December Culinary Smackdown - The Winner!

It was decided by a committee that the only fair way to choose a winner was by a random generation process. So I quickly got on the phone and ordered a representative from the Random Generator Company. I was informed immediately that her schedule was rather full today.

First she had to, get a pedicure.....

Oversee her veterinarian practice.....

cook for her family......

finish a photo shoot.....

and complete her next novel.......

Then she would arrive for the important hands on work. While waiting for the Random Generator representative to arrive, I had time to assemble the winners prize package.

 2 Vancouver USA tee shirts
1 pound of organic raisins
and a cinnamon grinder, for your
cooking and baking pleasure.






In addition I prepared the important paperwork and external parts needed by the Random Generator Company's representative, when selecting the winning entry.

In accordance with the Random Generator Company's guidelines, each entry will be written on a sheet of paper. The paper will be folded, several times, in order to hide the message and insure equal and fair treatment. The folded papers will be poured from one dish to the other, time after time, until when thoroughly and completely mixed, the lucky winner will be pulled from the bowl.

I had thought about calling in the local accounting firm of Moore, Good, and Plenti, but as it turns out, they were out of the office for the balance of the year. Celebrating and preparing for their upcoming busy season, tax time.  Concerned for the accuracy of the outcome, my concern was quieted when I realized that the Random Generator Company is above reproach. So I relaxed and poured another cup of coffee.


News Flash:  Word has just now been received, the Random Generator Company is in fact sending their best paper picker to Europe.....Europe? What happened to my house? For Pete's sake.....

I guess it is completely up to me. Lets review, in order of submission, the candidates:

Grandma Strecker's Old Fashion Mincemeat

http://dinnerattheosbornes.blogspot.com/2010/09/grandma-streckers-old-fashioned-mince.html

 Aromatic Raisin Chutney

http://www.helladelicious.com/recipes/2010/04/aromatic-raisin-chutney/
 

 Orange and raisin loaf

http://www.21stcenturyhousewife.com/index/Blog/Entries/2010/12/2_Orange_and_Raisin_Loaf_in_the_Bread_Maker.html

 New England Hermit Cookies

http://ceodraiocht.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/in-search-of/

Dark Carrot Raisin Whole Wheat Muffins

http://thischickcooks.blogspot.com/2010/11/dark-carrot-muffins-with-whole-wheat.html

Stollen

http://www.brendascanadiankitchen.com/2010/12/stollen.html

Christmas Cake

http://www.louanneskitchen.com/2010/12/christmas-cake.html

Real Canadian Butter Tarts

http://hunwhatsfordinner.blogspot.com/2010/12/butter-tarts.html

Fresh Mango Cake with Raisins

http://mycookinggallery.blogspot.com/2010/12/fresh-mango-bread-actually-loaf-cake.html

Mama's Broccoli Salad

http://sagetrifle.blogspot.com/2010/12/mamas-broccoli-salad.html

Carrot & Raisin Salad

http://sagetrifle.blogspot.com/2010/12/carrot-raisin-salad.html


Now for the exciting announcement you have all been waiting for, the winner is

Stollen 

from 

Brenda's Canadian Kitchen!

winner, December 2010 Culinary Smackdown! 

Congratulations Brenda, I will be in contact soon! As always thanks for taking a moment to stop and say hello!

sending out a big THANK YOU

To Joy of Kitchen Flavours, for this beautiful prize!

This is my prize for winning the November Smackdown, hosted by Joy at Kitchen Flavours, I cannot wait to start reading and cooking from this beautiful book. 

The linky is now closed for the December Smackdown, and the process of selecting the winner is in process.

Thank you Joy and to everyone that entered the December Smackdown.

As always, thanks for stopping by.

Weekend Cat Blogging

The happiest cats don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have. (who will take care of this for me?)

 The idea is to create a mechanism that will force a habit (to give me treats!)

"We never know what is enough

until we know what’s more than enough".*

(Who have you listened to? I wanted treats, not chores!)

 

Good bye 2010, I'm leaving. 

 

This post was prepared for:

Weekend Cat Blogging @ sidewalk shoes

*Billy Holiday, jazz singer 

As always thanks so much for stopping by!

December Culinary Smackdown - Showcase!

I definitely will need some help from my family to choose the winner, all of these are wonderful, take a look!

