Filed under: Cooking Tips
Ahhh spring is in the air……..The season has just arrived and I am already planning meals that incorporate the fresh produce spring has to offer. Moving away from winter comfort foods, my taste buds are more than ready to be tempted with new flavors.
Try brightening up dishes with lemon, enhance recipes with herbs, and highlight veggies to put a spring in your step. Salads will be a fixture on my table this season. They are a great way to incorporate veggies into your diet as a side or main dish. Adding different textures and flavors will keep salad from being run of the mill. Toasted nuts, sunflower or pomegranate seeds add an unexpected crunch and a pop of flavor. What I also love about salads is that they can be made savory, sweet, or a mix of both!
Best of Spring Two Sisters Gourmet Salad Recipes
Try all of these delicious TSG quick and easy recipes that feature spring produce. Your taste buds will thank you!
What is your favorite spring salad recipe?
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March 24, 2011
With March being National Sauce Month, I thought it would be a perfect time to highlight Two Sisters Gourmet delicious line of sauces. From BBQ to Simmerin’ Sauce, TSG sauces are perfect pantry staples to have on hand. What I love about bottled sauce is with a turn of the lid, and a few items from the fridge or freezer, I can create a tasty and satisfying meal. Perfect for bringing gourmet to everyday!
Think Outside the Bottle
It’s easy to get creative with TSG sauces. They are versatile, full of flavor, and no MSG.
Sisters Southern Sweet Barbecue Sauce
We all know that BBQ sauce is great brushed on grilled meats or as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders. Did you know it also makes a great sauce for pizza? Try TSG Southern Barbecue Pizza. Perfect for when the crowd is at your house for March Madness playoffs!
Serious Steak and Grilling Sauce
Who says steak sauce is just for steak? A perfect side dish, Sassy Baked Beans is a 5 ingredient recipe using items that you may already have on hand. This dish comes together in a matter of minutes and is full of protein.
Vermont Maple Dijon Grilling Sauce
Meatballs….we all have our favorite tried and true recipe. Want a meatball to remember? Try meatballs with Vermont Maple Dijon sauce — perfect party food.
Island Ponzu Sauce
Chicken and Shrimp Stir Fry is a delicious all in one meal. For an even healthier version, serve over brown rice or quinoa.
Slow Cooker Sauces
TSG’s Simmerin’ Sauce line up is an international flavor journey – no passport needed! In additional to making supper a snap when used in a slow cooker, these simmerin’ sauce recipes can also be made on the stove top. Perfect for when time is of the essence.
Tuscan Country Simmerin’ Sauce
A trip to Italy not in the budget? Tuscan Country Simmerin’ Sauce brings the fresh flavors of the Tuscan countryside to your table. Try the Simply Delicious Chicken Cacciatore – perfect comfort food after a long day.
Asian Barbeque Simmerin’ Sauce
Take a culinary trip to the Far East with Asian Barbeque Simmerin’ Sauce. Hints of soy, sesame, garlic, chili, and ginger combine for true Asian flavor. Try Hot & Sour Chicken Soup, perfect for when you feel a cold coming on!
Mild Madras Curry Simmerin’ Sauce
Your last stop on our International flavor tour is to India with Mild Madras Curry Simmerin’ Sauce. Tempt your family with Curried Butternut Squash Soup. Also a perfect recipe for when you’re expecting dinner guests.
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March 17, 2011
St. Patrick’s Day is an Irish holiday that even the non-Irish love to celebrate. From parades to Irish pubs, there are plenty of local festivities to enjoy. A tradition for my group of friends is to attend the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade (festively dressed in green of course). From there we walk to the local Irish pub for some of our favorite Irish foods — Sheppard’s pie and Irish stew. Add a Guinness and a little Irish dancing and we are transported to the Emerald Isle!
St. Patrick’s Day Irish Recipes
Another way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is to make Irish foods at home. Try delicious fare such as Beer Braised Irish Stew and Colcannon. Hearty beef stew is served over a mixture of mashed potatoes, bacon, and cabbage. Or for a quick and easy recipe, try Skillet Sheppard’s pie. For a fun and festive ending to your Irish meal bake Blarney Stone cookies. Don’t forget to decorate your table with festive green accents, candles, and cut out shamrocks.
TSG Irish Soda Bread
St. Patrick’s Day just isn’t complete without Irish Soda bread. Bake a loaf of this quick and easy bread for your celebration.
- Prepare TSG Beer Bread using 12-ounce club soda. Add ½ cup of orange flavored dried cranberries. Bake at 375 degrees F for 50-55 minutes or bake at 350 degrees F if using glass, ceramic or non-stick bread pan.
- Perfect for a hostess gift – wrap the loaf in a decorative tea towel and tie with a green ribbon.
An Old Irish Blessing
May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!
Have a safe and delicious St. Patrick’s Day!
