Sweet & Spice and Everything Nice!


There is nothing more soothing than a cup of hot tea.  I have fond childhood memories of dining at The Good Earth Restaurant at various locations in Northern California.  My family and I would go there often for breakfast after church on Sundays and I will never forget the Read more

Love Is In The Air at Dunkin' Donuts


I do not think there is anyone that loves Dunkin' Donuts as much as I do, and I am known as the "Cinnamon Queen" of Tampa Bay. Dunkin' Donuts' Cinnamon Spice coffee is part of my morning ritual and I pass by every morning for a cup of warm, cinnamon Read more

Warm Up with my Holiday Giveaway from Dolce Gusto!


Baby it's cold outside and nothing will warm you up like a hot cup of gourmet coffee brewed in your very own !  This fabulous little machine creates a delicious work of art in your cup and will surely delight your taste-buds in the morning as well as impress your Read more

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Sweet & Spice and Everything Nice!

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Champagne Girl Posted in Tea | Leave a comment

There is nothing more soothing than a cup of hot tea.  I have fond childhood memories of dining at The Good Earth Restaurant at various locations in Northern California.  My family and I would go there often for breakfast after church on Sundays and I will never forget the first time I tried their signature tea.  I think I was about 8 years old and the scent of cinnamon filled the restaurant. One sip and I was hooked. Years passed and I moved to Florida when I was 28. After the birth of my daughter Gianna in September of 2008, I was looking for a caffeine-free tea in place of coffee while I was nursing. My father and stepmother were visiting and picked up a box of Good Earth Sweet & Spicy Tea. Excited, I prepared a cup and was instantly taken back to my childhood. Four years later, I am still drinking it and always have a few boxes in my pantry.

 

 


Full bodied with notes of orange and cinnamon, this tea is naturally sweet and tastes amazing both hot and over ice. It is available with or without caffeine.  I have impressed house guests with this tea served over ice, garnished with fresh mint and orange slices.  At least eight of my friends drink Sweet & Spicy daily after trying it at my house. I can’t even count how many wonderful conversations I have had with friends over a cup of this fabulous tea.  Whenever I have a stressful day, I drink a cup of Sweet & Spicy and instantly feel relaxed.

This tea truly reminds me of my daughter Gianna and the first few weeks we spent together at home after I brought her home from the hospital. To this day, I call her my “swee-tea” and whenever we are in the tea isle at the local market, she points out the Sweet & Spicy and calls it “Gia Tea.”

Good Earth Tea has been around since the early 1970′s and began developing trademark teas for The Good Earth Restaurants in the late 1970′s. In 1988, Good Earth began selling their tea in bag form to the California market due to overwhelming popularity. They currently offer over 25 blends of tea and you can find it at your local market. To see where you can find their tea locally, click here.  If your local store does not carry Good Earth, you can always request it. About three years ago I found that my favorite blend, Sweet & Spicy would run out often at my local grocery store and spoke to the manager about ordering more. He was more than happy to keep it stocked and I buy a box or two a week. Since then, I have noticed an increased variety of blends including some of their green teas, such as Lemongrass, which I love.  To view all of their blends or to order online, click here. One other thing I love about Good Earth Teas is that each tea bag has a quote printed on the tag. :)

I am giving away two boxes of Good Earth Tea to a reader. To enter, simply to do any of the following and leave a seperate comment for each item you complete. Each item is worth an entry. I will pick a winner on April 30th.

Good luck!

Love Is In The Air at Dunkin’ Donuts

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Champagne Girl Posted in Delicious Finds, Donuts | 1 Comment

I do not think there is anyone that loves Dunkin’ Donuts as much as I do, and I am known as the “Cinnamon Queen” of Tampa Bay. Dunkin’ Donuts’ Cinnamon Spice coffee is part of my morning ritual and I pass by every morning for a cup of warm, cinnamon love. There is something about their cinnamon coffee that I just can’t explain. It is a blend of sweet and spice and it always makes me feel nice.  I can’t imagine starting my day without it.

