Food Fun Family

The Storm Runner By J.C. Cervantes – Rick Riordan Presents

Lolli — Fri, 05 Oct 2018 19:59:23 +0000

Disney Book Group is partnering with me for a giveaway that you do NOT want to miss! All thoughts are my own. Amazon affiliate links are used within this post.

If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know about my love for Rick Riordan’s books and delving into the wonderful world of mythology. Almost exactly a year ago, I interviewed Rick Riordan in Washington DC and learned about Rick Riordan Presents.

When I asked him if he was planning on writing about any books based on other world mythologies, he said “that he could only write about mythologies that he personally knew, and since he was not an expert in other world mythologies, that he would rather find other authors who could write those stories with authority. That’s where the idea for the imprint, Rick Riordan Presents, was born. Rick was excited to introduce several new books with stories based on Hindi, Mayan, Korean mythology and more.” (from our interview)

That’s where The Storm Runner comes in. By author J.C. Cervantes, The Storm Runner explores Mayan mythology. For fans of the Percy Jackson series, you’ll find the same “feel” that we know and love from Rick Riordan, with just a slightly different flavor. This book has been so much fun!

THE STORM RUNNER

By J.C. Cervantes

Published by Rick Riordan Presents, an imprint of Disney Book Group

Recommended for ages 10-14 (but really, this is great for 10 to adult!)

About The Storm Runner

How can one boy with a limp stop the Maya god of death, disaster, and darkness from destroying the world?

Zane has always enjoyed exploring the dormant volcano near his home in New Mexico, even though hiking it is challenging. He’d much rather hang out there with his dog, Rosie, than go to middle school, where kids call him Sir Limps a Lot, McGimpster, or Uno – for his one good leg.

What Zane doesn’t know is that the volcano is a gateway to another world and he is at the center of a powerful prophecy. A new girl at school, Brooks, informs him that he’s destined to release an evil god from the ancient Maya relic he is imprisoned in–unless she can find and remove it first. Together they return to the volcano, where all kinds of crazy happens. Brooks turns into a hawk, a demon attacks them in a cave, and Rosie gives her all while trying to protect Zane. When Zane decides to save his dog no matter the cost, he is thrust into an adventure full of surprising discoveries, dangerous secrets, and an all-out war between the gods, one of whom happens to be his father.

To survive, Zane will have to become the Storm Runner. But how can he run when he can’t even walk well without a cane?

About Rick Riordan Presents

The Rick Riordan Presents imprint is dedicated to providing entertaining middle grade fiction based on various world mythologies. Rick Riordan is involved in the selection, editing, and promotion of these books, working with great authors to tell exciting stories inspired by the mythologies of their own heritages. Learn more about the imprint and its current and upcoming titles on their official site.

About the Author

J. C. Cervantes is the author of Tortilla Sun, which was called “a beautiful and engaging debut” by Kirkus, an “imaginative, yet grounded novel” by Publishers Weekly, and “lean and lightly spiced with evocative metaphor” by School Library Journal. Tortilla Sun was a 2010 New Voices pick by the American Booksellers Association and it was named to Bank Street’s 2011 Best Book List. When Jennifer isn’t reading or writing, she helping her husband with his gubernatorial campaign.

Enter to win!

A GIFT FROM THE GODS GIVEAWAY

One (1) winner will receive:

a copy of The Storm Runner
plus a $100 Visa gift card for a purchase of mythical proportions

Giveaway open to US addresses only.

Prizing and samples provided by Disney Book Group.

This giveaway will end on Thursday, 10/18/18 at 11:59pm ET, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!

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Connect with The Storm Runner and MORE from Rick Riordan Presents

Learn more about the book at ReadRiordan.com
Purchase the book HERE
Facebook: Facebook.com/ReadRiordan
Twitter: @ReadRiordan | @DisneyHyperion | @jencerv
Instagram: @ReadRiordan | @DisneyBooks | @authorjcervantes
Follow hashtag #TheStormRunner

Summer of Magic & Mazes: Rick Riordan Book Giveaway

Lolli — Mon, 21 May 2018 23:51:06 +0000

If you’ve been reading my blog for long, you’ll know that my family and I are huge Rick Riordan fans. I was excited to partner once again with Disney-Hyperion for a giveaway to bring more Rick Riordan goodness to YOU, my readers! Amazon affiliate links are used within this post.

Seriously, one of highlights of my career as a blogger was having a one-on-one interview with Rick Riordan last October at the library of Congress. What an amazing person! And what amazing stories.

I love his books just as much as my kids do.

