And we have a WINNER for the Nesco/American Harvest Food Dehydrator

Okay the time has finally arrived.


I found my largest bowl, 18" long by 16" wide by 7" deep, and filled it with ALL the entries.



My goodness so many entries, well over 350!






And the winner is.........









Mama Peck of Bread That's Good for You!


Congratulations Mama! Please send me your full name and address so I can forward it to CSN and then they can get your brand spanking new Nesco/American Harvest Food Dehydrator in the mail!



All Rights Reserved 2008-10 © BigBlackDog

Nesco/American Harvest Dehydrator Giveaway

Giveaway is CLOSED.

Do you remember summer?

Feeling the warm sun and sipping cool, freshly squeezed lemonade on your patio? Well, I sure do. And planning my vegetable garden and trying to decide if I should buy some new bar stools for our pergola sure helps me cope during the last weeks of a very brutal winter.





Although we had a pitiful crop of tomatoes last year, I did manage to dehydrate several dozen and grind them into a powder. The tomato powder has an intense tomato flavor and I use it in place of tomato paste in recipes and it works beautifully. I have an older Ronco Food Dehydrator which is okay except I do have to rotate the trays because my model does not have a fan to regulate the drying process. Consequently, when I was contacted by CSN to host a giveaway on my blog, and having summer on my mind, I knew exactly what I wanted to offer my readers!


Nesco/American Harvest Food Dehydrator

•Includes 5 trays
•Expandable to 7 trays
•4" fan, 425 Watts
•Top mounted fan & heater keeps dripping out
•Easy clean-up
•No tray rotation
•Strong impact resistant trays
•Vita Save Exterior blocks harmful light
•52" power cord

This food dehydrator features Nesco/American Harvest's innovative Top Mounted Powerhead that dries food quickly and evenly. Detaches to make dehydrator dishwasher safe for easy clean up. Fan-Flow Technology means faster, more even drying with no tray rotation necessary. Perfect for the beginner!


Giveaway:

If you would like to win the Nesco/American Harvest Food Dehydrator, leave a comment on this post. Please include your email in your comment or make sure it is visible in your blog profile.

For extra entries, do any or all of the following and leave a comment letting me know what you did to earn the extra entries:

-follow my blog RSS Feed (3 extra entries)

-tweet about this giveaway including a link to this post (you can retweet once a day with 1 extra entry per tweet)

-stumble this post

-follow my blog with Google Friend Connect (2 extra entries)

-blog about this giveaway or post it on your sidebar with a link back to my blog (4 extra entries)

-follow my Facebook Fan Page (2 extra entries)

-follow my Blog with Networked Blogs (2 extra entries)



This giveaway is open to US and Canada and will end on March 9, 2010 at midnight. Feel free to leave your entries in separate comments or all together. My husband, Mr. Tastebuds, is in charge of the Giveaways and he will add up all the entries and draw the lucky winner from a hat. Prize will be sent directly from CSN to the winner.

*I did not receive a product nor any other form of compensation for writing this post.



All Rights Reserved 2008-10 © BigBlackDog

Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes and the WINNERS!

We have our two winners of Marty Embry's Coney Sauce Spice Mix!

And the first name drawn out of the hat is...

Jewel of The Tiny Jewel Box

And the second name is...

Bonnie of City Home/County Home

Please send me your full name and home address so Marty and I can get your Jar of Coney Sauce Spice Mix in the mail ASAP!

If you are interested in ordering the Coney Sauce Spice please visit From the Court to the Kitchen Spices and Apparel. And if you're interested in any of Marty's cookbooks, poetry or artwork you can find a listing at Marty Embry's Storefront.





I've been tweeting, watching the Olympics and mentally writing this post all night. And I thought it was time I sat down and started typing. Which reminds me I found the most wonderful blog today, Gail Carson Levine, with fabulous information and ideas on How to Write. And with just reading that last sentence, you can tell I need all the help I can get!

I've often wondered if enough of my own personality comes across in my blog? Should I reveal more about my life as a teacher, an artist, a wife? I do write of dear, sweet Mr. Tastebuds and his escapades in the kitchen. Although he does not read my blog, he thinks I stretch the truth about him..honey please with you I don't need to embellish, not one iota! I know I'm not an open person like Ree Drummon of The Pioneer Woman who has such an exciting, idyllic life and writes about every aspect of it for all the world to read. Hats off to Ree but I'm not sure if I could go quite that far. But oh my, the stories I could tell.....

