Happy New Year’s Giveaway!

I have loved reading everyone’s New Year’s Goals and blog recaps. It has been very inspiring! My only blog goal is to keep up Mom on the Run and share incredible recipes with all of you I have truly enjoyed sharing a piece of my kitchen with all of you. The comments you leave on a daily basis just motivate me to become a better food blogger. I am also inspired how you all share your healthy living and food with me. I am so glad that I joined this great blogging community.

In 2009, I have found many new products and food finds that have kept my kitchen fresh and new. One of my favorite cookbooks of 2009 has been:

Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics: Fabulous Flavor from Simple Ingredients.

I know that this is an older cookbook but it was new in my kitchen this year. I love this cookbook for so many reasons. The #1 is the great tasting food that is made by the many recipes Ina has created. I have not been disappointed by any of the recipes that I have made and I have made a lot. The recipes involve simple food with big flavors. Here is one of my favorite and probably the most talked about dish during Christmas Dinner.

Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash

Ina Garten

Ingredients:

Serves 6

• 1 large butternut squash
• 1 head garlic separated but not peeled
• 2 Tbsp. good olive oil
• 2 1/2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 
• 2 ounces thinly sliced pancetta chopped
• 16 whole fresh sage leaves
• French bread for serving

Preheat oven to 400°. Peel and seed butternut squash and then cut into 3/4- to 1-inch cubes. Place squash and whole unpeeled garlic cloves in a baking dish or sheet pan large enough to hold them all in one layer. Toss with olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and pepper, and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until squash begins to brown, turning once during baking.
Sprinkle pancetta and sage leaves evenly over squash and continue to bake for another 20 to 30 minutes, until squash and garlic are tender and caramelized. Season to taste and serve hot with French bread for guests to spread with the roasted garlic.

This recipe is to die for! There was not a single cube of butternut squash left after dinner. In fact my dinner guest were disappointed there was not more. I have a feeling this will be on every holiday menu I need to prepare food for. I puffy heart butternut squash!

In celebration of this great recipe and the Mom on the Run Cookbook of 2009 I will be giving away one copy of Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics: Fabulous Flavor from Simple Ingredients. I would love to pay it forward in the cooking world and give another home chef the opportunity to cook like the Barefoot Contessa

Here is how to enter:

Please leave a separate comment for each one you complete

1. Leave a comment of who your favorite chef is.

2. Become a Mom on the Run Follower. If you are already one just comment that you are.

3. Add me to your Blogroll or Google reader. If you have already just comment that.

4. Link back to this giveaway on your next post! Three extra entries for that

Happy New Year’s!!! “See” you in 2010!

Mom on the Run Gets Physical

Good Morning! It feels so good to sleep in. I could get used to this vacation thing. It has also given me time to enjoy my Christmas present from my dear husband and girls.

Your Shape for Wii

My family knows how much I enjoy using the Wii to supplement my workout routines. Since being on detox I have felt great and have really stepped up my routines. What intrigued me about Your Shape is that this workout is personalized to your fitness goals, detects your movements and corrects you if you are performing a move wrong, and is controller-free. So I set up the game and began moving.

The Review:

Pros:

*Setup was easy and fast. In less than 5 minutes I was beginning my routine.

*Different workout every time that I work out. The workouts are fun and really have kept my attention.

* Camera does not stop working, so if you do than the game will let you know to keep moving.

*The game incorporates your home fitness equipment into the workout. I use a step bench and hand weights. Both pieces of equipment make great additions to the workout.

Cons:

*I do not thing the game is worth the price that is being charged, although Amazon already has it on sale.

*The camera can be very finicky about your movements and keep correcting you with voice prompt. You also need to be in the right light to have the camera work.

Overall:

I think this product is great. I know there are many people who have given this product a very poor review but I have been patient and worked out the kinks. It has kept me motivated enough to workout everyday.

What is your favorite exercise routine?

The Holiday Menu to Remember

The Christmas Table for 19!

I love the holiday season for many reasons. It is the few times a year that I can get my immediate family around the same table to share great eats and family time. My husband and I host Christmas Dinner every year and try to out do the last years dinner with new recipes and “different” dishes. I previewed this years menu and got so many positive comments from all of you. I thank you!! Now I will slowly share the recipes that help make this menu simply delicious. It is so hard to choose which recipe I wanted to highlight first but this one can be used for any night of the week.

Today’s recipe will make a great New Year’s Eve Appetizer. This recipe is simple, easy, and will be a crowd pleaser at any party.

Chicken Sate with Almond Dipping Sauce

Adapted from Cooking Light

Ingredients

• Saté:
• 1  pound  skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 8 strips
• 1  tablespoon  light brown sugar
• 2 1/2  tablespoons  low-sodium soy sauce (I used Tamari)
• 2  teaspoons  bottled ground fresh ginger (such as Spice World)
• 1  teaspoon  grated lime rind
• 1/4  teaspoon  crushed red pepper
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
  Sauce:
• 1  tablespoon  light brown sugar
• 1 1/2  tablespoons  low-sodium soy sauce
• 1  tablespoon  fresh lime juice
• 2  tablespoons  natural-style, nut butter of your choice (I used almond)
• 1/4  teaspoon  crushed red pepper
• 1  garlic clove, minced
• Remaining ingredient:
• Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

To prepare saté, combine chicken and next 6 ingredients (through 2 garlic cloves) in a large plastic bag. Let chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight if you can.

 

To prepare sauce, combine 1 tablespoon brown sugar and the next 5 ingredients (through 1 garlic clove) in the food processor, until all ingredients are mixed together and smooth. Serve in individual ramekins for dipping.

Thread chicken strips onto each of 8 (8-inch) skewers. Place chicken on rack coated with cooking spray; bake 10 minutes on each side or until chicken is done.

Serve chicken with sauce.

Even my grandmother who really doesn’t like food that in unfamiliar to her loved this appetizer. It had just enough spice to make the skewer melt in your mouth. I was a little worried substituting almond butter instead of the traditional peanut butter that this recipe called for. My husband said that he now prefers the almond butter sauce. I am so glad how this dish turned out. Be sure to come back tomorrow night for another great recipe!

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