FOODIE TUESDAY: Mini Pumpkin Pie Brûlées Recipe & Seasonal Fun From Our Friends at Pepperidge Farm #recipe

Looking for easy, unique snacks for school lunches, Trick or Treat goodies beyond candy, and seasonal pumpkin desserts? Pepperidge Farm has some sweet ideas for you. Here at ChiIL Mama, Goldfish Crackers and Pretzel Goldfish are a school lunch staple. We've also been know to enjoy a Milano cookie... or two.

Seasonal pastry pleaser – Kick off  the crisp fall season with easy-to-make Mini Pumpkin Pie Brûlées. Simply fill Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Cups with a rich pumpkin mixture and bake until golden. Dress each cup up with a caramelized sugar round and they’re guaranteed to earn you that A+. (Full recipe included below)

MINI PUMPKIN PIE BRÛLÉES

PREP: 20 minutes

BAKE: 20 minutes

COOL: 20 minutes

SERVES: 36

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat the oven to 400°F.  Spray 36 (1 1/2-inch) mini muffin-pan cups with vegetable cooking spray.  Beat the egg yolks, pumpkin, heavy cream, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice and salt in a medium bowl with a fork or whisk. 
2. Sprinkle the flour on the work surface.  Unfold the pastry sheet on the work surface.  Roll the pastry sheet into a 12-inch square.  Cut the pastry into 36 (2-inch) squares.  Press the pastry squares into 36 (1 1/2-inch) mini muffin-pan cups.  Spoon about 1 tablespoon pumpkin mixture into each pastry cup.
3. Bake for 15 minutes or until the pastries are golden brown and the filling is set.  Let the pastries cool in the pans on wire racks for 5 minutes.  Remove the pastries and let cool completely on the wire racks.
4. Place the oven rack in the upper third of the oven.  Heat the oven to 450°F.  Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.  Create 18 (2-inch) circles of sugar on each baking sheet, using about 1/4 teaspoon sugar for each circle. 
5. Bake one baking sheet for 5 minutes or until the sugar circles are bubbly and a deep caramel color.  Let the sugar circles cool completely on the baking sheet on a wire rack.  Repeat with the remaining baking sheet.  Using a small metal spatula, remove the sugar circles from the baking sheets.  Press 1 sugar circle at an angle into the top of each pastry.

Snacks for everyone – Easy to carry, easy to eat, single serve Goldfish crackers in 20 count variety packs are a back-to-school must for lunches & Halloween parties too.

Sweet cookies, ready to serve – Pepperidge Farm Cookies make it easy to say hello to a new teacher or parent committee. Wrap of a few of your seasonal favorites – no baking required –  in small cellophane bags that match your school’s colors for an instant spin on the classic cookie basket. For an extra seasonal twist, use Pepperidge Farm Milano Pumpkin Spice cookies or Dessert Shop Pumpkin Cheesecake cookies!

FOODIE TUESDAY: Almondina® Cookies Giveaway, Review, Recipes & A Cool Back Story

Almondina® - The Delicious Cookie 

Without the Guilt

I never had a cookie baking grandma. During my childhood it seemed just about every book that featured a grandma had her baking cookies! But neither of my two grandmas baked me cookies... EVER. That's why everyone needs a Grandma Dina! Her cookies, still made with the original family recipe, are available all over the nation and over seas too, to any and every one who wants to buy them, whether you have a cookie bakin' grandma or not.



(all images used with permission from Almondina)

That's one reason why, here at ChiIL Mama, we jumped at the chance to partner up with Almondina® for a review and giveaway. See, we LOVE to eat cookies, and share cookies. And we empathize with all those kids, moms and grandmas who just don't have the time or talent to DIY. It's our absolute pleasure to work with Almondina. They sent us a BIG sampler box with a wide variety of their extensive line of cookie flavors. And we were wowed by these tasty treats. Best of all, this all-natural, crispy almond cookie has no cholesterol and no added fat, salt, or preservatives and has only 30 calories!

Even better--They're ready to send a BIG sampler box of Almondina® cookies to one of ChiIL Mama's lucky readers! 

**ENTER HERE  if you would like to WIN.** U.S. entrants only. Open nation wide. Enter through midnight 7/7/14.  Please note that previous winners of Almondina giveaways are ineligible. 

Disclosure: Thanks to Almondina® for providing product for review purposes and for our giveaway. As always, all opinions are our own.

