Sandra Lee semi-homemade

Sandra Lee's Recipe Draft

We all love to watch the big game while enjoying great food. So a big thank you to all the participants in Sandra Lee's Recipe Draft who submitted the most delicious recipes.

We have a Grand Prize Winner! A HUGE congratulations to Larry E. from Charlotte, NC for his Halftime Sausage Lettuce Wraps with Asian Pear. This is a touchdown recipe to serve friends, family and guests. Enjoy the Samsung Galaxy Tab® 2 (7.0), $100 Verizon Wireless Gift Card and Sandra by Sandra Lee 10-piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set.

Also congratulations to the below category winners. These are certainly recipes I will make on game day! Enjoy a signed copy of “Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Fast-Fix Family Favorites.”

• First Down Dips (Dips)
  
  
  
  • Jen G. from West Chester, PA, Chickpea and White Bean Dip
  
  
  • Roxanne C. from Albany, CA, Tex-Thai Guacamole
  
  
  • Paula M. from Lenhartsville, PA, Peppered Corn Dip
  
  
  
  
• Football Finger Foods (Appetizers)
  
  
  
  • John H. from Newport News, VA, Spicy Seafood Nachos
  
  
  • Darlene B. from Peoria, AZ, Polenta Party Tarts
  
  
  • Larry E. from Charlotte, NC, Halftime Sausage Lettuce Wraps with Asian Pear
  
  
  
  
• Souper Bowls (Chili/Slow Cookers)
  
  
  
  • Jen G. from West Chester, PA, Creamy White Corn Chili with Smoked Gouda
  
  
  • Joyce C. from Westereville, OH, Hawaiian Shredded Pork Lettuce Cup Sliders
  
  
  • Gilda L. from Millsboro, DE, Game Day Chili with Nachos
  
  
  
  
• Touchdown Treats (Desserts)
  
  
  
  • Hidemi W. from Plainfield, IN, Chocolate Cream Cheese Ice Bites
  
  
  • Donna P. from Morris Township, NJ, Hazelnut-Chocolate Almond Cups with Mascarpone Cream
  
  
  • Paula M. from Lenhartsville, PA, Coaches Chip Cookies
  
  
  
  

Flower Ring

Instead of one large bouquet as a centerpiece, try a circle of small bouquets. Tuck one powder-blue hydrangea blossom in each of 8 water glasses. (The glasses can be the same shape or different shapes.) Form into a ring shape in the center of the table.

Great Grocery Giveaway

YOU DESERVE A GREAT GROCERY GIVEAWAY. That's $5000 at the grocery store to buy the things that you need for the ones that you love. I have partnered with Valpak to give one lucky person an ultimate grand prize to eliminate their bill at the checkout line.  Enter each day at www.valpak.com/greatgrocery from now through April 5th to increase your chances to win!

Did you know that Valpak has great local savings in the envelope AND on your tablet or smartphone to make feeding your family more affordable and convenient?  By featuring coupons that you can access wherever you are and with my smart, savvy recipes you can eat gourmet-quality meals well within your means. If you need recipe inspiration, the Sandra Lee Magazine has you covered with fabulous, fast and budget conscious food that doesn't skimp on quality, quantity, or style. 

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. YOU HAVE NOT YET WON. Sweepstakes ends April 5, 2013. See complete Official Rules for entry instructions, odds and other sweepstakes details. 

Sandra Lee's Recipe Draft

Over the years, I have received tons of your chili,  dip and finger food recipes great for a Super Bowl party or Sunday-afternoon game gathering. Now I have the perfect contest in place so that your recipes can receive the recognition and prizes they deserve. Submit your most delicious football party recipes in Sandra Lee's Recipe Draft. The contest categories include:

• First Down Dips (Dips)


• Football Finger Foods (Appetizers)


• Souper Bowls (Chili/Slow Cookers)


• Touchdown Treats (Desserts)
  
  
  
  
  

Entries will be judged based on originality, cost, speed and ease. Winners will be announced on my Facebook and Twitter on or about 3/6/13. Twelve category prize winners (3 per category) will receive a signed copy of Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Fast-Fix Family Favorites; and an overall grand prize winner will receive a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0), a sponsor-specified Sandra by Sandra Lee 10pc Stainless Steel Cookware Set, and a $100 Verizon gift card.

