FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15, 2009
Judges go “nuts” over Hendersonville woman’s pecan recipe
Contact: Tamara Crain, Entries Coordinator
NC Mountain State Fair
(828) 687-1414
FLETCHER—Carolyn Brown of Hendersonville won her third blue ribbon Wednesday night at the “Anything Pecan” recipe competition at the N.C. Mountain State Fair. Brown, who previously won first place in both the Spam and egg recipe contests, took home a check worth $100 for her recipe of Hot Pecan Beef Dip. Hers was one of 11 different recipes entered in the competition.
Also placing in the competition were Second Place winner, Sharon Gates, Third Place winner, Mildred McCarson, and Honorable Mention, Susie Zuerner. Gates, of Buncombe County, won $50 for her dish of Perfectly Easy Pecan Molasses Bars. McCarson of Henderson County won $25 for her dish of Apple Spiced Pecan Pie. Zuerner, also of Buncombe County, prepared Pecan Cheesecake Cookies.
Entries were required to have at lease one cup of pecans, preferably grown in North Carolina, featured a the main ingredient. Judging was based on taste, appearance, creativity, and ease of preparation.
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First Place – Carolyn Brown
Hot Pecan Beef Dip
8 – Ounces cream cheese
1 – Cup sour cream
2 – teaspoons milk
1 – jar (2.25 ounces) sliced dried beef
½ - cup diced red pepper
½ - cup diced onions
1 ½ - cups chopped pecans
¼ - teaspoon garlic powder
1 – teaspoon fresh chopped chives
Soften cream cheese and beat together with sour cream and milk. Stir in sliced dried beef, red pepper, onions, garlic powder, pecans, and chives. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Serve hot with your favorite dipping chip.
Second Place – Sharon Gates
Perfectly Easy Pecan Molasses Bars
Crust:
1 – stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted
1 – boxed cake mix, any variety
Topping:
½ - stick (1/4 cup) butter, melted
½ - cup brown sugar
3 – eggs
½ - cup molasses
