August Mystery Box Revealed

It's getting hot in here...

Must be August!

To celebrate one of the warmest months of the year, let's heat up the challenge this month with some of my favorite ingredients. Although I have never used them together...

HOT SAUCE, NECTARINES, CINNAMON

For first time challengers, the idea was sparked by my favorite Food Network show, Chopped, where four chefs are given baskets of mystery ingredients and must make a dish that utilizes all of the ingredients. The first month I was challenged by my boyfriend and the challenge was created.

The winner each month will be randomly chosen from all of the eligible entries. This month's winner will receive a $10 Starbuck's giftcard so you can pick up a couple of cool refreshing beverages. In order to be eligible, post your recipe to your blog along with a picture of the dish you made and the challenge logo. Then post a link back to your blog on this post by August 31 at 11:59PST.

Your mission is to make one dish that incorporates all three ingredients in it. You can use additional products in your creation. Don't forget to review how it turned out for your readers!

Previous Challenges:

July - Tomatoes, Milk, Blue Cheese
June - Strawberries, Filet Mignon, Egg Noodles
May - Cheese, Chocolate, Chilies
April - Beer, Ham, Rosemary

July Mystery Challenge Awards!

Here's my attempt to meet the challenge. I have no idea how to make it look pretty but gee golly it was tasty. It is just eggs scrambled with milk and cook with chopped roma tomatoes. Top the scramble with blue cheese and toss it in a tortilla!

That said... I was clearly outdone by some FABULOUS reader entries! Check out this deliciousness. Click on the picture and it will take you to their blog entries. YUM!

Tara over at Cooking from Scratch wins top honors with her Gorgonzola and Sun Dried Tomato Crackers. This actually sound like they are pretty easy to make, and they look awfully tasty!


While she claims to have missed the deadline, I still wanted to recognize Melody over at Trap Door and send her an Honorable Mention prize because her Tomato Tart is drool worthy!


Check out both of these fabulous blogs as they are full of even more deliciousness. The August challenge will be posted tomorrow. Look out... it is going to get hot up in here...

Contests! Contests! Contests!

My apologies for not posting the winners of the Popchips giveaway!

After assigning all of the entries their own numbrs in an Excel file, I used Random.org to select the two winners. Congratulations to blackdove5 and Just Me. Please email me your addresses so I can send those coupons out!


There are only a couple days left to enter the July Mystery Box Challenge! The ingredients are red, white and blue. Tomatoes, Milk and Blue Cheese. Will you be the winner this month? Click on the icon above to get more information.

July Mystery Ingredient Challenge!

First, congratulations to Danica over at Danica's Daily. She was the only person not afraid to attempt a dish that included Strawberries, Filet Mignon and Egg Noodles! Check out her Filet Mignon with a Strawberry Marsala Mushroom Sauce over Chive Buttered Egg Noodles.

Let's see if more people are willing to take on the July challenge.

For first time challengers, the idea was sparked by my favorite Food Network show, Chopped, where four chefs are given baskets of mystery ingredients and must make a dish that utilizes all of the ingredients. The first month I was challenged by my boyfriend and the challege was created.

The winner each month will be randomly chosen from all of the eligible entries. This month's winner will receive a box of gourmet desserts. In order to be eligible, post your recipe to your blog along with a picture of the dish you made and the challenge logo. Then post a link back to your blog on this post by July 31 at 11:59PST.

To celebrate Independence Day, this month's foods are red, white and blue :-)

JULY'S MYSTERY BOX: Tomatoes, Milk, Blue Cheese

Your mission is to make one dish that incorporates all three ingredients in it. You can use additional products in your creation. Don't forget to review how it turned out for your readers!

Time Running Out on the June Mystery Box Challenge!

With a fabulous prize on the line, only one entry has been submitted for this month's Mystery Ingredient Challenge!

Don't miss out on getting your entry in. All entries must be linked to this post by 11:59pm PST on June 30.

The ingredients this month are Filet Mignon (or tempeh), Strawberries, and Egg Noodles.

May Mystery Box Results & June's Ingredients!

This month must have been crazy for everyone! When my students picked out cheese, chocolate and chilies as the three ingredients, I had dozens of ideas flash through my mind. When it came down to crunch time, I ended up making a delicious (and super easy) popcorn snack! I will get to it in one moment, but first to announce the only entry (I know she scared everyone off with her fabulousness!).

