Butter Chicken - Epicure Selection

I have experimented with various different recipes for butter chicken.  For tonight's dinner I decided to put the Epicure Selection's Butter Chicken from their "What's for Dinner" collection to the test.  I have made this recipe in the past, following the directions on the package and found it to be good but missing something.  So tonight I altered it a little and it turned out REALLY, REALLY good!

I started with one package of Epicure Selection's Butter Chicken (for $3.99 a package or $9.99 for 3 it is a great deal).  There are no artificial flavors or preservatives in it blend, simply the perfect mix of spices needed to make a mouth watery dish.  It is also healthier for you . . . The recipe on the package is easy, low sodium and LOW FAT.  Unlike other Butter Chicken's on the market, or even homemade recipes, there is much less salt and no cream added, thus cutting the fat content drastically.

My alteration to the recipe was simple - substitute the cup of water for a cup of unsweetened almond milk and 3 tablespoons water.  I used chicken thighs instead of breasts, as I find they are more tender in this kind of dish.  Also, use Greek yogurt for this recipe, it really makes a difference in the consistency.  I chopped about 3 tablespoons Italian parsley and stirred it in after I added the yogurt which added a nice colour to the dish.  From start to finish it only took 30 minutes to make.  I served it with basmati rice and a green salad.

In the end you will have a fast, healthy, family friendly dinner and everyone at the table will be licking their plates off when they are done because it is so good.  Thank you Epicure for coming out with this product this year - I love it!

Try it yourself.  Post you comments on the product and your own variations to the recipe.
Look forward to hearing from all of you :)

Shop with me online at http://vanessamccarthy.myepicure.com/en-ca/shop.aspx
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Fundraising with Epicure

 

Epicure's top-quality Extraordinary Cheese Dip Fundraiser offers your organization a unique fundraising opportunity.

Did you know that most Canadians consume fewer than the 5 recommended daily servings each of fruits and vegetables? Delicious dips are a great way to tempt adults and kids alike to get their fruit and veg!

Your group has the opportunity to sell a top-quality product and offer people something easy, healthy and different. So, dip in!

The Extraordinary Cheese Dip Fundraiser contains three delicious dip mixes, which when combined together make the Cheese Dip. They are attractively packaged in a Velcro® seal bag with a full-colour recipe booklet for ideas on how to use the dip mixes individually as well.

Epicure's Extraordinary Cheese Dip Fundraisers are sold for $20.00 each. The cost to your organization is $15.00 each. Your organization receives $5.00 for every Fundraiser sold! Here is a success story from a recent fundraiser:

"We had a Grade 8 class participate in the fundraiser and, in two-weeks, they sold 200 Fundraisers and made $1,000 for their class graduation party. The parents and teachers were pleased to have something to sell that was unique and healthy!? "

Please email me for more information on how to get started! I am located in Windsor, ON but serve all of Canada :)

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Bolognese Sauce - Epicure Selections

Tonight's Supper was a thick, rich Bolognese Sauce made with spices that I received from Epicure Selections.  I was so excited when I received a box of their products.  It was like Christmas in June.

Epicure Selections is a company based in Victoria on Vancouver Island.  I love buying and supporting Canadian products.  The Founder & President, Sylvie Rochette, is originally from Québec.  This working mother started creating her own spice blends to offer Canadian families a way to prepare quick, healthy, delicious meals after a long day at work. Soon her products where in high demand and she did founded Epicure Selections.  The company was recently awarded Business of the Year by the Victoria Chamber of Commerce.  This shows that when you have dedication, commitment and work hard you can fulfill your dreams.  What an example to follow.  I love stories of successful woman.

Epicure Selections offers not only spices but also dip, salsa, salad dressing mixes, peppers, jellies, chocolate, popcorn seasonings, cookware, recipe books just to name a few.  You can go to their website and browse their beautiful catalogue.

They even have a great section when you have access to a ton of recipes that featured their products.



Follow my blog to learn about new recipes using various Epicure products and my own product reviews.

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My Top 12 Collection: 3 Onion Dip Mix, Lemon Dilly Dip Mix, Cheese, Chives & Bacon Dip Mix, Herb & Garlic Dip Mix, Sun-dried Tomato & Herb Dip Mix, Pesto Artichoke Dip Mix, Guacamile Dip Mix, Cheese & Jalapeno Dip Mix, Red Pepper Jelly, Lemon Chiffon Fruit Dip Mix, Summer Berry Fruit Dip Mix


A mix of delicious seasonings & spices

Light and Lean Meal Plan

Enjoy the added health benefits of immune boosting and slimming powers that whole foods and Epicure spice blends offer. These meal plans will not only help you discover great flavour, they will also save you money and time in the kitchen.

Epicure’s Spa-style Salmon

Epicure’s Curry in a Hurry

Epicure’s Chocolate Pudding in an Instant

Contact me for more information

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View our catalog online at http://www.epicureselections.com/web_marketing/2012/catalogue/s2/EN_S2_Core_2012.pdf

 

Epicure Selections

A few weeks ago someone from Epicure Selections contacted me and asked if I'd like to join their team of consultant.   I jumped at the chance!   Epicure Selections is a Canadian, family owned and women run company based in my favourite city Victoria, BC!  They carry a wide variety of herb and dip mixes, spices, jellies, salts, baking stuff (chocolate, baking powder, dried fruit, etc), tea, cookware, etc. Definitely worth checking out!

They have so many different spice/herb blends.  I love adding them to pasta and vegetables. And their dip mixes are extremely addictive.  I've actually been using the Cheese Chives & Bacon Dip Mix in pasta and scrambled eggs too though (they use fake bacon) and some Red Garlic Sansel on roasted vegetables mmm.

