The Cheap Gourmet

Epicurious Holiday Video Contest

Epicurious, a website for people who love to eat, is sponsoring a Holiday Video Contest. The Grand Prize winner receives a Michael Chiarello 10-piece cookware collection, an autographed copy of "At Home with Michael Chiarello" and 15-minutes of Internet Fame!

As the name implies, this cooking contest involves the submission of a holiday video. You can upload a video showing how you prepare classic holiday fare, demonstrate entertainment techniques such as how to create a centerpiece or arrange spectacular table settings, showcase a signature cocktail or submit a video showing your family enjoying a holiday meal.

Buitoni's "Refresh with Pesto" Contest

Buitoni, provider of fresh pasta products, is featuring a "Refresh with Pesto" contest which offers some great prizes including a $500 grocery gift certificate and a $500 gift certificate to Crate and Barrel. However, you don't want to procrastinate about entering because this food contest ends January 2nd. Don't let the deadline stop you from entering because if you win you could make out like a bandit!

The Cheap Gourmet Has Joined Forces With Pay Per Post

Although this post doesn't actually pertain to gourmet cooking, in a round-about way it does. You see, I recently joined a program called Pay Per Post. PPP has become quite the rage with bloggers so I decided to check them out.

Pay Per Post connects advertisers with influential bloggers who in turn write a review about a particular product or service. Bloggers receive compensation for their review with payments ranging from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars. What's nice about Pay Per Post is that bloggers have to earn their wings before they are allowed to take on the higher dollar reviews. This ensures that advertisers generate a decent return on their investment and helps reduce blog reviews that don't actually benefit the consumer.

There's been considerable controversy regarding bloggers who receive compensation from paid advertisements or product / service reviews. Some bloggers say that those who promote advertising or paid reviews are cheapening the market. I say baloney!

Nearly every blogger I know is just like me - an individual who enjoys sharing their passion and knowledge with others. Currently, The Cheap Gourmet does not carry a product line or sell products. It's simply a place to share my love of cooking, family recipes, tips and products which have made my life less complicated. By incorporating Pay Per Post reviews, I have a way to make extra money which in turn allows me the freedom to continue providing free cooking reports, pay hosting fees and offset marketing expenses.

I feel it's important to let you know upfront that at times I will be posting paid product reviews. This doesn't mean I will be promoting products just for the sake of making money. Nope! I promise you that will never happen. In fact, one of the reasons I decided to join PPP is because you are allowed to tell the truth. If there are concerns or issues with a particular product, PPP allows you to include this information in the review. They strongly discourage sugar-coating a review in exchange for payment.

Pay Per Post blog reviews posted at The Cheap Gourmet will always include a link within the text or a banner similar to the one below to let you know the review is a paid review.

Incorporating Pay Per Post into the marketing plan of The Cheap Gourmet will allow me to continue providing you with the gourmet recipes, cooking tips and resources you have grown to love and expect. And, if things go as well as I expect, I'll be donating a minimum of 10 percent of my earnings to The Cheap Gourmet Support Our Troops campaign. This will allow me to send gourmet goodies to our soldiers serving in Afghanistan on a monthly basis. Please support Pay Per Post advertisers so we can in turn support our troops.

P.S. If you own a blog and are interested in joining Pay Per Post, click on the banner below. If you're accepted into the program and post a paid review, I will receive $15 for the referral. Once you become a member you will be able to refer members and earn a referral fee for each individual who qualifies. Let's share the wealth! Get started today by clicking the banner below.

Turkey with Rice Soup Recipe

If you're like most Americans, you've got a boatload of leftover turkey in your fridge. The good news is turkey is perhaps one of the most versatile foods. You can make just about anything out of turkey -- turkey soup, turkey sandwiches, turkey with rice casserole, turkey gumbo and just plain ole' reheated turkey.

