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Desserts

Heavenly HALO Olive Oil Cake

The olive oil I selected for my recipe was Arbequina. Arbequina is native to the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Arbequina olives produce an extra virgin olive oil that is intensely aromatic and its flavor profile strikes a delightful balance between grassy and peppery notes, finishing with a buttery almond flavor.

I thought that this particular olive oil flavor profile was perfect for an almond-olive oil cake – so I created a recipe for what I am calling Heavenly HALO Olive Oil Cake with a Brown Butter, Citrus & Almond Glaze. HALO stands for:

Honey,
Almond,
Lemon and
Orange

In both the cake batter and in the glaze, the honey, almond, lemon and orange come together in harmony with the olive oil for a symphony of (almost) sinful flavor.

The recipe is simple and you don’t have to bring out the stand mixer. Everything combines easily by hand in just a few mixing bowls.

When you taste the cake, you can tell that it’s made with olive oil because it’s so moist. And you don’t have to smother the cake in glaze because there’s a delicate sweetness to the cake itself that comes from the buttery almond flavor of the Pompeian Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

I absolutely loved how this cake turned out and can’t wait to use the other Pompeian Varietals in my cooking. The other Pompeian Varietals are stronger, bolder in their flavor profiles and lend themselves more to savory dishes. But the Arbequina olive oil is so light and versatile that you could use it in almost any baking recipe.

What’s your favorite recipe for baking with olive oil? If you use the Arbequina extra virgin olive oil in your next baking recipe, be sure to share it here on Baked Chicago. I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Now pardon me, but a slice of cake and a cup of coffee are calling my name….LOUDLY.

Heavenly HALO Olive Oil Cake with a Brown Butter, Citrus & Almond Glaze

Rating: 51

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 12 servings

Heavenly HALO Olive Oil Cake with a Brown Butter, Citrus & Almond Glaze

Ingredients

For Cake:

1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons whole wheat pastry flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon sea salt

3 large eggs

3/4 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 cup Pompeian Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil

3 tablespoons honey

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract

grated zest of 1 medium lemon

1/2 cup orange juice

For Glaze:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup confectioners' sugar

3 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup dry roasted almonds, chopped

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Generously grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt to thoroughly combine. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs to break up yolks. Add brown sugar and whisk it thoroughly. Add the olive oil and whisk until mixture is lighter in color and thickened (about 1 minute). Whisk in vanilla and almond extracts, followed by lemon zest and orange juice.

Add dry ingredients to the mixture and whisk until thoroughly combined. Continue whisking until batter is smooth and emulsified.

Pour batter into prepared baking pan. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes. Cake is done when it pulls away from the sides of pan and springs back lightly when touched. A cake tester or toothpick inserted should come out clean.

Allow cake to cool for 10 minutes in pan, then remove it and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack.

While cake cools, make the glaze. Melt butter over medium heat in a small saucepan. When butter is melted, lower heat and watch carefully until it turns a light tan color. Swirl in pan while heating to distribute heat evenly. It should smell slightly nutty. Turn off the heat and let it cool. It will continue to darken.

In a medium bowl, whisk milk with the confectioners' sugar until smooth. Slowly whisk in butter and lemon juice. Stir in chopped almonds. Spread the glaze on top of the cake and let it set.

http://bakedchicago.com/heavenly-halo-olive-oil-cake-recipe/

Soups, Salads & Sides

Soup Comforts, Warms Up a Brutal Winter!

Thank you Idahoan® Steakhouse® Soups for sponsoring this post. Grab yourself a bowl and celebrate National Soup Month with me!

I have a love, yet hate relationship with winter. I love how picturesque and pristine everything looks after a fresh snowfall. And consequently my dogs love romping around in the backyard through the drifts of snow. But when the wind chill goes below zero, that’s when my love for the beauty of winter turns to annoyance for the reality of just how cold it can be. The extended periods of cold, dry air saps my energy. Most of all, winter can make me a bit grumpy.

