Gumbo Mix

Quinoa Pilaf: This Crowd-Pleasing Side Dish Will Become a Thanksgiving Staple

November 17, 2016

With Thanksgiving just a week away, it’s time to get your classic recipes together and if you’re feeling adventurous, gather up a few new ones too.

Why settle for serving the same familiar fare for what will probably be your family’s biggest feast of the year? Instead, treat them to some delicious new side dishes that will keep them digging in and coming back for seconds. Plus, it’ll give you an excuse to tap into your inner Top Chef.

This year, I’m stepping outside of my cooking comfort zone by preparing a surprisingly satisfying quinoa and dried cranberries dish. While attending Stoneridge Orchards‘ fall tasting last month, I was introduced to the recipe and was blown away by the texture, taste and most of all the simplicity of the dish’s preparation.

Stoneridge Orchards Dried Cranberries available here, $4.19

Lisa Adams, a New York City-based personal chef and blogger, demonstrated how to make the grain-centric meal in just a few steps. The combination of quinoa, dried cranberries, cilantro, pumpkin seeds resulted in a delightfully savory, restaurant-worthy dish—perfect for the vegetarians and vegans at the table.

Who knows? If it’s a success, maybe it’ll become a side dish staple on my Thanksgiving menu!

If you’re feeling inspired, check out the recipe below:

QUINOA CRANBERRY PILAF

(serves 4-6)

Ingredients:

4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups dried quinoa
1/2 cup Stoneridge Orchards dried cranberries
1/4 finely chopped parsley
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
4 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper

Directions:

Start by bringing the broth to a boil, add dry quinoa and stir to remove clumps.
Bring back to boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Stir and add a little more broth if it is drying out too quickly. Continue cooking for 5 more minutes.
Remove from heat, and fluff with a fork separating the grains.
Add in remaining ingredients, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Tip: If your family prefers different nuts or herbs, they can be swapped out for almonds or pine nuts, basil or dill. If dried cranberries aren’t your fave, cherries, blueberries or even dried peaches will do.

Are you preparing a big Thanksgiving meal or will your family partake in a potluck?

Category: Food, Gumbo Mix, Misc. | 1 Comment

BGG Visits ABC’s ‘The Chew’

November 3, 2016

Last month, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a taping of “The Chew.”

Thanks to the folks at ABC, I not only had the pleasure of watching Carla Hall, Daphne Oz, Clinton Kelly and Michael Symon (Mario Batali was out of town) live in action, but I also got a sneak peek into the place where all the delicious magic happens: the test kitchen.

While backstage, I learned a few secrets like how they modify the recipes and sometimes share a kitchen with another popular ABC show, “The View!”

To my delight, one of segments highlighted the bourgeoning culinary scene in Rhode Island. I was excited because I had visited the state for the first time earlier this year and was eager to learn more.

Well, in case you didn’t know, The Ocean State has some pretty awesome cuisine, especially seafood—it is along the Atlantic coastline after all. Carla, who is not only the show’s co-host, but also a chef and restaurateur took a trip to explore the state’s notable culinary locations. Her travels led her to the Ocean House in Watch Hill, Newport’s Stoneacre Pantry and training programs at Johnson & Wales University’s College of Culinary Arts in Providence.

The segment gave us audience members and viewers at home a taste of some of the best that Rhode Island’s food scene has to offer. From farm-to-table to pond-to-plate, the segment highlighted the region’s bountiful locally grown produce and locally raised raised proteins—showcasing the state as an emerging culinary powerhouse.

Rhode Island might be small, but it packs a major punch when it comes to the culinary world. Home to one of the most coveted culinary schools in the country, the aforementioned Johnson & Wales University’s College of Culinary Arts – the region has produced scores of dietitians, nutritionists and food service professionals and of course, chefs including a couple James Beard winners.

When I visited in April, I had the pleasure of checking out a local Cranston restaurant called Bistro 22, and my salmon entree was tasty and the service was topnotch.

If you’re already on the east coast in NYC, Boston or DC, why not take a fun road trip or hop on a train to get yourself acquainted with the quaint, but vast foodie destination?

