We had a few days of gorgeous summer weather last week, and that catapulted me into thinking that it's summer. Whether it really is or not. :) Summer means a lot of things to me, but one of the things that ranks high on my "it's really summer" list is having a delicious dinner of foods that we grill out on the barbeque. I love grilling out, for the taste and because my husband usually does the work and I get a night off. Win-win! Anyway, all that to say that, when I was selected to be a part of the Ziploc/Robin Miller Summer Grilling Review & Giveaway Campaign, it was happy news!
To help us all celebrate summer and embrace outdoor living, Ziploc Brand and Food Network's Robin Miller have teamed up on some money- and time-saving ideas.
Here are some of the tips!
In addition to these great tips, I also received a couple of recipes to try out. We decided to start with the Beef Kebabs with Three Dips. Recipe here:Whether prepping tasty meals for the grill, offering creative treats for guests, or packing on-the-go snacks, these time-saving and budget-friendly tips from Miller offer quick and hassle-free storage solutions to make summer entertaining a breeze:
· Marinate It — To get the juicy, grilled flavors families love, don’t forget to marinate before cooking, which tenderizes meat, fish and poultry while adding great flavor. Skip messy bowls and additional clean-up by using Ziploc® Brand Freezer Bags to marinate chicken, pork, beef and fish. Meat and poultry can marinate up to 24 hours, so when you’re ready to grill, simply take the bags from the refrigerator straight to the outdoor grill. A delicious dinner will be ready in minutes!
· Dip It — For a fun spin on outdoor entertaining, create a dipping station so guests can put their personal twist on grilled favorites. Get creative by making several unique dips and serve them with grilled staples like fish, vegetables or meat. Try Miller’s grilled beef kebab recipe with three complimentary dips: chipotle-lime mayo, wasabi soy sauce and roasted red pepper. To offer your guests even more variety, try making the kebabs with beef, chicken, shrimp or portobello mushrooms.
· Prep It, Store It, Take It — Prep ahead for barbeques or block parties and make your side dishes and desserts days in advance. Seal in freshness by storing treats in Ziploc® Brand Containers with the Smart Snap™ Seal, which can go from the refrigerator to the cooler to the party with ease. Serve crowd-pleasing savory options like Miller’s spiral pasta with pesto, sundried tomatoes and pine nuts or homemade dips served with chips and pita wedges or sweets like cookies, brownies and bars.
· Cool It — With a little planning, the whole family can enjoy nutritious foods throughout the day while enjoying outdoor activities. Before heading out to campgrounds, the beach or the park, pack your cooler with fresh treats for the family. Make cooler space count by organizing like-items together, such as sandwiches on the left and fruits and veggies on the right to maximize space and make finding treats a snap. Finally, add in sunscreen and a spray bottle filled with water. They’ll feel refreshing to the skin and keep the whole family sunburn free and feeling cool on a warm day.
· Pack It — For no-fuss, budget-friendly outdoor meals and snacks, try packing a picnic for the family instead of purchasing expensive theme-park meals. Make cleaning up a cinch by storing tableware, tongs and serving spoons in Ziploc® Brand Slider Storage and Freezer Bags with the Smart Zip™ Seal for easy access. Prepare for any spills or mishaps by pre-moistening paper towels and storing them in Ziploc® Brand Freezer Bags. Reserve the bags to bring the dirty items home so you can pop them straight into the sink or dishwasher.
For more grilling recipes and tips from Robin Miller on how to make the most out of summer meals and activities this season, visit www.Facebook.com/Ziploc. Join the Ziploc Facebook community and share your resourceful summer entertaining tips.
About Ziploc® Brand Bags and ContainersZiploc® Brand Bags and Containers provide smart, quality solutions that help moms get more out of the things they do every day for their families. Ziploc® Brand celebrates the magnificent moments of mom, her expertise and brilliant ideas that keep households running smoothly, by offering food and home storage solutions. Ziploc® Brand products are available in grocery, mass merchandise and drug stores nationwide.
