A bounty of sun-dried tomato products!
I might have mentioned a time or two that I don't cook much anymore - what with Jeff traveling so much, and of course the kids having made us empty-nesters a few years ago, I'm more likely to have something simple for dinner, but these actually inspired me to cook. I know - who am I??? Of course, it helped that two of the products I received were sauces/spreads, so I didn't have to do much to make a meal, but still. I cooked! And it was really good. First up, I tried the Sun Dried Tomato Pesto - I made a quiche using a recipe from their website, and then I tossed some penne pasta with it for a quick dinner:
The pasta dish (it was dark when the quiche was ready and the pictures did not do it justice, so I'm not including them).
Next, I made bruschetta, using their jarred spread - I sliced and toasted a sourdough baguette, then topped it with a little Laughing Cow cheese and the bruschetta:
This was really tasty, although I couldn't differentiate much between the taste of the pesto and the bruschetta - both were good, don't get me wrong, but I think because sun-dried tomatoes have an intense flavor, it's hard to separate the two products.
I made a spinach quiche with the julienne-cut sun-dried tomatoes that were packed in olive oil and Italian herbs. I drained and blotted off most of the oil for this one - I think the oil would be great, mixed with some vinegar for a salad dressing, but I don't like to use too much when I'm cooking:
This one, as Jeff said, is a "keeper" - the flavor combination of the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, along with some Gruyere cheese, was so good!
Bella Sun Luci sun-dried tomatoes are made in Chico, California, at family-owned Mooney Farms - it's a small business that started out with a kiwi farming operation, but expanded to sun-dried tomatoes, and they've really taken off. Check out their website for inspiring recipes and ordering information - and they even have a recipe contest going on right now, where the winner will receive $2,500! I know several of my readers should definitely enter it.
Mooney Farms has generously offered up two price packs for giveaway - you'll be receiving the same thing I did! To enter, just leave me a comment saying you are in - I'll announce the winners on Friday. U.S. only for this one. Please make sure you leave an email address in the comments if your name is not connected to a blog.
Comments are now closed as this giveaway has ended.
FTC: I received these products for review; Mooney Farms will provide products to the giveaway winners.
WAVES HAND IN THE AIR (like she just dont care :-) and then skips away rapping...)
ReplyDeleteI love sun dried tomatoes!!!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth.toth5@comcast.net
DeleteThis is one I'd really like to win! I haven't used sun dried tomatoes enough. I love regular tomatoes, and I need to try the sun dried ones. Plus, these people are practically my neighbors!
ReplyDeleteI used to not even liked tomatoes, but I love sun dried tomatoes - consider me in!! Oh, and now I think I'll have to come up with a recipe for the contest - you know I love a challenge! :D
ReplyDeleteThis is so amazing! I never buy sun dried tomatoes anymore because my husband doesn't like them and I feel like I'm just "wasting" money on them. You should definitely keep posting your sun dried tomato excursions! Let me live vicariously!!
ReplyDelete~Chris
www.lifeonholland.blogspot.com
Look at you and all your fancy cooking!!
ReplyDeleteI like SDTs, but they always seem like such a gourmet ingredient that I don't actually buy them.
That quiche looks amazing! I hadn't heard of Mooney farms and they aren't far from me. I'll have to check them out.
ReplyDeleteI'm in! I love sun-dried tomatoes!
ReplyDeleteWendy
kismet345@aol.com
Please count me in! I especially loved what you did with the Bruschetta - looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Shonda
srhenry@daktel.com
I'm in! the quiche looks good!
ReplyDeleteLaura
laurakay0001@aol.com
Me, me, me! I love sun-dried tomatoes :)
ReplyDeleteI'm in. I love sun-dried tomatoes!
ReplyDeleteI don't use sun-dried tomatoes often. This might help kick start a new habit!
ReplyDeletePick Me! This would be amazing for a salad or an indulgent, savory pizza!
ReplyDeleteYes, please, I am in!
ReplyDeleteCate
Deletebluseascate@yahoo.com
I LOVE sun-dried tomatoes! My mom used to cook with them a lot when I was growing up. ksrolf@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI want to be entered in the giveaway. conniesuit91@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI couldn't resist this one! ;)You know my email ;)
ReplyDeleteI m SOOO in. Crossing my fingers (and toes and eyes!)
ReplyDeleteOoooh, count me in! I love sun-dried tomatoes in m quiches in the summer.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I got the book the other day! Thank you again! I will publish my review once I have a chance to read it. :)
I'm in!!
ReplyDelete