Winner of the "Tastefully Simple" Giveaway!!

Thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway for the Party Pack from Tastefully Simple!  It was such fun seeing all of your lovely comments.  I hope all you newbies stick around a while!

And now for the moment that all of you have been waiting for... 

drum roll please......

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:9Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Congratulations my entry #9, who was KarenP.  You are my winner!!

KarenP said...

The Garlic Garlic seasoning sure sounds good - I think I would use it on everything!

May 31, 2011 4:38 PM 

Karen, I have sent you an email through your blog (very cute by the way!) and I look forward to hearing back from you!  You have 48 hours to get back with me or I will have to choose another winner.  I hope you enjoy your goodies!!!

Simply Southwest Egg Rolls

Ok, so these are super yummy!  It was such a fun twist on Mexican food.  This egg roll recipe is from the Tastefully Simple website where they have lots of fun recipes to use along with their products.  The items used in this particular recipe were the Simply Southwest Seasoning & Rub, their Corn, Black Bean Salsa and the same Hoppin' Jalapeño & Bacon Dip Mix that is in my giveaway.  This was definitely a favorite recipe of all the ones I have tried so far from their website.

The Simply Southwest Egg Rolls are very simple to make- took me probably no more then 20 minutes to prepare, plus the time to bake or fry.  I decided to try both methods.  Frying obviously was delicious- what isn't yummy fried?  But in my quest to loose my "baby weight" I also wanted to see if baking would produce still the nice "crunch" you are looking for with an egg roll and reduce some of the added fat that frying can add. The baked ones were definitely great, but I did have a problem with the cheese oozing out of many of them.  I probably overloaded my egg rolls, considering that the recipe states that it makes 15 rolls and I only got 12. This I am sure had a lot to do with my oozing.  Other then that, I don't feel we missed out on anything that the fried ones had.  It takes a smidge longer, but I can live with that if it means a healthier option.  I will definitely make them again and will choose the baking method (less mess, less added fat).



Simply Southwest Egg Rolls
Submitted by Rosemary (MN) HQ Resident Chef

Ingredients
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small dice
2 tsp. olive oil
2-3 tsp. Simply Southwest™ Seasoning & Rub or Fiesta Party Dip Mix
1 cup Corn, Black Bean Salsa
1 1/2 cups finely shredded Cheddar cheese
16 oz. package egg roll wraps
Vegetable oil
Prepared Hoppin' Jalapeño & Bacon™ Dip Mix

Directions
Sauté chicken in olive oil and Simply Southwest Seasoning™ & Rub or Fiesta Party Dip Mix™ until chicken is no longer pink; cool. Add next 2 ingredients to cooled chicken. On work surface, place one egg roll wrap with a corner pointing toward you. Place 1/4 cup filling on egg roll wrap, roll egg roll skin over filling. Fold in sides, wet inside edge of egg roll skin with water; press to seal like an envelope. Heat 1/2 inch vegetable oil in frying pan over medium heat. Fry egg rolls in hot oil until browned on all sides and heated through. Slice egg rolls in half; serve hot with prepared Hoppin' Jalapeno & Bacon Dip. Can be made ahead and reheated by baking at 400° for 15 minutes or until hot and crisp. Makes 15 egg rolls.

**Added note: if you want to bake instead of fry, line baking sheet with a silpat or parchment paper and arrange egg rolls on top.  Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning once halfway through.

Don't forget to enter for a chance to win this party pack from Tastefully Simple!  Click {here} to enter the giveaway! Drawing ends on June 6th, so hurry up!

For ordering information, please contact Melissa Kroft, Independent Consultant ID# 0060063 at www.tastefullysimple.com/web/mkroft or email her at melissakroft@sbcglobal.net. She will be more then happy to hook you up with all of your needs or set you up with a local consultant in your area.

"Spinach and Herb" Green Beans

Going along with my awesome giveaway for a Party Pack from Tastefully Simple, all week I am going to feature recipes using different Tastefully Simple products.  Today I am featuring the Spinach and Herb Dip Mix.  Although it makes a wonderful dip for veggies and pita chips, I tend to use it most often as seasoning while I cook- especially in the cooler months when fresh herbs aren't as plentiful.

