I entered our local county fair this year with a fruit cobbler which alas did not earn a ribbon but lots of encouragement! I was up against some skilled bakers, including one who won recipe of the year in Better Homes and Gardens! I know I will be against some real skill at the State Fair. Although, according to my sweet husband, while were were walking around the fair several years ago, he said.. "oh, you can do that and probably do it better."
There are the special contests which are sponsored by various companies or organizations which seem to mean bigger prizes. There are the standard "ribboning" categories that merely compare "apples to apples" or bread to bread.
I am entering a yeast bread and a strawberry jam.
- Pogacha - Which is somewhere between a Middle Eastern Flatbread flatbread and a regular round peasant bread typically found in Western Europe. Honestly, this is one of my favorite breads to make as it goes from bowl to bread rather quickly. It helps that it only has one rising.
- Strawberry Jam - Milena and I picked 7lbs of strawberries in May. I decided to try my hand at some jam making. The local berries were small and very intense in flavor, therefore making a delightful jam. It is also a beautiful shade of red.
The Special Contests
The Greater Midwest Foodways Alliance is an organization that is devoted to preserving the foodways of the Midwest. This is something I have enormous personal interest in as I think that the foods and cooking methods of the Eastern European immigrants are sadly unexplored and unmentioned. I think I should start mentioning palachinke or nut roll. They are looking for heirloom recipes that predate 1950.
Ghirdelli Chocolate Contest - I am working on mini tortes. Cake pops, cupcakes and other mini treats seem to be "the thing" right now. I made a cake that I have made over and over again into a small treat. I just finished a trial batch, which were devoured by my official taste testers before I could photograph it.
King Arthur Flour Contest - This years theme is yeast rolls. I have developed a plum roll recipe which is perfect for summer. It's also rather easy and turn out pretty.
Clabber Girl Quick Bread - Peanut Butter Banana Bread. Peanut butter and bananas, what could be better? When I was growing up, overripe bananas were frequently turned into banana bread. I added peanut butter to the mix which made a beautiful, easy to slice breakfast bread.
There will be pictures... stay tuned.