The contest begins on January 2nd and ends at 8:59pm on February 20th, so hurry up and enter via verizoninsider.com/SandraLee. The more recipes you submit the better your chances to win! For recipe inspiration visit pinterest.com/sandrashm. Good luck!

Sandra Lee's Recipe Draft Contest

Congratulations to Chris B., the grand prize winner of Fast Festive Fun with Sandra Lee. I loved your fabulous Black,Bleu recipe...it was perfect for the holidays (here is a link http://bit.ly/UGNB4m) Enjoy the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) and Sandra by Sandra Lee cookware set prize.

There is still another way to WIN BIG PRIZES. Submit your recipes for Sandra Lee's Recipe Draft contest. I am looking for the most delicious football party recipes for First Down Dips, Football Finger Foods, Souper Bowls (Chili/Slow Cookers) and Touchdown Treats. Entries will be judged based on originality, cost, speed and ease. Remember the more times you enter, the greater your chances to win! Winners will be announced via Facebook and Twitter on 3/6/13. To enter visit verizoninsider.com/SandraLee

Sandra Lee

Congrats to the winners of our Hearty Holiday Dinner contest Chris B., Carolyn R. and Nadine M. Your recipes for Shrimp Creole, Holiday Beef Tenderloin with Espresso, and Black, Bleu ensured we cleaned our dinner plates.  Enjoy your signed copy of "Semi-Homemade Fast-Fix Family Favorites”

Remember the Fast Festive Fun with Sandra Lee contest is not over yet! Send me your fabulous Leftover Lunch recipes through December 19th! Visit verizoninsider.com/SandraLee for more information.

Christmas Shortcut Chic

Cocoa Canes:
Chocolate-Dipped Candy Canes make a sweet stirring stick for a cup of coffee or hot chocolate—or simply as a treat to eat. Package them up prettily and give them away as a hostess gift. To make, melt semisweet chocolate chips in the microwave. Dip candy canes in chocolate, then place on a piece of waxed paper until the chocolate is set.

Sandra Lee's Recipe Sweepstakes

Miss out on our Decorate it Forward Sweeps this month? You still have a chance to win big. I have another tasty sweepstakes this season with the Share Your Dish With Sandra Lee Sweeps. Have a holiday dish you prepare every year that you’re proud of? Share it with me for the chance to win!
 
To enter, sign up for http://www.shopyourway.com/ and complete the following steps:
 

1. Upload your photo of a finished version of your favorite holiday recipe to the Official SANDRA LEE page on Shop Your Way, and include a thorough recipe description.

2. Your recipe must include a combination of six (6) or more separate ingredients involving a preparation time over ten (10) minutes and with the outcome of a commonly edible food item. The description must be at least 160 characters and include the name of the recipe, all preparation steps and timing, includingingredients, preparation time, cooking time, approximate monetary cost, andpreparation instructions. Recipe and image will not be judged.

3. Once you've completed these step—and we receive 250 entrants—you'll automatically be entered in our sweepstakes to win a Sandra by Sandra Lee prize package, which includes: one (1) autographed book by Sandra Lee; one (1) Sandra by Sandra Lee 10-piece stainless steel cooking set; one (1) Sandra by Sandra Lee Farmhouse dining collection with one (1) table and four (4) chairs; and one (1) 16-piece floral dinnerware set. Approximate retail value: $658.99

For another chance to win even more prizes, check out VerizonInsider.com/sandralee

Festive First Bites

Have you participated in the Fast Festive Fun with Sandra Lee recipe contest? Today is the very first day to submit your Festive First Bites (appetizer) recipes.  So start collecting your recipes for Antipasti Skewers, Cheese Spreads, Red-Pepper Straws, Finger Sandwiches, Spicy Spreads, Steak Skews and other favorite bites. November 20th - that's next Tuesday - is your last day to enter them! The recipes will be judged based on originality, cost, speed and ease so keep the Semi-Homemade and Money Saving Meals principles in mind.  Remember the more times you enter the better your chances to WIN BIG PRIZES like a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) - a must have for all at home cooks :)

To join in the fun visit verizoninsider.com/sandralee.

Fast Festive Fun with Sandra Lee

I have an AMAZING announcement!!! My recipe contest has launched! Many of you have asked to send me recipes for years, well now is your chance to submit them and to WIN big.

