Southern Living Cook-Off 2004 Winner

[MISSINDI]

Remember the uproar when a "sandwich" won the Pillsbury contest a few years ago? Well, a "salad" just won the grand prize ($100k) in the Southern Living Cook-Off Contest.

Here's the recipe for the Grand Prize Winner (Grilled Shrimp, Orange and Watermelon Salad with Peppered Peanuts in a Zesty Citrus Dressing):
http://www.southernliving.com/southern/events/cookoff_2004/healthygoodforyou.html

The Dessert Category Winner (X-Treme Chocolate Double Nut Caramel Lady Finger Torte):
http://www.southernliving.com/southern/events/cookoff_2004/signaturedesserts.html

The Easy Entree Category Winner (Chimichurri Cheesesteaks):
http://www.southernliving.com/southern/events/cookoff_2004/easyentrees.html

The Kids Love It Category Winner (Beef Burgers with Dill Pickle Remoulade):
http://www.southernliving.com/southern/events/cookoff_2004/kidsloveit.html

The Taste of the South Category Winner (Hushpuppy-Battered Catfish Nuggets with Spicy Tartar Sauce):
http://www.southernliving.com/southern/events/cookoff_2004/tasteofsouth.html

The cheesesteak picture looks yummy.

[funniegrrl]

I don't have a big problem with a salad or a sandwich winning a contest like this, as long as it doesn't rely on convenience foods. What I DID have a problem with was the cheesecake that won a few years ago that was made up of a frozen pecan pie, thawed and cut up and put in a pan with cheesecake batter. THAT was outrageous. But, that's what you get when you have prepared foods (like frozen pies) as one of the required "ingredients."

[MISSINDI]

Originally posted by funniegrrl
I don't have a big problem with a salad or a sandwich winning a contest like this, as long as it doesn't rely on convenience foods. What I DID have a problem with was the cheesecake that won a few years ago that was made up of a frozen pecan pie, thawed and cut up and put in a pan with cheesecake batter. THAT was outrageous. But, that's what you get when you have prepared foods (like frozen pies) as one of the required "ingredients."

Definitely. I know exactly what you mean and couldn't agree more. I don't have a problem with the salad winning, or the sandwich for that matter. Not every prize winning recipe has to be labor-intensive, and heck, with time being short these days, I'm ok if it's not! :D The other thing to consider is I think that when salads, sandwiches, etc. win it might make the contest seem more reachable to people, know what I mean?

[valchemist]

none of those recipes appeal to me, personally. not even the dessert. I entered the contest and didn't win, though, so I guess I am biased!

[pambrack]

So what did you enter and in which category?

[MISSINDI]

Originally posted by valchemist
none of those recipes appeal to me, personally. not even the dessert. I entered the contest and didn't win, though, so I guess I am biased!

Geez, given your contributions on the board, I would have voted for you without even a taste test!

[tperes]

I think it is kind of ironic that only 2 of the 5 winners actually live in the south!

none of those really appeal to me either...must be the vegetarian in me!:)

[valchemist]

Originally posted by pambrack
So what did you enter and in which category?

gosh, I am just seeing this question now...
sorry!

I entered several dessert recipes. here is one of them. (the brand names are sponsors of the contest, but I am sure you guessed that...)

I admit, it isn't that fancy, but it's yummy.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid143/pdad2df88e11ce54ba2a292ce7428f3b1/f69eb923.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid143/pc2c791617684fa10be8a5a95300ff220/f69eb927.jpg



Cookie Lover’s Layer Cake

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE CAKE:
8 ozs purchased chocolate chip cookies (such as Chips Ahoy!)
2 ¾ c all-purpose flour
2 c Domino Sugar
3 ½ tsps baking powder
1 ½ tsps Morton Salt
¾ c Crisco
1 1/3 c whole milk -- divided
2 ½ tsps vanilla
3 eggs
½ cup Nestlé Toll House Mini Morsels

COOKIE DOUGH FROSTING:
cookie dough:
¼ c butter -- softened
¼ c Domino Light Brown Sugar, plus 2 tbsp
2 tsp water
½ tsp vanilla
½ c flour
¼ tsp Morton Salt
1/3 c Nestlé Toll House Mini Morsels
frosting:
1 ½ c heavy whipping cream
8 ozs Philadelphia Cream Cheese -- softened
¾ c Domino Sugar
1/8 tsp Morton Salt
1 tsp vanilla

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake:

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans. Break the cookies into pieces about 1/2 inch in size. Set aside.