But I digress and need to get back to my cupcakes which were truly delicious! I used my very favorite Chocolate Cupcake Recipe and made a new frosting by adding browned butter mixed with brown sugar and heavy cream to a traditional Cream Cheese Frosting. Now doesn't that just sound scrumptious! I love Cream Cheese Frosting but after tasting the Browned-butter Caramel Frosting, I'm not sure if I could make plain Cream Cheese Frosting again!





Chocolate Cupcakes
Recipe developed by BigBlackDog

Makes 12-13 regular sized cupcakes

7/8 c all-purpose flour
1 c sugar
1/2 good cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 TBL Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 c buttermilk
1/4 c EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
1 egg, at room temperature
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c freshly brewed hot coffee

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix on low speed until combined.

In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry. With mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.

Place 1 layer, flat side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake.

NOTE: This cupcake batter is thin but it bakes beautifully. I use my 1 cup glass Pyrex liquid measure and just pour it into the cupcake liners.







Browned-Butter Caramel Frosting
Recipe adapted from MyRecipes

1/4 c brown sugar
4 TBL Butter
6 TBL butter, cold but not firm
1/3 c heavy whipping cream
8 oz cream cheese, cold and firm
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Dash of salt
3 c powdered sugar

Place brown sugar and 4 TBL butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. As soon as it comes to boil remove from heat and whisk in cream, blending well. Pour into a small bowl and cool, stirring occasionally to incorporate butter.

Place remaining 6 TBL butter and cream cheese in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer until smooth. Since the butter and cream cheese is cold, it can take some time to blend so make sure to hold onto the edge of the bowl as you beat. Beat in vanilla and salt. With the mixer running, slowly pour in cooled brown sugar mixture and beat until smooth. Continue beating and add 1/2 c. powdered sugar at a time, beating well after each addition until completely smooth. Chill for 20 minutes.

NOTE: I used a small tip in my pastry bag and although the cupcakes look loaded with frosting, I was surprised to discover that I used about half the amount of frosting I would have with one of the larger tips. So I had quite a bit of leftover frosting. But Cream Cheese Frosting will keep in the refrigerator or I've had very good luck with freezing it. When needed, just thaw, whip it with a fork and it's good to go.









All Rights Reserved 2008-10 © BigBlackDog

Angelo's Coney Island and a Giveaway!

A few weeks ago I attempted to make Angelo's Coney Island Hot Dogs and although the recipe was good, it was not even close to the original recipe. And being I lived in Flint, Michigan for many years I know Angelo's almost too well.



A few days after I posted my failed attempt at duplicating Angelo's Famous Coney Dogs, I received a very nice note telling me that the Coney Island recipe I had used was not correct and the person that sent the email is none other then former DePaul Basketball Star Marty Embry!

But what does Marty Embry have in common with Angelo's Coney Island Hot Dogs?





Marty Embry, chef, father, artist, business owner, Coney Dog Aficionado and author of the popular cookbook series "From the Court to the Kitchen" has developed his own secret Spice Mix for an authentic Coney Island Sauce.


Marty graciously sent me two jars of his Coney Sauce Spice Mix. Wasn't that sweet!

Well, I made the Coney Sauce and we loved it! The Coney Sauce is easy enough to make, just brown ground beef or turkey add onions and Marty's Secret Mix and then simmer for 30 minutes. Simple! Of course Mr. Tastebuds had to experiment a bit and sprinkled some the Coney Spice Mix on his baked chicken!

Since I know you want to try an authentic Coney Island Hot Dog and I just happen to have an extra jar of Coney Sauce Spice Mix, I am offering one Jar to one lucky person!




***Update***
Marty just dontated ONE more jar of his Coney Sauce Spice Mix so there will be 2 winners! Thank you Marty!



Look at these gorgeous Coney Dogs! Don't you want to just take a big bite!





You know the drill, if you'd like to try Marty's secret Coney Spice Mix, leave a comment on this post. The winners will be announced, Thursday, February 25th.



If you are interested in ordering the Coney Sauce Spice please visit From the Court to the Kitchen Spices and Apparel. And if you're interested in any of Marty's cookbooks, poetry or artwork you can find a listing at Marty Embry's Storefront.



All Rights Reserved 2008-10 © BigBlackDog

A Book and a Bag Giveaway Winners!

I know everyone is anxious to find out who won the A Book and A Bag Giveaway I announced on December 1st!

Ann Arnold graciously donated both the Bamboo Turtle Bag which she designed. And she also included a copy of the wonderfully, fun book "The Adventurous Chef: Alexis Soyer" written and illustrated by Ann Arnold.


Well........

Megan of My Baking Adventures is the winner of the gorgeous Bamboo Turtle Bread Bag!