We love that they're thin and crispy and can even be justified as a fairly healthy treat! The Cinnaroma® and Choconut are our absolute favs.  We're also jazzed at all the great recipes available HERE on their site.  These cookie slices can be layered up with Nutella, whipped cream and various berries for a sweet treat. Or you can use cream cheese and lunch meat or whatever you can imagine, for a creative, unique appetizer. 

Almondina® biscuits in the following flavors:

· Original - America's all natural favorite with almonds and raisins

· Chocolate Cherry - We combined the world's finest dark chocolate

  with plump cherries to produce an irresistible, decadent treat without guilt.

· Choconut - Rich tasting crunchy chocolate, but low in calories

· Cinnaroma® - The original biscuit for cinnamon lovers

· Gingerspice - Trend setting, with chunks of Australian ginger

· AlmonDuo® - Double-nut wonder with almonds and pistachios

· AnniversaryT - Award winning delight with a touch of anise

· BranTreats® - Made with oat bran and the finest cinnamon "Cookies For Breakfast"

· Sesame - Irresistible, exotic, flavorful

- Seasonal Pumpkin Spice - A seasonal attraction with a delightful touch of fall spices combined with the highest quality almonds and pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

Including new products:

· Chocolate Dipped – the Original® dipped in the finest, pure, rich dark chocolate was previously offered only certain times of the year is now available year round

· Delights – The Original® Almondina totally encased in Milk chocolate

· Yogurt Dipped – Brantreats® dipped on one side with a layer of all natural yogurt and new Toastees!

The Almondina® Story:

We also adore the back story. This cookie's got history! Here's a 

terrific & heartwarming bit of summer reading. So cuddle up in the hammock with a box of Almondina® cookies and check out this story! www.almondina.com 

Yuval Zaliouk was a world renowned musical conductor and for the past two decades has been the owner of Almondina. Zaliouk's company is based in Ohio and his Almondina cookies are sold in all 50 States and several foreign countries. 

Where can I get some?!

Almondina distribution has expanded and is now readily available at stores such as Fairway, Hy Vee, Giant Eagle, Brookshire, Mollie Stone’s, Hannaford, Jewel, Whole Foods, The FreshMarket, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Cost Plus World Market, TJ Maxx, Marshalls and many others. You can see their complete distribution at Almondian store finder.

Almondina are unique - a gourmet cookie, health food and snack, all in one. These extraordinary gourmet treats are created from Yuval Zaliouk's secret family recipe which has been passed down from generation to generation and was introduced to the market in 1989. It is wonderfully crunchy and does not have to be dipped. It is a delightful accompaniment for coffee, tea, soft cheeses and fine light wines.

Almondina® Biscuits are:

· All Natural

· Free of cholesterol, coloring and preservatives

· Made with no added fat or salt

· Low in calories - only 30 per slice

· Kosher and Pareve (non dairy)

· with tea or coffee

· as a cracker with cream cheese, Brie or other soft French cheeses

· with a glass of sherry

· crumbled as an ice cream topping

· served to youngsters with milk

· as a delicious breakfast on the way to work

· Crunchy, addictive, healthful

For more specials, discounts, new releases and giveaways “like or friend Almondina” on Facebook and/or follow them @Almondina on Twitter.

Disclosure: Thanks to Almondina® for providing product for review purposes and for our giveaway. As always, all opinions are our own.

FOODIE TUESDAY: Holy Aioli Batman! WIN a $250 Aioli Party Prize Pack from Red Gold #freebie #recipes #giveaway

LAST CALL:  Vote for your favorite Red Gold Easy Aioli flavor for a chance to win a $250 Aioli Party Prize Pack.  Contest ends May 28, 2014. It's Foodie Tuesday again here at ChiIL Mama. One of the fun perks of being a top blogger is all the sample deliveries that arrive on our doorstep.  Today we're featuring Red Gold and their rockin' Aioli Sweepstakes.   We've been giving you the heads up on this one via our social media channels, but this is a good one and we don't want our readers to miss out. Enter today. Disclaimer: ChiIL Mama is happy to partner up with Red Gold and share this sweepstakes with our readers.  We have been compensated with an Aioli Party Pack. Three (3) Grand Prize Winners will receive a Cuisinart® Elite Griddler, a Red Gold® Apron, a 5 pack of Red Gold® products and an Aioli spreader. Click Here to enter the sweepstakes! These are a few of our favorite recipes from Red Gold:

Chicken & Avocado Pita

Fish Tacos with Lime & Cilantro Aioli

Looks like we backed a winner.  Garlic is our fav as well as the current frontrunner. Vote for your fav and get a chance to win THIS smokin' prize pack.

