I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Calphalon. I received product samples and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.
Over the last few years, I’ve realized how much I truly love to cook. I enjoy everything about it, from being able to try new flavors in my own kitchen to the calming repetition of preparing ingredients. That said, the prep wasn’t always calming- I have always had really dull knives, and that makes it really hard to get a good chop, slice, or dice. Not to mention dull knives can lead to injury much easier, and since I’m already a bit clumsy, there was always that underlying anxiety that I’d have a kitchen accident.
Luckily, I’ve recently upped my knife skills by taking two simple steps. First, I upgraded my knives. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to try out Calphalon’s Self-Sharpening Cutlery, which is a set of knives that are much better than my old ones- and stay that way, thanks to the ceramic sharpeners that are built into the slots of the storage block. Every time I remove or return a knife to the block, the blade is automatically sharpened at the correct angle, so I don’t have to worry about whether my blade is sharp enough or not. That means that not only am I at less risk for injury, but I can prepare my ingredients much easier- and much faster!
The knives themselves are made from high-carbon, no stain forged stainless steel and the handles are very well-balanced and comfortable. We already love the Calphalon brand {all of our pots & pans are made by them} so we weren’t surprised that their knives were so amazing!
The other way that I improved my knife skills was by watching Calphalon’s Knife Skills videos. The Calphalon Knife Skills website has 44 video tutorials to help you figure out how to cut everything from tomatoes to pineapple safely and efficiently. I watched a few for the items I cook with the most and found so many great tips!
To put my new knife skills to the test, I decided to make a new recipe that I’d never tried before. I made Chorizo Cheddar Cornbread Loaves which require a lot of dicing and slicing- but it was a total breeze with my Calphalon Self-Sharpening Cutlery!
Chorizo Cheddar Cornbread Loaves
Ingredients
1 pkg prepared Marie Calendar’s {or any other} 6 muffin cornbread mix
1 Chorizo sausage, diced small
1 C Cheddar, shredded
1 Jalapeno pepper, diced fine {optional}
¼ C Onion, diced fine
1 Tomato {small}, sliced
1 tsp Rosemary, dried
Directions
Preheat oven to 350
In a frying pan, sautee chorizo and onion until sausage has rendered some of the fat and is slightly crispy and the onion is translucent. Take off the heat and stir in jalapeño. Set aside.
In a bowl, combine the muffin mix and prepare according to package directions. When ready to put into mini loaf pans, add a 1/2C of cheddar and the sausage mixture. Combine well.
Pour into greased mini loaf pans and sprinkle with remaining ½ C cheese, and place sliced pieces of tomatoes on top. Sprinkle with Rosemary.
Bake for 18 – 20 minutes and golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Whether you are gearing up to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for your family or just need a better set of knives for everyday meals, be sure to check out Calphalon Self-Sharpening Cutlery!
- 1 pkg Prepared Marie Calendar {or any other} 6 muffin cornbread mix
- 1 Chorizo sausage, diced small
- 1C Cheddar, shredded
- 1 Jalapeno pepper, diced fine {optional}
- ¼ C Onion, diced fine
- 1 Tomato {small}, sliced
- 1tsp Rosemary, dried
- Preheat oven to 350
- In a frying pan, sautee chorizo and onion until sausage has rendered some of the fat and is slightly crispy and the onion is translucent. Take off the heat and stir in jalapeño. Set aside.
- In a bowl, combine the muffin mix and prepare according to package directions. When ready to put into mini loaf pans, add a 1/2 C of cheddar and the sausage mixture. Combine well.
- Pour into greased mini loaf pans and sprinkle with remaining ½ C cheese, and place sliced pieces of tomatoes on top. Sprinkle with Rosemary.
- Bake for 18 – 20 minutes and golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Bridgett Wilbur says
I just like making a chicken and veg stir fry.
Julie Wood says
My favorite meal to cook is Beef Stew in the Crock Pot. I love these amazing knives. Thanks for the giveaway. I liked you and Calphalon on Facebook
Jeanna says
Our homemade meatballs and spaghetti sauce is our favorite!
Elena says
I like to make chili
Laura J says
Oh I love making oven baked chicken fajitas!
Jennifer Yates says
It really depends upon the day and season! 🙂 I love to make Chicken Pesto Pasta with Sun Dried Tomatoes. Another fave is Chipotle Chicken Bowls. Yum!! Today I’m making White Chicken Chili in the crockpot…smells divine all day long! I can’t wait to try your recipe…it looks delicious and quick, a winning combination. 🙂
Lauren says
I like to make lasagna.
Cheryl says
I like making pasta dishes.
Laura says
Love making chili!
Sarah Cool says
I love making chicken curry it always smells so good and is very fun to make
jimmy joslin says
AWESOME
Ann Fantom says
I like to make Chicken Cordon Bleu
ron schnell says
Great knives!
shelly peterson says
I like to make enchiladas.
Jillian Too says
I love making homemade pizza loaded with veggies.
Sue Barney says
Honestly My favorite meal to prepare is Thanksgiving for my family and friends! Everyone is always so appreciative when they have great food to eat on Thanksgiving! 🙂
Melissa S says
I finally found a way to make london broil that is nit tough and impossible to make. I always look for it on sale now and love to make it with salad.
Cynthia C says
I like making chicken or shrimp stir-fry with lots of vegetables.
