As part of the Healthy Snacking Challenge, we’ve swapped out Orville Redenbacher SmartPop! for our usual after school snacks. I’m doing this to encourage my family as well as my readers to snack smarter.

Here’s why:

• snacking on 100-calories of low-fat healthy popcorn leads to less hunger and more satisfaction versus other snacks like almonds or pretzels
• popcorn is a good source of fiber, which fills you up and makes you feel less hungry
• Orville Redenbacher SmartPop! is low in fat and has zero grams of trans fats
• it’s also low in calories – just 100 calories for six cups
• one SmartPop! Bowl has 240 calories from 15 cups of popcorn. So if you go nuts and eat the whole thing, which I did the other day, it’s not going to pack on the pounds
• popcorn is a whole grain snack – just three cups of Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop! provides an entire serving of whole grain

My family and I have enjoyed this challenge because it’s been easy – and delicious – to do! It’s also a way to get the kids outside, because I don’t let them eat popcorn indoors most of the time. Too messy!

Check out the Orville Redenbacher’s Facebook page for a $1 off coupon

Try the Healthy Snacking Challenge yourself!

I’m giving away five boxes of Orville Redenbacher SmartPop! – one box each to five winners.

Here’s how to enter:

• Tell me in the comments below, what besides popcorn, is your favorite healthy snack.

You have until midnight MST on Friday, May 25, 2012 to enter.

ONE winner will be chosen at random. You must be willing to send me your full name and mailing address by May 29, 2012, so I can pass it on to Mom Central Consulting. They will mail out your box of Orville Redenbacher SmartPop!

I’ll announce the winner on this blog. I won't share your mailing info with the public, just your name. If you have a blog, I’ll link back to it when I announce the winner.

The giveaway is valued at approximately $4 per box and is only open to legal residents of the United States, 18 years of age and older. No purchase required. Odds of winning based on number of entries. ONE entry per person. FIVE boxes of Orville Redenbacher SmartPop! will be given away. Void where prohibited by law.

By submitting your name and email address, you agree to receive relevant promotional emails and contest follow up communications from This Mama Cooks! On a Diet in compliance with my privacy policy and giveaway rules.

_______________________
Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in an ambassador campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Orville Redenbacher's and received Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop! products and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Orville Redenbacher Smart Pop! giveaway is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

You may have noticed by looking in my side bar that I’m now an Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop! Ambassador. The reason I signed up to be spread the word about Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! popcorn is that I’m on a mission to get families to eat – and snack – in a healthier way.

One way to do that is to always have healthy snacks within easy reach, and that’s why I like having Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop! products in the cupboards. Of course, I make sure that we have other healthy snack items like fresh fruit, yogurt, and whole grain pasta and bread. However, with microwave popcorn, and you don’t have to worry about it staying refrigerated like yogurt or going bad like fruit. Also, it’s easy enough to prepare that my kids (with a small amount of supervision from me) can make a bag on their own in the microwave.

Taking the Healthy Snacking Challenge

As part of my Ambassadorship with Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop!, my family and I are taking the Healthy Snacking Challenge to begin substituting Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop! for our usual snacks. It’s not hard to do because we snack on healthy foods most of the time anyway. However, snacking with Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop! Bowls is a special treat, especially since the bag makes its own bowl.

The challenge couldn’t have come at a better time either. You see, last week I had a last minute request from a friend to pick up her kids and take them back to my place. I wasn’t sure what to give her kids for an after school snack, but what child wouldn’t want their own bowl of popcorn? (And what mom would object?) Well, the kids agreed with me and had a blast sitting outside on the porch with their own bowl of popcorn. The only issue we had was opening the bowls. Of course, the nine-year-olds could figure it out, but the older kids and I had to use scissors.

Feeling good about snacking with Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop!

A new study from ConAgra Foods found that snacking on 100-calories of low-fat healthy popcorn leads to less hunger and more satisfaction versus other snacks like almonds or pretzels. I’m guessing that’s because popcorn is a good source of fiber, which can fill you up. It’s also low in fat and has zero grams of trans fats. Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! is also low in calories – just 100 calories for six cups. One SmartPop! Bowl has 240 calories from 15 cups of popcorn. So if you go nuts and eat the whole thing, it’s not a big deal.

Finally, Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! is also a whole grain snack. Just three cups of Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop! provides an entire serving of whole grain.

