THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.  THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED!

I was sent some samples of Orville Redenbacher’s Popcorn recently and I immediately wondered what I could make with popcorn.  My first stop was the Orville Redenabacher’s website and I found a recipe section that answered all my questions.

One recipe that I will be trying is the Sweet & Crunchy Popcorn Balls - marshmallow coated popcorn garnished with candy coated chocolates and honey roasted peanuts. And definitely the Berry Good Frozen Yogurt Pie - crushed popcorn, powdered lemonade and whipped topping make the crust for a frozen yogurt pie.  There are lot more recipes listed but these are the two that I’m going to try first.

Also thanks to Orville Redenbacher’s Popcorn, I have two sample packs to giveaway.  This includes 4 sample packets of popcorn, coupons, and a popcorn bowl.  If you would like to win a pack, leave me a comment on this post.  This giveaway will end on Sunday, June 22, 2008.

For the MommyFest Potluck, I bring our household favorite, Pepperjack Enchiladas from Kraftfoods.com.  I actually just made this for Mother’s Day for my mother-in-law.  I know the ingredients calls for Velveeta Pepperjack Cheese, but I have never prepared this recipe with the Velveeta because I have never been able to find it in the store.

Ingredients:

Another recipe from the March 2008 edition of Parenting Magazine.

PREP: 5 minutes
COOK: 15 minutes
YIELD: 4 servings

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/4 lbs)
Salt and pepper
1 Tbs olive oil
1 1/2 cups pasta sauce
1 cup reduced-fat shredded mozzarella 
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

How To Cook:

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook on both sides, about 5 to 7 minutes each, depending on thickness.

2. Reduce heat to medium-low. Spoon pasta sauce over chicken and simmer for an additional 3 minutes. Sprinkle with mozzarella, cover, and cook for an additional 2 minutes, or until cheese is melted and gooey. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

If wasn’t traveling to Oklahoma to go house hunting this week, this recipe would definitely be on my menu.  Can’t wait to try it out.

While flipping through the March 2008 edition of Parenting, I found some recipes that look delicious.  One is Hearty Pork Chops.

Prep: 10 Minutes

Bake: 40-45 Minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

4 bonless center-cut pork chops, 1 lb small red potatoes

1 tsp jarred pre-chopped garic, 1/4 cup water

1 tbs olive oil, divided, 1 box frozen peas and onions

How To Cook:

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Season pork chops with salt and pepper
3. Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat
4. Brown port chops on both sides for about 3 minutes each side
5. Remove from heat and add peas and onions, quartered potatoes, and garlic
6. Drizzle with remaining oil
7. Sir gently to combine
8. Add water
9. Cover skittlet with lid or foil
10. Place in frepheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 mintues or until potatoes are tender

Since I quit my job and became a stay at home mom we have had to start looking for ways to cut corners money wise. One of the things I started doing was cooking from scratch. While I didn’t think I would like it, I have really come to enjoy it.

I have a couple favorite sites I use for my recipes such as Kraftfoods.com and Bettycrocker.com but I have recently come across a new site that looks very promising, www.foodconnect.com . I just discovered the site today and have already joined and saved a few recipes.

This is what a recent press release about Food Connect said:

www.foodconnect.com is the ultimate tool for every foodie.

What makes foodconnect.com so great? These and many other features:

- Free nutritional analysis, for all recipes on the site and every recipe you submit.
- Share your recipes with your friends and other foodies.
- Discuss recipe ideas and techniques.
- Plan your meal and easily print off your shopping list.
- Create the perfect dinner party

All of this and much more and best of all its all free. Get to foodconnect.com to get started today.

I’m excited what new recipes I can find and make. I especially think the Carmel Sticky Buns sound delicious and my kids would have a great time making the Cheesy Chili Popcorn.