27 Dec 2015
by linettefm
in Cooking, Food, Fruits and Veggies, Product Samples, Product testing, Recipe, Review, Samples, Seasonings, Uncategorized
Tags: #BoursinCheesePack, 2016 celebration, and Garlic and Fine Herbs Review, black pepper, Boursin Cheeses Review, Boursin Gournay Cheese in Garlic and Fine Herbs, Boursin Gournay Cheese in Pepper, Boursin Gournay Cheese in Shallot and Chive, Boursin® Gournay Cheeses, Boursin® Gournay Cheeses in Pepper, celebrations, ChatterBox, Cheese, Cheese Dishes, Cheese Platter, cheese platters, Cheeses, Chives, chives*.*Dried, Dairy, dairy products, Dinner, Dried Herbs, France, Francois Boursin, fresh cheese, fromage frais, Gournay Cheese, Granulated Garlic, green onions*, Groupe Bel, guests, Holidays, HouseParty, Ingredients: Cultured pasteurized milk and cream, Meals, New Year's Eve Dinner, New Year's Eve Dishes, Normandy, Parsley, Parties, potassium sorbate (preservative), potassium sorbate (preservative). *Dried, Review, Salt, Shallot and Chive, shallots*, soft cheeses, spreadable cheese, Unilever, Von's, white pepper

I was fortunate to be able to have Boursin® Cheese be a guest at our holiday table and I was very lucky in visiting Von’s Markets and finding all the cheeses in stock. The deal became sweeter when Von’s had a promo going of Buy-one-get-one-Free (BOGO), so using the free item coupon provided by Boursin, yielded an extra cheese item. We were Boursin-ing it at our house this holiday so much, that 2016 will also feature a nice cheese platter when it comes to welcoming the new year.
Some companies have cheeses that tend to all taste the same no matter the flavor listed. They use the same base and are not generous with the add-ons, so when you buy one kind, you pretty much bought them all. Not with Boursin cheeses! Every flavor tastes different from the other. You may have a texture that resembles each other but if the package states Pepper, peppery goodness is what you will enjoy!

Ingredients: Cultured pasteurized milk and cream, granulated garlic, salt, white pepper, parsley, chives*.*Dried
I was worried that the garlic would be overwhelming even though I love garlic, however I worry when it comes to dairy based products, that the ingredient can drown all the others out. Again, Boursin found the right balance and you taste garlic but it has not permeated the entire cheese. The white pepper provides a zingy taste that differs from the usual black peppercorns. You get a mild spice that is perfect for even non-pepper fans! The parsley and chives bring the herb notes, but chive also provides a nice mild onion flavor that tends to also brighten up the cheese’s overall taste. This is the one you buy if you are new to the Boursin family.

Ingredients: Cultured pasteurized milk and cream, shallots*, salt, chives*, green onions*, potassium sorbate (preservative). *Dried
This version of Boursin cheeses is one of my favorites. You have a blend of dry herbs and that creamy Boursin cheese that is smooth in texture and flavor. The onion notes are real and not like what you get from a powdered product, that tends to even dry a cheese out. There is freshness here and if you like onion based dips, this is the cheese that takes your taste buds on an onion-y adventure.
Ingredients: Cultured pasteurized milk and cream, salt, black pepper, potassium sorbate (preservative).
You have black pepper as the main ingredient and this is the more simpler flavor that tends to combine with all other toppers or spreads you may want to add with the cheeses. The peppercorns are mild in flavor and thankfully the texture is pleasing. You do not get huge chunks that disrupt the smoothness of the cheese’s texture and Boursin was still able to produce a smooth textured product that is enjoyable on a cracker or even added to a dip.

