Mooney Farms-Bella Sun Luci Sun Dried Tomatoes~Review and Giveaway

 

Every New Years Eve growing up we had the same dinner; two kinds of shrimp, mac n cheese, potatoes and veggies.  This year, my husband had to work the next day so we weren't able to travel home.  I decided that I would attempt making our own version at our house so I wouldn't miss out on my favorite holiday meal.  My husband said that he also wanted some kind of stuffed chicken also, so I went looking for a new recipe to try.  I found a sun dried tomato topped stuffed chicken that I couldn't pass up.  This is how I first dicovered Mooney Farm's Bella Sun Luci Sun Dried Tomatoes.  Everything I made ended up pretty tasty actually, but my husband would not stop talking about the chicken.  I started using sun dried tomatoes almost once a week now in some form.  This is why I was so excited to get the chance to review and giveaway some some to our readers!

Mooney Farms began in 1987 as a family owned kiwi farming operation. Products were sold at the farmer’s markets in Northern California by the family members. With the addition of sun dried tomatoes, their first sale to Price Club South San Francisco changed everything. The family’s Bella Sun Luci Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil & Herbs sold out in a record 4 hours! Sun dried tomatoes had become mainstream and the Mooney Family had the winning recipe!
In 1994, Mooney Farms moved to a larger facility located in Chico, California to meet the growing demand for their products. Recently remodeled and expanded, the 100,000 square foot facility reflects their family’s rich history of the Mediterranean with 200 year old olive trees planted among the rows of lavender and rosemary.
The Mooney Family originates from Sonoma County and has always appreciated the natural beauty and style of Sonoma’s Vineyard landscapes and wineries which line the beautiful farming valley’s. Reminiscent of this area, they have created a beautiful rustic Italian style tasting room and storefront, which welcomes you to their family business.

We received the following to try:

• California Sun Dried Tomatoes Julienne Cut with Italian Basil 
• California Sun Dried Tomatoes Julienne Cut with Zesty Peppers
• Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil & Herbs - Halves 
• Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil & Herbs - Julienne Cut
• Sun Dried Tomato Pesto with whole pinenuts
• Sun Dried Tomato Bruschetta with Italian Basil

I made the stuffed chicken again with Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil & Herbs - Julienne Cut with a salad using California Sun Dried Tomatoes Julienne Cut with Italian Basil.  I also looked up some recipes and decided to try to make Penne Arrabbiata(with ziti instead ;)).
Here is the recipe:

Ingredients: 

1 1/2 cups Bella Sun Luci sun dried tomatoes julienne in oil, oil drained and set aside, sun dried tomatoes set aside separately
8 lg garlic cloves, rough chopped
1/2 tsp dry chile flakes (or 1/4 tsp if less spicy is desired). Fresh chiles may also be used
6 oz dry white wine
Salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan and fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions:
Over a medium flame in a large sauce pan, heat 2 Tbs of the sun dried tomato oil and sauté the garlic, stirring often until light golden.
Add the chile flakes and stir 10 seconds, add the wine and reduce until 1/2-1 oz remains, season with salt and pepper and serve hot over just-cooked, well-drained penne pasta.
Garnish with basil and parmesan.

Soooooo good!  And super easy!  I was only planning on making half a box of ziti and actually poured too much in.  Otherwise, there would have been just a little more sauce. This is a new staple in our house and I am actually planning on making it tomorrow night!  

Now that you are hungry, want to win everything I received? Enter below!


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