This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Natalie. Congrats!!
I love the experience of going to a coffee shop, ordering something fancy, and sipping it over conversation or a good read. My husband tends to be more of a no-frills coffee drinker and can drink a freshly brewed carafe without a sprinkle of sugar. Because I like my drinks with chocolate and whipped cream, I might splurge a couple of times a week as opposed to getting a daily fix like my husband. My ideal cup of coffee would be flavored, but not too sweet, bold but not too bitter.
Last week, celebrity chef and entertaining expert Paul McCullough showed off his culinary skills with an interactive summer brunch demo. The former Next Food Network Star owns a catering business in LA called Paul’s Kitchen where he’s prepared food for Kelly Clarkson, Lance Armstrong, and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The menu, which featured several foods infused with hints of Starbucks new Natural Fusions Coffee, included the following dishes:
The Siren’s Scramble
Paul’s Popovers with Maple Bacon and Citrus Infused Butters
Starbucks Natural Fusions Maple Bacon
Chocolate Bowl as Edible Art with Fresh Berries
After sipping on fresh juices and Starbucks Natural Fusions coffee, we began preparing our Chocolate Bowls. Entertaining is as much about the presentation of food as it is the flavor. These bowls are very easy to make and particularly popular with children.
1. Melt 2 cups of dark chocolate chips in the microwave on high for 2 minutes, making sure to stir every 30 seconds (you could always melt chocolate in a double boiler but it takes longer). Be sure you use a bowl that will accomodate a blown-up balloon.
2. Blow up several balloons and spray them with a light coating of cooking spray. You can dab the bottoms with a paper towel so the excess doesn’t run into the chocolate.
3. Dip the balloons into the chocolate and place them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment (or wax) paper to prevent sticking. Paul had each of us drizzle some melted white chocolate into the dark chocolate before dipping which created an artsy design.
4. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until hardened and ready to serve
5. Pop the balloon and carefully pull away any balloon pieces that remain.
6. Fill with fresh, organic, seasonal berries.
Here is the finished creation:
Next we watched as Paul demonstrated Starbucks Natural Fusions Maple Bacon. I soo don’t eat bacon…but on Wednesday, I decided that I just had to try it. I think that if bacon were prepared this way all of the time, I might throw out the “I don’t eat bacon” rule. Here is how Paul created this dish.
1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Line a rimmed baking pan with parchment (or wax) paper and set a flat rack on top.
3. Lay down bacon strips on the rack with the edges touching (about 1 pound thick-cut bacon or 10 slices)
4. Sprinkle bacon strips evenly with 1 tablespoon of Starbucks Natural Fusions Vanilla ground coffee
5. Combine 2/3 cup packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of real maple syrup and 2 tablespoons of freshly brewed Starbucks Natural Fusions Vanilla coffee in a small bowl.
6. Brush the bacon with half of the sugar mixture.
7. Add course fresh cracked pepper lightly over the bacon (to taste). Paul actually sprinkled some of the strips with Cayenne pepper which gave it a kick!
8. Bake for 15 minutes.
9. Turn bacon strips over and sprinkle with remaining coffee, brush with remaining glaze and pepper
10. Bake until crispy, approximately 10 minutes.
Because I love all-things bread, Pauls Popovers were my favorite dish. He complimented them with two homemade butters…bacon and citrus. They look elaborate but are super easy to make. Time to invest in a popover tin! : )
1. Preheat oven to 400
2. Place 5 eggs and 1 2/3 cups half and half in a large bowl and beat with a whisk until blended
3. Add 1 2/3 cups of flour and 1 t salt and mix well (some lumps are ok)
4. Coat the pan with cooking spray and fill each cup 3/4 full
5. Place on the middle rack of your oven and ensure there is adequate space for them to rise (because they will!)
6. Bake for 30 minutes (avoid opening the oven during baking time)
To make the maple bacon butter, Paul whipped 1/2 cup of finely chopped bacon (see recipe above) into 1 stick of softened, unsalted butter until fluffy. I actually preferred the citrus butter which included marmalade, orange zest, and lemon zest (YUM!).