Verdict:
This year we enjoyed the cheeses as-is and added them to crackers. I visited Costco and they sell a trio package there. Costco was sampling the cheeses by adding them to mashed potatoes and it created a smooth and appealing product. It was a nice way to spruce up a comfort food and give it a little gourmet twist. This New Year’s Eve, I will be baking fresh loaves of Rosemary rustic bread, cutting the loaves (not all the way through) to create pockets (crisscrossed pattern) and filling them with a a little butter and then Boursin cheese with shredded cheeses, and then baking. This will create a nice pull-a-part bread that guests can enjoy eat while still being able to enjoy the festivities. It is an easy appetizer to add to our others and melted cheese is something we all love. I may add even some pancetta to some of the loaves to create a different flavor. Boursin cheeses go with anything you serve because they stand on their own on a cheese platter, or you can add them dishes and dips. There is no rules or limits here, so I highly suggest bringing a smile to your guests this year by welcoming 2016 with Boursin!
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Find your favorite(s) with Boursin at:
I received the above product(s) free of charge from Houseparty/ChatterBox and Boursin Cheeses. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.
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08 Jul 2015
by linettefm
in Baking, BBQ, Cooking, Family, Food, Fruits and Veggies, Grilling, Home, Product testing, Review, Seasonings, Uncategorized
Tags: #OrangeCrateFoodCo, #OrangeCrateFoodCompany, #TRYAZON, Appetizers, Baby Back ribs, Baked Cheese Dips, Bakers, Barbecuing, BBQ, Bread Dips, BRIE BAKER/RED, BRIE BAKER/WHITE, brie bakers, Cheese, Cheese Ball Country Vegetable Dip, Cheese Ball Garlic Dip, Cheese Ball Green Onion Dip, Cheese Balls, cheese dips, Chip and Dip, Chipotle Pepper Rubbed Ribs, Cold dips, cooking, Dinner, DIP CHILLER/BLACK, DIP CHILLER/RED, Dip Holders, Dips, Easy Cooking, grilling, Holiday Dinners, Holiday Meals, HOT DIP SEASONING CHEESY ONION/GARLIC, HOT DIP SEASONING/ARTICHOKE & PARMESAN, HOT DIP SEASONING/PIZZA, Hot dips, OC10300, OC10304, OC10306, OC10308, OC10904, OC10910, OC10923, OC15107, OC15110, OC15111, Orange Crate Food, Orange Crate Food Company, Outdoor Entertaining, Oven Bakers, Parties, PARTY DIP RECIPE BOX/COUNTRY VEGETABLE, PARTY DIP RECIPE BOX/LEMON DILL, PARTY DIP RECIPE BOX/RED CHIPOTLE, PARTY DIP RECIPE BOX/SUNDRIED TOMATO, PG16735, PG16736, PG16738, PG16740, Smoked Meats, Summer Cooking, Summer time Cooking, The Orange Crate Food Company

With time constraints and wanting to enjoy the weather, holidays, Summer time is as hectic for me as the month of December. I feel like I’m being pulled in all directions and meal times sneak up on me, along with dinners that include guests. I don’t want to miss out on the events and I don’t want to resort to catering or serving less than spectacular meals. So, when Orange Crate found me via Tryazon, I was more than happy to get some help!

