Seasoned & Stirred! First Anniversary Giveaway

Wow, how quickly times flies. It seems like just yesterday I conceived the idea of starting the Seasoned & Stirred blog but it was year ago today. THANKS to all of my readers and friends for your support and for inspiring me to keep going when the going got tough!

We've been through a name change (formerly Love With Food), Facebook page drama, periods of inactivity due to sickness and other stuff. Not the smoothest of starts but we've had a lot of good food and fun along the way and I'm thrilled to still be here! I hope I can continue to share my journey with you all as I Season & Stir my way through my next culinary adventure!

To commemorate this special occasion, I'm having a giveaway! I'd like to present one reader/friend with a gift of PAPER (in keeping with traditional wedding anniversary gifts). The lucky winner will receive a copy of An Epiphany of the Senses (paperback) by Nancy Lopez-McHugh (aka Spicie Foodie). This little gem of a cookbook is beautifully illustrated--featuring Nancy's own amazing photography and sumptuous, healthy recipes full of delicious flavors and exotic spices. It's a recipe collection perfect for the absolute beginner to the advance cook.

To be entered into the giveaway drawing, simply do two things:

1. Reply to this post telling me one thing or feature you love about the Seasoned & Stirred! blog. Please also leave your email address as the winner will be notified via email.

2. Recommend the Seasoned & Stirred Facebook page to at least one of your Facebook friends.  Post a comment on the Seasoned & Stirred page wall letting me know who you recommended and provide a link to their Facebook page, website or blog. Here's a direct link to the Seasoned & Stirred page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seasoned-Stirred/146461612046057.

Sorry, this giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada only! The winner will be chosen based on their comment and the number of friends they get to join the Seasoned & Stirred Facebook page. :>) The deadline for entries is midnight, February 23rd (EST). The winner will be chosen and announced on February 25ht via the blog.

Good luck everyone and THANKS for your dedication and inspiration during Seasoned & Stirred's first year.

Pumpkin Recipe Contest WINNER!

Entry #3 - Baked Cheesy Pumpkin by Mary Marlowe Leverette

THANKS to all the entrants for taking the time to submit your pumpkin recipes and photos! All of the recipes looked really good so choosing the winner was tough. 

The winning pumpkin recipe is.......Entry #3 - Baked Cheesy Pumpkin by Mary Marlowe Leverette!!! I chose this recipe because it intrigued me--a bit savory and sweet. I love the idea of adding the cheeses and Gruyere & white cheddar are two of my favorites. Also, Mary's instructions were very thorough and she even explained HOW to cook the pumpkin which is what prompted this contest. So, please join me in congratulating Ms. Mary Marlowe Leverette on her win. Mary will receive a $25 Williams-Sonoma gift card. See Mary's recipe below:

Baked Cheesy Pumpkin
by Mary Marlowe Leverette

1 7-pound fresh pumpkin
1 cup chicken broth
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 French Baguette, sliced and lightly toasted
1 cup grated Gruyere
1 cup grated white cheddar

Remove stem from small pumpkin (about 7 pounds). Cut a lid on top of pumpkin – like making a jack-o-lantern. Remove all the pulp and seeds from inside leaving all the flesh.

Whisk together chicken broth, cream, nutmeg, salt and pepper.

Put a layer of bread in the bottom of the pumpkin, followed by a handful of cheese and a half cup of the stock/cream mixture and then repeat until full. If you cannot use all the bread or cheese, that is fine. But use all of the liquid mixture.

