Ore-Ida Steam ‘N Mash Potatoes Review - With Giveaway

I have a love-hate relationship with mashed potatoes. I’ve always loved mashed potatoes. (Obviously I’m not alone because mashed potatoes are among the top three most desired comfort foods in the winter.) I’ve also always hated peeling the potatoes. (Once again, obviously not alone since according to the Ore-Ida brand’s research, 65 percent of consumers say they would eat potatoes more often if they didn’t have to wash, peel, and chop them.) When I’m lucky I can convince RB to peel and cut. When I’m not I can go without, suck it up and do it myself, or make instant. RB hates instant. Ore-Ida Steam ‘N Mash Potatoes are the perfect solution.

From the website - We peel & chop. You steam & mash. making delicious homemade mashed potatoes couldn’t be easier. Just steam them in your microwave for ten minutes, and then mash them like you normally do - you know, to make them your own. Pretty easy, right?

The first time I made these RB came into the kitchen and asked what e ere having. I told him that we were having meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans, He looked over to where we keep the bag of potatoes and saw we had none, and said “I hate that boxed instant stuff”. I told him I wasn’t making instant potatoes, but rather real ones. He gave me a look that told me he thought I was fibbing. I told him to wait and see.

To make Ore-Ida Steam ‘N Mash Potatoes you first put the bag in the microwave for ten minutes. The bag contains scrubbed, peeled and chopped potatoes. Then you take the bag out, open it and pour the contents into a bowl.

Then you mash.

I found they mashed really well with a fork and I never even needed to use a mixer. Twelve minutes and done. I found these to taste almost identical to real mashed potatoes but a lot easier and faster to make. I served them and received a great response. RB said they were almost as good as homemade mashed potatoes. I asked him what the difference was and he said the lumps. I told him we controlled the lumps in these just the same as with the homemade ones. I then reminded him I don’t like lumpy potatoes so I’d made them smooth. With that out of the way, we agreed that the only real difference between Ore-Ida Steam ‘N Mash Potatoes and homemade mashed potatoes is that with the Ore-Ida we don’t have to clean, peel or cut.

Ore-Ida Steam ‘N Mash Potatoes are available in four varieties - Cut Russet Potatoes, Cut Sweet Potatoes, Garlic Seasoned Potatoes, and the newest flavor Cut Red Potatoes. The Cut Red Potatoes are a creamier, skin-on mashed potato variety with a restaurant-style feel that only contain 70 calories per serving and have no calories from fat as packaged.

Ore-Ida Steam ‘N Mash Potatoes are available in a single pack in grocery stores nationwide, with the average retail price of a bag being $3.69. I also found a three pack of them in BJ’s, which I bought immediately.

WIN IT!

TWO WINNERS will receive a coupon for a free package of Ore-Ida Steam ‘N Mash Potatoes.

HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)

To enter leave me a comment on this post telling me which flavor of Ore-Ida Steam N Mash Potatoes you’d most like to try.

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THE SMALL PRINT.

US addresses only please. This contest will end on Saturday 03/27/09 at 11:59 pm est.  If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won.  Good luck to everyone!

Birds Eye Steamfresh Fresh Frozen Mixed Vegetables Review

I can be frugal about some things. There are just some things I don’t pay extra for. I buy many foods on sale and store it in the freezer. I had actually never made steamed vegetables in the microwave until today.

I tried the Mixed Vegetables. All I had to do to cook them was put the bag in the microwave for 5 minutes and they were done. I loved the convenience of not having to boil water, add vegetables and boil again. This was much quicker. I do not feel we lost anything in taste. The mixed vegetables were just as tasty as if I’d boiled the ones I usually get, although they were a tiny bit firmer. the Mixed Vegetables have no fat and no cholesterol. There are four 2/3 cup servings in the bag, each having 60 calories.

The 12 ounce bag of Birds Eye Steamfresh Mixed Vegetables that I bought was on sale for $0.59. I will buy them again if on sale, as well as try other varieties. I don’t think I would buy them at full price.

I purchased this item. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self.

Lucky Leaf Premium Pie Fillings Review And The Lucky Leaf Taste Of New York Giveaway

Before the holidays I was contacted by Lucky Leaf asking me if I’d be willing to try their new and improved fillings. Having never made a pie of my own and wanting to do so, I accepted.