Beef Kebabs with Three DipsServing Size:· 4
Beef Kebabs
Ingredients:· Cooking spray· 1 1/4 pound lean steak, such as London broil or sirloin (cut into 2-inch pieces)· 24 cherry tomatoes· 1 yellow onion (cut into 2-inch pieces)
Directions:1. Coat an outdoor grill, stovetop grill pan or griddle with cooking spray and preheat to medium-high.2. Alternate steak pieces, cherry tomatoes and onion onto metal or wooden skewers (soak wooden skewers in water for 5 minutes before using to prevent burning).3. Season the steak, tomatoes and onion pieces all over with salt and freshly ground black pepper.4. Place the kebabs on the hot grill and cook for 5 to 7 minutes for medium-rare to medium, turning frequently.5. Serve with any or all of the following dips:
Chipotle-Lime Mayo
Ingredients:· 1/3 cup of light mayonnaise· 1/2 lime, juice and zest· 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro· 1 teaspoon smoked chili powder, such as chipotle powder
Directions:1. Combine all ingredients into a small bowl2. Mix all ingredients well.3. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Wasabi Soy Sauce
Ingredients:· 1/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce· 1 1/2 teaspoons wasabi paste· 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Directions:1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.2. Mix all ingredients well.
Roasted Red Pepper Dip
Ingredients:· 1 cup chopped roasted red peppers from water-packed jar· 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil or basil-flavored olive oil· 1 teaspoon salt-free garlic and herb seasoning· 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil (optional)
Directions:1. Combine all ingredients but the basil in a blender and puree until smooth.2. Fold in basil if desired.3. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Tip: For a fun spin on outdoor entertaining, create a dipping station with Ziploc® Brand VersaGlass Containers so guests can put add their personal twist to grilled favorites.
Pretty, simple, and delicious! |
I also received this yummy-looking pasta salad recipe. I'll be making this one for my next potluck.
To help me with my summer organizing and cooking, I received a nice package of four Ziploc products, the fabulous new Ziploc quart-sized slider bags with expandable bottom (in freezer and storage versions), and the Ziploc gallon-sized double zipper bags (in storage and freezer versions). As with every Ziploc product I've ever used, these are great, and so handy for storing and preparing food. I especially love the bags with expandable bottoms- what a great feature!Spiral Pasta with Pesto, Sundried Tomatoes and Pine Nuts
Serving Size:· 4
Ingredients:· 1/4 cup pine nuts· 1 pound rotelle pasta, or any spiral-shaped pasta· 1/2 cup prepared basil pesto· 1 cup frozen green peas, thawed· 1 cup finely chopped oil-packed sundried tomatoes· 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions:1. Place the pine nuts in a small, dry skillet and set pan over medium heat.2. Cook for three to five minutes, until the nuts are golden brown, shaking the pan frequently. Once done, set aside.3. Cook the pasta according to the package directions and then drain and transfer to a large bowl.4. Fold in the pesto and stir to coat the pasta.5. Fold in the peas and sundried tomatoes.6. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.7. Top the pasta with the toasted pine nuts and Parmesan cheese just before serving.
Tip: To make this a complete meal, top the dish with grilled chicken strips or grilled shrimp. You can make this dish up to 48 hours in advance and refrigerate in Ziploc® Brand Freezer Bags until you’re ready to serve. (Do not freeze pasta.)
I have good news, one of you will win the same Ziploc products that I received, to get you ready for your summer cooking and food storage! Open to US mailing addresses only, please.
Mandatory entry (must be done for extra entries to count):
Let me know who you want to win this for
Extra entries (please leave a separate comment for each one that you do):
1. Follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect
2. "Like" me on Facebook (Let me know your first name and last initial on Facebook)
3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet this: @gabreviews is giving away a Ziploc prize pack! Visit http://bit.ly/lxVHnr to enter. #giveaway
You can tweet this once per day- just leave a separate comment with link each time that you tweet.
4. "Like" the Ziploc Facebook page (Let me know your first name and last initial on Facebook)
5. Enter any of my other currently ongoing giveaways- leave a separate comment for each one that you enter!
6. Put my button (code on the right side of this page) up on your blog and let me know where I can find it!
Giveaway will close at 9 PM on June 7, 2011. I'll choose a winner with random.org and will email that person who will then have 48 hours to respond. Good luck!
Disclosure: I received the recipes and Ziploc products discussed above to try for myself, thanks to Ziploc and the Family Review Network. I was not compensated in any other way and all opinions posted here are mine and mine alone.
131 comments:
This would be a great thing for my younger sister.
