New Year Nibbles by Bobby Flay

Wasn’t it nice to have a holiday on a Thursday? Hopefully, it meant that most of you had Friday off of work and a nice, four-day weekend to enjoy with family and friends. It meant watching the kids play with their new toys while you decompressed from a hectic week of preparations. Now it’s back to the store and into the kitchen to get ready for the New Year’s celebration.

I’m setting up appetizers, salads and lots of delicious food from celebrity chef Bobby Flay and his “Real Holiday Helpings” cookbook. There are several recipes that I’ll be preparing for my children, their friends and assorted relatives and guests who will visit over the holiday weekend. The TV remote will be a hot commodity…will it be football or movies? While everyone gathers around, here’s a few of the Bobby Flay items being served at our house: Caesar Salad Crostini, Baked Horseradish Glazed Chicken Wings, Caramelized Onion Dip (recipe below), and if I’m feeling really ambitious, I might try the Tandoori  Style Turkey. All of these recipes are available at Hellmanns. com.

Caramelized Onion Dip

Serves: 4 to 6

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 large Spanish onions, halved and thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme

½ cup Hellmann’s® Real Mayonnaise

½ cup sour cream

2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

Salt and pepper

1 teaspoon paprika

Potato chips or tortilla chips

1. Heat the oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat.  Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme and cook for 1 minute.  Remove from the heat and let cool.

2. Combine the mayonnaise, sour cream and cream cheese in a food processor and process until smooth.  Add the onions, salt and pepper to taste and pulse a few times just to combine (don’t over mix; you want the onions to retain some of their texture).  Scrape into a bowl and sprinkle the top with the paprika.  Serve with chips.

How do you plan on spending New Year’s Eve? Are you making dinner for family and friends, or simply making reservations? I’ve got a few more Bobby Flay/Hellmann’s “Real Holiday Helpings” cookbooks to give away, so leave a comment on how you’ll be celebrating the last year of the decade (hard to believe)! Also, don’t forget to check out Hellmann’s website. You can still enter to win a year’s worth of free groceries, or win a $50 gift card by playing the Real Food Matchup Game.

However you spend New Year’s Eve, stay safe and enjoy the holiday. Happy New Year and all the best in 2010!

Survey says…keep it easy this holiday!

For all of the planning and preparation that go in to your holiday gatherings, are you putting your time where it’s most appreciated?  While you’re planning your holiday meals and checking your lists (both gift and grocery), make sure you’re spending time with children and loved ones that make holidays so special. Hellmann’s/Best Foods recently released a survey with very interesting results, especially for the children in our lives who will be sitting at the kids’ table and not really eating traditional holiday foods.  I’ve pulled a few of the results below; interesting and even funny reading!

For your grocery list, make sure to include the ingredients below for the delicious creamy mashed potatoes from celebrity chef Bobby Flay.  This recipe looks fantastic and I can’t wait to try it. It’s listed in the Hellmann’s/Best Foods  “Real Holiday Helpings” cookbook. If you’d like a copy of the cookbook, leave a comment below with your favorite holiday activity, or what you’re doing for the holidays this year. (BTW: thanks for the great comments on your favorite holiday foods. I was so hungry after reading them; and don’ t be surprised if I ask for the recipes!).

My local grocery store closes early on Christmas Eve, so I’m off to the store now, and one more retail trip for one of my son’s friends. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

Creamy Loaded Mashed Potatoes

3 lbs. all-purpose potatoes, peeled and cubed
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (about 6 oz.), divided
1 cup Hellmann’s® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
3 green onions, finely chopped
6 slices bacon, crisp-cooked and crumbled (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 375°. Spray 2-quart shallow baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
2. Cover potatoes with water in 4-quart saucepot; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and cook 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender; drain and mash.
3. Stir in 1 cup cheese, Hellmann’s® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise, sour cream, green onions and 4 strips crumbled bacon. Turn into prepared baking dish and bake 30 minutes or until bubbling.
4. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese and bacon. Bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Garnish, if desired, with additional chopped green onions.

From Hellmann’s/Best Foods survey:

Do elaborate Holiday meals equal time well spent?  Your kids might not agree…

• On average, parents who prepare the holiday dinners for their family and friends spend six hours in the kitchen.