But one of the ways that I like to warm up my winter — and it’s been brutally cold so far — is with soup, soup, and more glorious soup! Whatever powers that be which named January as National Soup Month picked the perfect time to celebrate how comforting, nourishing, and totally satisfying a hot bowl of soup can be.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeUnkdAF0VP/?taken-by=bakedchicago

Personally, I love the versatility of soup. It can be simple or sophisticated. It can be a snack, a meal starter or the main course. For all of these reasons, I was excited to try for myself the new Idahoan® Steakhouse® Soups, available in four varieties:

Cheddar Broccoli
Loaded Potato
Creamy Potato
Cheddar Potato

When I’m preparing soup, I look first for flavor and then for convenience. Idahoan Steakhouse Soups bring together real, red Idaho® potatoes with flavorful seasonings and rich cheeses to provide a creamy taste in every spoonful.

First of all, I boiled four cups of water. Then I whisked in the Idahoan Steakhouse Soups Cheddar Broccoli flavor. So simple!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeVxD8aFFY8/?taken-by=bakedchicago

Soup’s On

For the first soup I tried, I decided to make a sourdough bread bowl — which is much easier than you might think. So I took a whole loaf of sourdough bread from my local bakery. I cut off the top third of the loaf. Then I hollowed out a bowl. Finally I garnished it with some shredded Cheddar cheese.

I was really impressed with the texture, because it had a variety of sizes of potato chunks. As a result, it made for a delicious balance of textures. It was almost like having little potato dumplings in a thick, creamy potage. Hence, my taste buds were very happy!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Gifts & Gadgets

Fighting Off the Arctic Blast with Fresh-Baked Cookies from My #MustHaveBox

DISCLOSURE: POPSUGAR sent me this Must Have Box to try.

The December #MustHaveBox from POPSUGAR had one item that really caught my eye on a wintery day like today: Baker’s Dozen Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix from Sisters Gourmet. I simply added eggs and butter and within 13 short minutes I had a pan of fresh-baked cookies ready to devour.

The rest of the #MustHaveBox included:

If you’d like to have some “Happiness Delivered” to your doorstep, try the Must Have Box from POPSUGAR. Get $5 off your first #MustHaveBox with promo code SHOP5.

Gifts & Gadgets

Don’t Monkey Around With My #MustHaveBox

DISCLOSURE: POPSUGAR sent me this Must Have Box to try.

I have to admit that I was extremely curious to find out what would be in my November #MustHaveBox from POPSUGAR. Last month’s box has this stylish compact umbrella (it’s in my glove compartment for those days when the rain sneaks up on me), a tall bottle of brown sugar vanilla shower oil (which I use daily to keep my skin moisturized as winter creeps in) and some dark chocolate cocoa (I’m saving this for the first measurable snow fall of the season).

With the November #MustHaveBox securely on my kitchen counter, I grabbed a box cutter and with ninja-like precision opened up the treasure chest to find:

KENDRA SCOTT Elaina Rose Gold Bracelet in White Pearl (Wow! This elegant bauble will make a terrific stocking stuffer for someone on Santa’s nice list.)
PEHR Chambray Runner in Wine (My dining room table was screaming for a new runner, and everything looks better in wine!)
STOWAWAY COSMETICS Dawn to Dusk Palette (My niece has a birthday coming up. This will help her look good from dawn to dusk, right!)
AJ GOODS Nest Wire Bowl (Perfect for bananas or apples. Doesn’t Monkey look cozy?)
MERI MERI Star Party Picks (These will be perfect for zazzing up appetizers for our next family holiday party.)
OOGIE’S SNACKS Gourmet Toffee Butter Popcorn (This was the first item I opened, and it was definitely the right choice. Deliciously salty and sweet, this toffee butter popcorn was totally addictive!)