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March 10, 2011
Who says you have to be in New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras, the French word for Fat Tuesday, is the last day of the Carnival season and falls the day before Ash Wednesday (and always 46 days before Easter). Why not celebrate this upcoming Fat Tuesday with some classic Mardi Gras recipes. Invite your friends, hand out Mardi Gras masks and beads and bring a little of the Big Easy to your block!
Easy Recipes for your Mardi Gras Party
Make Ahead Recipes for your Mardi Gras Party
Mardi Gras Drink Recipes
For a traditional drink to serve at your Mardi Gras party, try a New Orleans Hurricane. Need a festive drink for all ages? Try this non-alcoholic Hurricane recipe .
Mardi Gras Fun Facts
- Mardi Gras was actually originated in Mobile, Alabama in 1703
- Purple, green and gold are the traditional colors of Mardi Gras. The purple represents justice, green is faith and gold symbolizes power.
- Mardi Gras is a legal holiday in New Orleans
- King cake is the traditional treat for Mardi Gras. Similar to a coffee cake, they are brightly decorated with the colors purple, green and gold. A tiny baby doll is hidden within one of the slices. Custom dictates that the “lucky” recipient who gets the piece with the baby throws the next Mardi Gras party (or bakes the next King Cake).
What is your favorite Mardi Gras recipe?
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March 3, 2011
We have all tried them….and whether you prefer your tortilla chips fried or baked, salted or unsalted, they have made their way into our pantries as a snack staple. According to several online sites, Rebecca Webb Carranza is credited with founding the tortilla chip. Back in the late 1940’s, Rebecca and her husband owned a tortilla factory in California. Tortillas that were rejected due to their misshape, were fried and sold for 10 cents a bag. With today being National Tortilla Chip Day, I wanted share my favorite ways for super easy snacking with TSG.
Just like peanut butter and jelly, tortilla chips and salsa were made for each other. Open a jar of TSG Black Bean and Corn Salsa or Mango Peach Salsa and get the party started! Another natural partner for tortilla chips is guacamole. As I wrote about in a previous blog, homemade quac is a quick and easy recipe that will satisfy your next snack attack. Want to impress at your next potluck or get together? Try these delicious TSG dip recipes — TSG Fiesta Dip or TSG Layered Black Bean and Corn Dip. You will have them saying Olé!
Did you know that any of our TSG seasoning blends can be made into a delicious quick and easy dip for chips? Just mix 2 Tbsp of any TSG seasoning blend with ½ cup mayo and ½ sour cream — let flavors develop in the fridge for at least two hours. Serve with tortilla chips or your favorite dippers…A perfect make ahead dip recipe.
What’s your favorite way to snack with TSG?
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February 24, 2011
One of my first food memories is of spaghetti and meatballs. Growing up in a large family, going out to eat was a real treat. A couple times a month, all eight of us would pile into Dad’s car and head off to the local Italian restaurant. I can still picture the red and white checkered tablecloth and the excitement I felt when the waitress put down that large bowl of spaghetti and meatballs covered in tomato sauce. I remember feeling like a grown up when my parents would let me sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese on my pasta.
A Sunday tradition for my brother-in-law Bobby is to make meatballs and gravy (red sauce) for my sister Cindy and their 5 sons. The gravy is started at 7am and then slow cooked until 1pm. While the gravy simmers, Bobby makes the meatballs. He blends a mixture of ground chuck/pork and then adds Romano cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Bobby’s secret for keeping meatballs moist? One egg per pound of meat. After baking in the oven, the meatballs finish cooking in the homemade red sauce. Served on whatever pasta happens to be in the pantry that week, this satisfying meal is perfect fuel for the week ahead. Now that their sons are older, friends and girlfriends have become part of this tradition.
*Want to make your own meatball memories? Try Two Sisters Gourmet Chicken and Turkey Sausage Meatballs – a delicious twist on traditional meatballs. To restock your TSG pantry click here to find a consultant near you.
What’s your favorite food memory?
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February 17, 2011
With the current chill in the air, I can’t think of another comfort food that warms you from within like chili. Similar to what I found while writing The Great Stuffing Debate, people are passionate about their chili. From beef to vegetarian, beans or no beans, there is a chili for everyone. In addition to being so versatile, chili is a great way to feed a large family. And with hectic schedules being the norm, this dish is perfect for leaving on the stove to feed your hungry crew as they arrive home at different times. Another option is to make slow cooker chili that can be easily put together before you leave for work (it can cook for up to 10 hours on low). When you arrive home from a long day, the enticing aroma will greet you at the door – add a salad and cornbread for a complete and satisfying meal.
