Thursday, June 30, 2016

A Summer Cheese Omelet – Thanks Again to Finlandia




I wasn’t planning on writing a second post about cooking with Finlandia cheese and butter but my husband and I had fun with our grilled cheese post and when he decided to make an omelet for lunch today he wanted his turn to be the featured cook with the Finlandia butter and cheese.  So here is another idea for a simple, easy to make delicious lunch or brunch – compliments of Chef Hugh.


Ingredients:

4 eggs

3 slices Finlandia Swiss cheese

Finlandia butter
Your favorite salsa



Break 4 eggs in a medium bowl.  Add a small bit of water and whisk well.  




 










Heat a few pats of Finlandia on a large round skillet or frying pan and spread to cover the pan.



Pour the eggs onto the pan. Top with three slices of cheese in a single layer that will cover about 80% of the eggs in a large skillet.  Cook over medium heat.  Use a spatula to fold the omelets in half.




Cut in half and transfer to individual plates.  Top with salsa.




Viola!  Another gourmet lunch.  No we don’t eat like this every day.  Thanks Hugh.


Thanks to Finlandia which provided samples that inspired these recipes/posts.



Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Sumptuous Grilled Cheese and Tomato Sandwich




Like most grandmothers, I DO cook.  I haven’t written about it much but once in a while I share a recipe.  Sometimes you need a nudge.  Well, Finlandia Cheese gave me a nudge.  They sent me a “care package” with Finlandia cheese and premium butter and asked me to share a recipe with you.  Well – here it is.  I is simple and classic. 




This grilled cheese and tomato on sliced semolina bread looks and tastes like a gourmet treat and it could not be easier to make.

Ingredients:

3 1/2 oz Finlandia sliced Swiss cheese (Use ½  7 oz package and put the remainer back in the resealable plastic bag)

1 plum tomato

4 slices of sliced semolina bread (Please do not substitute white bread)

Finlandia butter



Slice the tomato.






Put pats of butter on one side of two slices of the bread.  






Melt butter on a griddle pan or frying pan.  Put the bread butter side down on the hot griddle.  Spread the sliced Swiss cheese topped with tomato on the bread. 





Cook with medium heat.  Now put pats of butter on one side of the remaining two slices of bread.  When the side on the griddle is golden brown put the second slice of bread on top and turn over.  Here is what you have when both sides are golden brown.






Served up looking as delicious as it tastes:







It is easy, takes five minutes and may be the best grilled cheese sandwich you will ever have.



A little more about the product:



The front label on the butter provides information that has the essence of “farm to table.” “Fresh from Finland” and “crafted with pure milk from family owned farms.  Nothing artificial.  No added hormones.” Gives you a warm feeling. Some of us are more drawn to the back with the nutrition facts (It is butter), and other legally required information.  Also something we don’t normally see: “Made with non GMA ingredients according to EU standards.”  If butter can be healthy, this is it.



I think the cheese is made here in the US as it doesn’t have any of this labeling.



Anyway, it is delicious and worth a try.  There are some great recipes on the Finlandia web site.  I can’t wait to try the Grilled Cran-Turkey sandwich.  See all the other Finlandia products here.

Marion

Friday, June 3, 2016

Lil' Saks Purses by Douglas and Giveaway


June 16, 2016 - The giveaway is now closed.  Congratulations to the winner - Pamela.


One of my very favorite items at Toy Fair NY 2016 was the new Lil' Saks by Douglas.  Douglas, a New England company already made popular animal purses for little girls but I was drawn to these new, simpler bags and featured them in my Highlights of Toy Fair 2016 post.

This article has more detail and includes a giveaway!  Details for the giveaway are at the end of the article.



Ok - I am a sucker for cute and these are very cute.  These small purses are simple yet fashionable for little girls.  Every little girl loves having a purse and these cloth, washable, lightweight ones are sure to be favorites.  There are eight new designs including Girl with Pig Tails, Girl with Pony Tail, Whale,  Snail, Dog, Cat, and Horse.  They are 6 inch to 9 inches wide and so they are proportionally well suited for a 2 – 4 year old.  All of them have a zippered top so that everything kept inside can be secured and does not fall out.



The Girl with Pig Tails and Girl with the Pony Tail are my favorites and one of these is offered in the giveaway.  Here is my close-up photo of the Girl with Pony Tail and Dog Face purses that I took at Toy Fair.  The Girl bags are about 6 inches wide and the Dog Head purse is 8 inches wide with plush ears.




The whale and snail purses are longer (9 inches) and short.  They have a “preppy" look and are equally as cute.  I love the coloring on this whale purse.

These purses are the perfect accessory for a summer or holiday outfit.  Priced at under $15, they will make a nice gift from Grandma.  And have you ever met a little girl who doesn’t enjoy having a purse?  They are available at Amazon and the Douglas website.  See Amazon links at end of this article.


Giveaway Details
You have the opportunity to be the one winner of a Little Girl Lil' Saks purse. It is easy to enter and there are two ways. Both ways count as an entry so you get two entries if you do both.  I need to be able to contact you if you win. If you enter -  email me with your email address at  marion@grandmachronicles.com.  I will not use your email address for anything except to notify you if you win.  Grandmother’s Honor.

Two ways to win:
 
Leave a comment here on the blog

and/or 
 


You can have two entries by doing both.  Deadline to enter:June 15, 2016 at midnight. This item can be sent to US addresses only.