 

 

As I was pulling into the drive through this week with my daughter Gianna, she yelled to me, “Mommy, they have pink heart donuts!” I glanced over at the menu board and was pleasantly reminded that February is here and love is everywhere.  Dunkin’ Donuts has brought back their popular Cupid’s Choice Donut and has also introduced their new Chocolate Heart Donut.  They are both beautiful and filled with flavor.  I can’t think of a better way to surprise a loved one or friend than with one of these romantic little pieces of heaven. My daughter loves the color pink, so her favorite is the Cupid’s Choice which is  filled with Bavarian Kreme, topped with strawberry icing and a festive mix of pink, white and red heart-shaped sprinkles.  I myself am a chocolate lover and the Chocolate Heart Donut is a decadent, chocolate frosted  donut with vanilla butter-creme filling, topped with chocolate chips and beautifully shaped as a heart. Pair it with a cup of Cinnamon Spice Coffee and you have a dolci duo.

 

 

In addition to these fabulous additions to the Febraury menu,  Dunkin’ Donuts is expanding its all-day menu options with four new bakery sandwiches. The Ham & Cheese Bakery Sandwich features Black Forest ham, white cheddar cheese and Creamy Dijon sauce on a French roll. The combination of the Dijon sauce and the cheese will melt your heart!  My personal favorite is their new Turkey, Cheddar & Bacon Bakery Sandwich which consists of turkey, white cheddar cheese, bacon and Ancho Chipotle sauce on a French roll. YUMMO!  You can also enjoy Chicken Salad and Tuna Salad Bakery Sandwiches, featuring chicken salad or tuna salad on a bagel.  All bakery sandwiches are served oven-toasted and made-to-order on a French roll, bagel, or croissant. These sandwiches are perfect for a quick lunch on the go.

 

 

Because I love my readers SO much, I want to give away a few gift cards to Dunkin’ Donuts. To enter, simply comment on this post and tell me what you like most at Dunkin’ Donuts. I will pick a few winners on February 14th.

 

 

 

Be sure and stop by your nearest Dunkin’ Donuts and pick up a heart shaped donut for that special someone. Remember, Food is Love!

 

Warm Up with my Holiday Giveaway from Dolce Gusto!

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Champagne Girl Posted in Coffee, Gadgets I Can't Live Without, Giveaways | 13 Comments

Baby it’s cold outside and nothing will warm you up like a hot cup of gourmet coffee brewed in your very own NESCAFÉ® DOLCE GUSTO® Piccolo™!  This fabulous little machine creates a delicious work of art in your cup and will surely delight your taste-buds in the morning as well as impress your dinner guests after a nice meal. My machine sits proudly in my kitchen and on the weekends, I enjoy nothing more than curling up on my couch with a fresh cup and watching the Cooking Channel.  What I love most about my machine is that it is small and is perfect for my tiny kitchen. It is hard to believe that such a small machine can produce such big flavor.

Another thing I love about my Dolce Gusto Piccolo is the ease of clean-up.  You can produce a magnificent cup of specialty coffee without having to fuss with the frothing of milk or cleaning up espresso grounds. Everything you need to produce a delicious cup is contained in one of their varieties of flavor capsules. If you are like me and love to create masterpieces in the kitchen but hate the clean-up, this is the machine for you!

There are fifteen varieties of flavor capsules and my personal favorite is the Vanilla Latte Macchiato.  Steamed frothy milk, savory hints of vanilla and full-bodied espresso make this beverage perfect for an afternoon pick me up or paired with a dessert.

 Here are the flavor capsules that you can choose from:

Now that the holidays are here, what better way to enjoy your friends and family than sharing memories over yummy coffee drinks made with your new  Dolce Gusto Piccolo? Well, I am going to really make someone’s spirits really bright and give a lucky reader one of these fabulous machines.  You will receive one entry for doing each of the following:

  • Follow Dolce Gusto on Twitter by clicking here and reference me in the tweet, @tracyguida
  • Follow me on Twitter, @tracyguida
  • Like the page for Dolce Gusto on Facebook by clicking here
  • Tweet this post
  • Share this giveaway on Facebook
  • Like my page, Eat, Drink and be Tracy on Facebook by clicking here
  • Watch a demo on YouTube by clociking here
  • Comment once you have done each item
  • Fill out the form below

 

Good luck everyone and I will pick a winner on 12/16 so you will have this in time for holiday entertaining!