I welcome new ideas, short cuts but the most important factor is that things need to work for me. I don’t want to miss out on flavor because I use a “boxed item”. Yes, things out of boxes are easy because they are pre-measured and you just add a few ingredients and are told it will be as good as made from scratch or even better, however boxes have failed me. I end up with what I call salt lick boxes because that is the first and most prominent ingredient. What ends up claiming to save me….well dooms me.
When I received the parcel from Orange Crate Food Company, I noticed that I could smell the mixes before opening the box. Yes, Orange Crate teased my UPS man! It also smelled delicious and tempting, so they so far satisfied the “sniff test”.
Next came the unveiling and this is what Orange Crate sent:
I noticed on the dips that there was flexibility when it came to the creations. Orange Crate’s dip boxes encouraged you to think outside the box! They allow the consumer to make hot to cold dips and even use the seasonings in dishes. It’s a way to infuse dishes with flavor to trying new ingredients, so it goes beyond the sour cream tub and cream cheese brick. So far Orange Crate Food Company has separated themselves from the other dip companies, plus the ingredients are as listed. You must understand that when you see a cheese dip and you flip the box and the only cheese listed is the cheese they ask you to add……well, that upsets me! Then it’s not a cheese dip in my book but thankfully that is a memo that Orange Crate Food Company did not miss. Okay, you now got my respect Orange Crate Food Co.! 🙂
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Taste matters and for 4th of July everyone always does barbecue and it’s delicious but I wanted something new. Yes, we had the rib rack but this year I wanted a twist from the ordinary and Orange Crate had just what I was looking for, the Chipotle mix. This year I was doing a dry rub on the ribs so no sauce and just flavor to add to the change factor. I crossed my finger and when I took the ribs out of the overnight brine, I started rubbing in the Chipotle mix. I admit, I had that moment where my brain said, “what did you do”! But too late and it smelled delicious. Chipotle being just smoked jalapenos really is a match made in heaven when it comes to pork, but I’m not use to just depending on a rub from a packet. This is the girl that buys the whole peppers and makes her own seasonings, so this little packet have better make it worth it and especially since we were smoking the ribs for 3 to 4 hours. I allowed the rub to stay on for a couple hours while we prepped everything for the smoker and in they went! Okay, I’m now crossing my toes!
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I pretend everything will be fine because the minute the ribs hit the grill, within 20 minutes I know they will be divine by just how the smoke that lets out is smelling. Okay, that is +2 for the sniff test by Orange Crate Food Company. I start making the rest of the meal from baked beans, freshly baked corn bread and the baked potatoes. Four hours later and this baby back ribs look delicious with a gorgeous bark (crust) and a smoke ring that is to die for! We allow the ribs to rest and 15 minutes later I sneak a taste-test because that corner rib that has been peeking out from the foil is calling my name…….yes, food does that! It also helps to convince yourself that you are pre-tasting the ribs for a good cause, like before giving food to your guests in case it is not good. I bite in and you taste the pepper but the overall flavor made me think why did I not do this before. These ribs are smoky, tasty, and the Chipotle just increases those flavor notes but also adds that spice that remains mild but that reminds you why jalapenos are so used in cooking. Easy ribs that took longer to cook than to prep!

The Orange Crate Food company also has beautiful bakers and cold dip servers. The cold dip ones you just add ice and the dip holder conveniently fits over the column, which keeps the food cold and at a safe temperature. The brie bakers can be used to bake anything and not just when it comes to different cheese varieties. I found that they are larger in size than all the other cheese bakers I own. This is welcoming because no worries when the cheese begins to bubble in the oven and you can dip without caution that you will cause a cheese avalanche on the other side. Not nice when that happens because your bread/chip ends up with bare naked with nothing on it, and you just made a mess!

