Another Recipe Contest

Yep, once again I am trying to see if a recipe I create can be named "best in show." I have to admit, I really enjoy entering recipe contests, but just don't have as much time to do them right now as I would like. (For those of you keeping track, I am almost 9 months pregnant...hence the short on time issue!)

But when I heard about this one from JSL Foods, I decided to make the time to enter one more before my days are completely full of bottles, diapers and cooing!

The idea was simple. They would send me whichever of their products I wanted to incorporate into a recipe and then I got to play and create in my kitchen. How cool!

I decided to use their Teriyaki Yakisoba Noodles, but in a different way than I normally would.

We are Asian food fanatics, but in the summer time, we are also salad ones too. We like eating lighter, cooler and more refreshing meals when the sun is beating down and it's too hot to move. So I decided I could take these tasty noodles, add some fresh ingredients, a tasty sauce and create a salad that is both filling and light at the same time.

This makes a terrific main dish, with some fresh fruit on the side. Or whip up a big batch of it for your next cookout. Feel free to add whatever veggies you think you would be delicious, I think I might add zucchini next time.

If you want to learn more about JSL Foods and all the great products they have to offer, check them out online, on Facebook and Twitter. Or, look for them at your local Safeway or Target store. Oh, and wish me Good Luck!!

Sweet n Spicy Asian Noodles Salad

3 packages Fortune Teriyaki Yakisoba Noodles, sauce packets discarded

1 (12 oz.) bag frozen cooked medium shrimp, thawed and tails removed

1 (8 oz.) bag frozen shelled edamame, thawed

1 lb. fresh broccoli crowns, cut into florets

1 red bell pepper, julienned

1/4-1/3 c. creamy peanut butter

1/4 c. soy sauce, extra for serving

1/4 c. lemon juice

1/2 c. chicken broth

3 TBS sesame seeds, extra for garnish

1-3 tsp. sriracha, to taste

Bring 2 large pots of water to a boil. When they are rapidly boiling, add noodles to one, and broccoli to the other. Cook EACH 2 minutes total. Immediately transfer both the noodles and broccoli to a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain well.  In a medium bowl whisk together soy sauce, lemon juice, chicken broth, peanut butter, sriracha and sesame seeds. Transfer noodles and broccoli to a large bowl. Pour sauce over. Add shrimp, peppers and edamame. Toss to combine. Chill for at least an hour before serving. Stir well again. Sprinkle with extra sesame seeds. Serve with extra soy sauce on the side. *NOTES* I use 2 teaspoons of sriracha, because I can't take much heat. Feel free to use less or more depending on the heat level your family enjoys. Or, you can always serve extra on the side. When you pour the sauce down over the noodles, you will notice extra. This is fine because it will absorb a lot while chilling. 

Cookies At Your Door { A Review}

It seems like we are doing more and more of our shopping online. I don't know about your family, but I can honestly say a large majority of our "gift giving" shopping involves me on the Internet instead of me in the car driving around. From online stores to being able to order fantastic foodie gifts, there is nothing you can't order online these days. And if you are like us, and always looking for the next delicious thing to send to your loved ones, I've got a great idea for you today!

Since 1983 Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies has been offering their home baked cookies to the public in simple cookie tins. And today their love of cookies and desserts is shared with sweet lovers worldwide. Their line of fresh baked gourmet cookies and Kosher desserts are:

Baked Fresh, All Day, Every Day

Use All Natural Ingredients

No Artificial Anything

Kosher Certified

Perfect for birthday gifts, fund raising, or "just because", Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies are sure to please the dessert lover in your life. 

Now, for this review I was asked to keep a 7 day diary of our 2 pound cookie tin to show just how fresh they stay, and how they are as delicious on day 7 as they are on day 1. 

I can honestly say it was hard for us to even have any left by about day 5, they are that delicious, but we persevered!!

Day 1: The cookies look like they were just taken out of the oven, fresh baked and taste great.

Day 2: No change. Still taste as fresh as yesterday.

Day 3: No complaints, taste the same.

Day 4: Even the ones that have been laying underneath others taste fresh.

Day 5: These two were the only ones that seemed just a tad dry to me, but I honestly think it was the type of cookie, not due to anything else. My husband ate them and said they tasted just right to him.

Day 6: After almost a week, we are into a layer of a ones we haven't touched and they are soft and yummy.

Day 7: As you can see, they look just as fresh as the ones we enjoyed a week before.

In conclusion, I have NO complaints about the freshness level these cookies maintained after sitting on our counter top for a week. We did nothing special. We kept them in the tin, in a cool dry place in our kitchen, just as was suggested, and honestly where we would have anyway.

I am so impressed with these cookies and would not hesitate to order them as a gift for someone I love. I know their eyes would light up at the variety and freshness of such delicious sweet treats!

Want to know more? Be sure to check Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies online, and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Disclaimer: I was provided with free samples in exchange for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.