Pampered Chef GIVEAWAY!

Because it's Cyber Monday I am giving away a $50 Gift Certificate to Pampered Chef! So you can carry on with your online shopping on Wednesday if you find yourself a WINNER! I personally think you are all winners, but I mean a winner of this gift certificate!

I love pampered Chef. Everything that I have from Pampered Chef has held up to the test of my very busy kitchen. Here are a few kitchen tools that I use pretty much everyday!


This is the Mix-n-Scraper....I call it the Spoonula. Why do I call it that? Didn't it used to be called that? Or have I been mix-n-scrapen my brains out......anyhoo I love this thing. It's big and tough!

Then there is this handy dandy garlic press I have had mine 14 years! It still works like a dream, couldn't live with out it!
This Do-dad, or Mini Whipper, is also something I cannot live with out. It mixes up gravy or any sauce fabulously! It's easy to get into every corner of the pan, leaving no tasty morsel behind. Genius!


And what baker can be with out their trusty Mini-serving Spatula? I also have the Large serving spatula. I have had my large Pampered Chef spatula so long if it were a kid it would be taking drivers training.

Then there are these Babies. The 11" Grill Pan and Grill Press, I love this pan. I am IN love with this pan. I heart this pan. It whips up a mean panini sandwich, and it grills a chicken breast like nobodies business.

Don't even get me started on my favorite bakeware products from Pampered Chef. The sheet pans, the cooling racks, and then this......
The medium scoop.....it's perfect for cookie dough, and scooping out muffin batter for mini muffins. I call it my little buddy. I'm bizarrO that way. Nick naming my kitchen gadgets...coo-koo-ca-choo.

Just think of all the great things you could get for yourself or for gifts with a $50 Gift Certificate from Pampered Chef!

Kelli Downey a lovely friend of Strawberry Cake and a Pampered Chef consultant has generously donate this GIVEAWAY. Let's give a WOOP and a Holler' for Kelli! Thanks Kelli. And just so you know I asked Kelli if she would be willing to do a giveaway, because I love ALL my pampered Chef products and wanted to do a giveaway for YOU. I am in no way receiving kick backs or kicks of any sort from Pampered Chef. Thanks again Kelli...you ROCK!

TO WIN you need to leave a comment and tell me what you would buy with your gift certificate if you WIN! It's that EASY. You can go to Kelli's Pampered Chef website and check out all the amazing products for your kitchen and leave me a comment.

ONE comment per person please!

You have until NOON Wednesday December 1, 2010 to leave a comment.

EXTRA ENTRIES: Of course if you would be so kind as to LINK this to your FACEBOOK page or give me a shout on TWITTER, I would be more than happy to throw your name in the pot again!

HAPPY SHOPPING!

Luv Ya,

CYBER monday

I made it through yet another Black Friday with out shopping. I steer clear of the mall the day after Thanksgiving, I'm usually still washing dishes and staggering around from my pie hangover. And truth be told I am not a fan of crowds. Unless I'm waiting in line for a cookbook to be signed or something....then that's another story. I might get into the Cyber Crowd of shoppers tomorrow...and then again I might not. But if I do here are some things I might or might not be purchasing........or would like loved ones to purchase for said "pie eating" wife.


Any soccer players in your family? A net in your backyard, what a great way to get the kiddos out of the house and the blood flowing.

Or if you live in the Great White North and can't put your soccer nets out until May then maybe this would be a better choice for your soccer lovers.

Jamz anyone? Just sayin' this might be a great gift to get your teenagers creative juices flowin', not that I would be crazy enough to give my kid something that would make the whole family deaf. You might want to put some ear plugs in everyones stockings.

New Jammies anyone? Isn't it nice to have brand new comfy cozy PJ's on Christmas morning.

Jo Malone fragrances are a thing of beauty. Fragrance combining gives you the freedom to create your own signature scent. They make it so easy to give their fragrances as gifts with their Art of Giving collection. This is not a hint for anyone.....but I do try to make my loved ones lives easy.

Speaking of loved ones....some ONE that I love....is in need of a new jacket. I have always been super happy with the quality and customer service at Lands End, and it's nearly impossible to wear out Lands End winter coats.

You can't go wrong with any of Lisa Leonards jewelry.

JUICY CHRISTIAN! I love this jewelry. It has a great price point and there is something for every gal on your list! I heart Juicy!

Oh these candles are lovely, a new line from Redletterwords. You just won't believe how yummy they smell, even when they are not being burned. A great gift even for that hard to buy for guy on your list.

The Nook! I have been hearing, "Nook this, Nook that" for months now from my twelve year old. Not saying she's getting it....just sayin' I did do some research on them, and they are pretty awesome if you have an avid reader in the family.

You can even buy the big stuff online these days.....not saying that I am...but I think my Kenny would look pretty cute grillin' up some burgers on this Weber grill.