These photos are loaded in "google" preference, let me introduce 

 Carrot and Raisin Salad from Sage Trifle

 Grandma Streckers Homemade Mincemeat from Dinner with the Osborns

 Aromatic Raisin Chutney from Hella Delicious

 Orange and Raisin Loaf (ABM) from life and times of the 21st Century Housewife

 New England Hermit Cookies from ceo a's draiocht

 Dark Carrot Raisin WW muffins from This Chick Cooks

 Stollen from Brenda's Canadian Kitchen

 Christmas Cake from Louanne's Kitchen

 Real Canadian Butter Tarts from What's for Dinner?

 Fresh Mango Cake with raisins from Kitchen Flavours

Mama's Broccoli Salad from Sage Trifle

It is not too late to enter, the Smackdown will close on December 31st, the winner will be announced that evening. Thank you everyone for your entry.

Original Smackdown post and links to the recipes, found here.

Very quickly, homemade gifts 2010

Showing off some of the homemade gifts I made this year.....

a simple greeting, to place in a small area.

knitted scarves, heavy duty for him, lacy for her.

an antique bottle, with a couples message. (I put gold curled ribbon inside the bottle to add depth)

this would be a "dust collector" but I like the message

the ancient game of "go" (Honey helped with this one)

a "low tech" dry wipe note pad!

a dry wipe goals list

a dry wipe menu planner (not a good photo, sorry)

 a rustic table runner, I have shown this one before, it is made with recycled tee shirts.

a basket with homemade mustard's, shown below

homemade vanilla and cinnamon extracts, raspberry thyme vinegar and a jar of rhubarb jam.

Thanks for letting me show off my crafts.

What we ARE NOT eating, Wednesday, and yes the Smackdown, an update!

During the holiday food planning that was done all across the lands, I found this little jewel. I am sure your household also searched and searched for something a bit different, right before deciding to make the family favorites. I know I did. During this time, I looked at a lot of books. I love these old vintage books, they are a hoot to read and bring back childhood memories and can offer a chuckle or two. When I came across this, I knew right away that I would share it. Today is the day.

Sausages in Orange Blankets
Morning to Midnight Cookbook
presented by Aunt Jemima

3 cans Vienna sausages
1/3 c butter or margarine melted
1 c Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Pancake Mix
2 T orange juice
1/2 t grated orange peel

Cut each sausage in half. In mixing bowl, combine butter and pancake mix, stir to blend. Sprinkle in orange juice and grated peel, toss with a fork until lightly blended. Roll out between waxed paper to 1/8 inch thick. Cut into strips long enough to wrap around sausages. Wrap a strip of pastry around each sausage half, moistening edges to seal. Place on un-greased baking sheet, overlapped side down. Bake in oven preheated to 425 degrees about 15 minutes until golden and crisp. Makes about 42.

The December Culinary Smackdown ends in 2 days!

If you still want to submit, of course there is time! Here is the link.

Due to the extra excitement and work of Christmas, I really do appreciate those that have submitted. And even those that thought about it, but did not have the time. I really do understand. Tomorrow I will show off my prize sent from the lovely Joy of kitchen flavors. Thank You Joy! And reveal the prize being sent to the December winner. I have already told Honey he will have to help pick the winner.I have decided to do a fun gift that represents a bit of Vancouver USA and a bit of fun.

Lets see if I have any saved links to do a bit of wandering.......

These looked like Sunday morning breakfast!
http://everybodylikessandwiches.com/2010/12/worth-the-wait-welsh-cakes/

I have recently discovered  The Kitchen Witch and Brie cheese, so this was a natural!
http://www.kitchenwitchmaven.com/2010/12/cranberry-brie-phyllo-triangles-can-be.html

Pickle roll ups! I had these years ago and had forgotten, here is a reminder.

http://www.pipandebby.com/appetizers/2010/11/26/pickle-roll-ups.html

This chickpea salad looks wonderful, maybe you would like it too.
http://cookieandkate.com/2010/chickpea-salad-recip/

Cheese puffs, they are not just for holidays! I think these would be great with a white chili.....
http://mennonitegirlscancook.blogspot.com/2010/12/cheese-puffs.html

As always, thanks so much for stopping by, and have a great day. We will soon see 2010 leave us, and a whole new chapter begin.