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FIELD EDITOR NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2016

Field Editor News You Can Use:

Susan Stetzel
Field Editor Manager
Taste of Home
sue.stetzel@tmbi.com

Hello Field Editors,

Pumpkins and apples and cinnamon, oh my! October is my favorite month of the year for all things fall. I can't think of anything about the season that I don't like. Here in the Northeast, the colors are bright and gorgeous, and I can finally put on some big bulky clothes to cover the pounds I planned to lose last spring. *wink*

I know I say this about every new month, but how can it possibly be October? All I know is that we must be having fun, because that's what makes time fly, right? Speaking of fun, I was looking back through past newsletters, and it's been a while since we've had a recipe challenge with a prize. What do you say we do one this month?

…I knew you'd think it was a great idea!

We're planning an article about bars for next fall, so your challenge is to create a unique bar recipe using the flavors of fall. We're all familiar with the standard pumpkin and pecan pie bars, so I want you to think apples, pears and sweet potatoes. Nut bars are great, but try branching out from walnuts and pecans. Spice things up with ginger, cinnamon and cardamom. Maybe incorporate butternut squash or a touch of bourbon. And how about gingerbread bars with lemon? My mouth is watering just thinking of all the possible combinations. Remember, this is meant to be a challenge. Stretch those culinary muscles, go beyond your comfort zone and come up with something wild!

Submit your recipe to Miscellaneous, and type "Field Editor Bars" in the Recipe Tips or Variations box. The deadline is November 1, 2016. On November 5, I'll take a peek at the submissions and then randomly draw a name for a box of goodies from the office. I've already sent Ellie on a hunt for some great prizes.

A little business: Please take a minute to review your brag spots—the places you share your accomplishments with those who love you—and please, please be sure to represent yourself accurately. You are a Volunteer Field Editor for Taste of Home magazine. The volunteer part is very important. If someone asks you what that is (I’ve been asked millions of times), tell them that Volunteer Field Editors provide original recipes and critical feedback to the editors of the magazine. It is a super important role, you are super important, and I’m thrilled to be working with all of you.

As a side note, if you still haven't joined our Facebook group and you'd like to be part of it, simply send me the email address you use to access Facebook and I will add you to the fun. It's as easy as that. It's a secret group, so if you haven't been added yet, you'll get an error message when you click the link. If anyone has started a new food blog, shoot me the web address. I'd love to take a look. We've been doing some book promotions with our blogger friends, and I'd love to include you if you're active.

On that note, I'm off to find some cider!

Happy cooking, my friends!

Sue Stetzel

sue.stetzel@tmbi.com

PS: In case you were wondering, here's where we stand with last month's requests:

Layered Desserts: 14 (let's do some brainstorming on this)

Game-Day Slow Cooker Recipes: 108!!!! OMGosh you guys rock!

Stuffed Recipes: 14 (let's do some brainstorming on this)

Be sure to get your recipe uploaded before they pull the links.

Here's what we're looking to cook up this month:

Topic 1:
Layered Desserts:

Stack on the sweetness with layered treats such as cherry-fudge icebox cake, mint chocolate brownie trifle, oatmeal cookie apple crisp (a la mode, of course) and whipped, creamy Jell-O pretzel torte. Show us how you pile on the love, here.

Topic 2:
Game-Day Slow Cooker Recipes:

Count on your crock for a winning spread, including honey chipotle wings, corn and jalapeno dip, Buffalo chicken meatball sliders, pulled pork nachos and more. Share your best recipes here.

Topic 3:
Classic Cookie Redo Recipes:

Time for a little makeover. We're looking for brand-new twists on the cookie classics—peanut butter thumbprints with Fluffernutter inside, chocolate chip pretzel cookies, maple-oatmeal cookies and more! How do you dress up snickerdoodles, sugar cookies, gingersnaps and shortbread? Share 'em here.