Sargento Taste Test

I was selected to participate in the Sargento Taste Test.  Sargento is cut from 100% natural cheese and is never processed.  It contains only natural ingredients and is tested by professional cheese graders to ensure high quality.  As part of this experience I was sent a $25 American Express Gift Card to purchase Sargento Natural Cheese, a Processed Cheese to compare it to, and the choice of pairings. 




I picked Pepper Jack and Colby Jack for my Sargento Cheese to test against the Processed Cheese.  It really wasn't a comparison.  My husband wasn't excited about this, because he HATES processed cheese and avoids it like the plague!  The Sargento Cheese on the other hand, he is a huge fan of. 




You can't tell as much by the pictures, but there really is no comparison between the cheese.  The processed cheese is shiny, rubbery and waxy.  There cheese doesn't really smell like anything, and it tastes kind of like plastic.  The Sargento cheese on the other hand is not shiny, actually smells like cheese, and tastes like what you would expect.  You get salty and sharp and spicy all at the same time.  There really is no comparison between Processed Cheese and Sargento. 

We made Grilled Cheese for dinner one night these the cheeses.  The both melt equally well, but the taste are worlds apart.  

**This post is part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program with Sargento.  The Food was provided by Sargento via a $25 American Express Gift Card.  The opinions are my own. 

Kara-Age Chicken - Tastemaker

I was so excited when I got home the other day and there were packages on my doorstep, that had my name on them!  Usually it is my husbands name on the boxes (he has a slight amazon addiction).  But I didn't order anything, what could it be?  Foodbuzz had sent me a box of Kikkoman Kara-Age Soy-Ginger Seasoned Coating Mix as part of the Tastemaker Program.  I am a huge fan of Kikkoman, I love soy and I love ginger, what could go wrong?! Kara-Age is a popular cooking technique in Japan.  Basically it is Japan's version of a Chicken Nugget.



Inside the box was 2 packets of the seasoning mix.  It was so simple to make.  You open the season mix, pour in a bag, add in your protein and shake!  Pan fry in oil, and you are done.  It was so good too!  I was very pleasantly surprised.  There was so much flavor in this.  The chicken stayed super moist and delicious.  I am hesitant sometimes with flavored breadcrumbs and other mixes, because I think they are bland and fall short.  This one definitely had the soy and ginger flavor bursting through.  I sprinkled with chopped cilantro, drizzled with a little lemon juice, and made a quick Ponzu sauce to dip the chicken in. Served with with a small green salad, and we had a great dinner.  Next time I might try to bake/broil the chicken to see if I can make it a little healthier. 

I didn't remember to take pictures of my Ponzu Sauce, but it was 1/4 cup Kikkoman Soy Sauce, juice from 1/2 orange and 1/2 a lime, and a splash of rice vinegar.  It was the perfect tangy pairing for the chicken. 

**This post is part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program with Kikkoman.  The seasoning was provided through this program.  The opinions in this post are all my own.

Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans - Tastemaker

I was super excited when the UPS man delivered a box to my door.  It said it contained dry ice, what could it be?  As part of the Taste Maker program through Food Buzz I received four bags of Steamfresh Chef’s Favorites from Birdseye!  These varieties will be in stores at the end of the month.  All of them sounded interesting, but so far this is my favorite. 

As you may remember, I am on a mission to clean out my freezer.  The other night I was digging and I found two Brats, and a small bag of pizza bagels.  Really can't remember when the pizza bagels were from, but they still looked good.  So I boiled the brats in beer and onions, and then finished them off on the grill.  The pizza bagels went to my 6 year old, which he was a little depressed about.  He learned he liked brats this summer, so he was a little sad he didn't get to have one.  Next up, sides.  What was I going to do for sides with the brats.  These were perfect.  They are done in 5 min and 30 seconds.  They have green beans and potatoes, a little for everyone!  And the sauce was creamy and delicious.   I look forward to these being in the stores, so I can have them again!