Tuttorosso Quick and Savory Pasta Sauce and a *GIVEAWAY*

Earlier this month I was contacted by Tuttorosso Tomatoes to help promote their Ultimate Daily Giveaway on Facebook.

As promised here is a product recipe/review and my very first *GIVEAWAY*. The giveaway consists of a Tuttorosso gift pack that includes the following items:

~ 1 29oz can of Peeled Plum Shape Tomatoes
~ 1 29oz can of Crushed Tomatoes with Basil
~ 1 29oz can of Tomato Sauce
~ 3 recipe cards for meals featuring Tuttorosso products
~ 1 Tuttorosso oven mitt
~ 1 Tuttorosso beverage koozie
~ 1 cooking conversions card


To enter the giveaway please see the details after the post! Good luck!!

One of the items I received from Tuttorosso was recipe cards. Always on the lookout for new recipes to try I grabbed the one for Quick and Savory Pasta Sauce and got to work!

I made a few small tweaks to the ingredient list based on my likes (aka I prefer ground meat over sausage) so definitely go with what you like! 

My supermarket had a "meatloaf"mix which was a combination of ground beef, pork and veal. I prefer the mix because I feel it doesn't get as dried out and has more flavor. If you want to go the all ground beef/turkey/whatever route - go for it! I'm sure it won't disappoint.

First add the olive oil to a pot over medium/high heat.

Add the minced garlic.

Add the 2 cans of tomatoes (crushed and sauce), tomato paste, basil, oregano, sugar, and water. Season with salt and pepper.

Toss in the fresh parsley.

Bring the sauce up to a boil. Once boiling reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 30 minutes to blend all of the flavors.

While simmering make your favorite pasta and some garlic bread. Before you know it it will be time to dig in! Be prepared, you will have more sauce than you know what to do with. I let mine cool and put it in a freezer bag to use another time. You could even freeze individual portions (I should have thought of that sooner!!)

I want to give a big THANK YOU to Tuttorosso for being interested enough in me to send me such a great gift pack...Now for the giveaway!

To enter just answer the question "What would you make with the Tuttorroso Gift Pack?" in the Rafflecopter box below.

If you want additional entries here's how to get them:

- Like Simply Gourmet in Southie on Facebook

- Like Tuttorosso Tomatoes on Facebook

- Tweet about the giveaway saying: "I just entered to #win a #Tuttorosso Gift Pack from @emilyjgoodman and @RedGoldTomatoes at http://simplygourmetinsouthie.blogspot.com/2012/12/tuttorosso-quick-and-savory-pasta-sauce.html

A winner will be announced on Wednesday, December 26th. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CONGRATS TO THE **GIVEAWAY** WINNER: Jaime Ganson

Guest Post: "My Stocking Series" on La Vie...J'aime

I am happy to be guest posting on my good friend Jaime's blog today (www.laviejaime.com) as part of her annual "My Stocking Series" for the second year in a row!

Head over to Jaime's blog and see what I put in my stocking!

Here is my stocking from 2011 as well!

Happy Holidays!

My Holiday *KITCHEN* Faves for 2012

With the holiday right around the corner here are some of my favorite kitchen items I would like to receive this year!

What are some items on your wish list?

Sur La Table Better Batter Whisks - I think I like the hot pink the best! 

West Elm Oversized Mug - in my house we LOVE bowls with handles. I need a set of these ASAP!

Silpat Non-Stick Baking Mat - a must for holiday cooking baking marathons!

Anthropologie Angel Food Cake Apron - The lace on this apron is so pretty

The Pasta Shoppe - Pasta With Personality® - they have every shape you can think of! These are my 2 personal favorite shapes...I'm a sucker for cowboy boots and horseshoes :)

Fresh City Catered Salad Bar

A few weeks ago Fresh City was nice enough to contact me and offered to set up a salad bar in my office for 20 people.

How generous is that???

If you haven't experiences Fresh City yet you really need to check them out! With locations in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey they serve a variety of stir fry, burritos, salads, sandwiches, soups, and smoothies. Their motto is "Live Life to the Freshest!" and they do this by using naturally-raised meat, poultry and seafood, hand-picked produce, cut fresh daily, and organic ingredients. 

Below are some of the beautiful images of our salad bar courtesy of Fresh City. 

If you are looking for a creative catering order for your next office lunch I would highly recommend this salad bar!

Make sure to visit your nearest Fresh City for breakfast, lunch or dinner soon!

The Perfect Breakfast Sandwich

Sunday is the perfect day for brunch.

I broke out an electric griddle I bought a few years ago to make some breakfast sandwiches and they were AWESOME!

Here is what I did:

Set the griddle to 275 F and place the applewood smoked bacon on first. Cook for approximately 10 minutes, flipping the bacon over every few minutes.

**I wipe the excess bacon grease off the griddle as it cooks with paper towel held with tongs.

When the bacon has about 3 minutes left to cook butter a bagel and place on the griddle, cut side down. Press down gently with a spatula.

Crack an egg in the center of the griddle. Season with pepper and cook for 1 minute. After 1 minute, break up the yolk gently with your spatula.

Remove your bacon to a paper towel over a plate to drain. Turn off the heat on the griddle and flip the egg over.

