Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Recipe Contest #6 SOUPS!!!!!!

IT'S FINALLY SOUP SEASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



URBAN DICTIONARY- Soup
the best thing to eat when you're sick period
tyler: I'm sick
tyler: go eat some soup
tyler: ok

The colder weather is finally here, and I don't know about you but I've already felt the temperature begin to drop.
I'm okay with that though! There really isn't a more exciting food season than fall.
Warm soups, pies, pumpkin EVERYTHING, apple EVERYTHING!! Not to mention the DELICIOUS harvest beers to welcome in the season :p
Before I get too carried away I'll get back on track.

This next recipe contest is going to revolve around SOUPS. All soups... any soup... any chowder, any method. IT DOESN'T MATTER AS LONG AS IT IS SOUP!

To enter please submit your recipe (following the guidelines http://southingtonfoodies.blogspot.com/2015/08/inspired-by-excellent-chefs-of.html) to any admin. Winning recipe will be added to our online food journal.
Here is a list of your current admins:






DEADLINE OCTOBER 8th @APPROX. 15:30
Need a refresh on rules/details?    Click here  --> 
http://southingtonfoodies.blogspot.com/2015/08/inspired-by-excellent-chefs-of.html




ALSO! Check out our online food journal so far!!!
http://southingtonfoodjournal.blogspot.com/



Friday, September 25, 2015

Game Day Snacks & Apps Contest Entries

Entry #1
JalapeƱo Poppers Reimagined:
Ingredients:
25 fresh Jalepeno peppers
Pkg of softened Cream Cheese
1 C of Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 lb of Bacon, cut into 2 inch pieces
Salt and Pepper to taste
Intructions:
Cut and deseed jalepeno peppers.  Mix softened cream cheese and shredded cheese. Add salt and pepper to cheese mix to taste.   Stuff peppers with cheese mix and cover with 1 piece of bacon.  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.   Serve and enjoy!

 Entry #2
Easy Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip:
Ingredients:
4 Chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
1 T Olive Oil
1 Bottle of Favorite Buffalo Sauce (we like Frank’s Red Hot)
1 Pkg. Cream Cheese
1/2 C. Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing
1/2 C. Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a crock pot, drizzle olive oil over bottom of pot place in chicken breast. Cover chicken in buffalo sauce.  Add salt and pepper if you like.  Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
Once chicken is cooked, shred.  Add cream cheese, dressing, and shredded cheese. Keep warm and enjoy with tortilla chips! see my entries to the football food contest below. I can get you picture if you need.

Entry #3
Italian Quiche




Ingredients:
3 packages crescent rolls
1/4 lb salami sliced
1/4 lb provolone cheese sliced
1/4 lb ham sliced 
1 jar roasted red peppers drained
6 eggs
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Instrutions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Butter 9x13 GLASS baking dish.  (Will be soggy if you don't use glass dish)
Beat eggs and parmesan cheese.  Set aside reserving 2 tablespoons for end Unroll 1 dough and press into dish Layer 1/2 of salami, provolone and peppers Pour 1/2 egg mix over Cover with another dough and layer remaining salami, provolone and peppers Top with remaining dough and brush with reserved egg mix
Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 25 minutes Uncover and cook another 25 minutes.
Let cool before cutting into squares.  Serve room temp.

Entry #4
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Ingredients:
Chicken - either canned or pulled chicken, about 10 to 16 oz
1/2 cup of buffalo sauce (Archie Moores is my favorite but Franks Wing Sauce is good too)
1 block of cream cheese
1/4 cup of ranch dressing
1/4 cup of blue cheese
1 cup of shedder cheddar (I prefer extra sharp)
1/3 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
Pretzel chips or sliced carrots/celery
Instructions:
Heat the chicken with the hot sauce until bubbly over medium heat.  Add the cream cheese and stir until melted through.  Add in dressings (either both or one but totaling about 1/2 cup) Stir well and add cheese once mixture is hot enough to melt cheese, usually only takes a minute or so.  Mix cheese until fully melted, only add mozzarella cheese if you prefer the dip to be gooey. 
Taste and season to your liking, I usually add more wing sauce at this point.  If it's too spicy for your liking, add in some more ranch or blue cheese dressing. 
Keep on low heat or transfer to a crockpot to keep warm as this dip tastes best hot.
Serve with pretzels rods, pretzel crisps or carrots and celery.




 

Winner!!! Conest #4 Comfort Food

We are super excited to announce the winner for our comfort food contest!!!


Amy Cooper had the winning entry with her Baked Mac and Cheese.


