Contest Archives - Kitchen Conundrum

Calphalon #COUPLESCOOKING Photo Contest

July 9, 2014 by Renee

Do you and your significant other love to cook up delicious dishes together? Do you want to win $1,000 in Calphalon cookware? Well, please read on!

When a couple creates their bridal registry, they are making decisions about items they will have in their home for years to come, so it’s no surprise that cookware is often at the top of the list. Couples cook up savored memories, from the first meal they create together in their new home to the meal they share on their 25th anniversary. The cookware they choose serves as the foundation for which these “Couples Cooking” memories are made.

Calphalon wants to recognize these precious #CouplesCooking moments by asking couples to share pictures of the meals they cook together for a chance to win $1,000 of Calphalon cookware!

Now through September 1, Calphalon’s asking participants to post photos of the meals they prepare with their significant other on Calphalon’s Facebook page. To enter, couples will be asked to share why the dish is unique or special to them and use the hashtag #CouplesCooking. Just head on over to their page and follow the directions for your chance to win.

For more information about Calphalon cookware or other Calphalon products, visit www.calphalon.com or visit them on social media at www.facebook.com/Calphalon and www.twitter.com/calphalon.

Disclaimer: This article is in collaboration with Calphalon, and product was received in exchange for sharing their sweepstakes.

Rich & Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

June 18, 2014 by Renee

Today I teamed up with 15 of my food blogger friends to bring you some fabulous recipes to help you get your daily servings of dairy.

Fresh nutritious dairy foods like milk, cheese and yogurt don’t just taste delicious; they’re good for your body! Dairy foods are the #1 source of calcium in most individual’s daily diet and offer 9 essential nutrients. Milk and dairy products are fresh 365 days a year, making Dairy Month a great time to think about exciting, nutrient rich combinations like creative grilled cheese sandwiches, salads and refreshing desserts.

Join in the fun & deliciousness and celebrate “All Things Dairy” with 15 Food Bloggers from around the country as we celebrate with some of our favorite dairy recipes. Here’s one I think you will really like!

Rich & Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

When it comes to Mac & Cheese, there are so many different variations but none is creamier than this one! And it packs a punch with the addition of Greek yogurt.

The trick to creamy Mac & Cheese is to cook the pasta over a low flame in milk, not in water. You must be very careful to keep the pasta moving by stirring it frequently and to not scorch the milk. Low heat is essential as you want the pasta to absorb most all of the milk. This is not a five minute Mac & Cheese, but more like a twenty-five minute Mac & Cheese. However, you will be rewarded for your patience with an incredibly rich and creamy Macaroni and Cheese that’s sure to please the whole family.

Rich & Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

Author: Renee

Ingredients

2 cups Milk
2 cups dried pasta (I like Medium Shells but use whatever shape you'd like.)
½ small onion, diced fine
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black (or white) pepper
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
¼ tsp. Cayenne pepper
1 6-oz. container Greek yogurt
1 tbs. butter
2 cups grated cheese (A combination of Sharp Cheddar and Gruyere works best)

Method

In a medium saucepan over very low heat, add the onion, milk and pasta. While stirring frequently, simmer over low heat until the pasta is cooked and most of the milk is absorbed.
Add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, and Cayenne to the milk/pasta mixture.
Once almost all of the milk is absorbed and the pasta is cooked, add the Greek yogurt, butter and cheese. Stir gently to combine and melt the cheese.
Taste and adjust seasonings if need be. Serve right away.

See what delicious dairy dishes my Blogging friends are cooking up:

Souffle Bombay – Blueberry Cheesecake Shooters
What The Heck’s A Bonbon? – Strawberry Watermelon Cucumber Granita with Vanilla Lemon Frozen Yogurt
Mind Over Batter – Strawberries and Cream Icebox Cake
Pass The Sushi – Roasted Blueberry Graham Cracker Crumble Frozen Yogurt
We’re Parents – Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes with Whipped Topping
Little Kitchie – Spinach & Prosciutto Pizza
Sugar Dish Me – Healthy Creamy Summer Pasta
The Vintage Mom – Strawberry Creamsicles & Other Creamy Treats
Real: The Kitchen and Beyond – 11 Grilled Cheese Combinations
Giggles Gobbles & Gulps – 10 Fun Ways To Drink Your Milk
How I Pinch A Penny – Banana Pudding Shooters
An Opera Singer In The Kitchen – Double Cheese Spinach & Mushroom Omelette
It’s A Keeper – 10 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Recipes
The Suburban Soapbox – The Ultimate Chocolate Martini

