On the Go Snacking

By now you are back in session, school that is.  School has started, routines are back to normal, and the schedules are starting to fill up with after-school activities, practices, and games.

Thanks to Fresh Cravings for sending samples for review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

My schedule fills up super fast when school starts.  I am sure that is the same for all parents with school aged kids.  From packing the school lunches to running to a practice, we all have one thing in common.  We look for easy on-the-go snacks that our kids will enjoy.  But what about mom and dad?  Do you ever grab something for you?  Or are you like me, starving? 

 Who doesn't love chips and salsa?  Introducing Fresh Cravings salsa.

Made with fresh vine-ripened tomatoes and crisp, hand-picked vegetables, along with zesty peppers and spices, Fresh Cravings salsa is never cooked, which gives it a fresh authentic taste.  These snack packs come in Fresh Cravings’ most popular recipe, Restaurant Style, in Mild heat.  They include just the right amount of tortilla chips for it to be a nourishing treat without worrying about portion control.  They are sold in Walmart stores for $1.78 and can be found in the produce section.

“We continuously hear from our customers that they want healthier, more affordable snacking solutions for their families,” says Jay Whitney, President of FoodStory Brands, the company behind Fresh Cravings.  “We developed this Fresh Cravings Salsa and Tortilla Chips combo to help parents find a fun, and more nourishing snack for their kids and for themselves.”

Whether I pack them for my lunch for work or grab a snack for mommy to sit on the sidelines with while watching practice, this is the perfect grab-and-go snack.

DIY Popsicles

Summer is a perfect time to DIY with the kids.  Their little hands love to be hands on.  Some projects can vary depending on their age.  I love mixing food and fun with DIY. 

Thanks to Zipzicle for sending samples for review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

My daughter loves to get in the kitchen.  She is always asking to help.  She grabs her step stool and get right in there.  I love that she wants to learn.  Today's lesson is how to make DIY popsicles.

Our first step was to gather our fresh ingredients.  In the summer, we love to make cucumber water and agua de pepino.  Both make refreshing drinks.  It also happens to be one of my daughter's favorite.  Did you know by definition that a cucumber is considered a fruit?

Ingredients-

1 cucumber

2 cups of water

2 limes

sugar

Wash your cucumber.  Cut cucumber into smaller pieces.  I usually cut them into 8 long pieces.   Throw the cucumber in the blender.  I do half of the cucumber with 1 cup of water at a time.  My blender is not that big.  Blend all cucumber pieces and water.  Place the juice in a pitcher.  Cut lime in half and squeeze lime juice into the pitcher.  Add sugar to your liking.  I added to sugar and kept tasting.  I only add enough to give it a small sweet taste.  Mix all ingredients.

  

Now you are ready to fill the Zipzicle ice pop molds.  Make sure to continue to mix your juice so that you can an even blend of juice when filling each pouch.  I recommend using a pitcher with a small spout enough to be able to fit around the opening of the pouch.

My daughter loved being the taste-tester.  She was able to push buttons and make the blender go wild.  She also enjoyed mixing and pouring.  But what she enjoyed most was the final product.  It is the perfect way to stay cool this summer.

For more information, go to zipzicles.com.

Taco Tuesday - Shrimp Tacos #TCTacoTasting

Who does not love tacos?  What are your favorite kind of tacos?  My husband loves shrimp tacos. 

***Hosted Event.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.***

Taco Cabana hosted a Taco Tasting for their new Loaded Grilled Shrimp Tacos.  My husband and I were invited guests to sample the three delicious recipes. 

-Piña-Seasoned shrimp in a fresh flour tortilla, topped with warm, sweet pineapple pico de gallo (pictured above)

If you like pineapple and are looking for something sweet, this taco is for you.  Do not let the pico de gallo scare you off, if you are not into the spicy, this taco is sweet and flavorful.

-Diabla-Seasoned shrimp drizzled with a spicy chipotle diabla sauce in a fresh flour tortilla, topped with a sweet and spicy jalapeño-pickled red onions, crumbled queso fresco and fresh chopped cilantro

If you like spicy, this taco is for you.  All the flavor and the spice are the perfect blend in this taco.

-Rancho-Seasoned shrimp in a fresh flour tortilla, topped with TC's creamy jalapeño ranch, fresh lettuce and handmade pico de gallo

I love ranch dressing.  Add a little jalapeño and oh yeah, this was my favorite taco!  My husband does not like ranch but  I had him try this taco and he liked it.  He said the combination was great.

Just in time for Lent Season.  No meat?  No problem! 

You can mix-and-match any three tacos for $7.99. These are only available for a limited time from now until April 1, 2018.