Amy, your recipe sounds absolutely amazing, we are happy to be able to add it to our Southington Food Journal. PLEEEASSEEEE make this for us at our meat up!
*Meet Up date to be announced very, very soon**
Congrats Amy, we hope to see more of your recipes.
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REMINDER!!! DEADLINE for the Game Day Food/Apps Contest is TODAY!!!! SEPTEMBER @15:30. You still have time to enter your recipe! PM your recipe to any admin by 15:30 to qualify.
List of your current admins:












For more details regarding this contest click here:
http://southingtonfoodies.blogspot.com/2015/09/recipe-contest-5-game-day-snaks-apps.html


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Take a look at our food journal so far; it's really coming along nicely!
http://southingtonfoodjournal.blogspot.com/


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Meet the Chef: Amy Cooper








"After meeting my husband and deciding to start a family, I became a stay at home mom and fell in love with cooking for my family.  I enjoy cooking any type of meal or protein and love expanding the flavor profiles in foods.  I very rarely follow a recipe and often put my own spins on them."



Thursday, September 17, 2015

Recipe Contest #5 Game Day Snacks & Apps!

SPORTS!!!!! GO SPORTS!!! FIGHT!! TEAM WIN!!!!



I've never really followed sports too closely but I KNOW food is a very important component when watching games.
We need out wings, and our dip, our bread and our chips!!!
In honor of football season... and KC Crafts softball team kicking off their fall ball season let's celebrate GAME DAY FOOD AND APPETIZERS!!!!
If you don't know what would constitute a "game day" food consult your stomach while watching the next sport event of your choice.
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We want to see your favorite game day recipes!!!

To enter please submit your recipe (following the guidelines http://southingtonfoodies.blogspot.com/2015/08/inspired-by-excellent-chefs-of.html) to any admin.
Here is a list of your current admins:

DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 25th @approx. 15:30
Need a refresh on rules/details?    Click here  --> 
http://southingtonfoodies.blogspot.com/2015/08/inspired-by-excellent-chefs-of.html














Good luck and have fun!!!



image:www.examiner.com

Monday, September 14, 2015

Comfort Food Contest Entries

Entry #1
Homemade Chicken Wings:


Ingredients
12 Chicken Wings
4 Cups Water
1/2 Cup Frank's Red Hot Sauce
1/4 Cup White Distilled Vinegar
4 Tablespoons Sugar
2 Tablespoons Salt
1/3 Cup Cake Flour
1/3 Cup Corn Starch
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1 Teaspoon Iodized Salt
Peanut Oil


Directions:
Brine for 2 days in 4 cups of water, 1/2 cup Franks hot sauce, 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar, 4 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons salt.
Dry as best possible.
Coat with 1/3 cup cake flour, 1/3 cup corn starch, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and 1 teaspoon iodized salt.
Blanch in peanut oil at 250 degrees for 12 minutes.
Fry at 360 degrees for 5-8 minutes.
Dress with favorite sauce.


Entry #2
Baked Mac and Cheese:
Ingredients
8 oz Elbows or Ingredients
8 oz Elbows or Shells
¼ Cup margarine or butter
3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 Teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 Teaspoon salt (optional)
1/8 Teaspoon black pepper
2 Cups milk
2 Cups (8 oz) shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese Cover with your favorite crunchy.  I like crumpled up ruffles potato chips or Ritz Crackers
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350˚F. 
Cook pasta for 3 minutes and drain. 
In medium saucepan, melt margarine. Blend in flour, mustard, salt, and pepper. 
Cook until mixture is smooth and bubbly; gradually add milk.
Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture boils; simmer 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Gradually mix in cheese. Stir over low heat until cheese is melted.
Add pasta; mix lightly. Pour into 2-quart casserole.
Top with croutons. Bake 25 minutes.










Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Recipe Contest #4 Comfort Food




(n) Defined as food that gives emotional comfort to the one eating it, these tend to be favorite foods of childhood, or linked to a person, place or time with which the food has a positive association. 
Grandma always made the best mashed potatoes and gravy,they've become a comfort food for me. 
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What makes your tummy happy?
What makes you fall deeeeepppp into a carb coma?
What keeps you coming back for more… even though you maybe shouldn’t?
COMFORT FOOD.
Yes.
Comfort food.
POST YOUR FAVORITE COMFORT FOOD RECIPES!!
Only entries directly PM’D to admins will be accepted.
Here is a list of your current admins:


 DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 14th @approx. 15:30
Need a refresh on rules/details?    Click here  --> 

http://southingtonfoodies.blogspot.com/2015/08/inspired-by-excellent-chefs-of.html


Good luck and have fun!!!

