Saturday, September 24, 2011

Challenge #6 - The Winner Is...

Wow, the family really stepped it up for this challenge! There were 39 recipe entries for our cookbook! I've also been rummaging through my mom's photo albums for "vintage" food pictures, and I found some real gems... I can't wait to share them!

Once the cookbook is compiled, I'll send out a link to the shutterfly page where it can be purchased/perused. However one lucky family member will NOT have to order a book, because the winner will receive one complements of The Gross Family Challenge Blog! This winner will also receive a few filler gifts (kitchen towels and recipe cards) to hold him or her over until the book arrives.

Who is this lucky lad or lassie?
Congratulations Cindy!

Your "Hot Seafood Spread" was the 26th entry, making you this week's winner! I absolutely love this recipe and can't wait to make it for myself so I can eat the entire thing my family... It may take me a little while to put all the recipes/pictures together, but fear not, I'll publish a post announcing the completion of the book as soon as it's ready.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Challenge #6 - Cook Book

Only 1 Day Left!

You may not know this about me, but I like to cook, and I like to eat, and I like to talk about cooking and/or eating. Robert I have even been known to peruse other blogs (specifically this one) looking for great recipes to try, and I'm always impressed by the magnetic appeal of a well-taken food photo followed by a list of ingredients comprising said food. The "seed" of inspiration: all of the food photos clogging up my harddrive while the foods pictured clog up my arteries. For example:

Robert's Homemade Marshmallows
Recipe at Smitten Kitchen

Carissa's 30th Birthday Dinner

Recipe from Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc at Home, but the 
pictures pretty much speak for themselves!

Jack's Lemon Bars
Recipe at Smitten Kitchen

Robert's "I have nothing else to do and, mostly, people like cake" Cake
Recipe at Martha Stewart

Now that I have your attention... the challenge! Relax, I'm not going to ask you to create a lavish feast for the GFCB team (me), although I've never been known to turn down a delicious meal. Instead, I would like you to share your favorite recipe and a photo of you creating/enjoying/demolishing the product! Please e-mail your entry to:

 grossfamilychallengeblog (at) gmail (dot) com 

Include "Cook Book" in the subject line, the photo as an attachment, and the recipe in the body of the e-mail. You may submit as many entries as you'd like in any category; drinks, appetizers, main courses, desserts. Just be sure to send them by Friday, September 23. (Jaden's Birthday!) A winner will be selected at random to receive a very special prize... perhaps the best prize yet! 


Recipes in the Gross Family Cookbook:
Cheesey Baked Ziti (Gena)
Meatball Subs (Gena)
Lemon Bars (Cortney)
Fried Chicken (Cortney)
Popcorn on the Stove (Allison)
Black Bean Salsa (Roberta)
Steed's Lodge Oatmeal Cookies (Debbie)
Apple Impromptu (Debbie)
Low Country Shrimp Boil (Pete)
Pizza Hot Dish (Anne)
Autumn Soup (Anne)
Chicken Tettrazinne (Anne)
Sweet Potato Salad (Lauren)
Grandma's Sugar Cookies (Lauren)
Pizza Ryes (Lauren)
Dipped Gingersnaps (Judy)
Rhubarb Torte (Judy)
Dill Dip (Judy)
Christmas Party Pinwheels (Damon et. al.)
Caramel Apple Salad (Jenny)
Easy Lasagna (Jenny)
Venison-Chicken or Veal Schnitzel (Teri)
Spedinis (Teri)
Grandma Mazza's Meatballs (Teri)
Jaden's Chocolate Milk (Jaden)
Hot Seafood Spread (Cindy)
Angel Chicken Pasta (Cindy)
Pork and Pineapple Stir Fry (Kate)
Zada's Fudge (Kate)
Divinity (Grandma Harris)
Pizzelles (Grandma Mazza)
Honey Oat Bread (Grandpa)
Cherry Cake (Grandma) 
Macaroni and Cheese (Carissa)
Cornbread Bake (Carissa)
Oma's Fluffy Pancakes (Brett)
Beef Stroganoff (Carissa)
Cheesy Potatoes (Cindy)
Apple Raspberry Pie (Allison)

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Challenge #5 - The Winner Is...

Thanks for playing along this week Gross Family! It's comforting to know that I can always call on someone super to get me out of a bind. If I need laser vision, Blue Steal, help with sharing, hammer advise,  a toddler workout, or anything global, I'm set!

Hopefully this week's winner will be "around" to receiver her prize. It's been a long time coming, Gena, but finally,

YOU WIN!

I'm proud to present you with a superhero twin prize! You will receive a "limited edition" Justice League action figure - Brainiac! How appropriate for this witty winner. You will also receive a Jumbo Superman coloring book to work on in between all your super deeds. Congratulations!


The new challenge will post tomorrow! Thanks for playing everyone!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Challenge #5 - Super Hero

Fellow GFCB members,

Today I bestow upon you a challenge of epic proportions, a task so great, and yet so small. Today I ask you, what is your super hero alter ego? Or, I suppose you could choose a super villain persona instead? And if you're identity is truly fragile, on the verge of shattering completely, you may choose to describe one of each! So, here's the challenge:

1. Decide on your super hero/villain identity and give yourself a "catchy" name!
2. Disclose your super ability. Can you run faster than the speed of light? Eat more hot dogs than the Black Widow and Kobayashi combined? Memorize the words to any song you ever hear (Lauren/Grace)? Spill it.
3. Describe your origin story. In other words, how did you acquire your "super"-ness?
4. Include all of this information in the comment section of this post. If you are feeling especially "super" you may also e-mail me your story with a picture and I'll add it to the site. (Here!) All comments must be received by Friday, September 9. (Reagan's birthday!)

The winner will be chosen at random and will receive a super hero-themed prize! I've included a sample from Jack to get your creative juices flowing:


Jack is Fire Boy! After a visit to his local county fair, Jack starting acting "fiery." Free plastic fire hat in hand, Jack began discovering that life as a junior Montgomery County firefighter was spicier than that of a normal two-year-old boy. Little did Jack know, his free plastic hat was manufactured in a warehouse that only recently re-opened after a massive nuclear disaster. Jack's hat was first off the line, and now this little chief is unstoppable! His super powers include looking adorable in a fire hat to the point of stopping the flames in their tracks. Look out you bothersome blazes, Jack will reduce your flames to a smolder with a debonaire stare equalled by none. And when Jack is feeling sassy, those hungry eyes can ignite any target in their path. Fire Boy is a true super kid.