About Lucky Leaf Premium Pie Fillings

Since 1949 Lucky Leaf has stayed true to its mission of providing simple, delicious dessert products for families across the United States by constantly improving our products to meet the changing needs of our customers.

At first, Lucky Leaf was solely dedicated to fresh applesauce. But as the American woman became too busy to make her delicious homemade pies from scratch, we took care of the hard part and started making ready-to-use apple pie filling. In no time, Lucky Leaf Ready-To-Use Apple Pie Filling hit the shelves and those delicious apple pies were back on windowsills across America.

With the success of our apple pie filling, America’s appetite for Lucky Leaf grew. We responded to America’s hunger by expanding our line of flavors. That’s why today you have a number of delicious varieties like our line of Premium Cherry, Apple, Blueberry, Lemon, Red Raspberry, Lite, and Crème in your grocery stores — so you can make whichever type of pie you want quickly and easily.

I received two cans of Premium Pie Filling - Apple and Strawberry, as well as a pie pan, a can opener and a copy of the Made With Love And Lucky Leaf Recipe Book which contains contest-winning recipes that were tested and approved by the Better Homes and Gardens Test Kitchen. I wanted to start out as simple as possible so I decided to make an apple pie. I had temporarily misplaced the pie pan so I used another one I had. This may sound funny but I wasn’t 100% sure if any special steps were needed because there aren’t directions on the pie filling can. I realized after the fact that this was probably because there are so many ways to use pie filling.

I laid an uncooked pie crust into the pan, poured the filling into that and then placed another uncooked pie crust on top and pierced it. I baked it until it looked done, very scientific huh?

Upon removing it from the oven my suspicions were confirmed - I should have used more pie filling in my pan or just used a smaller pan. That’s about when the glass pie pan that they’d sent to me turned up. Ironic, huh? The pie was good, as good or better than the premade ones and boxed ones from the grocery store. The filling tasted fresh and delicious. What impressed us the most about the filling is that it was almost all fruit, rather than almost all juice and water with a little fruit.

Given courage by the fact that the pie hadn’t burnt, my house hadn’t caught fire and noone needed to go to the hospital I decided to continue my quest to bake things using some recipes from the book. My favorites so far are the Easy Apple Cheese Danish and the Strawberries & Cream Chocolate Muffins. I liked the fillings and picked up some more. I used Strawberry Filling over pound cake with whipped cream, as well as over waffles. The next thing I want to make is the Sweet & Hot Apple Slow Cooker Pork, I think it’d be awesome on a cold evening. The book is easy to read and understand and full of pictures. I was really surprised at all of the ways you can use a can of pie filling. I was pleased to learn that many of the Lucky Leaf pie fillings are now sweetened with natural sugar and have no high fructose corn syrup.

Lucky Leaf products are available in grocery stores nationwide, just use the Lucky Leaf store locator to help you find the location nearest to you.  They offer regular, lite and creme pie fillings, as well as apple sauce, apple juice, apple butter and a few other specialty products. I absolutely adore apple butter and have had a hard time finding a good one in the grocery store. I’ll be on the lookout for the Lucky Leaf Apple Butter so I can check that out.

Lucky Leaf is currently holding a cool contest called the Taste Of New York Giveaway. In this contest one (1) Grand Prize Winner will receive two (2) tickets to the Rachael Ray show in New York City, a $1,000 spending allowance for airfare/train fare/cab fare/hotel/overnight accommodations, lunch for two at one of Rachael Ray’s favorite New York City restaurants, a guided tour of the Every Day with Rachael Ray and Taste of Home offices in New York City, a Lucky Leaf gift basket valued at $50 and a gift basket containing Every Day with Rachael Ray and Taste of Home cookbooks, tools and cookware valued at $500.  Thirteen (13) weekly winners will receive a Lucky Leaf cookbook valued at $10.00 each. To enter all you need to do is complete the entry form. The contest ends 01/30/10 so hurry!

Lucky Leaf can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Coombs Family Farm Maple Syrup Review

In the winter we eat more hot breakfasts than cold. One of TJ’s favorite breakfast foods is pancakes. I like both pancakes and waffles. RB’s a waffle guy and CJ loves his gluten-free waffles. While some of like a little butter and some don’t, there is one thing we all like - syrup. Recently we got to try some products from Coombs Family Farms, including their Maple Syrup.

