Last week's RiverRocks was an apparent success for a first-year event. Often, it takes a year or two for momentum to build behind a festival. But all the free happenings, such as balloon rides, music and river tours, brought crowds of folks to the waterfront to celebrate Chattanooga's great outdoors.
One of the most interesting aspects of RiverRocks, though, was the angle they put on the food. I wish all festivals could follow suit, offering specialties from Big River Grille, Petunia's Silver Jalapeno and Sweet Peppers Deli. Riverbend has done some of that, but you can still find funnel cakes and other typical festival foods.
Another exciting aspect of RiverRocks was the emphasis put on locally generated foods used in area restaurants. I have to commend Table 2, Back Inn Cafe, Niko's, Tony's Pasta and 212 Market for stepping up to the plate and offering specials on certain dishes using foods from local farms.
If you had a chance to eat at any of these restaurants during RiverRocks week, great. If not, they offer foods from local farms year-round, so give them a try. You'll be supporting not only a local restaurant but also a local farmer. And you'll benefit by feasting on a fresh, incredible meal.
I get news of food contests several times a week, so I try to be a little picky about the ones I help publicize, and this time, I choose Jif. The new Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest can help parents foster creativity in their children in the kitchen.
If you can come up with a peanut butter sandwich that has an inventive twist, download an entry form at www.Jif.com. Entries close on Oct. 22. Sandwiches will be judged on the following criteria: creativity, taste, appearance, nutritional balance and ease of preparation.
Five semifinalists will be selected to compete at a live judging event in New York. One grand-prize winner will win a $25,000 scholarship fund. Four runners up will each receive $2,500 scholarship funds.
Here's one example of a creative peanut butter sandwich that's as healthful as it is creative.
"Let Us Rap" PB and Fruity
1/2 cup chopped cooked chicken breast
3 tablespoons chopped Fuji apple
2 tablespoons chopped black or red grapes
2 tablespoons extra-crunchy peanut butter
1 tablespoon light mayonnaise
2 teaspoons honey
Iceberg lettuce
Chop chicken meat and fruits, and mix in bowl. Mix in peanut butter, mayonnaise and honey. Spoon into open lettuce leaf, roll and serve.
- Rachel Granillo, 10, Clovis, Calif., 2009 grand-prize winner