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Jan
20
2011
Spice of Life :) Plus McCormick Spices/Spice Rack Giveaway!
Sponsored, Travel |
I had an incredible opportunity to go to the McCormick Gourmet Kitchens last week with some other wonderful bloggers: Jaden of Steamy Kitchen, Shauna of Gluten Free Girl and Nicole of Pinch My Salt. I am really excited to work with these talented women and McCormick Gourmet.
We all met for dinner where the Chef mixed up some drinks and prepared a gorgeous dinner. After not eating all day from traveling this was quite the treat. I snapped some photos of our time with McCormick Gourmet, take a look 
When we arrived to the McCormick Kitchens we were greeted by the lovely McCormick staff. Chef Len fed us some delicious appetizers. Tale a look below
Here is our menu for the evening.
Curried Chicken and Mushroom Spring Rolls. INCREDIBLE! Will definitely be making these again.
Marinated Shrimp with Mango and Radishes. Perfect little appetizer.
Dirty Martini Steak Kabobs and Salad. What a creative recipe for kabobs, full of flavor. Loved these.
Sweet and Smoky “Pork and Beans.” I think we all had a few helpings of this one
Cheesecake Tart with Popcorn Crust and Berries. This cheesecake caused quite the uproar, not kidding. The flavor combinations here are unreal. This will be made at my house very soon.
The next morning, we met for breakfast and enjoyed: Tomato Zucchini Frittata, Cinnamon Apple Nut Muffins, Pepita Pumpkin Bread.
How good does this look?!
…and this?
This was one of my favorite parts of the trip…..along with the incredible meals, but learning about the history of the McCormick Spices was so fascinating. Made me appreciate what goes into each jar I see at the store.
We also got to sample and smell a variety of spices. The vanilla test was the most interesting. If you’ve ever doubted buying pure vanilla….don’t. It wasn’t even a comparison when sampled side by side.
Later in the day, we each whipped up 2 simple recipes that used a regular spice and then a roasted spice to sample and see the difference in taste. I had a creamy cinnamon dip that I wanted to bottle up and eat with a spoon. It was delicious!
Making my dip!
The other ladies Jaden, a sweet McCormick rep, Shauna and Nicole making their recipes
It was time for lunch and talk about a feast. This salmon was one of the best salmon I have ever had. Will be making it for my family. Smoked Paprika Roasted Salmon
Will be making these too! Harvest Vegetables with Roasted Ginger & Cumin
This was another recipe that we couldn’t stop eating, so delicious and I think it was unanimous that we will all be making these ribs! Chipotle Cinnamon Baby Back Ribs
As if we hadn’t had enough food, we ended our meal with these cute “cup” cakes with a bite. Loved the heat that came through with each bite . Mexican Hot Chocolate “Cup” Cakes
Giveaway: An assortment of McCormick Spices with Spice Rack
3 winners!
CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED, Winners have been emailed
Here’s How To Enter:
1. Leave a comment and tell us, what are your favorite McCormick Spices?
2. For extra entries, Follow Picky Palate on Twitter, RSS Feed and Like us on Facebook. Leave 3 separate comments for this.
3. Contest ends Monday January 24th 8pm PST. Winners will be chosen by random.org and will be notified by email. Giveaway provided by McCormick Gourmet.
*Spices will not be exactly as pictured in Photo
Good Luck!
*Disclaimer: I have been hired to work with McCormick Gourmet as part of their McCormick Real Gourmet Program and am being compensated however the thoughts are my very own
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Comments
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I follow you on twitter!
looks fantastic!!!
I love the new McCormick Recipe Inspirations. Tonight we tried one for the first time, the Apple and Sage Pork Chops – and they were delicious!!! But I think my overall favorite McCormick spice is their garlic powder. I use it in basically all of my meals and am always sure to buy the McCormick brand!
There are a lot of spices from McCormick that are sitting in my kitchen that I use often. Hard to choose one! But I might have to say that the poultry seasoning is essential to one my favorite dishes.
I already “like” you on Facebook!
AND I have been a subscriber via RSS Feed for awhile.
I like the cinnamon and garlic powder… and we always seem to have at least 3 jars of cumin in the cabinet…someone in this house must love it!
I follow via RSS.
Thanks for the chance!
I would say cinnamon, garlic powder and thyme are the spices I use most often. I would love this spice rack – my spices are out of control
Cinnamon all the way!
I follow you on twitter as mypinkmixerblog
I follow you on RSS Feed too.
Love Saigon cinnamon!
Follow via RSS feed
I suppose it depends on what I am cooking, but I always love cinnamon.
Wow, looks like you had an awesome time! McCormick Chili Powder is my go to spice! Thanks for the chance.
I use the Italian seasoning all the time! Also a fan of the paprika and cinnamon:)
Great giveaway! I couldn’t live without Cumin…I use it all the time!
I love cooking with spices so I have lots of favorites but I will narrow it down…Italian Seasoning, lemon pepper seasoning, cinnamon, paprika, chili powder
I follow you on twitter
i like you on facebook
I subscribe to your RSS in google reader
I would have to stay my favorite is the smoked paprika – it adds such a depth of flavor to stews, chilis, etc.
I LOVE the new roasted cumin!! I want to get all the new ones. LOVE cooking with spices!
I love the smoked paprika!
i use lemon-n-pepper seasoning on almost everything! love it!
follow on twitter
@loribunk
follow RSS feed
“liked” on facebook
Garlic powder for sure. I use it in everything.
I’m also a FB follower.
Hmm…I love Dill. They are all so good though hard to choose just one
Most certainly cinnamon.
I LOVE Smoked Paprika… It makes ALL the difference. It has this wonderful depth of flavor that makes any dish that much tastier. I think that “smoked” or “roasted” anything (spices) is always better than the alternative. To me, it’s the equivalent of what they do in Indian cooking, where they toast their spices to “wake up” their flavor and nuances…Talking about food is so much fun!
My family LOVES the Montreal Steak seasoning.
I follow you on Twitter!
I’m a follower of yours on FB
My favorite spices are cinnamon and smoked paprika. Thanks!
And I subscribe to your feed!
Chili powder and basil! Probably won’t use them together though.
I follow RSS Feed
Love cinnamon and nutmeg, and have been wanting to try smoked paprika as well!
I’m a follower on Twitter as well.
I “Like” on FB.
I haven’t tried a lot of different spices but I do like their cinnamon and I like their crushed basil. It would be fun to try some new spices though.
We use a lot of cinnamon around here. I’d love to try the roasted Saigon Cinnamon.
I follow on twitter! tweet tweet!
FB Friend!
I like you on facebook
I am a big user of Cumin. Love to add that smokey yet not spicy flavor as an added layer!