Winner Announcement Giant Fortune Cookie!

A winner has been chosen for the Giant Fortune Cookie!

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106

Timestamp: 2009-06-29 15:09:21 UTC

Congratulations to: LESLIE M!!

$10 TARGET gift card giveaway!

This is an easy giveaway! I just wanted to thank all you who have been so sweet to drop by and leave comments on my new blog, The Speedy Gourmet. I hope there will be some new readers too! Please hang in there, as I will be having some great giveaways coming up!


There are lots of ways to enter - and no required entry for this giveaway! Choose as many or as few as you feel like doing!




PLEASE REMEMBER TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, or make sure your email shows in your blogger profile.

Please, please, please...leave your email address for giveaways. If you don't want to leave your email address, please make sure your blogger profile has your email set to public. It makes me sad that so many have entered, but have no chance of winning, as I cannot contact them. Please!
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1. Follow The Speedy Gourmet on Blogger. Please leave a comment.

2. Follow The Speedy Gourmet on Twitter (my twitter name is speedygourmet), follow me button is on the right hand side of blog. Leave a comment with your Twitter ID.

3. Tweet this giveaway using this this phrase: "Please RT :: Win a $10 TARGET Gift Card @ The Speedy Gourmet! :: http://www.thespeedygourmet.net" Come back here and leave me your twitter name, or a direct link to your twitter. (one comment please). You can also tweet this contest each day, and come back leaving the date you re-tweeted and a link to your tweet.

4. Add The Speedy Gourmet to your Technorati Favorites! (button on right hand side)

5. Add The Speedy Gourmet button to your sidebar (if it's already there, let me know that! Leave link to your blog.)

6. Subscribe to The Speedy Gourmet via email - let me know in a comment

7. Subscribe to The Speedy Gourmet in a reader (RSS)

8. Add The Speedy Gourmet to your blogroll (text link please), leave comment with your website url.!

9. Comment on any non-giveaway post on this blog or on Eighty MPH Mom - leave comment on which post you commented on.

10. FOR 10 EXTRA ENTRIES - Blog about this giveaway, with a live link to my blog and come back and leave the link to your blog post. Post ten separate comments that you've blogged about this)


One Entry per initial entry, one entry per each additional entry per person, per email address, per household, per IP Address and/or per blog. Daily retweets are acceptable. Failure to follow these rules will lead to disqualification in this contest and all future contests on this blog.

PLEASE FOLLOW RULES - I WILL BE CHECKING COMMENTS BEFORE I PICK WINNER(S), AND UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE TO DELETE COMMENTS THAT DON'T ADHERE TO THE RULES, HAVEN'T DONE INITIAL ENTRY OR THAT DON'T HAVE CONTACT INFO. So please make sure you go to the sponsors website per instructions above, before leaving your first comment. In doing this, it makes it fair to those who have followed the rules...thanks for understanding!

Good luck!

Giveaway ends July 15th, 2009. U.S. entrants only.
There was no sponsor for this giveway - blog owner provided card for giveaway at her own expense. Blog author never gets paid to post. The only compensation for any review on this site is a sample of product for review. I received compensation for this review. The opinions herein are those of blog author only. Compensation received has no bearing on any review outcome. Please refer to my Acknowlegement Policy for further information.

Quick Meal Ideas - Hamburger Stroganoff

You know those nights when you just don't have it in you to make a time consuming recipe? I seem to have those nights a lot, especially when I'm really tired. I will be featuring these quick recipes here and hopefully they will make your life just a little bit easier. Please let me know if you have a preference on the form below or the recipe cards I have used for other recipes. Thanks!


Quick Hamburger Stroganoff:

1 lb. hamburger meat
1 can of beer
1 package onion soup mix
1 cup sour cream
Salt and pepper to taste

Brown hamburger meat and drain. Add can of beer and package of onion soup mix, stir.
Simmer for 1/2 hour on low. Most of the liquid should be gone but if you like more sauce, then you can add a little water. Add sour cream and salt and pepper. (I always add even more sour cream - but that's just me!). Stir until blended and warmed through. Serve over rice or noodles.

** Note - if it is not thick enough, simple add a little flour and mix in.

Chocolate Kiss Cookies Recipe!

Chocolate Kiss Cookies

These are always a favorite in my family...I made these the other night and they are so yummy I just had to share. They are super easy too.

Somebody's Mother's Chocolate Sauce Review and Giveaway!

I love chocolate...plain and simple. Milk chocolate is my favorite. I was so excited when a nice lady saw me on Twitter, after I raved about Somebody's Mother's Chocolate Sauce, and said to email her to see what we could do. How cool is that? The nice lady is from Somebody's Mother and she sent me a jar of their Chocolate Sauce to review, and another to giveaway!

