Cookbook Winner Announcement...

I'm going to keep this short and sweet.  I used random.org to select the winner of "The America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook".  Drum roll, please.

And the winner is...   

100 Followers / Cookbook Giveaway!

Today marks the day that Cooking Creation hit 100 followers!  I appreciate every one of you and what better way to celebrate than to host a giveaway?! 

This giveaway is for "The America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook".  This all-purpose cookbook delivers more than 800 foolproof recipes for healthier everyday fare - from breakfast dishes and appetizers to pasta, meat, chicken, kid-friendly favorites, desserts, and more.  With this book in hand, you will be able to make simple changes in how you shop, eat, and cook - changes that will deliver a big payoff for your family's health. 

This cookbook retails for $34.95 but you can have it for free!  I will randomly choose a winner using random.org.  The winner will be announced on CookingCreation.com, Facebook and Twitter (feel free to follow me there, too!). 

There are only two things you need to do to enter: 

1. Leave a comment on this post telling me that you are interested in receiving the cookbook.
2. Become a follower of my blog if you aren't already.

It's that simple!  I will announce the winner on Friday, June 10, 2011.  

Good luck! 

Giveaway Winner Announcement!

Well, it's time to announce the winner of the Saucy Mama condiment kit giveaway.  Using a random number generator at random.org, the winner of the giveaway is commenter...

Another Giveaway!

We interrupt your regularly scheduled "Fridge Fridays" program to offer you a Saucy Mama condiment kit giveaway!  

I had so much fun creating a recipe for the Saucy Mama's Fabulous with Five Recipe Contest... but thankfully the fun doesn't stop there!  Thanks to Barhyte Specialty Foods, I am pleased to be able to host a giveaway offering a kit that will contain one bottle each of Saucy Mama Sweet Heat Marinade, Saucy Mama Tarragon Lemon Mustard, and Saucy Mama Pacific Rim Ginger Dressing!  

Entering is quick and easy!  Simply comment on this post (include your email address in the comment so I may contact the winner directly) and let me know that you are interested in receiving this condiment kit.  I will use a number generator at random.org to pick the winner and will announce the winner of the giveaway on May 16, 2011.  

Don't miss out on this opportunity!  

Good Luck!

Giveaway Winner Announcement!

First of all, I would like to thank each and every one of you for entering in the giveaway. In order to choose the winner of this giveaway, I used a random number generator at random.org.

We all know that there can only be one winner so, without further ado, the winner of the $35 CSN stores gift card is...

Wendy from The Weekend Gourmet!

Congratulations!

Please contact me at mail@cookingcreation.com with your email address so I can send you the information. THANKS!

Surf and Turf with Chimichurri Sauce ...and a GIVEAWAY!

My sweet neighbor recently gave me a ton of fresh parsley. I have been cooking with it here and there but freshness time is coming to an end and I have about 1 cup left. We are having surf and turf (flank steak and shrimp) for dinner tonight and making a chimichurri sauce is the perfect way to use up all of that parsley.

Now, on to the giveaway. CSN Stores asked me to host a giveaway for my readers. It is fast and simple to enter the giveaway. All you have to do is post a comment by Monday, January 17, 2011. I will use a number generator to pick a winner send an email to the winner of the giveaway, who will win a $35.00 gift card to CSN Stores to spend however and whenever their little heart desires online. CSN Stores has over 200 online stores, which features swing sets, cookware, shoes, outdoor furniture, home improvements and much, much more. The winner will have no problem spending the $35.00 -- trust me! This contest is open to residents of the United States and Canada only. Sorry!

Update: My granddaddy is doing well and has been discharged to go home today! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Now, on to the recipe.

Ingredients:
Printable Recipe

• 1 c packed fresh flat-leaf parsley
  
• 5 cloves minced garlic
  
• 1 tbsp fresh oregano
  
• 1/4 c red wine vinegar
  
• 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  
• 1 tsp dried cilantro
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  
• 1/2 c to 3/4 c olive oil
• Salt, to taste
  
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 1/2 to 2 lb flank steak
• Large shrimp
  

Directions:

• Place the first 8 ingredients into a food processor. Pulse a few times while pouring in olive oil, to desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Allow the sauce to sit at room temperature for at least 2 hours.
  
• Grill the steak and shrimp. Spoon the sauce over all.
• Enjoy!

CSN Giveaway Contest Winner Announcement!

And the winner of the $40.00 CSNstores.com gift card goes to....

"DC"

Deep Fried Green Tomatoes with Buttermilk Dipping Sauce!
Congratulations!