Place the filled pumpkin in an oiled roasting pan. Brush the pumpkin with a little olive oil and place in a 450 degree F. oven for an hour and 15 minutes or until tender. Serve by scooping out some of the cooked pumpkin with the cheesy bread filling. Serves 6 to 8.

~~~~~~~

Congratulations, Mary!!! Thanks for entering the contest and I can't wait to try your recipe. I'm curious...did you serve this as an appetizer or side dish? Please let me know. :>) Thanks again and Happy Holidays!

Pumpkin Recipe Contest Deadline

The winner of the Pumpkin Recipe Contest will be chosen at midnight Saturday, December 11th so please submit your entries soon! The winner will receive a $25 Williams-Sonoma gift card! There is still time to submit your recipes. Please submit your recipe to this or the original blog post (see link below) and please send your recipe photos to me via email at lotusrising523(at)hotmail(dot)com. Click here to see the original blog post for complete instructions/rules, etc.

So far there are four contest entries:

Entry #1: Pumpkin Apple Muffins by Maiah Albi

Entry #2 - Crunchy-Topped Pumpkin Casserole by Ronna Farley

Entry #3 - Baked Cheesy Pumpkin by Mary Marlowe Leverette

Entry #4 - Pumpkin Praline Pie by Perry P. Perkins

To see the entrant's recipes, see the comments section on the original post. THANKS, Maiah, Ronna, Mary and Perry. The recipes and photos look great and thanks for your patience during the contest extension! :>) I am sooooo ready to cook this pumpkin...lol!!! Ok, just a few more days...

Enter the Pumpkin Recipe Contest!

UPDATE: 12/1/10 - There are two important updates regarding the contest:

1. Entrants: Please submit your photos to me via email (see email address below) as we are unable to attach them in the comments section


2. I am extending the contest deadline. Recipe submissions are now due by midnight Saturday, December 11, 2010 (EST). The winner will be announced via the blog the following week. 


***************************

Original post:

So...you think you've got a winning pumpkin recipe?...

I love pumpkin flavor in ANYTHING--pie, muffins, coffee, ravioli, vinaigrette dressing, ice cream, etc. I've cooked many pumpkin concoctions but never with a fresh pumpkin. When I stumbled on a great little farm stand (Martin Farms) not too far from my house and saw their offerings, I decided to buy a pumpkin and try to cook it.

Martin Farms Market (Rossville Blvd.) Rossville, MD

The Martin Farms Market stand is great. During my visit I purchased the reddest, juiciest tomatoes I've ever seen, a huge bunch of fresh rosemary and of course the pumpkin--a small pumpkin (approx 2 pounds)...

Pumpkins at Martin Farms Market

While I was thinking of what I could create with the fresh pumpkin, I got the idea to have a PUMPKIN RECIPE CONTEST and prepare the dish from the winning entry. 

The contest winner will receive a $25 Williams-Sonoma gift certificate, have their recipe featured on this blog and get free ad space for three months on the blog sidebar (you can submit a link/banner to your food blog/website or another website you own).

Contest Rules:

Please read the rules carefully. Any omissions or deviations will result in disqualification!

1. You must be a member of the Seasoned & Stirred! Facebook page or blog to enter the contest. If you are not yet a member, join the Facebook page here S&S on Facebook or simply click the "Like" button on the Facebook app on the right sidebar of this page. To follow this blog, click the "Follow" button (with Google Friend Connect) on the right sidebar of this page. You may also invite your friends to enter the contest (they will be subject to the same rules).

2. Submit your own original recipe USING FRESH PUMPKIN in the comment section of this post. Recipes using canned pumpkin or a copy of someone else's recipe will be disqualified. You may submit a recipe in any food category: appetizer, entree, dessert, vegetarian, beverages, etc. and you may use a previously posted recipe or create a new one for this challenge.

Also, you must INCLUDE A PICTURE of your finished dish, your email address (the winner will be contacted via email) and you must state whether you are a member of the blog or the Facebook page. Please make sure your names are consistent--the name you're using to post this comment and the name you're using on facebook/google, etc. If the name is different, please let me know in your comment!

3. Deadline for recipe submissions is midnight Saturday, December 4, 2010 (EST). The winner will be announced via the blog the following week. 

How the winner will be determined:

The winning recipe will be determined by the following:

1. Creativity (ingredients, pairing of ingredients, originality, etc.)

2. Clarity of preparation / instructions

In other words, the recipe that sounds/looks the yummiest and inspires me to use my prized pumpkin to make it will be the winning recipe. So, that's it. If you have any questions, feel free to post your questions here or email me at lotusrising523{at}hotmail{dot}com. Thanks for entering the contest and Good Luck!!!

Support local farmers/growers...find a farmer's market near you National farmer's market directory

I WON the Chicken Rubs and Seasonings Set!

I WON!!!  I am extremely honored to have won the six-jar Chicken Rubs and Seasonings Set from SpicesInc.com. via a giveaway hosted by The Foodie Blogroll!!

I can't think of too many things that excite me more in the kitchen than experimenting with spices to create unique, flavorful dishes and thanks to the generous folks at SpicesInc.com, I will be experimenting for quite some time. Check back in a few days to see what magic I was able to conjure up with these bold and delicious spice blends! Below are the seasoning blends in the set (and commentary from the SpicesInc.com staff):

