Ziploc/Robin Miller Summer Grilling Review + {Giveaway – Ends 6/9} (CLOSED)

Even before joining this campaign, I knew that Ziploc is a brand that I love and trust. This is a product that I already buy and use for my family. In fact, I must admit that I have tried off-brand Ziploc bags, but they are never as good. I always come back to Ziploc and wonder what I was thinking.

As part of the Ziploc/Robin Miller Summer Grilling campaign, I received several Ziploc products to try out for myself. We got some freezer storage bags and slider bags in assorted sizes. I love the quart-size bags for quick, every day things. And the freezer bags are handy for storing leftovers and portioning out food to freeze. One of my favorite features was the expandable bottom bags. This is a great feature for storing things that you need to stand up in the fridge/freezer. Everything I tried was wonderful.

Here are some more tips from Ziploc:

Just in time for summer entertaining, Ziploc® Brand has partnered with Food Network contributor, cookbook author, nutritionist and mom Robin Miller to help  families get more out of their summer festivities, while saving time, money and resources.
Whether prepping tasty meals for the grill, offering creative treats for guests, or packing on-the-go snacks, these time-saving and budget-friendly tips from Miller offer quick and hassle-free storage solutions to make summer entertaining a breeze:
• Marinate It — To get the juicy, grilled flavors families love, don’t forget to marinate before cooking, which tenderizes meat, fish and poultry while adding great flavor.
Skip messy bowls and additional clean-up by using Ziploc® Brand Freezer Bags to marinate chicken, pork, beef and fish. Meat and poultry can marinate up to 24
hours, so when you’re ready to grill, simply take the bags from the refrigerator straight to the outdoor grill. A delicious dinner will be ready in minutes!
• Dip It — For a fun spin on outdoor entertaining, create a dipping station so guests can put their personal twist on grilled favorites. Get creative by making several
unique dips and serve them with grilled staples like fish, vegetables or meat. Try Miller’s grilled beef kebab recipe with three complimentary dips: chipotle-lime mayo, wasabi soy sauce and roasted red pepper. To offer your guests even more variety, try making the kebabs with beef, chicken, shrimp or portobello mushrooms.
• Prep It, Store It, Take It — Prep ahead for barbeques or block parties and make your side dishes and desserts days in advance. Seal in freshness by storing treats in Ziploc® Brand Containers with the Smart Snap™ Seal, which can go from the refrigerator to the cooler to the party with ease. Serve crowd-pleasing savory options like Miller’s spiral pasta with pesto, sundried tomatoes and pine nuts or homemade dips served with chips and pita wedges or sweets like cookies, brownies and bars.
• Cool It — With a little planning, the whole family can enjoy nutritious foods throughout the day while enjoying outdoor activities. Before heading out to campgrounds, the beach or the park, pack your cooler with fresh treats for the family. Make cooler space count by organizing like-items together, such as sandwiches on the left and fruits and veggies on the right to maximize space and
make finding treats a snap. Finally, add in sunscreen and a spray bottle filled with water. They’ll feel refreshing to the skin and keep the whole family sunburn free
and feeling cool on a warm day.
• Pack It — For no-fuss, budget-friendly outdoor meals and snacks, try packing a picnic for the family instead of purchasing expensive theme-park meals. Make cleaning up a cinch by storing tableware, tongs and serving spoons in Ziploc® Brand Slider Storage and Freezer Bags with the Smart Zip™ Seal for easy access. Prepare for any spills or mishaps by pre-moistening paper towels and storing them in Ziploc® Brand Freezer Bags. Reserve the bags to bring the dirty items home so you can pop them straight into the sink or dishwasher.

SC JOHNSON – A FAMILY COMPANY
Make Summer Meals Sizzle with Entertaining Tips from Ziploc®
Developed by Cookbook Author and Nutritionist Robin Miller for Ziploc® Brand
For more grilling recipes and tips from Robin Miller on how to make the most out of summer meals and activities this season, visit www.Facebook.com/Ziploc. Join the Ziploc Facebook community and share your resourceful summer entertaining tips.
About Ziploc® Brand Bags and Containers Ziploc® Brand Bags and Containers provide smart, quality solutions that help moms get more out of the things they do every day for their families. Ziploc® Brand celebrates the magnificent moments of mom, her expertise and brilliant ideas that keep households running smoothly, by offering food and home storage solutions. Ziploc® Brand products are available in grocery, mass merchandise and drug stores nationwide.

