Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

Maybe that should be Winner, Winner, Home-Canned Good Dinner? I don't know if you can make a full meal of my home-canned goods, but I have been known to have a dinner of just chips and salsa (with or without a margarita).

Let me begin by thanking you all for your support! This began as a quest to reach 500 Facebook followers for On My Plate, but the "likes" far surpassed that. Mid-week, we were so close to 600 likes that I tossed in the opportunity for another winner of the assorted home-canned goods packages, and with the assistance of some devoted fans, we made it. This giveaway has been incredibly awesome. Truly. I appreciate each and every one of you as readers of the blog.

So...without any further delay...the two (2!) winners drawn from the likes and shares of the Home-Canned Goods Giveaway post are:

Donna Roberts-Lutterll

and 

Kathy Van Cleave Riedy

Congratulations!!

Please contact me with a private message through Facebook or send me an email at onmyplate.justfran@gmail.com with your shipping information. 

And, just so there is truth in my title, here is a chicken dinner:

Chicken and Broccoli with Peppers

(adapted from Every Day with Rachael Ray)

1 1/2 cups rice

3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

3 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

3/4 pound boneless-skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 bunch broccoli, broken into florets

1 red pepper, sliced

2 green onions, white and green portions sliced separately

Bring rice and 3 cups of water to a boil; lower the heat and simmer, covered, until the water is absorbed, about 20 minutes.

Remove from heat and let stand about 5 minutes, keeping warm.

Meanwhile, whisk together half of the garlic, soy sauce, sugar and 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch; season with salt and pepper.

Add the chicken and toss to coat; marinate for 20 minutes.

Whisk together 1/2 cup water and the remaining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet with the remaining garlic.

Add the red pepper strips, season with salt and pepper and cook for 1 minute.

Add 1/4 cup water and the broccoli florets, cover and steam until crisp-tender.

Transfer the vegetables to a plate.

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and heat until searing hot.

Add the chicken mixture and the white portions of the green onions, stirring, until the chicken is just cooked through.

Stir in the broccoli, then stir in the remaining cornstarch mixture.

Cook until the liquid thickens.

Remove from heat and stir in green portion of green onions. 

Serve with rice. (Serves 4)

Home-Canned Good Giveaway

***GIVEAWAY CLOSED! WINNERS DRAWN! THANKS FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!*** 

Last week, I noticed that the On My Plate Facebook page was nearing 500 likes. We have all seen the promotions to meet follower milestones on Facebook, and I decided that it was a great time to give it a go. Coincidentally, I had recently done a late summer inventory of the home-canned goods from last year's garden and knew just what kind of giveaway I could offer with my promotion.

Late on Friday, I made a(n admittedly) hokey graphic and shared it on Facebook with an outline of my plan for the giveaway. I was just shy of needing 30 likes, and I thought that with all the people out enjoying their summer weekend, the Facebook post was just a sneak peek for the diehards. I had a blog post for today (Monday) in mind to kick of the real event and get things rolling.

Well, you all proved me wrong. Way, way wrong. You LOVE a giveaway. You want some of my home-canned goods. You love to "like" and "share" things on Facebook. And, you liked the On My Plate Facebook page. A lot.

I had Facebook notifications on my phone throughout the evening and into the night on Friday, but was taking a break from "working." I have just returned from a roadtrip to New Mexico and have been trying to catch up with all the things that were neglected in my absence (including sleep). I knew that Facebook would be there when I had some time to dedicate to it...and boy howdy, was it ever! When I checked in on Saturday, you had surpassed 500 likes and were approaching 600. Wow. I am floored. You are incredible. Your support means so much to me.

So...Lisa Gayle Peterson, you are On My Plate's 500th Facebook like. You shall be receiving an assorted package of home-canned goods from my garden pantry. Please PM me your mailing information through Facebook, or contact me via email at onmyplate.justfran@gmail.com. I am so thankful for your interest in the blog.Congratulations!

For the rest of you, never fear. You aren't out of luck. I also have something for you. One of my pet peeves with service companies like satellite and cell phone providers is that they always offer great discounts and deals for new customers and seem to forget about the loyal clients that have helped build their companies. I am not a doofus like that. I may be a doofus, but I am a doofus offering a chance for all existing Facebook followers to also win a package of assorted home-canned goodies. All you have to do is:

• Go to the blog's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/OnMyPlate)
• Find the post pinned to the top promoting this giveaway. 
• Like it and/or Share it. 
• That's it. 
• On Friday, August 1, 2014, I will randomly be drawing a winner from all likes and shares of that post for another package of homemade goodness. 