Kickin' Chicken - this has consistently been a family and friends favorite and was developed by the Championship BBQ Team that we have partnered with. This has consistently taken the top prize at numerous BBQ events in the northeast. We like it as it is loaded with flavor with some sweetness but no overpowering heat.

Chipotle Honey - one of our most popular, this chicken rub has the natural sweetness that only honey can provide along with a faint hint of smoky heat from the chipotle and Spanish paprika. This is a favorite of the kids and those whose palette doesn’t like too much spicy flavor.

Adobo Lime - a delicious south of the border seasoning blend that has the delicious citrus sensation that can only be provided by lime zest. This is one of our favorites for the grill or to bake and it has a little bit of peppery flavor without being spicy hot.

Tandoori - this is a classic Indian dish and while you may not have your own authentic Tandoor oven you can still get a taste of the extraordinary flavor that this dish provides.  One of our favorites is a grilled Tandoori kabob.

Mediterranean Dry Rub - ideal for those that love herb based seasoning blends and a touch of the Mediterranean. This also pairs well with fish but we especially like it with chicken. Another plus is that this is a no salt seasoning blend.

Citrus Seasoning - another herb based blend that is salt free a favorite of the getting leaner crowd. We especially love the hints of citrus that is provided by the lemon and orange zest.

Thanks again to The Foodie Blogroll for sponsoring this wonderful giveaway and thanks to SpicesInc. for your generous donation. My heart is full beyond words!

Check out The Foodie Blogroll and SpicesInc.com on Facebook or purchase your own spice set at SpicesInc.com. Tell them Lynn from Seasoned & Stirred! sent you.

3 Month Anniversary Giveaway Winners

Giveaways are always so much fun! I get a kick out of dreaming up wonderful prizes to giveaway and I enjoy the enthusiasm of the entrants. I want to take this opportunity to say "THANKS" to everyone who entered the giveaway and for referring your Facebook friends to the Love With Food Facebook page!!!

Without further ado...the winners are as follows:

PRIZE #1 - Limited Edition Fusion Gourmet Salt Sampler from Saltworks.com  - Brad Bradley

Update: I decided to give the next prize, the slow cooker to two people... :>)

PRIZE #2 - Hamilton Beach 5-Quart Portable Slow Cooker - Frederick Hamlin &   Kerrie Frick Gregory

Prize #3 - $25 Williams-Sonoma Gift Card - Turmeric N Spice

Congratulations to all the winners!  Thanks again for entering the three month anniversary giveaway. For those of you who didn't win this time, you'll have a chance to win in the next giveaway...coming soon!

Love With Food's 3 Month Anniversary Giveaway

Wow, can you believe it's been three months since I started the Love With Food blog?  Time really flies when you're having fun.  To celebrate the three month anniversary of my blog, I thought it would be fitting to have a GIVEAWAY for three great prizes to three lucky winners!

I have not advertised this giveaway to the general public--I wanted it to be a special event just for my current LWF community members.  Sweet, huh?  It's just one of the benefits of being part of the Love With Food community and a way for me to show my gratitude for your support. :>)  Read on to see the prizes and how to enter.

PRIZE #1 - Limited Edition Fusion Gourmet Salt Sampler from Saltworks.com

My friends at Saltworks.com, providers of premium-grade specialty salts, have generously donated one of their popular gourmet salt samplers for the anniversary giveaway. In addition to offering gourmet sea salts, they also offer a huge assortment of specialty retail and bulk bath and spa salts. I have tried all of the salts in this collection and can tell you that they are amazing!!!  The quality is superb and they are extremely versatile as they compliment so many dishes.  The sampler sets also make great gifts so the next time you need gourmet or spa sea salts, please visit Saltworks.com.

The Limited Edition Fusion Gourmet salt sampler contains:

Wild Porcini - A strong mushroom scent greets you when you open a container of Wild Porcini Salt. Dried porcini mushrooms mixed with sea salt has a concentrated mushroom aroma that is excellent in risotto, soups, sauces and on salmon. (.6 ounces/18 grams)

Black Truffle - Truffles are a genuine treasure imported from Italy. Black Truffle Salt utilizes the unique power of sea salt to intensify the aroma and flavors of this exquisite mushroom. Ideal with egg dishes, pasta, mashed potatoes, red meat…even on buttered popcorn. (.8 ounces/24 grams)

Spanish Rosemary - salt delivers a "straight from the herb garden" flavor. A natural pairing with roasted potatoes, it will make this simple dish extraordinary. Add to any dish to give it a fresh, herbed taste. (.7 ounces/22 grams)

Vintage Merlot - is the salt that started the entire Fusion product line. The question became, "How do you capture the deep, rich flavor or merlot within a sea salt crystal?" The answer took 18 months, but here it is. There is just one word for it…amazing. (.8 ounces/24 grams)

Espresso Brava - Properly brewed espresso has three major parts: the heart, the body and the crema. Espresso salt is a popular addition to chocolates and desserts. For an entree, try using this salt in steak rubs and marinades. (.5 ounces/15 grams)

The set also contains three glass bowls and three stainless steel salt spoons

Prize #2 - A Hamilton Beach 5-Quart Portable Slow Cooker