 

 

True L’Orange Drop

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Champagne Girl Posted in Champagne, Delicious Finds, Recipes | Leave a comment

Living in Florida, I have become very fond of oranges. About ten years ago, I created a a variation of a Lemon Drop which has quickly become one of my signature cocktails……The Orange Drop. Sweet and refreshing, this cocktail is a hit at parties and with my regular bar customers. To make this luscious cocktail, I use fresh oranges, orange vodka, Cointreau, simple syrup, a splash of sour and a splash of Champagne.  It is very easy to have a few of these sassy cocktails, but I wanted to try and create a great tasting variation that would be lower in calories.

I am a huge fan of the True Citrus products and have been using True Lemon in my water and iced tea for a few years. I was recently introduced to True Orange and have been having fun creating different recipes and cocktails that are low in calories and high in flavor! After my first sip of water with True Orange, I knew I could create a low-carb version of my signature cocktail. Below is my recipe with my preferred brands of vodka and water. 

Ingredients

 

2 packets of True Orange
2 packets of Splenda
1.5 oz of Grey Goose L’Orange 
1.5 oz Voss Still Water
Splash of Sparkling Wine or Champage
 
 
 

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice except for the sparkling wine/Champagne. Shake well and pour into a chilled martini glass. Top with a splash of the Champagne/sparkling wine. (You can rim the glass with Splenda and/or garnish with a fresh orange twist)  Enjoy!

 

 

For more delicious recepies, be sure to visit the True Lemon site by clicking here.  You can join in on wonderful daily posts by likeing the Facebook page for True Lemon by clicking here.  For delicious tweet, be sure to follow True Lemon on twitter @TrueLemon.

I have a sample pack of True Lemon Products to give to a reader.  To enter, simply do the following and comment that you have done each item. I will pick a winner on 11/30!

  • Follow True Lemon on Twitter
  • Like True Lemon on Facebook
  • Tweet this post

Ciao for now!

 

 

The Champagne Diet is Bubbly Fun!

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Champagne Girl Posted in Champagne, Delicious Finds, New York City | Leave a comment

“Champagne is the only wine that leaves a woman beautiful after drinking it.” -Madame De Pompadour

It is no secret that my beverage of choice is champagne. As a young girl I was obsessed with the show Dynasty, and I adored one of the main characters, Alexis Carrington, portrayed by Joan Collins. She was always dressed to the nines and dripping in diamonds with a glass of champagne in her hand. Before Madonna, she was my first idol. Fast forward a few years later and I had my first sip of Dom Perignon on Christmas Day. As I watched as the bubbles dance around in my champagne flute, I knew I was sipping on something special. 

December 25th, 1998 was the day I fell in love with champagne and my love has grown even stronger over the last thirteen years.

My next memorable champagne moment came in November of 2000 while I was cocktailing at the Hedley Club inside the beautiful Hotel De Anza in downtown San Jose, CA. One of my favorite customers was vising from New Jersey and I was telling him that I was leaving for Italy the next day. As we spoke about my trip, he asked me for a bottle of Perrier Joet and a Basil Hayden on the rocks. As I presented him with the bottle and began to open it, he stopped me and said to just leave it on the table and then asked for the check.  Puzzled, I figured he was bringing it to his room so I promptly brought the check and offered to have the bottle delivered to him. As he signed his check, he smiled and said, “This bottle is for you, kid. Have a fabulous time in Italy.” As I stood there in pleasant shock with my mouth hanging open, he said I was his favorite waitress and wanted to show his appreciation. When he left the lounge, I went to close out his check and saw that he had tipped me $100 and wrote a note on his check that said “Buy yourself a nice bottle in Rome and enjoy yourself.”  My love for champagne grew even more that night!