David Lebovitz’s new book, My Paris Kitchen: Recipes and Stories Giveaway

May 14, 2014 by Renee

Ah, Paris! What can I say? It’s my favorite city -sorry New York, I love you too, but Paris is my home away from home- and one of my favorite people lives there- he’s a fabulous (and famous) cookbook author, blogger and pastry chef. In his newly released book, My Paris Kitchen: Recipes and Stories, David Lebovitz transports us all to his Paris and the Paris that I love.

David is a brilliant and humorous storyteller who uses his very vivid and descriptive writing to take you along on his journey. You feel as though you are with him as he goes in search of the perfect kitchen sink during his new flat renovation or as he ventures to the local market to choose fresh produce for the day.

You’ll travel all around the beautiful city and end up back in his kitchen where he creates the recipes themselves, though not strictly Classic French cuisine, but wonderful international renditions including a Moroccan Lamb Shank Tagine, Spiced Meatballs with Sriracha Sauce and even Tabbouleh. There are some classics too, not to worry- duck fat is never far away (duck fat cookies? Hello!), but, this cookbook is as much a cultural experience as it is a culinary one. As David explains, cuisine in Paris isn’t just classic bistros, although there are an abundance of those too, but the landscape is changing and cuisines such a Mexican or Pizza are taking hold as well. Some of the best hamburgers I have ever eaten were actually in Paris. The book highlights many of these changes and features a wonderful collection of recipes spanning his ten year residence.

Filled with beautiful photographs and wonderful stories, My Paris Kitchen is both memoir and a cookbook. Much like David’s blog, the writing is conversational and light hearted. One of my favorite pages in the book describes his concept of “cooking ou pif” or cooking by the nose. It’s not supposed to be strict and stringent, it’s okay to change up recipes and try new things. Like I always say, cooking should be fun, it’s not a mystery! Just enjoy it!

Tasting Table NYC held a cocktail party Monday night to celebrate the release of David Lebovitz’s new book, My Paris Kitchen: Recipes and Stories and I was so honored to be invited to attend.

While David signed books and met with guests, trays of canapés were passed and a small buffet comprised of dishes and desserts inspired by the book were served. There were several delicious bites to be had; my favorite among them were the mini Croque-monsiers (pg.137) (Fried ham and cheese sandwiches) and the Terrine de canard aux figues (pg. 113) (Duck terrine with figs). The Vietnamese caramel ribs (pg.187) were also incredible, but I think they are best eaten with people you know because they are a bit messy and they make you want to lick your fingers clean!

In addition to David’s wonderful company, the guests were also granted a special treat- tastes of an extremely high quality Comté ‘Cru des Sapins’ by Marcel Petite, an affineur in Jura, France. This cheese was so good I had to stop myself from eating too much. It was perfectly balanced, with a strong but not aggressive taste- rich like caramel and butter with toasted nuts but also slightly sweet and fruity on the finish. The texture was creamy but firm and it went perfectly with the raw vegetables and Le grand aioli (pg. 145) on the table. It is a cheese that I will certainly attempt to track down as I’d love to have a bit more!

The cocktails and Champagne flowed and I definitely ate too much, but it was well worth it! Everything Tasting Table NYC prepared was delicious and a true testament to David’s wonderful recipes.

Now for the fun part- the Giveaway!

Each guest also received a book to take home (after being signed, of course!) which means that I now have two copies. As much as I love his cookbooks, it makes no sense for me to hoard two copies. So, I am giving away my original copy to one lucky Kitchen Conundrum reader.

All you have to do is comment below as to why you’d love the book and one winner will be chosen by random.org on Wednesday, May 21, 2014. You have until 11:59pm EST on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 to enter.

Good Luck!

The Small Print (BE SURE TO READ IT!)

Open to U.S. residents over the age of 18. Winners will be contacted by email and/or twitter after the giveaway ends. Winner has 48 hours to contact me with shipping information. If winner doesn’t leave twitter or email address or if the winner does not contact me with shipping info, winner will forfeit and another winner will be chosen. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send me an email!