Summertime is coming up fast... and Red Gold has loads of tasty recipes for you.  For summertime and beyond... 

Disclaimer: Once again, ChiIL Mama is happy to partner up with Red Gold and share this sweepstakes with our readers.  We have been compensated with an Aioli Party Pack.

FOODIE TUESDAY: WIN a $50 Fresh Thyme Giftcard to Celebrate Grand Opening 4/23 #Freshthyme #Ad

It's Thyme to Celebrate a new, healthy market! 

ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama and Fresh Thyme

Fresh Thyme is coming to Mount Prospect, with many other stores popping up in the area throughout the year.  Here at ChiIL Mama we're all about green living, eco-friendly choices, and eating healthy food, so we're more than happy to welcome Fresh Thyme to the area!  We're also super stoked to see Super Stolie and Miss Jamie from the Farm, Kindie Musician friends of ours, will be there to rock your socks off, with family friendly kids' tunes.  They frequently play Beat Kitchen's Concerts for Kids, a rockin' weekly kids' series where ChiIL Mama's the press sponsor.

Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is elated to partner up with Fresh Thyme and thank them for providing a gift card for our giveaway. We have been paid to share the grand opening info with our readers.  As always, all opinions are our own.

**Click Here for your chance to WIN a $50 Fresh Thyme gift card giveaway!  Then check out Fresh Thyme's GRAND OPENING festivities TOMORROW, April 23rd!**

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market Announces First Grand Opening in Mount Prospect, IL 

on April 23, 2014

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, a new specialty grocer featuring healthy and organic value-priced offerings, is excited to announce the grand opening for the first location in Mount Prospect on Wed. April 23, 2014 at 7 a.m. CST. The Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Arlene Juracek and other village officials will be present for the ribbon cutting at the 211 W. Rand Road store location.

 “The entire Fresh Thyme team welcomes community residents to come out and experience what the market has to offer,” CEO Chris Sherrell stated. “We are eager to meet our new neighbors and hope to see them on this exciting day.”

The grand opening event will feature food samplings and giveaways including a grocery bag giveaway to the first 200 customers on grand opening day. The celebration will continue throughout the week with events for kids including face painting, balloon animals, and performances by Miss Jamie from the Farm.

 “Grocery shopping has become as much a sensory experience as a necessity of life,” said Mount Prospect Mayor, Arlene Juracek. “We are excited that Fresh Thyme Farmers Market has chosen Mount Prospect as the first site for this new locally-focused grocer.”  

It’s time to raise some RUCKUS that Fresh Thyme has finally arrived in Mount Prospect, IL! We think people are going to love this new store and what it has to offer. 

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market is thrilled to announce the first store grand opening in Mount Prospect, Ill., at 211 W. Rand Road. Doors open on Wednesday, April 23, at 7 a.m. CST. Fresh Thyme CEO, Chris Sherrell, will join the Mayor of Mount Prospect, Arlene Juracek, and the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce who will assist in the grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony and officially welcome the new market to the community. 

Super Stolie helps celebrate Grand Opening!
Wednesday April 23, 11:00am Saturday April 26, 11:00am 

Grand Opening Scheduled Events:

The first 250 guests on Grand Opening Day will receive a limited edition, custom-designed Fresh Thyme reusable bag, created specifically for the Mount Prospect opening. The limited edition bag will be filled with over $50 worth of healthy, delicious groceries! Guests are encouraged to arrive early to reserve their spot in line; limit one bag per household.

Additionally, Fresh Thyme will celebrate Earth Day by giving free reusable grocery bags to the first 5,000 guests. In paying tribute to the ongoing community-wide celebration of 100 years of baseball history for the city, guests who wear their favorite team memorabilia on grand opening day will also be given a free color-designed reusable bag.

6:45 a.m. – Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Community Partners Check Presentation

7 a.m. – Doors Open ~ Thyme to Shop! *The first 250 guests in line receive grocery giveaway bag valued at over $50 of food items! 

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Kids Activities including Boar’s Head Hot Dog Cart 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Complimentary Face Painting and Balloon Animals 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Super Stolie Kids Performance  11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Outdoor Grilling Demonstrations and Samplings 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. Boar’s Head Live Demo Show In-Store

HELP LOCALLY: As part of their commitment to the community, Fresh Thyme will make a financial donation to three different local charities. These charities have shown continual support to the Mount Prospect community, and Fresh Thyme would like to recognize and applaud their efforts and plan to be part of their continued good works in Mt. Prospect and the surrounding area. The local charities include: CEDA Northwest, Mount Prospect Lions Club and the Mount Prospect Parks Foundation. For more information, please visit freshthyme.com.