Orange Crate Food Company not only satisfies your taste buds via their dips but also can use their products on other foods. They have a Lemon Dill that just screams for fish or even a chicken breast stuffed with spinach. The dips are easy to make and also adjust to your needs. I bought a lower fat sour cream and added less mayonnaise because I’m not overly wild about the latter condiment and the dip remains a hit. If the dip says cheese, it comes with cheese and you then add your own. The dip packets are also twice the size than other dip packets I have purchased and it’s not just salt! I have to fix other dip brand’s mixes because they all start tasting the same of just a mix of salt and pepper. Orange Crate Food Company is not like the others and you can with confidence just depend on what is included and not feel like something is missing. So, the next time you want to try a new dip company that goes beyond the dip and chip, I encourage you try the Orange Crate Food Company because you don’t know what you are missing!
Connect with the Orange Crate Food Company at:
I received the above product(s) free of charge from Tryazon and the Orange Crate Food Company. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.
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27 May 2015
by linettefm
in All Natural, Baking, BBQ, Family, Food, Fruits and Veggies, Home, Living, Natural, Nutrition, Product Samples, Product testing, Recipe, Review, Samples, Seasonings, Uncategorized
Tags: #EAHOTC2, #GDIPXCB, #GDIPXCR, #GDIPXHO, #GDIPXS2, #GourmetDuVillage, #TRYAZON, #WKTRYDIP, 4th of July, Appetizers, Award Winning Gourmet du Village dips, Baby Scallops, Baked Brie, Baked Leek & Onion Dip, baking cheese, baking dishes, Bay Scallops, Brie, brie bakers, brie cheese, Brie Toppings, casseroles, Cheese, Cheese toppings, Cheeses, chips, Cold dips, Concept Gourmet du Village Inc, crab, crab cakes, Cream Cheese, Dip Baker Cranberry Red, Dip Bakers, Dip Recipe Box Hot Caramelized Onion, Dip Recipe Box Hot Cheddar & Bacon, Dip Recipe Box Hot Crab Dip, Dip Recipe Box Lobster, Dip Recipe Box Onion Chive, Dip Recipe Box Roasted Garlic, Dip Recipe Box Roasted Pepper, Dip Recipe Box Roasted Tomato Hummus, Dip Recipe Box Salmon, Dip Recipe Box Shrimp, Dip Recipe Box Spinach Artichoke Baked Dip, Dip Warmers, Dips, dips with cheese, GCHIPSS, Goumet du Village dips, Gourmet du Village, Gourmet du Village Chips, Gourmet du Village code, Gourmet du Village order code, Gourmet du Village Prom Code, Hot dips, Manchego, mayonnaise, Memorial Day, menu, Parties, party, Party ideas, Russet Potato Chips with sea salt, Russet Potatoes, scallop cakes, Scallops, Seafood, Sour Cream, Triple Dip Box Caramelized Onion

Tryazon has been very good to me and when I got to host the Gourmet du Village party…..I even did a happy dance. I love to cook and try new food companies and Gourmet du Village has a site where you can get happily lost looking at everything and your mind, plus tummy will be making a list of all the things you want to try. I spent one late evening looking around and it turned into me going to bed late because I just love everything Gourmet du Village has to offer. In my book, I call that doing research 🙂 .
You don’t need to host a party to enjoy Gourmet du Village’s products and kitchen essentials. You have items that come in all quantities and even a single person can easily purchase what they want and need, without having to purchase in bulk. I always keep that in mind as it’s usually just Hubby and I at home. Gourmet du Village satisfies your savory tooth by offering dips, mixes, cheese toppings, to potato chips that are not like what you buy at the usual supermarkets. Got a sweet tooth? They have chocolates to candies, dessert toppings and more! You will love the bakers they sent because I love not only using but collecting articles of this kind that tend to not only bake great foods, but they sort of find a way to bake memories into them too. I can pick-up a baker and clearly think back to a time I made such and such, for this event and what a great memory of the people that were there. It’s nice when things serve more than a purpose than cooking with them, so join me while I share a little of our Memorial Day weekend with you!
The Dips:
Let’s start with the dips. Each dip has a beautiful illustration of the kind of dip it holds. I love the pictures and artwork so much, I kept the front cover of each dip packet and decorated the back of my pantry and the cabinet that holds my baking dishes with them. I told you I collected bakers and the such! The dips are easy to make and most require dairy products like cream cheese, mayo, to sour cream. What is needed to complete the dip varies by type, like the artichoke one requires the vegetable in can form but what I like best, are what I call “off-road” uses. Using products beyond what they were made for and Gourmet du Village provides just for that to happen. They not only give you ideas but I was able to create a stuffed scallop cake using the Gourmet du Village Crab mix. I simply took homemade country bread and used it as a base for my stuffing. I added Bay scallops and scooped them into gorgeous shells. It makes the plating look expensive but Bay scallops are those smaller ones that are also called “baby scallops”. They sell at a lower price point and you get the scallop craving satisfied and pay less. A little parsley and chive topping and you are done. It was so simple just using the entire seasoning packet from Gourmet du Village and it provided a full amount of flavor that kicks out any bay seasoning that comes out of a shaker any day! Flavorful and not salty is what I look for and that is what you get with these dips packet.
Retail Price Point: $3.99 each but you do save when you purchase more and they have trios to collections.
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The Bakers:
Gourmet du Village has beautiful bakers that are perfect for Brie to any cheese that plays well with melting. You can use those grilled cheeses for added texture and flavor to even blends. The bakers I received are a beautiful Cranberry red and easy to wash and clean after use. I love adding these to my collection and the larger size does not limit me as much when it comes to serving and uses like my previous bakers. I got my hands on a beautifully aged Manchego cheese and you bet I added it to the Brie. These dishes allow your guests to add what they want and make it their own way and that is sure to please everyone on any day. The bakers also come with recipes, so it’s a great value. They are oven and dishwasher safe too!
Retail Price Point: $19.99 per baker and you have gorgeous colors to choose from.
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The Chips:
Next, comes the chips for the dips. These babies are just simple russet potatoes and some salt. Simple foods make for the best eats! The chip has heft where it can withstand dipping without breaking. I found myself munching on these on their own and because they are not salty, the don’t interfere or ruin the flavor of anything you combine them with. As odd as it may sound, we also enjoyed the “real tater” taste. These are real slices and not just a mash of potatoes to resemble a chip. The crunch of the potato is just as you desire and they are not oily. Many of the kettle type chips are an oily mess that even if they are natural, who wants pools of oil? Gourmet du Village makes a chip that is not ordinary and very crave-able.
Retail Price Point: $4.00 per 5 ounce bag
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This was not only an enjoyable an event but a time to spend with those we care. Friends enjoyed the food, Gourmet du Village made it simple to create and everyone was left with a full and satisfied tummy. Good memories and make your own by visiting Gourmet du Village and seeing what catches your eye. You won’t be disappointed! Also, save while you are there and that just makes the deal even sweeter.

Connect with Gourmet du Village at:
I received the above product(s) free of charge from Tryazon and Gourmet du Village. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.
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13 Jan 2015
by linettefm
in All Natural, Food, Fruits and Veggies, Home, Living, Seasonings, Uncategorized
Tags: #BoursinCheese, Appetizers, asiago, Baking, Boursin, Boursin Cheese, Boursin Cheese Coupon, Boursin Gourmet Spreadable, BoursinLight, Breads, Brie, celebration, Cheese, cheese blends, cheese dips, cheese platters, Cheeses, cooking, Crackers, Cranberry & Spice (Seasonal flavor), Cream Cheese, Creamy Asiago & Roasted Red Pepper, entertaining, French style cream cheese, Fresh Herbs, Garlic & Fine Herbs, Garlic and Fine Herbs, Goat Cheese, Gouda, Herbs, Light Garlic & Fine Herbs, Original, Pepper Red Chili Pepper, Raw Milk cheeses, Red Chili Pepper, Review, Shallot and Chive, Smiley, Smiley missions, Smiley360, Spices, Spinach & Artichoke, Sundried Tomato & Basil, Valentine's Day Foods, Valentine's Day Ideas, Vermont White Cheddar & Sage

Who doesn’t love cheese? I think everyone at least likes one type. In my house when we go grocery shopping, we need to narrow down what we have from the cheese aisle! We bake with cream cheeses, enjoy spreads on crackers, to just munching on them as they are. Goat cheeses to raw milk cheeses, we have tried and/or been gifted most. I was so thrilled when Smiley had the Boursin Cheese campaign because it was a perfect fit.

Boursin Cheese has been making cheeses and spreads since 1957. Francois Boursin, created the first variety (fromage frais/fresh cheese), which was a cheese base that guests then customized by adding their own seasonings and herbs. You can imagine the varieties and blends created and why Boursin still continues to delight us with their cheeses. Boursin has now made things easier by pre-blending their herbs, spices, and seasonings for easier enjoyment.

