Posted By Lindsay on December 15, 2011
Hold on to your horses, folks. This is the post you’ve all been waiting for. The cookie-extravaganza. The recipe roundup! Over the last few days we’ve been gathering links to everyone’s recipe posts. From Blondies to Biscotti, Shortbread to Snickerdoodles, there’s a little bit of everything. And then some. You guys seriously rocked it. I’m beyond impressed. I’ve already bookmarked a few of these on my “Must Make Immediately” list.
And this is just the half of it. Literally. Click here to view the Recipe Roundup Part 2 on The Little Kitchen.
Once again, if you didn’t get a chance to participate this year, be sure to sign up for our notifications list by visiting http://eepurl.com/hsS-Y. We will be sending an email blast out as soon as things start gearing up for next years’ swap.
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Posted By Lindsay on December 12, 2011
One for the books, folks. The 1st annual Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap was a smashing success.
But I’ll be completely honest with you.
I did it all for the cookies.
All the work, all the logistics, all the worry… all worth it. I really want to thank everyone who participated. To everyone who baked cookies, shipped cookies, received cookies, ate cookies… thank you for helping to make this quite possibly the most epic cookie swap, EVER. We even made front page news! Some quick math revealed that over 22,000 cookies were sent around the world as part of this swap! The thought of that many cookies flitting across the country and around the world makes my heart happy. :)
I got three boxes myself, including a surprise from my co-organizer, Julie of The Little Kitchen. Which made me laugh because it was entirely unplanned, and yet we both decided, independently, to send each other a box of cookies. Great minds think exactly alike, apparently. :) Also making an appearance in my mailbox? Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies with Bourbon Chocolate Ganache (top left) from Tripp of It’s Tripp and Polvorones (Mexican almond cookies, bottom left) from Suzy of Frosting for Dinner. Thanks guys! Your cookies were (*burp*) very much enjoyed!
The cookies I sent were these delectable sandwich cookies. Although it took me a few tries to get the cookie part right (a sandwich cookie must meet certain, very specific characteristics), from the first bite I knew the flavor combination was a winner. One of my all-time favorite cookies for sure. Chewy dark chocolate cookies with a hint of salt, filled with creamy malted milk chocolate buttercream. Sweet.
If you didn’t get a chance to participate this year, be sure to sign up for our notifications list by visiting http://eepurl.com/hsS-Y. We will be sending an email blast out as soon as things start gearing up for next years’ swap (and yes, there WILL BE a next year!)
Stay tuned, as Julie and I are currently collecting all of the cookie recipes. We’ll be posting a massive roundup later this week. If you aren’t hungry for cookies already, you will be. I promise.
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Posted By Lindsay on December 7, 2011
Don’t mess with my mashed potatoes. Or, do mess with them, but only if the messing contains one of the following masher-approved additions:
A). Garlic
B). Cheese
C). Herbs
Bonus points if you use more than one.
While my all-time favorite mashed potatoes are still (and probably always will be) the Definitive Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, I am ok with mixing it up every now and then. And you know how I feel about goat cheese. So really, it was only a matter of time before goat cheese mashed potatoes happened.
My tips for perfect potatoes? Don’t skimp on the cream or butter. This is no time to go all Cooking Light on me. Good mashed potatoes will not be healthy, just accept it. The more butter and cream the better. Also? After draining, put your potatoes back on the heat. Let them cook for another minute or so, letting any remaining water evaporate out of them. You’ll see the steam. Then, mash the potatoes with a masher or push them through a potato ricer for the creamiest, fluffiest potatoes you’ve ever had.
Also! If you’re reading this through an rss reader don’t forget to click through and see the brand new feature added to the site – the recipe box! We’ve partnered with ZipList to add this spiffy new tool, and we think you’ll really find it useful. Do note that we’re still working out some bugs, it only works when you are on the individual post page (not the homepage), but simply click on the Save button to stash the recipe in your ZipList account. You can add tags and even create shopping lists from your saved recipes. Pretty cool, huh? I’d love to hear your feedback about this new feature!
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Posted By Lindsay on December 5, 2011
I’d say it’s about time for another giveaway, don’t you agree? Maggie at Eat Boutique has done it again. This holiday season, she’s got not just one gourmet gift box, but a whole assortment of them. Whether you want the big box or the small one, a box just for jams or a super holiday cocktail kit, any one of her 7 options would make a fabulous gift for the food-lover in your life. She’s even got subscriptions, where you’ll receive monthly shipments of your favorite artisan foods. A gift that truly keeps on giving.
If you’re ordering by the holidays, please try to place your orders before December 15th and take advantage of FREE SHIPPING. And, as a special little bonus for you guys, you can get an extra $5 off your order! Simply enter code LAOO upon checkout.
But enough banter, on to the giveaway (because I wouldn’t dare post about such a fab product without giving one away)! Maggie has donated one of her handmade holiday gift boxes (valued at ($94.95) to one lucky L&OO reader. You can keep the goodies all to yourself, or have it shipped to the recipient of your choice. But if you choose to keep it, we totally won’t judge. :)
The Homemade for the Holidays Gift Box contains candied orange rinds, pecan clusters, shortbread trio, cinnamon chocolate malt biscotti, sesame sage nuts, caramel corn, fleur de sel caramels, and caramelized onion crackers. It’ll satisfy all your cravings – sweet, savory, salty, and fabulous. The only bad thing about it is that I’m ineligible to win (darnit). Or maybe that’s a good thing because I’d totally hoard it for myself (sorry, Taylor).
****GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!****
To Enter:
Simply leave a comment on this post with the answer to this question:
What is on your holiday wish list this year (or, what is one gift you are excited about giving to someone else?)
Entries open through Friday, December 9 at 11:59PM CST. I’ll be randomly selecting the winner the morning of Saturday, December 10th. Prize will be shipped to the winner directly from Eat Boutique (to either you, or the recipient of your choice). Due to the perishable nature of this product this giveaway is open to residents of the continental United States ONLY.
Want Extra Entries?
Increase your odds of winning! In addition to the main entry comment, leave a separate comment for each bonus entry.
1. Follow @loveandoliveoil on twitter and tweet the following:
I just entered to win a gourmet holiday gift box from @eatboutique and @loveandoliveoil! Enter here: http://bit.ly/uIwiMx
2. Like Love & Olive Oil on Facebook (or if you are already a fan just say so!)
Be sure you enter a valid email address, because if your name is drawn and I can’t get a hold of you within 48 hours, I will choose an alternate winner. You may also want to add me to your address book (lindsay AT loveandoliveoil DOT com), as I’d hate for your congratulatory email to end up in the spam folder.
