Favorites: Cabana Boys, Pineapple Heads and Two Desperately Inventive Chefs

Here at DallasEats, we love a little healthy competition.  Or, not-so-healthy, as the case may be (I don't think anyone would have called my CVS Salmon Croquettes salubrious).  So, when it came time to play favorites in honor of our 100th post milestone, I knew that our contests were at the top of my list.

Drugstore Gourmet:  Back in July of '07 (far in advance, might I add, of any of the recent 99-cent store cooking adventures), Foodie Princess and I faced off in a culinary competition with one simple yet cringe-worthy rule:  all ingredients for our respective 3-course meals had to come from the neighborhood CVS.  Click the link above to read all about the dishes, the judging and who ultimately earned bragging rights in the first ever DallasEats Cook-Off.

Mixology Competition:  This follow-up contest left our judges with great, big smiles - and maybe headaches to match.  Opening up the floor to a few loyal readers, FP and I were joined by several other gifted amateur bartenders in a challenge to see who could mix the tastiest cocktail concoction.  Read on for the shaken, stirred, fruit-flavored and umbrella-garnished details.

Enjoy!  And please let us know if you have an ideas for future face-offs!

C&S

She Got Game

Two of our favorite readers (and friends), Lydia and Tim Wagner, have gifted me with several pounds of Tim's family's venison sausage. Growing up in Texas, I've eaten game on several occaisions, but I have never cooked with it. Over the next few weeks, I'm going to try a few different ways to put this sausage to use, and I'll share the good and the bad with you all.

Tonight's menu is barley risotto with venision sausage. I'll let you know how it goes...