Oikos Greek Yogurt Week #4, Contest Information, and Thanks!!

Happy Sunday! This is going to be another big post! First, I want to thank everyone at Tyler Florence Fridays. I am so excited that my version of Tyler's Chicken and Smoked Sausage Etouffee was chosen to be the featured recipe on Tyler's blog. This particular feature means a lot to me because this weekend is my birthday and let's face it.....when a girl is starting to approach the hill, she always appreciates a boost! Thanks again to all my friends at Tyler Florence Fridays.

I also want to thank Beth at The Seventh Level of Boredom. She held a contest and chose one lucky winner to receive a Pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker. I still can't believe I won and I am beyond ecstatic to receive such a generous gift! The deep covered baker was even more beautiful in person. I love the cranberry color. I would recommend this baker to anyone and I will tell you that it is definitely worth the asking price of $69. I adore stoneware and love to cook and bake with it. However, I must say that I don't get super excited about cleaning my stoneware. The whole issue is that you cannot use dish soap, making it nearly impossible to get the dish clean. Are you ready for this???? This Pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker comes clean and shines like new in all its glory. It even comes with a handy little scraper to help scrap off all the little bits!! This product definitely deserves two thumbs up, five stars, and will be a much-loved piece in my kitchen. Thanks Beth : )

LOADED MASHED POTATOES
5 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
3/4 cup sour cream *I used Oikos Greek Yogurt*
1/2 cup milk
3 tablespoons butter
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (I didn't use nearly this much)
1/2 pound sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled (I only topped mine with bacon when thru baking)
3 green onions, sliced
Boil potatoes until tender. Drain and place in mixing bowl. Add sour cream (yogurt), milk, butter, salt & pepper. Beat on med-low speed until light and fluffy. Stir in 2 cups of cheese, bacon and onions. Transfer to a 3-quart baking dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350F for 30 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted. Makes 14 servings.

Notes: I used the Oikos Greek Yogurt to replace all the sour cream, which was 3/4 cup. Next time I would do half sour cream, half Greek yogurt. The large amount of Greek Yogurt (3/4 cup) was a little overpowering in this potato dish. A half and half combination to save calories would most likely taste better. I also did not use all the cheese or bacon. I simply sprinkled a little cheese on before baking and then topped the potatoes with some bacon before serving. They were pretty darn tasty and a lot lighter than the cream and butter mashed potatoes I usually make.

CONTEST ENTRIES - PLEASE VOTE!! VOTES DUE WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2ND AT MIDNIGHT
Onto the fun part!!! Thank you to everyone who shared their ideas for this contest. The idea was to imagine your own Food Network Show, come up with a name for your show and share your signature dish! Please take a moment to look at all the entries. I hope that everyone is comfortable choosing their favorite concept and voting. You can vote simply by leaving a comment. If you are uncomfortable voting publicly, feel free to submit your vote via email to tony.tracy@att.net. The winner with the most votes will receive the 3 Lush goodies: Ocean Salt, Lemony Flutter, and Up You Gets Emotibomb. Voting will end at midnight this Wednesday, Sept. 2nd. If I have left you out, or misrepresented your ideas please let me know.

Jenna Z -
Name of Show: The Meat and Potatoes Vegetarian
Concept: Comfort Food done healthy and vegetarian
Signature dish: Mean-not Loaf

HannahBanana aka Amanda-
Concept: VaVaVoom Vegetarian
Signature dish: 15 Veggie/7 Cheese Lasagna

Donna of My Tasty Treasures
Name of Show: Girl Next Door Cooking
Concept: Everyday cooking done by mothers, wives, neighbors & friends. Down to earth food.

Debby at Feast for the Eyes
Concept: Ina Garten style, cooking and baking classic recipes

Joanne of Eats Well With Others
Name of a Show: Healthy with a Twist
Concept: No boring food allowed! Flavorful and healthy dishes with lots of pizazz.
Signature dish: Rosemary Mac N Cheese W/ Caramelized Onions & Sweet Potatoes

Pam of Sidewalk Shoes
Concept: Pam would select one featured herb and make an appetizer, entree and dessert showcasing the featured herb.

CaSaundraLeigh -
Name of Show: A Pinch of This, and a Dash of That!
Concept: Being creative in the kitchen by adding a bit of this and that
Signature Dish: Sinless Strata (includes egg, bread, onion, sausage, apple, and milk)

Kristin of Sogkonnite Living
Concept: Healthy, Frugal, Kid-Friendly

Beth/Ty's Mommy - The Seventh Level of Boredom
Name of Show: Recipe, We Don't Need No Stinkin' Recipe!
Concept: Adapting recipes to your liking, making substitutions, using what you have on hand, and being creative
Signature Dish: Kitchen Sink Risotto Cakes -uses risotto as a base and adds in whatever else you
have on hand

Sweet & Savory-
Name of Show: Chaya Bakes Kosher
Concept: Emphasis on Kosher and adapting recipes for baked goods.

Melody of Cheat Day Cafe
Name of Show: Cheat Day Cafe
Concept: Melody describes her eating as schizophrenic - healthy, but loves sweets
Signature Dish: If eating healthy, something fruity and light. If not being healthy, something with Oreos

Jesstyler of Black Cat Kitchen
Name of Show: Yes, Please!
Concept: Jess picked the name Yes, Please because that is what her husband says when she suggests something tasty for dinner.
Signature Dish: Her family's traditional Nisua (finnish cardamom bread)

My idea for a new Food Network show is simple. I would love for them to pick one extensive cookbook, like Joy of Cooking, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, or something like How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman and then cook through the entire book. It would even be better if they cooked an appetizer, entree and dessert that all complemented each other. It wouldn't matter the cookbook, only that it would be extensive. I would love to see this done on television. I think it would be great for beginner cooks and also fun and exciting for experienced cooks.

Good luck to everyone!! Please remember to vote for your favorite by either leaving a comment or sending an email. Also, please vote only for the entries that are highlighted. Thanks!!