posted by erin on Mar 24
You know, I was sitting here thinking “I want to give something away!” I’ve been watching Oprah’s Big Give every Sunday, heave sobbing as I watch people touching the world (with someone else’s money) and wishing I could give someone something. I would love to go to the gas station and pay for everyone’s gas, or go to the grocery store and pay for someone’s groceries, or just write a big fat cheque to an organization that I think is making a difference, or anonymously give money to someone I know is in need. I thought maybe I’d start with something small and fun. And one of you will be the recipient just ’cause I’m loving my bloggy pals.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I tend to fall into cooking ruts. I love to cook, but to come up with new and interesting and different meals all the time is, well, almost impossible and rather time consuming. Enter Victorian Epicure (you can go to that link to find out all about it…they only show a limited number of their products, but it gives you an idea). Established here in Canada, it’s a lovely company that sells amazing spices, dip mixes, and many, many other things to make cooking a joy! Since I discovered Epicure I’m always finding ways to make the same boring things taste different and better.
Well I’ve decided to spread the love to you, my friends. If you read my blog, feel free to enter my contest. It’s well worth the time. These products are so versatile and they make everyday cooking more fun.
I decided to go with an appetizer type theme, because really, how do you narrow down so many amazing products? In order to enter my contest you need to leave a comment on this post. If you want 2 entries into the contest you need to comment AND email me (using the “Contact Me” link on the right side of my blog) your favorite appetizer recipe since I’m always looking for new ones. If you want 3 entries, comment, email a recipe and give me a little shout out on your blog, if you have one, linking to this contest (let me know you’ve done this so I can give you the kudos you deserve).
The prize will include one new, unopened jar each of:
- Pesto Artichoke Dip mix
- 3 Onion Dip mix
- Cheese, Chives and Bacon Dip mix
- Lemon Dilly Dip mix
- Bruschetta seasoning
I use these 5 to make some of my favorite appetizers. This is a $40.00 value and I’m going to give it away. I will also include recipes for the following yummy appetizers:
- Extraordinary Cheese Dip (hot dip…yummy in a bread bowl, in stuffed mushrooms or with french bread or taco chips)
- Spinach and Artichoke Dip (hot or cold dip)
- Bruschetta
- as well as other ways to use these delicious seasonings in your every day cooking!
The contest will run until Sunday, April 6. Anyone can enter, you don’t need to have a blog (just follow the above rules). I will ship anywhere in North America. And I look forward to hearing some great recipes! The winner will be announced here on Monday, April 7. Good luck : )
March 24th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Oh Erin, you are a Sweetheart…what a great idea! I am SO emailing you one of my fav appetizer recipes! I love doing appetizer type parties.
See ya later on!!
Love ya!
March 24th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Epicure, mmmmmmmm… Will email a recipe later, ’cause who doesn’t LOVE appetizers?!?
March 24th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
What an awesome idea!
I have been enjoying that show too. Last night my hubby said (completely exasperated) that the girl who kept getting lost (I forget her name) would spend her own money on a Garmen so she wouldn’t get so lost!!
We were also talking about how we would have handled last night’s challenge. Lots of neat ideas. I was so impressed with Steve (I think that’s his name) who actually spent the whole thing. He touched so many lives in such a positive way. Wow.
Anyhoo, all that to say I would love to be entered into your contest – and I’m gonna go for all 3! I’ll post the shout out tomorrow.
March 24th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Sign me up for the contest, I have been thinking lately of your brushetta and how yummy it is and how LONG it has been since I have had IT! Lol! May be an appeteizer night needs to be in the works again!
March 24th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
awwww
what a great grand idea. yer awesome erin.
does ripple chips and onion soup and sour cream count as an appetizer?
March 24th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Does this probably mean I cannot win???? (And you know why I’m sayin’ this!)
We (you and I) were sobbing together last night . . . I think I may have even seen something in Neil’s eyes!
March 24th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Count me in! I LOVE new recipes!! I’m gonna email you one right now!
March 24th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
I love the big give! I cried when that whole thing with little boy at the auto shop was on!
Having a newborn and a preschool-aged kid I don’t do much creative cooking nowdays (sleep deprivation and all) so I’ll pass on the contest so I don’t risk taking the prize from someone who’d use it. I’ll still email you a recipe from back when I used to cook though.
March 24th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I would typically enter this but I LOVE Epicure as well and have all of those same delish spices so I’m just here to say that the second I move to Manitoba we have got to have some Cheese Dip together! It might be my fave Epicure recipe of ALL TIME! Mmmm … I may just have to find a reason to make some this weekend
March 25th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Yummmm! They all sound delicous!
March 25th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Great idea for a prize. I use epicure all the time since my daughter had a house party and there was such a big selection of appetizers for everyone to try. I now also buy the products and send them to my son who is currently residing in Japan. He loves to cook, so I include an assortment of products for his birthday and Christmas.
March 25th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
I think that is a great idea and it is soo sweet of you to think of doing something like this! I’d love a shot at it. Thanks for your comment on my page too
March 25th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Hi Erin! Count me in!!! xoxo
March 25th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
i am in never tried the bruscetta or the pesto artichoke, and i don’t have the others you are makin me hungry
March 26th, 2008 at 1:03 am
Aren’t you sweet. It sounds like wonderful products.
March 26th, 2008 at 8:20 am
I’m a semi-new reader, here by way of TCC’s site. I’ve actually been here before, and love your blog. I’ve been lurking a while now, but this contest looks too fun to ignore. Definitely include me in the fun. I’m off to get my email to you and a recipe too!
March 26th, 2008 at 11:48 am
How fun are you?! If I think of a good appetizer I’ll email you!
March 26th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
The extraordinary cheese dip is the best!
March 26th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
hey
Great idea for a contest. I’ll email you a recipe too and put a link on my blog!
March 27th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Yay! Sign me up. You’ll get my recipe and my blog shout-out today
March 27th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
My culinary adventures always prove interesting, but I rarely use recipes and it’s even more rare for me to actually measure anything even if I’m following a recipe. Unless I’m baking – learned that lesson the hard way. LOL
I’m so fickle, sometimes I just hate the idea of cooking, and I’ve had a bowl of cereal for dinner to avoid cooking more times than I could count. And then there are other times when I love to cook. I’m currently in an “I don’t want to deal with it, I’ll order a pizza” kind of phase. In fact pizza does sound good at the moment… I think I’ll do just that for dinner tonight.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Chalk it up!! Three for me! Check out my bloggy for your plug and I will me email you soon. yummmmm…..
March 29th, 2008 at 1:24 am
This is an awesome contest, definitely count me in! These look so great and I can definitely see using them in every day cooking. Great stuff!
April 1st, 2008 at 7:22 am
I’d almost forgot about the contest. PLEASE, include me. The prize sounds soooo YUMMY!!!
Thanx again and keep up the wonderful ‘bloggin’.
Cheers
Carol
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:06 am
Great Contest! I have been watching the Big Give too and have enjoyed seeing what the people come up with. I will post a shout out on my blog and send you a recipe too
April 4th, 2008 at 6:51 am
Fun!! I’ve 1.5 days to think of a good one … I’ll email you:)
April 5th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Yay! A contest! I’ll be emailing you a recipe soon.