Treat yourself to a walk-up shack for some on-the-go grub or if you’re feeling fancy, opt for one of the many fine-dining experiences that the area boasts.

No matter what your palate preference, you’re sure to find something that will satisfy your tastebuds.

Check out these upcoming food events to inspire a visit:

•Nov. 4-13: Newport Restaurant Week
• Jan. 15-28, 2017: Providence Restaurant Week

Have you ever visited Rhode Island?

Category: Gumbo Mix, Misc. | 1 Comment

Hayneedle Makes Online Shopping Easy

October 14, 2016

Adulting can be difficult, but add in that extra layer of being a parent and it can become even more challenging. Case in point: finding children’s furniture that complements adult living spaces. Ok, not the most trying problem, but still a dilemma.

Not many understand the decorating woes parents face the moment little people invade their apartments. Thankfully, e-commerce site Hayneedle has been the answer to accommodating my children without compromising our home’s style and overall design aesthetic.

Since my daughter was three years old, she’s eaten her breakfast, lunch and dinner at a pink Dora the Explorer desk. Fast-forward four years and she’s still using it—but now my toddler son is joining her at the table. To say this super bright and ultra-girly piece is a standout (not in a good way) would be an understatement—hence, my search for a gender-neutral table for the both of them.

KidKraft Aspen Table and Chair Set available here, $65

Like many New York apartments, our place is small—so, finding a table and chair set that would be sufficient without taking up too much space wasn’t easy. Hayneedle took the guesswork out of hunting for the perfect piece. Admittedly, I wasn’t familiar with the site prior to my purchase—but, better late than never, right? Although the Nebraska-based retailer offers a wide variety of items from kitchen gadgets to toddler toys, you’re guaranteed to find something to meet your needs. The site is simple and easy to navigate. Plus, the precise search options help eliminate the feeling of looking for items like a needle in a haystack.

After briefly surfing the site, I landed on the set of my dreams: a two-chair natural from. It arrived fast, within a few days and was easy to assemble (at least it seemed that way from the couch!). And of course, the natural wood blends in well with our living room. Now my kids can both sit comfortably and enjoy a meal in style.

Have you ever shopped on Hayneedle.com? What’s your favorite one-stop-shop online retailer?

Category: Gumbo Mix, Misc. | Leave a Comment

Giving Back this Back-to-School Season

August 30, 2016

If your child hasn’t already returned to class, the countdown to back-to-school is now in full swing.

Shopping for crayons, Post-It notes, pocket folders and everything else in between can be a fun experience for kids and parents alike. Unfortunately, not every family can afford to provide their child with the proper supplies needed to succeed at school.

That’s why for the past 16 years, the Office Depot Foundation has been giving back-to-school sackpacks to those in need. Through the company’s National Backpack Program, colorful drawstrings bags are filled with basic essentials to ensure that all students have a thriving school year. Each one includes a zippered pouch containing a pen, pencil, pencil sharpener, eraser, six-inch ruler and four crayons. Plus, none of the sackpacks have any of the company’s branding or logos—an added bonus!

Since 2001, the program has donated over 4 million backpacks and sackpacks to children across the country. And they couldn’t be successful without other organizations’ assistance with getting the bags into the hands of students. This year, they’ve donated 200,000 sackpacks to nonprofit organizations, schools and agencies across the United States and internationally.

When it comes to shopping for school and office supplies, we have many choices – but when we can support a business that gives back, it makes that choice less difficult.

Disclosure: I was given several sackpacks, which I plan to donate to my daughter’s school—hopefully helping a child in need.

For more information about the National Backpack Program, please visit the Office Depot Foundation’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/officedepotfoundation.

How do you give back during back-to-school season?

Category: Gumbo Mix, Misc., Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle, Wellness | Leave a Comment

On the Hook: Family Fishing with Macy’s + Prospect Park Alliance

August 29, 2016

Growing up in Chicago, fishing wasn’t something that my family did.

Amusement parks, zoos and backyard BBQs were our summer activities of choice. But, even for a city girl like me, I’ve always wanted to go fishing.

