Win big with Meatless Monday chili!

Vegetarian chili:  it's what's for winners! 

Yes!  There is definitely still time to enter the Meatless Mondays recipe contest.  And you definitely should because this contest is limited to C-CAP groups across the country.

This means entrants will compete against just six other winning recipes from across the country.  That's right - there's a one in seven chance the winner could be from Arizona.  And, if you're reading this blog - that means you or someone you know.

Recipe help

If you want to come up with a winning recipe, think simple.  You want something you can put together easily, with ingredients you can find at your local supermarket. 

(What does that mean?  Means ditch the desire to show off your skill with tofu.  Most U.S. kitchens don't have this as an ordinary ingredient. Think about  something you or your mom would put together for a quick family dinner.)

While you're thinking simple, think budget-smart, too.  This recipe is about chili, and you want people to see this as a recipe they could turn into a family favorite.

(What does this mean?  Think carefully about the most popular, ordinary vegetables.  What's in standard chili recipes?  What about regional variations?)

And while you're thinking smart, think a little about style, too.  You want people to feel this is food for today (and, yes, that still means you can remind them of foods they cherish). 

(What does this mean?  Think about the top food trends for last year and for 2013, too. Heading the list?  Sour, acidic notes, complementary fruity/savory tastes, and popcorn is the snack of the day. Cauliflower is  very in, as are Asian tastes.)

More entry aid

This is a simple contest, with simple rules, so follow them carefully.  And also:

Think about visual appeal.  You need a great photo of your dish to go with your recipe.

Which reminds us:  You also need a great name for your recipe.  Think about what inspired you, think about a little story about that inspiration.

Try out your dish, then try it again, stopping to write down every ingredient you add.  At the end, aggregate your ingredients, listing them in the order in which they're used.

Include both weight and volume in your measurements, and be both clear and brief in your methods/directions (e.g., "Cook onions about 5 minutes, or until very soft but not browned.").

Give cooking times and temperatures, and the number of servings.  If you can, include an estimate of prep time, too.

If there is more than one element to the dish (for instance, a pastry and a filling), separate the ingredients and the directions for each  (for the pastry/make pastry; for filling/make filling).

Separate each step into a different paragraph, and, at the end, include instructions for plating and serving.  (Remember, you can't add "serve with rice" if you haven't included rice as part of the recipe!)

All recipes submitted through Arizona C-CAP will be tested and tasted by a panel of professionals and home cooks before a winning recipe from Arizona is chosen.  (Photos of this event will be posted on this blog no later than January 21.)

Good luck! Your deadline is January 11.

(And you can also check this "winning recipe cheat sheet," with this handy clip'n'paste link: http://justcooknyc.com/2011/04/14/recipe-writing-cheat-sheet/)