Paper Chef No. 30: June 2008

I don’t know if you knew this, but I won the Paper Chef competition last month.  And it was a nail-biter, too, because it was me against, uh…one other person.  See, I don’t always plan things poorly. 

The other contender was Ilva at Lucullian Delights, who runs the event.  But lest you think that made it easy for me to win, just know that Ilva can cook me under the table any day of the week.  Any day but that particular day, I guess.  Or maybe last month’s judge was just feeling generous. 

According to the rules, I become the judge of this month’s games.  Which means I’ve spent the better part of the day drunk on power.  Every time anyone in the house opens his mouth, I bang my meat mallet on the countertop and yell things like, “Order in the court” and “Contempt!”  Whoever wins Paper Chef this time is going to have to pry my makeshift gavel out of my arthritic hands.  It won’t be hard, I can assure you.

Without further ado, the ingredients for June (selected randomly from your suggestions) are:

English peas
Leeks
Buckwheat

And the fourth ingredient of my own choosing:

Local lamb

The lamb doesn’t have to be local, but you just might curry favor with your judge if it is (or if any of your other ingredients are) because this month’s theme is “local.”  Big freaking surprise, I know.  You can define local however you want, but within your own country is a good start.  So, mention the names of your farm sources in your post.  If you don’t have access to local lamb, don’t fret.  You will not be disqualified.  This is just a way to get some names out there since the small farmers don’t generally have any kind of PR budget unlike their well-funded competition.

So, get cooking.  For the love of god (or whoever shames you), it doesn’t have to be a clean fight, but let there at least be some kind of fight involved this time.  The official rules are at the new Paper Chef blog, but, basically, just make something with these four ingredients, post about it by midnight on Tuesday, June 10, and send a link to Ilva.  Okay?  Simple enough?

Good luck.  This court is now adjourned.  (Bang!)

Comments

[Kalyn]

You are too funny. I do want to support this event because I just adore Ilva, but Ill be out of town June 7-9 so I think its highly doubtful I will get it done on June 10. I will be looking forward to seeing what the two of you guys come up with though, and hoping for more people to play along.

[ilva]

Thanks oh Judge! Let the competition begin! Al ultimo sangue this time.....

[Heather]

Ooh, I already have an idea! Good on you for winning, you winner!

[Ann]

Well, okay. I even have an idea, for once. If I can find English peas. And deal with buckwheat groats again (don't ask, but it wasn't pretty).

[Hank]

Ha! I am in, oh pretender to the Paper Throne! Soon you will truly know what power is...[cue crazed laughter]

Seriously, I gots this one, as I happen to have some lamb from down the road in my freezer right now. Only the buckwheat will be a challenge...

[melissa]

Hmmm. I may actually attempt this. :)

[MyKitchenInHalfCups]

Well, I thought I had an idea. We'll see.

[Tammy]

MyKitchenInHalfCups: Hope to see you in the roundup!

Melissa: Please do. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Hank: Excellent. With great power comes great...crap, what was the other thing?

Ann: Oh, good. I'll be taking careful notes on everyone's buckwheat treatments.

Heather: Don't tease me.

Ilva: I knew I could count on you.

Kalyn: Way to slack off, you slacker. P.S. I shan't be making the deadline, either, since my kitchen is in a shambles. Plus, Ilva might get mad if I crown myself the winner.

[Nikki]

Thanks, Tammy, for emailing me about Paper Chef. I look forward to whippin' up somethin' great using local ingredients!

[Nikki]

...all I was able to do was buy a leek. I didn't get to make anything this time :(