We are all excited about Mr. Riordan’s newest book – The Burning Maze, the third installment of the Trials of Apollo series. This is PERFECT summer reading material…for reading pool-side, in the car on road trips, or when staying cool in the house next to a fan.

We’re equally excited to delve into a new Kane Chronicles companion book, Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual, Your Guide to Egyptian Gods & Creatures, Glyphs & Spells and More. I’ve always been fascinated by these types of books, because I tend to want to know EVERYTHING I can about my favorites stories and characters. This book is perfect for your readers who love backstories.

I’m thrilled to be able to share these two new books PLUS 5 additional books with you this month!

Featured Rick Riordan Titles

The Trials of Apollo (Book 3): The Burning Maze (in stores as of May 1st)

The Kane Chronicles: Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual (in stores as of May 1st)

The Kane Chronicles Trilogy (series re-design in stores now!)

ABOUT The Burning Maze: The Trials of Apollo Book #3

In Stores May 1st

The formerly glorious god Apollo, cast down to earth in punishment by Zeus, is now an awkward mortal teenager named Lester Papadopoulos. In order to regain his place on Mount Olympus, Lester must restore five Oracles that have gone dark. But he has to achieve this impossible task without having any godly powers and while being duty-bound to a confounding young daughter of Demeter named Meg. Thanks a lot, Dad.

Friends both familiar and new will emerge in The Burning Maze, Book Three of the New York Times #1 best-selling Trials of Apollo series, a twisty adventure featuring a hapless god who somehow still manages to think he’s red-hot.

More about The Trials of Apollo series:

An Olympian Comes to Earth: The protagonist is nothing less than Apollo himself! Well, actually, he’s a mortal sixteen-year-old trying to earn his way back into Zeus’s favor by restoring five oracles. How will he manage without his godly powers?

A Godly POV: Apollo narrates the adventure; the disparity between his godly assumptions and his disappointing reality is hilarious.
Favorite Demigods Are Back! All of the beloved characters from Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter will aid Apollo in his quest over the course of five books.
New Demigods Are Introduced, including Apollo’s sidekick, a twelve-year-old girl named Meg who is secretive about her past—and is Apollo’s secret weapon.
Viperous Villains will complicate matters for our heroes as they search for the ancient Oracles.

About Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual: The Kane Chronicles Companion

In Stores May 1st

Calling all young magicians of Egypt! If the blood of the pharaohs runs in your veins, you can’t afford to be without this guide to Ancient Egyptian deities and creatures, and Carter and Sadie Kane’s world of magic. Featuring fans’ favorite human, divine, and animal characters for the bestselling Kane Chronicles trilogy, Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual offers info about Egyptian mythology in laugh-out-loud entries with surprises throughout, including snarky comments from Sadie Kane and a dastardly plot by an old enemy.

More about Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual:

Tie-in to Best-Selling Kane Chronicles Trilogy featuring fans’ favorite human, divine, and animal characters.
Offers Info About Egyptian Mythology in laugh-out-loud entries from favorite characters.
Has Surprises Running Throughout, including snarky comments from Sadie Kane and a dastardly plot by an old enemy.

About The Kane Chronicles Trilogy

The Red Pyramid #1 | The Throne of Fire #2 | The Serpent’s Shadow #3

Series first launched in 2011 | New cover designs released April 3, 2018

Fans of Rick Riordan’s Greek & Roman and Norse mythology adventures will love his funny and exciting take on Ancient Egypt in the Kane Chronicles trilogy, now with dynamic new cover artwork and Percy Jackson-Kane Chronicles crossover stories.

Mysteries of Ancient Egypt: Egyptian mythology is more widely studied in school curriculum than ancient Greece. Both familiar and loaded with mystique, ancient Egypt is the perfect backdrop for Rick’s imaginative brand of storytelling. Readers will leap at this real-world portal into the rich fantastical world of ancient myth.

More of the Good Stuff: Rick combines all his fortes–witty, relatable heroes, gods & monsters, prophecies, curses, and non-stop action–in this best-selling hit.

Summer of Magic & Mazes Prize Pack Giveaway

One (1) winner will receive a “Summer of Magic & Mazes” beach tote plus seven Rick Riordan books!

The Trials of Apollo series — with an autographed copy of The Burning Maze!
The Kane Chronicles trilogy – plus new companion book Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual!

Giveaway open to US addresses only. Prizing and samples provided by Disney-Hyperion. This giveaway ends June 4 at 11:59pm ET, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!

