Monday, June 21, 2010

Give it Away Give it Away Now!


What do you say about stating the week off with a Giveaway!

I say that sounds like a fine idea, so that is just what we will do.

Pay attention because this is a good one!!!

Now, you may not know this about me, but I adore Calphalon cookware.  For Christmas a few years ago, my parents bought me an entire Calphalon set and I honestly believe it is one of the best gifts I have ever received. What I love about Calphalon is the hard anodized exterior but such a smooth nonstick interior that makes cooking quick and cleanup a breeze.  Out of all of my many experiences with burnt pot bottoms and caked on messes that seemed impossible to get out of frying pans, I highly recommend Calphalon to make your life as a chef 100% better!  Lights up any recipe!

The wonderful people at CSNstores.com have agreed to give away one incredible Calphalon product to one of you!

What's up for grabs…..

The Calphalon Non Stick Contemporary Panini Press


This is one thing that I do not own but wish I did!  Who doesn't love making pressed sammies, grilled wraps, and obtaining those incredible sear marks on chicken or steak any time of the year!  With this pan you can have it all!

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite sandwich combination.  I will pick a winner on Friday, June 25th at 12am Eastern Time.

And just because I love when everyone shares the love, if you either link, tweet or facebook this giveaway, you will of course get an extra entry.  Just leave another comment telling me you did.

Alright, now that business is taken care of, let's proceed with today's happenings.

Hmmm, Monday mornings always begin with a 6 mile run.  I always feel fresh on Monday mornings and the 6 mile runs are usually pretty smooth.  I plan a rest day on Sunday so that Monday mornings are always my longer runs of the week.  6 miles in 51 min, not too shabby for speed either.

As a way to treat myself for having a long weekday run, I usually make myself overnight oats on Sunday night and have them waiting for me for breakfast on Monday.

I love this little routine I've created.

OH MY Heavens!  Banana Split Overnight Oats!


This recipe is fully credited to Holly for discovering this initially, but ever since she shared her masterpiece, I will forever be in her utter gratitude.

                                                         Last night: 
1/4 Cup Oats
2 TBL Multigrain Cereal with Flax
1 tsp flax
1 tsp chia
Strawberry/Banana Chobani 
1/2 Mashed Banana

                                                            Today:
Berries! 
1/2 Banana
Dark Chocolate Almond Butter
Granola 

Eaten with an entire grapefruit and new summer love, iced coffee.  I did not want this to end! 


Sadly, all good things must come to an end, so I licked the bowl (Sorry Sammy, you missed out today) and got my behind to work. 

I had another lunch meeting with some clients so for the sake of keeping my job and looking semi-professional, I refrained from whipping out the digital. 

But don't worry, dinner photos make up for it! 

I saw this recipe on the cover of a Cooking Light awhile ago and have been wanting to recreate something similar for quite some time. 

Grilled Salmon with Peach Nectarine Salsa


For the Salmon: 
6 oz of skinless salmon 
1 TBL Teriyaki Sauce
1 TBL Soy Sauce
1 TBL Brown Sugar
1 TBL Orange Juice 
1 tsp Garlic minced
1 tsp agave

Mix all ingredients (aside from the salmon) together in a bowl. 
Season the salmon with salt and pepper and pour marinade mixture over the fish.  Let the fish sit for 15-20 min. 

Salsa: 
1 small Peach (diced)
1 small Nectarine (diced)
1/4 of a red onion (diced)
1/4 of red pepper (diced)
1 TBL lime juice 
handful of fresh basil, salt, pepper

Mix all together and set aside. 

Grill the salmon for 5 min on each side, basting with leftover marinade throughout.  Top with salsa and devour! 



I served this over a bed of arugula and radish with grilled zucchini and peppers.


I think this one deserves to go on the recipe page. 

Okay, now don't forget to leave a comment with your favorite sandwich for your chance to win the Calphalon Panini Press! Remember, you have until Friday! 

Good luck and Good night! 


