Ruby Tuesday: Onion Strings

I bet you were expecting to see red onions, but that's not what we have here. These are seasoned fried onion strings. They are so delicious that regular onion rings pale by comparison. I could just sit and eat a barrel full of these. Who cares how I'll feel afterwards, right?

If you'd like to see more Ruby Tuesday photos, go visit Mary at Work of the Poet!

Giveaway & Review: Chili's "$20 Dinner For Two" Menu ($50 GC) [CLOSED]

Last week, the whole family went to Chili's Grill & Bar restaurant for dinner. We do not get to enjoy Chili's as much as we use to because the closest one is now over a half an hour away. An invitation to try out the new $20 Dinner For Two menu gave us the perfect excuse to make the drive. I was looking forward to it because Chili's seasoned french fries are some of the best I have ever tasted.

The Dinner for Two for $20 promotion includes one appetizer and two entrees. We had five appetizers and nine entrees to choose from. Our favorite Chili's appetizer is the Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip, but that was not on the list, so we opted for the Crispy Onion & Jalapeno Stack. The waitress was nice enough to let us receive the the two separately since I knew jalapenos would be far too spicy for me. They were surprisingly too hot for my husband also, someone who loves spicy food. Everyone loved the Crispy Onion strings though, even our children who are usually anti-onion.

My husband opted for the Classic Bacon Burger and I chose the Half-Rack of Baby Back Ribs. Both were each of our favorite Chili's entrees. Of course I would have been more than happy to dine on just the Crispy Onion strings and the seasoned fries, but it would not have been the best example to set for my children.

(Click on any image to enlarge)

Chili's is giving away one $20 gift card to a random winner daily through October 31st, 2010. To enter, all you need to do is post a photo on ShoutOutToEatOut.com showing Chili's who you would bring for a $20 Dinner For Two meal. The one photo who receives the most votes will be immortalized on a Chili's chalkboard. Click here to read the complete contest rules.

Thank you to Chili's for sending us a complimentary gift card so that we may try out the menu in order to write this review and for providing a second gift card for our contest prize.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a $50 Chili's gift card.

Limitations:

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:

Browse the items included in the $20 Dinner For Two menu. Then leave a comment telling me which appetizer AND which full-size entree you would want to try. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2)

For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) For 10 extra entries, join Chili's Email Club. Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments telling me you did so.

4)

For 1 extra entry each, if you are a Friend of mine on Facebook and/or if you have "liked" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here telling me so with the link to your Facebook profile.

5) For 1 extra entry each, follow Chilis on Twitter and/or "Like" Chili's Grill & Bar on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment for each with the link to your Twitter or Facebook profile.

6)

Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7)

Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8)

Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9)

Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

10)

Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

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(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Monday, November 1st, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

BlogHer 2010: Chef Scott Leibfried at the Bumble Bee Foods Reception

On the evening of August 5th, I attended the Bumble Bee Foods reception, which took place at the Viking Demo Kitchen on Third Ave in New York City during BlogHer 2010. Even though I am not a huge fan of seafood, aside from shrimp and lobster, my husband is a seafood-lover through and through. So I was curious to see what new ways I could incorporate seafood into my family's diet.

The catered event was intimate, which was perfect. It was the night before BlogHer Day 1, so I was happy to meet some bloggers I have collaborated with online face-to-face, as well as to become acquainted with some bloggers I was not familiar with already.

The best part of the evening was watching Chef Scott Leibfried of Fox Network's Hell's Kitchen create three fairly easy recipes using some of Bumble Bee Food's new seafood products and then being able to sample the results. I was so pleased to find that Mr. Leibfried was exceptionally personable and approachable.

Here are some photos from the event . . .

Although I am not usually a fan of tuna, I actually very much liked this new product . . . the Bumble Bee Easy Peel Sensations Spicy Thai Chili Seasoned Tuna Medley. This product made me look at tuna differently and could lead to something good. I do intend to experiment a little bit. If any of these experiments turn out to be a hit with my family, then I will definitely share them under Easy Recipes.

Thank you to Bumble Bee Foods for hosting such a great event and for providing us with information, recipes, and coupons so we are able to try these new products in our own kitchen.

Ruby Tuesday: Ripened and Red

We have our own easy bruschetta recipe that we have grown to love over the years, but we were invited to try a new extra virgin olive oil that came along with another recipe for bruschetta. This photo is the result.

It actually came out very good, except the fresh basil is a lot stronger than the dried basil we normally use. We probably should have used about half the amount that we did. Other than that extra kick from the basil, this bruschetta recipe was very fresh and tasty.