The last dish Paul made was a scramble. What I liked about the dish was it’s versatility. If you sub pasta for the eggs you can serve this for lunch (or brunch since both breakfast and lunch items are fair game). I also want to attempt to make this as an omlette or frittata (stay tuned).
1. Mix one pound of sauteed spinach, one pound of browned and crumbled turkey sausage and one half cup of julienned sundried tomatoes and set aside.
2. Scramble one dozen eggs until almost done but soft.
3. Fold the spinach mixture through and sprinkle with eight ounces of seasoned feta.
Here is the omlette…
And the pasta variation…
With just a few tips from Paul on flavors and presentation, I can create an easy, inexpensive brunch that looks and tastes incredible.
Starbucks recently introduced their new Natural Fusions flavored ground coffees in Cinnamon, Caramel, and Vanilla. These coffees, which are available at grocers nationwide, are made with vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg ground and blended in with the coffee. The coffee itself is made with quality, ethically-sourced arabica coffee beans and roasted to complement each flavor (per the site).
There are times when I find the freshly brewed coffee at Starbucks locations to be a bit too strong (hence the fact that I stick with the more gourmet espresso drinks). One of the great things about brewing coffee at home is that I can decide how strong I want it. My favorite blend was the Vanilla and I actually don’t have to put sugar or chocolate in it! Just a little half and half and Voila! A perfect cup of coffee in the comfort of my own home.
You can find more tips on creating that perfect Summer Brunch here.
Win It! One of you will received all three flavor varieties of Starbucks Natural Fusions and a mini French Press. Simply leave me a comment with the flavor you’d like to try or your current favorite drink at Starbucks. Comments will close on July 19th, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST.
US Residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.
Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.
Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.
Like me on Facebook
Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.
Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.
Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!
No compensation was received for this post. I was invited to the workshop and was provided coffee samples which helped facilitate this review.
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The Duo Dishes says
hehe So many good pics! That was truly a blast, and we were so lucky to be part of the intimate affair. Lucky lucky us! Definitely making popovers now that it’s been proven you don’t need a special pan. 🙂 It was fun to meet you! Hope to cross paths again very soon.
susanlanai says
I’d love to try the caramel.
It looked like you all had to much fun and everything looked delicious!
Lisa says
Great event! I love coffee so this would’ve been right up my alley. My favorite drink at Starbucks is the Caramel Macchiato. YUM!
susanlanai says
I follow you and tweeted.
https://twitter.com/#!/susanlanai/status/87991797002932224
susanlanai says
I Like you on Facebook.
susanlanai says
I subscribe via email.
susanlanai says
I clicked on the Google Buzz button.
Kay Lynn says
My favorite starbucks drink is the skinny cinnamon dolce latte.
Dee says
I’d love to try the caramel flavor. Thanks for the chance! 🙂
Dee says
I follow you on twitter @deegee13 and tweeted https://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/88096817367097344
Dee says
I subscribe via google reader
Dee says
I dugg as DeeGee13
Natalie says
My fav Starbucks drink is a caramel frappuchino with extra caramel and extra whip – yum! Just typing that makes me want some…now… 🙂
nlevdan3 at yahoo dot com
Natalie says
I like you on Facebook
nlevdan3 at yahoo dot com
Rebecca Graham says
My favorite Starbucks drink is an extra hot, extra shot caramel macchiato.
Rebecca Graham says
Follow you on Twitter: rhoneygee
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/rhoneygee/status/88140992779268096
sandy says
love the caramel- ok want to try the caramel…loved your descriptions…looked like a blast
JW says
the caramel flavor
JW says
email subscriber
Lorri Jeanne says
It’s a toss between the caramel and vanilla.
liz says
the vanilla sounds the best to me….thanks for the creative recipe ideas!
[email protected]
Monique Rizzo says
The Caramel sounds good.
Thanks for the chance.
[email protected]
Amber says
My current favorite drink at Starbucks is the Iced Caramel Macchiato!
