Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Tastes of Home with Frito-Lay Recipe Contest & Giveaway!!

I live in Pennsylvania.  I didn't always live here, I grew up moving around because my dad was in the military.  Eventually we settled down in Pennsylvania, and as luck would have it, I fell in love and married a military man myself...and moved around some more.  We are finally back in Pennsylvania for good. 

Where we live, Amish Macaroni Salad is pretty popular.  I had never been a big fan of macaroni salads, and when I was dating my husband, he raved about it...but I was skeptical.  I mean, the man loves sweet bologna too!  (No offense meant if you do, but keep it *far* away from me, please!)  To be honest, before I started dating him, I had never even heard of Amish Macaroni Salad.  Once we were married, I decided to be a good wife and attempt to make it for him.  We were living in Virginia at the time, and we were a little bit homesick. 

I found a basic recipe, and went from there.  I was absolutely floored at how delicious it was!  I guess it's true, you shouldn't knock it 'til you've tried it.  I was hooked, and now I happily make my own Amish Macaroni Salad whenever we have barbecues or family gatherings.  It always reminds me of home.  I like to experiment with recipes though...as I'm eating them I'll think "You know, this would be so good with this or maybe a little of that," and when the mood strikes, I try it that way.  One variation I've tried reminds me of Lay's regional flavor, Garden Tomato & Basil.  As soon as I saw those bad boys on the shelf at the store, I knew I had to try them, and they are YUMMY. 


These chips were inspired by popular American regional cuisine and include:
  • Northeastern U.S. - Lay's Honey Mustard
  • Midwestern U.S. - Lay's Creamy Garden Ranch
  • Northwestern U.S. - Lay's Balsamic Sweet Onion
  • Southwestern U.S. - Lay's Chipotle Ranch
  • Southeastern U.S. - Lay's Cajun Herb & Spice
Also available:
  • Lay's Garden Tomato & Basil
  • Lay's Tangy Carolina BBQ
All of the Lay’s Regional Flavored potato chips are made with all natural ingredients, and are cooked in healthier oils so they contain 0 grams of trans fats per serving. Plus, there is less sodium in them than you might think -- a 1-oz serving of Lay's Regional Flavored potato chips contains less salt than a plain bagel!  I would love to be able to try the Cajun Herb & Spice, and the Creamy Garden Ranch varieties.  How about you?

When Frito-Lay invited me to participate in the Tastes from Home with Frito-Lay recipe contest, I knew this variation on Amish Macaroni Salad would have to be my entry.  I never really thought of an official name for it though, it's almost like a Caprese Amish Macaroni Salad?  Or just Tomato-Basil-Mozzarella Amish Macaroni Salad?  What would you call it?

A few of the ingredients set out and ready to go.
 *Note, this recipe makes a lot.  It makes way more than my family of four can eat in one day, but my husband loves Amish Macaroni Salad so much that when I make, I just go ahead and make a lot of it.  He'll eat it, haha.

  • 4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni


  • 4 hard-cooked eggs, chopped


  • 5 stalks celery, chopped


  • 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and chopped


  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half or quarters


  • 1 cup cubed mozzarella cheese (or more, if you really like it...I play around with amounts depending on my mood...today I actually added two cups)


  • 3 tablespoons dill pickle relish (you can substitute sweet pickle relish if you prefer, my husband does)


  • 3 cups creamy salad dressing or mayo (whichever you prefer, I've even mixed, or used mayo and ranch dressing together, which is my preferred combination)


  • 1/4 cup and 1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard


  • 1 cup and 2 tablespoons white sugar


  • 1 tablespoon and 1/4 teaspoon white vinegar


  • 1/4 teaspoon salt


  • 1 teaspoon celery seed


  • chopped (fresh!) basil to taste.  I use 4 or 5 leaves. 



  • Bring a pot of water to a boil.  I add just a dash of salt to the pot. 
    Add macaroni, cook for 8-10 minutes or until tender. 
    Drain macaroni.
    In a large bowl, mix eggs, celery, red pepper, tomatoes, mozzarella and relish.
    In a smaller bowl, mix the salad dressing or mayo, mustard, white sugar, vinegar, salt, and celery seed.  (I have tried to consolidate steps, and mix everything up in one bowl before, but it really does work better this way.)
    Pour this mixture over the vegetable mixture, and then stir in the macaroni.  Add chopped basil to taste. 
    Cover, and chill until ready to be served.
    
    Why is it so hard to take appetizing photos of food?

    Enjoy!  I like to eat a small serving while it's still warm from the macaroni.

    I made this tonight, with some sweet onion burgers (which I suppose I could have shared as these remind me of the Balsamic Sweet Onion flavor!), seasoned fries, and green beans.
    
    Dinner.  Yum!
      For a more "traditional" (not sure if traditional is the right word...I have no idea about the history of this macaroni salad) Amish Macaroni Salad, just leave out the tomato, basil, and mozzarella cheese.  You can add onions if you like them, but I don't care for them.

    Would you like to win a variety pack of Lay's Regionally Inspired potato chips?
     
    Mandatory Entry:

    Share the Lay's Regionally Inspired Flavor that reminds you of a recipe from home.

    Extra Entries:

    -Follow Frito-Lay onTwitter @FritoLayUSA.

    -Tweet the following:

    I just entered to win a Frito-Lay prize pack @FlipFlopReviews by sharing my favorite #FritoFlavors!

    -Share a recipe that one of these great Lay's flavors makes you think of.

    -Follow Flip Flop Reviews (publicly) on Google Friend Connect. If you already follow us, great, let us know.


    -Follow Flip Flop Reviews with Networked Blogs. (check the sidebar)

    -Follow Flip Flop Reviews on Twitter @FlipFlopReviews.