You will be receiving an email shortly with the gift card details. Thank you for submitting your recipe!

This recipe is originally from Paula Deen and it is so good!

Ingredients:

• Oil
• 4 green tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch rings
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 4 eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
• Pinch cayenne pepper
• Pinch paprika
• Buttermilk Dipping Sauce, recipe follows

Directions:

• In a deep-fryer, preheat oil to 350 degrees F.
• Season tomatoes, on both sides, with salt and pepper. Place flour and garlic powder in a shallow dish.
  
• In another shallow dish, beat eggs with the milk.
  
• In another dish, mix bread crumbs with cayenne and paprika.
  
• Dredge tomatoes through the flour, then the eggs, and then through the bread crumbs.
  
• Add only a few pieces to the fryer at a time, so they can cook evenly, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  
• Drain on paper towels and serve with Buttermilk Dipping Sauce (recipe follows).
  

Buttermilk Dipping Sauce:

• 1 cup apple cider
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons Neelys BBQ sauce
• 1 lime, juiced
• 4 scallions, sliced thin
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the apple cider and brown sugar. Allow to reduce until thick and syrupy. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
• In a medium bowl, add buttermilk, mayonnaise, BBQ sauce and lime juice and whisk well. Add in the scallions and the apple cider mixture. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve with Fried Green Tomatoes.

Pistachio-Crusted Ranch Chicken Strips

One of my favorite things about being a food blogger is the free food. Barhyte Specialty Foods sent me a package full of wonderful condiments. They are all out-of-this-world delicious but I have to say that my favorite was the sweet onion marinade. We were given the liberty to use any condiment, create a meal using it and enter it into the "I am a Saucy Mama" contest. The sweet onion marinade tasted like a better version of Ranch dressing.  It compliments the salty pistachio crusting perfectly. YUM! This can be served as a main course or as an appetizer! Some more good news, I am giving away a box full of wonderful Saucy Mama condiments to one lucky reader. Simply comment saying you are interested in the giveaway and you are entered. I will randomly choose a winner. It's a simple as that!

In place of the sweet onion marinade, Ranch dressing works very well.

Ingredients:
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into thin strips
• 1/4 c Ranch dressing (I used Saucy Mama Sweet Onion Marinade)
• 2 c pistachios, finely chopped
• 1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 c vegetable oil, or as needed for frying

Directions:

• Marinate the chicken strips in the Ranch dressing for at least one hour.
• In a large shallow bowl, combine the chopped pistachios, Parmesan, parsley, pepper and garlic powder. 
• Shake off the excess Ranch dressing from the marinade.  Press the chicken strips in the pistachio mixture and set aside.
• In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. 
• Add the chicken to the skillet. Fry the chicken until it is cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes per side.
• Serve with Ranch dressing as a dipping sauce on the side.
• Enjoy!

Giveaway Contest -- $40.00 Gift Card to CSNstores.com!

Just a reminder -- don't forget to submit your favorite recipe for a chance to win a $40.00 gift card!!

I am pleased to announce my first-ever giveaway contest! The winner of this contest will win a $40.00 gift card to CSN Stores to spend however and whenever their little heart desires online. CSN Stores has over 200 online stores, which features cookware, shoes, outdoor furniture, school shopping, home improvement, dining room sets and much, much more. The winner will have no problem spending the $40.00 -- trust me! Check them out at CSNstores.com!

So, here are the contest details/rules:

Contest Details:

• Comment on this post with your favorite recipe.
  
• The recipe may be literally anything that you love to make.
  
• The contest will end on Monday, September 6, 2010 at 12:00 PM, EST. Submissions received after that time are disregarded.
  
• You are limited to one recipe submission per week. If you list more than one, only the first will be taken into consideration.
  
• Submissions must include ingredients, measurements and cooking times.
  
• When the winner is chosen, they will receive a $40.00 gift card via email to use whenever and however they want! If you feel comfortable, please include your email address in the recipe post. If you do not feel comfortable doing that, email me at mail@cookingcreation.com.
  
• The winner will be announced on this blog on Saturday, September 18, 2010.
  
• The winning recipe will be blogged about, obviously giving credit and praise to the winner's name and entry.
  
• Good luck and have fun!
• Email me at mail@cookingcreation.com with any questions.
  

General Rules:

• This contest is open to residents of the United States and Canada only.
• Please refrain from commenting on my Facebook page regarding this giveaway as it goes against Facebook policy.
  
• If you are using a recipe that is not original, please cite the source (if you know it).