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Visit ReadRiordan.com

Follow Read Riordan on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Follow Disney-Hyperion on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Get Ready for College with Seventeen: College Goals

Lolli — Fri, 18 May 2018 04:01:35 +0000

Bluestreak Books sent me a copy of Seventeen: College Goals AND is providing a prize pack for one of my lucky readers! Affiliate links are used within this post.

I thought potty training was hard. The toddler struggles have NOTHING on dealing with growing teens. Teaching them how to drive, surviving SATs, preparing them for high school graduation, helping them with college applications, and finding their first apartment away from home.

Two down (almost).

Three to go.

My second daughter graduated from high school last year and has been attending community college locally while she worked as a nanny. She’s currently apartment hunting out west as she prepares to move out and continue her education (and her social life) in a different state.

My oldest son is 17 and finishing up his junior year of high school, which means that things are going to get REALLY busy around our house. Again.

When Seventeen: College Goals came in the mail, my 18-year-old immediately said, “where was this a year ago? I could have used this then!” However, as she flipped through the pages, she found so much helpful information. We both agreed that this would be the perfect book to give to a girl starting her junior year of high school. There are so many things that my kids weren’t thinking about that early in their high school careers, but I can attest that things like SATs and college applications sneak up on you FAST. It never hurts to start thinking and planning early.

About the Book

The only thing standing between you and that college life is figuring out where you might want to go, completing your applications, writing a killer essay, scoring solid test scores, shining in your activities, getting glowing recommendations, and . . . okay, that’s a lot. But even though being accepted into college can seem big and overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be.

That’s where Seventeen: College Goals comes in. This stress-free guide—part-planner, part-journal—will help walk you through the step-by-step process of applying to colleges. There are pages filled with practical cheat sheets, handy life hacks, thoughtful tips, fun quizzes, inspiring quotes from your favorite celebs and leaders, and prompts that will push you to self-reflect. (After all, that’s what college essays are all about!) This way, you can freak out less about if you’ll get in, and actually start thinking about which school’s offer you’re going to accept.

Seventeen: College Goals – An Insider’s Guide to Finding and Getting Into A School You’ll Love

By the Editors of Seventeen Magazine

In Stores April 10, 2018

Published by Bluestreak Books, an imprint of Weldon Owen

Do you have a son or daughter heading to college in the next few years? Then this is the book for you! And good news – one of my readers is going to WIN a copy (plus a fun little Visa gift card too!).

“REWARD THE WORK” Giveaway

Getting ready for college is a lot of work! One Food Fun Family (1) winner will receive:

Copy of Seventeen: College Goals
plus a $50 Visa gift card

Giveaway open to US addresses only. Prizing and samples provided by Bluestreak Books. Giveaway ends June 1, 2018 at 11:59pm ET, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!

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Follow Bluestreak Books on Twitter | Instagram

Follow Weldon Owen on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Learn more about the book at WeldonOwen.com

Buy the book on Amazon

Homemade Memphis BBQ Sauce {Playing With Fire Cookbook}

Lolli — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 15:56:55 +0000

Love a good BBQ? Me too! Clarkson Potter sent me a copy of Playing With Fire AND is providing a prize pack for one of my lucky readers! All opinions and photos of my recipe recreation are my own. Amazon affiliate links are included.

The weather is finally starting to feel like spring, and I can’t wait for BBQ season to be here in full magnificence. There’s nothing quite like hot, flavorful barbecue.

I’ve spent the last week drooling over the recipes in Michael Symon’s new cookbook, Playing With Fire. The recipes are easy to follow, the dishes flavorfully delicious, and the photos are stunning. I want to make EVERYTHING.

I decided to start simply and recreate the recipe for Memphis BBQ Sauce (along with a side of Broccoli Salad). The sauce was a hit with the entire family, and a perfect addition to some grilled chicken. The recipe is included below, along with a fabulous giveaway that you won’t want to miss!

About MICHAEL SYMON’S PLAYING WITH FIRE

Co-host of The Chew and celebrated Iron Chef and restaurateur Michael Symon returns to a favorite subject, meat, with his first cookbook focused on barbecue and live-fire grilling, with over 70 recipes inspired by his newest restaurant, Mabel’s BBQ, in his hometown of Cleveland. In preparing to open his barbecue restaurant, Mabel’s BBQ, Michael Symon enthusiastically sampled smoked meat from across America.

The 72 finger-licking, lip-smacking recipes here draw inspiration from his favorites, including dry ribs from Memphis, wet ribs from Nashville, brisket from Texas, pork steak from St. Louis, and burnt ends from Kansas City–to name just a few–as well as the unique and now signature Cleveland-style barbecue he developed to showcase the flavors of his hometown. Michael offers expert guidance on working with different styles of grills and smokers, choosing aromatic woods for smoking, cooking various cuts of meat, and successfully pairing proteins with rubs, sauces, and sides.