Champagne has always marked a memorable occasion in my life and ever since that first sip of Dom Perignon, I celebrate every Christmas Day with a nice bottle of bubbly.  My love for all things sparkling has led me to collect champagne ice buckets, flute glasses and champagne inspired artwork.  One day as I was browsing the internet on a “champagne search” , I came across a website called “The Champagne Diet.”  Intrigued, I immediately clicked on the site and was awstruck!  The tagline reads: “The Rules (and Cocktail Recipes) for Living Your Most Effervescent Life.”  I knew I had stumbled upon something pretty spectacular, so I decided to pour myself a glass of bubbly and indulge my mind while browsing the site.  Filled with recipes, beautifully written articles and even a “Bubbly Boutique,” I felt like this site was created just for me. I looked up the genius behind the site and saw that it was a girl named Cara.  I contacted her and told her how much I loved her site. This past week I had the pleasure of interviewing Cara via email and found her to be not only beautiful and smart, but she has a bubbly personality that will warm your heart. 

Interview with Cara Alwill Leyba of The Champagne Diet

 

How did you come up with the idea for your site?

(Cara) The idea for The Champagne Diet came about in 2007. A friend introduced me to Champagne when I was looking for a low-calorie beverage to enjoy. I learned that a glass of bubbly only has about 100 calories in a glass, so it quickly became my go-to drink. Hello? Can ya blame me? But it wasn’t just the calorie count that had me hooked. I noticed whenever I drank Champagne, I felt more beautiful. I stood taller at the bar when I held a delicate flute in my hand. Coincidentally, Champagne also entered my life at a point where I needed to make some personal changes as well. I suddenly learned to let go of the negativity and start celebrating all the good. Champagne is typically a drink associated with celebrations, but I started incorporating it into my every day. Champagne essentially became a metaphor for my new life. I also developed a ritual where I would make a toast each night. No matter what, I found something to raise my glass to – whether it was getting through Spin class, finishing a presentation at work, or simply making it through the day – I found something to celebrate. I started the site as a way to share my story and it’s grown into something bigger and more amazing than I could have ever imagined. I love connecting with all of the amazing, inspiring women who read my blog and I hope to continue to reach out to even more of you!

 

What is your favorite Champagne/Sparkling wine?

(Cara) It depends. I can always go for a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Brut, but I also love my rose. I think my favorite sparkling rose lately has been Chandon Rose. It’s really affordable and so delicious!

 

Champagne goes best with…..

(Cara) Good friends and a lot of laughter.

 

If you could have a glass of champagne with anyone, who would it be?

(Cara) If you hadn’t noticed, I absolutely adore Marilyn Monroe. I’d die to go back in time and have a glass with her. I’d get her drunk and make her tell me all her secrets.

 

What are your favorite food pairings with champagne?

(Cara) Definitely Japanese, Chinese, and also anything spicy. It sounds weird, but Champagne and really spicy Mexican food is amazing.

 

Tell me a little about yourself and your background.

(Cara) I’m a writer from NYC. I started writing when I was 16 when a good friend and I started a music zine. I actually had the balls to call up record labels and request interviews with bands like Blink 182 – but the best part is, we actually got them. I worked on my zine for years and was certain I wanted to work in the music industry. I went on to write for sites like AOL Music and MTV News, but quickly learned that writing doesn’t pay the bills (at least not the bills you rack up when you shop the way I do). My passion for music led me to work at MTV, where I’ve been for the past five years. I’m a Digital Advertising Director and if you don’t know what that means, don’t worry, nobody really understands what I do. I prefer to identify myself with The Champagne Diet anyway, which is my real baby. I’m married to a wonderful man who shares the same obsession with food and wine like I do, so that works out great. We have a dog which will hold us over for a few more years till I have a kid – but that’s not happening until I give birth to a couple books first.

 

What are your future plans for The Champagne Diet?