Lauren over at Healthy Delicious made Mexican Cannolis with Homemade Ricotta! Her recipe included some tequila to boot! I am dying to try them :-)

*****

Spicy, Sweet, and Salty Popcorn

Make some air popped popcorn (or your favorite method), and drizzle unfiltered olive oil. Grate your favorite chocolate and hard cheese. Sprinkle chili powder and sea salt. Enjoy! (I told you it was easy!)

*****

For June, I hit up my friends! For those of you who had random g-chat messages asking for your favorite fruit in season, the first protein you could think of, or a specific carb... if you didn't respond fast enough, sorry!

The ingredients this month (courtesy of Pam, Erica and Emily): Strawberries, Filet Mignon, Egg Noodles

Yes they are an unusual combination. But for those of you who follow Chopped, what did you expect? For those who want to participate but do not eat filet mignon, tempeh will be the accepted substitute.

I invite you all to join me on this monthly adventure. Each month I will post the mystery box of ingredients. Your job is to create a dish that utilizes all of these ingredients and document the preparation and final product as well as a review of how it turned out. Post a link to your documentation in the comment section of the mystery box post. At the end of the month, all eligible entries will be entered to win a fabulous prize! The contest closes the last day of the month at midnight. While you can use other ingredients from your pantry, the dish must include the mystery ingredients.

The random winner for June will receive a travel snack pack with healthy nutrition bars, homemade blended teas, and an on-the-go beverage container.

Reminders:

1. All of the mystery ingredients must be used in one dish.

2. You may use other ingredients to complete the dish.

3. Post the link to your blog in the comments section of THIS post in order to be counted for the contest by June 30th at midnight.

4. Your entry should have the Mystery Box logo and a link back to this post in order to be eligible.

Good luck and get cooking!!!!

Last Weekend for the May Mystery Box!

The challenge closes tomorrow night at midnight!
Get those entries in!

May Mystery Box Challenge and April Winners

A couple of months ago, my boyfriend challenged me to a mystery box cook-off. After watching one too many episodes of the Food Network show "Chopped" I was up for the challenge! This month's ingredients were beer, ham and rosemary. I made Rosemary-Garlic-Beer Focaccia with Smoked Gouda and Ham, however I was definitely outdone by our two winners this month (they were both so great I couldn't break the tie)! Both of these winners should email me their addresses so I can send out the Starbucks gift cards!

Check out the Navy Bean Soup with Guinness Cheddar Biscuits over at Health Delicious!

And Zara over at Crazy Mom made a kid friendly Cheesy Potato Casserole with Greens!

This month I let debaters have reign and pick the ingredients. At 8:30 on a Thursday morning, they decided the theme would be "Things that start with 'ch'" for the ingredient list. So here they are!

APRIL MYSTERY BOX: Chocolate, Chiles, Cheese

Since I introduced the March challenge a bit later in the month, a number of bloggers told me they would have to wait until April. So here is your chance! I am offering the winner of this month's challenge a gourmet traveler gift bag full of fabulous fare I take with me on my debate trips! Description of specifics will be posted mid-month but know that it will be well worth your time.

I invite you all to join me on this monthly adventure. Each month I will post the mystery box of ingredients. Your job is to create a dish that utilizes all of these ingredients and document the preparation and final product as well as a review of how it turned out. Post a link to your documentation in the comment section of the mystery box post. At the end of the month, all eligible entries will be entered to win a fabulous prize! The contest closes the last day of the month at midnight. While you can use other ingredients from your pantry, the dish must include the mystery ingredients.

Reminders:

1. All of the mystery ingredients must be used in one dish.

2. You may use other ingredients to complete the dish.

3. Post the link to your blog in the comments section of THIS post in order to be counted for the contest by May 31st at midnight.

4. Your entry should have the Mystery Box logo and a link back to this post in order to be eligible.

Good luck and get cooking!!!!

April Mystery Box: Rosemary-Garlic-Beer Focaccia with Smoked Gouda and Ham

This month, the Mystery Ingredient Challenge box included beer, rosemary and ham. I wanted to make a pizza but in the end I settled on a simple rosemary-garlic-beer Focaccia topped with smoked Gouda and ham. The serving size for this recipe is decent sized appetizers and pairs great with a cold Newcastle.

1.25 cups bread flour
1.25 cups whole wheat flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1.5 tsp salt
1.5 tbsp garlic olive oil (I use Garlic Gold, more on this fabulous company in the coming week... consider this a preview)
1 tbsp Garlic Gold Italian Herb Nuggets
1 tbsp fresh chopped rosemary
6 oz beer (I used Newcastle because I LOVE it's flavor!)
2.5 oz diced smoked Gouda
3 oz diced ham

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix first four ingredients together until blended, then add remaining ingredients through the beer. Once dough is blended, place on greased baking pans (or pizza stone) and press out with your fingers until desired thickness. Bake for 5-10 minutes until crust starts to set. Remove from oven and sprinkle gouda and ham over top. Bake for another 8-15 minutes until cheese starts to brown. Slice into small triangles with pizza cutter and enjoy!

