Product Review: Botticelli Foods

Just a couple of months ago my family was approached to try some products from Botticelli Foods and provide an honest review. I'm severely behind in getting this on the blog because life has been crazy the past few weeks, I'm just now getting around to it. But I didn't want to miss sharing the comments my family made. I thought you might find them worth hearing. :)

First, lets talk about the company. Botticelli Foods is a family owned company that dates five generations. They pride themselves in "presenting a full line of fine Italian foods from their family to your's." They carry olive oils, vinegars, pastas, roasted red peppers and sauces.

We were generously gifted the Tomato & Basil Sauce, Rigatoni pasta, Olive Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil to test in our daily meals. (not pictured is the Olive Oil as it was already in use by the messy stove.)

I'll be honest, I didn't want the normal rigatoni and sauce dish. I wanted to jazz it up a bit. So we stretch ourselves outside of our comfort zones and cooked without a recipe. WHAT!! I know. I know.

But you know what, I survived and my kids didn't die from eating my dinner.

We started by boiling the Rigatoni aldente. I wanted to see if it would hold its shape after being boiled. It did quite well actually. Some of the other store brands don't hold up too well after being introduced to hot water. But Botticelli's did. It didn't get mushy at all. It even had that homemade pasta taste that you normally can't get unless you breakout the pasta cutter and start working the dough yourself. I was impressed by this.

Botticelli, score 1.

After the noodles were ready, lightly covering a 9x13 glass dish, i poured the noodles in and tossed ever so gently. This served two purposes, it added a lovely olive flavor to the pasta and coated them from burning or sticking to my dish. Then I laid in chicken cutlets and covered the entire dish with the tomato & basil sauce. Topped it all off with some mozzarella cheese because every dish needs cheese and baked for 25 minutes until the chicken was cooked and the cheese bubbling.

It was amazingly easy! Botticelli, score 2.

Doesn't that look amazing?!?! Botticelli, score 3.

But the real test is if the crazy #4 boy will eat it? His understanding of Italian food is that it comes from a blue box and is super super cheesy. Bonuses if we add hot dogs or spam. Blech!

And his verdict??

Botticelli, score 4.  Full on thumbs up with chipmunk cheeks!

Everything was as amazing as it looked! I'm not afraid to share my opinions, good, bad or otherwise. But there was nothing negative to say about this dish. In fact, the boys, plural, all of them, agreed this was one dish we can remake any time!

Botticelli, score 5! Consider this a 5 star review for a 5 star product!

I think the next test will be to prep it frozen and see how it cooks thawed. It would be super easy to prep as a freezer meal!

These opinions are mine and those of my crazy boys. Other than the products to test, I was not compensated for my review. Unfortunately the husband didn't get much input as he was traveling on business. But he has continuously used the olive oil and is impressed with the texture and taste. This weekend we plan to use it for homemade pasta to see how it flavors the noodles.

Thanks for listing and check out Botticelli Foods for yourself! Leave a comment if you've used their products before. What did you like? What do you recommend? If you haven't, what dish would you make with the things they sell?


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Product Review: Baking Buddies Silicone Baking Cups

It isn't every day that I get a chance to do a product review. But this weekend was one of those lucky times. I was given a set of Baking Buddies Silicone Baking Cups and asked to share my honest opinion about them by Rizzi from The New York Baking Company. What better way to determine my feelings than by comparing them to other similar silicone baking cups, right?

So here is the Battle of the Silicone Baking Cups!!

In the left corner, Baking Buddies Silicone Baking Cups. And in the right corner, generic silicone baking cups from the local grocer.

Here are the similarities. (read more...)

Art & Science of Baking: Free e-book

You know, as well as I do that there is a science to baking. It isn't one of those "toss this ingredient in" or "add a pinch more of that" situations. It truly requires a balance, sometimes down to the hundredth of an ounce to nail the right combination to produce something truly amazing.