I’m ready for December’s #MustHaveBox for sure! If you’d like to have “Happiness Delivered” to your doorstep, try the Must Have Box from POPSUGAR. Get $5 off your first #MustHaveBox with promo code SHOP5.

Gifts & Gadgets

My Kind of Favorite October Surprise? The #MustHaveBox from POPSUGAR

DISCLOSURE: POPSUGAR sent me this Must Have Box to try.

This #MustHaveBox arrived on my doorstep earlier this week. I’ve never received one before, and I was more than a little curious about what I’d find inside. When I opened the box, I found a treasure trove of five (5) eclectic goodies that included:

HENRI BENDEL Packable Umbrella (The perfect size for the glove compartment or briefcase)
LALICIOUS Brown Sugar Vanilla Shower Oil and Bubble Bath (Pardon me for about 90 minutes while I enjoy a hot soak in the tub)
MY CUP OF COCOA™ Dark Drinking Chocolate (Yum!)
MORNING CULTURE Rise & Shine Diner Mug (Everybody knows a classic diner mug is tots adorbs)
MAKEUP ERASURE Mini (I think one of my nieces will be glad to get this)

And there were two (2) special extras inside my #MustHaveBox:

POWER YOUR HAPPY by Lisa Sugar (Can’t wait to read the inside story from the founder of POPSUGAR)
REVLON® ColorStay™ Liquid Eye Pen (Another gift for the “other” niece so she doesn’t get jealous!)

Dark chocolate cocoa, a mug, brown sugar vanilla bubble bath and a good book….I’ve got everything I need for a relaxing, decadent bath.

I can’t wait until next month’s #MustHaveBox arrives to see what goodies are in store. Want “Happiness Delivered” to your doorstep? Try the Must Have Box from POPSUGAR. Get $5 off your first #MustHaveBox with promo code SHOP5.

Kitchen Confessions

Stay Satisfied Longer with #PowerfulProtein

STOUFFER'S Fit Kitchen at Walmart #PowerfulProtein #CollectiveBias #ad

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PowerfulProtein #CollectiveBias

I’m a planner. When it comes to meal options, I have to plan ahead. My schedule is too hectic to leave what’s for lunch or dinner up to chance. And it’s usually when I don’t know what is on the menu and I’m too tired to think that I can make poor choices.

That’s especially true when faced with the question of “what’s for lunch?” at the office. I hate the wasted time of running out of the building, and I definitely don’t have time to sit down in a restaurant. So the outcome is usually finding whatever fast food restaurant is closest to the office that will get me back to my desk pronto. That’s not very satisfying and I usually find I’m hungry again late in the afternoon.

So instead, I like to take my lunch with me to work. Often that means leftovers from the night before or a sandwich I’ve made with ingredients I’ve personally put together. Not only is that a big time- and money-saver, it’s also usually better for me.

But sometimes there’s just isn’t time to make either of those things happen. And that’s where my advanced planning saves the day and satisfies my hunger. You see I actively plan for those days where I don’t have time to make a homemade lunch or snack from scratch by making sure my freezer is stocked with high-protein meal options like the new STOUFFER’S® Fit Kitchen.

Just how high is the protein? Each STOUFFER’S® Fit Kitchen meal option is packed with 25 grams of protein or more. The STOUFFER’S® Fit Kitchen Steak Fajita smells intoxicating coming out of the microwave – and it’s ready in under 10 minutes. Close your eyes, breathe in deep and take a bite. You’re tastebuds will think they’re in Mexico! It’s a tender prime steak in a smoked red chile sauce (see the green and red peppers!) and it comes with a side of brown rice (my fave!) that is seasoned with black beans and corn.

The steak fajita was deliciously satisfying and quite good. But I think my favorite is the Cilantro Lime Chicken. The white meat chicken mixed in with the brown rice in a verde tomatillo sauce was protein perfection. The red bell peppers gave it a pop of color and a sweet simmering heat.