Nutritional Information: 212 calories/6 grams of fat/2 grams of fiber/10 grams of protein

There is still a couple days to get your entry in for a chance to win!
Click on the icon above to learn more!

April Mystery Box Challenge

Less than a month ago, my boyfriend challenged me to a mystery box cook-off. After watching one too many episodes of the Food Network show "Chopped" I was up for the challenge! So he got to pick three random ingredients and it resulted in Baked Stuffed Peppers.

I was asked to do it again but rather than let Doug have free rein, I asked three people to pick two ingredients off the top of their head. Then I asked them if they liked odd or even better in order to select one of the mystery ingredients from another person. I still let Doug play along since he inspired the challenge.

Sarah over at Mom on the Run picked beer and green chilis, Doug picked odd and so beer became our first ingredient

Zara over at Crazy Mom picked eggplant and rosemary, Sarah picked even so rosemary made the list

Doug, the boyfriend and non-food blogger over at A black man's grammatical chaos, picked ham and beets, Zara picked odd so ham made this list

APRIL MYSTERY BOX: HAM, BEER, ROSEMARY

Since I introduced the March challenge a bit later in the month, a number of bloggers told me they would have to wait until April. So here is your chance! The $10 Starbucks gift card is up for grabs again!

I invite you all to join me on this monthly adventure. Each month I will post the mystery box of ingredients. Your job is to create a dish that utilizes all of these ingredients and document the preparation and final product as well as a review of how it turned out. Post a link to your documentation in the comment section of the mystery box post. At the end of the month, all eligible entries will be entered to win a fabulous prize! The contest closes the last day of the month at midnight. While you can use other ingredients from your pantry, the dish must include the mystery ingredients.

Reminders:

1. All of the mystery ingredients must be used in one dish.

2. You may use other ingredients to complete the dish.

3. Post the link to your blog in the comments section of THIS post in order to be counted for the contest by April 30th at midnight.

4. Your entry should have the Mystery Box logo and a link back to this post in order to be eligible.

Good luck and get cooking!!!!

Mystery Box Challenge: Baked Stuffed Peppers

When Doug challenged me several weeks ago to come up with a recipe that included his choice of random ingredients (ala the Food Network show "Chopped"), I readily agreed. When he told me the ingredients were Bell Peppers, Sharp Cheddar Cheese and Oatmeal.. I gagged slightly. This would be a challenge. At first I thought about doing a quiche with an oatmeal crust. However after hanging out with my Hungarian dad, I settled on something more familiar. Stuffed bell peppers!

This recipe makes two halves, which I am counting as two servings. You can lower the calories by using reduced fat cheese or a leaner ground meat. These freeze and reheat well. Enjoy and I look forward to seeing who wins the $10 Starbucks gift card! The March challenge closes at midnight on the 31st!

Baked Stuffed Peppers

1/4 lb 90% lean ground sirloin
1/4 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 green bell pepper, halved and cleaned
1/4 cup old fashioned oatmeal
1 small white onion, diced
1 small tomato, diced
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp italian seasoning
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 small can of tomato sauce

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Set aside a pinch or two of cheese. Mix remaining ingredients, except bell pepper and tomato sauce, together until blended. Stuff into two halves of the pepper and bake for 20 minutes.

Open the can of sauce and pour over peppers. Bake for 20 more minutes.

Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake for 5 more minutes.

This should be enough time to cook through while not leaving the bell pepper soggy. You can check the internal temperature of the meat with a thermometer.

Nutritional Information: 250 calories/10.5 grams of fat/4.5 grams of fiber/17 grams of protein

Vanilla You Shake Review and the You Bar Giveaway Winners

I am a breakfast person. I used to skip this morning meal in order to trade off with sleep, until I realized I just needed meals that were quick and easy to make. They would need carbs and protein in order to keep me going, but couldn't be so high in processed sugars that I crashed by second period.

In graduate school I was mesmerized by the Magic Bullet infomercials. I could do EVERYTHING with this gadget! So I ordered one. And while I can't make fresh salsa (it turns into a soupy mess), I can make fabulous and quick breakfast smoothies. And so for 6 years, the breakfast smoothie has become a staple in my morning routine. I even purchased my own bulk cups, lids and straws so I felt like I was getting something from a fancy smoothie shop at a fraction of the price!