I was very impressed with how well they were packaged. They were neatly surrounded in bubble wrap, and placed in box with more padding. Of course, all of the neat packaging was thrown to the wind (sorry!) when I discovered what was inside. The jars are adorable (as is the name!), and I had to try them immediately.

The directions said to heat for 3 seconds and that was perfect. After it has been refrigerated, I had to heat just a tad bit longer. I first tried it plain, as I wanted to get the full flavor. Well, I sure got the full flavor alright - I ate a small bowl of the sauce plain. I cannot express enough how delicious this sauce is. It reminds me of when I make fudge, and it is at the gooey stage. YUM.

I did eventually try the sauce as an ice cream topping and as you can imagine, it was superb. I have been eating more ice cream than I have in a long time. I admit that I get a little bit giddy when I think to myself, "Ooooh, I have Somebody's Mother's downstairs!". The sad part is that my jar - the holy grail of chocolate sauces - is gone. I finished it last night and I was just a bit depressed. You will never guess what I did today...I ordered two jars. I have not had my fill of this yummy sauce, and I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my two precious jars.




From Somebody's Mother's website:

In April 2005, Somebody’s Mother and her children launched a company in order to produce and sell a really great chocolate sauce (made often over the years at home by Somebody’s Mother’s Mother) which can be eaten warm over ice cream, at room temperature fastened to fruit, or cold straight out of the jar.

The sauce has no preservatives and Somebody’s Mother has no current plans to infuse it with hibiscus or oil it with lavender. It’s just a plain, no-nonsense chocolate sauce that everybody seems to like. Even chocolate haters like it. Somebody’s Mother hopes you, too, will like it and buy it in great quantities so she can keep the children clothed and fed. For a little while longer.

In addition to the yummy chocolate sauce I tried, they also have White Chocolate Sauce and Caramel Sauce. I desperately wanted to order the Caramel Sauce, as I know it has to be delicious too, but I ordered two chocolates instead (LOL). For gift giving, Somebody's Mother's sauces are also available in gift packs. One other thing I love about the sauces is that they contain no high fructose corn syrup, additives, or preservatives. You can purchase these sauces online, you can find them at Somebody's Mother's retail locations.

I give Somebody's Mother's Chocolate Sauce a big, huge thumbs up. This is the best tasting chocolate sauce ever...and I mean ever! If you are a chocolate lover, I promise you will not be disappointed.

**CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED**

WIN IT! SOMEBODY'S MOTHER'S has offered a jar of their chocolate sauce for one winner!



For first (and required) entry, tell me which sauce you think would be your favorite, and how you would use it...easy!

The above initial entry is required. After you have commented with the initial entry (and only then), you can do any or all of the below for extra entries!

1. Follow this blog! I know most of you follow my other blog, but I would love followers on this one. There will be some great giveaways, so please follow! Come back and tell me in a comment.

2. Follow The Speedy Gourmet on Twitter and tweet this giveaway (daily if you want) using the phrase "Please RT - Love chocolate? WIN Somebody's Mother's Chocolate Sauce @ The Speedy Gourmet:: http://www.thespeedygourmet.net" (My Twitter ID is: speedygourmet). Leave me link to your tweet in a comment. You can TWEET THIS EVERY DAY!

3. Add The Speedy Gourmet button to your blog.

4. Add The Speedy Gourmet to your blogroll (using URL please).

5. Subscribe to The Speedy Gourmet via email or RSS Feed.

Giveaway open to U.S. residents only. One entry (not including retweets) per household, IP address, street address, etc. Winner must respond to notification email within 72 hours, or a new winner will be picked. Giveaway ends June 30th, 2009.

Blog author never gets paid to post. The only compensation for any review on this site is a sample of product for review. I received compensation for this review. The opinions herein are those of blog author only. Compensation received has no bearing on any review outcome. Please refer to my Acknowlegement Policy for further information.

Fun with Strawberries!

I went to the Farmer's Market in town yesterday and found some amazing fruit. I got a huge basket of strawberries and I couldn't resist having some fun with them. I love chocolate covered strawberries, and I wanted to let you know a neat product that I found in the produce section of my grocery store.

It is Dolci Frutta and it's so easy to use. The little tub is filled with these large chips. Just peel the top, microwave in 30 second increments, stir and voila! I wash and dry strawberries then dip them in the tub of melted chocolate. The quality is excellent and I don't have to fool with homemade chocolate (which I've tried before, but have always had difficulties in getting the chocolate to stay on the strawberries). I have not yet tried the other yummy ideas on their site, but they do have some wonderful tips and recipe ideas, including milk chocolate and white chocolate dipped strawberries!


