If you have ever tried to soften up butter in the microwave (and I’m sure you have!) this cartoon from TheOatmeal.com is sure to hit home:

Gooseberry Patch is offering a FREE download of it’s Circle of Friends Cookbook:  Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes.  It includes recipes for 25 different varieties – YUM!  Just like their Facebook page to get it.

Baridi Iced Coffee Blend from Peet’s Coffee is a bold, bright and refreshing blend of East African coffees specially crafted to enjoy as an iced drink. Baridi means “cold” in Swahili. It creates a bold and coffee-forward taste, while remaining refreshingly crisp.

For a summer gift, you can now get it in the Baridi Iced Coffee and 16 oz Tumbler Gift Set that pairs the 16 oz Double Wall Peet’s Iced Tumbler with the new Baridi Iced Coffee Blend, all packaged in a Peet’s gift box.

Reader Giveaway:  One lucky Thrifty Recipes reader will win the Baridi Iced Coffee and 16 oz Tumbler Gift Set.  To enter, just fill out the entry form below by 11:59pm ET on 7/25/12.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you’re trying to reduce sodium in your diet, a good spice mix can help season your food without adding any additional salt. Try this spice mix to season all of your favorite dishes.

1 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp garlic powder
6 Tbsp onion powder
1 tsp dried oregano
3 Tbsp paprika
2 Tbsp black pepper
1 Tbsp poultry seasoning (optional)
2 Tbsp dry mustard

Mix all ingredients together, stirring well. Store in a shaker and use in place of salt.

Grilling corn on the cob tastes fantastic and is a great addition to any summer BBQ party.  It’s also very easy to do!

Start by peeling back the husk, leaving the bottom of each husk attached to the cob.  Remove the silk (some people call them the strings) by pullint/rubbing with your hands, or if they are tough use a moist paper town or vegetable brush.

Next, put the husks back in place to cover the corn.  To keep it extra tight you can use kitchen string, but that’s totally optional.  Then placestring things on the corn – from the  the corn in a large bowl/tub of water and let soak for a minimum of 30 minutes.  An hour or more is better.

Take the soaked corn and grill it over medium heat, turning, frequently, for about 20 minutes.  Enjoy!

Do you have a delicious recipe using eggs?  Eggland’s Best is looking for your most delicious recipes to celebrate Eggland’s Best eggs.  You may enter up to 2 recipes in each of the following 4 categories: 

• Breakfast 
• Appetizer 
• Main Course 
• Dessert 

One winner will be chosen from each category and will be awarded $1,000!  The Grand Prize winner will be selected among those 4 winners for a prize of $10,000! All recipes must be original recipes, and include at least 2 Eggland’s Best eggs. Entries will be accepted from now through August 12, 2012.

Click here to enter “Your Best Recipe” today. For official contest rules, click here.