About Me

My photo
Cleveland, Ohio, United States
I am a retired teacher with time on my hands. I love to cook and bake. For the past eight years my hobby has been entering recipe contests. I have done very well and have been to several cook/bake offs although I have never won a grand prize. The ititials of my blog CCC are the same as the site where I get contest information, Cooking Contest Central (CCC). While there are 1000's of food blogs that post recipes this blog will review other cooking blogs.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

IT"S BACK TO SCHOOL TIME

Within the next week we will celebrate Labor Day and all the student’s will go back to school. So, its time for me to announce my September giveaway. Since you seemed to enjoy last month’s giveaway where I give you the choice of two prizes I am doing the same this month.
From 12:01 AM (eastern) on Tuesday, September 1, 2009 until 11:59 PM (eastern) on Sunday, September 13, 2009 leave a comment, with your email, under this post and you will be eligible to win a $20.00 gift certificate to www.amazon.com OR a $20.00 gift certificate to www.cooking.com I need your email so I can notify the winner. On Monday, September 14, 2009, I will use a random numbers generator to select the winner.
Also, I will be out of town from Sunday, September 20, 2009 until Sunday, September 27, 2009. I doubt if there will be any posts during this time.

DINE & DISH

Dine & Dish http://dineanddish.net/ is hosted by Kristin who lives with her husband and 4 children. In addition to cooking Kristin enjoys writing and photography.



SHRIMP WITH SHREDDED ZUCCHINI

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

SUGAR COOKIES

Sugar Cookies http://sugarcooking.blogspot.com/ is hosted by a math teacher who lives in PA with her husband and pets.





MANGO JICAMA SLAW

Monday, August 24, 2009

I DID IT

I won one of the $500.00 food cards in the salad contest. I was 50 out of 50 (almost didn't make it) but I get the same card as the person in spot 1. Thanks to all of you who voted.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

THE CAKE SHOP

Hosted by Paula http://thecookieshopinenglish.wordpress.com/ The Cake Shop is a nice Collection of recipes. Paula lives with her husband and child. She is a former TV producer.






APPLE CAKE

LAST TIME

Voting ends in the salad recipe contest today, Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 11:59 PM eastern. I would appreciate one last vote

http://www.presidentsaladcontest.com/view_recipe.php?id=334

Thursday, August 20, 2009

A LAUGH FOR EACH OF YOU

Politics for Dummies.
DEMOCRAT
You have two cows.Your neighbor has none. You feel guilty for being successful. You push for higher taxes so the government can provide cows for everyone.
REPUBLICAN
You have two cows. Your neighbor has none.So?
SOCIALIST
You have two cows.The government takes one and gives it to your neighbor. You form a cooperative to tell him how to manage his cow.
COMMUNIST
You have two cows.The government seizes both and provides you with milk. You wait in line for hours to get it.It is expensive and sour.
CAPITALISM, AMERICAN STYLE
You have two cows.You sell one, buy a bull, and build a herd of cows.
BUREAUCRACY, AMERICAN STYLE
You have two cows.Under the new farm program the government pays you to shoot one, milk the other, and then pours the milk down the drain.
AMERICAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.You sell one, lease it back to yourself and do an IPO on the 2nd one. You force the two cows to produce the milk of four cows. You are surprised when one cow drops dead. You spin an announcement to the analysts stating you have downsized and are reducing expenses. Your stock goes up.
FRENCH CORPORATION
You have two cows.You go on strike because you want three cows. You go to lunch and drink wine.Life is good.
JAPANESE CORPORATION
You have two cows.You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk. They learn to travel on unbelievably crowded trains.Most are at the top of their class at cow school.
GERMAN CORPORATION
You have two cows. You engineer them so they are all blond, drink lots of beer, give excellent quality milk, and run a hundred miles an hour Unfortunately they also demand 13 weeks of vacation per year.
ITALIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows but you don't know where they are. You break for lunch.Life is good.
RUSSIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.You have some vodka.You count them and learn you have five cows. You have some more vodka.You count them again and learn you have 42 cows. The Mafia shows up and takes over however many cows you really have.
TALIBAN CORPORATION
You have all the cows in Afghanistan , which are two. You don't milk them because you cannot touch any creature's private parts.You get a $40 million grant from the US government to find alternatives to milk production but use the money to buy weapons.
IRAQI CORPORATION
You have two cows.They go into hiding. They send radio tapes of their mooing.
POLISH CORPORATION
You have two bulls.Employees are regularly maimed and killed attempting to milk them.
BELGIAN CORPORATION
You have one cow.The cow is schizophrenic.Sometimes the cow thinks he's French, other times he's Flemish.. The Flemish cow won't share with the French cow.The French cow wants control of the Flemish cow's milk. The cow asks permission to be cut in half.The cow dies happy
FLORIDA CORPORATION
You have a black cow and a brown cow.Everyone votes for the best looking one. Some of the people who actually like the brown one best accidentally vote for the black one.Some people vote for both.Some people vote for neitherSome people can't figure out how to vote at all.Finally, a bunch of guys from out-of-state tell you which one you think is the best-looking cow.
CALIFORNIA CORPORATION
You have millions of cows. They make real California cheese. Only five speak English.Most are illegal.Arnold likes the ones with the big udders.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

I THINK I AM IN TROUBLE!!!

In the past few hours I have dropped four spaces in the salad contest voting. If I drop 4 places every few hours I will soon be out of the top 50. I need you all to cast a vote every day until Sunday.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

ONE LAST PUSH, PLEASE

There are only 5 days left to vote in the salad contest in which I am a finalist. I can win a $500.00 grocery certificate.

I am currently in the top 20 and need a little push to move up. Its too late to ask you to vote and pass the link on but if you would cast a couple of votes over the next few days I will win a certificate.

http://www.presidentsaladcontest.com/view_recipe.php?id=334

Thanks in advance

Monday, August 17, 2009

MANGGY


Manggy http://manggy.blogspot.com/ is hosted by Mark, a doctor from Manila.

DULCE DE LECHE FLAN

AND THE WINNER IS

Hickory, Dickory, Dock
The Mouse ran Up the Clock
The Clock Struck 12
So, it is time for me to announce the winner of my August giveaway

I used random.org to generate a random number. That number is 41 and the commenter associated with number 41 is 2kidsblogger@gmail.com I have notified the winner.

This was my best giveaway. I had Eighty-nine (89) comments. Since you all seem to enjoy sweps where you can select ONE of SEVERAL Prizes, I will do the same for the September giveaway. I will post the sweep here and on OCS on or about 8/30/2009. Check back then to see what the prize is. In the meantime, contine to check the blog for some great recipe blogs.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

COOKIN' CANUCK

Dara hosts Cookin' Canuck http://cookincanuck.blogspot.com/ from somewhere in the US where she lives with her husband and 2 children. She was born in Canada.



GRILLED SWEET POTATOES WIT PANCETTA & SAGE VINAGRETTE

Saturday, August 15, 2009

NOOSCHI

Noochi http://www.nooschi.com/ is hosted by a young woman in Canada. She never posted her name but her recipes look great.



MANGO AND BEAN SALAD

Friday, August 14, 2009

Urban Italian

I got a new cookbook today, Urban Italian by Andrew Carmellini and Gwen Hyman. This is a wonderful cookbook packed with Italian recipes from soup to nuts.

If you go to amazon. com http://www.amazon.com/Urban-Italian-Simple-Recipes-Stories/dp/159691470X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250297640&sr=8-1 and look toward the bottom of the page you will see a link to a lot of new copies at greatly reduced prices. Sometimes these books are perfect, sometimes there is a tear in the dust cover and/or there may be a remainder mark.

I don't know about you but my cookbooks live on a bookshelf. I don't care about tears in dust covers or remainder marks. If I can get a $35.00 cookbook for $18.00 I am a happy camper. You can see if there are deals on any wanted cookbooks by entering the title in the search box at amazon.com

I have a collection of almost 1,500 cookbooks----most purchased at deep discount.

PETIICHEF

I was contacted by Petichef http://petitchef.com asking permission to include my blog as a link to their blog. You will find some wonderful recipes and links there. You can link from here or the gadget on the right.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

VERY CULINARY BLOG

Very Culinary Blog http://veryculinary.com/_blog/ is hosted by Amy who lives somewhere with her husband, 2 children and 2 dogs.