My favourite thing about the Epicure Selections products is that they can instantly make an otherwise okay meal into something much yummier. It's so awesome to have these products on hand for when I'm feeling tired on a weeknight and want something easy but tasty. And a lot of their mixes don't contain salt (though some do so if this is something you're concerned about I'm sure you could contact them and ask). They also kindly sent me their cookbook but there are lots of recipes on their website too that give you ideas for how to use their products.

Contact me for more information or to place an order

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Shop with me online at http://vanessamccarthy.myepicure.com/en-ca/shop.aspx

Beer Ribs - Perfect Father's Day Treat

June is the perfect month to celebrate the men in our lives - as fathers, husbands, brothers and sons.

It’s summertime at last, and you know what that means… it’s grilling season! With Father’s Day around the corner, this is the perfect time to talk about what Epicure means to the fantastic men in our lives.  Husbands, dads, brothers and sons – they all love Epicure, too! 

 

Treat Dad to succulently tender, barbecued ribs for Father’s Day. Made with a combo of beer, our Barbecue Sauce, Sesame Crunch Topper and Balsamic Vinegar, they’re dripping with lip-smacking goodness.

Contact me for more information

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Epicure's Sweet & Saucy Beer Ribs

From Epicure's Online Recipes

8 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours

Ingredients

• 1 --12 oz (355 ml) bottle of beer , (TIP choose a full-flavoured beer such as porter, coffee stout, or deep amber ale)
• 1 recipe (1 cup/250 ml) Epicure’s Quick Barbecue Sauce
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) soy sauce
• 1/4 cup Epicure’s Sesame Crunch Topper
• 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
• 2 Tbsp Epicure’s Balsamic Vinegar
• 3-4 racks baby back ribs, cut into small sections

Instructions

1. In Epicure’s 12-inch Eclipse^® Coated Professional Pan Frying Pan, stir beer with Barbecue Sauce, soy sauce, Sesame Crunch Topper, maple syrup and Balsamic Vinegar.

2. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, stirring often.

3. Place ribs in a large casserole dish or roasting pan. Pour sauce over top, then turn to coat.

4. Cover pan tightly with foil, then bake in preheated 350° F (180° C) oven until fork tender,about 2 to 2½ hours.

5. Remove ribs, then carefully pour sauce back into Frying Pan. Skim excess fat from top of sauce. Bring to a boil, then simmer,stirring often, until sauce has thickened, about 8 minutes. If making ahead, refrigerate meat and sauce separately.

6. To serve, heat barbecue to medium-high. Lightly brush ribs with oil and barbecue, turning often, until lightly charred, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Reheat sauce, then serve on the side as a dipping sauce or generously slather over ribs.

Shop with me online at http://vanessamccarthy.myepicure.com/en-ca/shop.aspx

Per Serving : Calories 410, Fat 25 g (Saturated 9 g, Trans 0 g), Cholesterol 95 mg, Sodium 1250 mg, Carbohydrate 20 g (Fibre 1 g, Sugars 14 g), Protein 22 g.

Strawberries with Summer Berry Balsamic Vinegar

A light and elegant finishing touch to any meal.

Makes 4 servings

Cost Per Serving: 1.25

Ingredients

• 4 cups (1 L) strawberries, fresh or frozen, sliced
• 1 tsp (5 ml) Epicure's Summer Berry Fruit Dip Mix
• 1 tsp (5 ml) Epicure's Balsamic Vinegar

Instructions

1. Spoon strawberries into 4 serving dishes.

2. Dissolve Summer Berry Fruit Dip Mix in Balsamic Vinegar. Drizzle over strawberries and serve.

Just 1 cup (250 ml) of strawberries provides 140% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C! Plus, fruits with seeds contain more fibre.

Per Serving : 
Calories 60, Fat 0.5 g (Saturated 0 g, Trans 0 g), Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 4 mg, Carbohydrate 15 g (Fibre 3 g, Sugars 10 g), Protein 1 g.

 Tips: Serve with low-fat frozen yogurt.

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http://vanessamccarthy.myepicure.com/en-ca/shop.aspx

Extraordinary Cheese Dip

If you're Canadian, and you've ever been to an Epicure party, you've probably tried this hot dip. Since becoming an Epicure consultant myself, I've made this dip a lot... and it rarely leaves the house, hehe.  The blend of cheese and herbs in all it's melty goodness is irresistible.  Here's the smaller version that I make, that is only slightly different from the original.

 

 Extraordinary Cheese Dip

Extraordinary Cheese Dip
Adapted from Epicure Selections

1/2 block (1/2 cup) cream cheese - softened, regular or light
1/4 cup sour cream, regular or light
1/4 cup mayo, regular or light
1/4 cup grated sharp or old cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated mozzarella
1/2 tsp Epicure's Seasoning for Cheese, Chives & Bacon Dip
1/2 tsp Epicure's Lemon Dilly Dip Mix
1/2 tsp Epicure's 3 Onion Dip Mix

Mix all ingredients together well, by hand or in a food processor.  Scrape into a small oven-proof dish like Epicure's mini baker, and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.

If you are outside of Canada, I'm sorry for the tease.  Perhaps a trip north this summer is in order?

Enjoy!  (and feel free to contact me any time if you have any questions about ordering Epicure products, hosting a tasting party or becoming a consultant yourself, I'd love to have you on my team!)

Shop with me online at
http://vanessamccarthy.myepicure.com/en-ca/shop.aspx