The best beef bacon in the world.

***1.31.2012 update:  Richards Meat Market no longer sells this bacon.  Good news, Bentonville Butcher & Deli does!  Read about it, here. ***

Posted by Lyndi

You might think I am exaggerating.  Perhaps I am because I really haven’t tried every beef bacon brand in the entire world.  Perhaps because you think that “beef” and “bacon” shouldn’t be in the same sentence. 

Hear me out.

Herman’s Swiss Meat Hickory Smoked Beef Bacon is in-cred-i-ble!

I found this little jewel of a package while conducting my Friday afternoon retail safari in Fayetteville last week at Richard’s Country Meat Market off of College Avenue on Market Street.  This is the same bundle of shops where Tuesday Morning, Office Depot, Hobby Lobby, and Blockbuster is located.

And there it was, sitting in the vegetable and butter section.  Real beef bacon.  Expensive?  Heck, ya.  Not very many pieces of bacon?  Yep, that’s right.  A perfect blend of smoky meat, crispiness, and incredible during and after mouth tasting experience and completely worth every penny? 

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Try it for yourself and see if it just isn't the best beef bacon in the world!

Richard’s Country Meat Market is open Monday-Saturday from 9am-6pm.  If you’re not living in Northwest Arkansas (well, why not?), check out Herman’s Swiss Meat’s website to see if they ship to or sell in your neck of the woods.

Mama Fu’s ½ price gluten-free entrée, ends Saturday (hurry, hurry!)

Posted by Lyndi

It just seems like every time I turn around I am sharing something with a caveat of “hurry, hurry!” 

You all know that I enjoy the cuisine at Mama Fu’s Asian Bistro in Bentonville (especially when I need a quiet nook with free wi-fi).  However, I don’t think I have specifically mentioned to you that I partake and enjoy the gluten free options.

Just because it says gluten free does not mean it isn’t tasty.

So if you have been curious to try out the gluten free menu at Mama Fu’s… or… you already love it… click here to print off this coupon and go to the Mama Fu’s website to see a complete menu.

Hurry, time is ticking… make sure you dine out before this fantastic deal ends on Saturday!

If you are living a gluten free life or are celiac, please note that all rice dish and noodle bowl entrees you must select only chicken, shrimp or veggie.  Their tofu and beef cannot be prepared gluten free.  Good to know, right? 

What is different about the gluten free dishes compared to regular menu items?  Essentially, Mama Fu’s will switch out the regular sauce with Mama’s Gluten Free sauce.  That’s it!

I hope you are able to do this before time runs out!

P.S. Be sure to check out Mama Fu’s eclub so you can receive special deals like this one!

Yikes, your chance for blueberry picking is almost over (hurry, hurry).

Posted by Lyndi

Yesterday my coworker Jon handed me an article from NWAonline’s Sara Sullivan that details local U-pick farms.  His wife had just gone blueberry picking on Friday at The Blueberry Barn in Rogers. Apparently the blueberries are “likely to last through Fourth of July weekend,” so this means hurry, hurry so you don’t miss out! 

Thanks to Sara for keeping us informed for detailing local U-Pick location: “All of the u-pick produce growers recommended that patrons call ahead to make sure that the farms are open and the berries are available and ripe.  Most pickers recommended going early in the day for the best selection and to beat the heat." Here are two mentioned in that article:

·       THE BLUEBERRY BARN – 650 Lippert Drive in Rogers.  Blueberries $12/gallon.  6:30am-11:00am or noon Monday-Saturday, depending on the heat.  Please call a day ahead of time.  479-636-9640. 

·       STA-N-STEP FARMS – 3104 Wildcat Creek Blvd. in Fayetteville.  Blueberries and blackberries through July 4. $12/gallon. 7am-2pm Monday-Saturday; also 6-9pm Tuesday.  479-361-2789.

·       For more local U-Pick locations, click here for the full article post at NWAonline!