AND

Jenny of Petalz and Finz is the next proud owner of "The Adventurous Chef: Alexis Soyer".


Congratulations to both Megan and Jenny! Please send your full name and address to me at beans at rocketmail dot com.




Special Offer to All HBinFive Members!
To celebrate the holidays Ann has offered to refund postage, continental US ONLY, on all Bamboo Bag purchases for HBinFive Members! Just mention HBinFive in the Special Instructions/Comments Field of your PayPal order and Ann will include the postage refund with your order. You must be a member of HBinFive to receive the shipping charges refund! Special offer expires January 1, 2010.



And a tease..........

I do have another Bamboo Bread Bag but this one is the Loaf Pouch! I will be having another giveaway for this bag sometime in February...so stay tuned!




All Rights Reserved 2008-9 © Big Black Dog

****A Book and a Bag Giveaway****

Photo courtesy of Linda Elvira Piedra and reprinted with permission.


The Bag

The Turtle Bread Bag with its wide mouth and clever side pleat can expand to accommodate a round two-pound loaf of bread so it's plenty big enough for the popular Artisan Breads. The convenient drawstring cinches the bag closed to keep the bread fresh and you can easily hang the bag from any available hook or kitchen cabinet knob.

The Bag is made of bamboo fabric which is a gorgeous material very similar in texture to a fine linen but with a slight natural sheen. The fabric is soft yet strong and contains a safe natural anti-bacterial property called bamboo kun. Also the bamboo fabric will allow the bread to breathe which is very important in preventing molds yet retains moisture therefore keeping the bread fresh much longer then ordinary cotton bread bags.

The Turtle Bread Bag with a freshly made loaf of bread would make a wonderful gift for anyone on any occasion or even just a "Thinking of You" gift.

Bamboo Bags are machine washable in cold or warm water and you can either machine dry on low or hang to dry. Included is a small pamphlet on how to fold the bag to keep it neat and clean during storage.

Bamboo-Bag has several styles of Bread Bags, Produce Bags for your weekly shopping and even Dressing Bags to conveniently organize your overnight bag or unmentionables.


Special Offer to All HBinFive Members!
To celebrate the holidays Ann has offered to refund postage, continental US ONLY, on all purchases by HBinFive Members! Just mention HBinFive in the Comments field of your PayPal order and Ann will include the postage refund with your order. You must be a member of HBinFive to receive the shipping charges refund! Special offer expires January 1, 2010.





The Book

"The Adventurous Chef: Alexis Soyer" written and illustrated by Ann Arnold is a beautiful hardbound book for children ages 8 through 12 years old. But I have to admit that I, age yada yada, enjoyed it very much!

Synopsis

"In 1837, when Alexis Soyer was just twenty-five years old, he became head chef at the exclusive Reform Club in London on the condition that he be allowed to participate in the design of the kitchen. The result was a showplace filled with Soyer's clever inventions, such as the drainer and the multi-egg poacher, and it became the most talked about kitchen in all of Europe. Soyer quickly established himself as a star, but for all his flamboyance he was practical and large-hearted, cooking for the starving populace as well as the aristocracy, opening soup kitchens during the Irish potato famine, and teaching the army how to feed itself in the Crimean War.

Filled with biographical detail and lively illustrations, The Adventurous Chef tells the story of a remarkable man who was determined to revolutionize the culinary world and who remains one of the greatest cooks of the nineteenth century!"

Reviews:
"Brings to life the history of this chef who cooked with great talent and compassion." --Alice Waters, Chez Panisse

"In an ambitious and successful authorial debut, Arnold further explores the culinary arts this time through biography." --Publishers Weekly

"Gr 3-5-An engaging picture-book biography of a 19th-century chef/inventor/cookbook author." --School Library Journal

More books by Ann Arnold: "Sea Cows, Shamans, and Scurvy"


Ann Arnold, artist, author, chef, illustrator, craftsman, business owner and all-round good person, graciously donated both the Turtle Bread Bag and a copy of her book "The Adventurous Chef: Alexis Soyer". Currently, Ann is showing her Still Life Paintings, December 1-31, 2009, at the North Point Gallery in San Francisco.


If you would like to win either the Bread Bag or the Book, please leave a comment on this post and/or on the December 15th post. But if you post a comment on this post and another comment on the December 15th post you will have two chances to win.

The drawing will close at midnight Dec. 15th and the winners will be announced on my blog December 16th, 2009. My husband will pick two names out of the box and the first name will win the Bread Bag and the second name will win the Book. I promise to get both items in the mail in time for Christmas!





All Rights Reserved 2008-9 © BigBlackDog