MyBlogSpark: Progresso Recipe Starters #review + #flashGiveaway 7 days long!

 I recently got the chance to review Progresso Recipe Starters. What they are not is a soup, which is strange, because when you think of Progresso (or when I think of them) I automatically think of canned soup. But I am very glad they are branching out. Apparently they also have a boxed dinner set too now, which I was unaware of until tonight, when my mother called and said she was making their lasagna kit.

But this review isn't about that, so lets move on!

I was most excited to get this FABULOUS Joesph Joesph serving spoon w/ spinning carousel set (arv $50) with the 2 cans of Progresso Recipe Starters. You'll be excited for it too, since this is a FLASH GIVEAWAY! That means, at the bottom of this review, leave ONE comment saying something like:

"I want to win, and I am most excited to try .. (INSERT NAME of sauce)"

PLEASE make sure you leave one of the sauces names in the comment, and be sure to "Like" this blog post too, so your friends can also get the opportunity to enter and win. This giveaway is ending on 12/15 (noon eastern), so VERY short entry time.

If you want to thank me for hosting this, you could also tweet this post, but no entries will be earned for it. Please limit your entries to one comment/entry per person.
My last Progresso Giveaway was super successful, and dare I say-- this prize is MUCH better!!!

Now ironically, when I accepted this review, I didn't realize what I was getting into. Not "getting into" as in, anything hard  but  perhaps what I mean to say is: I didn't quite read the press release. I like Progresso, and I trust MyBlogSpark, so I just accepted the spark.
Now ironically, a few days before it came in the mail, I was at Wal-Mart and saw an impulse item sitting by the register. It was this item! I thought: Oh hey! That looks cool, I can use it to make dinner. It was very affordable too, around a buck fifty, so I threw it in the buggy! Lucky for me, they sent two other flavors and I didn't end up with 2 of the same kind (there are 5 in all):

• Creamy Three Cheese
• Creamy Parmesan Basil
• Creamy Portabella Mushroom
• Fire Roasted Tomato
• Creamy Roasted Garlic

At each of the above links, you will find some fabulous recipes and information like nutrition info for each flavor/variety!

Progresso Recipe Starters sauces are available in five flavorful varieties that can each be used as a starter to create numerous home-cooked meals. For added inspiration, Progresso created 80 recipes utilizing this new line of cooking sauces that can be found on Progresso.com/RecipeStarters. Many of these recipes are classic family favorites, such as Bacon Mac n’ Cheese, Chicken Pot Pie and Chicken Parmesan, and utilize ingredients your family may already have on-hand. In addition, all of the recipes on the site include a Rate and Review feature, so we encourage you to leave a rating and review of your own, in which you can even include a link back to your blog post about that recipe! Look for Progresso Recipe Starters in the soup aisles! Inspired by the five “Mother” Sauces that form the basis of classical French cooking, including Béchamel, Velouté, Tomato, Espagnole and Hollandaise, Recipe Starters use a variety of ingredients and the best techniques to make sure you have delicious options to take on the school days dinner dilemma. The five varieties are: Creamy Parmesan Basil: This creamy, full-bodied and indulgent sauce that was inspired by alfredo and creamy pesto sauces can be used to make dishes such as Crispy Garlic-Parmesan Chicken, Creamy Chicken Alfredo, Basil Chicken Ravioli Carbonara and Basil Chicken Thai Noodle Creamy Roasted Garlic with Chicken Stock: With caramelized, roasted chicken broth, garlic and a touch of cream, this stock is perfect for dishes such as Creamy Lemon Chicken, Chicken Pot Pie and Chicken Enchiladas Fire Roasted Tomato: A medium-thick tomato sauce, accompanied by flavors of roasted, caramelized tomatoes, oregano and bell peppers, which can be used as a great way to begin creating  Pulled Chicken Sandwiches, Easy Weeknight Chicken Parmesan, Cheese-stuffed Mini Meat Loaves and Mole Tacos Creamy Portabella Mushroom: Creamy and highly indulgent, this smooth sauce is rich with sautéed Portabella mushrooms,  giving you any easy way to start delicious dishes like Easy Weeknight Beef Stroganoff, Steak and Mushroom Sandwich and Tetrazzini Creamy Three Cheese: Rich and creamy with a blend of yellow and white cheeses, and a savory background of chicken stock, onion, garlic and cracked pepper, this is a great way to satisfy cheese lovers with Easy Weeknight Bacon Mac & Cheese, Twice-Baked Potato Pizza and Cheesy Egg Breakfast Tacos In addition, visit http://goo.gl/nkayO to download a printable coupon for $.65 off the purchase of 1 can of Progresso® Recipe Starters Cooking Sauce.

I used the Creamy Parmesan Basil to make homemade Shrimp Alfredo  I added a little cream and Parmesan in, for good measure. I didn't use one of their recipes, but it doesn't take a genius to make Alfredo . just sayin'. If you don't know how, it's fairly simple, you need butter, salt, Parmesan  and I use heavy whipping cream, but I know you can use other dairy like half & half or whole milk. You just simmer the sauce, milk, or heavy whipping cream and slowly add in grated Parmesan, stirring occasionally on a low heat. It thickens like crazy, so you just add a spoonful at a time, waiting a few minutes before adding another but constantly stirring, until your sauce is at the right consistency. I don't have a recipe for it (that's why this isn't a cooking blog.. sorry!) 

because I more "cook by eye" which I refer to like playing piano by ear, it's just something you are either born to do, or not to do. I rarely follow directions, and even when I do Google recipes, I tweak them to my satisfaction, never the "right amounts" or the suggested amounts.

I have yet to use the Four Cheese sauce, but I am REALLY looking forward to it!!!

I did use the mushroom sauce.. I made chicken & rice! I usually use rice, chicken, fresh mushrooms and cream of mushroom soup, but I replaced the cream of mushroom soup with this Progresso Creamy Portabella Mushroom, and whaddaya know? It was FAB-U-LOUS honey!

I do suggest adding this to your pantry for quick dinners, it seems like a nice staple to have around and seems to me, can be used for tons of things! I do want to try the recipe on their site with the sauce I have yet to use, (I always save the best for last) Easy weeknight bacon, mac-n-cheese BUT I am really trying to watch my weight and what I eat until I go home to visit with family for Christmas, so it'll be something I'll be trying later!

Find some of the recipes now, on their Facebook Page app/tab!

This giveaway will end on NOON eastern on 12/15. I rarely close giveaway at their exact ending time, so if your comment is time-stamped on Google after that time it will be deleted. (Sorry!) The winner will have 48 hours to confirm win and reply with a shipping address. Winner will be emailed and their name will appear on this blogs Facebook page!

Facebook.com/Progresso

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Your experience with the product may differ from mine. The sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment and will be shipping the winner(s) their prize(s). For more information read my rules/disclosure policy.

Disclosure:  The information, products and Progresso™ Recipe Starters™ gift packs were provided by Progresso through MyBlogSpark.