And wouldn't I look ravishing in this number. I love this apron from The Hip Hostess. It's called the Merri Mixer. Aprons are all the rage these days.


One last fun thing from Redletterwords...Bubble Art, what a great gift for a teen, or young adult in college or really for anyone.

Need I say anything at all? Vitamix. Come to mama.

The possibilities are endless...twenty years ago who woulda thunk we could sit down and let our fingers do the shopping....and not just some, but ALL the shopping. From the big stuff, like grills, right down to all the fun crafty stuff at Etsy. Tomorrow I am giving away a Gift Certificate that you could use on yourself or maybe use it to get some of your Christmas Shopping done!

(Just in case you wondered all of the above products are things I found on my own, I have not been asked by any of these products to blab about them. Just in case ya wondered.)

Luv Ya,

Shepherds Pie-Thanksgiving Day Leftovers

Shepherd Pie is one of my families favorite meals. It's easy, comforting and it's a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes from say..... Thanksgiving. The first time I ever tasted this pie was on our Honeymoon. We were at a brewery in Burlington, Vermont. It was so delicious that when we returned home I set out to recreate it. It has taken me 16 years to perfect it!

Please don't let the list of spices scare you off. The two most important are chili powder and red curry powder. (If you only have the yellow type curry powder on hand add an extra 1/4teaspoons chili powder and a dash or two of cayenne pepper.) If you have all the rest SUPER, but if not, don't let that keep you from making this recipe. It will still be delicious.

Shepherd Pie

printable recipe

2 lbs lean ground beef

1 cup chopped onion

1 can Campbells tomato soup

1/2 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon red curry powder

1/4 teaspoon of marjoram, coriander, and rosemary (heaping)

salt and pepper to taste

2 cups frozen vegetables peas, corn or beans your preference

4 cups mashed potatoes

3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded

Brown ground beef and onions in a skillet.

Add tomato soup, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce.

Add chili powder, red curry, marjoram, coriander, and rosemary. Feel free to be more liberal with the curry powder if you are into that sort of thang.

Now if you do not have leftover mashed taters, you will need 6-8 red or Yukon gold potatoes. Peeled, cut into cubes, and boiled. Drain off water, add 3 tablespoons of butter, 1/2 cup milk, and salt and pepper to taste. Using a hand mixer or potato masher mash your potatoes.

I am a shredder, I like to buy my cheese in bricks and shredded it myself, but feel free to buy the bagged stuff, measure out 3/4 of a cup and add to your taters. If you don't have sharp cheddar no worries any cheddar will do.

Fold cheese into mashed taters....is that not a thing of beauty?

Now it's time to layer. Spread meat mixture in bottom of 8x11 or 9x13 inch baking dish.

I was feeling indecisive this day so we split the vegetables down the middle, one cup of corn and one cup of peas, spread them over the top of the meat mixture. Remember feel free to use what ever vegetable you prefer. When I ate Shepherds Pie in Vermont it had peas in it, so I am partial to the peas. Peas make me feel like I'm on my honeymoon again.

Now spread the mashed taters and cheese over vegetables, slide it into a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes, and Voila zee deener is served!

Which do you prefer corn or peas? Or both...

This casserole also freezes beautifully if you want to make it ahead of time and freeze it for a busy day.

Happy Friday after Thanksgiving!

Rascally Pilgrims

"Here we are again Ma"

"Yes, here we are....(sigh)"

"How long you think until the vittles start arriving before us?"

"Not long Pa, not long...I can smell something cooking"

"Mmmm, I knew it was nearing time....the Cranberry Relish is always first to the table."

"Smells so good ma...(snnnifff) aaahhhh"

"Pa did you just stick your nose in the relish? You have relish on your nose....."

"I couldn't control myself, I did a tipper right on in the sauce"

"I wouldn't mind getting my nose in the sauce Pa.....I can't seem to tip..... maybe if I hop up on this fork....um, no not workin' for me. Pa help your bride wouldja!"

"Uuphf"

"Ma, they must've filled you mighty full with salt this year....oooooumph...hang on"

"Pa where is your face....for heavens sakes!"

"Hang on....just trying to get some leverage...there we go...it's all in the hat..."

"rrGah...I'm ther...umph...e"

"Ma....?"

"Me boosums er in da sauce..."

"backer up Pa"

"Uh oh....you're a mess...she's gonna know somethin goin on."

"Maybe she'll never notice...maybe she'll think it's from last year...how humiliaten' Pa, I'm covered in cranberries, and my boosums are sticky"

"Scooch in close, maybe she'll think it spilled out on us"

"Is this punishment? A brief frisking with a damp cloth..."

"Think she knows?"

"Ma? is my nose clear of cranberry?"

"Yes Dear.....Why does she always stand us face to face and giggle?"

"This better Ma?"

"Ahhh yes, the view outside is lovely."

Happy Thanksgiving! Blessings to you all!