Saturday, July 24, 2010

CULINARY SMACKDOWN: SUMMERTIME VEGGIES AND THE LIVIN' IS EASY

Today's the day! Entries for the July 2010 Culinary Smackdown are due by midnight, and with any luck, I'll have my own (non-competing) entry up by then too.

I know we have some first-time entrants and readers. (Also, my dad, a surprisingly fervent supporter, has been telling friends and relatives about my blog, then asking me to email them links "and instructions.")

So let me 'splain how this Culinary Smackdown thing works. This is a monthly cooking/blogging contest, where the previous winner selects the next month's theme and serves as host and judge. This time around, that would be me. As winner of the June Culinary Smackdown: Picnic Basket hosted by the fabulous and talented La Diva of La Diva Cucina (you can find my winning entry here and La Diva's recap of all the fine June entries here), I chose as our July theme:

Summertime (Veggies) - and the Livin' Is Easy
 
You can find full details of this month's Smackdown in my announcement post here.

Participants will add a comment at the bottom of this post saying "I'm up" or include a link to their entry on their blog if they posted before the deadline. For my dad and other blog newbies, if you click on the name of a commenter who posts an "I'm up," it should take you either straight to their blog or to their profile, where you can click on their blog under "My Blogs" to find them. Please go visit all the contestants for some great ideas (and photos) that I'm confident will inspire you in your own kitchen with the bounty of summertime produce.

I'll go around to check out all the entries, then post a recap and announcement of this month's winner as soon as possible. The only prize for the Culinary Smackdown is bragging rights, including the opportunity to post the lovely badge below on your blog and serve as host, judge, and arbiter of the theme and deadline of next month's Culinary Smackdown.

To all you eager competitors: Please bear with me. It's been a little crazy in my day-job world lately (all good, just hectic), and I'm solo for this month's Smackdown due to Team Eggplant health issues.

To those of you who ran out of time, forgot, are considering entering next month, or might have entered but had other things befall you, know you're welcome anytime. Boxer and Dani, my heart goes out to you.

I'll leave you with a couple of photos of the goodies I hope to get to.

With my Florida friends especially in mind, I'll sign off tonight with this and hopes that everyone weathers whatever storm they're going through.

16 comments:

Christo Gonzales said...

I sent a link did you get it - here it is again just in case - http://alittlebitofchristo.blogspot.com/2010/07/i-got-your-summer-right-here.html

Heff said...

I'm UP, Biatches !!!!!

(Luv Ya, Eggy!)

Chef Dennis Littley said...

I'm Up!! here is my link!
http://morethanamountfull.blogspot.com/2010/07/let-zucchini-blossom-special-shine-its.html

thanks for reminding me!!
Dennis

Jen said...

I'm up. Thanks for inviting me.

http://ourgoodfoodlife.blogspot.com/2010/07/welcome-back-tomatoes.html

moi said...

I'm UP with tomatoes, green chile, pizza, and pasta. I'll be around to visit everyone either late today or tomorrow. Can't wait! Thanks for hosting, Eggy!

Sharon Rudd said...

Great job, everyone! Happy to see some new faces for this Smackdown. Be sure to check out everyone's entries and come back later when I announce the winner.

Sharon Rudd said...

Hey, gang, Buffalo Dick has posted his entry too. Check it out.

http://buffalodickdy.blogspot.com/2010/07/my-july-smackdown-entry.html

Jen said...

Competition looks tough! Everyone's entries so far look really great!

Buzz Kill said...

I'm up at the Buzzkill I'm pressed for time so I'll be back later.

GrumpyGranny said...

Oh, YUM! Thanks for the comments on my blog. Yes, I moved to CO 17 years ago from Hot-lanta and never looked back. Pueblo has my lil' heart wrapped around its quirky self. I'm too late for the smackdown, but I'll be doing a post on my veggie dinner tonight. Hope to see 'ya round!

GG

Aunty Belle said...

oh no!!!

i MISSED THE DEADLINE AN' MEANT TO PLAY ALONG THIS TIME. dOUBLE DRAT!!

it's been too long to claim jet lag--I jhes doan know why I dropped the ball here. But...I'se comin' to see what all y'all has done fer Summer Veggies.

WaterDog said...

So far it all looks good. As Eggy's sometime assitant and part time participant, I would not want to chose the winner out of these that are "up" so far. All look way tooooo good to me.
Keep it up folks!

Making Space said...

These entries are all so delicious! Congrats to all and wow you have given Eggy a challenge.

Sharon Rudd said...

Oh, dear! We have lost a member of the Culinary Smackdown family and an enthusiastic member of the food blogosphere. Read Buffalo Dick's son's post on his blog here:

http://buffalodickdy.blogspot.com/2010/07/to-my-fathers-loyal-blog-readers.html

I am stunned and saddened.

Buzz Kill said...

I just saw BD's blog. Wow. You have to give him props for making the smackdown deadline. Cook like there's no tomorrow because there may not be one.

Sharon Rudd said...

Deadline or no, I think BD always cooked like there was no tomorrow, and loved doing it. And blogging about it. He will be missed.