I took our Ziploc bags along on our beach vacation. They were very handy. We had somewhere to store our leftovers. And they were perfect for taking snacks to the beach for the afternoon. (The seagulls loved the pretzels my son brought!)

Summer is just beginning. One of my favorite parts is being about to grill and cook outside. Ziploc has partnered with Food Network’s Robin Miller and brought us some great recipes. Check out one of these great ones below. And keep reading for information on how to win some Ziploc bags and containers for yourself.

Spiral Pasta with Pesto, Sundried Tomatoes and Pine Nuts
Serving Size:
•4
Ingredients:
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1 pound rotelle pasta, or any spiral-shaped pasta
• 1/2 cup prepared basil pesto
• 1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
• 1 cup finely chopped oil-packed sundried tomatoes
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions:
1. Place the pine nuts in a small, dry skillet and set pan over medium heat.
2. Cook for three to five minutes, until the nuts are golden brown, shaking the pan frequently. Once done, set aside.
3. Cook the pasta according to the package directions and then drain and transfer to a large bowl.
4. Fold in the pesto and stir to coat the pasta.
5. Fold in the peas and sundried tomatoes.
6. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
7. Top the pasta with the toasted pine nuts and Parmesan cheese just before serving.
Tip:
To make this a complete meal, top the dish with grilled chicken strips or grilled shrimp. You can make this dish up to 48 hours in advance and refrigerate in Ziploc® Brand Freezer Bags until you’re ready to serve. (Do not
freeze pasta.)

Beef Kebabs with Three Dips
Serving Size:
• 4
Beef Kebabs
Ingredients:
• Cooking spray
• 1 1/4 pound lean steak, such as London broil or sirloin (cut into 2-inch pieces)
• 24 cherry tomatoes
• 1 yellow onion (cut into 2-inch pieces)
Directions:
1. Coat an outdoor grill, stovetop grill pan or griddle with cooking spray and preheat to medium-high.
2. Alternate steak pieces, cherry tomatoes and onion onto metal or wooden skewers (soak wooden skewers in water for 5 minutes before using to prevent burning).
3. Season the steak, tomatoes and onion pieces all over with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
4. Place the kebabs on the hot grill and cook for 5 to 7 minutes for medium-rare to medium, turning frequently.
5. Serve with any or all of the following dips:
Chipotle-Lime Mayo
Ingredients:
• 1/3 cup of light mayonnaise
• 1/2 lime, juice and zest
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 teaspoon smoked chili powder, such as chipotle powder
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients into a small bowl
2. Mix all ingredients well.
3. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Wasabi Soy Sauce
Ingredients:
• 1/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons wasabi paste
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Mix all ingredients well.
Roasted Red Pepper Dip
Ingredients:
• 1 cup chopped roasted red peppers from water-packed jar
• 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil or basil-flavored olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt-free garlic and herb seasoning
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil (optional)
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients but the basil in a blender and puree until smooth.
2. Fold in basil if desired.
3. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Tip:
For a fun spin on outdoor entertaining, create a dipping station with Ziploc® Brand VersaGlass Containers so guests can put add their personal twist to
grilled favorites.

Prize – 1 reader will receive an array of Ziploc products, including Ziploc Freezer and Storage Bags and Slider Bags as well as Ziploc Containers.

To Enter – Tell me how you and your family can use Ziploc products this summer or which of the recipes above you'd love to try. 

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-Post about the giveaway on Twitter – Enter the Ziploc Summer Grilling giveaway from @psmomreviews – http://tinyurl.com/3v79u4q #giveaway

This giveaway is open now through Thursday, June 9th. I will post the winner on Friday, June 10th.

Open to USA only!

*Disclosure: This post was written for Family Review Network & Ziploc who provided the complimentary product for review (and giveaway) in exchange for my honest opinions.*