Like I said, I have to plan for those days when I don’t have time to make lunch. So whenever I need to stock up the freezer or fridge, I go to my local Walmart and hang a left down the single serve entrees aisle in the frozen foods section.

I found all of the STOUFFER’S® Fit Kitchen meals in a special high-protein section of the freezer.

They’re easy to spot. And they come in some great meal options, like STOUFFER’S® Fit Kitchen Steak Fajita, Cilantro Lime Chicken, Rotisserie Seasoned Turkey, Bourbon Steak, Oven Roasted Chicken and Monterey Chicken.

I’ve found that STOUFFER’S® Fit Kitchen meals are also great for satisfying late night snack cravings. With summer schedules, I might miss a meal or eat earlier than usual to enjoy the great weather outside. Sometimes I get a strong hunger pang about 10 pm, which is too late to eat something big but also too early to go to bed and wait until morning for breakfast. I feel better choosing something packed with lean protein instead of, say, chips or popcorn.

Try STOUFFER’S® Fit Kitchen for yourself. You’ll find that the protein definitely leaves you satisfied.

How would the new STOUFFER’S® Fit Kitchen fit into your active lifestyle? Discover all of the STOUFFER’S® Fit Kitchen meals by following STOUFFER’S® on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

Events & Entertaining

What Makes a Fanboy’s Saturday Night Extra Fun? A Sci-Fi Marathon + Pizza!

#DIGIORNO #YouBeTheJudge #CleverGirls #ad DiGiorno pizzeria thin supreme speciale pizza

Every Saturday night in early summer, you’ll find my TV set ready to record my latest science fiction obsession: Season 3 of Orphan Black on the BBC America channel. Typically, I record it so I can watch it whenever I want. But before the season premier of season three, I had to watch the entire second season in a Saturday night marathon filled with clones, intrigue and DIGIORNO®’s new pizzeria! thin supreme speciale pizza.

DIGIORNO has four new pizzeria! thin pizzas: primo pepperoni, spinach & mushroom, margherita and supreme speciale. The supreme speciale is topped with Italian sausage, premium pepperoni, red and green pepper strips, and caramelized onions. The sauce is made from vine-ripened tomatoes, basil, thyme and oregano — and it’s topped with real mozzarella cheese.

I ADORE THIN CRUST PIZZA. And I’ve been a fan of DIGIORNO’s Rising Crust Pizza. But I’m extremely picky when it comes to thin crust pizza. You want the crust to be crunchy without being dry or easily burned.

So what makes DIGIORNO’s new pizzeria! thin crust different? It’s drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and it’s proofed for almost 90 minutes before being baked in a 700° oven. Wow! When you open the freshness wrap you can see the quality of ingredients.

This new thin crust delivers on the promise of a crispy outside and a soft & airy inside. Because of the herbs and olive oil, it reminded me of a great Italian focaccia bread fresh out of a hearth oven. For the culinary-challenged, it’s easy to get these results by following simple baking directions.

Preheat your oven to 375° F. It’s important to keep the pizza frozen until it’s ready to go into the oven. After the oven is done preheating, remove the pizza from the freshness wrap.

Place it directly on the center oven rack. I took a wire baking rack, which I lightly sprayed with olive oil non-stick spray, and placed the pizza on that to make removing it from the oven easier.

After about 18 minutes, the pizza should be ready. You’ll know it’s done when the cheese is melted and the edges are a golden brown. Let is stand for a few minutes before slicing and eating.

As you slice the pizza, you can hear how crunchy the crust has turned out.

I really like the square shape, which makes it easier to slice into uniform pieces. And there’s plenty of slices to share with the guys. Add in a side salad, or some humus with chips, and you’re ready for a marathon viewing session of mind-blowing science fiction.

