Review & Giveaway: Lawry's Marinades & Seasonings

One thing I have learned since I became domesticated (LOL), is that a good cook's arsenal includes an array of flavorful spices and marinades. You can take a pound of boneless skinless chicken at $1.99 a pound, and turn it into hundreds of different dishes, just by using a pinch or two of spice, or marinating it overnight. Add in some veggies, rice and/or pasta, and for under $5, you can have an amazing meal for your family!

Because I am more of a frugal shopper - well, I like to call it more grocery budget savvy - I always keep on hand an assortment of spices and marinades in my food storage. I'm always on the lookout for new flavors to try. Several months ago when Lawry's came out with their new marinades - Tuscan Sun dried Tomato and Szechuan Sweet & Sour BBQ - I landed an AMAZING deal at Fred Meyer's and stocked up a couple for 50 cents a bottle. Yeah, I'm still kicking myself that I didn't buy even more, because it goes fast here!


MyBlogSpark and Lawry's sent me on over this killer Lawry´s "What´s Your Flavor" package that included a Pyrex marinating dish, a set of skewers, Lawry´s two new marinades, as well as a sample of each of the four new Seasoning Mixes and a bottle of Lawry´s Seasoned Salt. Pyrex glass with a red dish? They had me at hello, seriously. LOL I had a slightly similar size Pyrex dish, but it didn't have a lid - this dish made me a very happy housewife. Here's the different seasoning mixes that were included: Asian Style Beef & Broccoli, Chimichurri Burrito Casserole, Mediterranean Sundried Tomato & Garlic Chicken, and Tuscan Style Chicken Marsala with Garlic and Basil. All four of these should help make a meal for four under $10 - a LOT cheaper than going out to eat.


It just so happened that it arrived as we had stocked up on steak at $2.99 a pound, so I indulged DH and let him pick his poison. We marinated steaks overnight in the Szechuan Sweet & Sour BBQ marinade:

and DH grilled them on his George Foreman BBQ grill thingy insides since it was raining (lol - it's one of those big ones). With some mashed potatoes and a salad, it was an incredible meal - and the cost was under $10. Try getting a steak dinner at that cost in a restaurant! It was the perfect of sweet and spicy - the spice wasn't overwhelming at all, and it perfectly complemented the meat.


I've also tried it on chicken in the past, and served it with rice - it's yum! (and again, a budget savvy meal) I've since used the Asian Style Beef & Broccoli mix to make a seriously YUMMY Chinese dinner for us - better than the Chinese place we usually go to (and I'm guessing healthier, too). If you like to eat Chinese too, give this mix a try if you haven't already!

Lawry's recently did this fun survey where they asked everyone what their favorite flavor was, and they are sharing the results. What do you think? Is your favorite flavor spot on for you? I choose Spicy, but I think I'm a little of each myself. ;)

Joyous Joiners - Tart Flavors
If you are one for tart flavors, you tend to be extremely happy overall, particularly with your family, finances, work/life balance and even your health. As a Joyous Joiners you are an extrovert who loves to entertain at home, find it very important to join in social events in your community and are active on the greatest number of social networking sites.

Self-Assured Adventurers - Spicy Flavors
If your preference is for spicy flavors, consider yourself a confident, adventurous individual with a passion for travel and cooking. You are the biggest risk taker and although impulsive, you are not reckless – as a Self-Assured Adventurer you also tend to be resourceful, analytical, and most able to “look at the big picture.”

The Sweet Lifers - Sweet Flavors
As a Sweet Lifer, home and family are close to your heart. You are the kindest and most loyal, although you probably wouldn’t admit that as you are also the most modest. As an individual that prefers sweeter flavors (honey and fruit-infused), you are influenced by your parents, enjoy family entertainment, and consider yourself spiritual.

The Conventionalists - Savory Flavors
Your passion for savory flavors shows you have an enthusiasm for politics, enjoy camping and hiking and love outdoor barbecues and American cuisine. Along with the other Conventionalists, you tend to be more introverted than the rest of the groups and often describe yourself as a homebody.

Win it! Thanks to MyBlogSpark and Lawry's, I have a gift pack exactly like mine that one lucky reader is going to win! To enter, just tell us which Lawry's product mentioned in this post or on their website you'd love to try. (I'd love to hear if your flavor was spot on, too, if you want!)

As always, you can receive extra entries for:

-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway 1X (leave the link in your comment below or @psychotichouse)
Win a Lawry's Prize Pack http://goo.gl/fb/mEQ1f ends 10/30 @psychotichouse

That's four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends October 30th at 11:59 PM PST, and please leave your email address in your entry or have it available in your profile. US only, sorry :( Good luck everyone!! :)

Lawry´s provided me with the free product, information, and gift pack through MyBlogSpark, and will do the same for one winner. All opinions expressed are my own.