EXPIRED! - March 2014 Giveaway

Would you like to win the March 2014 Giveaway? How do you enter? Easy... all you have to do is be a public follower of this blog. This means, that you must follow the blog publicly in order to be eligible - otherwise I would have no way to contact you if you win! ;) To follow this blog publicly, you can use Google+ or Google Friend Connect (links are located in the menu on the right). Once you are listed as a public follower, you have automatically been entered into the random drawing. The winner will be announced on March 1, 2014 and will only have 72 hours in which to claim their prize. If you're afraid of missing the drawing, you can always sign up for email notifications. For further details, please see the "Terms & Conditions" section at the bottom of this post. This is the prize that the winner will receive:

Xpress Redi-Set-Go Recipe Booklet:

Cooking For One

For those of you who own a GT Xpress 101, Xpress Redi-Set-Go, or an Xpress Platinum, you know that there are only a few ways to get recipes: (1) sign up for the "Easy Eatin' Recipe" club, (2) become an "Xpress Recipe Xchange" member, or (3) find recipes online from various sources.

I happen to frequent thrift stores, and occasionally I am lucky enough to run across the recipe booklets from the "Easy Eatin' Recipe Club." That's where this little booklet came from. It's in very good condition. Even though the booklet is marked for the "Redi-Set-Go" grill, the recipes will work in the Xpress Platinum, and it looks like they will also work in the GT Xpress 101. :)

Recipes Included in Booklet:

Hawaiian Beef Burgers
Chicken Fajitas
"Fried" Salmon and Vegetable Rice
Chicken Rolls with Cranberry Filling
Island Spice Sesame Chicken
Mexican Stuffed Peppers
Couscous for 1
Polynesian Chicken and Rice
Biscuit, Diced Ham and Eggs
Broccoli Ham Roll Ups
Mini Pork and Potato Loaves
Western Omelet (seen on the cover)
Monster Grilled Sandwich
Stuffed Turkey Tenderloin
Italian Chicken Pizza Bake

Terms & Conditions:

One winner will be selected in a random drawing. No purchase necessary. This particular offer is only open to US residents. Only persons over the age of 18 are eligible, and you may be asked to provide proof of age or identity at any time. The offer ends on February 28, 2014 at midnight EST.  The winner will be announced on this blog and notified either through his/her Google+ profile (via Google Hangouts) or through email with instructions on how to redeem their prize.  The winner will have 72 hours to claim their prize - no exceptions. If the prize is not claimed within 72 hours, a new winner will be drawn. Odds of winning will depend upon the number of eligible entries. The prize may not be exchanged for money or money's worth. Winner assumes all liability for any injury and/or damage caused, or claimed to be caused by participation in this promotion or redemption of any prize.


Have questions? Leave a comment!

Peanut Butter Banana Stuffed French Toast

 

When I first met my hubby, I remember he used to put peanut butter on his French toast.  I thought he was insane.  I was a French toast "purist" and believed that simple French toast could never be improved upon; it was perfect just the way it was!  Fast forward years and years (and maybe even a few more years) later, and I finally tried a classic stuffed French toast (the kind with cream cheese).  I thought I would hate it, but it was actually quite good.  Then one day I remembered my hubby's love of peanut butter smeared on French toast.  That's when I came up with the peanut butter stuffed French toast.  In this version I use banana, but it's good with other fruits as well.

 

Ingredients:

• 2 slices Texas toast (or other thick bread)
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1/2 banana, sliced
• 1 egg
• 1/8 cup milk
• 1/2 tablespoon syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Pan Insert to Use: Base Unit

Servings: 1

Directions:
1. Preheat grill. If using the Xpress Platinum, preheat at setting 2.
2. Spritz pan with non-stick spray.
3. Spread each piece of Texas toast with 1 tablespoon of the peanut butter.  Place banana slices on one of the pieces of bread.

4. Assemble "sandwich" and set aside.
5. Mix together egg, milk, syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon in a bowl; dip "sandwich" into mixture and place in the grill.

6. Close lid and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until browned.  If your bread is too thin, you may need to flip and add another 3-4 minutes of cooking time.
7.  Serve with additional syrup.

Variations:
Instead of using banana, try this recipe with sliced strawberries or thin apple slices.

Blueberry Breakfast Sandwich

Blueberries are incredibly good for you.  Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of plain ol' blueberries, and I need to jazz them up if I'm going to eat them.  I enjoy them in muffins, pancakes, waffles, and in this awesome breakfast sandwich!  I make this sandwich with strawberry cream cheese, but you could easily substitute cinnamon cream cheese - or even plain cream cheese!  Because this sandwich is so "pretty" in its coloring, it's easy to get my little girl to eat it as well.  ;)   I used frozen blueberries for this recipe, but fresh would probably be just as delicious!

Ingredients:

• 2 slices Texas toast (or other thick bread)
• 2 wedges strawberry cream cheese (like the kind by Laughing Cow)
• 1/4 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine

Pan Insert to Use:  Base Unit

Servings:  1

Directions:
1. Preheat grill. If using the Xpress Platinum, preheat at setting 2.
2. Spritz pan with non-stick spray.
3. If blueberries are frozen, thaw them in the microwave.
4. Spread each slice of Texas toast with 1 wedge of strawberry cream cheese.
5. Place blueberries on 1 slice of bread and close sandwich.

6. Spread butter/margarine on the outside of the sandwich - about 1 tablespoon per side.

7. Place in grill and close cover.  Cook for 2-3 minutes, flip, cook other side for 2-3 minutes.
8. Let cool slightly before eating - the cream cheese will be HOT!

Mac & Cheese Tomato Boats

 

My kid (and every kid I know, for that matter) LOVES macaroni & cheese!  But the problem with mac & cheese is that there isn't much nutritional value.  I've tried mixing in pureed carrots, chopped broccoli, and diced peppers.  But I've really stumbled onto gold with these mac & cheese boats.  She gets to help with the preparation (always a plus) and she gets to eat something fun because we call it "mac & cheese boats."  What kid doesn't want to eat their food out of a boat - then be able to devour said boat?  The best thing about this recipe is that you don't have to use the microwaveable mac/cheese cups; it works just as well (if not better) with prepared homemade mac & cheese.  For the sake of simplicity, I'll be using the mac & cheese cups.  The bacon is added for a little extra protein, but you could easily leave it out to keep this dish vegetarian.

Ingredients:

• 1 microwaveable cup of mac & cheese (such as Easy Mac)
• 1 medium tomato
• 2 slices American cheese
• 1 tablespoon cooked, crumbled bacon
• 1/2 tablespoon shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 tablespoon French fried onions

Pan Insert to Use: Base Unit

Servings: 1-2

Directions:
1. Preheat grill. If using the Xpress Platinum, preheat at setting 2.
2. Spritz pan with non-stick spray.
3. Prepare macaroni & cheese according to package directions.

4. Cut tomato in half & hollow out inside.  Use paper towels to remove excess moisture.

5. Break up 2 slices of American cheese and stir into prepared macaroni & cheese.

6. Add bacon to mac & cheese and stir.
7. Scoop mac & cheese mixture into tomato halves.
8. Top each tomato half with 1/4 tablespoon Parmesan cheese.
9. Put French fried onions into a small zippered plastic bag and seal.  Crush onions with hands to make crumbs.

10. Top tomatoes with onion crumbs.

11. Cook both halves (side by side) in unit for about 5-7 minutes.