There is tons of flavor in this seasoning mix, combining spinach flakes, onion, minced green onion, dill and garlic, making it completely versatile in cooking.  There is also only a very, very small amount of salt, so you can pretty much season your food as you would do so normally without worrying about sodium overload.  Love that!  It is also completely All Natural- no additives to get in the way of a healthy meal.

This quick recipe for green beans was a huge hit at Easter Dinner.  Everyone loved them.  The left overs (if you have any) are wonderful cold, tossed into a green leafy salad with a lemony vinaigrette.  Yum!

"Spinach and Herb" Green Beans
1 lb green beans, steam-end snipped
2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 whole shallots, diced
water
1 Tablespoon Spinach and Herb Dip Mix, like Tastefully Simple's
salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Warm 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large rimmed saute pan over medium heat. Add shallots and sauté until soft and translucent. Remove shallots from pan and set aside. Add green beans to pan and enough water to come up half way on the green beans. Cover and steam until beans are crisp-tender and bright green in color. Drain beans and return to pan. Add remaining olive oil, shallots, Spinach and Herb Dip Mix and stir to combine. Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste.  Sauté 3 minutes to allow spices to rehydrate and flavors to combine.  Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy!

Other suggestions for the Spinach & Herb Dip Mix

• Serve dip in a blossom of purple kale.

• Add dry mix to scrambled eggs before cooking.

• Perfect on broiled or baked fish.

• Make herb bread by adding 1–2 Tbsp. to Bountiful Beer Bread Mix®.

• Toss dry mix with cooked carrots, cauliflower and broccoli.

• Add prepared dip to seafood pasta salad.

• Toss with hot, cooked fettuccine noodles.

• Spread prepared dip on finger sandwiches.

• Dollop prepared dip on baked potatoes.

• Sprinkle on cottage cheese.

• Look for more recipes at www.tastefullysimple.com.

Don't forget to enter for a chance to win this party pack from Tastefully Simple!  Click {here} to enter the giveaway!  Drawing ends on June 6th, so hurry up!

For ordering information, please contact Melissa Kroft,  Independent Consultant ID# 0060063 at www.tastefullysimple.com/web/mkroft  or email her at melissakroft@sbcglobal.net.  She will be more then happy to hook you up with all of your needs or set you up with a local consultant in your area. 

**GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED!!** A "Tastefully Simple" Giveaway!!!

Are you all familiar with the company Tastefully Simple?  If so, I can pretty much guess you are a fan!  And if you are not familiar, you need to make yourself as soon as possible!  I first discovered this company many years ago when my best friend Adrianne was a consultant for them.  It only took one party for me to be convinced this stuff was great.  I was hooked!  They sell a variety of items ranging from spices, dip mixes, breads, desserts, drinks, to oils and dressings.  And the best part about his stuff (aside from the amazing taste) is that they can either be enjoyed right out of the container or be prepared with two additional ingredients or less.  It honestly doesn't get much easier then this.  They are perfect to bring along as a side dish for all those parties coming up this summer!  Here is a little more information about the company from their website:

Tastefully Simple is a direct sales company based in Alexandria, Minnesota.

What We Do
We offer a wide selection of convenient, easy-to-prepare foods designed to help people spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the rest of their lives. Our products are available through independent Tastefully Simple consultants primarily at home taste-testing parties nationwide.

From tasty appetizers to luscious desserts, our catalog includes over 60 simple and delicious foods - ready with two ingredients or less.

What We Believe
Tastefully Simple is proud to be a member of the Direct Selling Association - the organization that maintains standards of practice for direct sales companies across the nation. We're also honored to belong to the Better Business Bureau, which promotes the highest standards for business ethics and customer service in the marketplace.

When my best friend had to stop selling Tastefully Simple due to family reasons, I have to admit I freaked out a little.  I kinda, may have hoarded my Bountiful Beer Bread Mix (oh man, this stuff is yummy!) and the Garlic Garlic Seasoning, my personal favorite, started being used more and more sparingly then I was used to.  But luckily for me Adrianne passed me onto her new consultant, Melissa Kroft, so I can now keep my pantry stocked with all my favorites.

As with all direct sales companies, hosting a party is the way to go.  You get to eat the entire time, socialize with your friends, and the rewards are amazing (can you say freebies?!)  But if you aren't the Party-Hosting-Type, you can also order directly through your personal consultant and online- which makes life so convenient.