PDQ - Sneak Peak Menu Tasting

I like trying new places to eat.  Especially when in Houston, we have so many new restaurants popping up everywhere.  You have to try everything at least once.

***Hosted event.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.***

Thanks to PDQ for inviting me to a VIP exclusive tasting of the new menu items and queso featuring rice bowls, premium sandwiches and salads.  Who is PDQ?  

People Dedicated to Quality's menu includes recipes made with ingredients typically found in fine casual restaurants with the value, speed and convenience of fast food. 

The new unique chef-inspired menu items are:

-Queso Crunch Bowl (Delicious.  Perfect crunch in every bite)

-Pimento Crunch Chicken Sandwich

-Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich (love the pineapple)

-Thai Peanut Bowl 

Really good food.  The menu options are great tasting.  The staff was wonderful.

They also have a wide selection of delicious sauces and dressings that are made from scratch every day.  Do not be afraid to try them all.

Saturday - Sunday - Brunch Day!

What are your plans for the weekend?  I am a planner.  I keep a very tight schedule but on the weekends we kinda sleep in on some weekends.  So we totally miss Breakfast, the most important meal of the day.

Thanks to Maggiano's Little Italy at Memorial City Mall for hosting us for Brunch.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Maggiano's Little Italy serves Italian-American cuisine.  They have family style dining like eating at grandma's house.  They have full menu, everyday of the week, whether you are vegetarian, gluten-free, or vegan.  In this kitchen like most kitchens, it all starts with the chef.  Let me introduce you to Chef Philippe, Executive Chef.

His background has a lot of influence on his menu and ingredient choices.  Can you believe he started cooking when he was six?  He makes cooking look so easy.  You can tell he enjoys what he does.

We were invited to come sample some items from the new Brunch menu at Maggiano's Little Italy. 

VEGETABLE FRITTATA-Shiitake Mushrooms, Spinach, Roma Tomatoes, Smoked Mozzarella, Crispy Vesuvio Potatoes

CRÈME BRÛLÉE FRENCH TOAST^-Cranberry Raisin Focaccia, Maple Syrup, Strawberries, Choice of Side

Am I making you hungry yet? 

Do you like Eggs Benedict?  Maggiano's has plenty of choices for you and these are not your typical dishes.  Get passed the names, and give them a try.  You palette will thank you.

The Meatball

Nueske’s Smoked Ham

Smoked Salmon & Spinach

Crab Cake

Chicken Francese

We even got some tips as Chef Philippe made pancakes for us from the Brunch menu.  Do you use an electric mixer?  Chef Philippe is all about hand mixing and the flick of your wrist.  He also said patience is key.  Do not mess with that pancakes, leave it alone.

 Beautiful, nice and fluffy.  He made it look so easy.  The perfect sized pancake every time. 

LEMON RICOTTA PANCAKES-Whipped Cream, Maple Syrup, Blueberries, Choice of Side

Don't let allergies stop you.  Chef Philippe will personally take care of your order.  Everything is cooked from scratch when you order.  He will cook your dish in a separate kitchen area and even go off the menu.  Make sure you tell your waitress before ordering. 

For more information, go to maggianos.com/brunch.

How Do You Granola - Challenge

Do you granola?  I do.  It is great for breakfast or a snack.

Thanks to Viki's Granola for sending sample product to review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

I like making Granola Parfaits.  They are so easy to make.  You can add your favorite fruit or what you have available or in season.  Granola provides fiber.  Also the oats in the granola are a whole grain.  For parfaits, you don't need that many ingredients or that much time.

Ingredients:

-Greek Yogurt
-granola
-fruit of your choice (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)

It is so easy, you just build layers.  You can add fruit as part of your layers too.  You can top it with fruit.  It is up to you. 

Viki's Original Granola takes rolled oats, organic honey and adds a touch of almonds and pecans for a flavor-packed ride.  It is available in Original, Apple Cinnamon, Maple Cranberry, Blueberry Almond or Banana Walnut.

With 100% All Natural Ingredients and they are:
• Gluten Free
• Non-GMO Verified
• Cholesterol Free
• Zero Trans Fats
• Sodium free
• Dairy Free
• Kosher Pareve

For more information on Viki's Granola, go to vikisfoods.com.

Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Featuring Keystone Meats

I am always looking for quick and easy recipes.  Simple meals that we all can enjoy.  Dinner time sometimes can feel so rushed.  It does not have to be that way all the time.  We can plan ahead and find quick meals that can be easily prepared during the week for dinner.

Thanks to Keystone Meats for sending samples for review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

I found a dish that we all like.  Something that is easy to make and you can it eat any way you like.