If you'd like to see more Ruby Tuesday photos, go visit Mary at Work of the Poet!

Giveaway & Review: Tyson Anytizers [CLOSED]

The newest products added to the selection of Tyson Anytizers are the four varieties of breaded chicken products that are accompanied by some tasty sauces. These new additions include:

· Chicken Breast Chunks with General Tso Sauce

· Chicken Breast Chunks with Spicy Sweet & Sour Sauce

· Crispy Breaded Wings with Citrus Fire Sauce

· Crispy Breaded Wings with General Tso Sauce

Unfortunately, our local grocery store did not have these new products in stock, so we opted for some kid-friendly breaded chicken products . . . the Anytizers Popcorn Chicken and the Homestyle Chicken Fries. We served them with tater tots and steamed broccoli and received no complaints from our three picky eaters.

Although the adults enjoyed both products, we definitely preferred the Popcorn Chicken because the meat was more tender inside. The Chicken Fries were more solid and crispy. Both are perfect for dipping in your favorite sauces. The Chicken Fries are more user-friendly for dipping if you have children.

I found the Tyson breaded chicken Anytizers to be very versatile. In addition to being an easy finger food, they can be thrown on top of a salad or served with pasta dishes. I think the next thing I will try is to serve them as an appetizer wrapped in bacon. YUM!

You should be able to find Tyson Anytizer products in your grocer's frozen food department. I am very much looking forward to trying the Spicy Sweet and Sour sauce!

Thank you to Tyson for sending us vouchers so we could sample their product and also for providing vouchers for our contest prize.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive 3 vouchers . . . each valid for one Tyson Anytizer up to a $10 value.


Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.


How to Gain Entries:
Brows the vast selection of Tyson Anytizers. Then leave a comment telling me which Tyson Anytizer you would want to try first. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post AND Tyson.com . Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.

4) Friend me on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Facebook profile.

5) For 2 extra entries, share the link to this contest post on Facebook. Then leave TWO separate comments with the link to your Facebook profile.

6) Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9) Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

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(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Monday, December 28th, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

Giveaway: Nancy's Easy Appetizers [CLOSED]

Not too long ago, I published a review of Nancy's Petite Quiche revealing how well they went over during our intimate Thanksgiving dinner. Now I am going to give one of my readers the chance to try Nancy's easy appetizers for themselves.

I had tried Nancy's in the past, but I never realized how extensive Nancy's selection of prepared foods was, especially Nancy's appetizers. As a person who has been known to order appetizers in place of her meal at restaurants, this knowledge could be dangerous.

I wrote the mentioned review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Nancy’s Appetizers and received 1 coupon to facilitate my review and a $20 thank-you gift certificate plus 1 coupon to use as a contest prize.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a voucher for one Nancy's Appetizer product.


Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.


How to Gain Entries:
Browse the selection of Nancy's appetizers. Then leave a comment telling me which one variety of Nancy's appetizers would you most want to try. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post AND Nancys.com . Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.

4) Friend me on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Facebook profile.

5) For 2 extra entries, share the link to this contest post on Facebook. Then leave TWO separate comments with the link to your Facebook profile.

6) Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9) Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

<br /> <a href="http://www.3garnets2sapphires.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd206/Busymonkeez/Graphics4Me/NEWBlogButton125x125.jpg" /></a><br /><br />

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Thursday, December 10th, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

Nancy's Petite Quiche . . . Perfect For a Small Gathering

This year for Thanksgiving, we had a small dinner with only four adults and three children at our house. Since my husband and I have a lot on our plates, our goal for Thanksgiving dinner was convenient, but quality food. This included a turkey that was already cleaned, chestnuts that were already peeled and roasted, and Nancy's Petite Quiche.

This 12ct frozen appetizer from Nancy's was the perfect amount of food for a small group like ours. We were able to heat them right in the toaster oven. These baby quiche, the Swiss Cheese and Real Bacon and the Swiss Cheese and Spinach, were real crowd-pleasers for adults and children alike. In fact, I was surprised how much my three picky-eaters were willing to eat something that was new to them. Once they took the first bite, they were hooked.



If you are looking for something that is tasty, but convenient to serve at your holiday get-together, you can find Nancy's at most club stores, such as BJ's Wholesale Club, Costco, and Sam's Club. You can also find Nancy's products at select supermarkets.


I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Nancy’s Appetizers and received one coupon to facilitate my review.