She has three young boys and is expecting baby #4 and she needs things to help with clutter control and lunches and so much more.
msgb245 at gmail dot com
I want to win this for my son and his family.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I want to win this for myself! (Is that okay?) I would love to try the flat bottom ones.
mkbrander at yahoo dot com
I'd like to win for myself!
jilldaniel_wv@yahoo.com
I follow with google friend.
jilldaniel_wv@yahoo.com
Not to be selfish - I would like to win for myself
Brn2lisn (at) gmail dot com
GFC Follower
Brn2lisn (at) gmail dot com
Following@gabreviews on twitter: @Brn2lisn
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/Brn2lisn/statuses/73527167622979584
Brn2lisn (at) gmail dot com
This would be for me.
lyndadawinda1074 at yahoo dot com
GFC follower. ID: Lynda Del
lyndadawinda1074 at yahoo dot com
I LIKE you on Facebook. ID: Lynda Castillo
lyndadawinda1074 at yahoo dot com
I have your button: http://thespanglyprincess.blogspot.com/
lyndadawinda1074 at yahoo dot com
I entered this giveaway: Three limited edition Schick Intuition razors
lyndadawinda1074 at yahoo dot com
for me!
GFC follower
For myself! Would be great for storing food after baby 2 is born.
For me. Yeah, maybe I am a little selfish... ;)
sassysasha817 at gmail dot com
I would love to win this for myself and hubby. We love to cook and use alot of Ziploc products.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
I couldn't find your GFC Follower button so I went into my Blogger account and manually did it so I hope it worked
(tamaraben)
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
I like you on Facebook
(Tamara B.)
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
I like Ziploc on Facebook
(Tamara B.)
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
I would like to win this for our family
snaugle81@gmail.com
gfc follower
snaugle81@gmail.com
FB follower (Shannon N.)
snaugle81@gmail.com
entered funsies
snaugle81@gmail.com
These would be for me because I could use some knew Ziplock bags.Thanks for the entries!
rubymoonstone at gmail dot com
Google Friends Connect follower
Lucky Brown
rubymoonstone at gmail dot com
Like u on Facebook
Rose M.
rubymoonstone at gmail dot com
Like Ziplock on Facebook
Rose M.
rubymoonstone at gmail dot com
I want to win this for me and my family.
I follow on GFC.
I have your button
http://couponboss.wordpress.com/giveaway-blogs/
entered Red Envelope
entered Eden's Fantasy
entered Schick
this would be perfect for my daughter and her family
shopannies@yahoo.com
following
shopannies@yahoo.com
like on facebook ID angie C
shopannies@yahoo.com
follow on twitter and tweeted http://twitter.com/shopannies/status/74996392266969088
shopannies@yahoo.com
entered red envelope giveaway
shopannies@yahoo.com
like on facebook ID angie c
shopannies@yahoo.com
Love Ziploc. I will be winning this for myself since I'm the cook in the family. Thanks
Jjones782 at verizon dot net
GFC follower- Julie
FB fan
Julie Jones
Follow and tweeted
http://goo.gl/N1isa
I like Ziploc on FB
Julie Jones
These would be perfect for us!
Follow with GFC!
FB Fan: mmoushka
Ziploc FB Fan!
i'd love it for my niece
nannypanpan at gmail.com
gfc nannypanpan
entered yoplait
nannypanpan at gmail.com
entered red envelope
entered schick quatro
entered schick intuition
entered funsies
I would love to win this for me! Lol! I love Ziploc! Thanks for the giveaway!
dana10879@yahoo.com
I follow via GFC
Dana West
dana10879@yahoo.com
I like you on FB
Dana West
dana10879@yahoo.com
I follow you on Twitter and tweeted
@SEtexasMama
dana10879@yahoo.com
http://twitter.com/#!/SETexasMama/status/76474219617189888
I like Ziploc on FB
Dana West
dana10879@yahoo.com
Entered the Episencial giveaway
dana10879@yahoo.com
for me!
gfc teressajoe@comcast.net
http://twitter.com/#!/teressajoe/status/76489779528740864 teressajoe@comcast.net
I wil selfishly keep this one :-)
erinnsluka@gmail.com
GFC: esluka
erinnsluka@gmail.com
I want to win this for myself...I do a lot of make ahead meals.
entered red envelope
entered episcentual
entered recess monkey
entered schick
I Entered Giveaway: erinnsluka@gmail.com
Funny Tees
I want to win this for my adult daughter.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
entered Funsies g/a
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
entered Stopain
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
entered Recess Monkey CD g/a
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
entered Schick Quattro g/a
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
want to win this for my mom: as a grandma she cooks a lot
deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
xoxoxo
like you on FB as deanna time
deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
xoxoxo
GFC
deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
xoxoxo
follow on twitter @
dlw447 & tweet - http://twitter.com/#!/dlw447/status/77061237594271744
deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
xoxoxo
like ziploc on FB as deanna time (FYI your link doesn't work)
deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
xoxoxo
I'd like to win this for myself.