I personally struggle with this. I'm the "follow a recipe two a T" person and my husband is not. He just mixes to smell, which works great when he cooks. But not so great when I bake. Oz simply has his own way of doing things. Which i LOVE! He can create the most scrumptious meals from mere ingredients in my pantry. But sometimes, I just want that calculated baked good full of warmth and sweetness. And I'm simply not willing to just toss in items without knowing the outcome will be exactly what I want or better than I can dream.

I NEED to know the science before I'm willing to just toss and bake.

This weekend I was introduced to a free e-book, How to Bake, the Art & Science of Baking.

Oh be still my heart! Here it is.

Happy 50th Birthday Easy Bake Oven!!!

What little girl in the last 50 years doesn't have a distinct memory involving the Easy Bake Oven? I do. I remember very clearly making brownies in my Easy Bake Oven with my older sister. It consumed our afternoon, which I'm sure mom loved. And it made us smile to know we had created something so yummy with just a few steps. We were bakers! 

I recalled this memory very fondly when my niece turned 3. Now remember, i don't have any girls. I just have my nieces. They are my lifeline to pink, purple and all things frilly. That includes the fabulous world of Easy Bake Ovens. So I staked claim when she was three that I would be buying her first Easy Bake Oven. Who better than the Great Cupcake Aunt (said with a resounding super hero voice)! It was perfect. And it was a perfect way for me to connect with the sweet little girls in my life and provide them a sweet little adventure into baking. So at age 5, Emily opened a large heavy box from Aunt Sherra and unlocked a world of baking possibilities! 

It made my heart smile!

This past week marked 50 years since the Easy Bake Oven made is debut and for that, Easy Bake Oven, We salute you! 

Happy 50th Birthday!!

Next Food Network Star Auditions: Calling all Cooks

Imagine my surprise when I opened an email and it was directly from the casting company for The Next Food Network Star Season 10. I just about dropped my jaw. How cool was it that "I" was privy to such a cool email and even better, that I would get to share it with you!!

They are looking for individuals with captivating personalities and strong culinary expertise. If you believe you are The Next Food Network Star, then here is your chance to prove it. 

There are two ways to enter. One is through an in-person audition and the other is through a home video submission.

Strawberry Cheesecake Streusel Muffins at the Recipe Critic

Alyssa over at the Recipe Critic simply has the best personality!

She just sparkles all over her blog.  And, today is not exception.

She reviewed a recipe on Strawberry Cheesecake Streusel Muffins that sounds amazing!! I can't wait to try these with the boys.  I'm even thinking a little cream cheese frosting on the top might be in order...or a little chocolate ganache??

The basics of the recipe include all the baking yummies; sugar, flour, cream cheese,  more sugar, milk, vanilla, strawberrys, eggs and more sugar.  The full recipe is available here.  This is a must for any summer breakfast, especially those HOT ones in Texas!

Make them ahead of time.  Then you only need to gently warm them and breakfast is served.  Or you could just eat them cold, like I'm going to tomorrow morning on my commute.

Would you modify the recipe?  When are you going to bake and serve these yummy gems?








Image by Alyssa at the Recipe Critic. All rights reserved.

Reinventing...

I'm sitting at my office computer thinking about my blog and how much I miss writing. I don't know who reads. I am not even sure I want to know who reads as it might make me a little more cautious of what I post. But I digress...I happen to be reading a SITS featured post this morning by Alyssa Erickson. She specifically writes about reinventing yourself in your writing, finding your passion for your blog once again. And it made me start to think.

Why do I write?

What do I expect for my readers to get from my blog?

Are my readers connecting with anything of the black and white on the page?

Hmm...I immediately went to my reader and reviewing recent posts by some of my favorite bloggers, only to find several haven't blogged in over a year, or they had moved their blog. Where have I been? Why didn't I see that before now? Was Alyssa's post to help me find my way back to their blogs and network? Or was it to help me rejuvenate my writing.