So far I have tried three of DIGIORNO’s new pizzeria! thin flavors: margherita, supreme speciale and primo pepperoni. The margherita reminded me of the margherita pizza I had in Naples, Italy, on a family trip a few years back. You could tell the mozzarella couldn’t have been any better unless you made it fresh yourself. But I think my favorite is the primo pepperoni because the pepperoni is so darned good.

If you’re a true fan (or fanboy!) of thin crust pizza, then you should try DIGIORNO’s new pizzeria! thin pizza. And DIGIORNO is so confident that you’ll agree this new pizzeria! thin is delicious that it offers a “Love It or It’s Free Guarantee” refund. If for some reason you don’t like it, you can visit DIGIORNO.com for information on how to get a refund.

Now I’ve told you what I think of DIGIORNO pizzeria! thin. DIGIORNO would love to hear from other fanboys and fangirls about what you think of the new pizzeria! thin pizzas. Taste one for yourself and visit DIGIORNO on Facebook or Twitter to share your feedback and photos. Be sure to use the hashtag #YouBeTheJudge.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Kitchen Confessions/ Soups, Salads & Sides

Quality Oil Fuels Better Performance for Road Trips…and Picnics

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FuelTheLove #CollectiveBias

When summer arrives, I get very excited. Excited because summer means fresh fruits and vegetables. And summer also means it’s time to jump in the car with my four pugs to take a road trip. When I can combine the two – like a road trip that ends in a fresh foods-filled picnic – I’m in heaven.

But before I head out on any road trip, I’ve got to gas up the car and have the oil levels checked. I mean who wants to break down on the side of the road in the summer heat? Just like your body needs water to hydrate and run properly, your car needs quality gas and oil to perform its best. [On the night of my high school graduation, my car broke down after midnight in the middle of the country with no houses in site. I was stuck for hours – this was before cell phones were invented – and I promised myself that would never happen again. So I always make sure my car is serviced and ready to roll before heading out of town.]

So I drove to my local Walmart Super Store and dropped off my Nissan Rogue (The best car ever! And the first car I’ve ever really loved.) at the Auto Center for an oil change and to get all the fixings for a picnic.

I learned that Pennzoil was offering a Rollback price at Walmart Automotive Care Center Stores until September 9, 2015. I always get the Platinum Full Synthetic motor oil because it provides the best protection and cleanliness among all Pennzoil oils.

I trust Pennzoil and have used it in my cars for years. It helps clean out the sludge that other oils can leave behind, which keeps my car in top performance. And I like that Pennzoil provides a free warranty for its products.

I dropped my car off with the friendly Automotive Care Center Department Manager, and I was on my way to get the ingredients for a fresh tomato and cantaloupe salad. [Spoiler Alert: They were done with my oil change before I was done grabbing my grocery goodies. How convenient is that!]

There’s a lot to love about this recipe. It has only four ingredients. And the key to its refreshing, sophisticated taste is quality extra virgin olive oil and fresh mint. Seriously. A quality olive oil can make all the ingredients of a dish work together beautifully, much like how a quality automotive oil can help your car’s engine work more smoothly.

Now I’m ready (as is my car) for a summer filled with road trips, picnics and fun. If you could go anywhere on a road trip picnic, where would you go and what would you bring in your picnic basket?

Where will the road take you this summer?

Tomato-Cantaloupe Salad

Rating: 51

12 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 cantaloupe, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

Instructions

Gather your ingredients. Slice the tomatoes. Cut the cantaloupe. Chop the mint.

Put the tomatoes and cantaloupe in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil, add chopped mint and gently toss to coat. Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container.

http://bakedchicago.com/quality-oil-fuels-better/

Beverages

Jamba Juice’s Fresh-Pressed 100% Juice is On-the-Go Goodness

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Jamba Juice. All opinions are 100% mine.

Jamba Juice has always been known for delicious smoothies, and now it has launched a new line of Fresh Squeezed Juices that are jam-packed with fresh-pressed real fruits with absolutely no preservatives and that refresh the body with 100% juice.