• Kids recognize the time that goes into the family dinner but nearly half (49%) still don’t eat everything on their dinner plate. This can lead parents to feeling unappreciated as more than half (52%) report that their children don’t enjoy the food they invest so much time into putting together.
• When cooking for company during the holidays, nearly half (43%) of parents actually pull double duty in the kitchen by preparing one dinner for guests and a completely separate meal to satisfy their children’s tastes.

Pass the holiday… Pizza?

• Nearly three in five (57%) American parents are confident their child would choose macaroni and cheese, chicken fingers or pizza in place of the traditional holiday feast. In fact, nearly three in five (58%) parents admit they’d change their menu completely this holiday if they were only cooking for the kids.

• Nearly two out of three (62%) kids would forego the classic turkey dinner at the next holiday gathering if they had a choice and, instead, would opt for main courses like chicken, ham and pizza. Thirteen percent of kids would skip dinner and go straight for dessert.

What’s On Your Holiday Menu?

Thanks to all of you for leaving great comments about the green bean recipe and your own food traditions! I started to leave comments to all of you, but in the interest of time, I’ll let you all know that you will get a cookbook and coupon. (I have to make one more stop today!). I may still ask for some recipes! Thanks, and Happy Holidays!

This week is going to go fast with only four days until Christmas. As I’ve been posting tips and recipes from celebrity chef Bobby Flay and Hellmann’s/Best Foods, I’ve been following Flay’s advice to make a shopping list that will make my trip to the grocery store easier (and hopefully it will only be one trip)! The list is getting longer every day, and just today I realized I needed to add another side dish or two and an appetizer.

So I flipped through the “Real Holiday Helpings” cookbook and found two great recipes: one for Roasted Green Beans with Almond Aioli, and the other for chicken wings with a creamy maple dipping sauce. I’ve included the recipes for you here. What is your favorite holiday dish? The one that you’ve recently discovered, or the one that brings back holiday memories? I’d love to hear from you. The first 10 friends to leave a comment will receive a “Real Holiday Helpings” cookbook and one coupon for a free, 30-0z. jar of Hellmann’s mayonnaise.

Roasted Green Beans with Almond Aioli

Serves: 4

½ cup toasted slivered almonds,

2 cloves finely chopped garlic

2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

½ cup Hellmann’s® Real Mayonnaise

1 pound fresh green beans or asparagus, trimmed

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

2. Combine ¼ cup of almonds, garlic, lemon juice and mayonnaise in a food processor and process until smooth, season with salt and pepper. Scrape into a bowl.  Aioli can be made 4 hours in advance and refrigerated.  Bring to room temperature before serving.

2. Place the green beans in a medium roasting pan or on a baking sheet, toss with the oil and season with salt and pepper.  Roast the beans, turning once, until lightly golden brown and just cooked through, about 15 minutes. Transfer the green beans to a platter and drizzle with the aioli and garnish with remaining slivered almonds.

Baked Horseradish Glazed Chicken Wings with Creamy Maple Dipping Sauce

Serves: 4

½ cup pure maple syrup

1 heaping tablespoon prepared horseradish

1 heaping tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons ancho chile powder or good quality chili powder

1 cup Hellmann’s® Real Mayonnaise

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

20 chicken wings

Canola oil

1. Whisk together the maple syrup, horseradish, mustard and chile powder in a bowl.  Remove ¼ cup of the mixture and place in another bowl, add the mayonnaise, whisk until combined and season with salt and pepper.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.  Place the chicken wings on a large baking sheet, toss with a few tablespoons of oil and season with salt and pepper.  Bake in the oven, turning a few times until golden brown, about 30 minutes.  Carefully remove the wings from the oven brush with the maple glaze. Return to the oven and continue baking until just cooked through about 20 minutes longer.  Serve with the maple mayonnaise dipping sauce on the side.

Tip: Sauce is also terrific on wraps and sandwiches, assorted fresh vegetables, on steamed broccoli or asparagus and over oven-roasted potatoes.

Harumika Doll Kits for the Fashionista In Your Life

This is one of the “Aha! Why didn’t I think of that!” moments that every Mom will recognize. For years, my youngest daughter has been cutting up pieces of cloth to use on her own dolls. The pre-made outfits (usually just one) included on the doll grow “old” and go out of fashion very quickly. So this means new wardrobes and fashion updates that spell the end to her clothes, sometimes mine, and any fabric around the house!