(Cara) My first book is in the works! I have dreamed about writing this book even before I started my blog. I view The Champagne Diet as a brand, so a couple books, a Champagne Diet tour including ladies nights all around the country (and world!) where I can connect in person with all the fabulous ladies I chat with all the time through Twitter and Facebook. I just want to continue to encourage women to live their most effervescent lives and find reasons to raise their glass every day!

 

 

 

I am so glad to have connected with Cara. Her vision is one I can really identify with and, like her, I have always made champagne a part of my everyday lifestyle. I hope to meet her for a glass of champagne at The Bubble Lounge  the next time I am in New York City.  The Bubble Lounge in San Francisco is my favorite bar in the world and I have been dreaming of visiting their location in New York City for quite some time.

Be sure to visit her site, The Champagne Diet, as well as her Facebook page by clicking here. You can also follow The Champagne Diet on Twitter @ChampagneDiet

Cheers to you Cara!

“Champagne makes you feel like it’s Sunday and better days are just around the corner.” -Marlene Dietrich

“I drink champagne when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it – unless I’m thirsty”. ~ Madame Lilly Bollinger

“Come quickly ! I’m tasting stars!” -Dom Pierre Perignon, French Benedictine Monk, (1638 – 1715)

“There comes a time in every woman’s life when the only thing that helps is a glass of champagne.” -Bette Davis, American actress ( 1908 – 1989)

 

 

 

 

You Will FALL for Dunkin’ Donuts Harvest Menu

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Champagne Girl Posted in Coffee, Delicious Finds, Donuts | Leave a comment


“The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold I see your lips,
the summer kisses The sun-burned hands I used to hold
Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I’ll hear old winter’s song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall”
 

-Autumn Leaves, lyrics by Johnny Mercer (1947)

I love this time of year when the air begins to cool and the leaves begin the change. Summer is becoming a faded memory and evenings are growing cooler.  As a child growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, my family and I would frequent the annual Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival every October and enjoy all of the pumpkin inspired dishes such as pumpkin mac-and-cheese and pumpkin raviolis. Thus began my love affair with all things pumpkin.

          **pumpkin mac and cheese, Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival, 2009

Every year as late September rolls around, I begin  to search the local markets for pumpkin coffee and pumpkin flavored creamers to satisfy my craving. There is, however, one particular beverage that I must have every day……..Dunkin’ Dounts Pumpkin Coffee! As soon as it is available, I am sure to pass by every day on my way to work and order a cup of their steaming hot, freshly brewed pumpkin perfection.  One sip and I am ready to conquer the world.

Fall is my favorite time of year at Dunkin’ Donuts.  From Pumpkin Coffee and Pumpkin Lattes to Pumpkin Donuts and Pumpkin Muffins, there is something for the pumkin lover in everyone. My children love the Pumpkin Munchkins, which are delicious, pumpkin-flavored donut holes.

This year, Dunkin’ Donuts has a new star on their fall lineup….. the Caramel Apple Donut!  This old fashioned caramel apple flavored cake donut is coated with cinnamon sugar and is sure to spice up your morning.  Paired with a nice cup of Cinnamon Coffee, this donut is a sweet way to kick off your morning.

 

Living in Florida, I am very fortunate to live close to a few Dunkin’ Donuts locations.  As always, I have a few giveaways for my readers.  For those that do not live near a Dunkin’ Donuts, I have one bag of each Pumkpin Spice and Cinnamon coffee.  I also have a gift certificate courtesy of Dunkin’ Donuts Tampa Bay to give to a reader that lives near a Dunkin’ Donuts location. To enter, simply comment on this post and tell me if you prefer a bag of coffee or a gift certificate.  I will pick a winner on 10/31!

 

 

About Dunkin’ Donuts

Founded in 1950, Dunkin’ Donuts is America’s favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin’ Donuts is a market leader in the regular/decaf coffee, iced coffee, hot flavored coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories. Dunkin’ Donuts has earned the No. 1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category by Brand Keys for five years running. The company has more than 9,700 restaurants in 31 countries worldwide. In 2010, Dunkin’ Donuts’ global system-wide sales were $6 billion. Based in Canton, Mass., Dunkin’ Donuts is a subsidiary of Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: DNKN). For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.

