FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, SEPT. 19, 2011

Granny Smith’s Apple Strata wins Apple Recipe Competition at N.C. Mountain State Fair

FLETCHER – Donna Maynor of Buncombe County won a blue ribbon and $100 in the N.C. Apple Growers Association Apple Recipe Competition at the N.C. Mountain State Fair for her Granny Smith’s Apple Strata recipe.

Rheta Merrell of Rutherford County won second place and $60 for her N.C. Apple Barbecued Ribs, and Elizabeth Gates of Buncombe County won third place and $40 for a recipe for Sausage Stuffed Apple Dumplings in Gravy.

The contest called for at least two cups of N.C. apples to be used in a non-dessert appetizer, casserole, stir fry, salad, sandwich or main dish. Recipes were judged on taste, appearance and creative use of apples in the recipe.

The winning recipe follows:

Granny Smith’s Apple Strata

• 1-pound loaf cinnamon raisin bread
• 8-ounce package cream cheese, sliced and cubed
• 2 ½ cups diced, N.C. Granny Smith apples
• 8 eggs, beaten
• 2 ½ cups half and half cream
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• ¼ cup maple syrup

Spray a 9x13 pan with Pam Cooking Spray. Place a layer of bread across the bottom of dish. Place cream cheese cubes across bread layer. Scatter diced apples across cream cheese layer. Place another layer of bread across top. In a large bowl, mix the beaten eggs, cream, melted butter and syrup. Beat together well. Pour over bread layer making sure liquid soaks through.

Cover and place in refrigerator overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted comes out clean. Let sit 10 minutes before serving.

-jkn-