Try Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! yourself

Check out the Orville Redenbacher’s Facebook page for a $1 off coupon.

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Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in an ambassador campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Orville Redenbacher's and received Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop! products and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Smart snacking with Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

Since I’m moving Georgia at the end of the month, I better practice making real Southern cocktails like mint juleps. Since the Kentucky Derby is tomorrow, I can’t think of a better time to try Gail Simmons, the host of Bravo's Top Chef, recipe for Lemon Ginger “Tulep” using Pure Leaf Iced Tea.  You can make this a cocktail or a mocktail – either way should be delightful!

To health up this mint julep recipe, use sugar free ginger flavored coffee syrup instead of the Ginger Simple Syrup. If you can’t find sugar free ginger, a good substitute would be a sugar free lime, peach or lemon syrup like those made by Torani. You can further reduce calories by using unsweetened Pure Leaf Iced Tea, then adding  a dropperful or two of lemon flavored SweetLeaf Liquid Stevia and maybe some apricot or orange flavored liquid stevia, too!

Finally, forget the candied ginger garnish. I love that stuff and can eat it by the handful - so not good for you! I’d rather indulge in the bourbon than the ginger, you know?

You can find more cocktail and mocktail recipes using Pure Leaf Ice Tea on Facebook.

Lemon Ginger “Tulep”

Makes one serving

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons ginger simple syrup (recipe below)
• 6 to 8 fresh mint leaves, plus a sprig for garnish
• Ice
• 1.5 ounces of Kentucky Bourbon (optional)
• 1 cup Lemon Pure Leaf Iced Tea
• Cold club soda
• Candied ginger, for garnish

Directions:

1. In an old fashioned glass, muddle ginger simple syrup with mint leaves. (Muddle means “to crush.” You can use a pestle or the back of a spoon.)
2. Add ice.
3. If using bourbon, add it to the glass. Then pour in the Lemon Pure Leaf Iced Tea.
4. Stir well.
5. Top with a splash of club soda and garnish with a slice of candied ginger and a sprig of mint.

Ginger Simple Syrup

Makes 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups water

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, combine the ginger, sugar, and water and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
2. Remove the pan from the heat and then set aside to cool.
3. Strain the syrup and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to one week.

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Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Lipton Pure Leaf. I received product samples and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

Just in time for the Kentucky Derby, a mint julep iced tea recipe is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

Since becoming a Mountain High Yoghurt Mom, their product has become a staple in my kids’ lives. As I explained in a previous Mountain High Yoghurt post, I used to buy it all the time until I started making my own yogurt. Since my yogurt maker is in storage, Mountain High Yoghurt has become my go to brand of choice because it’s delicious, nutritious and a great buy, especially when purchasing the bigger containers. (Check out the per ounce price!)

I also like that my kids are getting some probiotics in their diets by regularly eating it. Also, Mountain High Yoghurt is the only way my daughter, Lucie, can get calcium in her diet since she doesn’t like drinking milk.

Healthy snacks and breakfasts

I love the versatility of having a couple of 32 ounce containers of low fat vanilla or strawberry in the refrigerator to make healthy snacks and breakfasts. We like combining them with berries for a special treat or using them in smoothies. They also make a nice spread on pancakes, waffles, pumpkin bread or toast. Another fun and healthy snack is to make yogurt popsicles. (Unfortunately, my popsicle molds are in storage, too, darn it!)

The Mountain High Yoghurt website is a great source for healthy snack and breakfast ideas for kids. Here are a few recipes:

• Yoghurt Squeezies
• Yoghurt Pops
• Yoghurt Swirl Pops
• Fruit Crepes
• Fruit Granola Parfait
• Fruit Kabobs
• Fruit Waffle Cake

What are your kids’ favorite ways to enjoy yogurt?