Thanks to Macy’s, a couple of weeks ago I was able to cross the leisure sport off my bucket list!

The brand invited my family and me to an afternoon of fishing at The Lake Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. The pop-up catch-and-release class was a media-only event to celebrate the company’s partnership with the Prospect Park Alliance.

Since my husband had never gone fishing either, it was the perfect opportunity for us to learn the ins and outs of fishing as a family. The instructor showed us how to bait and hook, as well as provided us with tips on the best ways to catch an unsuspecting pumpkinseed sunfish or largemouth bass. My 6-year-old daughter and nearly 3-year-old son were excited because in their minds, they were going to catch “Nemo” and release him back into the ocean. After an hour or so of applying all of the tips and tricks the instructor gave us, we eventually decided to call it quits.

Although we were unsuccessful in finding “Nemo,” it was a wonderful family bonding moment that I’ll forever cherish. And now that I know that Prospect Park Alliance offers fishing, we’ll be sure to flex our fishing skills again next summer!

If you’re in the Brooklyn area, click here to see if they’re offering classes before summer’s end.

Have you and your family ever gone fishing? If so, please share any strategic tips!

Category: Gumbo Mix, Misc., Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle, Wellness | Leave a Comment

The Moodsters: Teaching Preschoolers All About Emotions

August 24, 2016

Dealing with everyday emotions as adults can be difficult, but for children and toddlers, it can be even trickier.

Thankfully The Moodsters, an educational line of toys and books designed to teach preschoolers about emotional intelligence makes learning about their feelings fun.

Through engaging storytelling—love, fear, sadness, anger and happiness are all personified via friendly characters that go on a quest to help discover and navigate the ups and downs of emotions.

Founded by Denise Daniels, an award-winning broadcast journalist and parenting and child development expert, The Moodsters are the perfect back-to-school gifts for your preschooler.

My almost 3-year-old son adores these books and accompanying toys. He enjoys pointing to each character and muttering their roles: “scary, happy, angry…” The books are really helping him understand the range of his emotions—and we moms know that their moods can change in a millisecond!

Available at Target and Amazon, these books will be a great addition to your little one’s library and toy chest!

How do you help your child understand and communicate his feelings?

Category: Featured, Features, Gumbo Mix, Misc., Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle, Wellness | Leave a Comment

How the Olympics Made Little Brown Girls Dream Big

August 23, 2016

The 2016 Summer Olympic games may have come and gone, but the positive effect it had on little brown girls around the world will last a lifetime.

If you had never heard of Simone Biles prior to the global sporting event of the summer, you’re not alone. Admittedly, I wasn’t familiar with the athletic dynamo either, but like you, I quickly became acquainted. After leaving all kinds of #blackgirlmagic sprinkled throughout Rio’s arenas, seemingly overnight the world knew her name.

Photo via Simone Biles’ Instagram

While we adults were proud and admiring her record-breaking achievements in gymnastics, our little ones seemed to be even more enthralled. To say that my daughter, Ava, was mesmerized by Simone’s gravity defying acrobatic moves would be an understatement.

As a self-proclaimed gymnast, she was glued to the television (or tablet screen) every night to watch Simone work her magic from the balance beam to the uneven bars. No matter what flip or tumble she did, Ava marveled at her every move. After each of Simone’s effortless leaps, Ava said, “Mommy I can do that!” And I, of course assured her that yes, she could in fact replicate Simone’s awe-inspiring moves and possibly perform them even better – just with a bit of determination and practice.

Taking home an astonishing four gold medals (individual all around, vault and floor—plus a bronze medal for women’s beam), Simone was clearly her favorite, but the gymnastics superstar was far from the only BG rocking the Olympic stage. Simone Manuel broke down barriers of being the first African-American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in an individual swimming event, while Team USA’s women’s track and field team took home several first-place prizes.

Witnessing these astounding achievements made by young African-American women gives my daughter and all brown girls the ability to dream big and know that their goals are within reach and attainable.

Now that’s #blackgirlmagic!

What was your favorite sporting event at the Olympics?

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Gumbo Mix, Misc. | Leave a Comment