Besides tasting like a burst of summer sunshine, blueberries are an incredible super food!  Grace at umbrella-d.com has a brief article that tells us more about why blueberries are so good for us!  Click here for that article… thanks Grace!

Happy picking, Northwest Arkansas!

Check out this Bush’s Grillin’ Beans big-and-bold giveaway! $55 value!

Posted by Lyndi

Did you just read my post where I experimented with Bush’s Grillin’ Beans and created a Fiesta Frittata?  I was bound and determined to do something different with baked beans besides serving as a side dish!  In that post I am giving away ten free coupons for a can of Bush’s Grillin’ Beans to the first ten people who comment!   

While that giveaway is going on… another one is beginning…

One lucky reader will receive a Bush’s Grillin’ Beans big-and-bold giveaway that includes:

·      1 Bush’s Grillin’ Beans apron

·      1 Bush’s Grillin’ Beans tote bag

·      1 Bush’s Grillin’ Beans grilling tools 3-pack:  BBQ brush, BBQ spatula, and BBQ fork

·      2 Bush’s Grillin’ Beans hand mitts

·      1 Bush’s Grillin’ Beans hand can opener

·      6 free Bush’s Grillin’ Beans coupons!  This means you can try all 6 flavors for free!

·      This is a $55 estimated retail value!

  

Seven years ago when my sister-in-law went to work for the Bush Brothers, she opened my eyes to the wonderfully diverse world of beans.  I never realized there were so many varieties of bean, such as recipe beans, salad beans, white beans, vegetarian beans, and yes, even baked beans.   

Were you aware that Bush’s launched a new line of bold-flavored baked beans called Grillin’ Beans? These six flavors are bolder with more ingredients than your traditional baked beans.  And, right now they are on rollback at Walmart for $1.48 a can so you can easily experiment with new recipes using the multiple flavor offerings, such as:

1.     Black Bean Fiesta - Black beans simmered in a zesty chipotle sauce with crisp corn and red peppers.

2.     Texas Ranchero - Perfectly picked pinto beans simmered with mild jalapeño peppers in a red chili sauce.

3.     Bourbon and Brown Sugar - Robust beans with a touch of natural bourbon flavor.

4.     Smokehouse Tradition - Tender beans simmered in a sweet and smoky sauce.

5.     Steakhouse Recipe - An authentic blend of beans and brown sugar simmered in a robust steak sauce.

6.     Southern Pit Barbeque - Slow-cooked beans in a rich barbecue sauce.

Prize:

One lucky winner will receive the complete Bush’s Grillin’ Beans big-and-bold giveaway package valued at $55 estimated retail.  Contest ends next Sunday, July 4^th at midnight, CDT.  I will pick a winner via randomizer and post on Monday, July 5^th.

Eligibility:

Leave me a comment using the comment entry form below, preferably with your twitter or blog name to make it easy to contact you if you win.  

The comment is up to you:  Are you planning on serving canned beans at your 4^th of July barbeque?  Are you planning to serve them as a side dish or incorporated into a dish?  Tell us your favorite way to serve canned beans?  Or, which Grillin’ Beans flavor sounds the most enticing to you?  I can’t wait what you have to say!

No purchase necessary to enter. Contest void where prohibited. Contest open to members who are 18 years or older. Contest open only to residents in the continental US, whether or not if you live in Northwest Arkansas.

Disclosure:

This giveaway comes courtesy of the fine folks at Bush Brothers via my sister-in-law, who just happens to work for them!  I was not given any money or products for this review or my earlier post, or for any recipes or giveaway items!  I was given the free coupons and big-and-bold bundle to pass along to you!  How nice!

Tip:  If you enter using the Name/URL option, you can leave the URL blank.  The Blogger format can be a little confusing!   See the “How to leave a comment (please do!)” link at the top of this page for step-by-step instructions!

Baked beans are more than just a pretty side dish to hot dogs!

Posted by Lyndi

I say we all should heartily thank these household grillin’ staples: hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, deviled eggs, and baked beans.  Thank them for their steadfast loyalty to be at our beck and call from May until the final drawn out dog-days-of-summer ends.  Who works harder in the summertime than these family friends?  We salute you.

While shopping at Walmart the other day, I was happy to discover that Bush’s new line of Grillin’ Beans is on rollback for only $1.48 a can, the same price as the Bush’s Vegetarian Beans.

Excitedly, I grabbed the two newest Grillin’ Beans seasonal flavors:  Texas Ranchero and Black Bean Fiesta.  These are not your ordinary vegetarian baked beans.  They are packed with bold flavors and really have a depth to them that are unmatched compared to regular Vegetarian option.

Honestly, I never thought that baked beans could be more than just a pretty hot dog and hamburger side dish.  

So, I decided to challenge myself to create something different using the Black Bean Fiesta flavor.  Intrigued by the description of “black beans simmered in a zesty chipotle sauce with crisp corn and red peppers,” I wanted to be creative, to think out side the hotdog bun, and see if I could come up with something easy and delicious that I would want to share with others!  So I did.

Fiesta Frittatas

Serves 6 happy people

Ingredients

·       Pam Spray

·       2 Yukon Gold potatoes (trust me, Yukon Golds perfectly compliment this dish)

·       1 small white onion

·       2 tablespoons olive oil

·       salt and pepper

·       5 eggs

·       1 teaspoon of minced garlic

·       1 ½ cups of Bush’s Grillin Beans Black Bean Fiesta (don’t drain!  You’ll want to keep these flavors!)

·       ½ cup shredded Mexican blended cheese

·       6 tablespoons of salsa

Instructions

1.     Grease 6 ramekins using Pam spray and set aside.

2.     Peel potatoes and thinly slice.  Chop onions.

3.     Heat skillet on stove with olive oil and sauté potatoes, onion, an garlic over medium heat until soft. Approximately 15 minutes.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

4.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Since it is summertime, I decided to really kick it up a notch!  I turned on my gas grill to 400 degrees and placed my ramekins in a grill basket and set aside.

5.     In a bowl, whisk eggs and add a dash or salt and pepper.

6.     Fold in potatoes with eggs.  Folding potatoes does a good job of coating with the eggs and adds height to your frittata.

7.     Fold in beans with egg and potatoes.   

8.     Pour evenly into ramekins.  I actually used a soupspoon so I could be very even with the potato and bean filling.

9.     Top with shredded cheese and one tablespoon of salsa for each ramekin.  See how pretty it looks!

10.   Last step:  If baking:  Bake in preheated oven for 15-25 minutes, or until the eggs have set.  If grilling:  Keep an eye on it and grill for approximately 15 minutes, or until the eggs have set.

11.   Enjoy!

Did you also know that Bush’s has a recipe link on their web page dedicated entirely to Grillin’ Beans?  Click here for recipes such as Grilled Half Chicken with Sweet Jalapeno Pepper Glaze, Cowboy Cumin Kebobs with Onions and Baby Peppers, and Grilled Rib Eye Steaks with Roquefort Butter.   Oh wow, these all sound wonderful!

Also check out shewearsmanyhats and her “bodacious bean recipes using beans” and also mommyskitchen who shows us how to make white bean banana bread and even black bean brownies!  Talk about getting creative with beans!

And now I have a special treat…

The first ten lucky readers who leave a comment will each receive one (1) free Bush’s Grillin’ Bean coupon ($3.50 estimated retail value, each)! 

This means ten of you can try this product for free!

Prize:

10 lucky winners will receive a Bush’s Grillin’ Beans free can coupon (1 per person, $3.50 estimated retail value). 

Contest officially ends when ten people have entered their comments.

Eligibility:

Leave me a comment using the comment entry form below, preferably with your twitter or blog name to make it easy to contact you if you win.  

The comment is up to you:  Which one of the Bush’s Grillin’ Bean recipes would you like to try?  Or, what is your favorite canned bean “non-side” dish?  Or, did you check out shewearsmanyhats or mommyskitchen? Which recipe would you like to try of theirs?  Also, I wouldn’t blush too much if you thought my Fiesta Frittata’s sounded delish.  All in all, I am looking forward to hearing what you have to say!  Good luck!