Lauren Olivia Wood says
My favorite meal to prepare is beef bourginon.
Suzanne K says
I like to make slow cooker chicken and rice
Debbi Wellenstein says
I just love making lasagna.
Ashley C says
I love to make homemade ravioli!
Ty says
My favorite meal to prepare is curry chicken with rice and peas.
steve weber says
I love making taco salads and guacamole.
Laura S says
I like to make a big pot of chili this time of year
Bruce says
BBQ chicken
Kelly Nicholson says
What’s your favorite meal to prepare?
I’m easy..I like past..this will work for the bread thanks
ELIZABETH C. says
I love to prepare dishes with grilled chicken and veggies !
Mary Beth Elderton says
I like to cook Tex Mex–fajitas, rice bowls, homemade salsas. Delicious fresh, but lots of chopping and trimming
Stephanie V. says
my famous vegetarian enchiladas!
tvollowitz at aol dot com
Barbara Montag says
I love making white chili – the hotter the better!
thank you
sandyhills says
I would have to say seasoned pork chops
Ruy M. says
I enjoy making homemade Mac&Cheese. It’s extra comforting comfort food when I add hot sausage to it.
HilLesha says
One of my favorite meals to fix is vegetarian taco casserole. Thanks for the giveaway!
Brandy c says
I like making veggie pasta.
Horace Riddle says
Pasta!
Tara says
I love to make homemade pizzas!
tina reynolds says
I love making pizza pasta
Katherine says
New ENgland Pot Roast
RICHARD SKUSE says
chili
laura b says
I love making homemade lasagna and garlic bread.
jlap225 says
This cornbread looks yummy.
Robin says
My favorite meal to prepare for my family is lasagna.
paige chandler says
I love making pot roast…Mmmmm
Aoqili says
The recipes look great.
Min K says
steak & salad
Tina W says
I love making any kind of asian food.
Kristi C says
My favorite meal to prepare is chicken fajitas.
kate b says
We like making chicken and pasta
Richard Hicks says
My favorite meal to prepare is a green bean casserole
Kim H says
My favorite meal to prepare is fajitas!
raysaunders says
Thanks for putting this together.
raysaunders says
We love to make pizza!
Rose Reeder says
Like to make copycat Chili. We eat and then freeze the rest for another day.
Robin says
I like to make baked spaghetti.
Lesley F says
I love making roast duck with stuffing
Courtney says
We love mexican! My hubby makes a great salsa and these knives would come in handy!
Birdiebee says
One of my favorite meals to prepare is Thanksgiving Dinner which we will be having around 20 people this year.
Lorena Keech says
Probably homemade beef and noodles.
Virginia says
I like to make chicken enchiladas.
Leigh Anne Borders says
I enjoy making chili.
Breanne says
I like to make pot roast.
Cindy A. says
I enjoy preparing breakfast – eggs, biscuits & gravy, bacon, etc.
Angela A Simmons says
I make allot of salads and homemade dressings
carol clark says
pot roast is my fav to make
Stephanie A says
I like making stew with veggies and beef!
Terri Wilson says
Beef wellington and Shrimp Scampi Yum!
Cassandra Eastman says
I love to make Chicken Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo!
Stephanie Larison says
I love to make chicken parm.
Tracie Cooper says
I love to make chili con carne!
KATE DALY says
I love making fisherman stew
Jessica Gengler says
I like to make chili
shea balentine says
homemade potato and bacon soup =) Love it!
Karen Drake says
I would love to make tacos with the knife set.
Amanda Sakovitz says
I like making salmon
christina moore says
I like to make chicken pie
Lori Taube says
My favorite meal to prepare is soup – any kind. I love simmering a lovely combination of fresh food all day! So comforting.:-)
Veronica Garrett says
Lasagna is my favorite meal to prepare.
Aaron Bretveld says
I love making short ribs at home with my Anova Precision Cooker. 72 hours at 140°F is awesome. I wish it wasn’t so difficult to find short ribs around here though.
BRIAN REILLY says
cool
Laura Royal says
I love taco salads.
Elizabeth Ray says
porkchops and rice
Michele Baron says
My favorite meal is baked ziti with homemade sauce
Amy Deeter says
My favorite meal to make would have to be Taco salad !
sarah k says
Stews and soups are some of my favorite dishes to make.
Samantha says
I love making pasta dishes, especially a nice pasta primavera with fresh veggies!
Jeffrey says
I love making pizza from scratch, every Friday night!
Casey H says
First, this cornbread looks awesome. And I like making chili this time of year:)
Sherry Conrad says
I love making stir frys and pasta of any sort.
Vikki Billings says
My favorite thing to prepare and cook is my chicken and shrimp stir fry.
Laurie Emerson says
My favorite meal to make is sweet and sour chicken with vegetables.
Brian E. says
Thank You for the giveaway…we like preparing a beef stew, loaded with vegetables !
valerie sobus says
it depends! pre-baby? so many. southwestern egg rolls. homemade sweet potato burgers. veggie pot pie with homemade pie crust. post-baby? whatever i can manage to whip up during nap time 😛 usually my favorites are chicken taquitos, oatmeal chocolate chip pancakes (don’t judge), or homemade bbq chicken pizza! i will say this though: we do order a lot of carry out meals from a local bbq joint, and our favorite menu item from them is the cornbread and this cornbread looks so great!