The Hamilton Beach 5-Quart Portable Slow Cooker is a great machine for busy people. The size is perfect for a 4-5 pound chicken or two 2 pound roasts.  It has a latch lid strap and gasket lid that helps to reduce messy spills and the stoneware crock and glass lid are dishwasher safe.  Simply let it do the cooking for you and come home to a great meal or use it as a perfect, handy little helper to keep you out of the kitchen on those hot summer days!

Prize #3 - A $25 Williams-Sonoma Gift Card

Williams-Sonoma Gift Cards may be used for making purchases at stores in the United States & Puerto Rico, by phone or online with Williams-Sonoma, Williams-Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, pottery barn kids, PBteen, and west elm.

HOW TO ENTER:

Please read and follow the rules carefully.  Not following the rules will result in you not qualifying for the giveaway prizes.  To enter the giveaway simply do the following.  You MUST do both to be eligible for one of the giveaway prizes:

1. Leave a comment to this post telling me which of the prizes you'd like to win and why. Winners will be contacted via email so please leave your email address in your post!

2. Recommend the Love With Food Facebook page to at least one of your Facebook friends.  Post a comment on the page letting me know who you recommended and provide a link to their Facebook page.  Here's a direct link to the Love With Food page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Love-With-Food-Blog/10150144093810195.

More info about this Giveaway:

1. Sorry, this giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada only

2. All entrants: You MUST leave your email address AND location in your post (example: lotusrising523(at)hotmail(dot)com, Baltimore, MD) as I will be contacting the winner via email

3. Winners may keep the prizes for themselves or gift them to someone else (the recipient must also be a resident of the US or Canada) 

4. Giveaway valid from May 14th through midnight, May 17th.  I will personally select the winners for this giveaway and post the winners here on the blog on Tues, May 18th.  Winners will be selected based on their comments and the number of friends they get to join the Love With Food Facebook page.

That's it folks! If you have any questions, email me at lotusrising523(at)hotmail(dot)com.  GOOD LUCK! :>).

SOUPer Giveaway Winner

A winner has been chosen using Random.org.

The winner of the SOUPer prize package is Carmen S. from Texas (pictured above).  CONGRATULATIONS, Carmen!  I hope you enjoy the soup cookbook and soup tureen.

Again, I would like to THANK everyone who participated in this giveaway.  Please check back as I will be posting the information about the next giveaway soon.  Wishing you all a delicious, stress-free week.  Happy holidays!

SOUPer Giveaway

People often ask me what my favorite dishes to cook are and as long as I've been cooking, that's still a really tough question to answer because I enjoy cooking and baking all types of food.  I usually end up responding "soups and salads" because they are my among my favorites.

I love soups so much I could cook and eat soup every day.  Doesn't matter what's going on with the weather or what's in the fridge...I can always find a reason or ingredients to cook up a super-satisfying, yummy pot of soup. So,  it seems appropriate that my first blog giveaway would be soup-themed.

Enter the giveaway to win this SOUPer prize package (valued at approx $75):

1. 500 Soup Recipes Cookbook (World Publications Group) - Beautifully illustrated, 251 page hardcover cookbook featuring all types of soup recipes including classics, chilled soups, exotic soups and more as well as stock recipes and cooking/prep tips.

2. A 2 quart Godinger Soup Tureen with Silver finish rack and Ladle 

Prize includes free priority shipping.  Entries will be accepted from today, March 21 - midnight March 30.  One lucky winner's name will be drawn from the pool of submissions on Wednesday, March 31th.

Please read the following directions carefully and be sure to also read "More info about this giveaway" as they contain specific information about how to qualify for the giveaway.  To be considered for this giveaway, you must do steps #1 and #2 (you must do both to qualify). If you do not do both and you do not leave your email address and location, you will not be considered for this giveaway: 

1. Leave a comment to this post to tell me what your favorite soup(s) is/are and why it is your favorite.  Feel free to post the recipe or a link to the recipe if you'd like.

2. Join the Love With Food Blog Fanpage on Facebook by clicking the "Become a Fan" button to the right or through the link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=322712503134#!/pages/Love-With-Food-Blog/10150144093810195.

More info about this Giveaway:

1. Sorry, this giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada only

2. All entrants: You MUST leave your email address AND location in your post (example: lotusrising523(at)hotmail(dot)com, Baltimore, MD) as I will be contacting the winner via email

3. The winner may keep the prize for themselves or gift it to someone else (the recipient mus also be a resident of the US or Canada)

That's it folks! If you have any questions, email me at lotusrising523(at)hotmail(dot)com.  GOOD LUCK! :>).

*******
Want an opportunity to win more free stuff?  Enter my Amethyst Rising blog giveaway for a chance to win an Amethyst Rising Spa Pampering Gift Set.

AmethystRising Blog - March Giveaway

This is a non-food related post...

I'm having a giveaway on my other blog, Amethyst Rising Blog, and wanted to extend the offer to all of my foodie friends to enter.  See the details here: http://amethystrisingblog.blogspot.com/.