Parmesan Ranch Smoked Potato Salad Recipe

Warmer weather is coming and so is picnic season! We have been waiting all winter to get back out there and enjoy food with friends and family around the picnic table. Whether you are celebrating a graduation, a holiday, or just a Sunday afternoon, this recipe is perfect. It adds an amazing level of flavor and sophistication to a comfort food everyone loves. I dare you! Bring this recipe and see if it doesn't become the highlight of the event. Just to forewarn you, you may need to bring extra copies of the recipe for the people who are going to be asking you for it. Enjoy!

Parmesan Ranch Smoked Potato Salad

Make 6 servings

• 1.5 pounds baby red skin potatoes
• 1.5 quarts water
• 1.5 tablespoons liquid smoke
• 1/2 medium green pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup cooked chopped bacon
• 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
• 1/3 cup chopped red onion
• 2/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1.5 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• 1.5 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1.5 tablespoons ranch dressing
• 1.5 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Boil potatoes in water with salt and 1 table spoon liquid smoke until potatoes are fork tender. Drain off the fluid and let the potatoes set and cool. Cut the baby potatoes into halves or bite size pieces  Combine potatoes, green pepper, cooked bacon, celery, and onion. In a separate bowl mix together the mayonnaise, remaining half tablespoon liquid smoke, mustard, vinegar, ranch dressing, garlic powder, parmesan, and black pepper. Once everything has been stirred, pour the sauce over the potato mixture and mix till everything is coated evenly. Cover the dish and let it sit in the refrigerator to allow flavors to blend; overnight is best.

Take the Tea Test

Click to open a full view of the image to really see the difference clearly!

Have you ever wondered why your tea lacks bold rich flavor? Do you kill the nutritional value of the tea with scoops of sugar and splashes of cream? Try tearing open one of those tea bags to see whats inside. We took a bag of Bonomelli Chamomile Tea and another leading brand of tea and did just that. The results were impressive. Bonomelli is an all natural tea that uses all parts of the chamomile flower harvested when the essential oils of the plant are at their peak period to ensure the highest quality. You can clearly see the actual parts of the flower and the quality of the ingredients. The other tea bag looked like it had a mixture of saw dust and plant particles.

Try it yourself! Take a bag of your favorite tea and open it up. We would love to see what you find. Post a picture and let us know if your tea passes the test.

Our Top 9 Tips for the Perfect NCAA Basketball Bracket

One of our favorite times of the year is just around the corner; the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament! Hooray!  If you’re like us, you’ve been plotting for months on how to fill out the perfect NCAA bracket to win the company pool and beat all of your coworkers.  And if you’re like most of us, you have no idea what you’re doing.  That’s why we combined our My Brands brain power to create a list of tips that we think will bring us to victory! You may notice that none of the following tips have anything to do with the athletic ability or record of the college basketball teams. If we’ve learned anything from past NCAA tournament heartbreak, the stats don’t matter! That’s what puts the madness in the March. So we are skillfully basing our tips on cold, hard superstitions.  Take notes.

1. Do not, under any circumstances, do any research. Remember, there is nothing predictable, rational or fair about the tournament, so what’s the point? Just listen to our awesome advice.
2. Go with your first gut reaction. When you’re staring at the two teams on paper, go with your instinct and pick the first one that jumps out at you. No hesitation! Bonus: it cuts down on time!
3. Pick the pretty colors. When you look good on the outside, you feel good on the inside. And then you win! Makes sense to us.
4. Go for the meanest mascots.  Pick the mascot that, in real life, would be tough to beat.  Who do you think would win in a fight, a Kansas Jayhawk or a Michigan Wolverine?
5. Make it personal. If you have any (any!) connection to a team, we suggest you pick them.  Your childhood neighbor’s dad went to Ohio State? Pick them.  You always wished you had a butler? Pick Butler. 
6. Pick the team playing closest to home.  Nothing beats a good night’s sleep. You can bet the team that had to travel farthest with be the sleepiest.
7. It’s all in a name – If you have never heard of the team before, odds are no one else has either. That includes the good players coming out of high school. Seriously, if you were a hot shot basketball recruit would you choose Arkansas-Pine Bluff or Duke University? 
8. Call the ultimate shot! – A 16 seed has never beaten a 1 seed in the men’s tournament. Never! So, it is bound to happen at some point. Isn’t it? It’s super fun to brag after predicting an upset, so increase your chances by picking them often.
9. Have fun. You can drive yourself crazy trying to pick the perfect bracket.  Just do it for fun and en joy watching the games with family and friends. At least that’s what we’ve been telling ourselves.