Put your bagel on a plate. Take 2 slices of American cheese and lightly hold them on the hot griddle for a few seconds. Once they start to melt lay them over the egg.

Move the egg to the bagel with your spatula. Grab your bacon, break the strips in half, and lay on top of your egg. Top with your other half of bagel. 

Just as good as any breakfast place I've ever been to!!

Guest Post: Olive Cheese Bread

Today I am excited to have a guest post from my good from Jaime from La Vie...J'aime. She came over this past Saturday and spoiled me by making this delicious meal!

Thanks Jaime <3

Last Saturday morning was a rainy one, and I flipped on the TV, catching two episodes of the Food Network’s The Pioneer Woman.  My mouth watered over her Olive Cheese Bread recipe. It looked like the perfect comfort food for that day.  I called Emily, knowing she would be interested in trying this recipe with me, and she has a much better kitchen for cooking!

This recipe was so easy & inexpensive... and it made a lot of food.  

Basically, mix all the ingredients together and spread over a split loaf of bread.  Bake at 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes.  Cut and enjoy!

To round out the meal, and add something nutritious, I made a simple spinach & tomato salad drizzled with balsamic vinegar.

Thanks, Emily, for having me!  

Thank YOU Jaime for coming over and making us this great meal! It was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

Mason Jars and Chalkboard Paint - a perfect match!

I love mason jars. 

Actually, I have a mason jar obsession. Ask my roommate...she will back me up on this.

I purchased some Classico sauce and what do you know...it COMES in a mason jar. Jackpot!! When the jar was finished I  the soaked and scrubbed the label off then ran the jar and cap through the dishwasher.

Once clean, I sprayed the tops with 2 coats of Rust-Oleum Specialty Chalkboard Spray Paint and let dry overnight.

When I need to use the jar I always label the top with Pentel Arts Wet Erase Chalk Marker. When it's empty the writing comes right off with a wet paper towel and the jar can be re-used!

Oh, and aren't they adorable??

Cinquecento opens in Boston's South End

Last week I got to attend the Grand Opening party for Cinquecento in Boston's South End.

The former home for Rocca has been completely re-vamped and looks fantastic! I love the open feel to it and the decor is different than any other Boston restaurant I have visited.

I brought my roommate as a guest and although we enjoyed some delicious signature drinks and wine there was not much food to try. We are both looking forward to going back soon to have dinner - I have a feeling it's going to be really good!

Here are some images from the night...all were edited on my iPhone with Snapseed (my current favorite iPhone app, totally worth buying).

The open kitchen you can see into from the sidewalk

Entrance

 

Ferrari and Maserati cars were showcased

Ferrari and Maserati cars were showcased

Cinquecento is located at 500 Harrison Ave. in Bostons South End.

Have you checked it out yet?

Tuttorosso Tomatoes Ultimate Daily Giveaway

I am really excited to be working with Tuttorosso Tomatoes during the month of December! 

Each day Tuttorosso will be giving away premium prizes through their Ultimate Daily Giveaway on facebook.

Some of the exciting prizes include: Stock Pots by Rachael Ray, Wusthof Knives, Wusthof Sharpener, Rachael Ray Pasta and Salad Bowls, Good Grips Garlic Press, and a Cheese Rotary Grater by Zyliss.

So how do you enter you ask?

First visit the Ultimate Daily Giveaway on facebook and LIKE it! 

Check in daily to enter to win. A different prize will be given away each day until December 22nd but you must register each day for a new chance to win!!

Here are some of the prizes being given away in the next week:

Dec 4: Tuttorosso Variety Gift Box

Dec 5: Herb Mill by Microplane

Dec 6: Tuttorosso Variety Gift Box

Dec 7: 3pc. Cutting Board Set

Dec 8: Olive Oil Cruet 8oz. by Chef's Planet

Dec 9: Fat Italian Chef Spoon Rest

Dec 10: Scoop Strainer by Guy Fieri with Bonus Pairing Knife

Dec 11: Tuttorosso Variety Gift Box

Dec 12: 2-stages Knife Sharpener by Wusthof

Dec 13: Tuttorosso Variety Gift Box

Dec 14: Pasta & Salad Bowl by Rachel Ray

As an added bonus on Tuttorosso Tuesday and Thursdays, a gift basket of Tuttorosso Tomatoes will also be given away. So now there are even more ways to win!

Tuttorosso is owned by Red Gold, a family-owned company growing some of the most sought-after tomatoes in the natural conditions of the Midwest (no hothouses).

Tuttorosso, meaning “all red”, has been a staple product in kitchens around the country since 1929.

I am a huge Tuttorosso fan and have quite a few cans of their whole tomatoes in my pantry right now waiting to be made into Pomodoro Sauce.

Check back soon for some product reviews, recipe ideas and my very first **GIVEAWAY**

In the meantime check out Tuttorosso's facebook page and follow Red Gold on Twitter for great recipe ideas and a chance to win a great prize through their Ultimate Daily Giveaway!

Holiday Present Wrapping

Want a fun way to wrap your holiday presents this year?

Cut out some paper snowflakes and glue them over the wrapping paper!

Do you have any fun ways to wrap presents? Please share!!