Another way to enjoy strawberries is to put sour cream in one bowl, and brown sugar in another. Dip strawberry in sour cream, then into brown sugar - enjoy! It may sound strange, but it is so tasty! Enjoy!

This is a product I am fond of and want to share with my readers. There was no compensation involved, whatsoever, for this post.

GIANT FORTUNE COOKIE Review and Giveaway!

MMMMM. That is all I can say. Well, that is not true - I am never at a loss for words, although these humongous fortune cookies almost leave me speechless. I anxiously awaited the arrival of my Giant Fortune Cookie. After seeing them on other blogs and hearing the rave reviews - I just had to try one for myself. I was not disappointed. When they say "giant", they are not kidding. Here is a picture I took of the cookie next to my cat. Look how big it is in comparison to my kitty's head!



From the Giant Fortune Cookie website:

Sending a giant fortune cookie is like sending an edible wish that expresses your thoughts & feelings in a way they will never forget. They’ll receive the largest, freshest and tastiest fortune cookie they’ve ever seen in their life. Whether it’s a special birthday wish, a from the heart anniversary gift, a giant I love you message, or corporate thank you fortune – we guarantee they’ll love it.

Every giant fortune cookie is baked fresh daily, hand made, carefully dipped in the finest chocolate, and expertly decorated just for your special occasion. Each giant fortune cookie comes individually wrapped and beautifully packaged in a distinctive white gift box. Best of all, your cookie comes with your personalized message inside!

Don't forget Father's Day is just around the corner! How excited would your dad or husband be to receive his very own Father's Day Giant Fortune Cookie. I can only imagine the looks on their faces with they pull this mammoth fortune cookie out of the box. Each cookie comes dipped in yummy milk chocolate and decorated just for dad in bold colors. This giant fortune cookie gift is individually wrapped in quality French Cellophane and comes carefully packaged in a white gift box. No wrapping or card required!


If your dad is tired of power tools, neckties and grill accessories – this gift is a sweet change of pace. The best part? You can personalize a fortune especially for him (oh, think of the possibilities!).


Giant Fortune Cookies are available for just about any occasion you can think of. You can choose from White Chocolate, Dark Chocolate and Milk Chocolate, and pick different decorations to suit any recipient or event. They even have cookies for new babies (well, for the new mom and dad) - This one is for a baby boy.


Giant Fortune Cookies is a sister company of Fancy Fortune Cookies which has been in the business of making and reliably delivering personalized gourmet fortune cookies since 1988 worldwide. I also received a few of their flavored regular size fortune cookies and they are really good too. I tried Coconut, Cherry, Lemon and others - they are very, very fresh and full of flavor!



Bottom line? My whole family enjoyed our Giant Fortune Cookie immensely. The packaging was so beautiful, that I hated to open it, but sometimes you've just got to do it. We broke off pieces, and shared nicely. I hope you will keep Giant Fortune Cookies in mind for gift giving - these are definitely something you do not see everyday!

**GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!**

WIN IT! The nice folks at Giant Fortune Cookie have offered one of my readers a Giant Fortune Cookie of their very own! ** TWO CHANCES TO WIN!

**They have also so generously offered a giveaway on my other blog, Eighty MPH Mom, too! After you enter here, make sure you head over to Eighty MPH Mom for a Second chance to win one of these heavenly giant fortune cookies!

For first (and required) entry, please go to Giant Fortune Cookie and pick you favorite cookie flavor/design (other than mentioned above).


This rule must be followed before you can get extra entries below.


PLEASE READ RULES CAREFULLY!


PLEASE REMEMBER TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, or make sure your email shows in your blogger profile.

Please, please, please...leave your email address for giveaways. If you don't want to leave your email address, please make sure your blogger profile has your email set to public. It makes me sad that so many have entered, but have no chance of winning, as I cannot contact them. Please!
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FOR EXTRA ENTRIES do any of the below: (Leave a separate comment for each) These can only be done if you've done initial entry above:

1. Follow The Speedy Gourmet on Blogger. Please leave a comment.

2. Leave one comment only for: Following me on Twitter (my twitter name is
speedygourmet) and tweeting about this giveaway using this this phrase: "Please RT :: Love Chocolate? Win a fancy decorated GIANT FORTUNE COOKIE @ The Speedy Gourmet! :: http://www.thespeedygourmet.net" Come back here and leave me your twitter name, or a direct link to your twitter. (one comment please). You can also tweet this contest each day, and come back leaving the date you re-tweeted and a link to your tweet.