You have Boursin Cheeses and Boursin Gourmet Spreads made with a French-style cream cheeses to choose from:
Boursin Cheeses-
- Original
- Pepper
- Red Chili Pepper
- Garlic and Fine Herbs
- Shallot and Chive
- Boursin Light
- Cranberry & Spice (Seasonal flavor)
- and many from fruit blends to savory ones too!
Boursin Gourmet Spreadable-
- Garlic & Fine Herbs
- Light Garlic & Fine Herbs
- Red Chili Pepper
- Spinach & Artichoke
- Sundried Tomato & Basil
- Creamy Asiago & Roasted Red Pepper
- Vermont White Cheddar & Sage
- and many more with seasonal flavors too!

There is something for everyone and one is sure to make your cheese platter pop. What I like best is that you don’t need a special occasion to enjoy Boursin cheeses, as we many times pick-up one or two versions to just enjoy before meals. Boursin cheeses are also made with simple ingredients and look for yourself at their ingredients list, you will be pleasantly surprised. Their new Creamy Asiago and Roasted Red Pepper spread captures that red bell pepper sweetness and spice, which goes so well with the nuttier notes from the Asiago cheese. The french style cream cheese base has a nice tang that just makes everything meld together perfectly. I will hunt to find this new version alone!

Find your favorite(s) with Boursin because you don’t need a holiday to celebrate when it comes to enjoying Cheese:
I received the above product(s) free of charge from Simley(360) and Boursin Cheeses. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.
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23 Apr 2014
by linettefm
in Food, Product testing, Review, Uncategorized
Tags: Artisanal, Bread Crumbs, Breaded Cheese, Cheese, Cheese Sticks, cooking, Double Crusted Cheese Sticks, Dressings, Easy Cooking, Egg, Food, Fresh & Easy Cooking, Fried Cheese, garlic, Garlic Gold Cooking, Garlic Gold Nuggets, Garlic Gold Products, Garlic Gold Red WIne Vinaigrette, Garlic Gold Vinaigrette, gourmet, Gourmet cooking, Gourmet Products, Hand-crafted, Italian, kitchen, Made in California, Marinated Cheese, Mozzarella, Oils, organic, Panko Crumbs, quick and easy cooking, Recipe, Recipes, USDA Organic, Vinaigrette, Vinegar

I’m so in love with the Garlic Gold brand, that I made another easy recipe to enjoy. These go with everything from pizza, wings, to even a light Italian dinner. I even pair them with a dinner salad and these sub for my croutons.
Let’s Begin…..
- Large Mason Jar
- 1/4 cup of Garlic Gold’s Red Wine Vinaigrette
- 8 to 10 sticks cut from Mozzarella Cheese (from a semi-soft block, not the soft fresh type)
- 1/4 cup of All-Purpose Flour
- 1/4 cup of plain Panko Bread Crumbs
- 1/4 cup of plain Bread Crumbs
- Dash of Garlic Gold Nuggets
- 1 egg
- Salt & Pepper (to taste)
- Optional- 1/4 teaspoon of chili flakes if you want to make Fire Crackers. Add the flakes to the marinade.
- Peanut Oil (or one of your choice) for frying
Take your Mason Jar and add 1/4 cup of the Garlic Gold Vinaigrette. Take your cheese sticks and close the jar, give it a toss and lay it down in the fridge.
I marinated mine overnight and I would walk by the fridge and shake it a few times. You can use a small jar if you wish but I wanted to not fill the jar and waste vinaigrette, so I opted to not filling and used this shaking method.
You will notice the oil will solidify so take the cheese out an hour before cooking and allow the marinade to liquefy and every now and then give the jar a shake.

Take out a plate (I use a glass pie plate) and use that as your flouring station and another dish for the bread crumbs (both the panko and plain combined). Add salt and pepper to taste to the bread crumbs and a dash of the Garlic Gold Nuggets.
Take cheese out of jar (reserve the vinaigrette) and dip them in the flour, rolling and making sure to not forget to dab the tips too.