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Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Mountain High Yoghurt. I received a gift card to purchase yogurt, a product kit, and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

Healthier snacks and breakfasts with Mountain High Yoghurt #MHYMom is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

I was a regular buyer of Mountain High Yoghurt YEARS before I was asked to be a Mountain High Yoghurt Mom. Here’s why:

• First and foremost, it’s a great value per ounce, especially when you buy it in the bigger containers. I usually buy low fat vanilla and fat free plain yogurt in the 32 ounce containers, but you can also buy the fat free plain product in a huge 64 ounce tub. Both size tubs are great to store art and crafts supplies for the kids, too.
• Pricewise, they’re about the same or maybe a little more expensive than store brand yogurt. However, I prefer Mountain High over store brands because of its taste and quality.
• Their yogurt, even the fat free variety, is very tasty and creamy compared to many other brands of yogurt – even the more expensive brands.
• I like that Mountain High Yoghurt is rbST-free, meaning that they don’t use milk from cows that are given artificial growth hormones.
• Their vanilla and strawberry yogurt are sweetened with pure crystalline fructose, a natural sweetener with a low glycemic index. They also use pure vanilla and premium strawberries.
• Their product contains no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial colors or flavors, and no preservatives.
• Mountain High Yogurt containss three kinds of live and active cultures (L. acidophilus, B. bifidus, and L. casei) that are good for digestive health.
• I like using their plain fat free yogurt to make Greek-Style yoghurt by draining the whey from it. Here’s how.
• It’s versatile. Check out the Mountain High Yoghurt website for recipe ideas.

The only reason I stopped buying Mountain High Yogurt was because I started making my own yogurt at home using rbST-free milk from a local dairy. But now that my yogurt maker is in storage, Mountain High Yoghurt has become my go to brand of choice.

What do you look for when buying yogurt – quality, price, natural ingredients, taste, or all the above?

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Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Mountain High Yoghurt. I received a gift card to purchase yogurt, a product kit, and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

Why I buy Mountain High Yoghurt #MHYMom is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

If you’re on the lookout for ways to simplify holiday entertaining, you may want to keep ready-to-serve dips and spreads in your pantry. Luckily, there’s no need to go to a gourmet shop to spend a fortune on imported goodies. Instead, head over to Target and check out the Giada De Laurentiis for Target line of party food goodies.

These are perfect to keep on hand if you have guest who drop in unannounced or if you need a last minute potluck party appetizer. I like to keep items like this on hand to have something delicious and different to serve while we’re watching a movie or football.

Taste testing the Giada De Laurentiis for Target line

I recently had the opportunity to taste test several of the Giada De Laurentiis for Target line. Here are my party appetizer recommendations:

• Marinated Mushrooms – These are delicious. Drain the jar and place mushrooms in a little bowl. Your guests can use toothpicks to eat them. ($2.99)
• Genovese Basil Pesto – This pesto is better than my own homemade version, and was pleasantly surprised how fresh the basil tasted. This makes a nice spread on rice crackers and can be served as a pasta sauce. This contains cashews as well as pine nuts so warn your guests with nut allergies. ($3.49)
• Eggplant & Pepper Pesto – This was delicious on crackers and slightly sweet. ($2.99)
• Black Olive Tapenade – I love olives, but thought this spread was a bit strong. I’m guessing the anchovies were the reason. Still, the tapenade was tasty and would be wonderful smeared on a panini or sandwich. ($2.99)

There are also Marinated Sun Dried Tomatoes ($3.49) and Marinated Roasted Red Peppers ($3.49) in the Giada De Laurentiis for Target line. While both would be wonderful in all sorts of dishes from baked chicken breasts to pasta, both could be pureed in a mini food processor and used as spreads, too.

If you have the luxury of time, here’s a  recipe from Giada to use with her Black Olive Tapenade.

Tomato Basil Tartlets

Recipe Courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis

Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Prep Time: 16 minutes
Cook Time: 15 to 19 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 (10-by-9-inch) sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1/3 cup Giada De Laurentiis for Target Black Olive Tapenade
• 1 cup (2 1/2 ounces) shredded fontina cheese
• 8 cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 6 basil leaves, chopped
• Fleur de Sel or other large flake sea salt
• A 2 1/4-inch round cookie cutter

Directions:

1. Place oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place the pastry on a lightly floured work surface. Using the tines of a fork, prick the pastry all over. Using a 2 1/4-inch round cookie cutter, cut out 16 rounds of pastry. Place the pastry rounds on the prepared baking sheet. Lay a piece of parchment paper on top of the pastry rounds. Place another baking sheet directly on top of the parchment paper to keep the pastry even while baking. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden. Remove the top baking sheet and the top piece of parchment paper.
3. Spread 1 teaspoon of tapenade on each pastry round. Place about 1 tablespoon of cheese on top. Arrange 2 pieces of tomato on the cheese. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese has melted. Sprinkle the chopped basil on top.
4. Transfer the tartlets to a platter and garnish with a pinch of Fleur de Sel.