Participate in the Fast Festive Fun with Sandra Lee contest! The contest will have 4 recipe categories spread across the following dates:

10/29-11/7 Holiday Confections (Desserts)
11/12-11/20 Festive First Bites (Appetizers)
11/26-12/5 Hearty Holiday Dinners (Entrées)
12/10-12/19 Leftover Lunches (Leftovers)

October 29^th through November 7^th is all about Holiday Confections! Think cake, cupcake, cookie, cobbler, fudge, filling, frosting or any favorite sweet …the options are endless! The recipes will be judged based on originality, cost, speed and ease so please keep the Semi-Homemade and Money Saving Meals principles in mind.

I will announce the 3 CATEGORY WINNERS via Facebook and Twitter and they will receive a signed copy of Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Fast Fix Family Favorites.  The GRAND PRIZE WINNER across all categories will be announced January 2 and receive a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0), and Sandra by Sandra Lee 10pc Stainless Steel Cookware Set.

To enter visit verizoninsider.com/sandralee

Dracula Table Setting

Lure the grown-ups to your lair for a spine-tingling celebration of good food and classic film monsters. Shock everyone with this clever Dracula table setting.

Better to leave the Count off your guest list—you can provide partygoers with their own fangs and fake blood. A medal accessory is fitting for a high ranking nobleman, even an evil one (look for one at a costume or party shop). His natty suit and cape inspire the black and blue place mat, napkin, and dinnerware. The elegant accent plate is inexpensive melamine. Finish the table setting with plastic fangs and a tube of fake blood.

SWEET! at the NYC Wine & Food Festival

Join me this Friday, October 12th at SWEET! a dessert walk-around tasting that I am hosting to celebrate five years of the New York City Wine & Food Festival. Since the festival began it has helped to raise over $5 million for a cause near and dear to my heart—childhood hunger….and it’s just getting started! SWEET offers everything from luscious, confectionary cakes and voluptuous velvety cupcakes to decedent drinks and mesmerizing music that will surely make the night unforgettable. There are very few tickets left so get one and come spend the evening with me enjoying life. You only live once and life is way too short to pass up a great night out! For more information and to purchase tickets click here.

SWEET! is only 4 days away but to whet your appetite until the big day try making a batch of these Chocolate-Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes.

Jack Sack Toss

Set up this game with four buckets in different sizes. Orange ones may be easy to find during the Halloween season, or you can spray paint plain metal ones. Use number stickers or write with a permanent marker the point totals (10, 20, 30, and 40, for example) on paper plates, then attach them to the buckets with strong tape or tie to handles with string (higher points for smaller buckets).

To make the sacks, use pinking shears to cut 6-inch-square pieces from fabric. Stack a pair of fabric pieces, edges aligned and wrong sides together. On a sewing machine (or with small hand stitches), stitch along three sides, about one inch from the edges. Fill the sack with a small amount of rice, then push the rice to one side, and stitch along the remaining side.

To play, have the children stand at a marked spot, each one taking a turn tossing a specifi c number of bags into the buckets. Total the points for each child—highest score wins!

Sandra Lee 2013 Day-to-Day Calendar

Sandra Lee is a New York Times best-selling cookbook author, editor-in-chief of Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade magazine, and host of two popular shows on Food Network. The Sandra Lee 2013 Day-to-Day Calendar features three of her easy, delicious recipes per week, accompanied by full-color images.

Removable 4 x 6 recipe cards can be stored in the sturdy calendar box or in other recipe files, taken to the store for reference, or shared with others.

To purchase visit the Sandra Lee book page or Andrews McMeel Publishing

Money Saving Meals & Round 2 Recipes Cookbook

I am delighted to share with you my newest cookbook Money Saving Meals & Round 2 Recipes. The recipes you'll find in it are great for your pocketbook, your daily schedule, your to-do list, and your family's healthy nourishment. 

There are few occasions where you can make something fast and also save money.  Though with the investment of a great deal of research , shopping know-how, and pantry perfect products, I have created recipes for fast and budget-conscious food for everyday cooking. You will save 35% to 50% on every grocery bill without sacrificing quality, quantity, or style!

Choose from 149 easy, satisfying meals like Slow Cooker Short Ribs, Grilled Pork Chops with Peach Salsa, S 'mores Pudding parfait and more.

To temp your taste buds, try my tempting Slow Cooker Short Ribs which are just $4.59 per a serving.

