Why do you watch cooking shows, read cookbooks, and browse through food magazines? Maybe to gain insight, ideas, and inspiration when you see what other chefs are up to. Whether your desire is writing cookbooks, penning a blog, cooking for your family, or baking for fun, the hands-on task of face-to-face contact with other home chefs is invaluable.
Once a month my foodie friends and I gather at the library to sample and share scrumptious fare. Some months we enjoy interesting food centered speakers. At other meetings we have challenges that are focused on a particular theme. In September, our mission was to make a salad using stone fruit. I chose peaches and these ripe juicy orange gems are like a cool breeze against the chilies and southwestern spices in my Mexican salad.
This spicy Mexican salad full of lentils, roasted corn, onions, summer peaches, and fresh herbs, coated in a creamy southwestern dressing and served over mini corn cakes won a first place prize from my recipe swappers group!