If you are looking for a new guide to classic American barbecue with the volume turned to high, look no further.

Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Crown Publishing Group. In stores now…or buy it on Amazon today!

About the Author

Michael Symon cooks with soul, having grown up in a Greek and Sicilian family. The Cleveland native shares his exuberant, approachable cooking style and infectious laugh with viewers as an Iron Chef on Food Network and as a co-host on ABC’s The Chew. Michael is the chef and owner of more than 18 restaurants, including Lola and Mabel’s BBQ in downtown Cleveland, locals of B-Spot Burgers throughout the Midwest, and Angeline at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. He is also the author of five cookbooks, including Playing With Fire (Clarkson Potter, 2018). When he’s not working, Michael loves cooking at home, playing golf, gardening in the backyard and spending time with his wife Liz and their bulldog Ozzy.

Memphis BBQ Sauce

Reprinted from Michael Symon’s Playing With Fire. Copyright © 2018 by Michael Symon. Photographs copyright © 2018 by Ed Anderson. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

This sauce is perfect for any grilled meats, but is especially tasty on grilled chicken!

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small onion, halved and finely diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
Kosher salt
2 cups tomato sauce
1/2 cup tomato paste
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup dark molasses
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons celery seeds
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons cider vinegar

Instructions

1. In a medium nonreactive saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, celery seeds, and red pepper flakes, whisking to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the flavors come together, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and blend or puree until smooth. Stir in the vinegar.

2. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

**Baste grilled foods with sauce only during the final stages of grilling to prevent the sugars in the sauce from burning.

Note from our family: we found that the sauce was even tastier the 2nd day!

Interested in the recipe for the broccoli salad that is pictured here? That can be found on page 210 of Playing With Fire! The sauce is made with plain Greek yogurt and is simply delicious!

Connect with Playing With Fire

Buy Playing With Fire on Amazon
Hashtag #PlayingWithFireCookbook
Follow Clarkson Potter on Instagram
Follow Michael Symon on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Learn more about the book at PenguinRandomHouse.com

TOOLS FOR THE GRILLMASTER Giveaway

Be prepared to play with fire! One winner from Food Fun Family will receive:

Copy of Michael Symon’s Playing With Fire
A Cuisinart Deluxe 20-piece grill set
And a barbecue pit mitt glove!

ARV $110 | Giveaway open to US addresses only | Prizing and samples provided by Clarkson Potter | Giveaway ends 4/25 at 11:59pm ET

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I Kill Giants Prize Pack Giveaway

Lolli — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 19:17:14 +0000

This post is in partnership with RLJ Entertainment. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Amazon affiliate links are used within this post.

Please check out last week’s post – an exclusive interview with Madison Wolfe, who played Barbara Thorson in the movie. Madison had so many insightful things to say!

About I KILL GIANTS

From the acclaimed graphic novel by the same name comes an epic adventure about a world beyond imagination. Teen Barbara Thorson (Madison Wolfe, The Conjuring 2) is the only thing that stands between terrible giants and the destruction of her small town. But as she boldly confronts her fears in increasingly dangerous ways, her new school counselor (Zoe Saldana, Guardians of the Galaxy) leads her to question everything she’s always believed to be true. I Kill Giants is an intense, touching story about trust, courage and love from the producers that brought you Harry Potter.

Based on the acclaimed graphic novel by Joe Kelly and Ken Niimura

From the producer of Harry Potter, Chris Columbus

Academy award-winning director, Anders Walter

I Kill Giants is in select theaters and On Demand, plus you can find it on iTunes. Available on Amazon, too!

I just loved the message of I KILL GIANTS – we are all stronger than we think. We can get through hard things…but we don’t have to get through them alone. I think it’s a fantastic movie for parents and older kids/teens to not only watch, but also discuss together. It was a very deep and touching story for me to watch with my teens and tween. It was unexpected, unpredictable, and different from the typical movie. What a welcome change!

I highly recommend seeing it!

Enter to WIN an I Kill Giants movie night prize pack!

To celebrate the release of the movie, I have a special giveaway just for Food Fun Family readers!

One (1) winner will receive:

$50 Visa gift card for an I KILL GIANTS Movie Night!
A copy of the book (movie tie-in cover)

Details: US mailing addresses only. Prizing courtesy of RLJ Entertainment. This giveaway will end on April 10, 2018, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email.

