Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Gimbal’s Valentine’s Sweepstakes

January 13, 2015 by Shanna Hatfield

gimbals

Gimbal’s Fine Candies Announces Valentine’s Day Sweepstakes

Participants able to win a basket filled with gourmet candies

Gimbal’s Fine Candies recently announced the start of its 2015 Valentine’s Day Sweepstakes. By entering through the Gimbal’s Facebook page, you have a chance to win a picnic basket packed to the brim with bags of Gimbal’s famous Lovers Line candies. The sweepstakes runs from  through February 9th, and anyone who enters will automatically receive 10% off their next online purchase.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s a great time to enter to win. The basket will include a variety of Gimbal’s Cherry Lovers, Sour Lovers and Cinnamon Lovers heart shaped candies, bursting with intense, mouthwatering flavor.

Made with gourmet ingredients such as real fruit juice and real cinnamon oil, all of Gimbal’s products are also free of major food allergens including gluten, dairy, and eggs. These ingredients are not allowed in any of Gimbals’ facilities, to avoid any risk of cross contamination.

To enter the sweepstakes visit, https://www.facebook.com/gimbalscandy

About Gimbal’s Fine Candies

Gimbal’s Fine Candies was founded in 1898 in downtown San Francisco. The company survived the 1906 earthquake and resulting fires. Four generations later, all of the staff at Gimbal’s remains just as passionate about confections as it was over 100 years ago. From old-time favorites to innovative new candies, everything Gimbal’s creates is made with pride in the USA.

For additional information on Gimbal’s Fine Candies, visit www.gimbalscandy.com or call 1-800-344-6225.

Posted in Contests | Tagged , , | 5 Comments »

Seven Layer Bar Cake

December 22, 2014 by Shanna Hatfield

7-layer cake plated

I am a bundt cake junkie.

There, I admitted it. I feel so much better now.

A few months ago, I experimented with a can of Sweetened Condensed Milk and a vanilla bundt cake, providing the inspiration for this delicious, decadent, divine cake that you must run into your kitchen and make right this moment if you have even a passing fondness for Seven Layer Bars.

Yes, Seven Layer Bars. You know – those incredibly yummy bar cookies with coconut, pecans, chips and sweetened condensed milk over a graham cracker crust.

Instead of a graham cracker crust, I substituted an entire rich, moist, chocolatey cake.

Was that ever a tasty decision.

This isn’t hard to make. If you take the plunge, your taste buds will dance in elation while your knees grow weak from the splendor of it all.

Should you happen to leave a slice for Santa, I promise it will bump you to the top of the nice list!

7-layer cake ingredients

Ingredients

Start by mixing up the cake batter.

Start by mixing up the cake batter.

Pour a can of sweetened condensed milk into a bundt pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

Pour a can of sweetened condensed milk into a bundt pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

Sprinkle pecans over milk.

Sprinkle pecans over milk.

Next up - butterscotch chips.

Next up – butterscotch chips.

Don't forget the chocolate chips!

Don’t forget the chocolate chips!

Toss on some coconut.

Toss on some coconut.

The last layer is the cake batter.

The last layer is the cake batter.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about an hour or until a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean. Remove and let cool completely in pan. (You can even stick this in the freezer for a while if you want.)

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about an hour or until a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean. Remove and let cool completely in pan. (You can even stick this in the freezer for a while if you want.)

Seven Layer Bar Cake

1 Chocolate Cake Mix (18 ounce box)

1 small box of instant chocolate pudding

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup oil

3 eggs

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 cup butterscotch chips

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup coconut

1 can sweetened condensed milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine first six ingredients in a large mixing bowl (cake mix, pudding, sour cream, water, oil and eggs). Mix on medium speed until well blended.  The batter will be really thick.

Thoroughly spray a bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray. When you think you’ve coated every crevice, give it one more spray!

Pour the can of sweetened condensed milk into the bottom of the bundt pan.

Sprinkle on pecans, followed by butterscotch chips, chocolate chips and then the coconut. Last, spoon in the cake batter.

Bake one hour or until edges start to pull away from the pan or a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Do not overbake!