Chicken Salad

Ingredients-

1 can of Keystone Chicken

1 tbsp Mayo (I use Olive Oil Mayo, but you can leave this out)

1 tbsp Mustard

1 cup Shredded Carrots

1/2 cup diced Pickles

Normally I do not use measuring cups or spoons, I play it by ear.  Do you do the same.  I like using the carrots for a crunch.  I have used the pickled carrots before too.  You can choose to use cooked carrots if you have little ones.  Basically, you just mix all the ingredients together.  Anyone of you family members could make this recipe.

The rest is really up to you.  How do you want to serve it?  For dinner, I served it on BFree Gluten-Free sandwich bread with veggies on the side.  And the left overs, I packed up and ate with crackers the next day. 

The Keystone Chicken Salad made enough for 4, plus bonus left overs for me.  You cannot go wrong with this all natural chicken as the ingredients are chicken and sea salt.

For more information, go to keystonemeats.com.

BFree Gluten-Free Breads

Do you suffer from a bloated stomach after eating?  Have you had that checked?  I was having serious problems with my stomach and I really did not know why.  I tried no soda, no eggs, and nothing really helped.  I got allergy tested and it turns out some of the food I was eating was making my stomach swell.  Ever heard of gluten-free?

Thanks to BFree for sending sample product to review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

You really need to listen to your body when it gives you warning signs.  The warning signs can be flagging some serious issues.  Many people now suffer from a lot of allergies, one being food allergy to dairy, egg, wheat, gluten, etc.  This is not a new craze people are doing.  This is how people have to learn to eat in order to stay healthy.

BFree products are not only high fiber and low fat, and completely vegan.  They carry a variety of products:

-Wraps (multi-grain/sweet potato/quinoa and chia seed)

-Pita bread

-Hot Dog buns (plain/seeded)

-rolls (white/brown seeded)

-sandwich bread (white/brown seeded)

-bagel (multi-seeded/plain)

I was pretty skeptical about how this bread was going to taste but I was ready to try it.  We were really impressed by the taste.  We really did some sampling, trying it with different dishes.  I did not tell the family the ingredients of the bread.  No one complained.  Everyone ate their food.  They did not notice any difference.  That is really good because my daughter is allergic to eggs and I have to always be careful with what she eats too.  I don't have to worry about the ingredients because they are Non-GMO.  This bread did not crack or crumble either.  I am also glad that this bread is available at our local H-E-B.

For more information, go to bfreefoods.com.

Finger Lucking Good Sticky Bun Recipe

Did you know that today is National Sticky Bun Day?  No, you did not.  Shame on you. 

Thanks to Grand Lux Cafe for hosting our dinner.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

In celebration of National Sticky Bun Day, Grand Lux Cafe is sharing their Warm Sticky Bun Bread Pudding recipe with you, my readers.  You can create this finger licking dish at home.

Warm Sticky Bun Bread Pudding-
Served with Whiskey Sauce, Sugared Pecans and Whipped Cream

Ingredients

1 lb.	Brioche or Challah
8 oz.(2 Sticks) 1/3 Cup, packed 1/3 Cup 1 tsp. ¼ tsp. ¼ tsp.	Melted Butter Brown Sugar Sugar Cinnamon Nutmeg Salt
2 Cups 2 Cups 4 ea. 4 ea. ½ C. 1 tsp.	Milk Heavy Cream Eggs Egg Yolks Sugar Vanilla Extract

Directions

1.       Cut the bread into 1” cubes. 2.       Place the bread cubes into a large mixing bowl.

3.       Combine the butter, sugars and spices in a mixing bowl, whisking to combine completely. 4.       Pour the mixture over the bread, tossing to fully coat the bread cubes with the mixture. 5.       Spread out into a 9x13 baking dish. 6.       Bake at 350° for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.  Be sure to stir the bread cubes once or twice while toasting.

7.       While the bread is toasting, make the custard.

8.       Whisk all ingredients together until evenly combined. 9.       Once the bread has toasted, remove the pan from the oven. 10.   Pour the custard over the bread cubes. 11.   Allow the mixture to sit for 10-15 minutes before cooking.

12.   Cover the pan with aluminum foil and place into a 300° oven. 13.   Bake for 20 minutes. 14.   Remove foil from pan and continue to bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until light golden brown and the custard has set.  You can test this by inserting a paring knife into the center of the pudding. If the knife comes away clean, or with very little pudding clinging to it, the pudding is ready.

15.   Allow the pudding to cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.

16.   To serve: Top the pudding with toasted pecans and warm caramel sauce. Serve with either vanilla ice cream or crème anglaise.

If you try this at home and fail, you could always just head to your nearest Grand Lux Cafe like we did.  I am not the Betty Crocker when it comes to following recipes.  My husband will agree with me on that.  He has had to suffer through lots of my Pinterest fail dinners. 

