I competed in the #WorldFoodChampionships

This past November I had the pleasure of competing in The World Food Championships cook off contest!
competition
My friend James Ruhf assisted me in the competition. We had the best time!
James and me
me in jacket bio
orange-beach-water-tank-1280x960
Over 400 teams competed for the title, World Food Champion. Nine categories brought over 100 BBQ Pitmasters, chefs, and cooks from over a dozen countries and 32 states to The Wharf. It was a like nothing I ever seen before.
Fifty kitchens were set up on The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama. Only the best commercial equipment for us!
kitchen stadium
Contestants were treated to a night good food and fun at a reception held at the Flora-Bama Yacht Club on the Florida and Alabama border.
yacht club
Time to compete! Notice the dreaded clock!
kitchen stadium clock
Mike McCloud was an awesome MC and host. We had Cheferies making the rounds to help us and keep us on point. It could not have ran smoother!
Suzanne Clark and the film crew were awesome!
film crew
You can’t be nervous on the close ups.
film close ups
You have to break a few eggs to make a good benedict!
me
I didn’t move on to the top 10 finalist round to compete for a seat at the final table worth over $100,000! Maybe next year ;).
Watch for the World Food Championships TV show coming in 2017!

Find out more about the competition, how to compete and highlights from all the events at World Food Championships website.

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16 Easy Appetizers for Your New Year’s Eve Party

16 easy appetizers
Tired of the Swedish Meatballs, mini franks wrapped in dough and canapes? Please your guests by passing around these tasty appetizers at your next party.

Creative Crostini
Spicy Crab Spread
Smoked Whitefish Salad Bagel Bites
Beef and Pistachio Pesto Crostini
Smoked Sardine Crostini
For the Table
Antipasto
Chip and Dip Sunflowers

One Bites
Smoky Potato Pie Cups
Corn Pie Bites
Tomato Basil Soup Shooters
Avocado Mousse Cucumbers
Mini Quiches
Hoisin Beef Purses
Cheesy Zucchini Fritters
Tropical Cocktail Wings

Not Your Mama’s Meatballs
Garlicky Shrimp Meatballs
Chicken ans Mozzarella Stuffed Mushrooms

Posted in appetizer, avocado, bagel, beef, chicken, cucumbers, fish, holiday, meatballs, party food, seafood, What's For Dinner?, zucchini | 3 Comments

Strawberry Banana Muffins #FLStrawberry

Strawberry Banana Muffins

Strawberry Banana Muffins blend two favorite flavors into one delicious muffin. Fresh Florida Strawberries are in season November through April!

If you are like me, your eyes can be bigger than your stomach. It’s that way when I buy fruit. I start out with good intentions and sometimes I panic a few days in. I’m not one to waste a great buy.  😉

Good thing we like muffins and they freeze well. That is if there are any left to freeze!

Strawberry Banana Muffins

Strawberry Banana Muffins

You can lightly spray the inside of your paper liners to help with sticking. Sprinkle the batter with maple sugar for a sweet crust. Such good flavors together!

Strawberry Banana Muffins batter

Food for Thought…How do you use up extra fruit that has reached its peak? I’d love to hear your ideas in a comment below!

Strawberry Banana Muffins #FLStrawberry

Yield: 12 muffins

Serving Size: 1 muffin

Ingredients

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 ripe banana, mashed (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup strawberries
  • 2 tablespoons maple sugar

Instructions

  • Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda.
  • In a separate bowl, combine banana, egg, milk and vanilla. Fold into dry ingredients.
  • Fold in strawberries.
  • Divide batter into a 12 paper-lined muffin tin. Sprinkle with maple sugar.
  • Bake at 350 for approximately 12 to 15 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cool on rack. Enjoy!

Notes

You can lightly spray the inside of the paper liners with a baking spray for easier release.

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Roasted Brussels Sprouts Soup for Christmas #BritishStyle

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Soup
Roasted Brussels Sprouts Soup dishes up a British tradition as a warm, inviting soup.
Now you may or may not be a fan of the lowly Brussels Sprouts at Christmas, but I might have some tasty tidbits to change your mind.
Brussels Sprouts appear on British Christmas tables like corn does here in the states. These tiny members of the cabbage family are eaten more by Britons than anyone else in Europe.
Asda grocery stores will sell around 140 million sprouts in the two weeks before Christmas.
Brussels Sprouts contain high levels of vitamins A and C, folic acid and dietary fiber, and can help protect against colon and stomach cancer.
A 3 ounce serving of sprouts contains four times more vitamin C than an orange, and a cup of cooked Brussels sprouts contains only about 60 calories.
Roasting sprouts brings out the natural sweetness of this vegetable.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts Soup
Roasted Brussels Sprouts Soup
Roasted Brussels Sprouts Soup
I admit it took a while for me to develop a taste for these tiny little heads. My first exposure was to a plate of bitter, mushy overcooked leafy balls.
It was years before I tried them again. It wasn’t until I had them roasted with butter and bacon that I became a convert.
I started experimenting with combo and sauces that I found in cookbooks and on the net.
Soup wasn’t a choice from out there in cyberland. Cabbage in soups and stews is a hit in my house. So why not a soup with Brussels Sprouts as the star? Why not, indeed!

Food for Thought…Are Brussels Sprouts on your naughty or nice flavor list? Is there a vegetable you absolutely need to have on your Christmas table? I’d love to hear your thoughts in a comment below!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Soup for Christmas #BritishStyle

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Serving Size: 1 cup

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh Brussels Sprouts, cut in half
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large potato peeled and cut into 1 to 1 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Place broth, potatoes, onions, peppers and bay leaf in a 2-quart or larger saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until tender.
  • While potatoes cook, roast sprouts. Pour olive oil and sprouts into a resealable bag. Toss to coat. Layer in a single layer on a baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Roast at 350, turning occasionally to keep from burning. Roast until golden brown.
  • Add Brussels Sprouts to the potato base. Adjust seasoning to taste. Stir and serve.
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