BEET AND CUCUMBER SALAD

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

WIVES WITH KNIVES

Wives with Knives http://thewiveswithknives.blogspot.com/ is hosted by Cathy in Portland. You will find a wide range of recipes on the blog.



CAULIFLOWER SALAD

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

A LITTLE SWEEP FOR YOU TO ENTER

Enter to win a set of paper plates http://marxfood.com/

STICK TO YOUR HIPS

I could find no information about Stick To Your Hips http://sticktoyourhips.blogspot.com/, not even the name of the blogger. But her recipes are tasty looking.





CAPPUCCINO CHEESECAKE

Monday, August 10, 2009

ZUCCHERO DOLCE


Zucchero Dolce http://zuccherodolce.blogspot.com/ is hosted by Alli in MA. Allie is a baker and a teacher. I am sure you will enjoy her recipes.

COFEE CHEESECAKE WITH NUTELLA SWIRL

I NEED YOUR HELP, AGAIN

I am in another contest that requires voting. The top 50 vote getters each get a $500.00 grocery gift card. In today's economy $500.00 would keep us (family of 2 + dog) for 2 months. If you think of it, and have the time, you can vote every day until 8/23/2009.

However, 100 votes is 100 votes. I don't care if you vote every day OR vote once and pass the link on to 10 people and have them vote once and pass it on.

Please vote if you can. It only takes a minute.

Thanksin advance.

http://www.presidentsaladcontest.com/view_recipe.php?id=334

Sunday, August 9, 2009

GREEDY GOURMET

The Greedy Gourmet http://www.greedygourmet.com/ is hosted by Michelle. Althouh Michelle has provided little information about herself the blog is packed with unusual recipes.



SMOKED ALMON TERRINE

Saturday, August 8, 2009

SAVOUR FARE

Savour Fare http://savour-fare.com/ is hosted by Kate who lives in CA with her husband, daughter and 2 dogs. There is a wide range of recipes on the blog.



MINT TEA FRUIT TERRINE

Friday, August 7, 2009

IT ONLY TAKES A MOUSE CLICK

Please go to my friends blog and help with this effort:



I am excited to be part of ShopRite and General Mills Blog it Forward to Fight Hunger Program and today I will need your help. As you might already know, hunger is one of the problems our country is facing. We don't see it as much as some other nations do but it is still there. More than 36 million people go to bed hungry every night and 12 million are children. This is a sad fact to hear especially when I know that I am never in need of food. The bright side is that we have many organizations as well as individuals that are trying to combat this problem.
In 1999, ShopRite began its ShopRite Partners in Caring Program. Today, the ShopRite Partners In Caring program supports 23 regional food banks and more than 1,400 charitable agencies with food or meal components. More than $20 million has been donated since 1999 in the fight against hunger.
Companies that have joined ShopRite in the fight against hunger are marked in stores with the ShopRite Partners In Caring shelf label. Every time you choose one of these companies' products, you support the brand that also helps fight hunger.Each of the 217 ShopRite stores in the six states that ShopRite serves (New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Maryland) selects qualified local organizations to benefit from the program. These local food charities use their designated funds to acquire supplies at a food bank.
So please help me with this great cause. What can you do? First, please leave a comment. General Mills and ShopRite will be donating one box of cereal for each of the first 30 comments that I receive. Imagine how many people will be able to eat breakfast! If there is a ShopRite in your neck of the woods, you can shop there and support the brands that help fight hunger. You can also donate a dollar or two when you check out or you can take food to your local food bank. Hunger is a terrible thing. Let's pray that someday, no one will go hungry.