As a mom of 4 boys, I never have a dull moment. I should have more things to write about than I have time to scribe, but I find myself with writer's block more often than not. Last night Case, my seven year old, told my darling husband and I about sex. That could take a week to write with a straight face. Cole threw a fit because his younger brother looked at him sideways. Jake insists he can do anything his older brothers can do but screams to high heaven if someone doesn't help him. And sweet sweet Josh just smiles through his terrible twos making everyone forget that he shouldn't be in the knife drawers. Oh and Sweet Josh's reincarnation as Al Bundy could take up a couple of blog posts as well.

But...

I wonder. Would it make me a better mom to share it here? Would it scream out to others that I'm insane? Would someone questions my abilities because I openly share about the same struggles, well almost the same struggles that most moms face? What would you do?

I'm seriously looking for feedback. Do my crazy kid stories make you more confident that you stopped at 2? Do they make you feel like you are normal since I'm insane? Does my hurricane-cluttered house make your's look spit-shined?

I think I'm off to find some chocolate....where is that recipe for Chocolate, Banana, Peanut Butter Cupcakes again??

Hot and Steamy...and right on time!

Dinner is always a fight in our household. Who is going to cook? Which is followed by who is going to do dishes? And of course the inevitable, what are we going to eat?

Usually about twice a month I throw in the towel and order pizza. Most often I have it delivered. Its easy. It quick and I don't have to go anywhere or get anything. Bonus for a busy mom like me. It feeds everyone fast and provides a hot meal i don't have to feel guilty about serving the children. It has all the basic food groups, right?

1. Grains - wheat in the crust
2. vegetables - olives, peppers
3. fruits - tomatoes and occasionally pinapple
4. dairy - cheese and extra cheese
5. proteins - meats vary from sausage, chicken, bacon, anchovies, hamburger, etc
6. fats/oils - this is pretty given with the oil in the crust and from the meats/cheese
7. supplements 

 But what impressed me the most about tonight's order was the speed and the heat. No seriously. We placed our order via iphone app for carryout at 6:09pm. Within minutes we had our confimation that the pizza would be ready in 15-20 minutes. So we timed it almost to the minute and arrive at 6:22pm. My husband is in the shop less than 2 minutes and emerges with a hot and steamy pizza for all my big boys and side of undressed chicken strips for the little dudes. Win.

Then he places the order on my lap for the quick drive home. HOLY HOTNESS BATMAN! That pizza was pipping hot. I love it! Hot fresh pizza in less than 20 minutes and no wait for carry-out! Win! Win! 

Now a review is in order. Most of the time we only review things when life doesn't go as we want and we are disgruntled. Well this one deserves a review because the complete opposite is at hand. I am more than pleased with tonight's service and quality of dinner. This was defiantly a great decision. So the picture...

The Meats Original

That is one Hot pizza! The crust on the underside was done a little more than we like, but the taste was awesome. It had a hot sauce, tender meats and a sweet tomato sauce to compliment the stringy cheese. Not on person complained about dinner tonight, not one! In a household of 6, that is quite an accomplishment!

So to you Papa John's Pizza on Rock Prairie...Great job!! This is from one busy mom in a world of chaotic boys just looking to enjoy life, food and make things easier one meal at a time! You will definitely be seeing more of us!!

Bake at 350: Daffodil Cake Pops

I just LOVE Bridgette from Bake@350!! She is one of my favorite bloggers and bakers. While stalking her site this week, I ran across some very sad news. News that has taken me a couple days to process. One of my other all time favorite bloggers/bakers is sick...sweet Bakerella. You can read about her challenges here. But I love the idea that Bridgette had to brighten her day and had to share. Why not make a set for yourself and honor those loved ones in your life, past and present. Or give them to your mom or favorite teacher this week.

