KENNEWICK -- The two top recipes in the "Flayvors of Washington" recipe contest by Columbia Crest Winery with Chef Bobby Flay featured a favorite veggie of Mid-Columbians -- Walla Walla Sweet Onions.
The contest challenged cooks across the nation to create a dish featuring Columbia Crest wines and ingredients grown and produced in Washington.
Nearly 140 cooks sent in their entries and a two-minute video showcasing the dish. Entries were narrowed to 12 and Flay picked two, inviting Frank Galella of Denville, N.J., and Mahsa Darabi of Portland to compete in New York City on Aug. 24.
At the end of the day, Galella's stuffed veal chops with wild mushrooms and farro (grain) salad took top honors, a $5,000 prize package and a chance to cook with Chef Flay.
Galella used a Walla Walla Sweet to season his salad plus two other Washington products in his recipe: Asparagus as part of the stuffing for the chops and dried cherries in the cognac sauce.
Darabi prepared a cabernet braised lamb shank infused with pomegranate and took home $1,000 in prizes. One large Walla Walla Sweet added its mellow flavor to the braising liquid.
Get the top recipes and see a video of Galella and Darabi's cook-off at www.foodnetwork. com/columbiacrest.
World foods, flavors
Looking for some new flavors? Visit National Geographic's Web site, Foods of the World, www.natgeofood.com. You can find recipes, read about cuisines around the world, even shop for those exotic ingredients you need without leaving home.
The site also features food clubs for cheeses, chocolates and oils and vinegars. Need a gift? Click on "gift baskets" and choose from something for coffee lovers, bakers, appetizers and more.
You can even book a culinary tour through the website. The tours include an opportunity to live like the locals -- in private homes and manors, not motels -- and delve into their culinary traditions and unique produce, visit renowned chefs and stroll markets and family farms. Just go to "Community" and click on culinary trips.
New read
The book: WineTrails of Washington by Steve Roberts.
Cost: $20
Best for: The book presents 228 wineries throughout the state of Washington grouped into 32 wine trails. It includes profiles of each winery, photos, contact information, hours, maps and driving directions.
Get more: Read more book reviews and literature news in Sunday's Desert Living.
* Loretto J. Hulse: 509-582-1513; lhulse@tricityherald.com.
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