Across many Spanish-speaking cultures and particularly in Puerto Rico, you may hear the phrase “viernes social” come Friday morning. Though the literal translation of “social Friday” almost defines it, it really describes a feeling of partying, socializing, and celebrating life. Think of it being similar to the “TGIF” sentiment.
From now on, each Friday on ModernMami will be Viernes Social. You can expect to find a contest, fun tidbit, or maybe even a featured guest. The idea is to embrace the viernes social spirit and celebrate!
Now on to our first official Viernes Social…
When hosting holiday dinners and get-togethers, my biggest issue is coming up with side dishes. Outside of the rice dish and green salad, I struggle to come up with fun and interesting sides that will please the Puerto Rican palette of my family.
If, like me, you need a little help this holiday season and are looking for new recipes, you might like the Real Holiday Helpings site from Hellmann’s. They’ve partnered up with Food Network chef, Bobby Flay, to provide you with some tips. There are lots of recipes – from appetizers and entrees to sides and desserts – as well as videos of Bobby Flay making a few of the dishes.
You can find videos that show you how to make these dishes from Bobby Flay:
- Turkey Cuban Sandwich
- Caramelized Onion Dip
- Roasted Green Beans with Almond Aioli
- Cuban-style Corn
- Caesar Salad Crostini
I’m a little skeptical about some of the recipes, since I never imagined that you could use mayonnaise in dishes like pizza, chicken parmesan, or carrot cake. But, I guess I’d have to try them to see how they actually taste. The recipes that look the most interesting to me that I might try are:
- Cuban-style Corn
- Sweet Potato Fries with BBQ Mayo
- Baked Horseradish-glazed Chicken Wings
To celebrate the launch of Hellman’s Real Holiday Helpings, one of you has a chance of winning a $25 American Express gift card. That should help you as you prepare for upcoming holiday dinners, right?
How to Enter
If you’d like to enter this contest for a $25 American Express gift card, simply leave a comment below and let me know what your biggest struggle is when preparing a holiday dinner.
For extra entries:
- Tweet about this contest with a link back to this post and include @modernmami in your tweet. You must leave a separate comment with a link to your tweet for your entry to count.
- Subscribe to this blog via email and leave a comment with the email you used to subscribe. (You can use the email field to do this instead of putting your email in the comment if you prefer.)
- Subscribe on friendfeed and leave a comment with your friendfeed ID.
All entries must be in by Wednesday, December 9 at 11:59 pm EST. Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry. The winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be notified via email. (Please be sure to provide a valid email address with your entry.)
Disclosure: I received a $25 American Express gift card from BSM Media in conjunction with this promotion.
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I am a terrible multi tasker! Especially when there is so much else going on too besides just preparing a big feast…like all the company!
Planning my menu is my hardest part for me.
tweet
http://twitter.com/bridget3496/status/6515294703
email subscriber
i struggle with the turkey, it’s hard to keep juicy
My biggest problem is getting all the food done at the same time. Always seems like something isn’t done yet. Thanks!
I have trouble multi-tasking in the kitchen.
My biggest struggle is too keep all the dishes warm.
I subscribe via email.
Timing! I’ve never been terribly punctual. So coordinating an entire meal can be difficult.
My biggest struggle is getting it all to come out at the same time. I need to plan ahead, make ahead, etc. Thanks.
My biggest challenge when preparing a Holiday Meal is getting everything ready close to the same time.
mightynaynay(at)cs.com
My biggest struggle is finding food everyone will eat!
dreamcleavers@yahoo.com
the biggest struggle here is easily the turkey, it’s either under or overcooked every time
dreamcleavers@yahoo.com
email subscriber
My biggest struggle is that I’m the only one who can do anything. So when kids need help installing games or putting things together, they come to me, which takes me away from getting dinner ready. And then I get stressed. And then I SHOW that I get stressed
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/bsw529/status/6517697253
Planning a menu taking into consideration people’s likes and dislikes, and their dietary restrictions is the toughest.
Thanks for the giveaway!
tweet: http://twitter.com/js22222222/status/6518575337
Getting it all finished cooking and to the table at the same time.
When you have 5 or 6 sides going at the same time it can get crazy! Great giveaway…thanks! Happy Hols!
Thanks for the giveaway…We can never get the mashed potato and dressing ratio right at big holiday meals: we always run out of, or have too much leftover of one or the other.
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/brianpiero/status/6518735227
Following via Twitter: @brianpiero
My biggest struggle is having everything ready at the exact right time. You don’t want anything hot to be ready too soon. It really is an art to have it all come out on time.
My biggest struggle is everything cooks at a different temperature and different times, I struggle to get everything done together and hot.
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