My friend Linda mentioned that her favorite part of eating chili is adding different toppings. Enter an Aha! moment for my next get-together at home – a make you own chili bar. In addition to the traditional shredded cheese, diced onions, and sour cream, I am going to put out bowls of cilantro (Linda’s favorite), limes, sweet corn, crushed corn chips, diced peppers, and slices of cornbread. Another friend of mine Nicci, along with her husband Mike sponsor a chili cook off at their home. This year there was a tie that resulted in a taste off between the top two chilies. How much fun is that?
*Need some jazzy cornbread recipes to serve with your chili? Check out Corny Beer Bread with a Mexican Twist or Spicy Corn Muffins with Cheddar perfect complements to your chili
*Want an all in one dish? TSG’s Chili Potpie with Cheddar Beer Biscuit Topping will hit the spot.
*Perfect for Meatless Mondays, try my favorite chili recipe The Best Vegetarian Chili Recipe in the World – even meat eaters will ask for seconds!!
*Did you know that there is an International Chili Society? Check out their informative website for upcoming chili cook-offs.
What is your favorite way to warm up with chili?
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February 10, 2011
I just read an interesting statistic. Thanksgiving is the biggest day of the year for food consumption. The second biggest day? If you guessed Christmas, Easter, or the 4th of July guess again – this honor goes to Super Bowl Sunday! Since the majority of the food that will be consumed on game day will be in front of the television, appetizers are a popular choice. Bring on the chips (14,500 tons will be consumed), dip, wings, pizza, meatballs, and veggie platters (remember — it’s all about balance…).
Hosting the Super Bowl festivities at your house? Celebrate in the end zone with Two Sisters Gourmet – whether you are rooting for the AFC or NFC we have your menu plan covered – Touchdown!
AFC Super Bowl Sunday TSG Appetizer Picks
NFC Super Bowl Sunday TSG Appetizer Picks
Morning after the Super Bowl………..
Can’t wait to try our Super Bowl appetizer picks? Easy online shopping is a click away…Go Team!!
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January 20, 2011
I love using my cast iron skillet mostly for its versatility. What other pan can you bake, broil, caramelize, fry, sauté, sear, use on the grill, and serve from. But what makes mine special is its history. A gift given to my Mom from her Mother- in-Law, this cast iron skillet dates back to 1958. Taken on many trips to the state park, it was packed in the car along with the kids, food, road maps, and a Boxer named Grimmick. Bacon and eggs, pancakes, chili, and baked beans were cooked or heated up in the cast iron skillet on a grate over the park fire pits. As the 5th child I missed out on those early family trips, but owning this cast iron skillet with its history makes me smile each time I use it.
My favorite use is searing meat which is easily accomplished using cast iron. The key is a scorching hot pan and not disturbing the meat as it develops a nice caramelized crust (see below). This usually takes only a couple of minutes per side. You can then transfer the skillet into a hot oven to achieve your desired internal temperature. After removing from the oven, it is important to let your meat “rest” for 5 – 10 minutes so the juices redistribute and not all end up on your cutting board (which will result in dry meat). Since using this cooking method, I have not grilled or broiled a steak. It is that good!
Cast iron seared steak
Cast Iron Tips/Fun Facts
- It is important that you season and clean cast iron properly for it to last you a lifetime and keep a nonstick finish. Read Cast Iron Cooking for great tips.
- In their expedition to the Louisiana territory in 1804, Lewis and Clark indicated that their cast iron Dutch oven was one of their most important pieces of equipment.
- George Washington’s mother thought so much of her cast iron cookware she made special note in her will to make sure the right person received it!
- Want a fun recipe to try in your cast iron skillet? Check out this recipe for Iron Skillet Pizza.
What is your favorite dish to cook in a cast iron skillet?
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January 13, 2011
For most people, the start of the New Year kicks off resolutions that often involve diet and exercise. As I wrote about in last week’s blog, the trend this year is towards healthy eating rather than fad diets. One proven healthy eating habit is making sure you do not skip breakfast. As we celebrate National Egg Month I thought it would only be appropriate to highlight one of the most popular breakfast foods known to man.
According to webmd.com, “a traditional breakfast of eggs may be one of the best ways to get your morning protein. While eggs are not always associated with weight loss, they contain some of the highest-quality protein. Also reported are those who eat eggs at breakfast, felt more satisfied and consumed fewer calories throughout the day, compared to those who ate a primarily carbohydrate meal like a bagel.”
When my sisters and I were young, my mom would prepare Eggs in a Nest to lure us to eat our breakfast. This dish is basically an egg served in toast rather than beside it. Simple and fun, it always did the trick.
Eggs in a Nest
From fried to poached, hard boiled to scrambled, there is an egg dish for everyone. For eye opening eggs, try our TSG Wake-Up! Scramble Eggs – breakfast with a kick!
What egg dish starts your day?
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January 6, 2011
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Ahhh spring is in the air……..The season has just arrived and I am already planning meals that incorporate the fresh produce spring has to offer. Moving away from winter comfort foods, my taste buds are more than ready to be tempted with new flavors.
