November 2007 “Cooking Tips” Winner —
Elaine Fry

I used the micro wave to toast nuts for the last five years. I use a long slender receptacle like an ice tea glass or juice glass to hold the nuts. The nuts toast up better in the microwave if they are not spread out as in conventional toasting methods. This works beautifully and takes very little time. I micro wave them on high for about one minute and check often and then in 30 second intervals. You can smell when they are done.

Elaine Fry

Prize:

• Cooking tips:
  Martini 101
  El Paso Chile Company

November 2007 “Cooking Disasters” Winner —
Lisbeth L. McCarty

The disaster in the area of cooking started for me at an early age. My Mom was a great cook, but I never asked her to show me how. Thus, I arrived at my teenager years without knowing a thing about culinary arts. Once, Mom was busy in her sewing room, so I decided to cook some bacon for myself. I thought I was preparing properly, but still had to ask Mom a question. I walked into her sewing room with a frying pan in my hand. The pan had a huge clump of Crisco in the middle of it, and I asked, "Is this enough grease to use to cook bacon?" My sister still ribs me about that moment to this day.

Lisbeth L. McCarty

Prize:

• Cooking Disasters:
  Mousse Gift Set
  Dean Jacobs Gourmet Selections

Previous Winners

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