Place flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl. Stir with a whisk to combine. Add shortening, 1 cup of the milk, and vanilla; beat for 2 minutes. Scrape bowl as needed during the mixing process. Add eggs and remainder of milk; beat 2 minutes longer. Fold in chopped cookies and 1/2 cup Mini Morsels until just combined. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake at 350ºF for 28-30 minutes or until the cake springs back when touched lightly in the center and a toothpick comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Cool for 10 minutes in pans on a wire rack. Flip the cakes out of the pans and let cool completely on wire racks.

Cookie Dough Frosting and Assembly:

Cookie Dough:
While the cake bakes, prepare the cookie dough. Cream the butter and brown sugar in a small bowl. Add water and vanilla and mix well. Add flour and salt and stir to combine. Stir in 1/3 cup Mini Morsels. Wrap the dough in waxed paper and freeze until firm, about 30 minutes. Break dough into 1/4 teaspoon sized chunks and place the chunks on a plate or in a plastic container, separating layers with waxed paper. Return them to the freezer until ready to use.

Frosting and Assembly:
When the cakes are completely cooled, make the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the whipping cream until stiff peaks form; set aside. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, salt, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Fold in the whipped cream. Measure out 1 1/2 cups of frosting, place in a separate bowl, and stir in half of the cookie dough chunks. Set aside. Put one layer of the cake on a plate. Frost the top of this layer with the frosting/cookie dough mixture. Place the second layer on top of the first and frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. Sprinkle the remaining cookie dough on the top layer. Store the cake in the refrigerator. (The cake seems to be best on the second day, or at least a few hours after it is frosted, so feel free to make it ahead.)

Serves 16

[valchemist]

this one is even more decadent, if that is possible. but I love them both equally.


Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Cake

PEANUT BUTTER CAKE:
2 cups cake flour (or 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour)
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp Morton salt
¾ cup butter, at room temperature
1 1/3 cups Domino sugar
2 eggs
¾ cup creamy peanut butter
1 tbsp vanilla
1 cup milk
1 ½ cups broken peanut butter sandwich cookies
1/3 cup Nestlé® Toll House® Peanut Butter and Milk Chocolate Morsels

COOKIE DOUGH FROSTING:
cookie dough:
2 tbsp butter – softened
¼ cup peanut butter
¼ cup Domino brown sugar
½ tsp vanilla
½ cup flour
1/3 cup Nestlé® Toll House® Peanut Butter and Milk Chocolate Morsels
frosting:
1 cup Domino sugar
6 tbsp butter
6 tbsp whole milk
1 cup Nestlé® Toll House® Peanut Butter and Milk Chocolate Morsels

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 13x9 baking pan.

Stir together flour, baking powder and salt in medium-size bowl. Beat butter in large bowl until smooth. Gradually beat in sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in peanut butter and vanilla. Beat in flour mixture and milk, alternately in three additions, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in the broken cookies and 1/3 cup Morsels by hand. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread around deliberately to eliminate any air pockets caused by the cookie pieces. Bake at 350ºF for 38-40 minutes or until the cake springs back when touched lightly in the center and a toothpick comes out clean or with moist crumbs.

Cookie Dough Frosting:

Cookie dough:
While the cake bakes, prepare the cookie dough. Cream the butter, peanut butter, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Add vanilla and mix well. Add flour and stir until dough comes together. Stir in 1/3 cup Morsels. Break dough into 1/4 teaspoon sized chunks and place the chunks on a plate or in a plastic container, separating layers with waxed paper. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Frosting:
After taking the cake out of the oven, make the frosting. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, and milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the mixture comes to a boil. Boil, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and immediately stir in 1 cup of the Morsels. When the chips are melted and the frosting is smooth, pour it over the warm cake so that it covers the entire surface. Cool the cake completely in the pan. Sprinkle the peanut butter cookie dough chunks evenly over the top and gently press them into the frosting. Store cake in the refrigerator.

Serves 18

[AmyO26]

Val,
Both of your cake recipes look so yummy! Thank you so much for sharing them with us:)
Amy

[madpots]

I really hate it when they print recipes that won't go into MasterCook. I guess there is a way, but it has to be complicated.