Well, here we are, June. Am I the only one flabbergasted by the fact that the year is almost half over? Some of you who were newbies have hit your one-year anniversary mark. How are things going? Having any troubles reviewing 3 recipes each month? I’m sure you’re finding plenty of great dishes to make in the newest Taste of Home magazine. Did you see Bonnie Hawkins’ Eclairs on the Grill? Seriously, I wouldn’t have ever thought to try putting dough on the grill. You guys are so creative!

Do you have kids who like to cook? One of my greatest pleasures was meeting VFE Nancy Foust and her grandson Danny. Danny just loves to bake, and he’s even won contests with his brownies. We have a contest going on right now called Kids in the Kitchen. Are kids or grandkids budding chefs? VFE Kelly Shoemaker’s daughter loves to cook. Based on the photos Kelly has shared, her daughter is a pretty good cook, too. The contest deadline is June 24, 2016, so head over to the Taste of Home website and submit your favorite Kids in the Kitchen recipe with us.

Are you a fan of Greek cuisine? It’s one of my absolute favorites. So when VFE Ashley Armstrong suggested we do a Greek recipe challenge, I was all in. Announcing My Big Fat Greek Recipe Roundup. Your goal will be to create recipes with a Greek theme, but you will need to do some research on this one. There’s more to Greek than spinach, lemon and feta. Take some time to explore other flavors. Mint and oregano are big in Greek cuisine (although probably not in the same dish), and so are garlic and dill. Experiment with goat cheese, or try some halloumi cheese. I hear you can grill it for a wonderful treat, and it won’t slip through the grates. When James mentioned it to me, I figured I wouldn’t be able to find it. But, lo and behold, good ol’ Wegmans has it, so check with your local higher-end grocery store. You might be surprised to find it. Also, consider using vegetables like eggplant, zucchini or tomatoes, and fresh zucchini should be plentiful now. Hit up the legume and bean aisle for lentils or chickpeas. Seeds and nuts also are big. There are so many possibilities. Because we want you to really think about this, we’re looking for quality over quantity. Recipes will be judged on creativity and uniqueness, so really stretch with this one. Submit your creations by July 15, 2016, to the Miscellaneous category and put “My Big Fat Greek Recipe Roundup” in the notes section. The winner will receive a surprise goodie package from the office.

Now because tomorrow is my mom’s birthday, I better get my rear in gear in the kitchen and whip her up a treat.

Happy cooking, my friends!
Sue Stetzel
sue.stetzel@tmbi.com