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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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Better Home’s and Garden’s Test Kitchens
Comments
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I follow you on twitter
Great spicy fun, the menu is very creative use of the McC. spices.
We love the cinnamon and California style garlic salt! Thanks for the
I am a huge fan of thier smoked paprika!! mmm good on (almost) everything!!
Hmm, I go through so much cinnamon in life, it’s crazy. I also love Cayenne, and garlic powder. The diced jalapeno peppers would be great as well.
I follow you on facebook.
Also following on twitter!
Jenny, not only is this a great giveaway – but such a wonderful experience you all had. Thanks for sharing with us all!
Love the Steak Seasoning!
I follow you on Twitter!
Some of my favorite McCormick spices are: Saigon cinnamon, ground red pepper, crushed red pepper, ground cumin, and ground mustard.
I subscribe via Twitter @GoddessFoodie.
Love your posts on facebook and follow you there.
I am a fan on facebook!
I follow on FB.
Facebook follower =]
I follow on twitter! @Behazeled
Cinnamon and the new roasted line! Glad you had so much fun!
I subscribe via RSS feed.
I have an RSS feed!
I love red Pepper flakes!! They can go in almost any dish for a little extra spice
Roasted Saigon Cinnamon. Its soooo good! I have used there regular cinnamon but the roasted Saigon….OMG!
Follow you on RSS feed.
I follow you on Twitter
Cinnamon for baking and garlic powder for cooking!
I like you on Facebook
Smoked Paprika, onion powder, garlic powder
garlic powder
I follow you on FB also!
Looks like a great trip- that popcorn crust for the cheesecake looks so good! I love the McCormick Gourmet Collection- I use the ground ginger and the organic cumin a lot.FPA7
I like you on facebook
I love cinnamon and any of the baking spices.
I have followed you on Facebook from day 1.
I already follow you on twitter (I am @drwinnie)…
I LOVE the spice blends collection.The Cajun and the Herbes de Provence get a lot of use as does the Italian seasoning. Wonderful. Always can trust high quality from McCormick!That looked like such a fun event!
I’m addicted to ancho chili powder and cumin!
I just liked you on facebook!
I’m a fan on FB!
I love the McCormick Grinders. I have Italian Herb and the Steakhouse Grinders. What kitchen couldn’t use this awesome spice rack!!
Wow, it is so hard to narrow it down to just one, but the 2 that I personaly use the most often would be the garlic and cinnomin! I love Mccormick Spices!
I like you on Facebook!
Grill Mates Montreal Seasoning…can’t live without it!
I use curry powder, cumin, and cinnamon all the time. I follow you on twitter and now on facebook as well.
cumin!!! i also like some of their seasoning mixes for meats.
I LOVE the Montreal Steak and Montreal Chicken seasonings. I use them in so many different ways. The two spices that I seem to buy more frequently than anything else are cumin and oregeno.
I love spices! Hard to pick just one!
I am a fan on Facebook
I subscribe to your blog through google reader.
My newest love is the Mediterranean Spiced Sea Salt
and I follow on Facebook
The spices I tend to use most are cinnamon, and thyme.