ABOUT FRESH THYME:

At Fresh Thyme Farmers Markets we believe you shouldn’t have to give away the farm to feed your body nutritious food. We’re on a mission to improve the way our communities eat by offering fresh and healthy food at amazing values -all in a vibrant and fun shopping environment, with smiling friendly faces.

The foundation of healthy eating is often based on incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables in our diets. Therefore, at the core of our offerings is an abundant produce department, overflowing with fruits and vegetables, fresh from the farm, often locally grown and much of it organic. We’re so passionate about produce that we’ve made it the nucleus of the store, ensuring the bounty of fruits and vegetables is visible from all other departments.

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market is a new full-service specialty retailer focusing on fresh, healthy, natural and organic offerings, all at amazing values. The stores’ signature offering is an extensive produce department with organic and local fruits and vegetables. In addition, Fresh Thyme’s full-service offerings include a natural meat department, healthy deli foods to go, bakery goods, 400 bulk food bins, natural and organic groceries, dairy and frozen, as well as vitamins and body care products. Fresh Thyme will offer a NEW shopping experience to the Midwest, starting with the first store in Mount Prospect, Ill., opening April 23, 2014, followed by 59 additional stores by 2019. 

You can learn more by visiting freshthyme.com, and be sure to keep in touch by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

Fresh Thyme is currently hiring a total of 100 local employees for this location. There are numerous full and part-time employment opportunities available in the Meat and Produce Departments such as meat cutter and produce clerk. 

Anyone interested may apply onsite at 211 W. Rand Road or by sending their resumes to MountProspectJobs@FreshThyme.com.

Disclosure: Once again, ChiIL Mama is elated to partner up with Fresh Thyme and thank them for providing a gift card for our giveaway. We have been paid to share the grand opening info with our readers.  As always, all opinions are our own.

Comments left on our blog about Fresh Thyme can be used on Fresh Thyme promotional materials.

FOODIE TUESDAY LOCAL: Jolly Posh Opens in the Southport Corridor, May 2014

Keep Calm and Carry…Out? Spencer’s Jolly Posh Foods, known for the finest selection of imported British and Irish foods in Chicago, is moving to the Southport Corridor! In May 2014, expat owner Nick Spencer is taking his concept down the street from its original location (1405 Irving Park Road) and opening the doors to a new, larger space catering to expats, anglophiles and Brit-obsessed Chicagoans alike! Located at 3755 N. Southport, the 1400 sq-ft space will offer a 35 plus-seat dining room, larger grocery area, expanded restaurant menu and an outdoor patio…fancy that?

Relocated to the heart of the Southport Corridor, Spencer’s Jolly Posh Foods is a restaurant & grocery. During the week, the restaurant serves lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, along with beer, wine and liquor. A “proper breakfast” (aka brunch for those who don’t speak Brit) will also be served on the weekend. Specializing in all of the flavors of Britain and Ireland, the grocery carries everything from biscuits, chocolates and sweets to cheese, condiments, jams and teas. Owner Nick Spencer also prepares traditional items in-house including homemade meats.

"It's an exciting move for our business. We've been on Irving Park for two years and been able to really test our concept,” says Spencer. “When we move to the new location on Southport, we’ll offer a vastly expanded menu and be open for dinner during the week (and breakfast on the weekends); our seating capacity expands to 35 seats with another 18 seats outdoors; our grocery selection will be larger; and parking is easier. Everything we've been dreaming about will become a reality at our new location!”

The menu will feature British classics such as fish & chips, bangers (sausages) & mash, sausage & bacon butties (sandwiches), civilized sandwiches and of course, proper afternoon tea. A combination of fish & chip shop, tearoom, grocery store and restaurant, the interior design reflects a variety of concepts joined together under one roof.  Filled with a bit of old-school British charm, the modern space features hints of traditional plaids and tweeds including a front door in “telephone box red” to greet guests. The grocery area, similar to a 1930’s corner store, displays a variety of packaged and refrigerated items, tucked in the corner for guests to peruse after dining. Clad with richly colored walls and exposed brick, the flowing design is cozy, unpretentious and offers up a hint of British wit.

