December 2007 “Cooking Tips” Winner —
Sheila Christensen

Great cooking includes the art of assembly. By keeping favorite oils, vinegars, dressings and pesto on hand, I can create great party fare on short notice. For instance, pesto can be used to stuff mushrooms. A few minutes under the broiler, and they are fragrant and delicious. Pesto, a little olive oil, a little sprinkle of specialty vinegar, and cracked black pepper make a dynamite dressing for cold angel hair pasta. Water crackers and pesto, or pesto and cream cheese, make quick and tasty appetizers. I also keep Asian salad dressing on hand to make Asian coleslaw (add a few chopped green onions and sesame seeds), Oriental salads, and marinade for chicken or pork.

Sheila Christensen

Prize:

• Cooking tips:
  Asian Marinade Gift Set
  Made in Napa Valley

December 2007 “Cooking Disasters” Winner —
Anonymous

One of the first times I met my future in-laws, I decided to cook dinner for them. I was preparing their favorite family entree for dinner - spaghetti and meatballs. Everything was going great in the food preparation and it was time to serve the meal. I was carrying filled plates of spaghetti and meatballs from the tiny galley style kitchen to the dining area of the apartment. We were almost ready to eat - and then disaster struck! Their short-haired Dachshund wandered into the kitchen without me knowing about it. I tripped over the little dog under my feet, spilling a plate of saucy spaghetti and meatballs over the poor weiner dog, myself, and the kitchen floor. I was greatly embarrassed, and we were all trying to corner the dog to make sure he was OK and clean him up before the mess spread any further. I am sure we ate what was left of the meal after the accident - I just don't remember that part. I guess I was too mortified about the literal slip-up! More than 30 years later we still enjoy spaghetti as a favorite family meal. Thank goodness I haven't accidentally draped any more dogs in spaghetti - so far, anyway!

Anonymous

Prize:

• Cooking Disasters:
  A Taste of Oregon
  Oregon Hill

Previous Winners

Click here to see our previous "Cooking Tips" and "Cooking Disasters" contest winners!