Once the cheese is floured, dip the cheese back into the vinaigrette and then roll into the bread crumbs.
You will notice that not much will stay, but this is the first dip that will insure you have that great flavor. The flour will soak it up and give it a beautiful layer and crunch. Do all the bread sticks and let them relax in the bread crumbs.
Crack open the egg and whisk.
Dip each bread stick in the egg and back into the bread crumbs. I lay the cheese sticks on a plate because they will be relaxing in the freezer for 20-30 minutes after they have received their second coat. This is the coat that will stick really well and just continue until all cheese sticks are nicely covered and coated.
Put plate in freezer and depending how cold yours is, it only takes 20 to 30 minutes for them to set nicely. This buys you time when frying and also allows the breading to set.
Once the above time has lapsed, it’s time to fry! I use Peanut Oil for how it tends to fry everything really crispy. You can use any frying oil of your choice. Heat up the oil and this is a quick dish to make.
It takes less than 30 seconds to get golden. I take about 2 to 3 sticks at a time because I used a small frying pan but you can use a larger one (I don’t like wasting oil either 🙂 ). You just drop them in and you can see my oil comes up half-way and then once they are golden and this happens in a few seconds, just flip and finish.
I placed my fried cheese sticks on parchment to rest. Serve immediately and enjoy.
If you are frying more than the above quota, no worries as you can use a pan with parchment to rewarm them. Again, this happens quick as we are dealing with cheese. Heat your oven to 375 degrees and set your cheese sticks on a cookie sheet (with parchment) and heat until warm and gooey. This can take 5 minutes and I do this with leftovers (from the fridge). You can serve with a pesto and I opted for a eggplant and vegetable marinara sauce. The cheese sticks are flavorful and you can make these into “fire crackers” by adding the chili flakes to your marinade.

You can also make this easy dish by getting your own Garlic Gold Products at:
- On-line– http://garlicgold.com/
- Visit Garlic Gold on Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/GarlicGold
- Twitter– https://twitter.com/garlicgold
- See the pretty Garlic Gold products and the other dishes you can create onPinterest– http://www.pinterest.com/garlicgold/