A Delicious Giveaway!

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Champagne Girl Posted in Delicious Finds, Giveaways, Italian, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Recipes | Leave a comment

Pasta is my comfort food and I enjoy experimenting with all types of recipes. I have recently become quite fond of whole wheat pasta and have gotten my two bambinos hooked on whole wheat fusilli tossed with my signature pesto, grilled chicken and toasted pine nuts. One of my favorite food companies, DeLallo, along with FAVEDIETS is hosting an amazing giveaway for a gift basket filled with some delicious items!

               DELISH! *photo courtesy of DeLallo

DeLallo is located in Jeanette, PA which is about 30 miles from one of favorite cities, Pittsburgh. I may be a Northern California girl, but my heart belongs to the Pittsburgh Steelers. My father was born in New Kensington, PA which is located just outside of Pittsburgh. I was born and raised in CA but have always been a Steelers fan, thanks to my father and all of my relatives in the Pittsburgh area. Not many people can say this, but myself AND my two children have something very special in common….we were all born in a year that the Steelers won a Super Bowl. My son Rocco (5) and my daughter Gianna (3) are both little Steelers fans and enjoy watching the games with their mommy. During football season, our Sunday tradition is to go shopping at the local Italian market and then have a traditional Italian dinner. My great grandparents settled in New Kensington from Italy and I am proud to share some of their recipes with my bambinos. I use DeLallo products as often as I can and have heard nothing but rave reviews about their products and recipes from my friends and family. 

*photo courtesy of DeLallo

DeLallo was founded in 1950 and is known for their fresh and authentic products. I have not yet been to their store in Jeanette, but plan to visit on my next trip to Pittsburgh. Their web-site is one of my favorite places to seek recipes whenever I am hosting a dinner party.  I am excited to share their giveaway with you!

 *photo courtesy of DeLallo

The gift basket includes the following:

  • 1 pound package of Whole Wheat Orzo
  • 1 pound package of Whole Wheat Fettuccine
  • 1 pound package of Whole Wheat Orecchiette
  • 1 pound package of Whole Wheat Fusilli
  • 1 pound package of Whole Wheat Gnocchi
  • 7 ounce container of their Olive Medley in Brine
  • 6.5 ounce jar of Basil Pesto in Oil
  • 6.5 ounce bottle of their Balsamic Vinegar of Modena Spray Bottle
  • 5 ounce container of their Multi-Grain Bruschetta Crisps
  • 12 ounce jar of Roasted Piquillo Peppers
  • 10 ounce jar of Artichoke Bruschetta
  • 16.9 ounce bottle of their 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2.5 ounce container of their Whole Grain Biscotti—Cranberry Blueberry Almond
  • 28 ounce can of their Imported Whole Peeled Italian Tomatoes

Mamma mia does this basket sound amazing! To enter, be sure and visit FAVEDIETS by clicking here.  You can read the wonderful DeLallo pasta review by FAVEDIETS by clicking here.  You can follow both DeLallo and FAVEDIETS on twitter @delallofoods  and @FaveDiets. Good luck everyone!

Ciao for now…..Tracy

Miss Jenny’s Pickles

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Champagne Girl Posted in Delicious Finds, North Carolina | Leave a comment

Nothing excites me more than discovering new and delicious food items, especially ones that come with inspiring stories. I am excited to share a delicious find from Kernersville, NC….Miss Jenny’s Pickles. Available in four varieties,  All-Natural Signature Salt & Pepper, All-Natural Traditional Bread & Butter, All-Natural Jalapeno Salt & Pepper and their Award Winning All-Natural Habanero Bread & Butter.  Ever since my order arrived, I have been using them on everything such as hamburgers, hot dogs, and Cuban Sandwiches. They taste amazing fried and I also use the Jalapeno Salt & Pepper as part of my garnish for my signature Bloody Mary.  They are phenomenal!

