a main course, a side, or a dessert, there are plenty of healthy recipes to choose from. Wherever you can, opt for ingredients like fresh vegetables and fresh or dried fruit. Raisins, in particular, are a wise choice to add flavor and good nutrition to all kinds of dishes. They are fat- and cholesterol-free, and contain antioxidants and fiber - good-for-you qualities that can healthfully enhance any dish.
Try incorporating plump California raisins into a more exotic dish like couscous salad along with fennel, garbanzo beans and chopped fresh cilantro for a subtly sweet-and-savory combination. Or, add them as an extra pop of sweetness to miniature apple tartlets - a party-perfect version of classic American apple pie. To get more ideas and inspirations for delicious raisin recipes, visit www.LoveYourRaisins.com.
All-American Raisin Apple Tartlets
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes total
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons heart-healthy buttery spread
4 medium green apples, peeled and sliced
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup California raisins
18 sheets phyllo dough
Butter flavor cooking spray
9 tablespoons shredded low-fat sharp Cheddar
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 F and spray 12 cupcake tins with nonstick cooking spray. Melt buttery spread in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in apples and cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes. Stir in brown sugar and cinnamon and cook for a minute more; add raisins and set aside.
Meanwhile, lay one sheet of phyllo on a cutting board; keep remaining covered with a damp towel to prevent drying. Spray sheet with cooking spray. Repeat with five more sheets, sprinkling 3 tablespoons cheese in under the last layer; press firmly to keep cheese in dough. Assemble 2 more stacks. Cut each stack in half crosswise to make 6 pieces; then, cut each piece lengthwise into 6 strips for a total of 36 strips. Center and press 3 strips into each tin, letting the dough extend over the top by about 1/2-inch. Divide and spoon fruit mixture in centers. Bake for 10 minutes, until lightly browned; then, tent loosely with foil and bake for 10 minutes more, until done.
Makes 12 small desserts
California Raisin Couscous with Vegetables
Ingredients:
1 box couscous, plain
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 pint red pear or cherry tomatoes, cut in half
2 heads fennel, bulb only, small dice
1 English or hothouse cucumber, peeled, seeded and small dice
1/2 red onion, peeled, small dice
1 cup California golden raisins
2 bunches Italian flat leaf parsley, picked and chopped
1/2 bunch cilantro, picked and chopped
Juice of 4 lemons
Salt and pepper
Directions:
Place one box of couscous in a large bowl or shallow rectangle pan. Bring 2 cups water to a boil. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over couscous along with salt and pepper. Then pour boiling water over couscous to cover. Mix with fork; cover with plastic wrap and set aside for five minutes. Remove plastic and fluff couscous with a fork to avoid lumps and let cool. Once cool, add remainder of ingredients and toss well. Reheat to serve.
Note: Make sure all ingredients are ready before making couscous. For variety, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top just before serving.
Makes eight side dish servings
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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The perfect recipes for summer parties are ones that are quick and easy - providing maximum flavor for minimum time spent in the kitchen. When it comes to cooking for a crowd, go with something that will reliably get rave reviews, while keeping in mind whom you're cooking for. If it's a crowd with a more sophisticated palate, you can try something a little more adventurous. If it is a group with notoriously picky kids, go a little more mild with kid-pleasing classics. If it's a big enough crowd, you might even want to try both.
It's always a great idea to take a healthful approach to whatever you bring to the table. Whether you're bringing a main course, a side, or a dessert, there are plenty of healthy recipes to choose from. Wherever you can, opt for ingredients like fresh vegetables and fresh or dried fruit. Raisins, in particular, are a wise choice to add flavor and good nutrition to all kinds of dishes. They are fat- and cholesterol-free, and contain antioxidants and fiber - good-for-you qualities that can healthfully enhance any dish.
Try incorporating plump California raisins into a more exotic dish like couscous salad along with fennel, garbanzo beans and chopped fresh cilantro for a subtly sweet-and-savory combination. Or, add them as an extra pop of sweetness to miniature apple tartlets - a party-perfect version of classic American apple pie. To get more ideas and inspirations for delicious raisin recipes, visit www.LoveYourRaisins.com.
All-American Raisin Apple Tartlets
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes total
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons heart-healthy buttery spread
4 medium green apples, peeled and sliced
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup California raisins
18 sheets phyllo dough
Butter flavor cooking spray
9 tablespoons shredded low-fat sharp Cheddar
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 F and spray 12 cupcake tins with nonstick cooking spray. Melt buttery spread in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in apples and cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes. Stir in brown sugar and cinnamon and cook for a minute more; add raisins and set aside.
Meanwhile, lay one sheet of phyllo on a cutting board; keep remaining covered with a damp towel to prevent drying. Spray sheet with cooking spray. Repeat with five more sheets, sprinkling 3 tablespoons cheese in under the last layer; press firmly to keep cheese in dough. Assemble 2 more stacks. Cut each stack in half crosswise to make 6 pieces; then, cut each piece lengthwise into 6 strips for a total of 36 strips. Center and press 3 strips into each tin, letting the dough extend over the top by about 1/2-inch. Divide and spoon fruit mixture in centers. Bake for 10 minutes, until lightly browned; then, tent loosely with foil and bake for 10 minutes more, until done.
Makes 12 small desserts
California Raisin Couscous with Vegetables
Ingredients:
1 box couscous, plain
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 pint red pear or cherry tomatoes, cut in half
2 heads fennel, bulb only, small dice
1 English or hothouse cucumber, peeled, seeded and small dice
1/2 red onion, peeled, small dice
1 cup California golden raisins
2 bunches Italian flat leaf parsley, picked and chopped
1/2 bunch cilantro, picked and chopped
Juice of 4 lemons
Salt and pepper
Directions:
Place one box of couscous in a large bowl or shallow rectangle pan. Bring 2 cups water to a boil. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over couscous along with salt and pepper. Then pour boiling water over couscous to cover. Mix with fork; cover with plastic wrap and set aside for five minutes. Remove plastic and fluff couscous with a fork to avoid lumps and let cool. Once cool, add remainder of ingredients and toss well. Reheat to serve.
Note: Make sure all ingredients are ready before making couscous. For variety, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top just before serving.
Makes eight side dish servings
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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