3 Cooks, 2 Judges, 1 Verdict

Margaret Pittman’s May 2013 Culinary Challenge

Janet Phillips' Corn Salad

This weekend I was invited to a food tasting party in Virginia Beach.  The premise: 3 local chefs each prepared main courses, which were presented to 2 judges.  Dishes included penne pasta with roasted butternut squash and walnuts, and corn salad. Everyone invited also got to taste each dish and pick their favorite as well.  My verdict?  Shannon Coker’s bruschetta.  She prepares her bruschetta with a roasted garlic spread, topped with sun-dried tomatoes, olives, red peppers, and basil.  Simple and richly flavorful- my type of food!  Anyone can make a bruschetta like this, and toppings can be changed based on what you have in the house.

Roasted Garlic Bruschetta

Shannon Coker’s Roasted Garlic Bruschetta

Ingredients:

• 1 baguette, sliced and toasted
• 1 head of garlic
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 sprig rosemary
• ½ cup roasted red peppers
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
• ½ cup sliced olives
• ½ cup basil, chiffonaded

Method:

1. Turn oven to 400 degrees
2. Cut ½ inch off the top of the garlic, so that the tops of all cloves are exposed
3. Place garlic in foil, drizzle with olive oil add rosemary
4. Close foil around garlic and twist top
5. Cook in oven for 30 min or until garlic is soft, allow to cool
6. Squeeze roasted garlic out of peel
7. Spread garlic on baguette, top with red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and basil
8. Enjoy!

Margaret Pittman's Penne with Butternut Squash, Walnuts and Basil

P.S.  Don’t forget to vote for our entry in the Virtual Vegan Potluck! 

Steps: 

1) Go to the following site: http://virtualveganpotluck.com/may-2013/get-out-the-vote/

2) Under Main Dishes select "The Split Plate"

3) Fill out the other categories with anything you feel like and vote!

My personal favorites in the other categories are:
Appetizers: Veged Out
Beverages: Gormandize with Us
Bread: Spontaneous Tomato
Salad: Canned Time
Sides: Vegan Fling
Soup: Soup and Such
Main Dishes: PICK US: The Split Plate!
Dessert: The Healthy Flavor

If you want to see all the recipes, here are the links to all blogs:
http://virtualveganpotluck.com/may-2013/ 

~Grace