NFL Brands M&Ms

As an update to our blog entry "Get Ready for Gameday" we recently learned that M&Ms features a full line of branded M&Ms featuring NFL football teams. The candies come in three packaging formats including 7 oz. bags US $10.99 (buy 5 or more and get them for US $9.99 per bag), a dispenser with three 7 oz. bags included for US $59.99 or a 5 lb. box for US $140. Each set has three varieties of the candies including the team logo and their name. M&Ms is running a special promotion where all sales of NFL items will be reduced by 10% so order early to ensure delivery by game day.

For more info click on the banner or e-mail cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Starbucks Recalls Glass Water Bottles

Starbucks Coffee Company has issued a voluntary recall in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission on glass water bottles due to a risk of shattering and lacertaions when the customer is inserting or removing the stopper.

These 20 oz. glasses have the words "Glass Water Bottle" affixed on a blue label

The glasses which were manufactured in Taiwan and had a retail price of $9, and are sold at Starbucks, Safeway and Target stores were introduced this month to the market. Nearly 11,000 units in the U.S. and another 1,200 are part of the recall.

Customers have been asked to refrain from using the water bottles and to return them to the retail location where they were purchased. Starbucks is also offering a complimentary beverage of any size to customers upon return on the glass bottles.

For additional information visit the Starbucks website.

Contact us at cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Liebherr Issues Recall on Built-in Refrigerators

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today issued a voluntary recall of the Liebherr Built-In 24-Inch Wide Single Door Refrigerators due to a risk that the refrigerator's door can detach and pose significant injuries to consumers.

The appliances were sold at specialty retailers from January 2005 through November 2009 for US $2500 to US $3200.

Manufactured in Germany, the single door refrigerators were sold individually or as a component of side-by-side refrigerators. The refrigerators come in stainless steel or custom finishes which are built into kitchen cabinetry.

Consumers with recalled refrigerators should contact Leibherr immediately to schedule an in-home repair free of charge.

For more information please visit the CPSC website or the Liebherr website.

Questions or comments? Please contact us at cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Get Ready for Game Day

If you are stressing about preparing to entertain on Superbowl Sunday you will be happy to know that there are many great ways to add pizazz to the planning. Keep the traditional fare of wings, sliders, pizza, dips, chips and chili on the front burner and consider some of these tips to add regional and team-themed treats to add flair to your affair.




For a little taste of the Bayou order a few boxes of Cafe du Monde beignet mix and a DeLonghi deep fryer to ensure that these tasty treats and fried to perfection. If frying is not your thing, choose this Nordicware bundt cake pan and prepare a yellow cake with a beautiful fleur de lis design. Top either with confectioner's sugar and serve.





Order a great centerpiece full of edible fruits including the Touchdown Delight or the Hail Berry from Edible Arrangements. Both can be delivered to your home for a nominal fee.






Custom printed M&Ms can be ordered in blue and white directly from the M&Ms website. Add a special phrase like GO COLTS to the back of the candies. Saints fan can choose Gold and Platinum M&Ms with GEAUX SAINTS or WHO DAT to show their team spirit. Visit this link for increased customizing options and receive 10% off of your purchase.

Order an assortment of football-themed cookie cutters from The Cookie Cutter Shop and use on store bought sugar cookie dough mix. The online shop features an array of great shapes perfect for cookies honoring both teams and the sport including fleur de lis, horse shoe, football, football helmet and cheerleader. Add colorful frostings and candies to complete the theme.

The Margaritaville Tahiti frozen concoction maker takes mixed drinks to another level. See a video of the machine here. The machine can prepare three drinks at once and has settings for a variety of frozen drinks including daiquiris, pina coladas, mojitos, mudslides, smoothies and margaritas. The machine has an integrated ice shaver and stainless steel details. A great option for the busy host.


Do not forget your paper goods! Find paper plates, napkins, cups, cutlery and helmet and football-shaped balloons at your nearest Party City adorned with team logos and colors.






For more great ideas contact cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Add a Little ART to Your DECOr

Illy espresso has launched an exclusive line of art collection cups designed by renowned filmmaker Pedro Almodovar (Volver starring Penelope Cruz). The Almodovar Collection with inspirations from his films are available in espresso and cappucino sizes and feature two or six cups. The sets range from US $70 to US $175 plus shipping. Free shipping is available on all Illy coffee purchases of $75 or more.

Crate & Barrel Wedding Parties

Calling All Brides!

Crate & Barrel will host a series of "Wedding Parties" at locations throughout the U.S. during the month of February. Brides can register on the Crate & Barrel website for these special in-store events. Look forward to working with the C&B bridal consultants, enjoy refreshments, build comraderie with other local brides and meet vendor representatives.

Jacklyn E. Bruce, founder of Cook Like Jackie, will be at various store locations representing Breville in the Washington, D.C. metro area during the month of February to answer questions about the wonderful line of Breville products including blenders, toasters, steamers and espresso machines.

For more info on creating the perfect foodie wedding registry, contact cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Tea Time

As we wind up the month of January, do not forget to pay homage to one of the most amazing drinks ever created---hot tea. January is national hot tea month and it is a great time to learn more about tea, a drink that has been in existence for nearly 5,000 years. Tea even holds a unique place in American political history thanks to the infamous Boston Tea Party which produced the familiar phrase "taxation without representation."