    -Blog about this giveaway and leave the link in a comment.

    -Enter one of our other current giveaways and let me know which one you entered. (Feel free to leave one comment for each giveaway entered)

    -Leave a relevant comment on any non-giveaway post here at Flip Flop Reviews. Just leave a link to the post you commented on here.


    This giveaway will end on 8/16/2011 at 8pm EST. Any entries after that will not count. Please make sure that you leave an email address or some way to contact you in your comments. If we can't figure out how to get in touch with you, you can't win! :o) Good luck! 



    *I may be sent one or more of the products mentioned above for participating.  This blog post is considered an entry itno the Frito-Lay Tastes of Home Contest.  In the event of a giveaway, the prize is shipped by the sponsor and I hold no responsibility. Thank you for reading!

    66 comments:

    1. The Honey Mustard kind reminds me of the potato salad I have learned to make! Thanks for the giveaway.
      caylee.hunter@gmail.com

      ReplyDelete
    2. The Creamy Garden Ranch reminds me of my homemade cole slaw. Just add a bit of apple cider vinegar, a pinch of sugar, salt & pepper and it's a meal in itself! Thanks.
      sweepster49 at comcast dot net

      ReplyDelete
    3. The creamy garden ranch reminds me of the vegetables we used to grow in our garden back home!
      reklaw422 at hotmail dot com

      ReplyDelete
    4. The Lay's Balsamic Sweet Onion Vinaigrette is like a dressing that my mom used to make!
      hisprincess886 at yahoo dot com

      ReplyDelete
    5. I Follow Frito-Lay onTwitter @FritoLayUSA - hisprincess886.
      hisprincess886 at yahoo dot com

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    6. I shared on twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/HisPrincess886/status/102766296147558400.
      hisprincess886 at yahoo dot com

      ReplyDelete
    7. These recipes make me think of a great taco salad recipe!
      hisprincess886 at yahoo dot com

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    8. I Like Flip Flop Reviews on Facebook - emillie rose.
      hisprincess886 at yahoo dot com

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    9. I Follow Flip Flop Reviews on Twitter @FlipFlopReviews - hisprincess886.
      hisprincess886 at yahoo dot com

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    10. The Tangy Carolina BBQ
      bhatch66 at gmail dot com

      ReplyDelete
    11. Creamy Ranch

      Sarah Anderson
      becomingsensible@hotmail.com

      ReplyDelete
    12. I like you on fb

      Sarah Anderson
      becomingsensible@hotmail.com

      ReplyDelete
    13. I follow flip flop reviews!

      Sarah Anderson
      becomingsensible@hotmail.com

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    14. I entered your Lysol giveaway

      Sarah Anderson
      becomingsensible@hotmail.com

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    15. Creamy garden ranch!
      cluelessme8{at}hotmail{dot}com

      ReplyDelete
    16. I follow frito lay on twitter
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    17. I like you on FB
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    18. I follow on GFC
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    19. the tangy carolina bbq.My grandma makes the best bbq ever!
      helldog3 at aol.com

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    20. Follow Frito-Lay on Twitter as helldog3
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    21. follow on gfc as Helen
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    22. like you on fb
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    24. follow you on twitter as helldog3
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    25. http://twitter.com/#!/helldog3/status/103298104991821824
      my tweet
      helldog3 at aol.com

      ReplyDelete
    26. The Garden Tomato & Basil Reminds me of a tomato salad we make on occasion.

      KellywcuATyahooDOTcom

      ReplyDelete
    27. entered the carmex giveaway
      helldog3 at aol.com

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    28. I follow FritoLay on twitter(kellysaver)
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    29. tweeted
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    33. I follow you on twitter(kellysaver)
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    34. I entered your Carmex giveaway
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    35. Honey mustard def reminds me of potato salad!

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      ReplyDelete
    36. I follow via GFC!

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    37. I like FFR on FB!

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    38. Entered the Carmex giveaway!

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    39. Entered the Lysol giveaway!

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    40. The Tangy Carolina BBQ makes me think of barbecue ribs
      hrddiana556@gmail.com

      ReplyDelete
    41. I follow on GFC
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    42. I follow on networked blogs
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    43. I follow Frito-Lay on twitter
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    44. I like you on fb
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    45. I follow you on twitter
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    46. The Creamy Garden Ranch reminds me of a dip my grandma used to make at every family gathering.
      huntandride@hotmail.com

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    47. Follow Lays on Twitter. @jen_r_horn
      huntandride@hotmail.com

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    48. Follow on Networked Blogs.
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    49. Tweeted. https://twitter.com/#!/jen_r_horn/status/103492814280728576
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    50. Fav is Carolina BBq! tracietrump@yahoo.com

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    53. Like you on FB! tracietrump@yahoo.com

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    54. Follow you via twitter@tmt121172 tracietrump@yahoo.com

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    55. Love your recipe. I'll have to try that! The flavor that resonates with me the most is Lay's Cajun Herb & Spice. I grew up eating highly spiced and flavored food, not necessarily "hot", just very highly flavored. To this day I cannot abide "bland" food. :)

      tnshadylady at gmail.com

      ReplyDelete
    56. http://twitter.com/#!/tnshadylady/status/103577716720271360

      ReplyDelete
    57. Creamy garden ranch reminds me that we love veggies and ranch dip

      laurie1993@verizon.net

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    58. -Follow Frito lay on twitter
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    59. tweeted
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    60. follow you on GFC

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    61. like you on FB

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    62. follow on networked blogs

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    63. follow you on twitter
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    Thanks for commenting! Please remember to add your email address if you are entering a giveaway. :o)