Quickness Counts In Next Bake-Off
Don’t stare, but the mother of all cooking contests has gotten a facelift.
The former Pillsbury Bake-Off, with its $1 million grand prize, is now the Pillsbury Quick & Easy Bake-Off. In keeping with the Quick & Easy theme, the only repeat recipe category from last year is 30-Minute Main Dishes.
There’s also Quick Snacks and Appetizers, with no more than six ingredients; Simple Side Dishes (ready in 20 minutes or less), and Fast and Easy Treats (preparation time of 15 minutes or less, not counting baking and cooling).
But don’t worry; the million-dollar payoff hasn’t been pared back.
Entry deadline is Oct. 20, which gives you plenty of time to come up with recipes that don’t take it. As always, you have to use at least one eligible Pillsbury product - although flour is off the list this year, because baking from scratch is so inconvenient.
Look in stores for entry blanks, or call (800) 477-1111, visit Pillsbury’s Web site at www.bakeoff.com, or write to P.O. Box 9300, St. Cloud, MN 56398-9300.
Cookie fortunes
Budding bakers with a flair for words could win a trip to Land O’Lakes “Camp Cookie” this summer and a $1,000 savings bond.
Children aged 3 through 6 can enter by explaining in 25 words or less, “I’m a smart cookie because …” and why they deserve the trip. Entries must be typed or printed on a sheet of plain white paper and include name, address, telephone number and grade (photos are optional).
Mail by June 16 to: Camp Cookie, P.O. Box 39104, Chicago, IL 60639. For Internet information, visit www.landolakes.com; for a Camp Cookie recipe leaflet, call (800) 782-9602.
Pickle out
Craving pickles? You’re not necessarily pregnant. Your body is probably just trying to tell you that International Pickle Week begins Friday.
For a free brochure of pickle and sauerkraut recipes, send a stamped, self-addressed, business-sized envelope to: The Secret Is, Pickle Packers International, P.O. Box 767, Dept. NP, Holmdel, NJ 07733.
Honor roll
Congratulations to a couple of regional food producers who won awards in recent competitions.
Washington State University’s renowned Cougar Gold sharp Cheddar cheese earned a silver medal at the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest in Wisconsin.
And the Fudgelita Brownies from The Irresistible Cookie Jar in Hayden Lake were a winner in Food Distribution Magazine’s Second Annual Superior Products Award Competition in Florida.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Drawing
MEMO: We’re always looking for fresh food news. Write to: the Fresh Sheet, Features Department, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Call 459-5446; fax 459-5098.