Amber says
I like you on Facebook – my FB name is Amanda Moore
Amber says
I follow you on Twitter and tweeted, I’m @AmberGoo: http://twitter.com/#!/AmberGoo/status/88397033739780096
Amber says
I like this post on Facebook – my FB name is Amanda Moore
Amber says
I subscribe to your RSS Feed with google reader
Diane R. says
My favorite drink at Starbucks is the caramel macchiato.
Stephanie V. says
my fave drink is a java chip frappy with whip – yum!
Stephanie V. says
like you on FB
Stephanie V. says
e-mail subscriber
nan says
i’d like to try the cinnamon
nannypanpan at gmail.com
nan says
e-mail
nannypanpan at gmail.com
Linda Kish says
I would like the vanilla
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Linda Kish says
I am an email subscriber
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
linda lansford says
I want vanilla
linda lansford says
I like on fb
linda lansford says
I sub to email
asha marie pena says
i want the vanilla to try. I like caramel however I really don’t know how that would taste.
[email protected]
asha marie pena says
i follow you on twitter
@ashabutterflys
asha marie pena says
i tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/ashabutterflys/status/88479754247880704
asha marie pena says
i like you on facebook
asha marie pena says
i get your emails.
asha marie pena says
i posted on facebook
http://www.facebook.com/ashabutterflys/posts/10150304790836280
Tiffany says
I love seeing all the cool stuff you get to go do! This looks like so much fun, and that balloon chocolate idea is really neat!
Caramel is the flavor I most want to try!
Tiffany says
rss subacriber
Vicki Wurgler says
the caramel
Vicki Wurgler says
e-mail subscriber
Susan Ladd says
Would love to win 🙂
Linda says
I would like to try the Cinnamon
Tina M says
My favorite drink is the Hot Caramel Macchiato
Tina M says
follow you on facebook
Tina M says
subscribe via email
Tina M says
http://twitter.com/#!/HappyTina0115/status/88773768360632320
chris says
Caramel Macchiato
Alison T. says
I would like to try the caramel flavor of Starbucks Natural Fusion.
supaflychikenpi2 AT gmail DOT com
Ellen C. says
I’d like to try the vanilla. Thanks for the chance.
Ellen C. says
I’m a subscriber.
Ellen C. says
I like you on facebook.
Carolyn says
I would love to try the Starbucks Natural Fusions Cinnamon.
hjm says
I always order a double iced mocha at Starbucks. Tastes SO good even if it’s not good for me! Oh well.
Thanks
hjm says
I follow rockin mama on facebook. My fb name is A marie hj saver.
thanks!
Cindy Merrill says
When I visit Starbucks, it’s usually after work in the evening, so I order a Decaf Latte.
Deb K says
I would love to try the Carmel! Thanks for the chance
deb55106{at}gmail{dot}com
angie says
I would love to try the caramel. Looks delicious.
clarissa says
caramel would be good
clarissa says
http://twitter.com/cneiding/status/89884853142695936 tweet
clarissa says
facebook like you
clarissa says
email subscriber
clarissa says
stumbled it
Susan C says
Caffè Misto is my favorite drink-yum!
smchester at gmail dot com
Melissa Perez says
Would like to try the caramel flavor.
Following on twitter @mindless1der
Like on facebook
Tabathia B says
I’d like to try the caramel
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
twitter follower & tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/90986989297467394
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
stumbled post (chelleb36)
http://www.stumbleupon.com/to/AGiuaU/rockinmama.net/2011/07/starbucks-natural-fusions-and-a-coffee-inspired-brunch-giveaway/t:4e1ce8c44440f;src:all
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Tabathia B says
posted on fb
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=190725884318842&id=100000585237064
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
digged post (chelleb36)
http://digg.com/story/r/starbucks_natural_fusions_giveawayrockin_mama
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
email subscriber
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
like on fb (michelle b)
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
kjasus says
i’d love to try their cinnamon coffee
[email protected]
kjasus says
follow you and tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/raggammuffin/status/91133968723869696
kjasus says
i like you on FB
kjasus says
i subscribe via google reader
Wehaf says
I love vanilla steamers!