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38 comments:

  1. Hey Lauren :)

    I am a fairly new reader and I really enjoy your writing style and recipes.
    In April, my college apartment burned down and I lost every thing but my life (and my cat- I saved him). This obviously includes all kitchen items. This is unfortunately not some sob story, I'll email you the news link, my point is that life goes on and I am working on adopting a new and better perspective. I feel like you could understand that, seeing how you seem to stay focused on the positive. I am also working on rebuilding, and anything would help. With that being said...
    I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to own the panini press!!
    I'm a beginner, but I really enjoy cooking healthy food!

    My favorite panini is definitely a veggie one! With sliced eggplant, roasted onions and red peppers, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, spinach! The works!

    Well, now that I'm hungry I suppose I'll end this comment. Please consider me for your giveaway.

    Faithfully reading,
    Sarah <3

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  2. I absolutely love a sandwich piled high with hummus, spinach, roasted red peppers, red onions, portabellas, and feta...mmmm, so delish!

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  3. your oats look way better than any donut or pastry i've seen!

    my favorite sandwich is a peanut butter banini ;) (pb&j&banana panini...perhaps coined by allie from livelaugheat?)

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  4. my favorites:
    1. if i have money - roasted red peppers, goat cheese, and spinach
    2. when i have none - sharp cheddar and berry jam

    as you would imagine, i eat #2 much, much more frequently.
    -rebekah

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  5. Your breakfast looks amazing!!!

    My go to sammie is usually turkey, provolone, tomato, lettuce, honey mustard, and pickle chips!! YUM

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  6. My favorite sandwich is of the breakfast variety: egg whites with spinach on top of a GF English muffin or bagel with hot sauce, TJs eggplant and pepper spread, and cheese. The panini press would make these even better!

    I hope you are doing well!

    Sarah

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  7. my favorite combination is avocado, lettuce, hummus, red bell pepper, sprouts, and cucumbers.

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  8. My husband just saw your salmon and was about drooling at the computer screen...I may have to make this for him soon!!!

    My favorite combo would have to be chicken and lots and lots of veggies!!

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  9. i dont want to enter the giveaway because i have a panini press but i do want to leave you a comment and tell you how much i love you! and i have missed reading your blog! and i LOVE that your pops was taking photos of his food, it is so fun when friends and family embrace what we do. that peach salsa looks awesome, so fresh! i can't wait for fresh peaches or tomatoes!!

    MWAH

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  10. Amazing giveaway! My favorite sandwich combination is red pepper,portobello mushroom, arugula, sprouts and Gruyère cheese.

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  11. what a great giveaway! i love unconventional sammie combos, grilled cheese w/ apple and onion being one of my all time faves :)

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  12. Great giveaway girl! I really love a good PB&J! Throw a sliced banana on there and it's amazing!!

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  13. Oh wow, what an excellent giveaway!! I have lots of Calphalon pots and pans but not that one, they rock!

    My favorite sandwich combo is cheese and something like tomato or Tofurky, usually 3 cheeses, like: Swiss, provolone, and cheddar. Yum!

    Jenn

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  14. Lauren:
    My favorite sandwich combo would have to be: caramelized onions, provolone cheese, roasted red pepper hummus on whole grain bread

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  15. My favorite is ALWAYS banana + almond butter...when I'm sick, when I'm tired, when I'm happy, when I'm traveling, when I'm hungry, when I'm craving sweet, and on and on. Forever love.

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  16. Hi Lauren - I love making grilled cheese and tomato!

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  17. Hello! How are you? What a great contest. My favorite sandwich is probably tomato, moz & a little pesto. But I am really digging that pineapple grilled cheese I made recently too. Fun giveaway. That is some great cookware. Nice run to start off your Monday. And the salsa looks divine. I've never homemade fruity salsa. I want to try! Hope you have a great week

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  18. My favorite sandwich? Too too many...honestly, I can't pinpoint to one fave. As long as it is interesting and stuffed with cheese and have good, crusty bread and served hot, it's my "fave"! :D

    I love the idea of that fresh made peach salsa. I'll have to make it and serve it with some grilled pork loin or something!

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  19. 1. Your food is so pretty and colorful!!! I love it ;)

    2. Favorite sandwich? Hm....for a panini press, an awesome ultimate grilled cheese OR grilled pb&j is what I would make first!

