Sunday, September 25, 2016

#70: farmers' market & garden - July 2015

Our farmers' market & garden cookoff was held on the 19th of July at Ravenclaw House (Mal & Allie's). The idea was to use fresh, in-season items from your garden or the farmers' market. It was a very hot day, like much of the summer, so we enjoyed some cold beer and white wine while trying to catch a breeze from the open living room door.

COMPETITORS AND ENTRIES
pesto risotto
Jen: "green with heat stroke" garlic*-roasted zucchini* and basil* pesto risotto with toasted pinenuts
salmorejo
Bronwen: "nacho gazpacho" salmorejo (cold tomato*, bread, & olive oil soup) with patata* brava & coconut bacon
bruschetta
Allie: "that redhead Italian" bread* with bruschetta (tomato*, garlic*, & basil)
zaru soba
Kristina: "market after dark" zaru soba (cold noodles) in a soy & rice vinegar sauce with shiso*, mint*, okra*, tomato*, & homemade pickled ginger
jam & bread
Chris: "jammin'" baguette and 4 kinds of homemade jam topped with various fresh herbs*, with arugula* & blackberry* garnish
polenta tart
Malloreigh: "pie de la polenta" polenta tart with peach* filling, blueberry* sauce, & fresh basil*

Starred items are garden or market fresh.

CATEGORIES AND WINNERS
seconds: Bronwen
presentation: Kristina
creativity: Kristina/Malloreigh
perceived effort: Bronwen
best use of theme: Jen/Kristina
overall favourite: Allie/Bronwen

overall winner: Bronwen

best name: (unscored category) Jen/Bronwen

Saturday, September 17, 2016

#69: barbecue (second edition) - June 2015

Our second BBQ-off was held at Blühaus on the 21st of June, hot & sunny. While attendance was sparse, we ended up with a nicely complete meal.

COMPETITORS AND ENTRIES
cerulean cheese salad
Malloreigh: "cerulean cheese salad" arugula, grilled peach & pear, cashew blue cheese, and walnuts in a raspberry mustard vinaigrette
Thai tempeh
Jen: "dad jokes Thai tempeh" pad Thai-inspired marinated grilled tempeh with coconut ginger creamed corn, bean sprouts, & peanuts
roasted roots
Allie: "Earthbound" buttery barbecue-roasted fingerling potatoes, carrots, onions, & onion scapes
dessert bread
Ash: "the most ancient traditions" barbecue-baked focaccia bread with apples in a bourbon caramel sauce

Also in attendance was Tamara's dog, Bea, though much to her chagrin, she did not get to try the food.

CATEGORIES AND WINNERS
seconds: Malloreigh
presentation: Ash
creativity: Malloreigh/Ash
best use of theme: Jen
perceived effort: Ash
overall favourite: 4-way tie!

overall winner: Malloreigh/Ash

best name: (unscored category) Allie