Tabathia B says
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/91504056215928832
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
amanda says
i love the hot chocolate!!!!! hold the whip though, it has was too much fat and too many calories for me.
Cherice says
The Vanilla would be a must have! Thanks for the chance.
Cherice says
I subscribe 🙂
Tabathia B says
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/92050624165847040
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
ferriz says
my fave starbucks drink is the vanilla creme frap with java chips. sooo good. i mean, i LOVE coffee but that is my fave drink ever.
ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com
ferriz says
fb fan: xferriza2 (Danielle b)
ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com
ferriz says
email sub: ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com
Jill Myrick says
I would love to try the Starbucks Natural Infusions Cinnamon.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
Jill Myrick says
I am a fan via Facebook as Jill Myrick.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
Jill Myrick says
I am subscribed via email as jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com.
LeAnn V says
I’d love to try the caramel flavor.
LeAnn V says
Following on Twitter & tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/dancersmom69/status/92378125131976704
LeAnn V says
Already liking you on FB (leann brandner voyer)
LeAnn V says
Subscriber. LKVOYER at aol dot com
Tabathia B says
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/92420322443280385
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Mallory Nichols says
My favorite drink at Starbucks is the white chocolate mocha…mmmmm! Thanks for the giveaway!
Claire says
My current fav starbucks drink is the mocha coconut frappuccino. Sooo good!!!
lexigurl says
My pick would be caramel!
lexigurl_17 (at) hotmail (dot) com
lexigurl says
I like you on FB: Alexadnra Herring
lexigurl says
I subscribe via email
lexigurl_17 (at) hotmail (dot) com
Caryn S says
My current favorite drink is their Mocha Coconut Frappucino!
caryn9802 at yahoo dot com
Kristie says
My favorite drink at Starbucks is Pumpkin Spice Latte when it is in season.
cyndi br says
I would like to try the vanilla
cyndi br says
fan on facebook
cyndi br says
I get your emails
ky2here says
I’ll have a macchioto please.
ky2here at msn dot com
ky2here says
FB fan kyhere here.
ky2here at msn dot com
ky2here says
Twitter follower ky2here1, https://twitter.com/#!/ky2here1/status/92738612004798465
ky2here at msn dot com
Jaque R. says
Caramel is the flavor of Natural Fusion I would most like to try….maybe because I love Starbuck’s Caramel Machiatto’s. 🙂 Thank you.
Jaque R. says
I follow you on Twitter AND tweeted about the contest. here: http://twitter.com/sottovocerocks/status/92778025598459904
🙂
Jaque R. says
I like you on Facebook. 🙂 (Jaque Richards)
MelissaO says
The popovers look divine…and amazing photos! My current favorite drink is the iced caramel machiatto!
wolverina401 at gmail dot com
Lucy Schwartz says
The ultimate indulgent pick for me at StarBuck’s is the Mocha Frappichino!
kittycardero says
I’d try the caramel flavor.
kittycardero says
https://twitter.com/kittycardero/status/92829659888222208
kittycardero says
Like on Facebook
kittycardero says
email subscriber
Emma Peel says
I think I’d like caramel
Emma Peel says
email subscriber
Melissa B. says
My favorite Starbuck’s drink is White Chocolate Mocha.
Angela Winesburg says
I would love to try the Vanilla, thanks!
Angela Winesburg says
Email Subscriber, thanks!
Angela Winesburg says
Liked you on FB (AngelaWinesburg)
Angela Winesburg says
https://twitter.com/#!/Hotsnotty2/status/93037753964576768
Roxann says
I’d love to try the vanilla.
Roxann says
Google reader subscriber.
happi shopr says
With it being so hot here in Texas, I love Zen Iced Tea, though I could drink it year round
Tabathia B says
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/93073910169481216
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Diane Baum says
Yummy-I would love to try the caramel
Jammie says
I would love to try the Caramel frappuchino
Jammie says
I follow and tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/Jammie79/status/93090862824820736
Jammie says
I like you on fb Jammie M
Jammie says
I subscribe via email.
Regina M says
Would love to try Natural fusions Vanilla.
