Bring boldness to the table with McCormick Gourmet Blends and Recipe Mixes

Photos courtesy of McCormick

McCormick Gourmet offers all natural, coarsely-ground herbs and spices to create exciting dishes.
Each Gourmet Recipe mixes and blends are packed full of herbs and spices, especially selected for preparing your favorite recipes.

One of my favorites, is the Tuscan Seasoning. With a blend of garlic, Italian herbs and sun-dried tomatoes, I can create a whole meal.

I can toss an exquisite salad with a Tuscan Vinaigrette dressing, create a mouth-watering chicken entree and add a side of spinach and mushroom Risotto - all starting with this special Gourmet Blend.

Another favorite is the Creamy Parmesan & Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Penne from the Gourmet Recipe Mixes. A combo of marjoram, thyme and oregano makes this mix the perfect start to a grand 20-minute gourmet dinner any day of the week.

Here are three recipes from McCormickGourmet.com that can be easily prepared and will give you that great gourmet taste right at home.

Tuscan Vinaigrette

Serve this versatile Tuscan-inspired vinaigrette over salad greens, pasta salad, vegetable salad or panzanella.

Makes 3/4 cup or 6 (2-tablespoon) servings.
Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Tuscan Seasoning
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Sicilian Sea Salt
1/2 cup olive oil
Directions

1. Mix vinegar, Seasoning and sea salt in small bowl with wire whisk. Gradually add oil, whisking until well blended. Cover.
2. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Whisk dressing before drizzling over salad greens.

 

Creamy Parmesan & Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Penne

Dinner can be ready in less than 30 minutes with this great-tasting chicken and pasta recipe.
Makes 8 servings.
Prep Time: 5 minutes

Photos courtesy of McCormick

Cook Time: 15 minutes
 

 Ingredients
2 cups penne pasta
2 tablespoons butter
1 pound chicken tenders or boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips
1 package McCormick® Gourmet Creamy Parmesan & Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Penne Recipe & Seasoning Mix
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

 Watch Step-by-Step Video

Directions

1. Cook pasta as directed on package. Drain well.
2. Meanwhile, melt butter in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook and stir 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Add Seasoning Mix, tomatoes, cream and cheese. Bring to boil, stirring constantly with wire whisk until well blended. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes.
3. Stir in pasta; toss gently to coat. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Shrimp Variation: Use 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, in place of the chicken. Cook and stir shrimp in melted butter 2 minutes. Continue as directed.

Spinach and Mushroom Risotto

Makes 4 servings.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
4 ounces mild Italian sausage, casings removed
1 medium onion, chopped
8 ounces assorted mushrooms, sliced
1 tablespoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Tuscan Seasoning
1 cup Arborio rice
1/4 cup dry white wine
4 cups Kitchen Basics® Chicken Stock, heated
2 cups baby spinach leaves
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Directions

1. Heat oil in large saucepan on medium heat. Add sausage; cook until browned, stirring to break into small chunks. Add onion, mushrooms and Seasoning; cook and stir 5 minutes or until onion and mushrooms are tender.
2. Stir in rice. Cook and stir 1 minute to toast rice. Add wine; cook and stir 1 minute or until absorbed.
3. Stirring constantly, add warm stock, 1/2 cup at a time, until liquid is absorbed by rice after each addition. (It takes about 25 minutes for all of the stock mixture to be absorbed and the risotto to become thick and creamy.) Remove from heat. Stir in spinach and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Serve immediately.

For more recipes using McCormick Gourmet Recipe Mixes and Blends visit www.mccormickgourmet.com

Photo by Vicki Arsenault

McCormick Gourmet offers a variety of Gourmet Recipe Mixes and Blends.
McCormick Gourmet Blends come in 1.25-1.87 oz. bottles and retail for $2.74.
McCormick Gourmet Recipe Mixes retail at $1.99 per package.

Recipes printed with permission of McCormick & Company

Create dinner excitement with Lawry's new spice blends and marinades

Lawry's would like to introduce you to its new line of spices and marinades. Marinades that will put the sizzle on your grill and spices that will give your meals bursts of bold new flavors.

Keep your family excited about coming to the dinner table when you add these new and exciting flavors to your chicken, pork or beef with Lawry's Santa Fe Chili and Mediterranean Herb and White Wine Marinades. In as little as 30 minutes your chicken, pork, beef or fish will be ready to grill, bake or broil.

Take your dinner straight to the grill with Lawry's signature spice blends of Seasoned Salt Mediterranean Herb, Fire Roasted Chile & Garlic Blend or Roasted Garlic Salt with Oregano & Basil. These zesty spice blends are just what your family is looking for.

You can find out more about these new products and a variety of Lawry's spices, marinades and sauces at Lawrys.com. Need dinner ideas? You'll find recipes for meats, potatoes, vegetables and even pastas - bring something for everyone in your family to the dinner table tonight.



Lawry's Spice Blends at $3.29 per package can be found in the spice aisle of your supermarket.
Marinades at $2.99 per bottle can be found in the marinade/BBQ sauces aisle.

FEATURED RECIPE: Spring Vegetable Strata

This amazing recipe from dashrecipes.com is chocked full of vegetables, loaded with protein and is surrounded with some of your favorite cheeses.
This delicious strata can easily be prepared in the morning and baked for dinner in less than an hour. Planning a brunch? Prepare the night before and refrigerate.
According to Dash, this dish can be prepared for around $9 and will serve 8.



SPRING VEGETABLE STRATA

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp olive oil
4 scallions, sliced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper, divided
1 Tbsp chopped garlic
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
2 cups chopped broccoli
5 English muffins, toasted and torn into pieces
1 cup grated Monterey Jack
1 cup grated cheddar, divided
9 eggs
2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard

 

DIRECTIONS: 1. In a large skillet, heat oil on medium for 30 seconds. Add scallions, salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 3 minutes. Add garlic, bell peppers, and broccoli and cook for 7 minutes.

2. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Line with English muffins. Top with vegetable mixture, Monterey Jack, and 1/2 cup cheddar.

3. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, and mustard. Add 1/4 tsp pepper. Pour eggs over vegetables and cheese. Cover with foil and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

4. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake strata, covered, for 30 minutes. Remove foil and sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheddar. Bake for 25 minutes more or until golden brown and set in center. Cool for 10 minutes.

KITCHEN COUNTER: Serves: 8. Per Serving: 370 calories, 25g carbs, 20g protein, 21g fat, 245mg cholesterol, 640mg sodium, 1g fiber