Imagine the thrill of discovery at the Time To Play Magazine Toy Showcase when I found the Harumika table. Harumika has created a 12″ doll form, clothing and accessories that can be changed as often as your child wishes with a simple stylus-like tool. There are several clothing sets that let your child design their own outfits and “style their imagination”.  The prices are reasonable with the Accent Sets starting at $5.99 and a Style Starter Set (includes dress form, stylus tool, fabric swatches, fashion accessories, and fashion stickers starting at $10.99.

How to Create Stylish Outfits with Harumika

My daughter loves her Harumika doll form and spends hours with the many combinations of outfits she can create, change, and create again. The possibilities are endless, and that’s why my daughter loves this doll, and I love to see how my little fashionista uses her imagination and creativity.

The Harumika website offers styling tips and information, and even lets your child create their own store! For a live look at the Harumika dolls, watch my clip on MomTV from the Toy Fair. Harumika Sets are available at Toys R’Us and Target stores.

More Bobby Flay Recipes from Hellmann’s “Real Holiday Helpings”

As part of the Hellmann’s “Real Holiday Helpings” program, I have the chance to try out recipes from the cookbook created by celebrity chef Bobby Flay. As I noted earlier this week, there are so many recipes and so little time. So, you know I’m going to start with the salads. A terrific recipe for caesar salad crostini is included below, as well as tips and strategies from Hellmann’s and Bobby Flay to keep the stress out of your holiday season.

To keep the stress out of gift-buying, I’ve got a nice little gift for you. If you leave a comment here, your name will be entered in a drawing for a $25 American Express gift card, a Hellmann’s/Best Foods “Real Holiday Helpings” cookbook packed with terrific recipes by Bobby Flay, and a coupon for a free, 30-oz. jar of Hellmann’s mayonnaise. Leave your comment for one entry, and tweet about the giveaway or Bobby Flay/Hellmann’s Real Holiday Helpings program for another entry. Random drawing will take place Tuesday, Dec. 15th at 12 p.m. EST. And stay tuned for more recipes and giveaways…

Bobby Flay Hellmann’s/Best Foods Caesar Salad Crostini

½ cup Hellmann’s® Real Mayonnaise

Bobby Flay's Caesar Salad Crostini

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 tablespoon anchovy paste

3 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 French baguette sliced into ½-inch thick slices

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 ½ cups finely chopped romaine lettuce

1. Preheat the broiler.

2. Whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, anchovy paste and salt and pepper to taste in a medium bowl. Remove half of the dressing to a small bowl and spread one side of each slice of bread with it. Put the slices of bread on a baking sheet and place under the broiler, dressing-side up and broil until lightly golden brown.  Remove and let cool slightly.

3. Add the romaine to the remaining dressing, add the vinegar and salt and pepper to taste and top each crouton with some of the salad.

Hellmann’s^® and Best Foods^® Real Holiday Helpings

Bobby Flay’s Tips and Techniques

Extra Helpings for the Holiday Hostess

• Save yourself some time and avoid preparing a separate meal for “the kids table” by planning a meal made from Real Food with simple, honest ingredients (like Hellmann’s^®/Best Foods^® mayonnaise made from eggs, oil, and vinegar) you know will please all guests young and old; there are several great recipe ideas on Hellmanns.com that are sure to appeal to even the pickiest of palates.
• Allow friends and family to provide a helping hand (and some good conversation) in the kitchen. They will be happy to spend more quality time with the holiday host or hostess.

** For more holiday tips and recipes from Bobby Flay go to www.Hellmanns.com or www.BestFoods.com**

Bobby Flay and Hellmann’s Serve “Real Holiday Helpings”

I love the holidays and I dread the holidays.  Wait…before you call me Scrooge, I’m not saying “Bah Humbug” to all of it, especially the time I spend with my family.  Just some of the pieces of the holiday season that sneak up on me, like planning and shopping for meals, especially the big holiday dinners that take more preparation. (Note the side benefit to my teenagers who drive: I can now send them to the store for that single ingredient I forgot for a dish!)

While I am a planner by nature (see my Black Friday post), when it comes to food, I could always use help. So I was thrilled to find delicious recipes and all-around kitchen and prep tips from one of my favorite celebrity chefs, Bobby Flay, as part of the “Hellmann’s Real  Holiday Helpings” program.