Support your favorite team with one of our College Game Day Boxes! They're the perfect tailgating supply kit and feature officially licensed collegiate products.

Some Super TV Commercials That Never Mention A Bowl ;)

Sure. I know. There are some people out there who actually care about the Ravens and 49ers and can actually tell the difference between John and Jim Harbaugh. But for the rest of us, the big game is all about the commercials! This has long been known as the primary venue for some of the most creative commercials from some of our favorite brands. And it has been the scene for some really lousy ones too with farting horses and women teasing about internet hosting deals, am I right?!

Well, let's hope this year is a great one. In the meantime we want to tide you over till kick off with a few of our favorite ads.

"Fair," Hefty® Foam Plates Commercial, 2012

CLICK HERE TO WATCH AT MYBRANDS.COM HEFTY PAGE

Chupa Chups - Life Less Serious TVC - 'Spaceship'

CLICK HERE TO WATCH AT MYBRANDS.COM CHUPA CHUPS PAGE

Dinner Date: Your shellfish allergy won't slow down this date - Speed Stick

CLICK TO WATCH AT MYBRANDS.COM SPEED STICK PAGE

Ocean Spray TV Commercial for Blueberry Juice Drinks

CLICK TO WATCH AT MYBRANDS.COM OCEAN SPRAY PAGE

The World is Ending! #NGLAFOMB - BUTTERFINGER

CLICK TO WATCH AT MYBRANDS.COM BUTTERFINGER PAGE

The #1 Food Trend of 2013

SMOKE

According to the folks over at Huffington Post, smoke, is forecasted to be the number 1 trend for foodies in 2013. This flavor is showing up in more places than meat! It is being used creatively in everything from beverages to desserts. The Huffington Post article also mentions the industry leaders at New York Times, The Food Channel, Bon Appetit, and Baum + Whiteman affirming the trend and its versatile new applications.

If you are looking to be on the leading edge of culinary creativity, but aren't too eager to start a bonfire or drag out the smoker in the middle of winter, we suggest trying Wright's Liquid Smoke. Flavors include Applewood, Hickory, and Mesquite.

Find your favorite recipe and incorporate this hearty grilled flavor or try this one from our friends at Wright's.


Southwest Chili
Make 4 servings

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped green pepper
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 (15 oz.) cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 (16 oz.) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon WRIGHT'S® Liquid Smoke
• 1 (1.25 oz.) package Ortega® Chili Seasoning mix*

In a large saucepan, over medium-high heat, brown beef and
cook onion and green pepper in oil until tender; pour off excess
fat. Stir in remaining ingredients; heat to boil. Cover; reduce
heat. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve hot.
*2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon
each garlic powder and ground cumin and 1/8 teaspoon ground red
pepper may be substituted for the chili seasoning mix.

Are you ready for the Mayan Calendar/Fiscal Cliff/Zombie Apocalypse?

So the Mayan calendar is thought to end December 21st, 2012. Does that mean the world will end too and we will need John Cusack to save us? We hear reports of a fiscal cliff and the resulting collapse that could be the result in the midst of an already challenging economic environment. Changing weather patterns could see a much colder, snowier winter than last with blizzards affecting many major areas in the country. And for heaven's sake, what about the zombies?! Do you really want to be unprepared for the zombie apocalypse? Do you?!

With so much uncertainty facing the end of this year it really pays to be prepared! Maybe you have heard of the National Geographic show Preppers that highlights the efforts of some to be ready for any imagined or even unforeseen catastrophe the future might bring. The truth is, peace of mind can go a long way in situations of uncertainty. 

