Farberware Oil-Less Fryer

On a scale of 1 - 10 I rate this product a 9+

While wandering around in Walmart I spotted the appliance section.  I always love to see what is new and watch the prices with hopes of maybe buying.  Well, I saw the Air Fryers and noticed that the Farberware was only $69.00.  Those advertised on TV are around $100+ so this was one of the lowest prices I had seen so far and I knew the brand was one I had bought before and trusted.  And since I had been wanting to try the Air Fryer since they first came out, that price was all it took for me to break down and buy the Farberware Oil-Less Fryer (Air Fryer). 

I couldn't wait to get home and try it out.  I was making Salmon Patties for dinner but didn't see a recipe for them in the cookbook that came with it.  There was, though, a recipe for crab cakes so I simply changed it up a bit and used salmon instead of crab.  They took about 10 minutes to cook and came out crispy on the outside and beautiful on the inside. 

Next I made Boneless Pork Chops.  I used the Country Fried Steak breading recipe but changed the outer crust to Panko instead of regular bread crumbs.  These came out crispy (not like country fried steak) and moist.  Delicious. 

Then came the wings.  These were simple to make.  You put the wings in the basket, cook for about 10 minutes, dredge in BBQ sauce, cook another 5 minutes, dredge in more BBQ sauce and cook another 5 minutes.  You won't believe how great these came out!  I've actually made these twice.

Clean up - It took me about 5 minutes to clean the basket and pan after making the wings and less after making the other dishes.  I can't wait to make even more delicious dishes using this HEALTHY piece of equipment. 

So, if this is so good why didn't I give it a 10?  The timer and temp buttons are hard to read, but not impossible.

Martha White Mexican Style Cornbread & Muffin Mix

On a scale of 1 - 10 I rate this product a 10+

For years I've enjoyed the cabbage and Mexican cornbread that was served by K & W Cafeteria near my home.  Well, they closed!  I would order the same thing every time, so much so  that the line lady didn't even ask what I wanted.  I would always order 'Mexican cornbread on a plate, topped with a double order of cabbage and juice spooned over the bread until it was soggy.'  This was my normal, delicious order.  I had no idea where I would, nor if I would, ever find my favorite dish with them no longer there.

I've tried several recipes for Mexican cornbread and never seemed to find the right taste.  I don't normally use mixes so when I spotted the Martha White Mexican Style Cornbread.  After checking the ingredients I found it had no sugar, I don't like sweet cornbread, so I decided I would give it a try.  What did I have to lose.  The directions were simple - 2/3 cup milk (I used buttermilk) and 1 egg.  And the calorie count was only 130 calories per serving (don't know what the buttermilk added) but since I was only eating the cornbread and cabbage it couldn't be too bad for me.

I have to tell you right off.  This mix is delicious!  The buttermilk gave it a flavor that was even better than K & W's.  One of the ingredients was jalapeno peppers giving it just the perfect heat.  It didn't have the whole corn but that was ok since there wasn't that much in K & W's so it wasn't missed.  And the price is around $1.00 for the package!  This has now taken the place of my K & W Mexican cornbread that I can now make anytime I want and enjoy.

AquaStar Crispy Battered Alaskan Cod

I rate this product a 10+.

I love cod!  I have only 1 select restaurant that serves it with a nice crispy crust with the fish being thick, flaky and moist.  Yum!  But I can't always make it to the restaurant when I have a 'cod attack.'  I've tried just about every pre-battered cod product in the stores but haven't been able to find one that fits my taste... that is until I found AquaStar.

I don't fry my foods.  I usually cook my fish in a toaster oven hoping to get a crispy crust with the fish still being moist.  Most of the time the crust comes out moist with the fish being dry.  The opposite of what I want.

AquaStar Crispy Battered Alaskan Cod is exactly what its name says.  I cook it on about 400 in the toaster oven for about 20 minutes (frozen straight from the freezer).  When done I drizzle a little Malt Vinegar and I'm ready to eat.

So far I've only been able to find this product at Walmart.  Hopefully some of the other grocery stores will start carrying it but until they do you can bet I'll make a special trip to Walmart when I'm running low.

Neutrogena Triple Moisture Shampoo

I rate this product - 10+ - but not for my hair (read on)

I have a skin condition where I'm losing my pigment.  I keep my hair short and wear a hat most of the time but when I'm not wearing my hat I want a shampoo that will give my hair a little body so I'm constantly trying different shampoos.  I bought Neutrogena Triple Moisture hoping it would give me this much needed body.  Well, it didn't - BUT -

I found another use for this product.  Due to my pigment loss my skin is extremely dry!  I've tried lotions and they simply don't work for me.  Out of a whim I decided to lather up with one of the many bottles of shampoo I've bought.  The 1st one I picked up was the Neutrogena.  I lathered up my arms and legs in the shower, toweled off and noticed how soft my skin was.  I also noticed later in the day that it was still soft.  I could run my nail across my arm and there was NO dry skin.