No purchase necessary to enter. Contest void where prohibited. Contest open to members who are 18 years or older. Contest open only to residents in the continental US, whether or not if you live in Northwest Arkansas.

Disclosure:

This giveaway comes courtesy of the fine folks at Bush Brothers via my sister-in-law, who just happens to work for them!  I was not given any money or products for this review, recipe or giveaway!  I was given the free coupons to pass along to you… and an additional giveaway bundle that I will be posting soon!  Keep tuned! 

Tip:  If you enter using the Name/URL option, you can leave the URL blank.  The Blogger format can be a little confusing!   See the “How to leave a comment (please do!)” link at the top of this page for step-by-step instructions!

And the $20 Mama Fu’s Asian Bistro winner is…. (drumroll, please)

Posted by Lyndi

And the winner of the $20 Mama Fu’s penguin bill is…

Jon

You’re the Lucky Winner!!  Now you can try all those mouth-watering dishes you lusted over!  I will provide you with the penguin bill!

Thank you to everyone who entered!   

Get ready for another giveaway courtesy of NWArestaurants.com for Copelands!  Johnny Brusco’s and Petit Bistro giveaways are also just around the corner!!! 

Who else gives you a chance to try out these fantastic restaurants in Northwest Arkansas?!  Stay tuned for more penguin bill giveaways from Dave at NWArestaurants.com!  NWArestaurants.com is the premier search engine for restaurants in Northwest Arkansas!  Check out his website and facebook and follow him on twitter.  Thanks Dave, you rock!!!

Local food-related blogger (and friend): Eden’s Table.

*** UPDATE: THIS BLOG IS NOT LONGER AROUND, SO SAD. ***

Posted by Lyndi

My friend Kristin is a stay-at-home mother of three who has a degree in Dietetics.  She is dedicated to helping her family “get back to foods that were intended for us.”  And, lucky us, she blogs about her healthy food adventures that includes sharing of helpful tidbits, food sources, and making healthy choices so we, too, can improve our eating habits.

Oh, and if you happen to live in Northwest Arkansas, Kristin’s site has downloadable lists of organic foods that are available in local grocery stores!  How awesome is that? 

You can find her blog at http://edenstable.weebly.com/edens-blog.html.

$20 penguin bill giveaway to Mama Fu’s in Bentonville!

Posted by Lyndi

Yummmmm… Mama Fu’s… ahhhhhhhhhh.

If you haven’t been to Mama Fu’s Asian House before, there are many great options to choose from if you are in the mood for Thai-inspired cuisine. 

Sometimes when I am looking for a quiet nook to work over lunch (they have free wi-fi!), I head straight to Mama Fu’s.  I am a big fan of their Pad Thai because it comes with rice, not wheat, noodles (Thai peanut sauce tossed with bean sprouts, crisp carrots, scallions, egg, tofu and rice noodles, garnished with crushed peanuts, cilantro and a lime wedge, see photo above) and their Thai Coconut Soup (“creamy” coconut milk with chicken breast, mushrooms, lemongrass, and lime, see photo below).    

Check out their entire menu, here.

Oh, if you are there during happy hour (Monday-Sunday from 3-6pm) all appetizers are ½ off! $1 off alcoholic beverages, too!

I have a $20 penguin bill gift certificate to giveaway, courtesy of my friend Dave with NWArestaurants.com!  NWArestaurants has crazy deals on featured restaurants that sell out fast.  Usually deals of 50% of gift certificates (aka “penguin bills”)!  Check out his website, twitter, or facebook page!  Mama Fu’s also has an eClub where you automatically receive a free entrée when you sign up!  Click here for details.

Prize:

1 lucky winner will receive a $20 penguin bill gift certificate to Mama Fu’s located in Bentonville.  Contest ends Thursday, June 24^th, at midnight.  I will pick a winner via randomizer on Friday the 25^th.

