Don't Fear the Carbs! with Dempster's® Thins Plus #Giveaway

Thank goodness for guilt-free carbs!
Dempster's® has recently come out with "the best THINS since sliced bread!". Featuring their latest yummy creation, Dempster's® Thins.
As part of their weight management product line, Dempster's® brings you Thins in White, Brown and Multigrain Bread and Tortillas.

I enjoy brown and multigrain bread and they work well with specific kinds of sandwiches but my heart still belongs to white bread.

My daughter can sniff out the difference when making her sandwiches no matter what I do; she also loves white bread!
I say "Don't fear the Carbs!" Well, I can say that now with Dempster's® Thins products.

Try out these delicious sandwich favourites for you and your family with the new Dempster's® Thins and enjoy some guilt-free carb-o-licious indulgence.










We love grilled cheese in our family, especially my daughter, but I wanted to create one that was hubby-friendly too!
A measly grilled cheese just will not cut it for him.
But I think I have just the thing...

... just add the Bacon! Duh!
No man can ever say NO to bacon. No women for that matter (you know I'm right, ladies).

BACON GUACAMOLE GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH

Ingredients:

• 8 slices of bacon
• 4 slices of Dempster's® Thins Bread (any you like)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 tablespoons pressed avocado
• 2 tablespoons crushed tortilla chips

Directions
1) Cook bacon until crispy; set aside.
2) Butter one side of each side of bread and place two slices in a heated skillet, butter side down.
3) Spread each bread slice with avocado then layer cheese, bacon and tortilla chips. Top each with one slice of remaining bread, butter side up.
4) Grill over medium heat, flipping once, until golden brown or until cheese is melted.

I'm a sucker for anything guacamole and bacon. Just saying.

And for something a little more light, and a great option for the kids, try out my Turkey & Tomato Panini. It's all in the sauce!

TURKEY AND TOMATO PANINI

Ingredients: 

• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons nonfat plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 8 slices Dempster's® Thins Bread
• 8 ounces thinly sliced deli turkey
• 8 tomato slices
• 2 teaspoons canola oil

Directions:
1) Heat up your Panini Press or if you don't have one have four 15-ounce cans and a medium skillet (not nonstick) ready by the stove.

2) Combine mayonnaise, yogurt, Parmesan, basil, lemon juice and pepper in a small bowl. Spread about 2 teaspoons of the mixture on each slice of bread.

3) Divide turkey and tomato slices among 4 slices of bread; top with the remaining bread.

4) Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place 2 panini in the pan. Place the medium skillet on top of the panini, then weight it down with the cans. Cook the panini until golden on one side, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, flip the panini, replace the top skillet and cans, and cook until the second side is golden, 1 to 3 minutes more. Repeat with another 1 teaspoon oil and the remaining panini.

Enjoy!

To learn more about Dempster's® Thins products visit them at: www.dempsters.ca/.
They're also social and if you want to catch some great recipes and deals like coupons and contests, check them out on Facebook.

I'm giving away 2 sets of 4 Dempster's® Coupons for you to try the new Dempster's® Thins for yourself!
To win, simply leave a comment below telling me what your FAVOURITE SANDWICH is!
Easy!
*Open to Canadians only.
Contest ends October 1st, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

****

Disclosure: I am part of the MLF Connects Blogger Program and receive perks and compensation as part of this program however all opinions expressed are my very own.

Read More

#Wrap It Up with Dempster’s® Tortillas: Easy Fish Tacos & Tortilla Snickerdoodles #Recipes

There are few things that thrill me more than being able to whip up new and delicious recipes that take up only a few minutes of your day and with very little mess. I have enough clutter and too little hours in a day already.

It is truly amazing how much one can create using Tortillas.

You're going to want good quality and tasty tortillas though and of course that comes with Dempster’s® Tortillas and they recently just rolled out some new ones!

I had to try their new POM 100% Whole Wheat Tortillas and incorporate them into some easy-to-make recipes that my family loves.

I've got two scrumptious recipes - one savoury and one sweet - made using Dempster’s® Tortillas that will have your family wanting more!

And of course it's quick and easy to make so that leaves you, mom, with a lot more time on your hands. Perhaps an uninterrupted bubble bath

We love fish in this home and one evening while contemplating what to make that was quick and efficient for the family while rummaging through my fridge, I decided to make a favourite that we love using all the ingredients we already had - Fish Tacos!

EASY FISH TACOS

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

- Dempster's/POM Tortillas

- Frozen Battered Fish (I love using Jane's Battered Fish Bites - perfect for fish tacos!)

