Food Buzz Tastemaker: Sweet N' Low.

Happy Thursday y'all,

I am pretty excited to share some fun things with y'all today! So, I may have mentioned that I am a part of the Foodbuzz family (well, now they are called the daily buzz, but that is beside the point). One year and going strong! Anyway, Foodbuzz has these amazing opportunities for it's featured publishers every so often (I think it might be each month) to opt-in for a specific partnership. This allows their featured publisher's, aka ME, to get to sample awesome food/drink products. I was super excited when Foodbuzz partnered up with Sweet N' Low this month for the Tastemaker Program, and lucky me, I was one of the chosen blogger's...whoop!

 Now, I was pretty freaking excited when my package showed up on the door yesterday from Foodbuzz + Sweet N' Low with a sweet little cocktail shaker, great drink recipes, and of course, numerous samples of Sweet N' Low. My imagination began working immediately. No joke. Plus, this was my first go around as a bartender on my blog. Look at me now! 

I mean, who doesn't remember growing up with Sweet N' Low? They were my first sugar substitute and to this day, I still sprinkle a little over my strawberries for a quick snack! 

Let's get down to business. 

Tomorrow is Friday. Let's start this drinking game early, shall we?

The essentials: strawberry puree, coconut water, tequila, Sweet N' Low, and a squirt of lime juice.

We just made a Skinny Spiked Strawberry Coconut Agua Fresca. 

Boom!

 Oh, and you know in my kitchen, drinks and food go together. 

Asian Turkey Meatballs 

with 

a Sweet (because there is sweet n' low in it) and Spicy Tropical Peanut Dipping Sauce. 

I could definitely get used to this Tastemaker thing. 

Thanks a bunch to DailyBuzz and Sweet N' Low! 

Skinny Spiked Strawberry Coconut Agua Fresca:

Ingredients:

1 c. fresh strawberry puree, divided (blend about 6-7 strawberries until smooth in a food processor or blender)

1/4 c. agave tequila 

1 c. plain coconut water 

juice of 1 small lime

2 packets of Sweet N' Low 

4-5 ice cubes

extra sliced strawberries, optional

Instructions:

1. Place 1/2 c. of the strawberry puree and the remaining ingredients in a cocktail shaker, do a little shaking dance, and pour into a large margarita glass.

2. Stir the remaining puree into the glass.

3. Garnish the drink with extra sliced strawberries or toss a few into the drink. It's your call! 

Serves 1

Asian Turkey Meatballs with Sweet and Spicy Tropical Peanut Dipping Sauce (GF):

Ingredients:

For the meatballs:

1 lb. of ground turkey (I used a 90/100 ratio)

1 bunch of fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

1/2 of a carrot, grated

1 T. fresh ginger, grated

1 clove of garlic, minced

1/2 t. salt

1/4 t. freshly cracked black pepper

1 T. low sodium soy sauce

For the dipping sauce:

3 T. coconut water

1 T. light coconut milk

1 T. chopped fresh cilantro

1 T. smooth peanut butter

1 T. low-sodium soy sauce

1 t. freshly grated ginger

1 t. Sirracha

2 packets of Sweet N' Low

Instructions:

For the meatballs:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a large baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

2. Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl using your hands. 

3. Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 2 tablespoons worth for each meatball. 

4. Place in the prepared baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes or until slightly golden brown.

For the dipping sauce:

1. In a small bowl, whisk all of the ingredients together until smooth. Serve in a small bowl for dipping the meatballs. 

Makes about a dozen meatballs and 1/2 c. of dipping sauce.

MANGIA!!!