Chick- Peas in Chunky Tomato Sauce...and Red Gold Giveaway

I'm truly happy to announce to you, that I have the most amazing 100 % all natural tomatoes to have had the privilege of trying, almost exactly one year ago, when I won the beautiful giveaway pack, from my friend Wendy, @ Weekend Gourmet.

I did not even know that our local Publix Supermarket in West Palm Beach carries the Red Gold tomatoes, when I suddenly discovered it, yesterday! More importantly, I got my "six pack" ...no, I don't mean a six pack "abs"...not even nearly, or my six pack of "beer"...although beer would go nice with my Chick- Peas in Chunky Tomato Sauce, made with the Red Gold Tomatoes, that I received the "six pack" of different 6 type of their wonderful tomatoes.

I must tell you, that this is a truly Vegan dish, made with dried chickpeas (garbanzo) that have been soaked, and slowly cooked till it became just the right crunchiness on the outside, and al-dente on the inside, and the tomato stew, slowly cooked with Red Gold Crushed Tomatoes, and combined with Red Gold Stewed Tomatoes, that looked and smelled absolutely fresh, ruby red, and "heavenly"! Served over Israeli Couscous, an you've got yourself a satisfying Vegan/Vegetarian dish, or a side dish with any type of meat, if you prefer it that way! The best part...I get to share these "six pack" of tomatoes with the winner of this giveaway!

 I think it's always helpful to learn about the nice people, behind their products, so I wanted to share this with you...read on!

We are tomato people…people who grew up where tomatoes grow best - Tomato Country.
Red Gold began as a family business in 1942. Sixty-some years and three generations later, we still concentrate on growing tomatoes and using them to make over a hundred different products. Day in and day out, we pursue our mission, “To produce the freshest, best-tasting tomato products in the world.”
We harvest our well-tended fields at the moment when tomatoes are at their ripest, and carefully treat those tomatoes with the respect they deserve until they're tightly sealed and on their way to you.
You might be surprised how passionate we can be about tomatoes.
Learn more about Red Gold and our people

Now you can understand a little better...so let's get on with the recipe, and the giveaway. All you need to do is to follow my blog...if you haven't already...no facebook, foodbuzz, twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin, required to follow, since I'm the worst active blogger in all those. Can't even remember when I tweeted about something, but I will for sure tweet about RED GOLD Tomatoes!...and indeed, it's worth its weight in GOLD. Couldn't have come up with a better name for these amazing 100% natural tomatoes; and by now, all of you who know me from comments, know that I am sincere about my feeling of things, and this is one of them!
Cristy, at Red Gold contacted me by e-mail if I would like to participate in this giveaway, and you couldn't get me fast enough to say YES!

Please leave a comment, and mention what you would like to prepare with Red Gold Tomatoes...I will post all the six types that I received, and certainly there are a lot more products...this are just six, of the many!

Red Gold Petite Diced Tomatoes

Red Gold Diced Tomatoes Chili Ready

Red Gold Petite Diced Tomatoes, with Green Chilies

Red Gold Tomato Sauce

My favorites:
Red Gold Crushed Tomatoes

Red Gold Stewed Tomatoes








You've got till Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 @ 11:00PM Eastern Standard Time to enter, and I will announce the winner on Tuesday... just make sure you are following my blog...I will be sure to follow you back as well on your blog.
I will use Random generated number for the winner! Sorry, only U.S. and Canada are eligible for the giveaway!

Chick-Peas in Chunky Tomato Sauce
my own adaptation from an old Bon Appetit magazine recipe, circa (early 90's)

1 medium chopped onion
3 cloves of garlic chopped
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1- 14.5 oz. can of Red Gold Crushed tomatoes
1- 14.5 oz. can of Red Gold Stewed tomatoes
2 15-to 16 oz can chick-peas (garbanzo beans)
rinsed. ( I cooked my own garbanzo beans) and used 4 cups...also saved the liquid to cook the Israeli Couscous)
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley ( I used 1 teaspoon freeze dried parsley)
Save some parsley leaves for garnish ( I used fresh cilantro)

Homemade dried oregano on the left side... from Italy! The BEST!

Combine chopped onion, minced garlic and olive oil in a large non-stick skillet. (I used a large pot)
Cover and cook mixture over low heat until vegetables are tender, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes. Add tomatoes with their juices, chick-peas, and all the above mentioned spices, and bring to a boil.

Stir mixture, crushing tomatoes with side of spoon. (I left my beautiful sliced stewed tomatoes as they are, to cook till tender)
Add fresh parsley. Season to taste with salt, and pepper.

Spoon Couscous into shallow bowl, and ladle tomato mixture over it!
WW Points value: 10

This is what my freezer door shelf looks like. I freeze my best dry spices, to assure the fresh flavor. Just making sure that I don't let them expire. Either way, they should not be kept for more than one year.

Aren't they beauties?...you can also order them online from the company, if you cannot find them in your local supermarket, or specialty markets.

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Haitian Cole Slaw...and a Giveaway!

I've been on the cabbage kick all last week. I bought 2 heads of organic cabbage at Whole Foods, and also, I bought Daikon radish, the long white Japanese radish, Scotch Bonnet peppers, and really "kicked up" the spices in my Haitian Cole Slaw...you probably wonder what is a Haitian Cole Slaw?...and what makes it Haitian. I do have an answer for that. I became acquainted with it several years ago, working in the country club with Haitian cooks that make this fabulous slaw. Usually it's served with griot, which is a crispy fried pork dish, and a side of lettuce wedge with French dressing, and the cole slaw...and oh, my! spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet. Absolutely zero fat, healthy, refreshing, and delicious!

Haitian Cole Slaw
my own recipe

2 cups of water
1/2 cup cider vinegar ( I used organic)
1 t. sugar
1 t. salt
1 head of green cabbage
cored, and thinly sliced
2 carrots peeled, and shredded
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 Daikon radish, peeled, and sliced thin
(you can use regular radish, instead, of the Daikon)
1 to 2 Scotch Bonnet chilli, seeded, and sliced thin

Whisk water, vinegar, sugar and salt, in a large bowl. Stir in all the ingredients. Let the cabbage pickle overnight in the refrigerator. Transfer to a clean 1quart jar, or 2 small pint jars.
The slaw will keep several weeks in the fridge. Very healthy, and delicious as a side dish or just by itself to snack on.

....and now, for the Giveaway!


Do you remember my Israeli Couscous recipe?

Well, I went to Whole Foods this weekend and bought a box of Israeli Couscous...8.8 ozs-250g.
to give away, as my gift to you!

A few of you have mentioned that you cannot find this at your location, so I thought it would be a good idea to give it away!

So, this is it! the original Israeli (pearl) Couscous...a Unique Mediterranean Toasted Pasta Specialty!
You don't have to do a thing...just make sure you follow me on my blog, and twitter. (I'm not very active on facebook)...Let me know how you are planning to make this!...Remember, all you have to do is to just comment, and I will ship the couscous in the United States, Canada, and any other country outside from U.S. and Canada!
I will use the random generated number, by Random.com...on Wednesday, Oct. 5th, @ 11:00PM, based on Eastern Standard Time!
I know you will enjoy this specialty easy to cook, Israeli Couscous, as much as I do!
Have a wonderful week!
Hugs, to all!