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Connect with I KILL GIANTS: Instagram | #IKillGiants #IKillGiantsMovie #StrongerThanWeThink

Instant Pot Bacon, Corn, And Potato Chowder

Lolli — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 02:36:20 +0000

I’m excited to introduce you to my favorite way to cook dinner, and my new go-to cookbook, How To Instant Pot by Daniel Shumski. Workman sent me a copy to check out, and is partnering with me for a giveaway! Amazon affiliate links are used within this post.

I just got back from a family cruise this past week, and while I was enjoying all the food I could eat, prepared by someone else (I mean, is there anything better in life??) I had multiple conversations with my aunt about my love for my Instant Pot. I was a fast convert about a year and a half ago, when I got my Instant Pot pressure cooker, and I have convinced many friends and family members to get their own (I’m serious. If you don’t have one already, you should get one for yourself for Christmas).

The problem I’ve found with these new Instant Pot owners is that they have no idea how to use it or what to make in it. The documentation that comes with the appliance is sorely lacking in helpful information, and if you don’t have a next door neighbor to walk you through the functions and all of the buttons, well, it could be easy to get lost or overwhelmed.

I am so excited about my new cookbook – How to Instant Pot by Daniel Shumski!! Not only is it full of delicious recipes with beautiful photos, but it answers ALL of your Instant Pot questions. Chapter 1 is full of helpful hints, tricks, and how-tos, written in easy-to-understand terms. And then each recipe spells out exactly what buttons you push and when, taking the guess work out of cooking with the Instant Pot.

I was drawn to this recipe for Bacon, Corn, and Potato Chowder (I mean, doesn’t it look delicious??), so I whipped it up for dinner the other night. It did not disappoint! The whole family loved it!

Yum

Instant Pot Bacon, Corn, And Potato Chowder

Ingredients

4 slices bacon, halved crosswise to yield 8 short strips
1 small white or yellow onion, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, leaves discarded, coarsely chopped
1 pound unpeeled red potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
2 bay leaves
2 cups reduced-salt chicken broth
3 cups (from one 16-ounce bag) frozen corn kernels
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/4 tsp hot sauce

Instructions

Line the bottom of the inner pot with the bacon. Press Saute and use the Saute or Adjust button to select the middle temperature ("Normal"). Cook with the lid off and use a silicone spatula or wooden spoon to move the bacon around occassionally so that it cooks evenly. Cook until the bacon is crisp, about 6 minutes.
Remove the bacon, leaving behind the fat. Allow the bacon to drain on a paper towel-lined plate until step 7.
With the Saute function and middle temperature ("Normal") still selected, add the onion and celery to the bacon fat. Cook with the lid off, stirring occasionally, until the onion and celery soften, about 5 minutes.
Add the potatoes and bay leaves. Wait a moment and then pour in the broth. (Adding the potatoes first lets the temperature in the inner pot cool down a bit so that steam doesn't woosh up when the broth is added). Close and lock the lid. Set the valve to Sealing. Press Cancel, then press Manual or Pressure Cook and use the Pressure or Pressure Level button to select High Pressure. Use the - or + button to set the time to 1 minute.
When the cooking cycle ends, carefully use a wooden spoon to release the pressure by turning the pressure-release valve to Venting. (The pressure is released when the small metal float valve next to the pressure-release valve sinks back into the lid and the lid is no longer locked).
Remove the liid. Discard the bay leaves. Add the corn, thyme, salt, pepper, milk, and hot sauce. Press Cancel, then press Saute and use the Saute or Adjust button to select the lowest temperature ("Less"). Cook with the lid off, stirring occasionally, until the chowder is hot, about 5 minutes.
Chop the bacon. Add half of the bacon to the chowder and stir to distribute it; reserve the rest to use as a garnish.
Serve the chowder hot, garnished with the reserved bacon.

Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by Yummly Rich Recipes

https://foodfunfamily.com/instant-pot-bacon-corn-and-potato-chowder/

Note: Bacon, Corn, and Potato Chowder will keep, in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chowder in a pot and warm on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes.

I loved adding some Ritz crackers, crushed, to my chowder. I highly recommend it!

About the Cookbook

Master the revolutionary appliance that’s changing the way we cook!

The only Instant Pot cookbook that is organized by function, How to Instant Pot is both a guide to understanding the Instant Pot basics and a foodie’s creative collection of over 100 recipes specially crafted to take advantage of the Instant Pot’s many virtues, from cooking perfect risotto in six minutes, no stirring required, to five kinds of yogurt, to creating one-hour killer chili and soups from scratch, using dried beans.

