Proving that there’s nothing like those classic family recipes to bring kitchens and home cooks to life, Coast Packing Company, the West’s largest supplier of animal fat shortenings, announced the third annual #LardLovers Recipe Contest.
Coast is issuing the call for any unique, unpublished recipe that uses lard (think pie crust, special bread or cookie recipe, fried chicken concoction, holiday tamale surprise, etc.). Contest entries will be accepted online starting today, November 11, at midnight Pacific time. All online entries must be received by midnight Sunday, December 2. To enter, contestants can use the online form posted at http://www.coastpacking.com/lardlovers. Alternatively, entries can be submitted via Facebook.
All submissions will be posted on the Coast Packing website, accompanied by images of the resulting dishes. In a first this year, Coast’s judging panel will prepare the top recipes at Melissa’s/World Variety Produce, Inc. of Vernon, the largest distributor of specialty produce in the United States. Winners will be chosen based on flavor, creativity/originality and visual appeal.
The lineup of prizes includes the following:
1st Place: KitchenAid Metallic Series 5-Qt. Stand Mixer in Satin Copper
Estimated retail value $629.95
2nd Place: Le Creuset 6 Piece Flame Stoneware Heritage Bakeware Set
Estimated retail value $271.99
3rd Place: Olivewood Pastry Tools, Set of 5, Estimated retail value $79.95
Winners will be announced on December 8, National Lard Day. The contest is open to those 21 and over, and no purchase is necessary to enter.
Observed officially for the first time last year, #NationalLardDay, December 8, is a celebration of a traditional, flavorful animal fat – pure lard, derived from pork – that is now enjoying a resurgence within America’s food culture, in restaurants (especially those featuring ethnic specialties), fast food operations and home kitchens. Artificial trans fats are out, and minimally processed animal fats like lard – for superior baking, frying and a host of other cooking applications – are making a comeback.
“Timed with National Lard Day, we at Coast are delighted to sponsor the third #LardLovers Contest,” says Eric R. Gustafson, Coast Packing CEO. “The color, texture and flavor that lard imparts make it a vastly superior alternative to heavily processed, industrially produced substitutes. Lard is the once and future king of the kitchen, the one ingredient that never fails to speak ‘flavor,’ even as it brings out the best in everything it touches.
“There’s a reason certain ingredients are traditional — they provide better taste than the non-traditional alternatives,” Gustafson says. “On National Lard Day, taste the difference yourself! It’s even better if you can do so from the comfort of your own kitchen, so break out that secret family recipe and share with the #LardLovers Contest. To all who participate – and with a special shout-out to Melissa’s – thanks for joining us in praising the lard.”