Recipe for mac and cheese above:
http://craftbrewgalrecipes.blogspot.com/2015/05/sweltering-craft-mac-and-cheese-crockpot.html

Winner!!! Contest #3 Anything/Everything Pumpkin

Winner!!! Contest #3 Anything/Everything Pumpkin



We are extremely excited to announce the winner of the Pumpkin Contest this week is Kevin Langdon!  AKA Chef Langdon!!!!
Kevin inspired us with his “Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Bread Pudding with Crown Maple Caramel Sauce and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.”
It’s hard to even put into words how obnoxiously, amazing that sounds.
Thank you so much Kevin for contributing to our food journal!
Also a HUGE thank you to everyone who participated.
This contest was awesome everyone!!!! 
As usual the recipes all looked great, but it was also really great to see more enthusiasm towards the contests and our food journal.
As always these contests are for fun, but keep in mind this tool will be a great, fun reference to delicious dishes; picked personally by us Southingtonians.  J

Take a look at our journal so farhttp://southingtonfoodjournal.blogspot.com/
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I know there has been some confusion regarding entry rules. There are not many rules so please just refresh here: http://southingtonfoodies.blogspot.com/2015/08/inspired-by-excellent-chefs-of.html.  The rules listed are for fairness, not to be strict. Please follow to instructions for your recipe to be eligible.
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Get your entries in for our Comfort Food Contest this week!!! 
Contest DEADLINE will be MONDAY SEPTEMBER 14TH@15:30
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We are looking for YOUR feedback! 
Please comment below with any constructive words/suggestions. 
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Meet the Chef: Kevin Langdon



My passion for food started at a young age. I grew up in a household with a chef for a father.  My dad has been a chef for 35+ years and has been my mentor and go-to man for questions. Every family meal at the dinner table we would talk about food. I knew I always wanted to do something with food. My dad tried to warn me about the long hard and stressful hours working your way to the top in kitchens but this didn't stop me. 
I decided to take my love for food to the next level and apply for Johnson and Wales University Culinary Arts program. Since graduating I never looked back. Constantly trying to perfect and progress my culinary technique. Every day is a different new and challenging day which can be extremely rewarding. I get to use all 5 of my senses in the kitchen and it fuels the fire for my cooking. 
After graduating, I moved down Hilton Head Island and recently moved to Charleston, SC to work in one of the top rated restaurants in the Charleston area called the Fat Hen. I love to cook on my days off, brew my own craft beer, head to Folly Beach with friends and explore the farmers markets for the local fresh produce. 
I believe everyone can learn how to cook because it's fun!
Pour a glass of wine or crack a bottle of good beer and get cookin'! 
Instagram: @Chef_Langdon

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Pumpkin Contest Entries

Entry#1
Pumpkin Pie Martini:
Ingredients
1 ounce quality vodka
1 ounce bailey's irish cream liqueur
1⁄2 ounce kahlua liqueur
1⁄2 ounce pumpkin pie or spice syrup (found in the coffee isle, but I like Monin the best.)
1/2 cup whole milk
Top with off with whipped cream (optional)
Directions
Shake well with ice and pour into a gram cracker rimmed glass.

**I don't have a photo to share, so I stole one off the internet.   
Also, I usually make this by the gallon for parties and service on the rocks.**


Entry#2

Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Bread Pudding with Crown Maple Caramel Sauce and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream:
Ingredients
1 cup heavy cream plus 1/2 cup whole milk
3/4 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 egg yolk
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp ground allspice
pinch of ground cloves
2 tbsps bourbon
5 cups day-old baguette or crusty bread (I used challah), cubed about 1-inch
6 tbsps (3 oz.) unsalted butter, melted
6 oz Favorite chocolate bar, melted
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Toss the bread together with the butter in a large bowl. Set aside. Whisk the pumpkin, milk and cream, sugar, eggs, egg yolks, salt, spices, and bourbon in another large bowl. Pour the pumpkin custard over the bread cubes and toss to coat. Pour 1/3 of mixture and drizzle with melted chocolate, do this until mixture is all gone. Pour into an 8-inch square baking dish and bake 25 to 30 minutes until custard sets. You can also do this in individual ramekins. The ramekins bake faster, so start checking them after 15 minutes
Crown Maple salted Caramel sauce:
Ingredients
1/4 c unsalted butter
1/2 c brown sugar
3/4 c heavy cream
1/8 tsp course kosher salt
2 oz crown royal maple liquor (or maple bourbon)
Directions
Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add sugar and crown maple. Whisk until sugar melts and mixture is thick and starting to boil. Slowly pour cream and whisk until incorporated. Bring sauce to a boil, whisking often, though not constantly. Simmer until sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat. Whisk in coarse salt. Makes about one cup.