Personally, I'm a big fan of turkey soup. Although I live in Florida now, I'm originally from the Midwest and during the winter months I always indulged in a variety of soups. With the warmer weather down here, I haven't eaten as much soup as I need so when I saw the mound of leftover turkey from our Christmas dinner, my first thought was "Yeah! I can make a big batch of turkey and rice soup!"

Below is one of my favorite Turkey with Rice Soup recipes. Unfortunately, I was out of carrots so the photo below is what I ended up with. I highly recommend adding carrots to this recipe. Not only does it add a hint of color to an otherwise drab looking soup, it also adds a rich flavor. Serve with a grilled cheese sandwich for a filling and tasty lunch or dinner meal.

Fingerhut Holiday Sale! Save an Extra 50% on Kitchen & Household Items

Psssssst... Fingerhut is having a HUGE Holiday Sale. For a limited time, you can save an extra 50% on already marked down Clearance Items. Many of the products are shipped directly from the manufacturer, so you won't be able to order anything from Fingerhut in time for Christmas. However, you can save a boatload of money.

The additional 50% discount is offered on all of Fingerhut's Clearance Items. This includes handy kitchen gadgets, housekeeping and organization products, apparel for the entire family, health and beauty products, home decor, indoor and outdoor furniture, and much more.

Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips Recipe

There's nothing better than banana bread with chocolate chips on a cold winter morning. This easy-to-prepare recipe is the perfect choice for Christmas morning breakfast, holiday brunch or any holiday celebration. Chocolate Chip Banana Bread makes a fantastic gift for teachers, mail carriers, neighbors, co-workers, family and friends. Simply wrap individual loaves in colored plastic wrap, tie with ribbon, stick on a festive bow and voila!, you'll have a gift everyone will enjoy!

Banana Bread with Chocolate chips pairs well with a cold glass of chocolate milk or a cup of steamy Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa . For an exotic flavor, try SBS Teas Chocolate Flame Chai or Winter Frost coffee, a delicious hazelnut coffee rolled in white cocoa powder. Now is the perfect time to indulge in Winter Frost coffee, as SBS is offering a 10% discount during the month of December.

Fudge Pound Cake Recipe

The following Fudge Pound Cake recipe is one of my all-time favorites. But, before I share the recipe I'd like to share a story with you. Last week I made numerous baked goods for the company my husband works for. They were exhibiting their product at a trade show and provided holiday treats for everyone who visited their booth. It was especially important for the baked goods to leave a lasting impression.

Since the fudge pound cake is so scrumptious, I decided to quadruple the recipe. For some reason, I ended up with considerably more batter than I needed. I made the mistake of adding a little extra to each loaf pan. To make matters worse, I also forgot to turn on the kitchen timer. When I opened the oven door, I was aghast to see this...

Lowfat Mock Guacamole Dip and Tortilla Chips

Perfectly seasoned, this mock Guacamole Dip made from frozen peas tastes just as good as the "real" thing, but without the fat or the guilt! Serve with a basket of homemade low-fat Tortilla Chips and your guests will be raving about your spectacular snack for weeks to come.

Consider creating individual recipe cards for low-fat mock Guacamole Dip and Tortilla Chips and provide a copy to each of your guests. Insert inside their holiday card or leave a stack on the table. Chances are the recipe cards will disappear as quickly as this guilt-free healthy holiday snack!

Tis the Season for Holiday Desserts

It's that time of year where holiday desserts are offered at office parties, home parties, school parties and family gatherings. The next few weeks, The Cheap Gourmet will focus on providing a variety of recipes that you can serve or take to holiday gatherings. No worries, I'll also be including low-fat, low-calorie desserts along with appetizers and a variety of healthy party foods!

Today, I'd like to share one of my favorite holiday dessert recipes with you - the Banana Split Brownie Pizza. This recipe is super easy to make and perfect for any party. You can take it to the office, serve it at parties or give it as a gift. It tastes so yummy that you might want to make an extra just for YOU!