Eligibility:

Leave me a comment using the comment form, below, preferably with your twitter or blog name to make it easy to contact you if you win.  

The comment is up to you:  What is your favorite menu item (if you have dined at Mama Fu’s before) OR which menu item you are most interested in trying (if you have never dined at Mama Fu’s before)!  I love hearing what you have to say!

Want one more chance to win?... let me know if you tweeted this contest to your friends and followers!

Tip:  If you enter using the Name/URL option, you can leave the URL blank.  The Blogger format can be a little confusing!   See the “How to leave a comment (please do!)” link at the top of this page for step-by-step instructions!

No purchase necessary to enter. Contest void where prohibited. Contest open to members who are 18 years or older. Contest open only to US residents only, although this one really makes sense if you are in Northwest Arkansas.

Mama Fu’s is located in Arkansas, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas.  In Bentonville it is located at 700 SE Walton Blvd.

What? Kipper Snacks for only $1?

Posted by Lyndi

Be sure to check out Harps Foods dollar section that features products from Polar Foods.  Why?  Because they carrry the Polar Kipper Snacks brand, which are incredibly delicious and a bargain at just $1 a tin! 

Yes, $1. 

As you can see in the photo, I pantry load this item because it is so healthy and contains the following:

·       3.53 oz tin

·       2 servings per tin

·       Provides 1.4g Omega-3 Fatty Acid per serving

·       Naturally smoked boneless fillets of herring (yes, boneless!)

·       Ingredients:  All natural smoked boneless fillets of herring, water, salt

·       100 calories per serving with 60 calories from fat

·       6g fat per serving (1g saturated)

·       30mg cholesterol per serving (10% daily)

·       260mg sodium per serving (10% daily)

·       9g proteins per serving

·       Kosher certified

·       Available for order on Amazon, by the case.

I came across these really interesting facts from www.hippiedippiebebe.com: “Kipper snacks are herring, and are among the top 10 fish for Omega-3 fatty acids, alongside caviar, roe, mackerel, shad, and salmon. Herring, like sardines, are also low on the “fish food chain” and are lower risk in terms of mercury content, especially important for children and pregnant women. Try to stick with kipper snacks that have no preservatives added; we buy the Polar Brand at our local grocer, they are also available in bulk cases on Amazon. Kipper Snacks are also a non-dairy source of calcium.”

Think about it:  Healthy snack, easy to store, easy to transport, economical, tasty… what are you waiting for?  Time to stock up for yourself!

Here’s what you missed at yesterday’s Farmer’s Market in Rogers.

Posted by Lyndi

$3 a basket for each of these:  cucumbers, green beans, yellow squash… what you see missing on the table is now mine!

If you can’t make the Saturday Farmer’s Market in downtown Rogers... here is a friendly reminder to make it on Wednesday’s from 9am-1pm.

Removing seeds from a cucumber adds more CRISP!

Posted by Lyndi

Cucumbers are now coming into harvest!  This means they are going to be (1) extra crispy and delicious, (2) available for a great price, like, everywhere, (3) available at all area farmer’s markets in a variety of options, and (4) perhaps even available in your very own garden!

Here’s a tip:  Removing the seeds from a cucumber adds more crisp!

·       Peel your cucumber

·       Slice it lengthwise

·       Scoop out the inside seeds (save for your compost pile!)

·       Slice into bite-sized pieces

·       Pile pieces into a colander and place in sink or on paper towels

·       Lightly salt (to draw out juices, hence the reason for paper towels!)

·       Okay, it’s time to snack!  Or add to a tossed salad… or combine with tomatoes and a dressing and serve! 

The benefit to doing this is that you will have enhanced the best qualities of a cucumber:  it’s crispiness!  It will no longer be overwhelmed by the seed texture and it’s proclivity to wetness.

Try it and let me know what you think!  And, if you have your own tip for enjoying cucumbers, tell us about it!