3. Add The Speedy Gourmet button to your sidebar (if it's already there, let me know that! Leave link to your blog.)

4. Subscribe to The Speedy Gourmet - let me know in a comment

6. FOR 5 EXTRA ENTRIES - Blog about this giveaway, with a live link to my blog and come back and leave the link to your blog post. Post five separate comments that you've blogged about this)

8. Add The Speedy Gourmet to your blogroll, with a link back to me!

One Entry per initial entry, one entry per each additional entry per person, per email address, per household, per IP Address and/or per blog. Daily retweets are acceptable. Failure to follow these rules will lead to disqualification in this contest and all future contests on this blog.

PLEASE FOLLOW RULES - I WILL BE CHECKING COMMENTS BEFORE I PICK WINNER(S), AND UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE TO DELETE COMMENTS THAT DON'T ADHERE TO THE RULES, HAVEN'T DONE INITIAL ENTRY OR THAT DON'T HAVE CONTACT INFO. So please make sure you go to the sponsors website per instructions above, before leaving your first comment. In doing this, it makes it fair to those who have followed the rules...thanks for understanding!

Good luck!

Giveaway ends June 27, 2009. U.S. entrants only.

The only compensation received was sample of product for review. Compensation has no bearing whatsoever on a positive or negative review. Prize will be shipped directly to winner from sponsor. The Speedy Gourmet is not responsible for items lost or damaged during shipping.

Blog author never gets paid to post. The only compensation for any review on this site is a sample of product for review. I received compensation for this review. The opinions herein are those of blog author only. Compensation received has no bearing on any review outcome. Please refer to my Acknowlegement Policy for further information.

Welcome!

Hello and welcome!

I hope you will enjoy The Speedy Gourmet. I want it to be an interactive place where we can share food finds, recipes, tips and friendship. Men are welcome too - I know many many husbands who love to cook (mine is not one of them unfortunately!), so I hope everyone will feel comfortable and welcome here. Let's help each other out with dinner ideas and meal planning, as it could makes all of our lives just a bit easier.

I am hoping to have features such as Guest Bloggers who love to cook and who are willing to share their favorite recipes. I am also hoping to have a little vlogging section where other bloggers can submit their tips and tricks.

I will also be doing reviews and yummy giveaways. I love discovering new food items, and there are so many out there that I know we can discover together.

Thanks for stopping by!

OLD FAMILY RECIPES

Everybody has old family recipes - sometimes they will share, and sometimes they will not. I am hoping you will be willing to share some of yours. If you are please send them to me at mandjregan at gmail dot com and a link to your blog. I will give you linky love as well as list your recipes in this post.

Thanks!

Now - I have a couple of my own that I would like to share. These are from way back on my Mother's side of the family, and they are excellent. Click on the tabs on the recipe cards below to view the description, recipe, etc.

AUNT SNOOKS' BUTTERMILK PANCAKES:



Mom's (Joy) Pie Dough:

My dear friend Jennifer from Rundpinne submitted this old family recipe - these sound delicious! Thanks Jen!

Blog author never gets paid to post. The only compensation for any review on this site is a sample of product for review. I received compensation for this review. The opinions herein are those of blog author only. Compensation received has no bearing on any review outcome. Please refer to my Acknowlegement Policy for further information.

BREADS,ROLLS,POPOVERS

This is one of my favorite recipes. They are so good with a Roast, or even just as a side dish

MILE HIGH POPOVERS:



Blog author never gets paid to post. The only compensation for any review on this site is a sample of product for review. I received compensation for this review. The opinions herein are those of blog author only. Compensation received has no bearing on any review outcome. Please refer to my Acknowlegement Policy for further information.

Acknowledgement Policy

This policy is valid from June 7, 2009 This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact Jennifer Regan at mandjregan@gmail.com. This blog does not accept any form of cash payments in exchange for product reviews or posts. All items and products that are for review and/or giveaway have been provided to me by sponsor and will NEVER be exchanged for a positive review. I always state my honest opinions in my review. The compensation received will never influence content. We do accept and keep free products, from companies and organizations, for review and giveaway purposes. Generally this is in the form of the product blog author is reviewing/giving away. We may accept services, travel, event tickets, and other forms of compensation occasionally, but these will never influence blog author's opinion, and they are the only forms of compensation. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received will never influence the content, topics, opinions or posts made on this blog. The owner(s) of this blog would like to disclose the following existing relationships. Blog owner frequently posts about immediate family members. If family members are mentioned in a review/giveaway, having tried a product, they have not been paid for these posts either, they are merely opinions. The owner(s) of this blog is not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owners. If we claim or appear to be experts on a certain topic or product or service area, we will only endorse products or services that we believe, based on our expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Blog owner (and it's family members who may have had input on a review/giveaway) will not be responsible or held liable for any adverse reactions, injury or death resulting from any product reviewed and/or given away on this blog. Blog owner suggests consulting a doctor about, or researching any product mentioned on this blog, if you are uncertain about using/consuming any product.