Sounds awesome, huh? Well, you must think so. There are already well over 100 likes and/or shares of the On My Plate Home-Canned Giveaway post. I am totally flabbergasted. I had no idea this would explode so much for my little blog. I am eternally grateful for your interest and support. I also hope you stick around and check out some of the recipes I have shared and the crazy life stories I have paired with them. On My Plate truly is my menu with a little life thrown in.

So...GOOD LUCK! Have a great week, and I will check back with you on Friday to announce the winner. (And, Lisa...get in touch with me, please.)

Disclaimer or whatever: This blog post is not sponsored. I have canned all of the goods that will be given away in my home kitchen and am offering them to you simply as a thank you for supporting me. If you worry about the safety of home-canned goods, perhaps this isn't the giveaway for you. All opinions stated are purely my own.

***GIVEAWAY CLOSED! WINNERS DRAWN! THANKS FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!***

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

It appears that there are no less than 11 chicken recipes in the Dakota Dachshund Rescue Cookbook. Therefore, it shouldn't be a problem for Sara H. and Obi Wan Kenobi to make a great chicken dinner with their prize.

 That's right.

Sara and Obi Wan Kenobi 

were the lucky winners of the cookbook drawing.

It was fun to get to know your furry family members, and the album I created on Facebook with your photo submissions is adorable. Thanks to everyone who entered. I wish that I could send you all a copy of the cookbook! Please check out the DDR web page for information about their rescue efforts and possibly (paws crossed) find a furry dachie with which to fall in love.

Sara, Could you please message me through the On My Plate Facebook page, or send me an email at onmyplate.justfran (at) gmail.com with your shipping information? Thanks, so much!

Hot Dogs and Relish...and a Thank You Giveaway

Tabby and Jenn

WON

the Dakota Dachshund Rescue

Halloweenie photo contest!

There was some heavy campaigning on Facebook and Twitter during the final hours of the contest, and I apologize for cluttering your news feed with my Hot Dogs' photo again, and again, and yet again. But, Tabby and Jenn greatly appreciate your votes. They couldn't have gained the victory without your support. My hot dogs are relishing the incredibly generous prize package of treats and toys from the always awesome Dakota Dachshund Rescue.

As a thank you for all your Facebook likes, the girls want to offer you a treat of your own. How about a chance to win the Dakota Dachshund Rescue Cookbook, Wieners and More! It is a collection of tried and true recipes so good your tail will wag. In addition, each recipe divider features photos and the stories of some of the DDR alumni. It is so heartwarming to hear the tales of all the sweet pups finding their forever homes.

We will make it simple to enter the giveaway. All you have to do is leave a comment here, on this post, on the blog.

• Tell me the name(s) of your pet(s) and a little about them. 
• OR...If you don't have a furry family member, I won't leave you out. Tell me what animal would steal your heart.
• If you chose to comment anonymously (which is perfectly fine), be sure to sign your comment with your first name and initial so that I can identify you, if you win. 

Bonus to earn an additional chance for the cookbook:

• Post a photo of your darling(s) on the On My Plate Facebook page.

I am looking forward to your entries and relish getting to know your cherished companions. Drawing for the winner will be held Friday, November 15, 2013.

Now, speaking of relishing...Hubs has become obsessed with some Sweet Pepper Zucchini Relish that I canned from last year's garden. (This year's garden had the big zucchini fail, if you remember.) I used sweet red peppers from the garden in combination with zucchini, onions, and spices to create a hot dog (or any sandwich) topping that has just the right kick balanced with some sweetness.

Sweet Pepper Zucchini Relish 

(adapted from Simple Bites)

6 cups red sweet peppers, chopped

6 cups zucchini, shredded

2 large onions, chopped

2 cups apple cider vinegar

2 cups sugar

2 tablespoons kosher salt

2 tablespoons mustard seeds

1 teaspoon celery seeds

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

I used my food processor to shred all the vegetables. HUGE time saver for preparing relishes. 

Combine the vegetables with vinegar in a large, heavy pot.

Simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes, until tender.

Add sugar, salt, and seasonings and continue to simmer for about 10 more minutes until the flavors meld.

Ladle relish into prepared jars leaving 1/2 inch head space.

Process in hot water bath for 10 minutes. 

(If you are unsure of the canning process, there are many informative sites online. I am not a canning authority.)

BTW--because of a little spam/troll issue, I do moderate comments. Don't panic if it doesn't appear immediately, I will check frequently and authorize all entries for the cookbook. ALSO--If you choose to comment anonymously (and not register with Blogger), please be sure to include your first name or nickname in the comment so that I can identify when you win. Thanks!