About Spencer’s Jolly Posh Foods

Spencer’s Jolly Posh Foods specializes in imported artisan British and Irish foods and products. Started in 2009, owner Nick Spencer makes traditionally homemade meats and distributes his products to specialty retailers and restaurants across the country. The online store allows consumers to purchase and ship Jolly Posh meats, artisan goods and imported staples anywhere in the USA. In 2012, the first Spencer’s Jolly Posh shop opened in Chicago and expanded to a larger restaurant and grocery in 2014.

For more information, please visit www.jollyposh.com.

FOODIE TUESDAY: New Reusable Liquid Spout Pouch Eco-Friendly Favs from #IHHS14

Re-Pac Bags Launch Just in time for April (Earth Month)

These handy reusable spout pouches are easy to use, easy on the wallet, and easy on the environment, too! 

Great for:

• Juices, smoothies, apple sauce, yogurt
• Baby food and other liquid treats
• Toiletries and so much more!
• The tight zip-top holds it all in and makes clean-up a breeze. Dishwasher & freezer-safe! 

FDA-approved, and free of harmful BPA and phthalates. Made to last and save you money!

Final product will be 100% made in USA! 

The new squeezable food pouches are everywhere these days. You can buy a strawberry-banana blend at your local Starbucks, or a carrot-apple sauce at your local grocery store. But where do you find reusable pouches that you can fill with your own healthy recipes?

Enter Re-Pac Bags. The makers of the already popular reusable sandwich and snack bag have begun to offer their newest product online: reusable, refillable, zip-top spouted food pouches.

Re-Pac Spout Pouches were designed with a simple zip top closure that allows for easy refilling, yet keeps food fresh with its airtight seal. Food can be stored in the freezer, refrigerator, or packed in the lunchbox or purse for midday, on-the-go snacks. And best of all, the easy-to-clean pouches can be thrown in the top rack of the dishwasher.

Enthusiastic fans have already expressed excitement over the food pouches on the company’s Facebook page. Runners, backpackers, hikers, travelers, and (of course) moms are already listing ways they want to use their spout pouches. Smoothies, juices, salad dressings, even travel-sized shampoo & bodywash are among the uses named.

“My sister just had her first baby and I know she's planning on making some of her own baby food,” wrote Facebook fan Charlotte Murray. “These would be so awesome to give her!” 

Re-Pac Spout Pouches are FDA-approved and contain no harmful BPA or phthalates. More information regarding Re-Pac Spout Pouches and the existing line of reusable sandwich and snack bags can be found on the company’s website, www.re-pacbags.com

FOODIE TUESDAY: REVIEW New Girl Scout Cookie Creamers by Coffee-mate #ad #OriginalVideo

“Scout The Girl Scout” 

Disclosure:  Thanks to Coffee-mate for sending us creamers for review purposes.

To celebrate the new partnership between Girl Scouts and Coffee-mate, the iconic creamer company launched a nationwide casting call titled “Scout The Girl Scout,” to discover an authentic Girl Scout to star in an upcoming Coffee-mate commercial.  They received a slew of great submissions, including my daughter's.  Don't worry--no votes, clicks, likes or jumping through hoops required!   Woo hoo.   Just watch it if you want to, cause it's cute and fun.   No pressure.

My own 10 year old, Sage, is beginning her 4th year as a Girl Scout, and she was one of the hopefuls who auditioned.   Check it out above and/or Click here to check out her entry on the site.   She's second line center on the second page.   I'm sure everyone thinks their kid is one in a million, but in this case, Sage was one of 300+.    Click here for more “sweet” casting call videos.  They also ran Los Angeles and New York castings in person.   They should be announcing the winner any time now.

Sage didn't get a call back, but we did get some tasty, full sized samples in the mail.  Coffee-mate won Brownie Points in my book by choosing my very fav flavors for the roll out.  At this point they have Thin Mint and Caramel & Coconut (Samoa flavor).   Get your cookie flavor fix now, year round!

Thin Mint is my ultra favorite, but C & C is a close second.   If you're a huge coffee fiend like me, check 'em out!   It was a great pleasure to meet their PR peeps at BlogHer13, where they were giving out tiny tastes, and then to have the chance to review a couple full sized bottles.   The easy open, flip tops rock, and the tapered spout makes it easy to hit the mark even when your mornings are "mom hectic".   These creamers make for a tasty treat, without all the guilt (and calories) of scarfing a whole sleeve of thin mints.   

  

Disclosure:  Once again, thanks to Coffee-mate for sending us creamers for review purposes.