Spatulas, Corkscrews & Suitcases

GIVEAWAY: Bertolli Into the Heart of Italy Food and Wine Pairing Kit Valued at $175

 
  

Bertolli emailed me a few days ago asking if I was interested in hosting an at-home Food and Wine Pairing Party. Of course I would! I love food and wine - hence the blog name, Spatulas & Corkscrews. This giveaway was made for me! I emailed her  as soon as I could wrap my head around it. You see, Bertolli was offering to overnight me a package worth $175.00. Yes, you read that right! So I quickly emailed them and said, "Yes, Yes, YES! Send me your Food and Wine Pairing Kit!" Emily, the sweet girl from Bertolli, emailed me right back with some instructions, and told me to expect the package the very next day.

I was busy writing all day (did you know I'm writing The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Baking for Penguin Publishing?), and thought about the package on and off, thinking... is this real? $175.00 worth of goodies from Bertolli? I saw the Fed Ex truck come into the marina and ran into the office. I could not believe how BIG that box was! I had trouble getting it down the steps and into the car. Did I say the box was BIG?

When I opened it, I was stunned. In the Food and Wine Pairing Party kit were:

• VIP coupons for four Bertolli Frozen Meals for two that will transport you to Italy in just 10 minutes: I have yet to go shopping for them as I just got the box this afternoon.
• Two, CB2 Verona Pasta Serving Bowls: BIG, BIG, BIG Beautiful White Pasta Serving Bowls!
• Four, Crate & Barrel Rotate Plates: Four cute square and stylish white plates to match the bowls.
• Crate & Barrel Marble Wine Chiller: This wine chiller is really nice. I've always wanted one, but never bought one for myself.
• Crate & Barrel Wine Decanter: Another beautifully elegant item I never thought to buy for myself. I can't wait to use it!
• Bertolli Wine Pairing Guide and $50 of gift cards to purchase wines complimentary to the meals: Who sends a $50.00 Visa card to a freelance writer and blogger to buy wine with? I was blown away with Bertolli's generosity. A classy company indeed! I already have the wine in mind I want to purchase. Marc the Wine Guy at People's Liquor Warehouse in Warwick, R.I. will help me choose just the right wine if I'm not thinking clearly.
  

 


Introducing "Into the Heart of Italy" Webisodes 

Bertolli has introduced a series of fun and informative videos to watch and learn by. I was excited to learn something new, and did I already say I love food and wine? Anyway... to kick off their line of frozen entrees, they've added loads of new meals that I can't wait to try.

Soooo, it's off to the grocery store and liquor store to redeem my coupons. Next, I'll be excited to invite a few choice guests to have a 'Heart of Italy Food & Wine Pairing Party' with. Good thing we're house sitting and can spread out!

 

To Enter the Giveaway:

• Here's the deal. Bertolli wants me to have a GIVEAWAY for an identical 'Into the Heart of  Italy' Food & Wine Pairing Kit.
• One BIG prize worth $175.00 to one lucky reader. They'll drop ship the box right to your doorstep for you. Then, you can have your own Food & Wine Pairing Party. Give it lots of BUZZ for them, take pictures, blog the wine and food party for them, they're a generous company!

Entry Requirements:

• All entries for the giveaway must be located in the United States. They cannot ship outside the U.S.
  
• Watch the video carefully, you'll have to answer the episode’s clue.
• In your comment, tell me what was your favorite scene in the video?
• Don't forget the clue!
• Make sure I know  how to get in touch with you should you win.
• The giveaway starts now, and will end on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at midnight EST.

"Into the Heart of Italy" Webisode #5

In this episode, celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito and actors Marisa Tomei and Dan Cortese explore Italian wine cellars, learn how to taste wine, visit Montepulciano and prepare Chicken Marsala. But you don’t need to search a wine cellar to enjoy the authentic taste of a slow-simmered wine sauce in your Chicken Marsala. With Bertolli Frozen meals you’re just minutes away from a luscious Italian experience in the comfort of your own home.

Memorial Day Recipes: Spareribs, Shrimp, Bacon Burgers, Potato Salad and More

 

WOMAN'S DAY.COM SHARES MEMORIAL DAY RECIPES

Woman's Day All-American BBQ Menu: The good cooks at Woman's Day.com have put together an awesome BBQ Menu for the Memorial Day weekend. From summer recipes like Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie to Old-Fashioned Creamy Potato Salad and Lemon-Raspberry Iced Tea, the 11 recipes from Woman's Day magazine will have you licking your fingers and your lips for the best Star Spangled Holiday ever!

Make sure to run on over to Woman's Day.com this holiday weekend, and take a look at their awesome menus and recipes. There's something for everyone at Woman's Day, including healthy vegetarian dishes, dessert recipes, and lots of recipe lists for every occasion!

Woman's Day All-American BBQ menu

Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie

Made with a slightly spicy Remoulade Sauce and easy to make spice rub, this grilled appetizer takes just minutes to prepare. Skewer extra large jumbo shrimp and grill on hot coals, a grill pan or broiler. An easy starter that will wow your guests!

Classic All-American Bacon Cheeseburgers

You can't have a patriotic cookout without burgers, and this Bacon Cheeseburger recipe will knock your socks off! Made with a "Special Sauce," these burgers will make your Memorial Day fun and easy.

Lemon-Rosemary Chicken with Tomato Bread Salad 

A quick marinade made with fresh rosemary, lemon zest and garlic, transforms these chicken drumsticks and thighs into something special. Make this Italian bread salad with the prettiest and tastiest tomatoes you can find - Heirloom Tomatoes are good for this recipe - and fresh from the garden basil. Toss it all together and serve with your yummy grilled chicken!

Barbecue Spareribs

Who doesn't love spareribs? They're the perfect cookout and picnic food! This recipe is for a whole rack of fresh pork spareribs made with a simple BBQ sauce. Slap them on the grill and go at it!

Outback Special

Thick boneless sirloin steaks with a delicious spice rub takes just 5 minutes. Add some creamy potato salad and grilled corn fora tasty Memorial Day meal.

Old-Fashioned Creamy Potato Salad 

Remember Grandma's potato salad? Cooked red-skin potatoes, chopped bread & butter pickles, hard boiled eggs, tossed with an awesome dressing, and you'll have the perfect potato salad to serve with the Outback Special Sirloin Steaks above. 

Finger-Lickin' Chicken with Broccoli Slaw and Corn

Shredded broccoli slaw makes this meal extra easy. Just whisk up a quick dressing and toss! Add grilled barbecue chicken and corn on the cob and you have a perfect party meal.

Skillet "Baked" Beans 

What's a cookout without baked beans? Fry up some bacon and onions, and doctor up a few cans of chickpeas, pinto and kidney beans with brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar and molasses for a sweet and tangy side dish of baked beans!

Greek Pasta Salad 

Wagon-wheel pasta, broccoli florets, chick-peas and pimientos, tossed with vinaigrette dressing, and sprinkled with crumbled feta cheese, this Greek Pasta Salad couldn't be easier.

Watermelon Kabobs 

Let the kids help you skewer fresh watermelon, green grapes and blueberries, then drizzle them with fresh lime zest and juice with sugar. The "lime syrup" makes a simple fruit dessert festive!

Lemon-Raspberry Iced Tea

Make this refreshing iced tea up to four days ahead. Made with your favorite tea bags, frozen unsweetened raspberries and steeped with fresh lemon juice and sugar, this sweet tea will complement anything you serve for the holiday!

Photos and Recipes Courtesy of Womans Day.com