There are so many recipes and tips to cover, I can’t fit them all in this one post. So throughout the next couple of weeks, I’ll send out tips and delicious recipes, and if you leave a comment with your tips and favorite recipes, your name will be entered in a random drawing for a Real Holiday Helpings  Cookbook and a coupon for a FREE 30-oz. jar of mayonnaise, compliments of Hellmann’s and Best Foods. (Drawing on Thursday, Dec. 10th at noon.)

Here’s your first “taste”, followed by the tips that will de-stress your holidays:

Broiled Cherry Tomatoes with Basil-Balsamic Green Goddess Dressing

Broiled Cherry Tomatoes with Basil-Balsamic Green Goddess Dressing Serves: 4

½ cup Hellmann’s® Real Mayonnaise

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 cloves garlic, chopped

3 anchovy fillets

3 green onions, sliced

¼ cup fresh basil leaves

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

3 pints cherry tomatoes

16 oz. fresh mozzarella, cubed

Olive oil

4-inch wooden skewers, soaked in cold water for 10 minutes

1. Combine the mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons water, vinegar, garlic, anchovy, green onion and basil in a blender or food processor and process until smooth, season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (this allows the flavors to meld).

2. Preheat broiler. Skewer 2 tomatoes on each skewer and place on baking sheets lined with parchment paper or foil. Drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper.  Broil tomatoes, turning once, until slightly charred and soft, about 2 minutes per side. Remove to a platter; add a mozzarella cube to each skewer.  Drizzle with some of the dressing.

Hellmann’s® and Best Foods® Real Holiday Helpings
Bobby Flay’s Tips and Techniques

Celebrated Chef, Author and TV Personality Bobby Flay Offers Seasons Ingredients

Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay

‘Tis the Season(ing)

• Plan the holiday meal in advance and stock up on all dry and non perishable ingredients ahead of time.
• As the holiday approaches, start planning an ingredients list a couple of days before shopping to avoid making several trips to the grocery store.
• Keep your meal simple with spices. You do not need a lot of expensive or exotic seasonings to create a flavorful meal; often all it takes is just a little salt and pepper to create a delicious dish.
• Add a little flair to the holiday turkey this year by preparing Tandoori style roasted turkey breast – it only takes a few simple ingredients to create this flavorful, delicious course that adults and kids will love.

At www.Hellmanns.com and www.BestFoods.com, you will find tips and recipes for food that you can feel good about serving the whole family. Visitors can enjoy how-to videos and tutorials featuring Flay, recipes and more.  You can also enter the Real Food Holiday Giveaway for a chance to win the grand prize of a year supply of groceries, or play the Real Food Matchup for an entry to win a $50 grocery gift card.

Colin Cowie’s Electrolux Event Wows the Crowd

Recently, I was fortunate enough to be invited to the penthouse suite of Colin Cowie, of O Magazine and Oprah Show.  Cowie hosted an Electrolux ICON^® event where guests got a first-hand look at his amazing NYC apartment and learned fabulous holiday entertaining tips and recipes.

Tasting Time at Electrolux Event

To say it was an incredible evening is an understatement. He has designed his home not only with elegance but with practicality.  Every detail was thought out, such as pocket doors to hide kitchen areas as well as the most efficient appliances tucked away in the most functional places (an Electrolux wine cooler hidden below the bar!).  Even with the smallness of New York City living, Cowie was able to get double ranges and a warming tray into his galley-like kitchen.

The ovens impressed me with so many functional features, Smooth-Glide™ Oven Racks, Multi-Option Cooking with Temperature Probem and a convection cooking option. With all of the Electrolux appliances, form didn’t necessarily follow function as these ovens and all of the ICON appliances looked like works of art.

Madison, Maria, Katja and Amy

My friends Kim Orlando, Katja Presnal and Amy Oztan were all there capping off great company.  Best of all, I was able to share the evening with my teenage daughter who made the trip to New York with me.  She was more than wowed by the celebrity factor of Colin Cowie.  Colin’s photos with Oprah on his shelf and all the delicious food helped raise the cool quotient for my teenager.

My dream home will have Electrolux appliances throughout it…now to get my hors d’oeuvres presentation to look like Cowie’s and I’ll be ready for any occasion.