Food Mamma

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ginger lemon mint fizz

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Happy New Year! It’s been so cold in our neck of the woods, so it was nice to escape to the heat in Cuba. We travelled with friends and rang in the New Year with white sand, blue water and warm sunshine.

Although mint was scarce in Cuba, we did find one place on our resort that had some and were able to enjoy mojitos in addition to the many pina coladas we had. Even the little one enjoyed it – lime and mint make a great combination! When we came back, I longed for something refreshing and this Ginger Lemon Mint Fizz did the trick.

Ginger Lemon Mint Fizz

While it’s nice to snuggle up with a warm drink, this sparkling drink makes me dream of summer, and chilling on the patio. The tart lemon with the sweetness and spiciness of the ginger simple syrup is complemented with mint. Club soda finishes off the drink adding the perfect bubbly touch.

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Snowballs

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Just a few more baking days before Christmas. If you’re looking for something easy to make, these Snowballs are quick and delicious!

snowballs

This is a great recipe not just for Christmas but all year round. My mom makes these all the time and they are great. Small cookie balls dipped in jam and coconut – yes please!

This recipe is super simple and you can use any jam that you like.

Snowballs
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 4 tsp baking powder
  • 4 cups flour
  • 1 - 2 TB milk
  • raspberry or strawberry jam
  • flaked or desiccated coconut

Instructions

  1. Cream the butter and sugar until combined.
  2. Add the eggs.
  3. Add the baking powder and flour and mix well.
  4. Add a little bit of milk until the dough comes together.
  5. Make balls and place on a lined baking sheet.
  6. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
  7. Once cooled, dip the cookies first in jam and then in coconut.
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https://foodmamma.com/2016/12/snowballs/

Win a $100 gift card to Marlborough Mall!

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With just a few more shopping days before Christmas, it may not be possible for your online purchases to get here in time. Time to get to the mall for some last minute shopping! It’s always fun to see the decorations and of course, get a visit in with Santa.

Marlborough Mall Santa

Marlborough Mall has something for everyone! From appliances and clothes from Sears on one end to toys and groceries from Walmart on the other, it can be your one stop mall. It’s easy to run into the bank, update your cell phone plan and even grab a pedicure! On my list is some makeup for me, Paw Patrol swag for the 2 year old, Nintendo DS games for the 8 year old and maybe a stop in at the travel agency to book a getaway with hubby.

Bam Bam Shrimp

Make a date out of it and grab some dinner at one of their many restaurants. Newly opened Brown’s Socialhouse and the Old Spaghetti Factory are some delicious options. I especially loved the Bam Bam Shrimp at the Old Spaghetti Factory and the Biltmore Pizza with shrimp and pesto from Brown’s.

Brown's Shrimp Pizza

Enter to win a $100 gift card from Marlborough Mall! See the ways to enter below. Contest closes on December 22nd at 11:59PM MST. The winner will have 24 hours to respond. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Baked French Toast…in a Mug

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Do dishes taste better in individual portions?  I had baked french toast on my mind and was happy to test out this theory when I received four Meal Mugs from CorningWare.

MealMug French Toast

These CorningWare Meal Mugs were perfect for individual servings of this baked french toast. Imagine these on Christmas morning, each member of the family with their own mug of deliciousness. Make them the night before and let them sit in the fridge. Pop them in a pre-heated oven in the morning and you have a warm, tasty breakfast. Top them with your faves – whipping cream, maple syrup, icing sugar, fruit, nuts – the options are endless. The baked french toast can also be made in the microwave, you just won’t get the toasty bits on top, but is just as tasty (see the mug in the bottom right above)!

MealMug French Toast With Toppings

These mugs are great! They are made of durable stoneware material whose non-porous surface does not absorb food odours, flavours or stains. The mugs are dishwasher, refrigerator, freezer and microwave safe and if you pre-heat the oven, you can stick them in there too! Their vented lids, which are patented, allow the steam to escape and are BPA-free and can be used in the microwave and the dishwasher. These are perfect for soups, and stews and on some days, large cups of much needed coffee.

You can find these mugs at the following retailers: Amazon.ca, Walmart Canada, Loblaws, Home Outfitters, London Drug and www.shopworldkitchen.com.

Twitter Party!

Make sure you participate in the #MealMug Twitter Party for your chance to win your own mugs. You can RSVP here for the December 15th event taking place at 7-8pm MST.

Baked French Toast…in a Mug
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Ingredients

  • 1 loaf of French bread
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  1. Cut the bread into cubes.
  2. Combine the eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla in a bowl.
  3. Add the bread cubes until everything is coated.
  4. Divide the bread into 4 Meal Mugs and place in the fridge overnight.
  5. When ready to bake, place the mugs in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
  6. For the microwave - microwave on high for 2 1/2 minutes.
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https://foodmamma.com/2016/12/baked-french-toast-mug/

Popeyes Chicken is coming to Calgary….win!