Entertaining with Giada De Laurentiis for Target Ceramic Bakeware

I also received a couple of pieces of Giada De Laurentiis for Target Ceramic Bakeware to review – the Ceramic Pie Pan ($16.99) and the 2-Quart Ceramic Oval Baker ($19.99). What I like about Giada’s line of bakeware is that it can go directly from the oven to the table. The bakeware is very attractive and elegant and looks like something I’d spend a fortune on at Crate & Barrel or Williams Sonoma. Also, it would make a lovely gift for anyone who’s setting up their first kitchen as well as someone who’s replacing beat up, old (and ugly) aluminum bakeware.

To serve the spreads and crackers, I used the Ceramic Pie Pan. I used a few small ramekins and nut dishes as bowls for the spreads, and placed them inside the pie pan. Then I filled it with rice crackers. Easy!

You can check out the complete like of Giada De Laurentiis for Target kitchenware on the Target website.

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Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Giada De Laurentiis for Target and received product samples to facilitate my review.

Easy holiday entertaining with Giada De Laurentiis and Target is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

I’ve always liked Barilla pasta products, especially their no-cook lasagna noodles and their delicious whole grain pastas. We made the switch to whole grain pasta years ago. At first, my family complained that the pasta was too dry, but they got used to it and prefer it over regular pasta now. Since it’s important that you include whole grains in your diet, I won’t buy anything else.

Barilla’s whole grain pasta challenge and coupon

To get your family to make the switch to whole grain pastas, Barilla has created the Whole Grain Taste & Share Challenge on their Facebook page. To participate in the Challenge:

1. Try a box of Barilla Whole Grain pasta, then look for the code on your box.
2. Go to Barilla’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/barillaus and “like” the page.
3. Then go to the Whole Grain Taste & Share Challenge page and enter the code. (The page shows you where the code is on your box.)
4. Then you can share the Challenge with two friends on Facebook.
5. Barilla rewards you all by giving your friends a coupon for $1 off their next box of Barilla Whole Grain Pasta. You get a coupon for $1 off when you buy two boxes of Barilla.

To learn more about Barilla whole grain pastas and get recipes the whole family will enjoy, visit Barilla's Dinner Kit.

Barilla Whole Grain Pasta Taste & Share Challenge Kit giveaway

Three of my lucky readers will win a Barilla Whole Grain Taste & Share Challenge Kit worth approximately $100. (Suggestion: make holiday gifts out of the olive oil, salt, vinegar and apron. Or keep it all for yourself!)

Each kit contains:

• Barilla Whole Grain linguine, thin spaghetti, spaghetti, medium shells, rotini and penne
• A Barilla apron
• Academia Barilla 100% Italian Olive Oil
• Academia Barilla Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, aged 3 years
• Academia Barilla Pesto Alla Genovese
• Academia Barilla Canned Cherry Tomatoes
• Academia Barilla Sicilian Sea Salt with Black Olives

(You can see a picture of all the items on Blog By Donna. I forgot to snap a picture before we ate the pasta and I packed away the apron and bottles.)

The Academia Barilla line of products are made with the best ingredients and support local artisans, regional differences and innovation, while maintaining the most genuine traditions. I’m looking forward to trying them out. (Don’t want to open any new bottles before we move, which is why I haven’t done an olive oil taste test yet.)

How to enter to win your Barilla Challenge Kit

Giveaway closed. Congrats to Sarah C., Karen M. and Kristen of Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker

1. Share what type pasta (spaghetti, shells, etc.) is most popular with you or your family in the comments below for ONE entry.
2. Sign up for This Mama Cooks! Review’s RSS feed for ONE additional entry.
3. Sign up for my enewsletter for ONE additional entry.
4. Spread the word about this giveaway by submitting a link to this post on Twitter for ONE additional entry. You must leave a link to your tweet in your comment so I can check.
5. Follow @amnichols on Twitter for ONE additional entry.
6. If you have done any of these additional activities you MUST come back here and leave a comment telling me what you did. I will be checking!
7. Maximum amount of entries at This Mama Cooks! On a Diet is FIVE.
8. You have until midnight MST on Sunday, December 4, 2011 to enter.

