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Home ยป Recipes ยป main dish

Turning the Tables to Be the Judge

Published: Jun 5, 2016 ยท Modified: Jul 4, 2024 by Lisa Keys ยท This post may contain affiliate links ยท 10 Comments

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Last Updated on July 4, 2024 by Lisa Keys

Friends.
Team Saucy Mama

You all know how much I enjoy a good recipe competition. Well, recently the tables turned and I became a judge instead of a competitor. My favorite ladies at Saucy Mama sponsored a recipe contest looking for a third competitor to join us at the World Food Championships 2016. I was so very honored when they asked me to do some preliminary blind judging of the recipes they received in the categories of Bacon, Seafood, Steak and Burger.

Saucy Mama logo recipe contest logo.

So what was it like reading through many recipes, preparing them as written and then judging them? It was a real learning experience and it was fun, but I wonโ€™t lie I was harsh. As my kitchen got a work-out I was looking for the best of the best to represent this company that I love so much. I wanted the Saucy Mama flavors to shine without over powering the star of the dish. I wanted innovation and I wanted beauty. No doubt the flavors had to be balanced, but dance on my tongue. It was no easy task, but a few recipes did all those things and easily rose to the top of the list.

Shrimp and spaghetti squash.

Once the judging was complete it was great fun to learn whose recipe belonged to whom as the owners posted their recipes to their blogs and social media. Today, I want to share a few dishes that really highlighted Saucy Mama in a most innovative way. First up is Paula Todoraโ€™s Saucy Shrimp Pad Thai in Roasted Spaghetti Squash Boats with Candied Pecans. I love a good Pad Thai and Paulaโ€™s clever twist of using strands of spaghetti squash in place of noodles was not only delicious, but a refreshing healthy spin as well. Topped with some very flavorful candied pecans this recipe was one of my husbandโ€™s favorite recipes and I will be making it again. Maybe next time I will top it off with some fresh herbs. Well done, Paula.

Plated steak and fried rice turning the tables.

Next up is Debbie Reidโ€™s Grilled Steak Slices with Apricot Ginger Cream Sauce and Pacific Rim Ginger Fried Rice. Debbieโ€™s quick and easy and super flavorful fried rice is out of this world delicious. Her innovative cooking method of adding one of my favorite Saucy Mama dressings to the rice cooking water completely eliminates the need to cook and cool the rice ahead of time. I prefer frozen peas to canned so that is the only change I will make going forward with this recipe.

Pickled onions turning the tables.
Pickled onions turning the tables.

Easy Pickled Onions

Areli Valles Biggers
Super easy pickled onions
5 from 1 vote
Prevent your screen from going dark
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course vegetarian
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 10 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups water
  • ยฝ cup Saucy Mama Raspberry Vinaigrette
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 1 tsp. Mexican Oregano
  • 1 Pinch salt
  • 1 red onion, sliced

Instructions
 

  • In a small pan, combine water, Saucy Mama Raspberry Vinaigrette, cloves, oregano and salt. Mix well.
  • Add red onion and let the mixture come to a boil. Turn the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Turn it off and remove from heat. Let onions cool, drain and refrigerate until ready to use.

Nutrition

Serving: 2 tablespoonsCalories: 10kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.02gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.004gSodium: 69mgPotassium: 14mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.1mg
Keyword condiments, onions, pickling, red onion, sandwich topping, vinaigrette
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Finally, and just to further illustrate how versatile Saucy Mama products are I just loved the pickled onions created by Areli Valles Biggers with her recipe Orange Habanero Tacos Al Pastor. I love topping a taco or a sandwich with pickled vegetables and Areliโ€™s red onions are crisp tender and fully flavored with Saucy Mamaโ€™s Red Raspberry Vinaigrette, clove and Mexican oregano. The red onion color and flavor really pops from the red raspberry dressing. Areli does not have a blog, so find her recipe above.

Saucy Mama condiments.

Back to judging as a learning experience. I have always appreciated a judgeโ€™s feedback following a contest. It has made me a better competitor. I think it is very important to share constructive criticism with contestants. So here is what I recommend when it comes to putting your best recipe down on paper or in this age the computer.

Winning taco entry.
Winning taco entry.

winning tips for turning the tables

  • Please consider putting your ingredients in a list in order of use.
  • Check your ingredient list against your instructions and vice versa to insure all the ingredients are accounted for. Proofread!
  • Be detailed about the ingredient measurements. For example: an โ€œ8 ounce steak, cut 1-inch thickโ€ tells exactly what a tester needs. Just an โ€œ8 ounce steakโ€ comes in many shapes and thicknesses and leaves too much open to interpretation. Same thing when it comes to vegetables. Your idea of a large onion may be different than the tester, so be more specific and add a weight or measurement like this: โ€œ1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)โ€
  • Be detailed in your cooking times and temperatures. Give precise times and a visual for what โ€œdoneโ€ looks like and use an instant read thermometer, if you want your dish perfectly cooked by a recipe tester.
  • Take a critical look at your final presentation. Those small points for appearance can make all the difference in the world. Don't forget a fitting and fresh garnish.

For the grand prize winning recipe check out Kim Banick's  Orange Habanero Coconut Shrimp Po Boy Lettuce Cups with Spicy Orange Slaw.Try this stunning and prize worthy recipes to better understand why it was so deliciously awesome to be a judge. Welcome to Team Saucy Mama.

Me holding my grandchild.
Then this happened and the tables sure turned for me. Best prize ever!? You be the judge.

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    Sous Vide Fried Chicken

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 1 vote

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    Recipe Rating





  1. Pam

    June 05, 2016 at 1:32 pm

    Oh Lisa! What a beautiful little blessing!
    Congrats to all and please give her a hug from me : )

    Reply
    • Lisa

      June 05, 2016 at 2:33 pm

      Yes, thank you! She is a real Q-T-Pie

      Reply
  2. Areli

    June 05, 2016 at 2:11 pm

    So glad you enjoyed the pickled onions. I love the flavor combination. Congratulation to the winners.

    Reply
    • Lisa

      June 05, 2016 at 2:33 pm

      Terrific recipe and a great use of the Saucy Mama dressing

      Reply
  3. Martine

    June 05, 2016 at 5:05 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks for including the recipes! My husband would love it if I got to be a judge and he got to be a taster.... Little Annabelle is so beautiful...congrats to all.

    Reply
    • Lisa

      June 05, 2016 at 5:42 pm

      All the recipes are delicious and I think it was so very difficult for the Saucy Mama team to choose the final top 2. Annabelle is a beauty and has brought a tremendous amount of joy to this family.

      Reply
  4. Suzanne Banfield

    June 09, 2016 at 9:34 pm

    Really good job, Lisa! I love how you're able to document your thinking process so clearly.

    Reply
    • Lisa

      June 09, 2016 at 9:43 pm

      Thank you. It sure helped me see the process from a different perspective and I hope that I follow my own advice going forward as a competitor

      Reply
  5. Ronna F

    June 10, 2016 at 5:41 pm

    Very lovely recipes! Congratulations to all of the competitors mentioned above! And thanks Lisa for all of your efforts! Well done!!!!!! Sending kisses to little Annabelle!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
    • Lisa

      June 12, 2016 at 5:11 pm

      You are very welcome. The recipes are all winners in my book, but very small details make a huge difference in who rises to the very top. Very good learning experience.

      Reply

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