Disclaimer or whatever: This blog post is not sponsored. I purchased the Dakota Dachshund Rescue cookbook and am offering it to you simply as a thank you for supporting me and my girls. All opinions stated are purely my own.

Pampering YOU

Did you enter to win one of the TWO $50 Pampered Chef gift certificates that my friend, Rhonda, and I were giving away? You did? Then, you are probably very anxious for me to finally announce the winners. You may have checked Facebook or back here with the blog several times today. You were probably disappointed when there was no announcement of which lucky people get to treat themselves to awesome products from Pampered Chef.

I am sorry. I really am. It has been a hectic day (week, actually...and not pretend). The shearing crew is at the farm, and this means while the guys are busting their humps to make all the lambs pretty with new hair cuts, I am buried in food prep, delivery, serving, and clean up. Making lunch for a very full table is not that big of a deal for me, but what kills me is baking cookies for their mid-afternoon break. I.HATE.BAKING.COOKIES. However, I like pretty lambs with new haircuts, so I bake cookies anyway. Tonight, it was Oatmeal Chocolate Chip. Hubs promptly devoured as many as he could grab before I swatted him away. I guess that means they are good.

But, you don't care about shearing lambs, and whining about baking, and all my excuses. You just want to know who won the drawings, right? OK. Here goes...

I considered using an online random number generator for the drawing, but decided to go old school. I scrolled through first, On My Plate's Facebook page, and then, all of the comments on the blog post and jotted names down on colored note cards, blue for Facebook comments, and yellow for the blog comments. I tossed the blue cards into my Pampered Chef Batter Bowl, stirred them around, closed my eyes, and grabbed one. Then, I dumped out those names, added the yellow cards, did the mix and mingle, and again closed my eyes and chose another winner. Fair enough? I hope so.

So...the Facebook commenter that won said, "I would get the stackable cooling racks. I made the Spinach Meatballs tonight and they were fabulous!!" 

Is that your comment? It is if you are Michelle Humann!

Congratulations! The stackable cooling racks are incredible and one of the things that make baking cookies tolerable for me. So convenient! Also, THANK YOU for trying a recipe from the blog. We love the Spinach Meatballs and have been making them with ground lamb recently. Delish.

This lucky blog commenter was chosen: "Thanks to your blog, I have procrastinated in house work this morning, am drooling over your recipes AND have a Pampered Chef "wish list"!! My hubby, as well as I, would absolutely LOVE the Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Roll and the Sauteed Herbed Mushrooms. A couple others that caught my eye were the Cauliflower Rigatoni and Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower, Sage and Browned Butter. Unfortunately these are all "no-no's" for me right now, but I will be able to prepare and enjoy them in moderation soon!!! You can never have to many kitchen gadgets!!! I am the proud owner of many Pampered Chef items and have been to some of your friends shows, she is AMAZING!! I would love to add to my collection the mini scoop & measure set, 2 cup prep bowl set, salad chopper (I can prepare my salad with these and serve in my bamboo salad bowl set from Pamp. Chef) and last, but not least, the decorator bottle set. My mom would be so proud if I followed in her footsteps decorating cakes!!! I do NOT see that happening, but would enjoy decorating cakes/treats for my family, friends and students. Enough procrastinating...time to go sort laundry and dig into housework!!
Sincerely, "Anonymous"....aka Diane Harkin"

Diane's enthusiasm makes me smile and really helped to make this fun giveaway worthwhile. Sometimes, it feels as if I am just talking to myself when I am blogging, and to know that you are reading and enjoying what I share is great. THANK YOU, and congratulations!

Rhonda and I would like to thank EVERYONE who commented and entered in the drawings. Pampered Chef offers some marvelous products that make time spent in the kitchen easier. I am honored to have a friend that wants to share this with all of my readers.

Michelle and Diane can contact me through the Contact Page here on the blog, and we can get you started with spending those $50 Pampered Chef gift certificates. Again, thank you for entering. This was fun!

Now, excuse me while I enjoy a cookie or two. I think I deserve a treat, too. :-)

Disclaimer or whatever: This blog post is sponsored by my incredible friend, Rhonda. While Rhonda is a Pampered Chef consultant, Pampered Chef is not sponsoring this giveaway. It is a personal venture in the name of friendship from myself and my friend. Opinions stated are purely my own.

Friends (and A Giveaway!)

***GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED***CONTEST WINNERS DRAWN***

Back when I was in high school, a friend and I used to have a ritual for escaping from study hall. Open campus allowed us to hop in her car and hit the nearby grocery store for Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tarts and chocolate milk. We would "flip U's" --for those of you not into our small town lingo, that means cruise the main highway, from one end to the other, making U-turns in parking lots to turn around and do it again and again and again--, solve the world's problems, and stuff ourselves with those sweet treats. As mundane as that may sound, I have very fond memories of those aimless hours of driving around.

These days, that friend lives across the state, keeps up with her three daughters, volunteers in her community and church, wrangles her husband, and has her own very successful business. We stay in touch through Facebook, but I can't remember the last time we saw each other, much less shared a sweet treat. If we could both escape for a moment, I would make a platter of Bite-Sized Winter Fruit Tarts and some coffee. This would be my grown-up replacement for Pop-Tarts. Sweet cherries and raisins are balanced with tart, dried cranberries and earthy walnuts to fill tiny little tarts baked in a mini muffin tin. Perfect for sharing with a treasured friend over a cup of coffee...and even portable, if we had the urge to flip U's again.

However, my awesome friend has an even better treat to share with YOU, my friendly blog readers. That very successful business that I mentioned? She is a Pampered Chef consultant. For the past 14 years, this home-based business has provided a steady income for her and her family while offering flexibility for their hectic schedules. She has earned amazing trips and had fun while she worked. It truly has been a dream job for her, and she loves to share the impressive and useful products of Pampered Chef.

She loves to share these great kitchen products so much that she has sponsored this FIRST EVER (wow!) BLOG GIVEAWAY for On My Plate. Rhonda has provided a $50 Pampered Chef Gift Certificate to share with one of my lucky readers. Awesome, right?!? But, wait! There is more!

That great act of friendship inspired me. I have been wanting to do a giveaway here On My Plate f.o.r.e.v.e.r., but haven't been organized enough to get it done. I have decided to add my own $50 Pampered Chef Gift Certificate. This one will be available to "friends" on Facebook.

Yep. You read that correctly. In the next week, you have 2 different options/chances to win $50 from Pampered Chef. What will you buy with your gift certificate? A mini muffin pan to bake Bite-Sized Winter Fruit Tarts? Those great stackable cooling racks from A Few of My Favorite Things? Stoneware or a batter bowl? What would you love to own? Tell me, and it could be yours.

Here are the two ways to win a $50 Pampered Chef Gift Certificate:

1. Comment here, on THIS blog post, and share with me which Pampered Chef product you dream of owning and what you would use it to make. BONUS: Name gets thrown in the hat an extra time if you plan to try a recipe from On My Plate.
2. Head over to Facebook and "like" On My Plate (https://www.facebook.com/OnMyPlate) AND comment on the post there for THIS blog post. Again, tell me which Pampered Chef product you can't wait to own and how you want to use it. And again, BONUS  entry for checking out a recipe shared On My Plate.

Each comment will be entered for drawings on January 10, 2012. One drawing will be held for the blog comments, and one drawing will be held for the Facebook comments. Awesome? Awesome.

BTW--because of a little spam/troll issue, I do moderate comments. Don't panic if it doesn't appear immediately, I will check frequently and authorize all entries for the gift certificates. ALSO--If you choose to comment anonymously (and not register with Blogger), please be sure to include your first name or nickname in the comment so that I can identify when you win. Thanks!

Disclaimer or whatever: This blog post is sponsored by my incredible friend, Rhonda. While Rhonda is a Pampered Chef consultant, Pampered Chef is not sponsoring this giveaway. It is a personal venture in the name of friendship from myself and my friend. Opinions stated are purely my own. 

***GIVEAWAY NOW ENDED***CONTEST WINNERS DRAWN***

 

Bite-Sized Winter Fruit Tarts

1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 pastry for double-crust pie (homemade or ready-made refrigerated)
2 tablespoons sugar

 
Combine cherry pie filling, cranberries, raisins and nuts in a medium bowl; set aside.
Roll pie crust on a lightly floured surface.
Cut 48 1 and 1/2 inch circles from pie crust with a biscuit cutter or glass.
Place tiny rounds of crust into mini-muffin pans.
Fill each crust with 1 teaspoon of filling mixture.
Cut 48 small stars (or other shape) from remaining pie crust (re-roll dough as necessary).
Place one small star on each tiny tart.
Sprinkle each tart with sugar.
Bake at 350F for 15 to 18 minutes.
Cool on wire rack.
Store loosely covered. (48 mini tarts)

Check back here On My Plate or on my Facebook page for the announcement of the winners on January 10, 2012. Good luck, and go love your friends! 

***GIVEAWAY NOW ENDED***CONTEST WINNERS DRAWN***