About the Author

Daniel Shumski is a writer and editor who has hunted ramen in Tokyo for the Washington Post and tracked down ice cream in Buenos Aires for the Los Angeles Times. Between stints at the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune, he worked for a Midwestern heirloom apple orchard. His bestselling first book, Will It Waffle?: 53 Irresistible and Unexpected Recipes to Make in a Waffle Iron, won praise from the New York Times, People magazine, and Food52. He lives in Montreal.

Connect with the Book

Visit the Official Site
Interact with the book: Twitter | Instagram
Follow the publisher: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
#HowtoInstantPot

Win a “Hands Off!!” Prize Pack

Just in time for New Year menu planning, one (1) winner will receive:

a copy of How to Instant Pot
a trivet set and potholders to safely serve your hands-off meals

Giveaway open to US addresses only.
Prizing and samples provided by Workman Publishing.
This giveaway will end on 12/21 at 11:59pm ET, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!

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My Favorite Things 2017 Giveaway

Lolli — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 01:09:16 +0000

It’s that time of year! Time for another My Favorite Things Giveaway! Please note: all bloggers have provided their own prizes, like we do each year. Although this is NOT a sponsored post in any way, I did use Amazon affiliate links to link to the products I’ve included.

I love participating in this annual blogger tradition. It’s a FUN way for us to say THANK YOU and Happy Holidays to our favorite readers!

Here’s what you need to know:

* Take a look at the gift collage to see all the amazing giveaways you are about to enter!
* Scroll down to see my giveaway up close.
* Enter to win My Favorite Things prize package at the bottom of this post.
* HOP around to all the other sites, check out their amazing prizes, and enter to win their gifts!

And now for MY Favorite Things Giveaway, an annual tradition here at Food Fun Family!

I had so much fun shopping for these items. In the past, I’ve tried to put together a “themed” package, but nothing was clicking with me until I was able to fill my cart with this assorted collection of items. They really ARE some of my favorite things!

Included in my prize package (mailed directly from my home in Maryland!):

a 10 1/4 in LODGE cast iron skillet
Red Silicone Hot Handle Holder
Kitchen Towel & pot holder set
Chicken fil-A $10 gift card (my favorite place to eat!)
Burts Bees Assortment (LOVE these for the winter!!)

After you’ve entered my giveaway below, please make sure to go up and visit the other giveaways above! All of these giveaways end at 11:59pm ET on December 10, 2017. We’ll each be picking winners for our individual prizes and notifying winners via email. Good luck!

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The Ultimate BLT Dip Recipe

Lolli — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 19:02:16 +0000

This post is sponsored by Hatfield and SheKnows Media. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The holiday season is my favorite time of year – not only for the celebrations and the gatherings of family and friends, but for the food. I have spent years gathering favorite recipes from my Grandma, my mom, my Aunts, and friends that have crossed my path. One of my biggest challenges is adding new recipes to my holiday menu because I tend to get stuck making the same old faithful recipes over and over again, year after year.

This year, we’re reimagining our holiday meals with some new flavors and fresh ideas, thanks to Hatfield. And I’m starting with a fabulous dip that is already a huge hit with my family! Everyone loves BLTs (they’re one of our favorite dinners to throw together when we don’t have a lot of time to cook!) so I knew that making a BLT-inspired dip would be popular. Boy, did we hit the mark on this one! I mean – BACON.

This dip is a perfect pre-meal appetizer for any holiday meal or party. When I’m cooking for our big holiday family dinner, I spend hours and hours in the kitchen. It’s a lot of work, but I really do love it. The only problem? I get hungry while I’m preparing that big meal. I love to have a few appetizers handy, not only to keep family and friends happy (and patient!) but to keep MY belly satisfied so I don’t become a grump by the time dinner is ready to be served.

I can’t believe how much of a hit this BLT dip was with adults and kids alike. I have tried BLT dips before, but I I’ve always noticed they were missing the “L” in the recipe. Because I’m such a fan of fresh spinach, I thought I’d try creating a dip with chopped spinach in it (to replace the lettuce in the BLT). The result was near to perfection! And since this dip is best served after it has chilled overnight, it’s a perfect make-ahead dish so that you can free up some time when you’re getting ready to gather with family and friends.

Of course, while I was cooking the Hatfield thick cut bacon for the recipe, I did have to steal a slice or two for myself (and my youngest son, who was willing to help in exchange for a piece of bacon!).

BLT Dip

Ingredients:

1 lb Hatfield Extra Thick Cut Maple Brown Sugar Bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
1 cup low fat mayonnaise
1 cup low fat sour cream
1 cup chopped fresh spinach
1 cup chopped tomatoes (I prefer grape tomatoes)
2-3 green onions, diced
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp lemon juice
¼ tsp freshly ground pepper

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight or for at least 2 hours for flavors to blend. Sprinkle with additional diced green onions. Serve with corn chips or crackers.

