Unilever Spread: Thanksgiving Dishes

When I think about Thanksgiving, food is one of the first things that pops into my mind. Where are we going to go? What dishes are going / need to be cooked? Options are decided, grocery lists are made and it begins to add up. I was recently contacted by Unilever to make two of my favorite recipes using Country Crock spread instead of butter. I jumped at the opportunity! The first recipe is very new (to me) but the first time I tried it, it was downright delicious. I knew it had to be on my Thanksgiving menu! I’ve also found that it’s a very popular dish in the South for holiday cooking, Broccoli Rice Casserole.

Broccoli Rice Casserole

1 lg. package chopped broccoli

1 can cream of chicken soup

½ cup cheese whiz

1 cup milk

1 chopped onion (medium)

1 cup Minute Rice (uncooked)

½ stick (4 Tbsp) Country Crock

Grease cooking dish. Mix all ingredients.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes.

My second recipe was Swedish Apple Pie. This is one of my absolute favorites! It’s best right out of the oven with some ice cream and is a winner at any gathering!

Swedish Apple Pie

4-5 apples (peeled and sliced)
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 cup flour
1 cup plus 1 Tbsp. sugar
1 stick (8 Tbsp) butter / Country Crock spread
1 egg
1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

1. Cut up enough apples to fill your pie dish 3/4 full.
2. Mix together 1 Tbsp sugar and 1 tsp. Cinnamon and sprinkle over the top of the apples.
3. In a bowl mix: 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 stick of butter / Country Crock spread and 1 egg (1/2 c. walnuts, optional). Pour and spread over the top of the apples. Try to cover as much as the apples as possible.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or until the top is a little brown (or you can stick a toothpick in the batter and have it come out clean).

Country Crock spread has some great health benefits. As someone who is also trying to keep an eye on cholesterol, it’s really appealing.

0g. Trans fat
No hydrogenated oil
70% less saturate fat
30% fewer calories than butter
No cholesterol

Cooking with the Country Crock spread was even better. Since it’s a spread, it blends so well with whatever meal you are cooking. There is no need to take time to wait until it softens or melt it in the microwave. It just blends right into your ingredients! Talk about convenience! Taste wise – it’s delicious. If you are use to only using one certain product, try using Country Crock (they have an array of different products). I personally, didn’t find a difference and my meal turned out great. Once again, check out the nutritional value, that’s enough of an incentive for me!

Check out the Country Crock website for more information on where you can buy Country Crock spreads as well as recipes and nutritional values.

Thank you to Good to Know & Unilever Spreads for being a sponsor. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Meeting The Robertsons

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I’ve mentioned my love for Duck Dynasty in prior posts. Heck, we even found their shop in Louisiana. So last week my co-worker and I heard that they were going to be in Wal-Mart (go figure – of all places) signing their book, The Duck Commander Family. Willie and Korie, that is. So, I made sure I had nothing else to do and off to the Big-D I went!

I’ve attended a book signing before and to be honest, it was kind of hellish. It was just hours and hours of waiting in a bookstore line that never moved, however when we got to the front of the line, we spoke to her and got a picture. That part was great. This experience was a little different.

1. It is understandable that you would stand in line at a Wal-Mart to see a self-proclaimed redneck.

2. This line moved and it moved quick (thank you, thank you).

3. As opposed to reading books and sitting on the floor (as the case in the first book signing) we got to quickly go thru the aisles and shop a little. Or peruse in the sporting goods and auto section that is. Did I need any oil and new car seat covers? No, but I got some good Christmas ideas while I was there.

4. Babies. People love having their babies pictures taken with rednecks (and there were some cute ones).

5. Finally, we got to the front of the line. Here is my biggest quirk about the visit. It was super, super rushed. They could only take pictures while signing autographs and they signed quick. So I didn’t get to talk to them, although I’m not really sure what I would have said but it would’ve been nice to have a “moment” but I guess I got one below.

Let’s ignore how ridiculous I look and focus more on how wickedly awesome it is to have a picture taken with these two. More men should have these beards… just sayin’.

Love them – thanks for the signing! Next time, I need to meet Uncle Si and Jase!

Texas / OU Weekend, The West End, Dallas

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A couple weekends ago, it was UT vs. OU here in Dallas. It’s known as the Red River Rivalry and draws a big crowd, especially considering the Texas State Fair is going on. The game is on Saturday but there is always a huge crowd in the West End in Dallas on Friday night. I’ve wanted to check it out every year since I’ve been here and this year we finally went.

The street is blocked off, the businesses are open and accepting all customers. The street is filled with sober and completely drunk folks. Some who are strictly serious about the game and others who are just out to have fun. The people watching was pretty amusing. It never fails that some girls will wear the highest of all high heels and then not be able to walk for half the night. Comfort is key folks!

I will say that my expectations were set a little high. I expected more of a 6th Street in Austin feel (bar, bar, bar vs. restaurant) and beer tubs set out on the street. There were only one or two areas to buy beer without having to pay a cover at a restaurant / bar or to get into (and stay) in a gated area. There were also a lot more OU fans than Texas fans. But in the end the people watching is still golden and it was a good time!

The Red River Rivalry is a big deal here every year. Have any of you ever gone or have something similar in your area?