Paula Deen and a Giveaway, Too!

Well, the time has finally come to share some goodies with y'all!! A few weeks ago, I blogged about getting the chance to do my first product review courtesy of CSNStores.com. Not only was I getting the chance to do the review, but there was also a surprise in the works for my readers. So, sit back with your cup of coffee or tea, and be prepared to drool at least a little. :o)

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My first item up for review is the Paula Deen 9 X 13 Stoneware Baker. It's first use was for this delectable little recipe I came across a few weeks ago for Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls. I originally saw the recipe over at Colletta's blog, Colletta's Kitchen Sink. Then, when I realized I was about to get a new baker, I thought....what a perfect first recipe! :o)

I love every single thing about this piece! Even though it's color is not even remotely part of my overall kitchen color scheme, that won't stop me one bit from using it. I love the enamel finish since nothing else in my kitchen has it, and it helps me build upon my existing cookware pieces. Probably my favorite thing about it (as well as the loaf pan coming up next) is that they're so easy to clean! All of my other stoneware pieces (mostly from Pampered Chef) cannot be washed with soap because the stoneware is so porous. The Paula Deen collection of stoneware, however, is dishwasher safe, and even if I didn't want to use the dishwasher to wash it, it doesn't matter because I can have this thing washed and rinsed in a snap!
Next up is the Paula Deen 9 X5 Stoneware Loaf Pan. Now, I am no expert when it comes to making bread....which is why the actual loaf of bread itself is not very attractive. But in this case, I'm fortunate that it didn't have to look all that pretty to still taste good. This particular loaf of bread is Milk and Honey Bread. Definitely a first-time recipe for me with my first-time use of this pan. I was so very pleased at how evenly the bread cooked, with the bottom of the loaf turning a perfect golden brown. The recipe itself called for the pan to be sprayed before I put the dough in. When I went to remove the bread from the pan after it had cooked and cooled, I was so impressed that there was nothing stuck to the bottom of the pan! I don't always get those results from some of my other pans! And just like the 9 X 13 Baker, it was the easiest cleanup you ever saw! I told hubby that he better watch out....I may become a bread-making machine!

And last, but not least, the third item up for review is one of her books--Paula Deen's Kitchen Wisdom and Recipe Journal. I haven't had a chance yet to use this book really the way it's supposed to be used, but oh, how I know it will come in handy in my kitchen! :o) The whole book is divided into three sections with tabs for each section, and lots of blank pages throughout to list favorite recipes or recipes that are from friends and family. And occasionally, there's a little tidbit of wisdom from Ms. Paula herself. I tell ya, this girl is country as cornbread, and it shows when she goes to "talking" in the book. I can't wait to start fillin' this thing up with all sorts of recipes, especially the ones from my family. I already know the first one that I'll write in there--my mom's recipe for Lemon Icebox Pie....yum!

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So, I promised some goodies, too, didn't I? Well, the great folks at CSNStores are offering 2 great items for one lucky person. First up, you have the chance to win your own copy of Paula Deen's Kitchen Wisdom and Recipe Journal as well as the Paula Deen Cookbook Stand in Antique Bronze. Both of these items are great, and have a value of $27! Who can pass up TWO ITEMS that great for free?!?! :o)

Here's how it'll work:

Option 1--Leave a comment with your email address for one entry. If you do not leave an email address, your entry will be tossed out.

Option 2--Leave a comment and become a follower or subscriber to my blog for two entries.

Option 3--Leave a comment, become a follower/subscriber, and post this giveaway on your blog for 3 entries.

The giveaway will be open through Wednesday, March 24th, and the drawing will take place on Thursday, March 25th. The winner will be contacted by email within 24 hours of the drawing, and will need to provide their mailing address and phone number to receive their free items. Contest is limited to US addresses only.

One other footnote....

To keep this post from being so long, I did not include the recipes for the Milk and Honey Bread or the Lemon Icebox Pie. The bread recipe is from one of my other cookbooks, and the pie is my mom's recipe. If you're interested in either recipe, send me an email (my email addy is up at the top of the blog) and I'd be happy to pass them on to you.