July 2012 Foodie Pen Pals Reveal

This is my second month participating in Foodie Pen Pals.  I love shopping for my partner but it's more exciting getting mail!  I received the most adorable package from Liz of Library Hush - I almost didn't want to take off the bow, it was so pretty!

I always would rather have quality products over quantity and I prefer local goods.  Liz sent me all organic products and purchased from local, small businesses.  Love!  

Liz sent me the recipe for My Special Zucchini Bread Recipe and included two of the ingredients: huge bags of walnuts and candied ginger!  Also in my package was a box of Stroopwafels, bag of Farm Boy Johnnycakes mix and jar of Blueberry Lavender Preserves.  The box of Stroopwafels didn't stand a chance - my 6 year old loves waffles and wanted to try 'em out.  He ate half and I had the other half, it was delicious.  I immediately had visions of adding it to french vanilla ice cream and the blueberry lavender preserves - which I actually made a few days later.  It is magical.  I've had it twice since then.  I love everything Liz sent but haven't had a chance to make Johnnycakes or the Zucchini Bread yet.  I can't wait!  Thanks for being an awesome foodie pal Liz!

Sadly I won't be participating for the next few months - I've been getting busier by the weeks and need to focus on future projects.  I'm planning on returning in December or January.  It is that fun!

This month I sent to Debbie of Accidently Delish.
I convinced my friend Chanelle of The Frugal Asians to get in on the action.
Check out what I received last month from Diana of Veggie Next Door.
Check out all the July 2012 Foodie Pen Pal Reveals!

Foodie Pen Pals!

I love participating in swaps.  Last month during my hunt for subscription boxes, I came across The Lean Green Bean's Foodie Pen Pals - you sign up before the month, get assigned a partner on the 5th, make contact and send out a package of food related items worth $15+ on or before the 15th of the month.  The big reveal is done at the end of the month!  Fun, right?  Yes!!!

Another cool thing about the swap is that the person you send to is not the person you receive from!  My partner Diana is from Chicago and blogs at veggienextdoor.com - She really spoiled me with goodies and was super thoughtful by keeping my sons in mind!  I have never had any of the yummy products she sent so I was happy!  

It was torture waiting to tear open the Ulker Cokonat candy bar from Turkey before I took pictures of everything.  It was worth the wait though, wafers with hazelnuts!  I was surprised it survived the Summer heat!    

I mixed about 1/2 cup Nacho Mom's Voodoo Queso with a can of refried beans and made burritos for myself and my 13 year old - it was so tasty!  I made more the next day for me and him cause it was muy delicioso.  I had never heard of Marks & Spencer because they are a UK company but I've been drooling at the online shop.  I plan on making a pie with the Blackcurrant & Cassis Mousse Base.  Mushroom Toastie Topper is exactly what it sounds like - a toast topper!  I'm really curious about it because I have only used sweet toppers on my toast.  Also in my package is Argyle Street Asian Blend seasoning from The Spice House.  I taste tested this with my finger and loved the flavor - this is going on some grilled veggies!  It smells so good!   Diana sent a few packets of Pukka Licorice & Cinnamon Tea - I think I'll brew it and then drink it iced!  I did forget to include a package of Grist Mill Chocolate Brownie mix in my pictures.  D'oh at me!  (Sorry Diana!) What's special about these are they are made with whole wheat pastry flour!  Exciting!  

I'll say it again, Diana was really thoughtful with this package and I appreciate it - I love the little notes on everything, the dish scraper, magazines and how some items are local to Illinois where she lives.

I'm not sure when I participate next month I'll be so lucky!  Thanks Diana!  

Foodie Pen Pals - What I Sent

My childhood was blessed with four of these items and I'm passing on these delicious gifts to my children.  All of them love Meiji Japanese Cheese Curls.  Duke and Damien have a funny routine.  They'll get a chair, sit facing each other and share a bag.  I even got my nieces in San Antonio hooked on 'em.  There was a good decade where we couldn't find them out here in California.  I suffered.  Maybe that's why I was such an angry teenager.

If you find yourself at a Filipino restaurant and not sure what to order, get Pancit Bihon.  You can't go wrong, it's so good with steamed white rice.  If you have Filipino friends or co-workers, make sure you try their Pancit - insist they bring it for a potluck.  Get in good so they invite you to watch the next Pacquiao fight.  It's our "chow mein".  Super easy to make!

I haven't had a chance to use Banana "Essence".  I'm pretty sure it's like an extract.  I haven't tried the almond dessert mix either - the texture is similar to Jell-o.  It reminds me of Haupia (Hawaiian Coconut Pudding)  Can't wait for test kitchen experimentation time!

Some of these items were purchased at 99 Ranch Market and Mitsuwa.  You can also check Seafood City or Marukai.
    

1. Mandarin Orange Drink - The pulp is yummy, drink it cold. 
2. Dried Mangoes - Best one out there!
3. Bihon Noodles
4. Meiji Japanese Cheese Curls - We buy 8 bags at a time.  
5. Banana Essence
6. Butter Coconut Cookies
7. Almond Dessert Mix

Tomorrow is the big June Foodie Pen Pals reveal - Check back to see what I received!  


Disclosure:  This post does not contain affiliate links.  I genuinely love these products and purchased them with my own cold hard cash.  

Favorite Food Friday!

This post was supposed to be done yesterday for Things I Love Thursday but I had deadlines and decided to do Favorite Food Friday!

I made Baked Mac 'N Cheese once before and it was crappy.  I'm not the type to give up and thanks to Pinterest searching, I was successful!  My Husband Chris couldn't stop kissing my butt about it.  SOOO SOOO GOOD.  I also made Tri-Tip in my Crockpot - that came out so good too.  I didn't shred it like the recipe called for - I prefer it sliced.  I'm trying to get into the habit of using the Crockpot because Summer is hot and I refuse to use the stove/oven.

To counter our indulgence in delicious comfort food, I cut up some fruit.  I love Spring & Summer when just about every fruit is available.  

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