I received the above product free of charge from Garlic Gold. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.
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10 Feb 2014
by linettefm
in Food, Home, Product Samples, Uncategorized
Tags: Baked Goods, Baking, Bob's Red Mill, Bob's Red Mill Flours, Cheese, Crackers, Dried Herbs, Easy Baking, Fresh Herbs, gluten free, Gouda, gourmet, Herbs, meatless, Meatless Mondays, No Gluten, Oregano, Parmesan, Parsley, quick and easy cooking, Rice Flour, Romano, Sage, Savory, Smoked Paprika, Smoked Salt, Tarragon, Thyme, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day Baking, Valentine's Day Cooking, Valentine's Day Ideas, Valentine's Day Meals
Going with my Meatless-Monday dish, I decided to pair up my soup with a nice Gluten Free option, Herby Cheese Crackers. I used a mix of Gouda and Parmesan, however I have made these with a white cheddar cheese and plain sharp cheddar varieties. The cracker’s texture will vary by the cheese you use! I make sure to stick to a good quality cheese because the recipe only requires 2 ounces and I have had unpleasant experiences when a cheap cheese (this is not always connected by what you pay) that has oozed tons of oils and fats. No one wants an oily cracker….I want flaky with a nice crumble. Let’s Begin!
Dough:
- 2 Ounces of grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese or a cheese that has a close enough moisture content. You can use a semi-soft and pair it with a freshly grated harder cheese too. Allow the cheese to come to room temperature (after you grated).
- 2 tablespoons of Unsalted Butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup of Bob’s Red Mill Rice Flour
- 1/4 teaspoon of Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon of herbs (I mixed dried herbs with fresh)
- Salt and Pepper to taste (taste your cheese to measure saltiness before adding salt)
- *Optional- You can add Red Pepper Flakes, Smoked Paprika even a dash of Cayenne Pepper. You can also crumble pre-cooked bacon or pancetta to change the flavors.
In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine the Rice Flour, baking soda and herbs. I used dried parsley, thyme, tarragon and oregano. My plants have been blooming well in this mild Winter we have been having in California, so I used some fresh sage and thyme to make a 1 teaspoon’s worth with the dried herbs. Add your salt and pepper. I used a smoked salt for additional flavor and a pepper medley variety. I also included (optional) a dash of smoked paprika, a dash of red pepper flakes and also a small dash of cayenne to give the crackers some kick.
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In another bowl, grate your cheese. I used a semi-soft gouda and a grated hard cheese variety of mixed parmesan and romano.
Add the cheese to your flour mixture and then incorporate the softened unsalted butter to the mix. I do not want to smell crackers on my hands all day so I use a glove to pretty much make a ball. Want a different way? Cream the butter and cheese in your with your mixer and add the flour mixture after. If the mix seems dry, add a 1/2 teaspoon of water. You do not want a super moist dough as this dough will rest and re hydrate in the fridge, plus we are making crackers and not bread. I usually rarely add water and just keep gathering the crumbs around until they play nice 🙂
Using plastic wrap, create a log that is almost 11 inches long. You can decide how large you want the crackers but since I want to have mine swim in my soup, I always go small.
The log can be shaped and in this case I used the assistance of a wooden chopstick to make a crease, which will then help me work these into a heart shape. You can just go square or even round….or we can also have fun and create and abstract shape!
Allow the dough to rest in the fridge 20-30 minutes if you need to shape after, or 40 minutes if you will be just slicing and baking. Heat your oven 350 degrees. Take the dough out and you can I usually slice half a log and return the other half to the fridge while the first batch bakes. I used the chop-stick to help refine the heart shape too.
Bake the crackers for about 10 minutes and then cool.
You then bake the other half and these go great with soup, salads, or just by themselves. Enjoy!
Find out more about Bob’s Red Mill products at:
- On-line– http://www.bobsredmill.com/
- Twitter– https://twitter.com/BobsRedMill
- Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/BobsRedMillNaturalFoods
- Pinterest– http://www.pinterest.com/bobsredmill/
- Save with a $1.00 off coupon– http://www.bobsredmill.com/get-a-coupon.html
I received the above product free of charge from Bob’s Red Mill. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.
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08 Oct 2013
by linettefm
in Pet, Product Samples, Swaggable, Uncategorized
Tags: Bacon, Cheese, Cloud Star's, Corn Free, dog, grain free, Hip & Joint, No artificial colors, No artificial flavors, No by-products, No fillers, no soy, Pet, pet food, Pet Snacks, Soy Free, Swaggable, treat, wheat free
I received a package of the Dynamo Dog Functional Hip & Joint,Bacon & Cheese treats and because we had been out all day, I needed a treat that would make-up for our absence.

I opened the sample pack and the product had a doggy treat smell but not like those that are very off and the last thing you want to do is touch them. These smelled beef-like and close to what the better dog jerky treats smell like. A little soft when you squeeze it and I did appreciate that the treat comes in a perfect bite size for your pet, so no cutting needed.
Doggy Taste Test:
Our dog, Sweety took the treat and then went off to inspect it as it is a “new” snack for her. She did a few bites and then spit it out to inspect some more and for some reason she does this with all new treats….she expects a juicy center or something! A few more sniffs and then it must have passed the “test” because she finished it and came back with the give me more eyes. I gave her one more due to the hour of night and of course this is game she never knows or wants to end.

Next day, inspection of the treat was not needed so I made sure to give her a couple more and she seemed more than pleased with them. In a scale where she loves roasted chicken as her favorite treat, which we give a 10. I would give these a 6 in her enthusiasm for them. Sweety, then likes Salmon at a 9 and Fresh Pineapple and Coconut Water at an 8, so this dog has unusual taste.
Being that products on the market geared towards pets tend to read like a science experiment, I like that there is some nutritional and health benefits attached to these. These treats are grain free, wheat and corn free, and no soy. Cloud Star also does not add artificial colors or flavorings or any by-products. No fillers for once! Sweety is getting up there in age even if she does not act like it, so I see adding these to the treat rotation.

I received the above product from Swaggable and Cloud Star, free of charge. I am not obligated in providing positive/favorable feedback, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the brand and/or it’s products, which may differ from yours.
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