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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
Other recipes you may enjoy...
Coming up!
Disneyland’s Cafe Orleans
Inside Out Chicken Pot Pies and Good Bite Cookbook Giveaway.
Frozen Hot Chocolate, Serendipity Style!
Hearty Chicken Barley Soup with Vegetables and Giveaway!!
Comments
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Lately I’ve been stumbling on all sorts of recipes that use neat spices. I’m a traditional seasonings user but would love to try some new ones!
Cinnamon, definitely
I currently follow you on FaceBook!
I follow your RSS feeds
I am a Twitter fan.
I love both sweet and savory dishes, so I love to use McCormick cinnamon in all my baked goods, and on my potatoes, and I love to use Thyme in all my pasta dishes. They add so much flavor!
I follow you on FB
I also follow via RSS feed.
I already like you on facebook:)
crushed red pepper…love me some hot n spicy
already like you on FB!
Have to go with cinnamon!!!
And on Facebook!
And on Twitter!
My favorites are cumin and basil….plus all the rest :}
I follow you on twitter
I like you on fb!
I follow your RSS Feed
love the ground white pepper, and cumin,.,.,but I really like how th bottle look lines up in my cupboard, If I ever have to get a spice in another form…I still put it in an old McCormick’s bottle.
What a great opportunity to visit the McCormick kitchen! I love their spices, such good quality!
I love curry
I personally love the big container (14.5 oz) to Montreal Steak Seasoning from the Grillmates. Rachael Ray actually introduced this seasoning in one of her recipes and I use it on ALOT of things now. In fact, I am almost out need to go buy some more!
My favorite is McCormick’s Roasted Ground Cumin. My husband is a very picky eater, but I managed to sneak the cumin into a orange/cumin sweet and spicy tilapia recipe, and he loved it! Adding spices can take the boring recipes he likes and make them more fun for someone like me!
I use A LOT of their dried thyme. Which reminds me… I need more!
I follow PP on Twitter!
Cinnamon! Something nostalgic about its smell- brings me back to sprinkling it on French toast as a kid
Also follow on Facebook!!
I followed on twitter
I follow Picky Palate on Facebook!
I’ve already been following on my RSS feed
I follow the PP feed!
and now I “liked” on facebook, too
I love all their spices. Vanilla bean, cinnamon, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Mexican chili powder, Italian spices…I could go on and on…
I like to use blends, even if they are simple like the garlic salt or lemon pepper. I do really like the Herbs de Provence – adds great flavor to your dish!
I like you on Facebook.
I love the sea salt grinders — they are always right next to my stove!
I follow on Facebook!
Their saigon cinnamon is to die!! I also love their leafy green spices: oregano, thyme and parsley!!
I follow on TWITTER!
I follow by RSS on my Google Reader!
Looks amazing! I love the Ancho Chili Pepper… gives such great flavor to my dishes.
cinnamon everyday!!!!! i also love cumin and the dry basil! <#
My favorite McCormick spice is cumin, hands down. mmmm
I follow you on Facebook!
I follow you on Twitter
I ‘like’ you on Facebook
I subscribe to your rss feed.
I know this is going to sound boring BUT I love using course ground pepper…SOOOO much better than what I used to use.
Subscribed to your feed.
I follow you on Facebook…