Hot

Today’s our blog-versary! It’s hard to believe a year has gone by. There’s no birthday like the FIRST, so I’m planning on celebrating all week long. I’m so excited that to kick off this week, there is an exciting giveaway, just in time to steam…

Hot

Today’s our blog-versary! It’s hard to believe a year has gone by. There’s no birthday like the FIRST, so I’m planning on celebrating all week long. I’m so excited that to kick off this week, there is an exciting giveaway, just in time to steam up your Valentine’s kitchen. As for the next birthday post..there will be something sweet for sure!

Alright, all you love birds out there, in just a few weeks, the official holiday of amour will be upon us. Not that you haven’t already been aptly reminded by all the commercials and store decorations where ever you turn, but here from my kitchen, I’m excited to play a little cupid. In preparation for Valentine’s Day, I am extremely pleased to announce that I am collaborating with four other amazing bloggers and the folks at Man Pans cookware for a hot giveaway that will help steam up not only your kitchen, but your love life!

If you don’t mind me asking, how are your pans? Are they starting to show their age? Do you think you might need a new set? Well, here is your chance to win a brand new set of hot Man Pans. And they really are hot. I have been hearing more and more about them lately, and honestly, was not sure if they could live up to my favorite cookware. When I was given the opportunity to test one of their pans and to develop a recipe around it for this giveaway, I was happy to give their 12 inch fry pan a test run, and I was really impressed.

I wanted to feature a Valentine inspired dish that would take advantage and fully test the pan’s ability to withstand the heat of the stove, oven and broiler. To top it off (literally and figuratively), the accompanying glass lid is oven safe to 400°F. So, I decided to make something that you and your sweetheart can enjoy for a romantic Valentine’s brunch: Crab, Potato & Linguica Torta.

Crab, Potato & Linguica Torta

The ingredients are simple yet indulging: eggs…Linguica sausage…crab…

…and beautiful slivers of potato.

If you’re not familiar with a torta, it’s essentially a Spanish-style omelet, similar to an Italian frittata. My mother used to make Filipino tortas for easy weeknight dinners, but with these special ingredients, it’s fitting for a steamy Valentine’s breakfast.

Pan Impressions

The pan performed extremely well. The first thing you will notice when you receive your Man Pans is how supremely lightweight they are. Now, this normally isn’t a good thing, but the light weight did not compromise its ability to heat up quickly and consistently. And when it comes to handling and transferring the pan from stove to oven, it’s a nice change of pace to not have to engage those biceps. Being able to use the lid in the oven was wonderful for baking the eggs, and I was able to do the final browning under a broiler with no problem. The torta slipped right out of the pan, and clean up was a breeze. It performed like a nonstick pan without those awful coatings. I have to say, I was very impressed.

More Steamy Inspiration

Are you ready for more? My fellow bloggers/collaborators on this project have each developed a recipe with a different Man Pans piece and have all kinds of delicious dishes that you can make to impress your Valentine. Be sure to visit them for more:

 

Paula at bell’alimento {Agnello in Crosta}
Josie at Daydreamer Desserts {Flambéed Banana Crèpes Suzette}
Rachael at La Fuji Mama {Shrimp & Pork Dumplings}
Maria at Two Peas and Their Pod {Grilled Nutella Raspberry Sandwich}

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Show Us Your Pans

Now it’s YOUR turn! You can win your choice of Man Pans cookware sets to steam up your Valentine’s Day by sending in a photo of your {craptastic} pans for the world to see. Here’s how to enter:

Contest Rules & Details

  • Contest is open to US residents only.
  • One entry per person allowed.
  • Entries must be received between January 31st – February 4th, 2011 to count.
  • To enter: Email ONE photo of your craptastic pans to contest@bellalimento.com. Include: name, email, website {if applicable}
  • Winner will be chosen by ManPans and announced on February 9th
  • Each entrant will have access to an exclusive “Show us Your Pans” Widget to proudly display on their sites just for participating!

Find out more about the 7 piece 10″ Cookware Set and Kitchen Cookware Set at Man Pans!

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Recipe

Crab, Potato & Linguica Torta

You will need a 10- or 12-inch ovenproof (stick resistant) fry pan.

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 potato, sliced into thin wafers with a mandoline or very sharp knife
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 6 oz Linguica or your favorite sausage
  • 8 oz crab meat
  • 8 large eggs
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Flat leaf Italian parsley, minced, for garnish

Preheat the oven to 325° F.

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in fry pan over medium-high heat. Arrange wafers of potato in a single layer and brown on both sides, about a minute per side. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Heat another tablespoon of oil in pan. Add sausage and shallots, allow sausage to brown and shallots to become transparent. Set aside.

Whisk eggs and season with salt and pepper. Stir in crab meat, sausage and shallots.

Reheat pan over medium-high heat and add 1-2 tablespoons of oil. Add egg mixture to pan, then arrange potatoes on top, pressing lightly into the egg. Cook about 2 minutes or until the edges begins to set and starts to brown. Cover pan with lid and bake in oven for about 15 minutes or until set. Remove cover and broil until the the top browns.

Slide torta out of pan, garnish with parsley. Serve immediately with a light salad.

 

 

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