- 1 cup Black Beans

- 1 cup Corn

- 1/2 Diced Red Onion

- Chopped Cilantro

- 1 Tomato Diced

- 1 Lime cut in half (1/2 for toppings, 1/2 for taco sauce)

- Lettuce

- Taco Seasoning (We love Old El Paso!)

- 1/2 cup Hellman's Mayonnaise

Method:

1) Bake Frozen Fish Bites as per directions (usually about 15-20 minutes depending on how much you are making)

2) Once Fish is baking, prepare Toppings and Sauce

Toppings: Combine Black Beans, corn, red onion, tomato, cilantro and squeeze half a lime and mix.

Fish Taco Sauce: Mix equal parts Mayo with Taco Seasoning and a nice squeeze of half a lime.

That's it! And believe me, it's yummy!

3) Final Step is to put together your Fish Taco (any way you want!)

This is my layer: Tortilla, Fish, Lettuce, Toppings and then sauce.

Wrap it up and you're good to go! 

Enjoy!

If you're looking for dessert or just a little something to satisfy your sweet tooth that's easy to make, you'll love my Tortillas Snickerdoodles!

TORTILLA SNICKERDOODLES

Total Time: 15 Minutes

Ingredients:

- Small Dempster’s® Tortillas (less than 8 inch or if you have larger ones like I did, just cut them in half)

- Cream Cheese

- Strawberry Jam (or any other flavour jam you prefer)

- 1/2 cup of sugar

- 1 Tbsp Cinnamon

- Frying Oil

Method:

1) Spread a layer of cream cheese on tortilla and then spread about 1 tsp jam on top of cream cheese.

2) Roll up tortillas and secure each with a toothpick.

3) Heat 1 inch of oil to 350 degrees or until you add a drop of water and it starts to sizzle

4) Fry the wraps until golden brown on both sides 

5) Drain on paper towels for about 15 seconds.

6) Combine cinnamon and sugar in a shallow plate and roll the wraps in the cinnamon/sugar combination.

Enjoy!

I can dedicate an entire blog post alone to how much you can create with Dempster’s® Tortillas, but Dempster’s® made it easier for you by sharing their Dempster-licious ideas here: www.WrapItUp.Dempsters.ca.

More Info

They're also Social! 

Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest

And right now, you can also snag yourself some coupons here.

If you visit them on their Facebook page, you also have a chance to win yourself $5000 with Dempster's Wrap & Win Game.

Play the Game here!

If you do end up winning that $5000, just remember who shared the 411 with you? *wink*wink*

Enter below to win Eight Dempster's Coupons redeemable for any Dempster's Product.

Ends September 9th, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

****

Disclosure: I am part of the MLF Connects Blogger Program and receive perks and compensation as part of this program however all opinions expressed are my very own.

Read More

A Taste of Paris: Dempster's® Farmhouse™ Country White Bread Review & Giveaway

I still remember the tantalizing scent of fresh bread being made in a Parisian boulangerie.  You can never forget that aroma.

When we were staying in a Pied-à-Terre in Paris, there was a local Boulangerie situated just a few steps away but when those windows were open, especially early morning, you would catch a whiff of baking bread.  Oh my goodness was it heavenly.  Some mornings, my husband and I would drift over there following the enticing trail and choose from a variety of freshly made french bread (we love baguettes!) to bring back the the apartment for a petit-déjeuner (small breakfast) coupled with freshly brewed coffee.

My name is Carol and I am addicted to Carbs. Guilty.as.charged.

When I was introduced to Dempster's® Farmhouse™ Country White Bread my mind instantly went back to my memories in Paris.  The thickness and texture of the bread reminded me of the fresh thickly cut slices of bread I would have there. It's perfect for dipping or coupled with some warm, hearty soup.  One of my favourites during the colder months is French Onion Soup.
This bread goes superbly with it! Try this easy dinner recipe tonight!

French Onion Soup
Adapted from Love Paris, Love Food by Kate Whiteman

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup unsalted butter (splurge for the French butter!)
• 1 1/2 pounds onions, very thinly sliced
• 1 t sugar
• 2/3 cup dry white wine (or substitute water if you don't have any on hand)
• 5 cups good beef stock (I cheat and make 5 cups using Better Than Bullion beef cubes from the grocery store.)
• Salt and pepper
• Toasted slices of bread (preferably Dempster's® Farmhouse™ Country White Bread or a baguette)
• 1 3/4 cups freshly grated Gruyere cheese

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, add the onions. Sprinkle with sugar and saute for about 5 minutes. The onions will start to caramelize.
2. Turn the heat down as low as possible and cook the onions very gently for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure they don't burn. The onions will become very soft and a deep nutty brown.
3. Add the wine and let it bubble for a few minutes. The alcohol will burn off, leaving the wine flavor behind. Pour in the beef stock and stir. Scrape any onions from the bottom of the pan.
4. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer the soup for 30 minutes.