Let cool completely before turning over onto serving platter or cake plate.

Prepare to dazzle your guests and have to beat a few of  them off with a stick when they get a taste of this cake!

Merry Christmas and Happy Baking!

She Who Loves This Cake

Posted in Cake, Desserts, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments »

Beef Barley Soup

December 12, 2014 by Shanna Hatfield

Beef Soup platedIf you’re looking for a warm bowl of comfort food on a cold wintery day, this hearty beef and barley soup definitely fits the bill.

Easy to make, you can serve a large group with this recipe.

Add a green salad and some toasted bread on the side and you’ve got a great meal.

Ingredients

Ingredients

Take about two pounds of stew meat and trim off most of the fat, cutting it into bite-sized pieces.

Take about two pounds of stew meat and trim off most of the fat, cutting it into bite-sized pieces.

Season with an all-purpose seasoning and salt.

Season with an all-purpose seasoning and salt.

Cover with foil and bake in a 350 degree oven for 2 1/2 hours.

Cover with foil and bake in a 350 degree oven for 2 1/2 hours.

Doesn't that look yummy? Don't you want to just snitch a piece?

Doesn’t that look yummy? Don’t you want to just snitch a piece?

When the meat is almost done, add water and broth to your stock pot.

When the meat is almost done, add water and broth to your stock pot.

Add the remaining ingredients and cover then cook on medium-high heat until it reaches a nice roiling boil.

Add the remaining ingredients and cover then cook on medium-high heat until it reaches a nice roiling boil.

Add meat, cover and let simmer on medium heat for about 15 minutes.

Add meat, cover and let simmer on medium heat for about 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

Enjoy!

Beef Barley Soup

2 pounds of stew meat, cut into bite-sized chunks

1 cup celery, cut into small pieces

1 cup frozen corn

1 cup frozen peas and carrots

4 cups chicken broth

8 cups water

1 cup Quick Barley

1 tbsp. parsley flakes

1 tbsp. all-seasoning

2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. onion flakes (or add real onion pieces if you like)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Using a nine-inch cast iron skillet, give it a light coat of non-stick cooking spray. Place stew meat in the pan, add 2 tsp. all-seasoning and 1 tsp. salt. Cover with foil and bake 2 1/2 hours.

Just before the meat is done, put eight cups of water on to boil in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan or stock pot. (I used an 8-quart pot).

Add the chicken broth, salt, vegetables, barley, remaining seasoning, and parsley flakes (I happened to find some left-over potatoes in the fridge and tossed them in, too!) Cover and bring this to a boil.

Once it gets rolling, add the meat. Make sure you scrape all the delicious beefy goodness from the bottom of the pan into the soup. Cover and turn heat down to medium, letting this simmer for about 15 minutes, until veggies are cooked through.

Serve and enjoy!

She Who Loves a Warm Bowl of Soup on a Cold Day

Posted in Comfort Food, Easy Recipes | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments »

Garnishing and Decorating Ideas for All Seasons

December 5, 2014 by Shanna Hatfield

garnishing

If you are looking for one go-to guide to dazzle your guests, check out Garnishing & Decorating Ideas for All Seasons by Georg Hartung.

This delightful little book offers step-by-step instructions for creating edible art guaranteed to earn you the title of hostess with the mostess. Arranged by the season, you’ll find everything from spring ideas through winter treats.

Snowman

Isn’t this marzipan snowman adorable? I definitely want to make one of these. There are also directions for making marzipan roses, a hedgehog, piglet and mouse.

White chocolate mousseThis recipe for White Chocolate Mousse looked to yummy, I was momentarily tempted to lick the page. Love the garnish of kiwi and red currant that make it so festive.

Moz skewers

Lest you think I’m all about the sweets (which I totally am), check out this colorful and lovely presentation for Mozzarella Skewers. I want one right now! Just looking at the balsamic drizzle makes my mouth water!

There’s also suggestions for tools, tips on how to make a piping bag and more!

Published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd., you can find his book on their website at schifferbooks.com

Posted in Entertaining at Home | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »