Monday, September 30, 2013

Betty Crocker {Hershey's} Gift Pack Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Betty Crocker Hershey's baking products, as part of a sponsored post for MyBlogSpark and their client Betty Crocker, I am hosting a giveaway for a Betty Crocker Hershey's Gift Pack. all opinions are 100% my own. #MyBlogSpark


Two of my favorite companies, Betty Crocker & Hershey's, have teamed up to release an awesome assortment of baking mixes & frostings based on classic Hershey's chocolate goodies. I was totally excited to hear about the release of these products and couldn't wait to try some of my favorite candy bars in cake & cookie form. Don't get me wrong, I know you can make candy bar-flavored baked goods from scratch - but I was excited to taste Betty Crocker & Hershey's versions. Afterall, they are experts in their respectable fields! So, I sat on the edge of my seat until the products were released...

The waiting was excruciating. But I made it. :)

Friday, September 27, 2013

California Hot Brown Bake


So, the other day I was on Pinterest... famous last words, right? haha

But really, I was on Pinterest the other day and came across a recipe for Kentucky Hot Brown Bake by Eat at Home and thought it looked ridiculously delicious. {ridiculously delicious is when something looks so good it makes me giggle/laugh} After reading the post I found out that the Kentucky Hot Brown Bake was inspired by the Kentucky Hot Brown sandwich {which I had never heard of before} and an Italian Layer Bake that Tiffany {the author of Eat at Home} found at Mr. Food. So, I decided to take it one more degree out {you know, like the six degrees of Kevin Bacon} and put a California spin on it.

Thus, the California Hot Brown Bake was born. And I love it. xoxo

#GetHimFed Fridays #10

Welcome to #GetHimFed Friday hosted by Anyonita Nibbles and myself! A place to share and find new recipes that are "man-pleasing". I am so happy you stopped by for the fun and hope you have a nice weekend!


We have all heard the saying, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” It’s true – and any good woman knows it! Not only do men love to satisfy their hunger with something delightful on the palate, they are also in love with the fact that their meals are made, with love, by the women in their life. Sometimes they are even eager to please back after tasting a recipe that was whipped up for them – and those are the ones we are looking for at #GetHimFed!

Monday, September 23, 2013

Chili-Lime Cheesy Beef Rolls #FreshTake

Using Kraft Chili Lime & Panko Fresh Take, as part of a sponsored post for Collective Bias®, I made Chili-Lime Cheesy Beef Rolls for an easy dinner. #FreshTake

Chili-Lime Cheesy Beef Rolls #FreshTake #shop

Grab your napkins, I have some awesome finger food to share! This past weekend I made Chili-Lime Cheesy Beef Rolls to serve with a tapas-style dinner for my family - it was fun, fresh and best of all it was an easy dinner that pleased the whole gang. The only item I had to cook was the Chili-Lime Cheesy Beef Rolls and that was made a breeze with Kraft Fresh Take.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Open-Faced Tuna Burgers with Lemon-Garlic Cream Sauce #OceanNaturals

Using Ocean Naturals Canned Tuna, as part of a sponsored post for Collective Bias®, I made Open-Faced Tuna Burgers with Lemon-Garlic Cream Sauce for a healthy dinner. #OceanNaturals

Open-Faced Tuna Burgers with Lemon-Garlic Cream Sauce #OceanNaturals #shop #cbias

My husband and I love hamburgers - I'm talking LOVE here. From the melted, gooey cheese to the crisp bacon to the big doughy buns, and not to leave anything out - there is always mayonnaise involved. However, that is not a healthy meal choice and the two of us know that big, greasy burgers can't be a regular on our meal plan. We need something lower in calories and fat without sacrificing the protein. So, what's a girl to do? I'll tell ya - she gets inspired and creates a healthy dinner with naturally delicious ingredients. That is exactly how these Open-Faced Tuna Burgers with Lemon-Garlic Cream Sauce came about - and they do not disappoint!

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

A Tillamook Ice Cream Social in Sacramento #TillamookInSac


I love Tillamook. True story. And not because they hooked it up with a TON of free ice cream to eat until we couldn't eat anymore. My love for Tillamook goes way back, before I even knew they had ice cream. It was purely for the cheese! When my husband and I first started dating, I professed my love of Tillamook cheese to him. He told me he had gone on a tour at their factory and had Tillamook Ice Cream {first time I had heard about this Tillamook Ice Cream business} when the tour ended. Bam! Just like that I fell in love. With my husband, I was already in love with Tillamook. And I was rushing out the door to go find some Tillamook Ice Cream.:)

Fast forward almost 6 years later and I was rushing out the door to attend a Tillamook Ice Cream Social! Tillamook partnered with Sacramento Bloggers to host an incredible event, at Thinkhouse Collective in Sacramento, that featured a lot more than just eating ice cream. I am one lucky lady to have been invited, otherwise I may have died of envy.


The night started with an awesome presentation by Gillian Kennedy (@gckennedy), Tillamook's Integrated Marketing Manager. {yeah, they could have gotten me there without the ice cream. haha} I couldn't wait to hear what she had to say. It's not everyday you get gems of advice from a social media expert, at least I don't, so this was super duper special. Gillian went over tips on creating a visual voice for ourselves through social media channels. This woman knows what she is talking about - during her tenure with Tillamook their online following has grown by 600%. That is drop-dead uh-mazing.

Oh, did I mention there was ice cream too?


There was the cutest ice cream table set up with fancy plates, ice cream toppings, syrups, cookies and of course lots of ice cream.  We even got to try a new flavor, Fireside S'mores, that was absolutely delicious! {enough so that I got a carton for Mr. Hungry Harp to try the next night.}

In case you didn't know that Tillamook made ice cream, let me tell you - they do and you want need it in your life. The taste of their flavors are seriously like none other and there are 27 to choose from. My favorite is Chocolate Peanut Butter with Fireside S'mores coming in close at second and I can't wait to try their White Chocolate Raspberry Yum. Before you run out the door to go find your own carton of Tillamook Ice Cream, check out the Tillamook Where To Buy page!


And then {I know, how could there possibly be more to this awesome Ice Cream Social?!?} we participated in a live Instagram contest. The mission was to create an ice cream sandwich using the ingredients available and post a photo of it to Instagram using the hashtag #TillamookInSac. How awesome, huh?

Here is my entry into the contest. A Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwich, sandwiched between two Chocolate Chip Cookies and sprinkled with chopped nuts.


I was honored to receive a runner up prize in the contest - an awesome Tillamook apron and a couple free cartons of ice cream!! That's winning as far as I'm concerned. {here is my math: free ice cream = winning} :) My cutie patootie of a son was more than happy to model the apron for me when I got home. I LOAF that kid!


I had a great time and met a bunch of great people. It was my first time venturing out to a local blogging event and was so happy I did. Totally excited for the next Sacramento Bloggers event!!

For more information on Tillamook, check out their website - facebook - twitter - pinterest

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Wendy's #6SecondsFlat {$6,000} Sweepstakes

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Wendy's, as part of the #6SecondsFlat Sweepstakes. All opinions are honest and 100% my own.


I am not one to tell people to run out and eat fast food - however, I am one to tell people to run out and enter for a chance to win $6000!

And seriously, if you are going to eat fast food, I think Wendy's is by far the best fast food out there for two reasons: their Cheeseburgers and Frostys. So good! That is my fast-food comfort food and I am not ashamed to indulge in it from time to time.

Ok, back to the #6SecondsFlat Sweepstakes...

This is all you have to do:

1) Head to Wendy's and buy a Flatbread Grilled Chicken Sandwich. There are two delicious flavors, available for a limited time, Asiago Ranch and Smoky Honey Mustard.

{I ordered the Wendy's Asiago Ranch Flatbread Grilled Chicken Sandwich.}


2) Then, film a creative 6 second video, featuring your Flatbread Grilled Chicken Sandwich, and post on Vine or Instagram with the #6SecondsFlat hashtag.


Sounds easy, huh?

For full details, before posting your videos, check out Wendy's #6SecondsFlat website. There is also a restaurant locator if needed!

Check out the little video I made and posted on Instagram:


Good luck, I hope one of you wins the $6000 prize!!

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Thursday, September 12, 2013

#GetHimFed Fridays #9

Welcome to #GetHimFed Friday hosted by Anyonita Nibbles and myself! A place to share and find new recipes that are "man-pleasing". I am so happy you stopped by for the fun and hope you have a nice weekend!


We have all heard the saying, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” It’s true – and any good woman knows it! Not only do men love to satisfy their hunger with something delightful on the palate, they are also in love with the fact that their meals are made, with love, by the women in their life. Sometimes they are even eager to please back after tasting a recipe that was whipped up for them – and those are the ones we are looking for at #GetHimFed!

Here are some deliciously awesome features from last week!

Pizza Casserole by In the Kitchen with Jenny

Tilapia with Cilantro Ginger Sauce by Give Peas a Chance

Milky Way Chocolate Chip Cookies by The Salty Kitchen

Ultimate Chocolate Cake with Cookie Butter Frosting by Living Better Together

If you were featured - show it off!!

Grab button for #GetHimFed Featured

<div class="Featured Button for #GetHimFed" style="width: 150px; margin: 0 auto;">
<a href="http://www.hungryharps.com">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcXIQidi2UB-2IAZ3o8spYHN46zF4c0qpt0z1BvOdZuVDRCgzt_uREZZhLcS66dHxjjVvCa6sDBZMFITyQqi1pr7ULavO9k5cogBvmez2acEWjSpAjlH__9aGP6NG9YtFndlxitszctud/s1600/Ninja_2.0.jpg" alt="I was featured at #GetHimFed" width="150" height="157" />
</a>
</div>

Here are the ways you can participate with #GetHimFed:
1. Link up a delicious, man-pleasing recipe. It doesn't have to just be hamburgers or nachos or hot wings - it just has to be anything edible that pleases the guy in your life. The recipes that leave him silent at the table because the food is too good to stop eating. We want the goods here!
2. Are you on Instagram? Post pictures of your meal – from preparing to being eaten by your man, post it on Instagram with the hashtag #GetHimFed and you could be featured on next week’s Social Media(S&M) Features! Posts to Instagram, using the #GetHimFed hashtag, will be reposted via InstaRepost – which means more exposure for you!!
3. Leave a comment. Since you were going to do that anyway, include what your man will do for you after indulging in whichever meal(s) you are sharing. Maybe he did the dishes? Gave you a foot massage? Let's share with each other and maybe get some tips out of this!

With all that said, let's get our freak party on!

Participator Button for #GetHimFed Fridays

<div class="Participator Button for #GetHimFed Fridays" style="width: 153px; margin: 0 auto;">
<a href="http://www.hungryharps.com">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWVbKdd88Qblc58T5ex0ggUUsCfOtlGAHEBEni9kNgzvPq3AlUp8SkMIfKqoreHHDRq4d81WY5IOHkRwOFUlgpqTgMjGlI7gaKsOhH_bSaOABBPzUT04Brzrj08LeozfhqdVCk2q5gFeU/s1600/Aubergine.jpg" alt="I participated at #GetHimFed Fridays" width="153" height="153" />
</a>
</div>

Rules are no fun, so let’s call these suggestions for linking up your recipe(s)...
1. Follow your hosts socially (however you'd like) and let us know so we can do the same in return!


Twitter - Pinterest - Instagram


Twitter - Pinterest - Instagram

2. Visit at least the link before yours. Leave a comment stating that you stopped by. (We all love to read comments, so share the love!)
3. Spread the word; grab a participator's button and display it on your blog.
4. Link to your recipes--no giveaways or promos, please.
5. As a participant, you acknowledge that photos from the post you link may be distributed as a part of the #GetHimFed Feature and/or across social media platforms. If this is the case, all photos will be credited back to your sites and posts and credit will be given.
6. By participating in this link party, you agree to be added to Anyonita Nibbles' email marketing list. As a result, you will receive on average three emails a week: a reminder about #GetHimFed Fridays and Tasty Tuesdyas and a weekly RSS feed displaying recent posts. If you do not wish to receive these emails, you can opt-out at any time by clicking the unsubscribe button at the bottom of the email.


{Bacon Lovers} Jalapeno Popper Taquitos

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Good Cook, as part of the Good Cook Kitchen Experts program. All opinions are honest and 100% my own.


I will make no bones about it - I LOVE BACON.

My husband and older kids? They love it too. This past week my husband let one of the babies gnaw on a piece of bacon - he loved it. If I told you how much bacon I went through to make these Bacon Lovers Jalapeno Popper Taquitos it would surprise/concern you. Let's just say I could have made a couple batches with the amount of bacon devoured - standing in the kitchen. You know how a cat can hear a can opener and come running? That's my family with smelling bacon on the griddle. It's funny how fast the kitchen can become the busiest room in the house. Not complaining, I consider myself lucky for being able to share my adoration of crispy swine with the ones I love!

Have you seen the recipes for Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers? I have seen them all over Pinterest. All over. And although they look freaking delicious - I can't rationalize eating them for anything other than pure indulgence. However, wrapping them in a tortilla makes them a meal. Right? Well at least that is the idea - so we roll with it! {no pun intended, but cute nonetheless. haha}


A couple weeks ago I posted Steakhouse Stuffed Cheeseburgers that were made as part of the Good Cook Stuffed Burger Challenge. The contest is still running and by voting for your favorite burger {maybe the Steakhouse Stuffed Cheeseburger? *shameless plea}, you are entered to win your very own Burger Stuffing Kit. In that kit is a Cast Iron Grill - which just happens to be the newest love of my life, in the kitchen. 

One awesome thing to do on a Cast Iron Grill? Why, cook some bacon of course! And to make it even more awesome, Good Cook has a Bacon Press to help keeps those pieces of bacon from curling and being uneven. I don't feel like this is advertising folks, this is a service announcement. I had never heard of a bacon press before and my husband is already talking about buying me a second one since I use it so much.  Not just for bacon, but for everything that is getting cooked in my new Cast Iron Grill, from chicken breasts to grilled sammies - the Bacon Press is an awesome kitchen tool to have!


Enough about the awesomeness of my new Good Cook products, let's get to the awesomeness of these Bacon Lovers Jalapeno Popper Taquitos! Each taquito has one full piece of bacon in it. I know that just made all you Bacon Lover's hearts go pitter-patter. ;)


And talk about easy to make! Just a tortilla wrapped around cream cheese, cheddar cheese, jalapenos and of course, BACON. :)


Put in a baking pan and bake for 15 minutes, or until cheese is starting to bubble and ooze out of the sides.


We enjoyed ours with some ranch dressing as a dipping sauce. Even the kids liked them!

So, these Bacon Lovers Jalapeno Popper Taquitos do not rank the most healthy dinner {at all} but they do rank pretty high for being the most delicious. These would be a perfect appetizer as well - I am thinking as a Game Day dish would be perfect! They are also great to make ahead and then bake when you are ready.


You know you want to try a bite...


Bacon Lovers Jalapeno Popper Taquitos (PRINTABLE RECIPE)
{makes 10 taquitos}
Ingredients
8oz Cream Cheese, softened
2 cups Cheddar Cheese, shredded
¼ cup jalapenos, chopped (I used Mezzetta’s jarred Jalapenos)
10 strips of bacon, cooked
10 tortillas, soft taco or fajita sized
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350
2. Mix together cream cheese, cheddar cheese and jalapenos until fully combined.
3. Divide cream cheese mixture over 10 tortillas, top with slices of bacon and roll. Place in baking pan, seam side down.
4. Bake for 15 minutes or until cheeses are bubble are starting to ooze out of tortillas.
5. Let cool for 10 minutes and enjoy!

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Mushroom and Pesto Hashbrown Casserole {#QuickFixCasseroles}



Making a casserole for my family is something that warms my heart. It takes me back to being a kiddo and enjoying the many casseroles that my Grandma would make for the family. Oh, how I have tried to recreate them - but they never turn out the same! Instead, I come up with my own creations or find delicious recipes online to try and hope to be creating the same food-memories for my kids that were created for me. There is nothing wrong with comfort food, in fact I think they are part of what makes this world go round. :)


I am certainly not a Casserole Wizard, but I do have a few tips for using a casserole as an awesome dinner solution. First, most casseroles can be made ahead of time. Such as this Mushroom and Pesto Hashbrown Casserole - just cook it up to the point of being baked and then wrap and store in fridge until ready to cook. Second, a lot of casseroles call for ingredients that can also be purchased canned or frozen - meaning you won't have to run to the market for last minute, fresh, ingredients. Third, the oven is going to do most of the cooking - giving you time to do something, anything else. Fourth, one dish means less dishes - which means more time for your family! :)

But who really needs to be sold on how awesome casseroles are?!?


Mushroom & Pesto Hashbrown Casserole (PRINTABLE RECIPE)
{serves 6-8 as a side dish}
Ingredients
3 tablespoons Country Crock Original Spread
1lb mushrooms, sliced
1 26-ounce bag frozen hashbrowns
2 cups cheese, shredded (I used a blend of mozzarella and medium cheddar)
1 small onion, chopped
½ cup beef broth
1 cup milk
½ cup pesto
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees
2. In pan, over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons Country Crock Original Spread. Add mushrooms and saute until juices have been released and avaporated. About 7-10 minutes. Remove from heat, drain any extra liquid and set aside.
3. Mix together the hasbrowns, cheese and onion.
4. In seperate bowl, mix together beef broth, milk, pesto, salt and pepper.
5. Combine two mixtures together until well incorporated.
6. In skillet, over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon Country Crock Original Spread. Add hashbrown mixture and heat until cheeses are melted.
7. Pour mixture into a 9x13 casserole dish. Bake for 40 minutes or until top is bubbly and starting to turn golden brown. Let cool for 10-15 minutes and enjoy!

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

Friday, September 6, 2013

#GetHimFed Fridays #8

Welcome to #GetHimFed Friday hosted by Anyonita Nibbles and myself! A place to share and find new recipes that are "man-pleasing". I am so happy you stopped by for the fun and hope you have a nice weekend!


We have all heard the saying, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” It’s true – and any good woman knows it! Not only do men love to satisfy their hunger with something delightful on the palate, they are also in love with the fact that their meals are made, with love, by the women in their life. Sometimes they are even eager to please back after tasting a recipe that was whipped up for them – and those are the ones we are looking for at #GetHimFed!

Here are some SWEET features from last week!

Breakfast Cookies from The Home Heart

Surprise Carrot Cake from Turnips 2 Tangerines

Upside Down Apple Dumpling Pie from Tastes of Lizzy T

Cinnamon Sugar Muffins from Stumbling Upon Happiness

If you were featured - show it off!!

Grab button for #GetHimFed Featured

<div class="Featured Button for #GetHimFed" style="width: 150px; margin: 0 auto;">
<a href="http://www.hungryharps.com">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcXIQidi2UB-2IAZ3o8spYHN46zF4c0qpt0z1BvOdZuVDRCgzt_uREZZhLcS66dHxjjVvCa6sDBZMFITyQqi1pr7ULavO9k5cogBvmez2acEWjSpAjlH__9aGP6NG9YtFndlxitszctud/s1600/Ninja_2.0.jpg" alt="I was featured at #GetHimFed" width="150" height="157" />
</a>
</div>

Here are the ways you can participate with #GetHimFed:
1. Link up a delicious, man-pleasing recipe. It doesn't have to just be hamburgers or nachos or hot wings - it just has to be anything edible that pleases the guy in your life. The recipes that leave him silent at the table because the food is too good to stop eating. We want the goods here!
2. Are you on Instagram? Post pictures of your meal – from preparing to being eaten by your man, post it on Instagram with the hashtag #GetHimFed and you could be featured on next week’s Social Media(S&M) Features! Posts to Instagram, using the #GetHimFed hashtag, will be reposted via InstaRepost – which means more exposure for you!!
3. Leave a comment. Since you were going to do that anyway, include what your man will do for you after indulging in whichever meal(s) you are sharing. Maybe he did the dishes? Gave you a foot massage? Let's share with each other and maybe get some tips out of this!

With all that said, let's get our freak party on!

Participator Button for #GetHimFed Fridays

<div class="Participator Button for #GetHimFed Fridays" style="width: 153px; margin: 0 auto;">
<a href="http://www.hungryharps.com">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWVbKdd88Qblc58T5ex0ggUUsCfOtlGAHEBEni9kNgzvPq3AlUp8SkMIfKqoreHHDRq4d81WY5IOHkRwOFUlgpqTgMjGlI7gaKsOhH_bSaOABBPzUT04Brzrj08LeozfhqdVCk2q5gFeU/s1600/Aubergine.jpg" alt="I participated at #GetHimFed Fridays" width="153" height="153" />
</a>
</div>

Rules are no fun, so let’s call these suggestions for linking up your recipe(s)...
1. Follow your hosts socially (however you'd like) and let us know so we can do the same in return!


Twitter - Pinterest - Instagram


Twitter - Pinterest - Instagram

2. Visit at least the link before yours. Leave a comment stating that you stopped by. (We all love to read comments, so share the love!)
3. Spread the word; grab a participator's button and display it on your blog.
4. Link to your recipes--no giveaways or promos, please.
5. As a participant, you acknowledge that photos from the post you link may be distributed as a part of the #GetHimFed Feature and/or across social media platforms. If this is the case, all photos will be credited back to your sites and posts and credit will be given.
6. By participating in this link party, you agree to be added to Anyonita Nibbles' email marketing list. As a result, you will receive on average three emails a week: a reminder about #GetHimFed Fridays and Tasty Tuesdyas and a weekly RSS feed displaying recent posts. If you do not wish to receive these emails, you can opt-out at any time by clicking the unsubscribe button at the bottom of the email.


Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Teriyaki Chicken & Pork Potstickers {Crazy Cuizine Review}

Disclosure: Day-Lee Foods provided Hungry Harps with complementary product vouchers for this review. All opinions are 100% honest and my own.


Ever have those days where the last thing you want to do is stand in the kitchen and cook dinner? (To be honest, I have these kinds of days all the time!) With 4 kids roaming around our house, the days go by quick and sometimes leave me with a limited time to get dinner on the table. For those nights, I need a backup to my meal plan. But getting take-out or drive-thru is not an option (frankly because I don't want to leave my house to get dinner) and pizza delivery is so hard to justify when I can make one for a fraction of the price that I will be charged. I need something on-hand, ready to be cooked and devoured. This is where Crazy Cuizine comes into play around my house.

Crazy Cuizine has restaurant-quality frozen Asian dishes that please my entire family! The entrees are a breeze to prepare and there is a wide variety to choose from. Lucky for me, my husband and kids like Chinese and Japanese food as much as I do - so any of the Crazy Cuizine dishes are a GO at my house!


The other night we had Crazy Cuizine Pork Potstickers and Teriyaki Chicken. Both dishes were devoured quickly at our dining table. I can tell how much the boys (2 sons, 1 husband) like dinner by how fast it is finished it off - and these plates were cleared in no time flat. Now that is something that makes a Momma happy. :)

Along with the Crazy Cuizine Pork Potstickers and Teriyaki Chicken, I also picked up a box of Mandarin Orange Chicken to try very soon.


In addition to the three selections I picked up at the grocery store, there is also General Tso's Chicken, Korean BBQ Chicken, Tangerine Beef and Chicken Potstickers. All of the Crazy Cuizine products have NO MSG added and 0 grams of Trans Fat. There are also no preservatives and all entrees are fully-cooked, just need to be heated and served.


I prepared the Pork Potstickers and Teriyaki Chicken using the stovetop method, but these Crazy Cuizine dishes are also able to be microwaved. Directions for both are on the side of the package.


So, whether you are looking for a quick appetizer for a party, a side dish to a vegetarian main course or a main entree to serve alongside rice - these Crazy Cuizine entrees can be your solution. They are certainly mine!


Crazy Cuizine products are available at select Costco locations and BJ's Wholesale Clubs across the country as well as at Albertsons, Ralphs, Food for Less, Raley's, SaveMart and Lucky Supermarkets throughout California and the Pacific Northwest.

Find Crazy Cuizine on Twitter (@CrazyCuizine) on Facebook (CrazyCuizine) too!

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Steakhouse-Stuffed Cheeseburgers

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Good Cook, as part of the Good Cook Kitchen Experts program. All opinions are honest and 100% my own.


My husband is a "meat-man" and was completely the inspiration for these Steakhouse-Stuffed Cheeseburgers. He says that the only thing better than meat, is meat. He is true to his word too, the guy will eat the biggest steaks at any steakhouse we visit. With that in mind, I took flavors that can be found at steakhouses {bacon, mushrooms, fried onions, blue cheese & steak sauce} and stuffed them into a 1/2lb burger. This may have been one of my best ideas ever, my only regret is that I would have used more stuffing in each burger. However, the flavor was amazing and each ingredient could be tasted. Even though I made the Steakhouse-Stuffed Cheeseburgers for my husband, I am a total fan of them now!


The reason for making stuffed burgers was to enter Good Cook's 2013 Get Stuffed Burger Challenge. After all, the only thing better than a Stuffed Burger is a Stuffed Burger Challenge. ;) Good Cook sent an awesome Burger Stuffing Kit to get me started. I am not bragging here - for you could win one of your very own just by voting for your favorite burger in the Get Stuffed Burger Challenge!! (just wait, I will get to the details!)

Here is what the Burger Stuffing Kit contains:


Pretty awesome if you ask me! You could win a Cast Iron Grill, Folding Grater, Mini Chef's Knife, Turner, Non-Slip Flexible Cutting Board and most importantly, a Stuffed Burger Press. Now that is a Burger Kit worth entering for! There will be 10 kits given away and you are able to vote 3 times a day - your chances are looking pretty good. :) And it wouldn't hurt to vote for my burger, right? {shameless plea.} Just visit http://www.goodcook.com/ and get to voting!


Here are some action shots of my new Burger Stuffing gear!

The Good Cook Stuffed Burger Press is so easy to use and a breeze to clean. I have made stuffed burgers by hand before, with no Press, and they took much longer to make and looked no where as uniform as these ones did. It's certainly a new favorite kitchen gadget of mine. Even though I thought I had used a lot of stuffing in each burger, I could have used way more - can't wait to use it again and see just how much stuff I can stuff into a burger! 


The Good Cook Cast Iron Grill worked wonders. I used it on my glass top stovetop with no worries due to the smooth surface on the bottom of the grill. Plus, did you know that by cooking with cast iron there is iron added to the food? I, unfortunately, need to add iron to my diet and use cast iron reguarly. I love that this pan leaves grill marks on the burger and also keeps them from soaking in grease. It's going to be perfect for the wintertime when it's too cold/rainy to bbq outside.


The rest of the kit, a Mini Chef's Knife, Folding Grater, Non-Slip Flexible Cutting Board and Turner were perfect for helping get the Steakhouse-Stuffed Cheeseburgers ready to be devoured. I love that the grater has a fancy shred side, the smaller pieces of cheese melt faster which was great for these burgers. The knife and cutting board were a great combo - and the cutting board really is non-stick and didn't slide around on my tile counter tops. The turner, which is pictured above, did the job for our burgers and will work great with grilled cheese sammies too!


Right now you can get 25% off any of the Good Cook Burger Tools at http://www.goodcook.com/ by using coupon code: BurgerLovers

Steakhouse Stuffed Cheeseburgers
{PRINTABLE RECIPE}
makes 4 1/2lb burgers
Ingredients
½ cup cooked bacon, chopped
½ cup blue cheese, crumbled
⅓ cup fried onions
⅓ cup mushrooms, chopped
2lbs ground beef
¼ cup steak sauce
1.5 cups Monterey Jack Cheese
Italian Seasoning
Directions
1. Mix together bacon, blue cheese, fried onions and mushrooms. Set aside.
2. Place 1/4lb ground beef in bottom of Good Cook Burger Stuffed Burger Press and create a pocket in the meat. Fill (FILL) with bacon mix and then drizzle with 1/4tbsp steak sauce. Top with another 1/4lb ground beef and press again to create a stuffed burger. Repeat, 3 more times.
3. Grill (I used the Good Cook Cast Iron Grill) over medium-high heat until burger is done to your likeness. I cooked ours for around a total of 12 minutes (for medium-well), adding the Monterey Jack Cheese at the ten minute mark, sprinkling Italian Seasoning on top.

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