This 'shampoo' works better than any body wash I've EVER tried!  I have no doubt as a shampoo it will work for most people but for me it's my #1 body wash from now on.

Jimmy Dean Delights Frittatas - Bacon & Spinach

I rate this product a 10+

When I first became aware of this product it was through a coupon I found in the paper. What caught my eye was that it contained no flour as an ingredient.  So I started my search.  I checked with all my local grocery stores and no one seemed to know what it was and apparently didn't carry it.  After a few months I gave up.  That is until they started advertising on TV starting my search all over again.  I checked one of the local stores and they, again, didn't carry and had never heard of it.  I didn't give up.  While in Walmart I decided to check their breakfast section to see if they carried it.  Not there - so I thought.  I spotted a man stocking the frozen food section and he knew exactly what I was looking for and took me to the 'light' section.  There they were!

I decided to try 2 of the different flavors - Bacon & Spinach and Turkey Sausage & Bacon.  I've just tried the Bacon & Spinach and believe me it is delicious!  You just pop it in the microwave for about 2 minutes and you have a simply delicious, filling Frittata (I call it muffin).  This one has 14g of protein and only 260 calories per serving which consists of 2 muffins.  It has egg with Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese, Spinach and Bacon.  I love them!  Can't wait until tomorrow to try the Turkey Sausage & Bacon.

Give these a try.  I don't think you'll be disappointed.

McCormick's Garlic Mates - Garlic, Herb & Wine Marinade

I rate this product a 10!

Someone gave me a package of McCormic's Grill Mates Garlic, Herb & Wine Marinade and it sat in the cabinet until I finally noticed it some time later.  It's a marinade that is normally used for fish, chicken or pork but I had a small beef roast that I decided to use it on.  Well... that was a good decision but, I needed the roast for dinner and didn't have time to do much marinading.

I mixed the 1/4 cup of oil, 1/4 cup water and 2 Tbsp. of vinegar, poured it into my slow cooker and added my roast, let it cook on med. heat for about 4 hours and turned it about every hour.  The last hour I added 3 large baking potatoes that I cut into thirds, an onion I cut into chunks and a few carrots.  This cooked for about another hour with me turning the potatoes about half way through.

This is the 1st time I've ever cooked a roast with potatoes that required no salt, no pepper, no steak sauce on the roast and no butter on the potatoes.  Everything! was seasoned perfectly.  This product worked perfectly.  Wonder how it will taste on fish, chicken or pork as it was made for?

Reser's Red Skin Potato Salad

I give this product a 10+

I NEVER buy pre-made potato salad!  NEVER!  I don't even order it at the restaurants.  I like MY potato salad and only mine.  Everyone else loves my potato salad too and I'm usually asked to bring it to events.  Well.... my dearly beloved John picked up a carton of Reser's Red Skin Potato Salad at the Bi-Lo (Harvey's now).  He said he wanted some potato salad but didn't want to put me out by having to make it.  It does take a little time to peel and chop the potatoes, cook them just right, cut up the onion and pickles, etc.  Well, he put some his plate that night.  I stayed away from it.  I don't like store bought potato salad!.  He took a bite and insisted I just taste it.  I did.  If I hadn't pulled the plastic film off the carton myself I would have sworn that it was MY potato salad!  It's so good!  Just creamy enough, just the right amount of onions and pickles.  Perfect!

So, that little 1 lb. container didn't last long.  When I went to one of my local grocery stores I thought maybe I had been wrong all along about per-packaged potato salad.  They didn't have the Reser's brand so I bought another.  NO WAY!  It was just as I remembered.  Dry, sweet and just not creamy enough.  When I went back to Bi-Lo I found the store had changed names (Harvey's) and crossed my fingers that they would still carry this little jewel.  They do and I picked up a 3 lb. container.  That was a mistake.  I picked up regular potato salad.  Creamy but too sweet and no onions.  See, the Red Skin Potato Salad has just a bit of 'dill' pickles in it and that along with the onions are what make it the best!

Since I've discovered this delicious dish I have made it a staple in my refrigerator.  I've actually slipped into refrigerator, taken out a nice spoonful and savored every morsel.  Unless I have to make a large amount of potato salad to take somewhere, I'll be serving Reser's Red Skin.