Bake at 350: Daffodil Cake Pops
(images solely belong to Bake@350*)

Seeking Sweetness in Everyday Life - CakeSpy - Cake Byte: Popsy Cakes Makes Cupcakes on a Pretzel

Seeking Sweetness in Everyday Life - CakeSpy - Cake Byte: Popsy Cakes Makes Cupcakes on a Pretzel

I love cake bytes. And I love cupcakes. My husband loves pretzels. Now there is a great compromise that will let me bake and him enjoy! Cake pops on pretzel sticks!! I love it! Great job Jessica Cervantes! (images from popsy cakes as posted on Cakespy)

02/04/05: Six years ago tomorrow

Yes I am becoming old. It will be official at 1:19pm on 02/04/11. My oldest son, Case will be 6. I know you might think, whop-te-do. But to me, this is my baby. This little...hmm...sweet innocent boy, yeah that is what I'll call him today and tomorrow, changed my life. I never knew what it would be like to be a mom. I always imagined growing up how it might feel and how much fun it would be, who didn't? But I don't think anything ever REALLY prepared me for the chaos and joys of motherhood. Nor did I have any idea that 6 years later, I would have 4 spawn screaming my name hourly.

So it comes, the oldest turns 6 tomorrow and has requested Blueberry Indiana Jones Cupcakes. Tonight he will bake with me. Tonight we will buy Indiana Jones ring party favors. Tonight we will make a mess out of my already messy kitchen. But tonight, we will also make a memory that he and I both won't forget. I love my little boy. Happy Birthday Case! Your mother is very proud of you!

...You don't think I'd leave the post without atleast something to tide you over until tomorrow, do you? Nope. I had hoped that Case would have jumped at my new favorite thing, Cake Balls. No they aren't new. But they are still new to me because I haven't mastered them like I have cupcakes and pumpkin bread. I was hoping he would go for some strawberry cake balls and I could practice my chocolate coatings and drizzles. But no that was not his request this year. I might still make them next week. ;)

However, Today I found a great post because of @bakeat350tweets twitter feed. My kitchen addiction posted a great post on chocolate drizzle and tips to make it "chaos" proof. Here is a picture of her amazing work:

You can read the full post here. Not only did she do a great job with the tips and techniques, she incorporated some humor as well. I can just see her kitchen covered in gloopy chocolate.

$50 Give-a-way by CSN Stores

A few months back I did a review for CSN stores and I was recently contacted to see if I'd like to have another give-a-way. Well of course I would?! Who wouldn't? So what can you get? A $50 gift certificate to any of the 200+ CSN Stores.

CSN Stores have so many items, its like one stop shopping. They have modern furniture, bookshelves, office desks, chairs, beds, lighting, and more. They have 200+ stores ... who wouldn't LOVE a $50 gift certificate. Check it out for yourself.

Giveaway: Step 1: Follow my blog. Step 2: Visit the link and tell me what you would buy with the $50 Step 3: Leave a comment & You're officially entered to win!

Bonus Entries - One for Tweeting "$50 Gift Certificate Give-A-way by @bakingupchaos." Then paste the link to this post...or something in that nature. One for following my twitter.

** Make sure to comment for every entry in order to get credit!

This contest will end Friday, December 31, 2010 at 11:59pm (EST) and is open to US entrants only. Sorry! All entries must be in by then. The winner will be announced shortly after that.

Good luck, y'all!

Broiled Apples with Maple Calvados Sauce

Just the name alone gets my taste buds drooling. Say it with me "Broiled Apples with Maple Calvados Sauce." OMG! WOW!! If you haven't tried this, you definately need to add it to the must have receipes. Its a nice crustless dessert or a perfect topping to broiled pork chops.