THREE winners will be chosen at random. You must be willing to send me your full name, mailing address and phone number so I pass your info on to Mom Central so they can mail out your kit. I’ll also announce the winners on this blog. I won't share your mailing info with the public, just your first name and last initial. If you have a blog, I’ll link back to it when I announce the winner.

The giveaway is valued at approximately $100 and is only open to legal residents of the United States. No purchase required. Odds of winning based on number of entries. Up to FIVE entries per person. THREE Barilla Whole Grain Taste & Share Challenge Kits will be given away to THREE readers (one kit per winner). Void where prohibited by law.

By submitting your name and email address, you agree to receive relevant promotional emails and contest follow up communications from This Mama Cooks! On a Diet in compliance with my privacy policy and giveaway rules.

_________________
Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Barilla and received a Taste & Share Challenge Kit to facilitate my review, kits to giveaway, and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Barilla Whole Grain Pasta Taste & Share Challenge Kit giveaway is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

A Carapelli Olive Oil tasting is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of hosting the Hunt’s Dinner Sauces Supper Club event at Mise En Place in Denver for a group of local food and mom bloggers. I demoed two recipes for the group, Southwest Stuffed Peppers and Chicken Cacciatore for Pasta (recipe below), to show how easy it is to use Hunt’s Dinner Sauces to create yummy and healthy dishes in 20 to 40 minutes.

Then we dined on the fabulous dishes that the Mise En Place staff created for us.Inspired by the Hunt’s new versatile and delicious sauces, they created some amazing dishes like a spicy gazpacho, a quinoa and vegetable dish, and turkey meatloaf. Even professional chefs like the versatility of Hunt’s Dinner Sauces!

What I love about using Hunt’s Cacciatore Dinner Sauce to make Chicken Cacciatore for Pasta is how quickly you can cook it up from ingredients you probably have on hand like frozen chicken breasts and dried pasta. You can make this recipe even easier by using presliced mushrooms and prediced onions from the grocery store.

Chicken Cacciatore for Pasta

Ingredients:

• PAM Cooking Spray
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 package (8 ounces) sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 jar (16 ounces) Hunt’s Dinner Sauce Cacciatore
• Hot cooked pasta – whole wheat or gluten free (brown rice also works well)

Directions:

1. Spray large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat.
2. Add chicken, mushrooms and onion and cook 6 to 8 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink and mushrooms are tender, stirring occasionally.
3. Add Cacciatore Sauce and cover and simmer 5 minutes or until hot.
4. Serve chicken mixture over pasta.

More about Hunt’s Dinner Sauces

Hunt’s Dinner Sauces combine the high quality and backyard garden fresh taste of Hunt’s Tomatoes with other premium ingredients such as vegetables, herbs, spices and olive oil. They come in four flavors:

• Tuscan: a taste of Tuscany with rich olive oil, basil and garlic.
• Southwest: hearty black beans and red bell peppers.
• Greek: a blend of savory artichokes and oregano is inspired by the tastes of Greece.
• Cacciatore: the flavors of Italy with sweet bell peppers and aromatic herbs.

Each 16-ounce jar sells for around $2.49. Right now they’re only available in Colorado in the Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs areas. They should be coming to a grocery store near you in 2012.

You can learn more about Hunt’s Dinner Sauces at www.hunts.com or HuntsDinnerSauces.com. You can also connect with them on Twitter @HuntsChef and Facebook.

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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Hunt’s, but my opinions and experiences are my own.

Hosting the Hunt’s Dinner Sauces Supper Club {Chicken Cacciatore for Pasta recipe} #huntsdinnersauces is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!

One of the fun things about being a food blogger is the chance to try new products. This month, I’m working with Hunt's to try out their new Hunt’s Dinner Sauces and present them to my fellow bloggers in a dinner event this week in Denver. (Follow us on Twitter at #huntsdinnersauces.)

You see, Colorado cooks in the Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs areas are getting a first taste of Hunt's Dinner Sauces starting this month. The plan is to introduce Hunt’s Dinner Sauces to the rest of the US sometime next year.

Hunt’s Dinner Sauces make dinner time easy and delicious

Hunt’s Dinner Sauces combine the high quality and backyard garden fresh taste of Hunt’s Tomatoes with other premium ingredients such as vegetables, herbs, spices and olive oil. They come in four flavors:

• Tuscan: a taste of Tuscany with rich olive oil, basil and garlic.
• Southwest: hearty black beans and red bell peppers.
• Greek: a blend of savory artichokes and oregano is inspired by the tastes of Greece.
• Cacciatore: the flavors of Italy with sweet bell peppers and aromatic herbs.