About Hatfield

Hatfield is one of Pennsylvania’s heritage brands. Hatfield products are all about keeping things delicious, simple and stress-free in the kitchen. Hatfield promotes the importance of having time to spend with your family. Mealtime is family time – no matter where the meal takes place. The Hatfield brand character is high quality, trustworthy, knowledgeable, American-made, family-owned, value-based company.

Find out where to buy Hatfield products near you here.

What is your favorite recipe that includes bacon? Comment below for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card!

Entry Instructions:

No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from SheKnows via sweeps@sheknows.com email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 11/20/17-12/31/17.

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

Lolli — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 18:51:33 +0000

Little, Brown sent me a copy of Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow to check out, and is partnering with me for a giveaway! All thoughts are my own. Amazon affiliate links used.

We LOVE books. I’ve always been a reader, and I am thrilled that my kids can’t keep their noses out of books. My youngest son is reading a certain magical series through for the second time, and can’t wait to start a new magical series – Nevermoor! I happen to be a fan of reading children’s chapter books, and so I picked up Nevermoor this past week and couldn’t put it down! I can’t wait to have a few days off next week to finish it!

About Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

Nevermoor Series #1
By Jessica Townsend
In Stores October 31, 2017
Recommended for ages 9-12

A breathtaking, enchanting new series by debut author Jessica Townsend, about a cursed girl who escapes death and finds herself in a magical world–but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination.

Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she’s blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks–and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday.

But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor.

It’s then that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city’s most prestigious organization: the Wundrous Society. In order to join, she must compete in four difficult and dangerous trials against hundreds of other children, each boasting an extraordinary talent that sets them apart–an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests–or she’ll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate.

Perfect for fans of the Harry Potter series and Neil Gaiman, this fast-paced plot and imaginative world has a fresh new take on magic that will appeal to a new generation of readers.

Jessica Townsend – Photo Credit Lani Carter

About the Author

Jessica Townsend lives on the Sunshine Coast in Australia, but has lived on and off in London for a few years. She was a copywriter for eight years, and in a previous role, was the editor of a children’s wildlife magazine for Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow is her first novel.

Enter to Win a Nevermoor Prize Pack!

One (1) winner receives:

copy of Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow
branded lapel pin plus Hotel Deucalion pen and notebook;
$50 Amex gift card to have a wundrous holiday season!

Giveaway open to US addresses only.
Prizing and samples provided by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
This giveaway will end on 11/26/17 at 11:59pm ET, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!

Entry -Form

Connect with Nevermoor

Visit the Official Site
Follow the author on Twitter and Instagram
Follow the publisher on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
#Nevermoor

Praise for the Nevermoor

“Jessica Townsend’s Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow is more than just a spectacular debut. Exciting, charming, and wonderfully imagined, it’s the sort of delightful, grand adventure destined to be many a reader’s favorite book.” — Trenton Lee Stewart, New York Times bestselling author of The Mysterious Benedict Society series and The Secret Keepers

“[A] spellbinding debut… Morrigan is a captivating heroine, filled with moxie and wit… Whimsical worldbuilding, humorous dialogue, and colorful supporting characters compliment an adventurous, magic-filled plot that champions bravery, self-confidence, and hope.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Readers, like Morrigan herself, will feel at home in this evocative novel where magic and confidence go hand in hand. An excellent and exciting work.” — School Library Journal, starred review

Orzo With Pan-Roasted Tomatoes, Lemon and Mozzarella: Sheet Pan Suppers Meatless

Lolli — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 01:30:26 +0000

This recipe and giveaway are brought to you by Workman Publishing and Sheet Pan Suppers Meatless. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’m always on the look out for more meatless (or less-meat!) meals for my family, in an effort to be more healthy AND more frugal when it comes to the family dinner. Believe me, feeding a family of 6, in a house full of teens and tweens, is exhausting.

I was thrilled to receive a copy of the brand new Sheet Pan Suppers Meatless by Raquel Pelzel and couldn’t wait to try a recipe or two this past week with my family.

I bookmarked several recipes (they all look SO tasty!) and settled on trying this recipe for orzo with pan-roasted tomatoes, lemon and mozzarella first. I’m excited to be able to share the recipe with you (be sure to scroll down below the recipe to enter the giveaway, too!).