This “on-the-go goodness” comes in a variety of flavors like:

Tropical Greens
Citrus Kick
Veggie Harvest
Orange Reviver
Carrot Cayenne
Garden Medley
Orange Carrot Twist
Orange Berry Antioxidant
Kale Orange Power
Triple Revitalizer
Tropical Kick-Start

Every time I stroll up to the Jamba Juice counter, my senses get totally engaged. From the intoxicating smell of the fresh fruits to the sounds of the professional-grade mixers and the sights of fruits blending perfectly together.

There are so many enticing flavors that choosing just one fresh, cold-pressed juice was hard, but I had to try to the Tropical Kick-Start™ with fresh orange juice and mangos. Yum! I knew the fresh ingredients would be healthy, but I didn’t realize that they were also in line with a paleo diet. Good to know!

After all the fresh ingredients were assembled, they were put into the blender.

https://instagram.com/p/02zuKsAoiU/?taken-by=bakedchicago

The blender works so fast that it’s done in a jiffy.

And then my Tropical Kick-Start™ fresh juice blend was ready to pour.

Food and drink is always better when it’s prepared in front of you. When I come back, I’m definitely going to try the Orange Berry Antioxidant flavor, with fresh orange juice, strawberries and blueberries. It sounds berry delicious.

Find Your Closest Store to try a freshly squeezed juice for yourself. Which flavor will you try first?

Post the flavor you want to try most in the comments section below. Each comment will be entered in a random drawing to win a $20 Jamba Juice gift card.

Snacks & Candies

Wholesome Snacking Options With Minute® Ready to Serve Rice

Like most of America, I’ve grown up with Minute® Rice. And for the last several years, I’ve cooked Minute® Instant Whole Grain Brown Rice at least a few times every week. Some weeks, I have it every day in some dish or another. It’s definitely a staple in my pantry! That’s why I was beyond excited when I was asked to try the new Minute® Ready to Serve Rice products. Thank you, Minute® Rice, for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.

When I first noticed Minute® Ready to Serve Rice in its individual portion packages, I didn’t buy it because I tend to buy the largest boxes of Minute® Instant Whole Grain Brown Rice that I can find at my local grocery store. So I was delighted when I discovered a number of new flavor (and whole grain) options in the Minute® Ready to Serve product line, including Brown Rice, Brown & Wild Rice, Multi-Grain Medley, Jasmine Rice, White Rice, Chicken Rice Mix, Yellow Rice Mix, Fried Rice Mix, and (the newest addition) Black Beans & Rice.

While I’ve mastered using Minute® Instant Whole Grain Brown Rice in my Harvey’s One-Skillet Wonder, I was curious to try the single portion servings because they are portable, offer easy portion control, and require only heating since they’re already cooked.

I hate (yes, HATE!) going out to eat for lunch at work. In addition to the high cost of eating out, it’s time-consuming, inconvenient and there’s little control over the quality (or wholesomeness) of the ingredients used. After seeing a HUGE-mongous number (over 70 and counting!) of Minute® Ready to Serve Rice Stir It Up! “No Recipe Recipes” for smarter snacks and easy meals on-the-go, I was inspired to create my own stir-in ideas with ingredients from my kitchen. And after a holiday season of irresistible sweet treats, I was committed to discovering some wholesome snacking options that I could easily incorporate into my day (at work or on the weekends).

My first inspiration was an Italian Vegetable Blend. I heated 1/2 cup of frozen Italian Blend Vegetables in the microwave until hot (about 2 minutes) before stirring in one heated portion of Minute® Ready to Serve Brown & Wild Rice. The frozen Italian blend I used included broccoli, carrots, bell peppers and black beans. I then sprinkled about 1/2 teaspoon of Italian Seasoning on top and stirred well. This was “molto buona.” The red bell peppers, black beans and rice blend was just enough for a light meal, side dish or snack. It could easily be turned into a heartier lunch at the office with the addition of some grilled, Italian-style carved chicken breast.