Fancy Finish
Season the soup with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into individual heatproof bowls. Heat the broiler to high. Float the sliced bread on top of the soup and sprinkle with freshly grated Gruyere cheese. Place the soup bowl under the broiler until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.

Easy Finish
Season the soup with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into individual bowls, floating sliced bread on the top. Top with freshly grated Gruyere cheese.

Bon Appétit!

My family and I both absolutely love this bread.  Dempster's has never disappointed with any of their baked goods and definitely hit it on the nail with this new recipe.

I put it to the test with my 4 year old bon vivant, aka the peanut butter and banana sandwich expert, to see if it was a hit or miss.
Sure enough, she loved it!

For more updates, recipes, cool contests and giveaways and more, make sure you're following Dempster's on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

There's so much you can make with this bread, I want to give you the opportunity to try it out for yourself.

Two of my readers will win 4 Dempster's coupons each just by commenting below and telling me what they would make with their Dempster's® Farmhouse™ Country White Bread.

Simple!

Using rafflecopter, you have more ways to win with additional entries.

Open to Canadian Residents only. Contest Ends November 16, 2012.

**Disclosure: I am a member of the MLF Connects Program.  As part of my participation in this program I have received compensation, however all opinions expressed are my very own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read More

Nice & Toasty: Dempster's Delicious New Recipe & Tweet Bagel Contest

Waking up to the enticing scent of freshly-brewed coffee in the morning isn't complete without a perfectly toasted bagel.  And not just any, it definitely has to be my favourite kind, Dempster's. 

If you've already tried Dempster's Bagels, you know the difference. And you know there ain't no fooling around when trying to compare. Let's just say my husband learned the hard way when coming home one day from the grocery store with a brand other than Dempster's for me. *Doghouse*

Plain & Simple, bagel's that last & keep fresh way longer, retain it's pure taste and texture and taste absolutely delicious.  That's Dempster's.

Early this year, Dempster's unveiled a new bagel recipe and I had the pleasure of trying and let me just tell you, they did not disappoint.

If you love a fruity burst of flavor in the morning, you'll love the Blueberry Bagels!

Dempster's starts with premium, quality ingredients & flavours such as 100% Canadian wheat and real fruit and spices.  With a wide variety of flavours including; Plain, Sesame, 100% Whole Wheat, 12 Grain, Everything, Cinnamon Raisin and Blueberry.  

Honestly the perfect bagel for toasting, crispy on the outside, yet soft and fluffy inside. 

You can learn more about Dempster's flavours here.

I personally love my Plain Bagel best, toasted with lots of butter or my other favourite addition, Nutella! Yummy!

How do you usually take your bagel?

Here are some scrumptious Demspter's recipe inspirations that will be a sure hit in your home. Try them today!

• Apple Cheddar Bagel 
• Bagel with Turkey, Pear & Brie 
• Open Faced Breakfast Bagel 

For more inspirations and info, visit Dempster's online at: www.dempsters.ca.

You can also find them online for more news, recipes, contests, coupons & more at:

Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

Now, toasting just got tastier with my brand new KitchenAid Architect 4-Slice Bagel Toaster I graciously received from Dempster's.  New toasting technology just brought the deliciousness to a whole new level (and it's easy to use too! Although at first it looked a bit daunting.)

CONTEST CORNER

How would you like to WIN this awesome toaster + a Month's Worth of FREE Dempster's Bagels {ARV $200}?

Enter NOW for a chance to WIN*!

Dempster's will pick 5 lucky winners at random on August 29th, 2012.

1. Follow @Dempsters on Twitter

You must follow @Dempsters before you enter.

2. Next, tweet @Dempsters and tell them which flavour of #DempstersBagels is your fave! Your tweet must include the hashtag #DempstersBagels.

Multiple entries are OK! Each eligible tweet you make will count as an entry (maximum of 1 tweet per promotion day. See Official Rules for full details).

For example: @Dempsters cinnamon raisin #DempstersBagels are my fave flavour because they make the perfect sweet treat!

