It's that time of year when the best of the best cooks in the Mid-Ohio Valley get out their family cookbooks and submit their best recipes for the 58th annual Parkersburg News and Sentinel-Marietta A.M. Cookbook.
The edition will appear in the Nov. 18 edition, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, which is a change from last year when it appeared in the newspaper the Friday before Thanksgiving. Readers told us they preferred to have it return to its traditional publication date on Sunday so the change was made.
The deadline to enter the contest, in which the grand prize is a $500 gift card from Foodland, is Sept. 17 and the tasting competition for those recipes judged as finalists will be Oct. 24.
Like years past, the categories will remain as appetizers, soups, salads, breads, main dishes, side dishes and desserts.
I have to admit, a couple of the desserts last year made me wish I could have eaten more and taken the rest home with me, but such was not the case.
For the ease of entry, the rules for the contest also have remained the same:
1. Each contestant may enter no more than a total of 25 recipes, up to five recipes in each of five categories. This means you may not enter all categories, but must select your favorite five.
Make sure to note what category (or categories) you are entering and count your entries before sending them in. If you send more than five recipes in any one category or enter more than five categories NONE of your recipes will be entered into competition.
2. Recipes must be typed or printed legibly, one entry per page. Every entry must contain your name, address and telephone number. If we cannot contact you, you cannot win. At the top of each page, give the category the recipe is being entered in and the name of the recipe.
Every recipe is retyped by members of our staff. It is important that we be able to clearly read the measurements, ingredients and directions. It is also important we are able to identify and contact you.
3. Read your recipes through before sending, or even better, have someone else read them to make sure they are complete. Be sure to include pan size, temperature and length of cooking time. Do not say "put in oven and cook until done." Do say "put in 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown." Do not say "put in pan and cook." Do say "put in medium saucepan over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally."
Only give brand names if necessary to the success of the dish, but if purchased ingredients are used, be sure to give package size. For example: Do not say "add one box JELL-O pudding." Do say "add one 4-oz. box instant pudding mix."
Remember, readers will be trying to duplicate your dishes at home, so make it a pleasant experience for them by making your recipes easy to read and directions easy to follow.
4. Recipes may be sent to cookbook@newsandsentinel.com. The same rules apply: one recipe per message, with the category, name of recipe and complete contact information (name, address, phone number) on each. The recipe must be in the body of the email, not an attachment. Email messages with attachments will be returned.
5. Recipes may be dropped off at The Parkersburg News and Sentinel office at 519 Juliana St., Parkersburg, or mailed to Cookbook Editor, The Parkersburg News and Sentinel, P.O. Box 1788, Parkersburg, WV 26102.
6. Recipes must be postmarked (or email messages timestamped) no later than midnight Sept. 17. No late submissions will be accepted.
7. If selected as a finalist, you must be available to attend the Tasting Party on Oct. 24. Complete details will be provided after finalists are chosen.
Do be left out ... don't wait until the last minute to enter the contest and then miss the deadline. Enter now!