But then my mind started to think. What is Calvados sauce? I've never heard of it. It sure sounds amazing, but will it taste half as good as it sounds? Wikipedi.org defines Calvados is an apple brandy from the French région of Basse-Normandie or Lower Normandy. Brandy?...I can work with that. Reading further...Calvados is the basis of the tradition of le trou Normand, or "the Norman hole". This is a small drink of Calvados taken between courses in a very long meal, sometimes with apple sorbet, supposed to re-awaken the appetite. Calvados can be served as aperitif, blended in drinks, between meals, as a digestif, or with coffee. Well-made calvados should naturally be reminiscent of apples and pears, balanced with flavours of ageing. The less aged calvados distinguishes itself with its fresh apple and pear aromas. The longer the calvados is aged, the more the taste resembles that of any other aged brandy. As calvados ages, it may become golden or darker brown with orange elements and red mahogany. The nose and palate are delicate with concentration of aged apples and dried apricots balanced with butterscotch, nut and chocolate aromas.

Now we are on to something. Who wouldn't LOVE a dessert with fall's favorite fruit and complimenting brandy? I know. You just want to know how it is made, right? Well, searching the internet for a well-reviewed receipe, i found Epicurious had a version. And a yummy one at that! This turned out perfectly. It was light on the palette but still so full of flavor and spice. It was a nice warm treat to end a long week and kick off my weekend.






















Receipe & Photo courtesy of Epicurious.

Ingredients:
4 Fuji or Royal Gala apples, peeled, cored, and each cut into 16 wedges
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons Calvados
Accompaniment: premium-quality vanilla ice cream

Preperation:
Preheat broiler.
Toss apples with lemon juice and 2 tablespoons sugar. Melt butter in a shallow baking pan 6 inches from heat. Remove from oven and tilt pan back and forth to coat bottom completely with butter. Arrange apples in 1 layer in pan. Broil apples 6 inches from heat until edges are pale golden and apples are just tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons sugar over apples and broil until sugar is melted, 1 to 2 minutes.
While apples are broiling, boil maple syrup and Calvados 2 minutes.
Serve apples and ice cream topped with sauce.

Margarita Cupcakes with Key Lime Frosting

With my 3.5mth old twin niece and nephew's baptisms right around the corner, the looming question of "Do we order a cake, bake a cake or go with cupcakes" became the focus of a conversation with my sister in law yesterday. So I decided to search out a great recipe that wasn't too "girlie" or too "boyish" but still had a fun summer flare to it. What did I find??

Margarita Cupcakes with Key Lime Frosting...

And WOW doesn't quite describe it!!! Now understand that my husband do not like baked goods. (I know, sad for him.) But he not only LOVED these, we went back for seconds. They are sweet with a lovely tart after taste, just like a Key Lime Pie!

I'm not here to review recipes, I'm here to share and create. So, grab your pencils....

Margarita Cupcakes

Ingredients
· 1 package (18.25 oz. white cake mix (no pudding in the mix)
· 1 can (10 oz.) frozen Margarita mix, thawed (undiluted)
· 3 egg whites
· 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
· 1 tablespoon grated lime zest

Yield: Makes 24 cupcakes.

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Line standard muffin pan with baking cups.
2. In large bowl, combine cake mix, Margarita mix, egg whites and vegetable oil using electric mixer.
3. Stir in lime zest; mix completely.
4. Fill prepared pans 2/3 full.
5. Bake 22-24 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cupcake comes out clean.
6. Cool in pan on cooling rack 5-8 minutes.
7. Remove cupcakes from pan; cool completely.
8. Frost cooled cupcakes with icing and garnish, if desired, with a strawberry and/or lime twist,

Key Lime Cream Cheese Icing

Ingredients
· 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
· 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
· 2 tablespoons key lime juice
· 1 teaspoon key lime zest or lemon zest
· 4-5 cups confectioners' sugar

Yield: Makes about 3 cups icing.

Directions
1. In large bowl, cream butter, cream cheese, juice and zest with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Optional: Add some Wilton's Kelly Green food coloring.
2. Add 4 cups confectioners' sugar, one cup at a time; continue beating until light and fluffy.
3. If icing is too thin add additional confectioners' sugar 1 tablespoon at a time.