FORT FAIRFIELD – The Maine Agri-Women, in conjunction with the Maine Potato Board, recently held a Maine potato-cooking contest during the 61st annual Maine Potato Blossom Festival. The event seeks to promote and bring attention to the importance of the potato in Aroostook County. There were six categories in the potato-cooking contest: breads, casseroles, desserts, salads, soups and appetizers. Winners in each category were chosen based on four qualities – appearance of the dish, texture, ease of preparation and flavor. Winners each received $25 for first place and $15 for second place. The overall winner received $150.
First-place winners were Mary Otis (breads), Roxanne Poole (soup), Rita Bisht (appetizer), Carolyn Kelley (casserole), Carolyn Kelley (dessert) and Steve Callioras (salad). Second-place winners were Debra Tibbetts (soup), Bernadette Christensen (appetizer), Deena Parks (casserole), Mary Otis (salad) and Matthew Poole (dessert).
The overall winner was Carolyn Kelley. Her Maine’s Potato Chili Shepherd’s Pie receive is as follows:
1/2 pound ground beef
1 package frozen corn (10 oz.)
1 envelope mild dry chili
seasoning mix
1 jar mild salsa (16 oz.)
1 can red kidney beans (drained) (15 oz.)
1 can vegetable baked beans
(8 oz)
6-8 medium potatoes (cooked and mashed with 1/2 stick
butter and add milk to potatoes to make creamy)
Brown beef and add rest of ingredients. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Put into a greased two quart baking dish. Stir 1-cup cheese into mashed potatoes – carefully spread over beef mixture.
Bake 15 minutes at 425 degrees.
Contributed photo
THE MAINE AGRI-WOMEN, in conjunction with the Maine Potato Board, recently held a Maine potato-cooking contest during the 61st annual Maine Potato Blossom Festival in Fort Fairfield. The event seeks to promote and bring attention to the importance of the potato in Aroostook County. First-place winners were, from left: Steve Callioras (salad), Roxanne Poole (soup), Rita Bisht (appetizer), Mary Otis (breads), and Carolyn Kelley, who won for both her casserole and dessert. Kelley was also named the overall winner.