Miss Jenny’s Pickles is the labor of love of two amazing ladies, Jenny Fulton and Ashlee Furr.  After being partners together for years in the financial industry, Jenny and Ashlee lost their jobs due to the struggling economy.  Ultimately, this was a blessing in disguise and they decided to start their own business together.  Shortly after, Miss Jenny’s Pickles was born.  Since forming their company, Jenny and Ashlee have gone to Dunn, Faison, Pinnacle, Belews Creek and Mt. Olive, NC to learn all they can about the cucumber industry. Their gourmet pickles are the product of family recipes passed down from Miss Jenny’s grandmother, MawMaw. All of their pickles are hand-picked, hand-cut and hand-packed by their family and that makes them even more special! Their very first “pickle kitchen” was located in Miss Jenny’s church and today their kitchen is located in the Winston Lake YMCA. I plan on taking a trip to North Carolina in 2012 and hope to meet this terrific team that has made me fall in love with their pickles. 

I want to share these gourmet pickles with a reader. Once you taste them, you will truly love their “Modern Day Pickles with an Old Fashioned Taste.”  I will be giving away a gift pack of the four varieties of Miss Jenny’s Pickles. You will get one entry per each of  the following:

  •  Please “like” the page for Miss Jenny’s Pickles on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missjennyspickles.  Be sure  to comment that you have done so at the bottom of this post.
  • Please “like” the page for Eat, Drink and be Tracy on Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/eatdrinkandbetracy
  • Email me at tracyguida@gmail.com with the subject, “Miss Jenny’s Pickles”
  • Tweet this post and mention me in the tweet @tracyguida as well as @PickleLadies
  • Email me recipe ideas using Miss Jenny’s Pickles at  tracyguida@gmail.com
  • Write on the facebook wall for Eat, Drink and Be Tracy “Miss Jenny’s Pickles Rock!”

 

I will pick a winner on 9/30!  Good luck!

To place an order or learn more about Miss Jenny’s Pickles, please visit their web-site at www.missjennyspickles.com

Fig Preserves, A Fall Favorite

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Champagne Girl Posted in Recipes | Leave a comment

Figs are one of my favorite fruits and I use them in many dishes. As soon as I see them available at the local markets, I make sure to pick some up and enjoy them while they are in season. Fig preserves and fig jams are great to have on hand for whipping up easy appetizers. Paired with goat cheese, fig preserves help create a savory treat that will impress your guests.  This past weekend I saw a recipe for fig preserves in the July/August 2011 issue of the magazine, Cooking With Paula Deen, and decided to give it a whirl. I am proud to say the preserves came out great and I gave a few jars to friends.  Here is the recipe, I hope you enjoy!

Fig Preserves  (recipe courtesy of Cooking With Paula Deen, July/August 2011)

Ingredients:

  • 8 cups fresh figs, stems removed (I used Black Mission)
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced and seeded

Directions:

In a large Dutch oven, add figs, sugar, water and lemon slices. Stir well and be sure all of the sugar has dissolved into the water.

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Reduce to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 45 to 50 minutes or until a thick syrup forms. Remove and discard lemon slices. Mash figs with a potato masher to desired consistency.

Cool to room temperature. Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

The preserves came out fantastic and the recipe yielded enough to fill 6 1/2 pint mason jars. I kept two for myself and gave the rest to friends.

There are many things you can do with fig preserves and one of my favorites is to make crostini (“little toasts” in Italian). I brush pieces of thinly sliced baquette with olive oil and broil until toasted. I then top then with goat cheese, prosciutto, fig preserves and a fresh basil leaf.  They are amazing!  Since I didn’t have anyone coming over, I made mini-crostini with the fig preserves and goat cheese. Instead of using bread, I substituted rusks, which are basically small pieces of twice-baked bread. My dad recently sent me a package of rusks from the Beehive Cheese Company in Utah  and they paired well with goat cheese and the fig preserves. Delizioso!

I now have a new hobby and look forward to sharing my adventures of making jams and preserves with all of you!