Kate says
I love their carmel macchiatos!
shala_darkstone says
I’d love to try the Caramel flavor.
shala_darkstone says
I follow your Facebook page (FB name: Maddie Brubaker).
shala_darkstone says
I subscribe to your RSS feed.
Debra Hall says
i like the vanilla
Debra Hall says
im a email subscriber
Debra Hall says
im a facebook fan
april bever says
I’d like to try caramel
Jennifer R says
I would love to try the Caramel variety of the Starbucks Natural Fusions coffee. reejen at comcast dot net
Veronica says
I am loving their new Mocha Coconut Frappe
Tiffany says
I would love to try the caramel flavor! Thanks for the giveaway!
Tiffany says
Like you on Facebook Tiffany Hearn
Tiffany says
Subscribe to your feed via Googler reader.
Sarah says
I’d like to try the natural fusions cinnamon.
Sarah says
Twitter follower @sarohioan
http://twitter.com/#!/sarohioan/status/93337246673010688
Annette D says
I love Starbucks! My favorite drink is the nonfat Mocha!
Annette D says
Following and tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/annedoggett/status/93346323062984704
Nick Hilleshiem says
caramel!
[email protected]
trisha says
venti white mocha! love the pics
Annika H says
My favorite is a tall nonfat latte.
Shari Klyn says
I would love to try the Starbucks® Natural Fusions Vanilla.
Sue says
would love caramel fusion
Vicki Dahlstrom says
When I go to Starbucks, I always get their breakfast blend. It’s a little lighter on the caffeine, and I love the taste.
Steph A says
I’d like to try all of them but especially caramel!
Steph A says
I like you on facebook! stephanie a….
Steph A says
I subscribe to your emails!
Steph A says
I follow you on twitter and tweeted!
https://twitter.com/gnwg/status/93475440542494720
Steph A says
I submitted a digg! gnwg
Steph A says
I stumbled this post! gnwg
James Coyne says
I would like to try the caramel flavor
James Coyne says
i follow you on twitter and tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/JCoyne1031/status/93483519682150401
James Coyne says
i like you on facebook
James Coyne says
i’m an email subscriber
carol y l says
Ooh, the caramel sounds so good!
spcale at yahoo dot com.
carol y l says
email subscriber spcale at yahoo dot com.
carol y l says
feed subscriber spcale at yahoo dot com.
carol y l says
I like you on FB, I do I do! carol yerby lewis
spcale at yahoo dot com.
carol y l says
follow and tweet http://twitter.com/#!/dresdenrain/status/93486345468641280
spcale at yahoo dot com.
Deb says
I’d try the Vanilla Natural Fusion!
Deb says
Shared about giveaway on Facebook
Deb says
Like RockinMama on Facebook
Deb says
Subscribe to feed via email
Kym Benton says
Vanilla Please
Tabathia B says
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/93514437947965441
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
kathy pease says
id love to try the Starbucks® Natural Fusions Caramel
kathy pease says
https://twitter.com/klp1965/status/93522535471263745
kathy pease says
like you on facebook kathy l pease
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kathy pease says
rss google feed subscriber
kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com
kathy pease says
stumbled klp1965
kathy pease says
https://www.facebook.com/KathyLPease
Required: Name says
I would love to try the Caramel. Yum!!
Required: Name says
I follow you on twitter.
http://twitter.com/#!/angevege/status/93524889780236288
Required: Name says
I like you on Facebook.
Nicole parsons says
I love white chocolate mochas! Best thing at Starbucks
[email protected]
Sand says
I would love to try the Caramel flavor.
Elizabeth Neal says
Mocha Latte for me.
Elizabeth Neal says
Twitter follower and I Tweeted.
http://twitter.com/#!/lizzieboo1961/status/93544578388467712
Elizabeth Neal says
I “like” you on Facebook.
Elizabeth Neal says
I “Stumbled”.
Elizabeth Neal says
I shared the giveaway on Digg.
Gianna says
White Chocolate Mocha is a favorite around here.
Gianna says
I’m an email subscriber.
Veronica Garrett says
I would like to try the Caramel.