SLOW COOKER SHORT RIBS
SERVES: 4
COOK TIME: 8 hours
$18.37/$4.59 per person
1 tbsp. canola oil $0.03
3 pounds bone-in beef chuck short ribs  $13.47
2 medium onions, peeled and quartered $0.56
2 medium carrots, cut into large chunks  $0.32
2 medium parsnips, cut into large chunks $1.00
2 medium turnips, peeled  and cut into large chunks $1.00
4 sprigs fresh rosemary $0.04
4 sprigs fresh thyme $0.04
4 sprigs fresh parsley, stems  and leaves separated$0.02
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce $0.02
1 tbsp. spicy brown mustard $0.04
1 (12-ounce) dark stout beer, such as Guinness$1.83
Kosher salt $0.00
Black pepper $0.00

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil. Season the short ribs with salt and pepper. When the oil is hot, brown the short ribs, in batches, until they are browned on all sides, about 3–4 minutes per side.

2. While the short ribs are browning, place a layer of onion and carrot pieces into the bottom of a slow cooker and season them with salt and pepper. Place the browned meat on top. Add the remaining onions and carrots along with the parsnips and turnips. Tie together the rosemary and thyme with the parsley stems and add them to the pot along with the Worcestershire and mustard. Pour over the stout and add enough water to almost cover the contents. Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours, or until the meat is very tender.

3. To serve, carefully remove the meat and vegetables from the slow cooker. Strain the juices. (Skim off the fat and reserve 1 cup of the juices and one short rib for Round 2 Recipe: Beef and Mushroom Soup.) Serve the ribs with the juice and garnish with chopped parsley leaves.

Excerpted from the book, Sandra Lee Money Saving Meals & Round 2 Recipes, by Sandra Lee
Copyright © 2011 SLSH Enterprises, Inc. www.sandralee.com

In these budget-conscious times, I am happy to offer you the maximum joy with the minimum kitchen and grocery-shopping stress.

Cheers to a happy, healthy home!
Sandra

Seasonal Sides

Vibrant vegetable sides are quite easy to put together. This Summer Squash Casserole recipe features fresh, healthy summer squash to round out your warm-weather meal.  Summer Squash Casserole is a very tasty way to enjoy in-season veggies like summer squash and zucchini.  Chicken stock, black pepper, sliced green onions and finely crushed pita chips are also among the ingredients for this tasty summer side dish.  In order to keep it simple, and keep it smart, I recommend using Pyrex® glass bakeware for this recipe. And, remember to follow these four simple rules as recommended by Pyrex when cooking with glass bakeware: Always place hot glass bakeware on a dry, cloth potholder or towel. Never put glass bakeware directly on a burner or under a broiler. Always allow the oven to fully preheat before placing glass bakeware in the oven. Always cover the bottom of the dish with liquid before cooking meat or vegetables.

Cheers to happy, healthy cooking! Enjoy!

Recipe: Summer Squash Casserole

Makes:  6 servings

Prep:  15 minutes

Bake:  35 minutes

• 2 cups uncooked instant brown rice, Minute


• 2 cups chicken stock, divided


• ¾ cup reduced-fat sour cream


• ¼ cup sliced green onions


• 1 teaspoon garlic salt, divided


• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, divided


• ¾ cup thinly sliced zucchini


• ¾ cup thinly sliced yellow squash


• ¾ cup shredded reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese



• 1/3 cup finely crushed pita chips, Stacy’s

Directions 

• Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare rice according to package directions, substituting 1 ¾ cups chicken stock for water. 


• Add remaining ¼ cup stock, sour cream, green onions, ½ teaspoon garlic salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper to cooked rice, stirring well.


• Pour rice mixture in the bottom of a Pyrex® 2-qt (Oblong) glass bakeware dish. Top evenly with zucchini and squash, overlapping slices. Sprinkle with remaining ½ teaspoon garlic salt, and remaining ¼ teaspoon pepper. Cover with aluminum foil.


• Bake for 30 minutes, or until squash is tender. Uncover; sprinkle with cheese. Top evenly with pita chip crumbs. Bake, uncovered, for 5 minutes longer, or until cheese melts.