I am excited to be part of ShopRite and General Mills Blog it Forward to Fight Hunger Program and today I will need your help. As you might already know, hunger is one of the problems our country is facing. We don't see it as much as some other nations do but it is still there. More than 36 million people go to bed hungry every night and 12 million are children. This is a sad fact to hear especially when I know that I am never in need of food. The bright side is that we have many organizations as well as individuals that are trying to combat this problem.
In 1999, ShopRite began its ShopRite Partners in Caring Program. Today, the ShopRite Partners In Caring program supports 23 regional food banks and more than 1,400 charitable agencies with food or meal components. More than $20 million has been donated since 1999 in the fight against hunger.
Companies that have joined ShopRite in the fight against hunger are marked in stores with the ShopRite Partners In Caring shelf label. Every time you choose one of these companies' products, you support the brand that also helps fight hunger.Each of the 217 ShopRite stores in the six states that ShopRite serves (New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Maryland) selects qualified local organizations to benefit from the program. These local food charities use their designated funds to acquire supplies at a food bank.
So please help me with this great cause. What can you do? First, please leave a comment. General Mills and ShopRite will be donating one box of cereal for each of the first 30 comments that I receive. Imagine how many people will be able to eat breakfast! If there is a ShopRite in your neck of the woods, you can shop there and support the brands that help fight hunger. You can also donate a dollar or two when you check out or you can take food to your local food bank. Hunger is a terrible thing. Let's pray that someday, no one will go hungry.

http://jerseygirlcooks.blogspot.com/2009/08/blog-it-forward-to-fight-hungeri-need.html

BELL'ALIMENTO

I could find no information about this blogger http://www.bellalimento.com/ but the recipes look super.




NUTELLA GELATO

Thursday, August 6, 2009

WHITE RICE COUPLE

The husband and wife team of Todd and Diane blog White Rice Couple http://www.whiteonricecouple.com/ from CA. They are both free-lance writers and photographers.



SUMMERY PEACH COOLERS

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

PLAYING HOUSE

Amy blogs Playing House http://www.playinghouseblog.com/ from the Pacific Northwest. She is a married Social Worker who is in grad school.



GAZPACHO

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

THE PARSLEY THEIF

Kate blogs the Pardley Theif http://theparsleythief.blogspot.com/ from CT. I could find no other information about Kate.

ICED HIBICUS TEA WITH LEMONADE

Monday, August 3, 2009

AMANDA'S COOKIN


Amanda blogs http://amandascookin.blogspot.com/ from WI where she lives with her husband and 4 children. Amanda also does a variety of crafts.

HOMEMADE MOCHA FRAPPACHINO


Sunday, August 2, 2009

AN EXTRA POST

I have already reviewed Baking Bites but this recipe looked too good not to share. It would be wonderful on a hot summer day. If you want you can use a prepared pie crust or make your own.





Grapefruit Meringue Pie1 9-inch pie crust, prebaked (recipe below)

Filling:1 cup sugar3 1/2 tbsp cornstarch3 tbsp ap flour1/4 tsp salt1 1/3 cups water1/2 cup fresh grapefruit juice1 tbsp grapefruit zest3 large egg yolks (reserve whites for meringue)2 tbsp butter, room temperature




Meringue:1/2 cup sugar2 tbsp water4 large egg whites, room temperature1/2 tsp cream of tartar
In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, flour, salt and water. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring with a whisk, for 3 minutes, until quite thick. In a small bowl, combine egg yolks with grapefruit juice and zest.Gradually temper eggs with about 1/2 cup of sugar mixture, drizzling in the hot mixture very slowly. Return saucepan to the heat and, whisking continuously, stream in lemon mixture. Add in butter and cook over medium-high heat for another 3 minutes.Strain into prepared crust.Allow to cool to room temperature.
One filling is cooled, preheat oven to 350F. (Note: browning the meringue can be done with a kitchen torch, instead of putting the pie in the oven)In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil and turn heat to low.In a large bowl, beat egg whites until frothy. Beat in cream of tartar and beat at high speed until egg whites reach soft peaks. Carefully and very slowly, with the mixer turned to medium, stream in sugar syrup and beat egg whites to stiff peaks.Spoon meringue onto pie filling and make sure to completely seal the edges or the meringue with the crust, leaving no filling exposed.Bake for 8-10 minutes, until meringue is lightly browned.


Makes 1 pie.

SAVORING TIME IN THE KITCHEN

Susan, who resides somewhere in the US, hosts Savoring Time In The Kitchen http://savoringtimeinthekitchen.blogspot.com/ . In addition to cooking Susan enjoys photography and gardening.




CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM CAKE ROLL

Saturday, August 1, 2009

ZESTED


Hosted by Liz, somewhere in the US, Zested http://zested.wordpress.com/ is a nice combination of sweet and savory recipes. Liz enjoys cooking, writing and photography.


CHOCOLATE DIPPED FROZEN KEY LIME PIE ON A STICK