Entry #3
Pumpkin Muffins:
Ingredients:
1 can pumpkin
1 box cake mix (any flavor you want. Suggestions: spice cake, carrot cake, yellow or chocolate cake)
Directions:
Mix together; portion into muffin tins bake at 350F for 18-20 minutes.

Entry #4
Cream Filled Pumpkin Cupcakes
Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup canola oil
1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
4 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the filling
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup milk
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, optionalWhole cloves, optional
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat sugar, oil, pumpkin and eggs until well blended. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder and cinnamon; gradually beat into pumpkin mixture until well blended.Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
For filling
Combine cornstarch and milk in a small saucepan until smooth. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; cool to room temperature.In a large bowl, cream shortening, butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla if desired. Gradually add cornstarch mixture, beating until smooth.Using a sharp knife, cut a 1-in. circle 1 in. deep in the top of each cupcake. Carefully remove tops and set aside. Spoon or pipe filling into cupcakes. Replace tops. If desired, add a clove "pumpkin stem" to the tops. Yield: about 1-1/2 dozen.





National Bacon Day Contest Entries

Thank you everyone that participated!! Everything looks great, we're excited to see who wins and very excited to have our first bacon entry in our food journal!!!

Entry#1
Bacon wrapped water chestnuts:



One bottle of Heinz chili sauce 
1/2 cup brown sugar 
1 tablespoon Hellman's mayonnaise. 
Mixed together and warm on top of the stove. 
2 cans of whole water chestnuts 
1 pound of bacon. 

Cut the bacon strips in half and wrap around the water chestnuts and secure with a toothpick. Brush the chili sauce on the water chestnuts and bacon and bake in the oven at 400 until the bacon is cooked. Try it you'll like it.

Entry#2
Bacon wrapped shrimp skewers:

Soak bamboo skewers for at least an hour. Cut bacon strips in half and wrap around peeled and deveined shrimp. Skewer, season with salt and pepper, and grill on low heat until shrimp is cook and bacon is crispy. Baste with BBQ sauce either bottled or homemade.

Entry#3
Bacon, Egg and Cheese:



Ingredients:
bacon (lots of it)
two eggs scrambled 
two slices of cheese your choice
bagel
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Toast bagel, set aside.
Scramble egg add salt and pepper to taste.
Place two pieces of cheese on one side of bagel.
Place egg on same side of bagel.
Place other half on top of egg to create a sandwich. 

Entry #4
BBQ bacon onion balls:





Ingredients:
1 Pound of Ground Beef
1/4 Cup Onion 
Jalapenos to taste
1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Tsp each of minced garlic, soy sauce, ketchup,  Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar
Salt & pepper to taste
Directions:
Start by cutting off the tops and bottoms of 2 good sized Vidalia onions.  Cut onion in half top to bottom. Peel off the first few layers of the onion.  Stuff a portion size meatball in middle of 2 onion halves. Wrap with 3-4 slices of bacon. Secure with toothpicks .  Bake 30 mins at 350.   Baste with your favorite BBQ sauce. I used sweet baby Ray spicy honey this batch.  Bake for 15 mins or sauce is caramelized.   
Remove toothpicks and enjoy!







Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Winner!!! Contest #1 Desserts

We're excited and happy to announce our first winner Rachel Luongo.

Rachel won us over with her amazing Brownie Oreo Trifle.

We are going to have to force her to make it for us at our first Meat Up!

Thank you so so much for everyone that participated. I don’t know if you guys had fun but I definitely did!

 

**Please take a moment and comment below with any questions or suggestions you may have regarding the contests/food journal as a whole. I’m looking for feedback to see what we can do better vs. what we should keep the same.***

 

REMEMBER: Next deadline is September 4th 2015 @ 22:00 –Category=Anything/Everything PUMPKIN

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Link below to Southington Food Journal:

http://southingtonfoodjournal.blogspot.com/2015/09/oreo-brownie-trifle-by-rachel-luongo.html



Meet The Chef:


Hello! 

My names Rachel Luongo and I'm 24 years old. 

I've lived in Southington my whole life and love living here. 

I grew up in the kitchen and have always loved cooking and baking. 

Coming from an Italian family, I've always been surrounded by food and the happiness it brings. I come from a long line of amazing cooks and I'm proud to be following in their footsteps!