Orzo-Stuffed Zucchini

Simone de Beauvoir said it best, “That’s what I consider true generosity. You give your all, and yet you always feel as if it costs you nothing.” I couldn’t agree more, especially when it comes to my Orzo-Stuffed Zucchini recipe. This delicious dish is full of cooked orzo, with Italian-flavored panko, feta cheese, and topped with dill sprigs. It pops with rich color and flavor. I think feta cheese and zucchini must be best friends, because you can never really go wrong with this flavor combination.

Be strategic when carving out the zucchini. If you scoop too deeply, you can break the shell. Use a small spoon, and you will be all set! When making this light fare dish I’d recommend using Pyrex® glass bakeware. And, don’t forget: always cover the bottom of the dish with liquid before cooking meat or vegetables – such as this Orzo-Stuffed Zucchini. It’s also important to remember when cooking with any glass bakeware to fully preheat before placing glass bakeware in the oven.

The Orzo-Stuffed Zucchini makes for a great summer delight!

Recipe: Orzo-Stuffed Zucchini

Ingredients

Makes:  4 servings

Prep:  16 minutes, Cook:  2 minutes

Bake:  30 minutes

• 4 medium zucchini (about 1 ¾ pounds)


• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided


• 1/3 cup chopped onion


• 1 cup cooked orzo


• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese


• 2 tablespoons Italian-flavored panko (Japanese bread crumbs)


• 2 tablespoons diced pimiento


• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill


• 1 teaspoon garlic salt, divided


• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper


• 4 lemon wedges


• Garnish: fresh dill sprigs

Directions
 

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Using a small spoon, scoop pulp from zucchini, reserving pulp (about ½ cup).


• In a small skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat. Add pulp and onion, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in orzo, remaining 4 teaspoons oil, cheese, panko, pimiento, dill, ½ teaspoon garlic salt, and pepper.


• Place zucchini halves, cut sides up, in a Pyrex® 3-qt (9×13) glass bakeware dish. Sprinkle zucchini with remaining ½ teaspoon garlic salt. Fill zucchini with orzo mixture, mounding slightly. Cover bottom of glass bakeware dish with thin layer of olive oil or lemon juice. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes, or until tender. Serve with lemon wedges. Garnish with dill sprigs, if desired.

Berry Delightful Desserts

What better way to celebrate the arrival of summer than with delightful desserts, featuring fresh summer berries? This irresistible Strawberry-Raspberry Stack treat will be welcome at any occasion and is easy to make.   Pyrex® glass bakeware is perfect for preparing this brilliant baked recipe, so that you can see all the delicious layers in the finished product! When cooking with glass bakeware, always place hot glass bakeware on a dry, cloth potholder or towel. Keep in mind, never to put glass bakeware directly on a burner or under a broiler. And, always allow the oven to fully preheat before placing glass bakeware in the oven.

This delectable quick and easy recipe is a great way to enjoy sweets while staying healthy!

Recipe: Strawberry-Raspberry Stack

Ingredients

Makes:  8 servings

Prep:  40 minutes, Bake:  12 minutes

Cool:  20 minutes, Chill: 10 minutes

• 3 cups sliced fresh  strawberries, Driscoll’s


• 1 ½ cups fresh raspberries, Driscoll’s


• 1 tablespoon sugar


• 2 tablespoons orange liqueur or orange juice


• 1 (17.3-ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed


• 1 teaspoon cinnamon-sugar


• 1 (2.6-ounce) package whipped topping mix, Dream Whip Garnish: raspberries, whole strawberries, and halved strawberries

Directions

• Preheat oven to 400°. In a medium bowl, combine strawberries, raspberries, sugar, and liqueur.


• Unfold pastry sheets, and place in two Pyrex® 3-qt (9×13) glass bakeware dishes. Sprinkle tops of pastry with cinnamon-sugar. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until puffed and golden. Remove from oven and place dish on a dry, cloth potholder or towel to cool. Gently press pastry to flatten slightly. Cut each pastry sheet in half lengthwise.


• Prepare whipped topping mix according to package directions. Place 1 pastry rectangle back in a Pyrex® 3-qt (9×13) glass bakeware dish; spread with 1 cup prepared whipped topping, leaving about a ½-inch border. Arrange one-third of strawberry mixture in an even layer over whipped topping. Repeat layers twice, and top with remaining pastry and whipped topping. Garnish with raspberries, and strawberries if desired. Drizzle with any accumulated liquid remaining in bowl from strawberry mixture. Chill for 10 minutes. Using a serrated knife, gently cut to serve.