In playing around with smoothies over the years, one of the biggest tests of a smoothie has been the base that I use. I recently had the opportunity to try out You Shake protein shake mix. These customizable protein shakes come in convenient individual packages that are easy to store but also easy to travel with (it you bring your own blender!). You can choose your own proteins, flavor bases, fruits, sweeteners, and even extra nutritional add-ins!

This morning I made a Vanilla Cherry Dream Shake.

1 package Vanilla Dream You Shake mix
1 cup frozen unsweetened cherries
12 oz unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze

Blend all ingredients together until smooth.

The flavor of this smoothie was sweet with strong hints of vanilla and cherry. I used the frozen cherries instead of ice, but I think that this base needs the extra ice to thicken the beverage. The drink was a bit powdery, which could be my short blending time, or it may need more liquid in it. There was more powder in this package than most single serving smoothie mixes I have tried. With no directions on the individual package, I may need to add more liquid to counter the excess powder.

Aside from the minor powder and thickness issues, the flavor of this smoothie was excellent. I enjoyed it with some whole grain toast on my drive to work. I could imagine using this base with coffee and ice for a morning blended coffee beverage! I can't wait to try out the Breakfast Shake and Blended Bliss!

Nutritional Information for Vanilla Dream: 110 calories / .5 grams of fat / 1 gram of fiber / 16 grams of protein

Note that this is tagged for both the points for the smoothie mix but also for the Vanilla Cherry Dream Smoothie.

Ingredients: soy protein, organic cane sugar, organic vanilla powder (organic sucrose, organic vanilla bean extractives)

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To celebrate my newfound love of You Bar and You Shake products, I recently offered readers an opportunity to win a You Bar to try. Using Random.org's number generator, the following readers will get a chance to try out the fabulousness that is You Bar!

I asked readers to tell me what they would want in a You Bar and here is what the winners said:

Trying Rachel's Chocolate Fix is Mo Diva! She said:

"Duuuude! Chocolate! yum! I just posted a recipe with tuna fish...i follow you already and um i am linking you now!"

Getting a chance to sample the Sweet Sarah bar is Lisa D.! She said:

"definitely with cashews and soy protein and almonds and flax and dried apricots. mmmmm! great giveaway!"

Congratulations to both winners and look for another healthy food giveaway this week! Plus, don't forget your chance to win a $10 Starbucks gift card in the Mystery Ingredient Challenge. It ends March 31 at midnight!

Contests in Blogland

Time is almost up to enter for a chance to try out a customized You Bar! I am closing up the giveaway on March 23.

Want to win $10 to Starbucks? Get cooking and blogging with my March Mystery Box challenge! Remember to link back to the original blog by midnight on March 31!!!

If you like nut butters like I do, then you should check out the Food Snob's PB Loco giveaway! Actually... don't. I want the peanut butter trio :-)

Check out the Mix My Granola giveaway at Healthy and Sane. It goes until March 26th!

Comment for your chance to win a chocolate gift pack at Yogurt and Berries. This one runs until March 24!

My favorite Mom on the Run and her daughter are giving away Honest Kids drink pouches until March 22. Hurry!

Up your antioxidants and enter Oh She Glows giveaway for POM products! The contest ends March 26.

Mrs. Cox's Slice o' Heaven is giving away chips from Food Should Taste Good. This contest ends April 8.

Looking for a healthy way to fill up your Easter baskets? Chattahoochee Mama is giving away Surf Sweet candies. This contest ends Sunday!

March Mystery Box Contest

After watching the Food Network show Chopped for the sixth or seventh time and annoying the people around me with "oh I would make this!" or "wait why wouldn't you use the ingredient this way?" I decided to do something about this desire to create meals out of random ingredients.

I invite you all to join me on this monthly adventure. Each month I will post the mystery box of ingredients. Your job is to create a dish that utilizes all of these ingredients and document the preparation and final product as well as a review of how it turned out. Post a link to your documentation in the comment section of the mystery box post. At the end of the month, all eligible entries will be entered to win a fabulous prize! The contest closes the last day of the month at midnight. While you can use other ingredients from your pantry, the dish must include the mystery ingredients.

This month's mystery box includes: Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Oatmeal, Green Bell Peppers

The prize is: Let's start off the challenge like I enjoy starting my mornings. Starbucks! The winner of the challenge will receive a $10 Starbucks giftcard.

Remember you must use ALL of the ingredients of the mystery box in the one dish. Please take pictures, post your recipe and a review in your blog! You should also copy the mystery box logo and link back to this post in order to qualify.

Good luck!