Last week I had the pleasure of judging the Super Salad Show, a cooking contest through the Tulsa County Free Fair.
If you don't know about the Free Fair, it's always held before the big Tulsa County Fair, and it provides people the chance to compete and showcase their skills in baking, sewing and more. 4-H members compete in the Free Fair in order to qualify for state 4-H competitions.
The indoor exhibits are over, but the public is welcome to check out the livestock and horse exhibits Aug. 3 and 4 at the Super Duty Arena at Expo Square.
But back to the salad show... It was one of the most difficult competitions I've judged because all of the salads were so good.
Here is one of my favorites, from Dasher Smith. She won third place.
SUMMER SALAD WITH HEARTS OF PALM & GRANDMA'S DRESSING
Serves 6
Salad:
10 leaves romaine lettuce
2 medium tomatoes, large dice
1/2 cucumber, peeled with large dice
7 ounces hearts of palm, large diagonal slices
1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
4 tablespoons herbs (parsley, chives, basil), sliced
1/4 cup almonds (sliced and toasted)
1. Place lettuce layer on bottom of bowl. Line outer rim of bowl with tomatoes. Place layers of cucumbers inside tomato rim. Place hearts of palm in mound in center of salad.
2. Sprinkle, in order, onions, herbs and almonds. Pour dressing on top of salad. Do not toss. Serve with extra dressing on the side.
GRANDMA'S DRESSING
1/2 cup oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1. Shake ingredients together in a bottle.