To put your mind at ease, we have taken the time to do the prep work for you. See our list of the 50 vital supplies necessary to survive your stay in the bunker.

1. Water
2. Energy Drinks
3. Canned Meat
4. Canned Seafood
5. Dried Eggs
6. Honey
7. Syrups
8. White / Brown Sugar
9. Rice
10. Beans
11. Cooking Oil
12. Vitamins
13. Aluminum Foil
14. Garbage Bags
15. Powdered Milk
16. Garlic
17. Spices
18. Vinegar
19. Baking Supplies
20. Flour
21. Salt
22. Yeast
23. Shampoo
24. Toothbrush
25. Toothpaste
26. Mouthwash
27. Duct Tape
28. Laundry Detergent
29. Canned Fruits
30. Canned Veggies
31. Soups
32. Roach Killer
33. Ant Traps
34. Paper Plates
35. Cups
36. Utensils
37. Antibacterial Soap
38. Cooking Sauce
39. Cocoa
40. Water Enhancers
41. Window Insulation Kit
42. Crackers
43. Peanut Butter
44. Jelly
45. Teas
46. Coffee
47. Candy
48. Cereal
49. Bouillon
50. Salsa

Get them all now with the Prepper's Kit for one stop shopping!

Holiday Gift Ideas

It’s that time of year again!  Looking for some last minute gift ideas?  We’ve got you covered.  My Brands has lots of great gifts that are sure to please family and friends.  We’ve crafted a list of four types of gift recipients, check it out to see if anyone on your list matches ours!

The Cook:

When it comes to creating the perfect meal, “The Cook” knows best.  That’s why giving him or her a fabulous culinary gift is a great idea!  My Brands has a wide variety of cooking gifts, including premium gourmet products, well known brands, regional specialties and just about everything in between! 

Every great chef needs their own signature barbecue sauce.  Why not give them a little help?  A few of our favorite barbecue brands are Two Fat Guys, Open Pit, and Road Kill.

A truly unique cooking gift is a bottle of Wright’s Liquid Smoke.  Known by many as their “secret weapon”, Wright’s Liquid Smoke has plenty of creative uses.  It can be mixed into ground meat for hamburgers, added to marinades and sauces, basted on meats and is perfect for grilling.

The Fan:

Do the following words apply to “The Fan” in your life; fanatic, obsessed, and crazy?  Then My Brands has some great ideas for you! 

Prepare your fan for the big game with one our Game Day Boxes. Each box features corresponding college Duck tape, college candy by Kencraft, and tailgating food and gear.  You choose the 6 items you want to include in the box. We currently have 14 college team boxes and are adding to the list every day.  Don’t forget to select a gift box!

Looking for just college team themed items?  Look no further than College Duck tape or college candy by Kencraft. With over 70 colleges represented (and growing!) you are sure to find your Fan’s favorite team.

The Sweet Tooth:

Satisfy “The Sweet Tooth’s” cravings with something from our wide selection of candy and chocolates. 

If you’re looking for a chocolate gift, Ritter Sport chocolates are a premium treat imported from Germany.  With combinations such as Dark Chocolate with Marzipan and MilkChocolate with Hazelnuts, you can’t go wrong! 

Chupa Chups are fun, vibrant lollipops that are a favorite around the world!  They come in interesting flavors such as Mango Yogurt and Chocovanilla.

Laffy Taffy is a well-known candy that comes in tubs of various fruit flavors.  If your “Sweet Tooth” has a best-loved flavor, buy him a tub of his favorite!  Banana seems to be one of the most popular.

The Health Nut:

Help “The Health Nut” in your life stay on track with some of our healthy product options. 

Better’n Peanut Butter is a delicious, all natural, low fat peanut butter spread that is a dieters dream!  It comes in 6 awesome flavors that are sure to cause cravings!

Adora Calcium Premium Chocolate will change the way you think about calcium supplements.  Made from all-natural, premium chocolate, they come in milk or dark chocolate.

My Brands has a wide selection of sugar-free candy.  One of our favorites is Crystal Light SugarFree Hard Candy Fruit Assortment.