cjwallace43 at gmail dot com
http://twitter.com/cjwallace43/status/77247150639153152
cjwallace43 at gmail dot com
Follow via GFC (Cathy Wallace)
cjwallace43 at gmail dot com
Like you on Facebook (Cathy Wallace)
cjwallace43 at gmail dot com
Like Sponsor on Facebook (Cathy Wallace)
cjwallace43 at gmail dot com
Entered $50 gift certificate to Red Envelope-(US only)-6/26
cjwallace43 at gmail dot com
Entered Schick Quattro for Women Razor and Trimstyle-(US only)-6/23
cjwallace43 at gmail dot com
Entered Stopain Topical Pain Relief Gel-(US only)-6/7
cjwallace43 at gmail dot com
Entered $55 gift certificate to EdenFantasys-(open to everyone)-6/13
cjwallace43 at gmail dot com
Entered (6 winners)-Yoplait Kids Yogurt-(US only)-6/12
cjwallace43 at gmail dot com
I would like to win this for our family's camping trip in July!
srgrant05(at)ymail(dot)com
I follow via GFC (thegrants)
srgrant05(at)ymail(dot)com
I follow your blog on Facebook (Stephanie Petty-Grant)
srgrant05(at)ymail(dot)com
I follow you on Twitter @sgrant2005 and tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/sgrant2005/status/77401205185327104
srgrant05(at)ymail(dot)com
I "Like" the Ziploc Facebook page (Stephanie Petty-Grant)
srgrant05(at)ymail(dot)com
entered unlikely suitor
nannypanpan at gmail.com
entered 1st time dad
entered boudreaux
This would be for me! I'd use it for stock in my camper! I love Ziploc!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I'm a Google Friend (follower): Cori Westphal
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I like you on Facebook: Cori Eckstrom Westphal (facebook.com/coriwestphal)
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I like Ziploc on Facebook: Cori Eckstrom Westphal (facebook.com/coriwestphal)
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I follow you on Twitter @coriwestphal
Tweet: http://twitter.com/coriwestphal/statuses/77825686089367552
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I have your main button (it's alphabetical): http://asahmlookingforadeal.blogspot.com/2009/09/sahm-looking-for-deals-favorite-blogs.html
coriwestphal at msn dot com
This would be for myself :)
cluelessme8{at}hotmail{dot}com
I like you on FB
Mandy Hatch AGnello
cluelessme8{at}hotmail{dot}com
I'd like to win this for myself :) thanks!
farrah dot ritter at gmail dot com
Daily Tweet
dana10879@yahoo.com
http://twitter.com/#!/SETexasMama/status/77932787012878338
I would keep for myself!
hrddiana556@gmail.com
I follow on GFC
hrddiana556@gmail.com
I like you on FB
hrddiana556@gmail.com
I Want to win this for myself
marysims810 At gmail dot com
following you on gfc
marysims810 at gmail dot com
liked you on facebook -A.Price
marysims810 at gmail dot com
following you on twitter and tweeted about giveaway (@lucyran21)
marysims810 at gmail dot com
I liked the ziplock facebook page-autumn .p
marysims810 at gmail dot com
http://twitter.com/#!/teressajoe/status/78163288638242816 teressajoe@comcast.net
i want to win for me =]
littleheathen9109 @ yah00 d0t c0m
GFC follower as forget shyness reviews
littleheathen9109 @ yah00 d0t c0m
i like you on facebook as emily ev--t
littleheathen9109 @ yah00 d0t c0m
i follow you on twitter as @forgetshyness and tweet - http://twitter.com/#!/forgetshyness/status/78250103982391296
littleheathen9109 @ yah00 d0t c0m
i follow ziploc on facebook as emily ev--t
littleheathen9109 @ yah00 d0t c0m
-I want to win this for my family. We use storage bags for everything!
aliaskys (at) yahoo . com
Thank You!! :)
I Follow You Publicly via Google Friend Connect
--GFC Name: Beauty To Love
aliaskys (at) yahoo . com
Thank You!! :)
I Like You on Facebook
-FB Name: Francine E.
aliaskys (at) yahoo . com
Thank You!! :)
I Like the Sponsor on Facebook
-FB Name: Francine E.
aliaskys (at) yahoo . com
Thank You!! :)
-I entered the Stopain giveaway
aliaskys (at) yahoo . com
Thank You!! :)
Post a Comment