Yum

Orzo With Pan-Roasted Tomatoes, Lemon and Mozzarella: Sheet Pan Suppers Meatless

Ingredients

1 lb cherry tomatoes, halved
1 medium-size lemon, thinly sliced into rounds, seeds removed
3 garlic cloves, very thinly sliced
2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup dry vermouth or dry white wine
1 box (16 oz) orzo pasta
3 3/4 cups boiling water
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, stacked, rolled, and thinly sliced crosswise into ribbons
6 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, roughly torn by hand
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)

Instructions

Adjust an oven rack to the middle position, place a sheet pan on the rack, and preheat the oven to 400° F.
Place the tomatoes, lemon, garlic, 1 tsp salt, pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and the olive oil in a medium-size bowl and toss to combine. Carefully turn the tomato mixture onto the heated sheet pan, spread it in an even layer, and and for 10 minutes.
Remove the sheet pan from the oven and stir the vermouth into the tomato mixture. With a silicone spatula, press down on the tomatoes and lemon slices to extract their juices. Stir in the orzo.
Pull the oven rack out partway and set the sheet pan on it. Carefully pour the boiling water into the orzo, stirring to combine and distribute evenly. Wearing oven mitts, cover the sheet pan with aluminum foil, crimping it tightly around the edges to seal. Bake the pasta for 15 minutes.
Uncover the pan, add the remaining 1 tsp salt, stir the orzo, and cook, uncovered, to allow the juices to thicken and any partially cooked pasta from the top layer to absorb more liquid, 5 minutes more.
Preheat the broiler to high. Stir most of the basil into the pasta, then scatter the mozzarella cheese over the top. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the mozzarella and broil until the cheese is melted and golden, 3 to 5 minutes (watch the cheese closely, as broiler intensities vary!). Remove from the oven and let stand for a few minutes. Sprinkle the remaining basil over the top just before serving.

Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by Yummly Rich Recipes

https://foodfunfamily.com/orzo-with-pan-roasted-tomatoes-lemon-and-mozzarella-sheet-pan-suppers-meatless/

ABOUT SHEET PAN SUPPERS MEATLESS

By Raquel Pelzel
In Stores October 3rd, 2017

Sheet Pan Suppers Meatless is the follow-up book to Sheet Pan Suppers (Amazon affiliate link), and is completely vegetarian.

The magic of Sheet Pan Suppers is back, bringing its inspired one-pan approach to vegetarians, flexitarians, vegans, those following a gluten-free diet, and everyone who’s interested in adding delicious, meatless meals to their repertoire.

Not only is cooking on a sheet pan incredibly easy and convenient, but it uses three techniques—roasting, baking, or broiling—that intensify flavors, resulting in vegetable-forward cooking that has never tasted so good.

And never has cooking on a sheet pan been so creative. Here’s how to cook pasta in a sheet pan—like No-Boil Mac and Cheese or Orzo with Pan-Roasted Tomatoes, Lemon, and Mozzarella. How to cook soups, salads, and stews in a sheet pan—including Roasted Tomato Gazpacho with Toasty Croutons, Chickpea and Squash Stew with Crispy Tofu, and Sweet Potato, Arugula, and Pecan Salad. Plus here’s how to make chips (Sesame-Miso Kale Chips), pizzas, pot pies, vegetable braises, risottos, polenta, granola. And desserts, of course, from a Pear Galette to Dulce de Leche Pumpkin Squares to an incredible vegan Sticky Toffee Pudding.

Amazingly convenient, amazingly versatile, amazingly tasty, Sheet Pan Suppers Meatless reinvents plant-based cooking, making it easy for everyone to put vegetables front and center at the family meal.

ABOUT RAQUEL PELZEL

Raquel Pelzel has created original recipes for Saveur, the Wall Street Journal, Every Day with Rachael Ray, Shape, and Epicurious, among many others. Formerly an editor at Cook’s Illustrated and the senior food editor and test kitchen director for Tasting Table, Pelzel has written more than 20 cookbooks and has judged Food Network shows including Chopped Junior and Beat Bobby Flay. Pelzel lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her two sons.

Win a Sheet Pan Suppers Meatless Prize Pack!

One (1) winner receives:
• a copy of Sheet Pan Suppers Meatless
• plus a Sur La Table sheet pan and a KateSpade cookbook oven mitt.

Open to US addresses only.
Prizing and samples provided by Workman Publishing.

Entry -Form

Connect with Sheet Pan Suppers Meatless

Hashtag: #SheetPanSuppersMeatless
Follow WorkmanPub on Twitter and Instagram
Like Workman Publishing on Facebook
Get it on Amazon (affiliate link)