Monday, October 20, 2014

Girards Dressing Giveaway... what would you do with your care package?

Girard's Dressing Giveaway

Dressing... it's not just for salad, is it?  A few months ago I participated in a challenge from Girard's Dressings to create a recipe using one of their products that stretched the idea of the usual dressing use - going beyond salad.

Do you remember the No-Cook Summer Heirloom Tomato Sauce with Fresh Herbs I put together in August?  Using Girard's Old Venice Italian, that recipe launched me on a path I'm incredibly excited to follow.

Girard's No Cook Heirloom Tomato Sauce
Get the recipe here
Girard's brand is one that's always been near and dear to my heart - a company with a history closely paralleling my own (we both began in San Francisco, spent time in San Rafael and made our way south to San Diego) - Girard's brings a bit of my childhood back into my kitchen.

With a recipe dating back to the mid 1930's, my mom says her father actually ate at the Girard's French Restaurant on Ellis St., in San Francisco, where Girard's Original French Dressing first came to be.
Easily recognizable in their familiar triangular-shaped bottles, Grirard's was a staple in our kitchen when I was little, and I smiled as my neighbor's 12-year old daughter pointed to the Champagne Dressing in my now grown up kitchen, exclaiming, "Oh!  That one's my favorite!".  Her smile grew even larger when I handed her the bottle to take home after she helped me style and shoot a few photos.

Girard's Culinary Collective - 2014
Girard's Culinary Collective
Ruthie of Cooking with Ruthie, Kim (me - Liv Life), Amy of Our Everyday Diners, Danelle of Let's Dish, Becky of Vintage Mixer and Julie of A Little Bite of Life
Apparently a winning recipe, our No-Cook Heirloom Tomato Sauce won Girard's challenge, and weeks later I joined five additional food bloggers (shown above) on a Grand Foodie Adventure Weekend in Seattle as we participated in the Girard's Culinary Collective and learned just what dressing can do.

Amazingly talented ladies, I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to be a part of this group.  Their winning recipes for the challenge included Slow Cooker Balsamic Pulled Pork Tacos, Balsamic Flank Steak with Grilled Pears and Gorgonzola, Barista Balsamic Pork Ragout, Blackberry Barista Balsamic Marscarpone Tartlettes, and a fabulous Watermelon Wedge Salad Recipe.



Part of our foodie adventure landed us in Seattle's Miller's Guild Restaurant where we spent an evening with the esteemed Chef Jason Wilson who prepared us a six-course meal featuring Girard's Dressing in every course.  See my restaurant review post to get a rundown of each dish (including appetizers and an amazing specialty cocktail!).


Girard's Dressing Giveaway

But today, I am excited to share a Griard's opportunity with you!  Partnering with Girard's and my fellow Collective participants, we are giving away a four-pack of Girard's Dressings (Champagne, White Balsamic, Greek Vinaigrette, and Caesar) to 20 lucky recipients.

Open from today (Monday, October 20th) for one week (through Sunday, October 27th), just participate in the Rafflecopter widget below for your chance to receive a Girard's Care Package of your own.  With twenty 4-packs ready for the road, you're chances are looking good!



a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
What would you do with your Girard's Dressing?? 

Girards Dressings Old Venice Italian


Follow the #Girardscc on social media to follow this event.

27 comments:

  1. I have only tried the Caesar but some of these others look intriguing.

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    1. Carol... I love the Old Venice Italian, but the White Balsamic is also a favorite!!

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  2. They all sounds great. I'm eat lots of salad -- and dressing is a great way to shake things up. The greek version would be a great add in to couscous salads that I often make (couscous, cucs, tomato, feta ...)

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    1. You bet!! I've had the Greek version and it's a winner!

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  3. I LOOOOVE Girards, but sooo love the champagne that I have never tried the other flavors. If I won those, I would have a big dinner party and probably use them for different kinds of cold salads/pasta salads. Thanks!

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    1. Oh that champagne seems to be the most popular!! But how can you go wrong with something named champagne?? Thanks, Jenny.

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  4. Love using the Bacon Spinach Dressing or Champagne Vinaigrette on spinach salads - just went to their site to check out their other dressings and there are definitely others I need to try!

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  5. I'm so glad your winning recipe helped us finally connect in person!!! I'm a fan of the champagne vinaigrette, but would love to try them all!

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    1. Me too Liz!! Best part of IFBC was meeting you and Dionne... special people I would never have met without this blog. :)
      And I'm with you on the champagne dressing!

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  6. Girard's dressings are amazing, but the Light Champagne is by far, my favorite dressing of all time. I don't know what I'd do if they ever stopped making it. Thanks for the opportunity to enter!

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    1. You're welcome Patricia!! We love that Champagne too. I think I heard it was their most popular dressing!

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  7. I absolutely love salad dressing in other things than just lettuce. Last night I marinated chicken in and and I have used in pasta sauce. It's a great condiment for more than your leafy greens.

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    1. I absolutely agree!! I used some in chili once!!

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  8. When I lived in the US, Girard's was my very favorite dressing. :-) I especially loved their Caesar and Champagne dressings. :-) I like tossing my veggies in their dressing then roasting them, or drizzling the dressing over baked potatoes. Yum. :-)

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  9. Congratulations on your winning recipe, you must have been delighted. I make most of our dressings here from scratch as no Girard's on the shelves here!

    Thanks for your visit and kind comment. Have a great week Diane

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  10. BTW I did not fill in the form as I am sure they will not post to France :-( Diane

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  11. Sad to say I have never tried Girard's dressings. But I would love to try them all! Thanks for the giveaway.

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    1. I sure hope you win so you get a chance!! I love the Old Venice Italian too!

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  12. I love using salad dressings for more than just salads! But these are one of my favorite brands for salad dressings, so many great flavors!

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  13. I haven't tried them before but all four of the flavors in the pack sound good!

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    1. It would be the perfect holiday season pack!!

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  14. I've only had Girard's champagne and Greek dressings. I've used salad dressings in marinades and as a "mop" for grilled meats - seeing the winning recipes makes me want to try more :)

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  15. I just got the champagne dressing - so yummy

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