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Hey, have you heard? Popeyes Chicken is coming to Calgary! Opening on December 19 in Forest Lawn, Alberta is the first province to open restaurants as part of the Western expansion. There are over 100 stores in Canada with it’s new Edmonton location, which opened last month, being the latest.

popeyeschicken

At Popeyes, they take the time to marinate their chicken for 12 hours creating a well-seasoned tender and juicy chicken which is hand-battered and served up fresh every 15 minutes for a crispy crust. Their chicken can be ordered mild or spicy, so something to please everyone.

popeyes

Popeyes has a culinary heritage unique to Louisiana with authentic Cajun and Creole recipes handed down from a 300 year old fusion of cooking styles, spices and ingredients.

I have heard so many great things about Popeyes and can’t wait to check it out! Want to win a gift certificate so you can check it out too? See the ways to enter below. Multiple winners will be chosen.

Contest closes on December 21st at 11:59MST. Winners will have 24 hours to respond. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Get a jar, Give a Meal with Famoso’s Campania Tomato Sauce

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At this time of year, it’s always great to see different ways to make a difference. Famoso has a great campaign for the holidays where it’s not only easy to give, it’s delicious.

Famoso and Mealshare have joined forces and for every jar sold of their Campania Tomato Sauce, Mealshare will provide a meal to someone in need.

Campania

The tomatoes are hand-picked from Naples and hand-milled and the sauce is perfect for creating a delicious recipe at home. From soup to mussels, the Campania Tomato Sauce will make a great addition to any meal.

By the way, Famoso has some new flavours for fall. I absolutely fell in love with their Korean Beef pizza. Make sure you give it a try when you head to Famoso for a jar of Campania.

Famoso Korean Beef

win a $50 gift card to Starbelly

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A gift card for a dinner at a great restaurant makes the perfect gift. Here’s a chance for you to win a gift card to Starbelly, either for you or someone on your list.

win

Located in Seton, Starbelly is a gourmet-casual restaurant located in Calgary’s new south urban district.

Starbelly recently welcomed Paul McGreevy to the team as Executive Chef, alongside the launch of it’s new menu. After working at Michelin-starred restaurants, bakeries and cafes throughout Europe, Paul McGreevy returned home to Calgary. Chef McGreevy’s passion for seasonal and sustainable dishes will shine through in Starbelly’s new menu.

Earlier this year, the restaurant lost it’s Executive Chef, Jonathan Sobol in a car accident. Chef Sobol played a huge role in shaping Starbelly and his vision for the restaurant will continue.

See below for the various ways to enter. Contest closes on December 16th at 11:59MST. The winner will have 24 hours to respond. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Edo a Little, Help a Lot…and win!

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Edo is once again making the holiday season Simply Better with their ‘Edo a Little, Help a Lot’ campaign.  Like last year, Edo will be supporting Canada food banks by donating 25 cents for every spring roll sold during the holiday season. Edo raised over $74,000 for food banks across the county last year – that’s a lot of spring rolls!

Edo Simply Better

This year, Edo Japan will be hosting ‘Double Up Day’ on December 10, doubling their donations for each spring roll sold. We love Edo and any excuse to eat there, I’ll take it!

Want to win a $25 gift card to Edo Japan? Keep it for yourself or use it as a stocking stuffer – it makes the perfect gift!

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2016 Holiday Gift Guide

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Hard to believe it’s already December and Christmas is only 20 days away. If you’re still looking for the perfect gift, here are some ideas. You can also get a hint at some of the giveaways happening throughout the week.

Please note, some of these items are sponsored, some are not, but all are my personal opinions and recommendations. This post contains affiliate links.

Holiday Gift Guide

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Candy Cane Kissed Chocolate Chip Cookies and a Cookie Collaboration

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I love the holidays! The lights, the gatherings, Santa…and the baking! It’s the season for butter tarts, chocolates and cookies. Lots of cookies.

These candy cane kissed chocolate chip cookies take a tried and true recipe doctored up a bit for the season . Holiday chips, in red, white and green with a slight minty taste, are added to the batter with semi-sweet chocolate chips. Candy Cane Kisses adorn the tops of the cookies once they come out of the oven. A classic with a holiday spin.

Candy Cane Kissed Chocolate Chip Cookies

I’m happy to be participating in a very special Canadian Cookie Collaboration between the Canadian Food Creatives and the Canadian Christmas Cookie Exchange. #CDNFoodCreatives

Cookie Collaboration

Visit these Canadian Bloggers to save all of these sweet holiday cookie recipes:

Candy Cane Kissed Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 tsp corn starch
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup holiday baking chips
  • 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
  • 24-30 Candy Cane Hershey's Kisses

Instructions

  1. Combine the sugars and butter and beat until well combined.
  2. Add the egg and vanilla.
  3. Add the flour, corn starch, baking soda and salt until combined.
  4. Add the two types of chips and mix slowly until incorporated.
  5. Using a small cookie scoop, place dough on a lined cookie sheet.
  6. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes until the cookies are done.
  7. Wait for 5 minutes and then add one kiss on each cookie.
  8. Let cool.
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https://foodmamma.com/2016/12/candy-cane-kissed-chocolate-chip-cookies/