About Coombs Family Farms

Pure maple has been a way of life at Coombs Family Farms for seven generations. Coombs Family Farms has produced 100% pure maple since 1840. Since 1988, Coombs Family Farms has produced certified organic maple syrup. A champion of small family farming, Coombs Family Farms also sources 100% pure organic certified maple from other small, independent farmers who share the Coombs commitment to quality, environmental stewardship, and sustainable forestry management.

Coombs Family Farm specializes in all things maple. Our products include 100% pure maple syrup various grades, pure maple candies, pure maple sugar, and pancake mixes. While all our maple products are made without artificial flavors, preservatives, or thickeners, our organic maple syrup is certified by the Quality Assurance International (QAI) and carries the USDA organic seal. We are also certified kosher by K of K.

All Coombs Family Farms maple syrups are available in the following grades:

• Grade A light amber maple syrup
• Grade A medium amber maple syrup
• Grade A dark amber maple syrup
• Grade B maple syrup
• Commercial grade maple syrup for our restaurant and food company friends.

I received a bottle of Grade B 100% Pure and Organic Maple Syrup. I really expected this to taste like pancake syrup but it didn’t. It’s thinner and not as sweet. It also seems a little less sticky to me.  It’s got a very tasty and distinct flavor that we all enjoyed. I received recipe cards from Coombs featuring dishes I wouldn’t have thought to add maple syrup to. I’m planning on trying making some muffins with it. I also want to try making my meatloaf with it too, I’m very curious about that. I also received a piece or 100% pure maple candy. I was surprised at the candy. I expected it to taste like candy made of pancake syrup  but it didn’t. It has a thick texture and is sweet but it has an after taste that I’m not even sure how to describe. It’s a very interesting flavor. Try it if you get a chance and let me know what you think.

To learn more about Coombs Family Farms maple, please visit www.coombsfamilyfarms.com. They’re also on Twitter and on Facebook.

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Entertaining Made Easy - Farm Rich Snacks And Appetizers Review

One type of food that always goes over well with family and friends is appetizers and snack sized foods. People always gobble them up. I recently got to try some of the new appetizers from Farm Rich and they were a hit.

About Farm Rich Snacks And Appetizers

Farm Rich products have been setting the standard for delicious, easy-to-prepare food the whole family loves. Farm Rich foods taste like nothing else because they’re made like nothing else – with 100% real ingredients like real cheese, high-quality meats and fresh vegetables. Our snacks, appetizers, and breakfast foods are quick-frozen and carefully packaged so busy families can prepare great tasting food within minutes.

I received a couple of coupons for Farm Rich frozen appetizers so I picked out the ones that sounded yummiest to me. This was difficult, it would have been much easier if I’d had more coupons because they all sounded so yummy. The line of hot appetizers includes cheese sticks, pizza slices, mozzarella bites, mushrooms, meatballs, quesadillas, paninis, peppers, pizzeria bites and french toast sticks.

Farm Rich Appetizers are frozen and super easy to make. Most of the product, if not all, can be cooked in less than twenty minutes in the oven or microwave. Some can also be deep fried. We cooked ours in the oven so that we had room to cook more than one thing at a time. This was the perfect week for me to try these snacks because we were all home and on more relaxed schedules. We had appetizers for dinner one night and with a movie another night.

I decided to get two new items, the mini quesadillas and the mini stuffed paninis, as well as the Farm Rich cheese sticks because we all love mozzarella sticks.

The mozzarella sticks came in a 2 pound resealable bag, which was very handy since we had them on two different nights. The quesadilla slices came in a 1.5 pound resealable bag that contained 12 slices. The quesadilla slices have Mozzarella, Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, grilled all white meat chicken, and salsa all wrapped in a little tortilla. The paninis came in a 1.25 pound bag that contained 10 paninis. The paninis have Mozzarella, Romano and Parmesan cheeses, all white meat chicken, bacon and pesto sauce on a little flatbread sandwich. Each and every snack was gone within ten minutes of taking them out of the oven. They were all warm, gooey inside and really tasty. We can’t wait to try the other varieties out soon.

You can discover which products are available in your area by using the Farm Rich product locator tool. Also be sure to check out the Farm Rich coupons page.

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.