Mooney Farms -- Review and Giveaway -- Ends 8/25/11

Mike and I love to cook!  We love to get in the kitchen and experiment with food.  It was with great happiness we recently discovered Mooney Farms (Bella Sun Luci)

Mooney Farms:
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 6 amazing products:
*California Sun Dried Tomatoes Julienne Cut (bag)
*California Sun Dried Tomatoes Julienne Cut with Zesty Peppers (bag)
*Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil and Herbs - Halves (Jar)
*Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil and Herbs - Julienne Cut (Jar)
*Sun Dried Tomato Pesto with whole pinenuts (Jar)
*Sun Dried Tomato Bruschetta with Italian Basil (Jar)

You can imagine our sheer glee when we opened the box!

We started using them that very night!

First, we made mini pizzas! Thick slices of french bread, pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, and topped with Sun Dried Tomatoes Julienne Cut with Zesty Peppers and Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil and Herbs. Oh, so yummeh!

                                         BEFORE COOKING:

AFTER COOKING: 

We each had two and they didn't last long at all!

The next night, we had home-made Bruschetta using the Tomato Bruschetta with Italian Basil sauce. Didn't get any photos because we ate it hot from the oven (sorry!) without thinking.

We took the jar of Sun Dried Tomato Pesto with whole pinenuts to my Mom's. She used it in her meatloaf and that was awesome. If you use ketchup or salsa in meatloaf -- you MUST try it with the Tomato Pesto with Pinenuts. You will NEVER go back.

I've used the Tomatoes in Olive Oil and Herbs Halves in salads a couple of times. Excellent addition to ANY salad.

Ya'll know that I'm on a healthy eating plan -- and Sun Dried Tomatoes fit in perfectly. Olive Oil is a very healthy food and has been part of the Mediterranean diet for centuries. So I have no worries.

The Healthy Mediterranean Diet:
The Mediterranean diet has been linked to good health and longevity. But to people living in this region, eating the Mediterranean way is more than just a lifestyle, it's a way of truly enjoying life. The pace of life is a little slower, moments are savored, and most importantly, meals are an opportunity to share nature’s bounty in the company of family and friends.

There is so much you can do with the Sun Dried Tomatoes of Bella Sun Luci!
Try some of Mooney Farms' fabulous recipes then get into your kitchen and experiment with some of your own!

The folks at Mooney Farms would like to connect with you! Just *LIKE* them on their Facebook Fan Page and follow them @BellaSunLuci on Twitter.

They have also offered *Two* of my readers a chance to win a six-pack of Mooney Farms products (ARV: $26) identical to the package I received!

Just follow the instructions below for your chance to enter to win.

***Please leave your email in your blog comment.  If I can't contact you, you can't win.***





DISCLOSURE: I received a package of Sun-Dried Tomato Products from Mooney Farms for the purpose of review. I received no other compensation. I was under no obligation to review these items. The opinions expressed herein are my own and based on my own use of and experience with these items.