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  20. I like hommus, tomato, mozzarella, cucumber, green pepper and spinach on a toasted sandwich thin! Delicious!

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  21. I love grilled cheese with cheddar and granny smith apple slices... maybe with prosciutto? Hmmm...

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  22. GREAT giveaway!!! My all-time favorite sandwich (from high school) is grilled cheddar and granny smith apple on cinnamon raisin bread.

    Also LOVE that salmon with peach salsa! You're a whiz in the kitch, lady.

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  23. My current obsession: mashed avocado, ripe & juicy tomato, thinly sliced red onion, goat cheese, and...wait for it... a fried egg all smushed between chewy ciabatta bread. YUM.

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  24. Awesome giveaway! My favorite sandwich is tomato, mozzarella and pesto.

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  25. My all-time favorite is a banana and nutella sandwich sprinkled with cinnamon and a pinch of salt on raisin walnut bread pressed on a panini grill of course!

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  26. Brie+apple butter+apples+arugula=best sandwich everrrrrrrrrrrrr. For serious. Thanks for the giveaway!!!

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  27. Hi Lauren! I am a fairly new blogger and a new reader of yours. I love getting inspiration from all of your yummy eats!

    My favorite sandwich combo is probably grilled tofu, zucchini, red pepper, and mushrooms with lots of hummus!

    I love the giveaway, especially since my husband and I registered for a panini maker when we got married, but it got shipped to our old address. We went by to ask the new resident what happened to it, and she said that she left it on her porch thinking the UPS guy would come back by and get it. Umm, really? When has that ever happened!

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  28. I love turkey bacon avocado sammie (with lettuce and tomato of course)
    I love paninis, but I cant eat cheese so I dont get that "melt factor! I also like sweet sammies with Peanut Butter and sliced strawberries!

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  29. My favorite sandwich is an Italian classic... fresh mozzerella, sliced tomato, a few basil leaves, and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper! Yum!

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  30. Great giveaway! My favorite sandwich combo is either apples with melted cheddar, or roasted turkey, jam, and brie...soooo good! :)

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  31. Ohhh my goodness have I been in la-la land? Am I still in la-la land because this giveaway is amazing. I'm always jealous of grill marks and people's pressed sandwiches!

    Ohh wow there are so many sandwich ideas that I already know I love and can't imagine a life without lol. But I'm going to have to narrow it down, aren't I? Oof! Grilled camembert and pumpkin butter (McCutcheon's or go home!) with fresh basil on caraway rye, OR if I'm feeling fresh.. homemade cilantro hummus, roasted red pepper, and raclette cheese on a seeded bread. I think you gotta have something that'll get ooey and gooey if you're using a panini press. Am I right or am I right? ;)

    XOXO

    p.s. I am forward this to my mother so she can look at the salmon goodness :D Reading your latest post made me think of her. SHE LOVESSS HER SALMON. She literally eats I think atleast 3 times a day. I believe you when you say it makes you glow!

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  32. My favorite sandwich: Sprouts, Tomato, Spinach with Poppy Mango Dressing!

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  33. My favorite sandwich combination is cream cheese, turkey, and strawberry jam in pita bread. It may sound strange but it's sooooo good!

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  34. roasted yam, goat cheese, pesto, pickled onions on a crusty baguette.

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  35. YES for banana split overnight oats! i was actually thinking this morning how much i miss them and am going to whip up a batch tonight!

    as for the giveaway...my favorite sammie combo is PB+J...original, i know :)

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  36. I loved the overnight oats!
    My favorite sammie combo is PB & J as well! But you must also have an apple and pretzels on the side! ;)

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  37. The banana split overnight oats looks to die for! :)

    I don't know if i have a favorite sandwich, i love many kinds! I loved roasted veggies, hummus, and cheese all together! And I also adore the simple sandwich of hummus, cheese, and tomato!

    Thankyou so much!

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  38. I might be too late, but I figured it was worth a shot! I love sourdough bread with swiss cheese, cucumbers, and tomatoes..yum!

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