Blum's Almanac

2011 Almanac

Published Since 1828
On Sale Sept. 7, 2010!!!

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Blum's Almanac Gardening Calendar

• Beautiful photos, year-round gardening advice, Mrs. Blum's recipes plus discover the best days to plant, prune, fertilize and more!

 

Blum's Fisherman's Calendar

Tells when they're biting!

 

Blum's Almanac Old Country Store

Mrs. Blum's Recipe Contest

The following recipes are the winners of our 2010 contest.

1st Place
Kathy Givens
Covington, Virginia

Potato Salad

5 pound bag potatoes (peeled, washed, diced, cooked until fork tender, drain off water)
3/4 quart jar of olive oil mayo    
8 boiled diced eggs
2 large diced onions
1 1/2 cups diced bread and butter pickles

Dressing:
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons mustard
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 tablespoons white sugar
1 small can condensed evaporated milk
2 1/2 tablespoons brown vinegar

Mix cooked potatoes, mayo, onions, boiled eggs and pickles. Pour dressing over mixture and mix well.

2nd Place
Candace McMenamin
Lexington, South Carolina

East Meets West Mini Meat Loaves

1/2 pound ground beef
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 pound ground pork
1/4 cup diced onion
1/2 cup barbecue sauce, divided
1/4 cup diced water chestnuts
2 eggs
1/4 cup diced celery
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup Asian flavor salad dressing
1 1/2 cups finely crushed pita chips
1 (10 ounce) bag fresh cole slaw

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 15x10x2 pan with non-stick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, 1/4 cup barbecue sauce, and next seven ingredients. Mix until well-combined. Shape into six equal mini loaves and place in prepared pan. Bake 40 minutes in 350-degree oven. Spread remaining 1/4 cup barbecue sauce evenly over top of meat loaves and continue cooking eight to ten minutes or until an instant-read meat thermometer registers 160 degrees. Remove from oven and let stand five minutes.

Meanwhile, place cole slaw in a large bowl and drizzle dressing over top.

Toss until well coated. Place cole slaw on a large serving platter. Arrange mini meat loaves on top of slaw. Yield: 6 servings.

3rd Place
Cathy Day, Thomasville, North Carolina

Pumpkin Cookies

Mix together the following dry ingredients and set aside.
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Combine the following ingredients, beat until creamy.
1 stick melted butter
1 egg
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
1 small can pumpkin

When creamy, add dry ingredients slowly and mix well. Drop spoonful size onto cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees approximately 15 minutes. Cool completely.

Icing - Combine the following ingredients and drizzle over cooled cookies.
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons melted butter
5 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla

Mrs. Blum's Recipe Contest

1st Place - $200.00
2nd Place - $100.00
3rd Place - $50.00

Dear Readers,

What dish do you think of when you hear Reunion, Church Potluck, Neighborhood Gathering, etc? You are right - the famous casserole. This year that is going to be our theme so send me your all-time favorite casserole dish by entering our annual recipe contest. Now remember the healthier the better but anything in the casserole line goes!

Now if you want to send us a recipe for a good old cobbler I guess we could make exceptions because what is a cobbler but several ingredients baked in a pan just like a meat or vegetable casserole, right!

Oh by the way, after you are through in the kitchen, check out our Old Country Store - it is as good as Mom's apple pie or in the case this year Mom's favorite casserole - you will love it.

We look forward to receiving your entry!

 

Please remember, one recipe per reader. We want to ask that when you send in your recipe, make sure you include measurements with your ingredients as well as complete instructions on making that favorite dish. Also be sure and write clearly now - if we can't read it - we can't test it. The deadline for entries is May 6, 2011. Taste testing will be held on June 1, 2011. If you are a winner, you will be notified the last week of August 2011.

Send your recipe to:

Mrs. Blum's Recipe Contest
3301 Healy Drive
Winston-Salem, NC 27103