My fair experience

I finally feel like summer is here and we're filling our days with "want-to-do's" and not "have-to-do's". On July 3rd, we went to the fair and had a lot of fun. When I was a kid, I looked forward to the fair every summer. I was in 4-H and I entered in a competition every year. Usually something in an arts and crafts category---are you surprised? ;) Anyways, so when we went to the fair last week I entered a dish in the Hidden Valley Ranch one-day contest. Just for fun, and to et into the fair for free. So we dropped off my dish in the judging area and then went and had fun. Before we left, I went back to pick up my dishes and discovered I HAD WON! I got first place in the side-dish category and third place in the overall competition. They gave me an apron, some ribbons and a check that covered our expenses at the fair. I was delighted someone other than Brentt liked my cooking. (Heavens knows the kids don't appreciate it!!!)

So, here's my self-created recipe for the dish that won. This is my savory version of a cinnamon roll. The method is the same but just with savory ingredients. Hidden Valley Ranch owns the rights to it now...
Spinach-Ranch Rolls

Ingredients:
2 loaves Bridgford frozen bread
1 block cream cheese
1 pound bacon
2 cups cheddar cheese
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch dip mix (powdered stuff)
2 cups fresh spinach
Ranch dressing on the side for dipping.

Thaw frozen bread according to directions. Bring cream cheese to room temperature. Mix the ranch dip and cream cheese. Cook the bacon to a crisp. Crumble or cut the bacon into small pieces. Roll out each of the bread doughs into a 10" by 16" rectangle. Spread the cream cheese mix equally onto each leaving a 1/2 inch border uncovered. Sprinkle 1/2 the bacon and 1 cup of cheddar cheese on each. Lay 1 cup of spinach evenly over the mix. Roll it up lengthwise like you would a jelly roll, or a sleeping bag, etc... Cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces. Place in dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cook at 325 for 35 minutes or until bread is golden brown. Serve warm with a side of ranch dressing.

I hope you try it. Its really easy and makes a great side dish. Here are a few pictures of the fun the kids had.

Maddie's favorite fair food is from "Hot Dog on a Stick." She was ecstatic to eat this! My poor kids are so deprived of junk food! ;) I have a full weekend of cooking ahead. In honor of the Tour de France and my love of all things French, we're hosting a French dinner party tonight so I've got to start prepping stuff early. I'm preparing 6 courses for 12 people--I don't know why I do this to myself sometimes...In the end, I always have fun. Also, our peaches are all ripe so I'm making jam tomorrow. I hope your weekend is more exciting!
Christy