About this offer:

Contest ends on August 27th, 2012 at 11:59:59 AM (ET). We’ll pick one winner at random, and contact them by DM on Twitter on or before August 31st, 2012.

The Dempster’s® #Bagel Contest is intended for residents of Canada only who have reached the age of majority in the province/territory they live in at the time of entry (Quebec residents excluded). For full contest rules click here: http://bit.ly/NhqLsO

Good luck to all!

****

Disclosure: I am a member of the Maple Leaf Foods Connects program. I received compensation for my participation. However, all opinions and ideas shared on this blog are my very own.

Read More

Ode to White Bread: Dempsters $10,000 White Bread Taste-Off

White bread or Whole Grain Bread? That is the question.
You know as well as I do that as much as whole grain bread is rather tasty and considered the healthier option, white bread will always taste better.  Admit it!
I can't be a hypocrite and act like I've been loyal to my white bead love, because I haven't.
Being the typical carb-obsessed female that I am, I have replaced my beloved white bread for whole grains although I have to concede that many of my favored sandwiches just aren't the same without white bread.

My family has a serious devotion to sandwiches.

My 3 year old daughter and my husband are both adamant when it comes to their white bread.  They prefer it and I have absolutely no problem with that.  Although I have tried to get them on board the whole grain train, yes I have tried, but always a no-show.

I've tried to fool them by toasting the whole grain or making a panini out of it with the ingredients -- didn't work.  They have this special "gift" for pinpointing whether or not they are having white bread.

Dempsters happens to be our go-to bread because of it's texture and taste and ability to satisfy my picky-eater's taste buds.
I've tried other bread, but they spoil quickly and don't really keep their texture. Dempsters has never done that for me before a loaf is done.

Just yesterday for dinner, we had sandwiches! This sandwich I usually make with strictly white bread because it does not taste the same with any other kind.
I made this grilled sandwich with Pepper Jack, Shredded Beef, Tomato, Onion, Cilantro & Serrano Peppers. Yummy!  Extremely Filling and my family loved it.  There's so many great recipes you can make with bread and who doesn't love a good sandwich?

According to a recent survey commissioned by Dempsters®, over half of Canadians agree certain recipes are yummier when made with sliced white bread.  What’s to like about sliced white bread?  The poll reveals that 72% love it for its freshness and soft texture.  Most Importantly, a good majority feel it is irreplaceable as an ingredient in preparing some of their most beloved comfort foods!

Okay my fellow White Bread Lovers, some exciting and HUGE news from Dempters®.

To celebrate Canada’s love for great tasting white bread, Dempster’s® is asking Canadians to share their favourite recipes on their Facebook page and participate in the Dempster’s® Great White Bread Taste-Off*.
The top 10 entries (as selected by Dempster’s®) will be judged and advance to their final Taste-Off to determine who will win bragging rights as Canada’s White Bread Champion and winner of the $10,000 Grand Prize!

Hello? $10,000 dollars? Just to share your favourite white bread recipe? Get on it, folks!
What can you do with an extra $10k? A whole lotta bread and a nice vacay perhaps? :)

To learn more about Dempster’s and their amazing line-up of baked goods, visit Dempsters.ca.

Now that Easter is fast approaching (a much celebrated occasion in our household - my little bunny has her basket ready!), I came across this wonderful recipe for Easter Egg Salad Sandwiches. 

Egg Salad sandwiches are an absolute favourite in my home.

Here is a great recipe to try for your little Easter bunnies this Easter:

Easter Egg Salad Sandwich Recipe

From Barbara Adams, Beyond Wonderful Blog.

On Easter, a confetti-toned salad is the perfect way to delight hungry kids and use up extra eggs. (Plus it's no less delicious than the ordinary kind!)

Ingredients:

• 6 hard-boiled colored eggs, chopped
• 2 scallions, minced
• 1/ 3 cup Hellmans mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Method:

1. Place the chopped eggs, scallions, mayonnaise, mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and mix well.

2. Adjust the seasonings to your preference.

Cover and refrigerate for several hours to allow the flavor to develop.

Preparation Time:  5 minutes with pre-boiled eggs, plus several hours downtime

I'm not finished yet!

GIVEAWAY
Who wants FREE COUPONS for FREE Dempster's Products?

a Rafflecopter giveaway ****
Disclosure: I am a member of the Maple Leaf Foods Connects program. I received an incentive for my participation. However, all opinions and ideas shared on this blog are my very own.

Read More