Asparagus Festival Recipe Contest Winners

Despite the threat of torrents from above, Empire pulled off its annual Asparagus Festival in mid-May without a hitch. Here are this year’s winners in the Asparagus Festival recipe contest.
Photo by Joanne Rettke

Judges: Ann Derrick of the Good Harbor Grill in Glen Arbor; last year’s recipe winner, Empire’s Bonnie Nescot, and Patti Cantrell from the Michigan Land Use Institute and program director of “Taste the Local Difference”

Judges’ First place winner:
Paul Skinner’s BRITISH EMPIRE ASPARAGUS SALAD:
1/2 Lb. Fresh Norconk Farm asparagus lightly steamed
3 eggs boiled (6 minutes maxium), cooled, then quartered
3 slices of bacon cooled then finely chopped
12 red seedless grapes finely chopped
Mix above ingredients in a bowl together
Dress with a vinegrette of French Mustard, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, and garlic. (The cook is allowing you to be creative here with your own amounts.)
Salt and pepper to taste.
The “People’s Choice” winner:
Kay Rose’s RICE & ASPARAGUS GREEK SALAD:
Dressing:
1/3 Cup packed fresh dill…or about 1Tablespoon dried dill weed
1 or 2 cloves of garlic
1/3 cup of olive oil
3 Tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
(process in a food processor or blender)
The Dish:
1 Box of Trader Joe’s Wild and Basamati Rice Pilaf (or other brand). Cook with 1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil then drain and chill.
Add the dressing and toss with:
1 large ripe tomato diced
2 cooked, diced, chicken breast
3&1/2 ounces of feta cheese, crumbled
12 Kalamata olives, pitted and diced
2 green onions, sliced, and a little red onion chopped fine
Serve on a red lettuce leaf, garnish with olives and dill
Note: For the best flavor, put dressing on the rice or pasta while it is still warm, then chill together. This salad can be made with Orzo pasta, and cooked, peeled shrimp may also be added.

Prizes for winners were donated by Good Harbor Grill of Glen Arbor, Crystal Crate and Cargo of Beulah, Pleva’s of Cedar, Cherry Republic of Glen Arbor, and the Empire Chamber of Commerce.