I love breakfast any time of the day, but admittedly don’t often have rice for breakfast. So I took three ingredients from my refrigerator that I’d normally use in making scrambled eggs or an omelet: sausage, cheese and sun-dried tomato. The result was my Cheesy Chicken Sausage with Sun-Dried Tomato dish, which would be a perfect hot (and quick) breakfast on a cold winter morning. Just heat one serving of Minute® Ready to Serve Multi-Grain Medley and set aside. In a small bowl, heat 3 chicken sausage links (cut into 1/2-inch slices) and about 1 tablespoon of sun-dried tomato (Julienne cut) for about 2 minutes in the microwave. When done, add the Minute® Ready to Serve Rice and top with 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese (I used a Mexican Taco blend) and stir well. This would also be a great (and hearty) weekend lunch option when you’re not in the mood to spend time cooking over the stove.

After a flurry of holiday cooking, I realized I had some left over dried cranberries that I needed to use or lose! I decided to take some frozen mixed vegetables, along with jarred sliced mushrooms, to create a holiday-inspired Cranberry Rice Pilaf. If you’ve made rice pilaf a lot, you know there are a zillion versions of rice pilaf recipes out there. Use whatever ingredients you have on hand and that you love most. To make my version, heat one serving of Minute® Ready to Serve Brown Rice in the microwave, according to package directions, and set aside. In another bowl, heat about 1/2 cup of frozen peas and carrots with a few sliced mushrooms (if available) for about 2 minutes on high. Remove from microwave and mix with Minute® Ready to Serve Rice. Top with about 1 tablespoon dried cranberries and stir to mix thoroughly.

I literally bought every flavor of Minute® Ready to Serve Rice carried by my local grocery store. I’m excited to try the Black Beans & Rice and continue experimenting with other stir-in ingredients from my pantry. Check out the complete list of Minute® Ready to Serve Rice products and share with me in the comments section below what stir-in ideas you’re inspired to try in creating a wholesome, yummy snack on the fly!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Minute® Ready to Serve Rice.

Desserts

Heavenly HALO Olive Oil Cake

When I was asked to create a recipe for a new flavor of premium extra virgin olive oil, I jumped at the chance. I love baking with olive oil because it makes cakes so rich, moist. The folks over at Pompeian have created a premium line of mono-varietal (i.e. produced from a single grape) extra virgin olive oils called the Pompeian Varietals Collection. This new line is meant to celebrate the unique flavor profile that a single type of olive provides, while allowing the consumer a chance to learn about the unique journey behind each bottle.

The collection consists of three types of olives:

Arbequina – a mild-bodied extra virgin olive oil with a round taste of fruitiness and a delicate sweetness.
Picholine – a medium-bodied extra virgin olive oil with a fruitiness and hints of herbs that works well with meats or sauces.
Koroneiki – a full-bodied extra virgin olive oil with robust fruitiness and a peppery finish that is perfect for soups or salads.

One of the cool things about Pompeian Varietals is that you can track the story of the olives from harvest to your table. You can uncover the history behind each bottle — starting at the mill, country and harvest date and ending at your very own kitchen table.

Honey,
Almond,
Lemon and
Orange

In both the cake batter and in the glaze, the honey, almond, lemon and orange come together in harmony with the olive oil for a symphony of (almost) sinful flavor.

The recipe is simple and you don’t have to bring out the stand mixer. Everything combines easily by hand in just a few mixing bowls.

Heavenly HALO Olive Oil Cake with a Brown Butter, Citrus & Almond Glaze

Rating: 51

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 12 servings

Heavenly HALO Olive Oil Cake with a Brown Butter, Citrus & Almond Glaze

Ingredients

For Cake:

1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons whole wheat pastry flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon sea salt

3 large eggs

3/4 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 cup Pompeian Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil

3 tablespoons honey

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract

grated zest of 1 medium lemon

1/2 cup orange juice

For Glaze:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup confectioners' sugar

3 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup dry roasted almonds, chopped

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Generously grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt to thoroughly combine. Set aside.

