Have Some Fun With Great Flavors

MISSION, KS--(Marketwire - Aug 7, 2012) - (Family Features) You don't have to be a gourmet chef to add great flavor to your favorite recipes. In fact, you probably already have what you need in your pantry to make something that will excite your taste buds.

The trick is to find new ways to use familiar ingredients -- such as using flavored potato chips as a crunchy breading for baked fish or chicken. If you're ready to have fun with flavor, here are a few other easy ideas:

• Herbed Salts: Mixing some of your favorite herbs in with salt adds a whole new dimension of flavor to your dish. Combine 1/2 cup of coarse sea salt with your favorite combination of herbs, such as whole dried rosemary and dried thyme; cumin seeds, coriander seeds and dill seeds; or dried lemon or orange zest and lavender. Put it in a pepper mill and grind as needed.
  
  
• Sweet and Savory Desserts: Make a pound cake with fruity olive oil instead of vegetable oil, or try a chocolate chip cookie recipe with a little smoky bacon mixed in. Serve strawberries and balsamic vinegar over ice cream, or try some sharp cheddar cheese melted over a sweet apple pie. How about a Mexican-inspired chocolate pudding with a pinch of chili powder?
  
  
• Snacks and Appetizers: Mix things up for some easy, no-cook eats like watermelon slices with chunks of feta cheese; hummus and red grapes; or popcorn with smoked almonds and chocolate chips.

Another way to have some flavor fun is to enter the Lay's® "Do Us a Flavor™" contest. If you think you have what it takes to come up with your dream potato chip flavor, you can submit your flavor idea on the Lay's® Facebook page now through October 6, 2012. Actress and restaurateur Eva Longoria, along with Food Network Iron Chef Michael Symon, will lead a panel of flavor experts to pick the finalists. The grand prize winner receives either $1 million or one percent of his or her flavor's 2013 net sales, whichever is higher. There is no purchase necessary. Get full contest details and official rules at www.facebook.com/lays.

You never know where flavor inspiration will come from. Here's a delicious Garden Tomato and Basil Soup that helped inspire the flavor of our Lay's® Garden Tomato & Basil flavored potato chips.You can find more delicious recipe ideas at www.fritolay.com.

Garden Tomato and Basil Soup
Makes 4 to 6 servings

In saucepan, heat canola oil for 2 to 3 minutes over medium heat.

Sauté onions for 4 to 5 minutes, avoiding any browning, then add garlic. Mix together.

Add tomatoes, vegetable broth and tomato paste.

Bring to boil, then reduce to a simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until tomatoes are soft.

Remove soup from heat; add basil and blend in a blender or food processor for 2 to 3 minutes until mixture is smooth.

Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice and serve immediately.

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