Now although I have been a collector of worldwide foods recipes for many years I was presented with the pleasant task of having to host a dinner party for a group of prospective clients. Although the group consisted of several nationalities I decided to prepare a Western type dish "Oven Barbecued Pork Roast". I was quite sure that pork was not likely to offend any of my prospective guests!!
Although I already have thousands of recipes and popular foods recipes ebooks mainly in PDF format, that are these days available for instant download worldwide, I wanted something different.
After various free searches I came across an ebook containing 490 Blue Ribbon Recipes that had the exact recipe I wanted.
Having acquired my recipe I was curious as to how a recipe can get a "Blue Ribbon".
Again I did loads of searches on various combinations of words including "Blue and Ribbon" and was surprised to find that was not an actual definition, maybe I just didn't look in the right places, but my search was pretty thorough.
What I did however discover is that in America the competition for the blue ribbon is extremely competitive.
Basically I learnt that every year there about 80 fairs in the USA with representation from 50 States. Each fair has its own blue ribbon recipe competition. The field of acceptable categories is quite diverse which means there is something available for every taste. I found references to these fairs starting in the 1800's
You will find Blue Ribbon Recipes in categories for appetizers, soups, sandwiches, main dishes, bread, rolls, biscuits, dips, dressings and every dessert you can think of. In fact there is recipe to satisfy every passion and for every occasion in the world of Blue Ribbon Recipes.
Astonishingly the contestants range from hardcore old hands and competitors who tour the whole country entering recipes for big cash rewards, to beginner home cooks enthusiastic to take a chance with Grannies ancient recipes for, say, the good old "Apple pie".
As one hopeful contestant said "I just love entering County and State Fairs and I have been collecting competition recipes and cook books for many,many years".
Inevitably, I suppose, commercialism has crept in to these events. During recent years apparently, sponsorship of recipe contests by national food companies has become popular at fairs across America. The various companies award generous prizes for original recipes featuring their products.
Again notably, some famous food products have originated as a result of state fairs. Way back in 1852 at the first State Fair of Texas, a notable contestant named Gail Borden Jr. submitted a dried "meat biscuit" recipe. His recognition and success came some time later after turning his processed and condensed milk into a "National Brand Name".
If you are looking for a delicious dish to be proud of, let's face it, you can't go wrong with a recipe that has won a state fair competition and even better got that "Blue Ribbon" award!! They obviously do not just give them away lightly!!
Well there we are, just a little information on the significance of "Blue Ribbon Recipes".
Just in case you are interested in the great recipe I discovered, here it is:
Delicious Barbecued Pork Roast Serves 10-12 persons
3 lb / 1.5 kg boneless rolled top loin pork roast joint
3 large garlic cloves sliced
1 teaspoon black coarsely ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried sage
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
vegetable oil, approx. 2 tablespoons
1 large onion, sliced (approx 8 oz)
1/4pint (approx 150 ml) chicken stock
8 oz tomato sauce (just over ¼ pint - approx 200ml)
50ml (approx. 4 tablespoons) chili sauce
50ml spicy tomato ketchup 50ml apple cider vinegar
50ml lemon juice
3 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon red pepper
If there is a large amount of fat on joint, trim it off along with strings if the joint has come tied. Using butcher's (or kitchen string), tie at 2" intervals. Cut deep slits in roast & insert garlic slices If desired, lay fat skin side up, sprinkle with salt and roast in a separate tin for those who like crackling.
Combine pepper, sage & thyme; rub over surface of roast. Coat a non stick deep frying pan with oil, place over medium high heat until hot. Add pork roast and roll around until brown all over, about 10 - 15 minutes. Take out meat, put on one side. Add onion & sauté until tender. Add chicken stock bring to the boil.
Transfer to a dish, then roast the meat uncovered at 350°f / 180°c for 30 minutes. Combine tomato sauce & remaining ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat; pour over pork. Roast for an additional 35-45 minutes or until meat thermometer inserted in center of roast registers 160°c. 325°f.
Slice pork, serve with hot sauce, ideal with tender new potatoes, in season vegetables and home made apple chutney/sauce. Please note, I have amended the measurements from the ebook recipe so that they equate internationally.
For the record this recipe took 3rd place at the Illinois State Fair but I can't tell you which year. What I can tell you is that the outcome of my dinner party was a complete success for me and my guests to the point that many of them even asked for the recipe!!
If you are interested in collecting good foods recipes, do yourself a favour and try and get hold of "490 Blue Ribbon Recipes"
The author Christopher Phillips is a retired restaurateur with a passion for collecting recipes from all over the world. You are free and welcome to copy and distribute this article without alteration and with the usual acknowledgment to the author.
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