Add dry ingredients to the mixture and whisk until thoroughly combined. Continue whisking until batter is smooth and emulsified.

Allow cake to cool for 10 minutes in pan, then remove it and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack.

In a medium bowl, whisk milk with the confectioners' sugar until smooth. Slowly whisk in butter and lemon juice. Stir in chopped almonds. Spread the glaze on top of the cake and let it set.

http://bakedchicago.com/heavenly-halo-olive-oil-cake/

Events & Entertaining

#ad Huddle Up with Tyson® Any’tizers and KRAFT Dipping Sauces for a Winning Big Game Snack

When I’m planning a party around the Big Game, I want my guests to have as much fun as possible. That means feeding them well while we’re all hanging out together rooting for our favorite teams. I know I’m going to have a winning Big Game snack every time when I serve Tyson® Any’tizers with some creamy KRAFT dipping sauces. So my first play is to stock up at my local Walmart. You’ll find special endcaps for Tyson at Walmart, and many Tyson products are on rollback for just $5.98.

There’s a Tyson Any’tizer for every taste, and having a well-stocked freezer gives me home field advantage. So I picked up some:

Tyson® Any’tizers Boneless Chicken Wyngz
Tyson® Crispy Chicken Strips
Tyson® Any’tizers Chicken Fries (my favorite!)
Tyson® Any’tizers Popcorn Chicken (maybe these are my favorite, too!)

Then I headed over to the KRAFT dipping sauces shelves where I was blown away at some of the new flavors. Of course, I picked up the classic KRAFT Homestyle Ranch Dressing & Dipping Sauce. Then I also sacked two new flavors I couldn’t wait to try:

KRAFT Velveeta Cheesy Ranch
KRAFT Grey Poupon Dijon Ranch

When I’m getting my party playing field set up, I make sure I’ve got the entire team ready for action.

I want my guests to relax and have a great time. And I do, too. That means no dishes for me and easy serving options for my guests. I love disposable paper cups which can be both a vessel for your favorite beverage – or a portable portal for Tyson Any’tizers and KRAFT dipping sauce. I encourage my guests to create their own 2-dip immersions and try all of the KRAFT dipping sauces and combinations.

There’s always the occasional fumble, but that’s why they invented napkins! The Big Game Day is all about celebrating sports and enjoying friends and family. So when there’s a fumble on the food field, you just run with it for the field goal.

It’s a Wrap!

Tyson Any’tizers and KRAFT dipping sauces are perfect football foods. And together they make a winning combination that can’t be beat, so I created a Make-It-Yourself Chicken Wrap Huddle station stocked with:

corn and flour tortillas (small and large)
diced plum tomatoes
sliced black olives
shredded mozzarella cheese
shredded Cheddar cheese
shredded baby spinach (you could substitute shredded lettuce, if you wish)

Guests have their choice of Tyson Crispy Chicken Strips or Tyson Any’tizers. Chicken Fries or Popcorn Chicken are especially great to quarterback a homestyle chicken wrap. Then guests pick their favorite fixings, and top it off with a KRAFT dipping sauce (or two!). I couldn’t believe how many different Tyson/KRAFT chicken wrap combinations that you can make! You’ll see just a few of my favorite combos in this animated GIF:

For more ideas on how to create your own super moments with Tyson® Chicken and KRAFT Ranch Dressings & Dips, check out their Super Moments website. Capture and share your own super moments by uploading them using the #SuperMoments hashtag for a chance to win an incredible prize package. You can also follow Tyson on Twitter (@TysonTweets) or Facebook.

Go for the touch down and check out this video for more super moments ideas for planning your Game Day Party!