Giveaways, Reviews

Chobani Review + Giveaway

Confession: if you were to peek into my refrigerator at any given time, you would find the middle shelf jammed full with a carton of eggs, a 12 pack of assorted sodas/ice tea/lemonade, a jar of olives, spreadable butter, and approximately 13 million containers of yogurt. Yes, 13 million as an exact figure. See, Ben and I are obsessed with yogurt. Literally.  I go through withdrawal if I run out. I can’t tell you how many times Ben has made “emergency” grocery trips after work for yogurt. Or milk or produce, but that’s another story.

In the past, I have always resisted from buying the good stuff. I stocked up on Kroger brand yogurt or snatched up the name brand stuff on sale with coupons, stockpiling a zillion containers on the aforementioned middle shelf for the coming weeks. A few times I had purchased greek yogurt [usually Yoplait or Dannon] on sale with a coupon, and enjoyed it, but couldn’t justify spending the extra $$$ just for yogurt. However, in the back of my mind I always thought about the big enchiladas of the yogurt world, like Chobani, that I had heard so many good things about via blogs and friends.

And then, one day not so long ago, my life changed. Forever. One bite of Chobani 2% Pineapple greek yogurt scored after a 10 for $10 sale at my local grocery store and I knew I couldn’t go back. Each bite was so delicious… so rich and creamy, with the perfect amount of real fruit in each bite. Think pomegranate arils or crushed pineapple. I couldn’t believe what I had been missing all these years. Silly frugality. [Kinda… :)] I drank the Kool-Aid, and I needed more.

Soon after this auspicious event, I emailed Chobani to let them know how happy their yogurt made me, and Emily hooked me up with a sample pack of their three newest varieties: Mango 2%, Black Cherry 0%, and Lemon 0%.

chobani!
look at that amazing goodness!

Ben and I promptly had a taste test of all three flavors to decide which was the best.

Leaning Tower of Chobani!

Mango was the clear winner, followed closely by Black Cherry. We loved the natural sweetness of the Mango, and found the real cherry flavor in the Black Cherry variety to be the best either of us have ever had. And that’s saying alot, since we are yogurt connoisseurs. The Lemon was not my favorite due to the inclusion of the actual lemon pulp, but it wasn’t inedible. I think it will be great to use in baking or in a smoothie. Even though we had clear favorites, all flavors of Chobani are winners due to these fun factoids:

  • All natural. No preservatives. No artificial flavors.
  • Free of synthetic growth hormones: No rBST-treated milk.
  • Includes 5 live & active cultures, including 3 probiotics.
  • Made with real fruit.
  • Twice the protein of regular yogurts.
  • A good source of bone-building calcium.
  • Gluten-Free and Kosher-Certified.
  • Safe for people with corn, nut and soy allergies.
  • 10% of profits donated to charities worldwide.

Now Emiliy, on behalf of the nice folks at Chobani, has graciously offered to provide four (4) of my readers with three (3) free coupons each.  Each coupon is good for a 6 oz cup of Chobani and can be redeemed at your local grocery store.

There are up to two entries possible for this giveaway. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry so it is properly counted.

Here’s how you can enter.

  1. Mandatory: Leave a comment telling me what flavor of Chobani is your favorite, or if you haven’t tried it yet, what you think your favorite will be.
  2. Optional: Subscribe to my blog in a reader or by email. Links are on the right, underneath the search box. Already a subscriber? That works too! Just let me know how you subscribe in the comments.

Entries will be accepted until Saturday, April 9, 2011 at midnight Eastern time. Winner will be selected randomly through Random.org and will be contacted via email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond before an alternate winner will be chosen.

Giveaway open only to residents of the United States.

Thanks and good luck!

Disclosure: I received a sample pack of Chobani for review purposes. I was not compensated to publish positive comments. My opinions are my own.
Appetizers, Recipes

Baked Potato Skins

munchie attack!

If there is one food that reminds me of college, potato skins would have to be it.  From the beginning of freshman year, especially after I joined Kappa Delta Sorority [yeah yeah!] I quickly learned that all the cool kids at college hit up Applebee’s for half priced appetizers for late night snack attacks and socializing. My attendance at half apps was very good when I didn’t have schoolwork to do [darn you classes for getting in the way of socializing!]. Baked potato skins were my favorite appetizer to order…

celebrating my 20th birthday!

There was just something about the combination of cheesy potatoes, crispy bacon, and smooth sour cream that got me every. single. time… except for those forays into the world of spinach artichoke dip or nachos. Oh, the nachos… Well, the good news for my wallet and my waist line is that now I can recreate the taste of college at home, in the form of these delicious baked potato skins. Just as crispy and flavorful as I remember, this appetizer takes me back to the good ‘ole days… hard to believe it’s been almost four years!

Baked Potato Skins

Ingredients:

  • 3 large baking potatoes
  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onion
  • 2 pieces bacon, cooked and chopped
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • sour cream
  • salt
  • pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Scrub potatoes and pat dry. Pierce holes in each potato and wrap in aluminum foil. Bake for 60-75 minutes or until cooked through. Let cool for at least 15 minutes [important!].

After potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice in half lengthwise. Use a steak knife to cut potato flesh away from the skin, leaving a thick layer of flesh next to skin so the skins do not fall apart. Use a spoon to scoop away about 65-70% of the potato. Save potato for mashed potatoes or a snack or breakfast…  🙂

Turn on the broiler in the oven. Place a cooling rack in a baking dish [or use a roaster with a rack].

Brush melted butter over the outside of the potato skin, season with salt and pepper and place on top of the rack. Broil for about 3-4 minutes or until outside skin is starting to get crispy. Remove from oven and use tongs to flip skins so that the flesh is visible. Brush inside with melted butter, and season with salt and pepper. Return to broiler for another 3-4 minutes, remove and then top with cheese and bacon pieces. Return [again!] to broiler for another 2-3 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and melted, watching carefully so it does not burn.

Serve with sour cream and green onions, and allow to cool for a minute or two before enjoying so you don’t burn your mouth like I did! 🙂

Click here for the printable version: Baked Potato Skins

Question of the Day: What one food takes you back to college?

Menu Plans

Menu Plan

Week of March 28

Monday: taco salad

Tuesday: Sesame Chicken with Garlicky Broccoli

Wednesday: out to eat after my class!

Thursday: leftovers

Friday: pasta… the best pre-race meal! IU mini marathon on Saturday!

Saturday: calzones

Sunday: breakfast for dinner

lunch special: bbq tuna salad

Breakfast, Granola, Recipes

Granola Bars, Take Two

I’m at it again… making some delicious homemade granola bars! I can’t stop myself. Sorry. 🙂

granola barsWhat I love about these Fruit and Nut Granola Bars is that they are incredibly chewy and packed with raisins, dried cranberries, and dried apricots alongside nuts and chocolate.

While my first run through was of a crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside variety, these fruit and nut bars almost have the consistency of cereal bars… soft but with enough substance to be filling and not crumbly. Where my last batch was incredibly sweet, these boast more natural sweetness and a variety of flavors in every bite.They are great for on the go snacking or a pre/post workout fuel. Hope you enjoy!

Fruit and Nut Granola Bars [inspired by this formula from the Brown Eyed Baker]

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup wheat germ, toasted in a 350 degree oven for 5 minutes
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup creamy natural peanut butter
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/3 cup raisins, soaked in hot water for about 20 minutes and then patted dry
  • 1/3 cup chopped apricots
  • 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 cup sunflower kernels
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and grease an 8×8 baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl, mix together oats, wheat germ, apricots, chocolate chips, walnuts, sunflower kernels, pecans and pumpkin pie spice. In a small bowl, stir together pumpkin, peanut butter, honey, and maple syrup, then fold into dry ingredients until fully combined. Press into prepared pan, then bake for about 25-27 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack, then cut into bars. Wrap individually in plastic wrap for easy transport, and store in the freezer to keep fresh.

Click here for the printable version: Fruit and Nut Granola Bars

Question of the Day: What snack are you loving lately?

Recipes, Soups

Sweet and Spicy Peanut Soup

I know spring is here… but that doesn’t mean it is the end of soup season! Rainy spring days are just as a much a call for a hot bowl of soup to warm you up [perhaps while watching some March Madness, as we have been doing a lot lately] as cold winter nights are, especially when said soup is light, flavorful, and filling. This Sweet and Spicy Peanut Soup fits the bill perfectly. It’s full of sneaky nutrition as it packs in fresh vegetables peanut souplike peppers, tomatoes, carrots, onions, and sweet potatoes under the guise of rich peanut butter, spicy cayenne pepper, and a hint of ginger. We enjoyed munching on a grilled provolone cheese sandwich alongside this spicy soup, but I could also see it pairing well with a big green salad, a light pasta dish, or even served chilled gazpacho-style, if cold soup is your thing.

I prepped everything the night before and threw it in the crock pot in the morning to cook all day long, but the original recipe calls for making it on the stove-top in less than an hour. If you do the latter, saute the onions, peppers, and carrots with garlic to soften everything up and release some of the flavors a little before throwing everything in a big stockpot, bringing to a boil, and then simmering away until soft and blend-able. And be aware if you have an aversion to spicy food like me that this soup is HOT! Ben loved it, but next time I make it I am going to tone down the cayenne pepper initially for more control. Definitely didn’t think that one through too well… Regardless though, this is one flavorful soup that has earned itself a place in my soup repertoire, and I hope you love it as much as we do!

Sweet and Spicy Peanut Soup [adapted from The Food You Crave by Ellie Krieger]

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 cup sweet or white onion, diced
  • 15 ounce jar roasted poblano peppers [could substitute 2 cups fresh red bell peppers or roasted red peppers]
  • 1 cup carrots, diced [about 3 medium or 2 large carrots]
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper*
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced [about 2 cups]
  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 – 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes with their juices [I prefer no-salt-added]
  • 2/3 cup creamy natural peanut butter
  • 2 teaspoons honey

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a large crock pot and stir to mix well. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, then puree with an immersion blender [or carefully blend in batches in a food processor or blender]. Serve garnished with sour cream and/or cilantro.

*Note:

This soup is spicy… so I would recommend decreasing or eliminating the cayenne pepper altogether so you don’t spice yourself out like I did. I can’t wait to make a less spicy version of this again.

Click here for the printable version: Sweet and Spicy Peanut Soup