You can learn more about Hunt’s Dinner Sauces at www.hunts.com or HuntsDinnerSauces.com. You can also connect with them on Twitter @HuntsChef and Facebook.

Cooking with Hunt’s Dinner Sauces

I’ve fallen in love with Hunt’s Dinner Sauces – seriously! Not only are they delicious, but they make cooking a healthy meal so easy. You basically combine them with a protein like fish or chicken, and toss in a few vegetables. Add some pasta or rice and you have a yummy, easy to put together meal that the whole family will love.

Most meals you can make in 20 minutes or less, which is great for us busy parents on a weekday night. They’re also great for couples or singles, especially those who like having leftovers to take to work the next day. At $2.49 for a 16-ounce, they’re very affordable, too.

I also like the variety of dishes you can make with Hunt’s Dinner Sauces, like this vegetarian dish that would be perfect for a Meatless Monday meal.

Southwest Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:

• PAM Cooking Spray
• 2 large green bell peppers
• 1-1/2 cups frozen corn with peppers and onion
• 1-1/2 cups cooked brown rice
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar-Jack cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 jar (16 ounces) Hunt’s Southwest Dinner Sauce

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray 8x8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Cut bell peppers in half lengthwise through stem end. Remove seeds and membranes. Place peppers, cut-side down, in dish. Bake 20 minutes or until tender.
3. Cook corn with peppers and onion in microwave on HIGH 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir in rice, cheese, cumin and salt. Turn pepper halves over.
4. Spoon rice combination into peppers. Spoon Hunt’s Southwest Dinner Sauce over peppers. Bake 20 minutes more or until hot.

Hunt’s Dinner Sauce Giveaway

Get a sneak preview of Hunt’s Dinner Sauces by entering my giveaway of a Hunt’s Dinner Sauce prize pack (worth $50) to one lucky This Mama Cooks! On a Diet reader. The giveaway includes:

• 1 jar each of Hunt’s Cacciatore Dinner Sauce, Hunt’s Tuscan Dinner Sauce, Hunt’s Greek Dinner Sauce, and Hunt’s Southwest Dinner Sauce
• Sur La Table prep bowls
• Hunt’s apron
• Hunt’s spatulas
• Hunt’s Dinner Sauces recipe cards

Here’s how to enter:

Giveaway closed. Congrats to winner Sharon S.!

1. Share which Hunt’s Cooking Sauces you’d like to try first in the comments below for ONE entry.
2. Sign up for This Mama Cooks! Review’s RSS feed for ONE additional entry.
3. Sign up for my enewsletter for ONE additional entry.
4. Spread the word about this giveaway by submitting a link to this post on Twitter for ONE additional entry. You must leave a link to your tweet in your comment so I can check.
5. Follow @amnichols on Twitter for ONE additional entry.
6. Follow @HuntsChef on Twitter for ONE additional entry.
7. If you have done any of these additional activities you MUST come back here and leave a comment telling me what you did. I will be checking!
8. Maximum amount of entries at This Mama Cooks! On a Diet is SIX.
9. You have until midnight MST on Monday, October 24, 2011 to enter.

ONE winner will be chosen at random. You must be willing to send me your full name, mailing address and phone number so I pass your info on to Hunt’s PR team so they can mail you your prize pack. I’ll announce the winner on this blog. I won't share your mailing info with the public, just your name. If you have a blog, I’ll link back to it when I announce the winner.

The giveaway is valued at approximately $50 and is only open to legal residents of the United States, 18 years of age and older. No purchase required. Odds of winning based on number of entries. Up to SIX entries per person. ONE Hunt’s Dinner Sauce prize pack will be given away. Void where prohibited by law.

By submitting your name and email address, you agree to receive relevant promotional emails and contest follow up communications from This Mama Cooks! On a Diet in compliance with my privacy policy and giveaway rules.

___________________
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Hunt’s, but my review and opinions are my own.

A sneak peak at Hunt’s Dinner Sauces {review and giveaway} #huntsdinnersauces is a post from: This Mama Cooks! Stop by for more healthy recipes!