Ciao for now,

Tracy

Holey Donuts! are Heavenly!

Posted on August 7, 2011 by Champagne Girl Posted in Delicious Finds, Donuts, Low-Fat, New York City | Leave a comment

I love reminiscing about my childhood days of getting donuts from Winchell’s Donut Shop every Saturday morning. My brother and I would leap out of bed earlier than on a school day and head over to Winchell’s with our dad. We would pick our favorite donuts and bring them home while they were still warm in the box.  Our house was filled with the scent of warm, fresh donuts and the sounds of classic Saturday morning cartoons.  As Edith and Archie Bunker would say, “Those were the days.”

Now that I have kids, I have carried on the Saturday morning donut tradition and they love going to Dunkin’ Donuts. We go there once a week and they get their donuts and I just get Cinnamon Coffee, which is my absolute favorite.  I very rarely will get a donut and usually order something healthier, like their egg white and veggie flat bread sandwich. I usually splurge during the fall when they have their pumpkin donuts which are delicious.  If only I could have their metabolism!

  Rocco and Gianna enjoying their Dunkin' Donuts in May, 2010

About a month ago, I was browsing through Facebook and noticed an ad for a place called Holey Donuts! The ad mentioned that they were gourmet donuts that were low-fat, which caught my eye. I clicked on their page and their donuts looked not only beautiful, but mouthwatering.  I began reading about the company and was intrigued. Holey Donuts! contain an average of  150-250 calories and 3-4 grams of fat per donut while the average donut contains 15-20 grams of fat and as many as 480 calories!  The more I read about them, the more I wanted to try a Holey Donut!

Photo courtesy of Holey Donuts

Launched in 2008, Brooklyn-based Holey Donuts! is the sweet creation of Frank Dilullo. Frank grew up in the donut industry and his father was one of the first franchisees of what is today’s most successful donut chain. He went on to own his own donut shops and one day decided to create a donut that was like no other.  He wanted something that was high-end and delicious, yet healthier than the average donut. Frank prepared donuts that were cooked in a different way and not deep-fried. After trying one of his donuts that were prepared using his new method, he took one bite and said, ”HOLY $#!%, these are really good!” Voila! Holey Donuts! was born.

Image courtesy of Holey Donuts!

Holey Donuts! are made by hand and require 22 steps from start to finish. They are then flash-frozen and shipped via Fed-Ex. Once you receive them, place them in the freezer until you are ready to enjoy your guilt-free donut.  Each box comes with instructions on how to have the ultimate Holey Donut! experience. I was the lucky winner of 3 boxes of assorted Holey Donuts! this past week.  I had them shipped to my office and let everyone try them.  My co-workers were blown away at how delicious they were. I tried the Low-Fat Vanilla Frosted and it was scrumptious!  With only 148 calories and 3 grams of fat, I could eat one every day. It paired well with my Island Coconut Coffee by Green Mountain.

One of my co-workers tried the Low-Fat Chocolate Chip and is still talking about it.  He is really into health and fitness and said it was the best donut he has ever had.  He was supposed to save me a bite but could not resist eating the whole thing.

Photo courtesy of Holey Donuts!

I still have two boxes of Holey Donuts! in my freezer.  One is assorted and one is of the 100 Calorie Cinnamon Bun Middles which I am going to share with some of my friends so they can have the Holey Donut! experience.  100 calories in a Cinnamon Bun?  Now that something I could only dream about!

Image courtesy of Holey Donuts!

If I ever make it to Brooklyn, I hope to meet Frank and shake his hand. He is my donut hero and I love what he has created. His donuts are sinfully delicious, yet they will not leave you asking your waistline for forgiveness. I will be placing another order real soon and can’t wait to share these gourmet, low-fat pieces of heaven with my friends.  To learn more about Holey Donuts! or to place an order, visit their web-site at www.holeydonuts.net . Be sure to “like” their Facebook page, as they are always offering discounts, specials and give-aways. You can find their Facebook page by clicking here.

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