Lentil deadline looming

Don’t forget to send in entries for the “Legendary Lentil Cook-off” at Pullman’s National Lentil Festival by Friday. Organizers are hoping the new cash prizes will inspire people to cook up a lentil-centered concoction for the competition.

First place will be awarded $1,000, second is worth $750 and the third place winner receives $500. The categories for the competition include: main dishes, breads, salads, desserts, soups, side dishes, and snacks. The top six recipes will be tasted and judged by 400 attendees at the National Lentil Festival in Reaney Park in Pullman.

All recipes are required to have one half-cup dry lentils or one cup cooked lentils and are limited to a maximum of 15 ingredients. Recipes must be postmarked by Friday, and the preliminary cook-off will be held Aug. 1. Only one recipe per person will be judged.

The Lentil Festival will be Aug. 18 and 19 in downtown Pullman.

For more information on the festival or the cook-off, contact Michelle Poesy at (800) 365-6948 or (509) 334-3565 or e-mail director@lentilfest.com. You can visit www.lentilfest.com. Applications for the cook-off are available on the Web site.