Here are a few recommendations if you do not know what to order:

Appetizers-

Empanadas -   Flaky Pastry Filled with Beef, Chorizo, Peppers, Onions, Herbs and Spices

These are great tapas.  Also if you are not that hungry, this is a good, tasty choice.

Edamame -   Soybeans in Their Pods Stir Fried with Spicy Szechuan Sauce

I enjoy Edamame.  This is a great option to the steamed and it has a nice kick to it too.

 Entrée-

Spicy Ginger Beef-A Stir Fry of Beef Tenderloin, Shiitake Mushrooms, Sugar Snap Peas, Bok Choy, Red Onion, Sesame Seeds and Spicy Soy-Ginger Sauce. Served with Steamed White Rice

The perfect amount of spice.  This was a recommendation from our waitress.  It was exactly what I what wanted. 

Cedar Planked B.B.Q. Salmon- Roasted on a Cedar Plank and Glazed with Sweet and Spicy B.B.Q. Sauce. Served with Mashed Potatoes, Corn Succatash and Crispy Onion Rings

My hubby substituted the Corn Succatash for Brussel Sprouts.  These were very crispy and sweet.

Dessert-

Of course, the Warm Sticky Bun Bread Pudding makes the list.

Warm Rustic Apple Pie- Baked when you order it! Flaky Sugared Crust Filled with Fresh Apples and Topped with Vanilla Ice Cream and Caramel

My husband devoured this dessert.  Not your traditional Apple Pie.  It is a must try as well.

For more information, go to www.grandluxcafe.com.  No reservation is ever needed.  This is always a great option is you get your bum into a sticky situation at home, wink, wink. 

Let Grand Lux Cafe do the cooking for you!

When I Say Cheesecake, You Say Factory

Let's play a game.  If I say a word and you tell me what you think about.  Ok, the word is menu.  What did you think about?  food?  Next is two words, Cheesecake Factory.  What did you think about?  desserts?

Thanks to the Cheesecake Factory for inviting my husband and I to be their guests.  All opinions stated are our own based on our personal experiences.
 
Did you know that the restaurant makes more than 250 dishes from scratch daily? 

My husband and I started with the Eggroll Sampler since we could not decide which appetizer to start with.  This is a perfect plate to share and to sample the four different types of eggrolls available:
Avocado, Tex Mex, Crispy Cuban, and Firecracker Salmon.  They each come with their own dipping sauce. 

My husband went with the Shrimp and Angel Hair Pasta for his dish.  This dish caught both of ours eyes on the menu.  I noticed that it is available Gluten-Free upon request.

I went with the Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta after the waiter's recommendation.  This dish is normally served with Penne Pasta but I always prefer ordering dishes that have angel pasta.  All I had to do was ask. 

For my drink, I tried the Cucumber Lemonade.  This is a non-alcoholic drink that I recommend.

My husband and I ended up being so full but you always have to have room for dessert at The Cheesecake Factory.

'Tis the season for everything pumpkin....like Pumpkin or even better, Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake.  (Available now through Thanksgiving)

The Cheesecake Factory is donating $.25 of every slice sold to help feed hungry Americans in the communities they operate.  They have donated over $4 million since 2008.

Thanks again to The Cheesecake Factory (Galleria) located at 5015 Westheimer Road for hosting us.  For more information or to check out the menu, go to thecheesecakefactory.com.

Radio Milano | Bites and Cocktails

Summers in Houston are hot.  We are learning to just enjoy them as much as we can.  One thing we like to do as a family is go out to eat.  This is an indoor activity we can all enjoy and everyone has to eat sometime, right?

Thanks to New Creative Media and Radio Milano for hosting our families for bites and cocktails.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Radio Milano is a Houston restaurant in CityCentre.  It is on and popping in CityCentre with so many shops popping up.  There is so much do to and see there too.  And all that shopping can get you hungry and in the mood for some good food. 

Radio Milano and Milano Bar offer a lunch and dinner menu.  They are open 7 days a week.  On Sunday, they offer a brunch buffet.  They also offer complimentary parking.

 Ahi Tuna

Crab Cake

Montecristo Waffles

On 4th of July, Milano Bar pulled out their grill and offered a range of street food which we got to sample as well.

 Burger

 Pull Beef Nachos

Bacon Loaded Hot Dog

We sat outside and people watched as we ate our street food.  It was all delicious.  They have plenty of seating indoors and outdoors.  They also have a lot of lounge seating perfect for hanging out and catching up. 

       

For more information, go to www.radio-milano.com or call 713.827.3545 to make a reservation.