UN Unilever NV

LAWRY'S(R) AND B. SMITH ARE 'COOKING UP CULTURE' WITH SOUTHWESTERN INSPIRED DISHES CHICAGO, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The warm weather, colorful tapestry and festive music aren't the only things that draw vacationers to the Southwest. The authentic cuisine, with unique spices and rich ingredient combinations, is also what makes southwestern culture so popular in the United States. This August, Lawry's(R) celebrates Southwestern cuisine as part of its "Cooking Up Culture" program, a year-long celebration of the cultures that have influenced American cuisine. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080806/AQW063) "Southwestern cuisine is one of this country's oldest styles of cooking," says B. Smith, national spokesperson for the "Cooking Up Culture" initiative. "It's mostly influenced by Mexican cooking, with its introduction of corn, beef, pork, goat, beans and indigenous chilies. Infusing delicious flavors from the Southwest into home-cooked meals is quick and easy with marinades such as Lawry's(R) Baja Chipotle Marinade with Lime Juice. Marinate for only 30 minutes to transform any simple meal into a cultural feast." Prior to 1845, a large part of the Southwest was Mexico. When settlers moved further north to what is now known as New Mexico, they encountered Native Americans who taught them how to use squash and a variety of grains. The fusion of these cultures resulted in the creation of Southwestern food. This type of cuisine -- culled from two ethnic ancestral cultures -- forms delicious meals that today are enjoyed all across the country. Still, the best places to experience authentic southwestern cuisine are in Arizona, New Mexico, southern Texas, Nevada and southern California. Smith explains how the use of larger cuts of meat, chiles and corn makes Southwestern food different from Mexican. "Southwestern cuisine consists of a lot of steak and chile dishes, beans, chipotle seasoning, fajitas and chile rellenos or stuffed chilies," she states. "Another key ingredient for many southwestern dishes is corn. Southwestern cooking uses corn in many ways -- cornhusks are dried and used to wrap tamales; corn kernels are grounded into cornmeal and used as the base ingredient for tortillas; and corn is often added to condiments such as salsa." For a little inspiration when preparing your next home-cooked meal, visit lawrys.com throughout the month of August for delicious southwestern recipes. Or, try these simple recipes tonight for your whole family to enjoy: SOUTHWEST CHICKEN WITH ROASTED CORN SALSA 6 servings Prep Time: 15 minutes Marinate Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes 1/2 cup Lawry's(R) Herb & Garlic Marinade With Lemon Juice 1/4 cup orange juice 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro 6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1-1/2 lbs.) 1 Tbsp. Bertolli(R) Classico(TM) Olive Oil 1 can (15 oz.) whole kernel corn, well drained 1 large tomato, chopped 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper 1/4 cup chopped red onion 1/2 tsp. Lawry's(R) Garlic Salt 1. In medium bowl, combine Lawry's(R) Herb & Garlic Marinade with Lemon Juice, orange juice and cilantro; reserve 1/2 cup. In large baking dish or resealable plastic bag, combine chicken with remaining marinade mixture; turn to coat. Cover, or close bag, and marinate in refrigerator 30 minutes. 2. Remove chicken from marinade, discarding marinade. Grill chicken, turning once and brushing with 1/4 cup reserved marinade mixture, 10 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked. 3. Meanwhile, in 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat Olive Oil over medium-high heat and cook corn, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until lightly browned; cool. In medium bowl, combine corn with remaining ingredients. Serve chicken with corn salsa. Nutrition Information per serving: Calories 220, Calories From Fat 40, Saturated Fat 0.5g, Trans Fat 0g, Total Fat 4.5g, Cholesterol 65mg, Sodium 630mg, Total Carbohydrate 12g, Sugars 6g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Protein 28g, Vitamin A 8%, Vitamin C 30%, Calcium 2%, Iron 6% POTATO TACOS 8 servings Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 12 minutes 4 large Russet potatoes, baked 1 lb. lean ground beef 2/3 cup water 1 package (1 oz.) Lawry's (R) Taco Spices & Seasonings 3 green onions, chopped 1 medium tomato, chopped 1 can (2.25 oz.) sliced pitted ripe olives (about 1/2 cup) 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (about 4 oz.) 1 container (8 oz.) sour cream 1. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop out pulp from each potato leaving 1/4-inch-thick shells; set aside. 2. In 10-inch skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat; drain. Stir in water, Lawry's (R) Taco Spices & Seasonings and 1/2 of the green onions. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. 3. Evenly top potatoes with taco mixture, tomato, olives, cheese and remaining green onions. Broil 2 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top each with sour cream and serve, if desired, with salsa. Tip: Save the pulp from the baking potatoes and use to make mashed potatoes tomorrow night. Nutrition Information per serving: Calories 270, Calories From Fat 120, Saturated Fat 8g, Trans Fat 0g, Total Fat 13g, Cholesterol 70mg, Sodium 480mg, Total Carbohydrate 17g, Sugars 2g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Protein 19g, Vitamin A 15%, Vitamin C 15%, Calcium 15%, Iron 15% STUFFED SOUTHWEST BURGERS 4 servings Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes 1 lb. ground beef 1/2 cup PLUS 2 Tbsp. Lawry's(R) Baja Chipotle Marinade With Lime Juice 1 tsp. Lawry's(R) Seasoned Salt 1/2 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese (about 4 oz.) 1/4 cup Hellmann's(R) or Best Foods(R) Real Mayonnaise 4 hamburger buns, toasted 1 medium onion, cut into 4 slices 1 avocado, sliced 1. In large bowl, combine ground beef, 1/4 cup Lawry's(R) Baja Chipotle Marinade With Lime Juice and Lawry's(R) Seasoned Salt; shape into 8 patties. Evenly arrange cheese on center of 4 patties. Top with remaining patties; seal edges tight. Grill, turning once, 10 minutes or until desired doneness. 2. In small bowl, combine 1/4 cup Marinade with 1/4 cup Mayonnaise; set aside. Grill onion, turning once and brushing with remaining 2 tablespoons Marinade, 10 minutes or until onion is tender. To serve, arrange burgers on buns, then top with onion, avocado and, if desired, lettuce and tomato. Top with marinade mixture. About Unilever Unilever (NYSE:ULNYSE:UN), one of the world's largest consumer products companies, aims to add vitality to life by meeting everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care. Each day, around the world, consumers make 160 million decisions to purchase Unilever products. The company has a portfolio of brands that make people feel good, look good and get more out of life. In the United States these brands include recognized names such as: Axe, "all," Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Hellmann's, Knorr, Lawry's, Lipton, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave, Sunsilk and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever in the United States employs approximately 13,000 people in more than 60 office and manufacturing sites in 24 states and Puerto Rico -- generating nearly $10 billion in sales in 2006. For more information, visit http://www.unileverusa.com/. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080806/AQW063 http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Unilever CONTACT: Ronald E. Childs, +1-312-228-8807, , or Thelma Walker, +1-312-228-8808, , both of Flowers Communications Group, for Unilever Web site: http://www.unileverusa.com/

Copyright