New Bacon Provolone Marinara Sauce Review

Cracked turkey and cheese melt with the sauce. A side of mango habanero kettle chips.

Presto has seemed to have jumped on the bacon bandwagon, as they have introduced new bacon provolone flavored marinara. I tried it, and think it’s a creative flavor. The overtone is a rich tomato base decorated with bacon bits. The scent of bacon reaches into the nose and rests there for a moment. There is a smokiness and slightly sweetened aroma that makes the mouth water. The soft provolone cheese flavor is muted in comparison to the bacon bits within the sauce. I thought of possible pasta and meat dishes that can meld well with the flavors of cheese, tomato and bacon and came up with these few ideas:

• Use in pasta without meat. This allows the flavors of the bacon marinara to resonate in the bland starch.
• Use in pasta with sausage. The sausage and bacon flavors paired with cheese and tomato in conjunction to the starchy pasta should blend well.
• Use it as a spread on a sandwich. My favorite use for this has been the third option. I’ve used the bacon marinara on a cracked black pepper melt with white cheese. When warmed, this sandwich turned out to have heavy accents of cheese melded with the smoked bacon and tomato flavor.

Bacon Provolone Marinara Yumfactor: I give this one 3 tongues and a taste bud (3.5 stars our of 5). It’s fun to try and experiment with, plus it’s somewhat versatile. I love the creativity of the flavor. It’s not something I would buy every time I run low of marinara, but it’s worth a try.

 

Have you tried this item? What are your thoughts? Don’t forget to rate, comment and/or subscribe! 

Cooking Goals: What I’ve Accomplished and not yet accomplished

I love challenging myself and testing my willingness to step out of my comfort zone by assigning myself daring, fun and daily goals. I have a list of many items I have been wanting to cook, and will include them on here. So far, I’d say my progress has been pretty steady. I think cooking goals is a great way to break free of cooking the same dishes over again, and obviously a wonderful method to increase one’s cooking confidence! What cooking goals do you have for yourself? What are your general opinions on goals for success? Have you reached many of your cooking goals? What do you think of making a cooking goals list? (Restricting or innovative) If you has a list, what type of things would you include on it?

I’d love to hear your input, and if you like my posts, please comment, rate and subscribe! Thanks!!! 🙂

This is NOT my comprehensive list. These are just some of the more interesting items I have decided to include.  ENJOY! and feel free to add yours!

• Peach Cobbler (with fresh peaches and brandy)
• Chinese Orange Chicken
  

  Goodness this was divine! Original Photo

• Thai Tea 
• Naan
• Curry Chicken (Jamaican Style)
• A Breakfast Stratta (with herb sauteed mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, fresh basil, feta cheese, and artichokes)
• Kimchee
• Zabaglione Cupcakes
  

  Grilled Tandoori Chicken- a spicy Indian dish

• Hummus
• Crab Cakes (jerked flavored?) from scratch with some kind of an interesting pineapple and jalapeno relish/salsa.
• Baklava
• Bhakri
• Tandoori Chicken
• Banana-Pineapple Upside down cake
• Stir Fry the way my mom makes it
• Pancit
  

  The popular and delicious Filipino dish Pancit

• Korean BBQ Chicken
• Spring Rolls
• Sweet Potato Wedges with a savory garlic and chipotle mayo.
• Asparagus cooked in a dry white wine, then topped with a garlic and herb hollandaise sauce OR topped with Italian seasoned panko break crumbs, still cooked in a garlic, butter white wine.
• Thai Chicken in both light and dark soy sauces, fish sauce, spices, and oyster sauces, with sweet Asian chili sauce.
• Green Tea and Coconut Cake with a Coconut Glaze
• Falafel
• At least 5 frostings from scratch (3 down 2 to go: buttercream, cream cheese, and a glaze so far)
• Enchiladas
• Mochi
  

  Mochi-A traditional Japanese dessert. A Similar delicacy is called "ttoek or Ddoek" in South Korea

• Samosa (Veggie)
• Tabbouleh
• Paella (Seafood)
• Chicken Patty Jamaican Style
• Lox
• Buttermilk Biscuits
• Chinese Donuts (made during the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit 🙂
• Bagels from scratch
• Strawberry Chocolate Layer Cake
• Veggie Lasagna
• Orange Cranberry Scones
• S’mores Cupcakes
• Strawberry Chocolate Champagne Truffles
• Pink Grapefruit Yogurt Layer Cake
• Croissants
• Layer Cake
• Danishes
• Red Lobster Biscuits
• Guacamole
• Sweet Mango Sticky Rice
  

  Add sweeteners to cheesecake, whip and dish it. Easy.

• Berry Cheesecake (everything from scratch except crust)
• Chai coffee cake
• Seafood gumbo
• Bruschetta 
• Caramel
• Pear Brandy Custard Galette with vanilla bean (and a caramel drizzle?)
• Ginger Coconut Blondies
• Flavored Frozen Yogurt
• Nectarine Ice Cream (from scratch)
• Fun Salads
• Miso Soup
• Carrot Cake (with a homemade cream cheese buttercream frosting)

Panera’s Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich- Reviewing My Obsession+Copycat recipe

Close Up

Everyone who knows me knows how much I love and often crave Panera’s Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich. Here’s why. It’s light and refreshing, healthy, full of both sweet and savory flavors, and it’s rather exotic in nature. First, let’s analyze this sandwich from inside out. Sun dried tomato and basil bread, with a sweet undertone around the crusts, a tangy hummus spread on the bread adding a nice kick of flavor and complexity,cilantro,  fresh cucumbers, lettuce, spicy Peppadew  peppers, red onions, and tomatoes…and FETA cheese!!!!  The bread is soft and full of flavor itself.

Inside Shot

And no, I’m not a vegetarian,but this sandwich is good enough to make me order it faithfully at Panera for over 5 years. I have tried other items as well, but this Panera’s Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich with a cup of their epic Iced Green Tea is all I need to have a great day. Plus, it’s under 650 calories!! (or a few little numbers above 650, but not above 670)

Copycat Recipe link!!!! alla *Debbie Does Dinner*

http://debbidoesdinnerhealthy.blogspot.com/2010/09/mediterranean-veggie-sandwich-with.html

Panera’s Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich Yumfactor- 5 tongues!!! I just only wish there were sun-dried tomatoes versus regular ones, but it’s still amazing! Cost- $6.30 including tax.