Societies around the globe have universally recognized the unique qualities a cup of hot tea can produce. Tea is known to encourage conversation and to have soothing properties that provide warmth and comfort. Tea is produced from the camellia sinensis plant, a hearty evergreen that tends to grow in warm climates. Teas varieties result from differences in the health of the leaves and a process we learned in science class, oxidation. Green tea and white tea is formed from tea that is not oxidized at all, instead the tea leaves are steamed, rolled and dried. Black tea is oxidized for at least two hours and up to four hours. Oolong teas are typically oxidized for two to three hours.

Popular herbal teas do not come from the camellia sinensis plant and instead are combinations of leaves, roots, bark, seeds and flowers from a variety of plants. Notably, herbal teas have not been linked to many of the popular research which suggests that tea provides health benefits.

According to the Tea Association of the U.S.A., tea has grown to a nearly $7 billion industry with almost $2 billion dollars worth of tea sold at retail supermarkets. Tea is produced in many foreign countries located in South America, Asia and Africa including Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Sri Lanka and Tanzania.

Tea in its purest form contains no sodium, fat, carbonation or sugar and is either low-calorie or calorie-free. Teas are also renowned for their flavanoids which are compounds that are said to have antioxidant properties which according to scientists block and neutralize free radicals which can cause damage to the body.

Tea is extremely easy to prepare and there are many products on the market which seek to optimize your tea experience. Breville has a variable temperature kettle that will boil water at varying temperatures depending on the type of tea that is brewed.

Tea Forte has some of the most beautifully packaged teas in their signature prism tea bag with ribbon. A ribbon box is quite affordable and makes an ideal gift at US $18 - US $24. The company is running a special promotion valid until January 31st. By using the coupon code FREEDOLCE, one can receive a free box of tea from the Dolce Vita collection with the purchase of a Sontu teapot which compliments the Tea Forte line exquisitely.

If you are interested in a more formal tea presentation, the Damman Freres Loose Tea Coffret 1825 sold online at Sur La Table provides a set of 18 teas including Jardin Bleu, Quatre Fruits Rouge and Citrons.

While traveling in San Francisco, I came upon the Red Blossom Tea Company who through a minimalist facade presents an awesome array of fine teas housed in beautiful large silver tins. Removing the lids reveals the fragrance of the teas like a fine perfumery. The store also features wonderful accessories such as specialty ceramics including a kyusu pot and a Korean ripple tea set.

For more information on tea selections, e-mail me at cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

My Foodie Valentine

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, finding great gifts for the foodie may require some creativity. Boxes of chocolates and roses are wonderful traditional gifts, but there are many great products on the market that may "curry" you more favor with your foodie valentine.

BUILT NY offers a beautiful red fishnet wine tote available for one bottle or two. Borrowing from neoprene, the wet suit material, this stylish tote is stain-resistant and hand-washable. At only $15 for a one-bottle version and $18 for a two-bottle version, why not purchase one and include your favorite bottle of wine. This is a great unisex gift and ensures that the packaging is minimal and green.

Add a fresh spin on the flowers and chocolates. Dean and Deluca offers this box of 12 chocolate-covered strawberries adorned with white, milk and dark chocolate for US $120. Order early to ensure your shipment arrives by the big day. Edible Arrangements also includes a wonderful fruit-filled arrangement penned the Valentine's Day Berry Chocolate Bouquet filled with fresh strawberries, chocolate-covered strawberries, grapes, cantaloupe, and pineapple. Arrangements range from $69-$129 plus a nominal delivery fee if you choose to have it delivered.

There are many great appliances available in Valentine's Day-inspired colors including the Kitchen Aid line of stand mixers. Empire Red, White and Komen Pink (in honor of breast cancer research) colors are available for US $299.95 at Williams-Sonoma. For the French Cookware fan, why not consider a dutch oven or baker from Le Creuset in Red?

For the tea lover, why not give the gift of Red Tea? Rooibos teas are native to South Africa and are grown exclusively near the Cape of Good Hope. Rooibos teas are caffeine free and Adagio Teas has a wonderful sampler for US $11. For the coffee lover, this Bodum french press in red is as beautiful as it is functional. Hand-washable, it retails for US $40 and is available at Sur La Table.

Have fun with fondue with the All-Clad stainless fondue pot with ceramic insert. This set is perfect for use with cheese, chocolate and oils which are perfect compliments to breads, fruits and even meats. The ceramic insert is dishwasher safe. The set retails for US $149.95.

Need more gift ideas? E-mail me at cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Cook Like Jackie Founder to Represent Breville in Washington, D.C.

Cook Like Jackie founder Jacklyn E. Bruce has contracted with Australia-based high-end kitchen appliance maker Breville to represent their brand in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Ms. Bruce has several years of product demonstration experience with high-end brands including DeLonghi, Nescafe, and Krups and has also worked at major culinary events including the Metro Cooking and Entertaining Show.

Her region will include coverage of several retailers including Williams-Sonoma, Crate and Barrel, Sur La Table, Macy's, Bed Bath and Beyond and Bloomingdale's. She will be responsible for accounts in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.