Please take a moment and head over to Tastefully Simple's Website and look around.  I can pretty much guarantee that if you are a food lover, there will be something that will grab your attention!  Want to give some of these yummies a try?  Well today is seriously your lucky day.  Melissa is providing one lucky winner all of this awesome stuff below for free!  The Bountiful Beer Bread, like I mentioned earlier, is a big time personal favorite of mine.  I haven't met a soul that wasn't hooked on it after giving it a taste.  And the Hoppin' Jalapeno Dip Mix is my new favorite.  It is great as a dip for veggies and chips, but we also love, love it as a spread for grilled steak sandwiches.  Yumm-o.  The cookbook is a great go-to, especially with Party Season approaching, and now you will have the perfect spreader to go along with the dip!

If you just can't wait for the giveaway or are finding way too many awesome products you just have to have, you can contact Melissa Kroft, Independent Consultant ID# 0060063 at www.tastefullysimple.com/web/mkroft  or email her at melissakroft@sbcglobal.net.  She will be more then happy to hook you up with all of your needs or set you up with a local consultant in your area.

Throughout the week I will be showcasing different Tastefully Simple products in my recipes demonstrating the great stuff you can do with them.  This is going to be a fun week!  Best of luck to you all!!

*GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED!!*

What You Win:
1 Hoppin' Jalapeno and Bacon Dip Mix
Creamy with a kick of heat and the ever-popular flavor of bacon. Add mayonnaise and sour cream, and serve with chips    or crackers. Also delicious spread on wraps and BLT sandwiches. Each packet makes about 1 cup dip.
1 Bountiful Beer Bread Mix
Our signature bread mix is so simple to make - no kneading, no rising time, nothing to add but beer or any carbonated beverage. In a matter of minutes, your house will be filled with the mouth-watering aroma of freshly baked bread. The perfect companion to our dips and soups. Kosher.
1 Simple Starters Recipes Cookbook
This handy little recipe book will help you get the party started with sassy snacks and anytime appetizers. Also makes a wonderful addition to any Tastefully Simple gift.
1 Host Collection Dip Spreader
Each ceramic handle is hand painted, so no two pieces will be identical. This unique ceramic and stainless steel piece was designed exclusively for Tastefully Simple to compliment our products and your way of life.  

Giveaway Rules:
You must be 18 years or older and a U.S. resident to enter. Mandatory entry MUST be completed before any optional entries will be counted. Winner will be selected by random drawing, using random.org. Deadline for entry is midnight (EST), Saturday, June 4th.

Mandatory Entry:
Leave a comment, below, telling me which Tastefully Simple Product you would love to add to your kitchen pantry. I need a specific name, so if you’re not sure or you don’t know what a wide variety of products they offer, you can check out the list on their site.

Optional Entries:
You may complete any or all of the following optional entries after the Mandatory Entry is completed. Please be sure to leave a separate comment for each action telling me you've done so.  The more entires, the more chances you have for winning!  

1. "Like" My Retro Kitchen on Facebook and leave a comment below with your Facebook name, letting me know you did.
2. Follow @Amiekanen on Twitter and leave a comment below with your Twitter handle, letting me know you did.
3. Follow My Retro Kitchen on Google Friends Connect. Use the “Follow” button in the right-hand sidebar. Leave a comment letting me know you’ve done it.
4. Post this giveaway on your Facebook page. "Enter to win a Party Pack from Tastefully Simple at http://www.myretrokitchen.blogspot.com/ which includes their Bountiful Beer Bread Mix, Hoppin' Jalapeno & Bacon Dip Mix, "Simple Starters Recipes" Cookbook and a handcrafted Dip Spreader. You’ll love the ease that Tastefully Simple can bring to cooking!" Leave a comment below with a link to your post.
5. Sign up for the Tastefully Simple monthly Newsletter with Consultant Melissa Kroft by contacting her at melissakroft@sbcglobal.net and leave a comment below letting me know you did.

I received Tastefully Simple Products in order to conduct this review. No monetary compensation was received and a positive review was not required. As with all My Retro Kitchen reviews, the views and opinions expressed are wholly my own. The winner will receive their prize directly from me, at My Retro Kitchen at the conclusion of the giveaway.