Bob’s Red Mill Spar-for-the-Spurtle Contest and A GIVEAWAY!

I’ve been a fan of Bob’s Red Mill grains and flours ever since my son was diagnosed with numerous food allergies. In fact, Bob’s Red Mill’s All Purpose Gluten Free Baking Mix was the first gluten-free mix I used when I first started learning to bake gluten-free. What I especially like about Bob’s Red Mill’s products is that their gluten-free mixes contain more nutritious whole grains and bean flours compared to some of the other gluten-free mixes on supermarket shelves. My kitchen cabinet is full of Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Flours, including their Garbanzo Fava Bean Flour, Teff Flour, Millet Flour, Sorghum Flour, and Brown Rice Flour.

I’ve made Gluten/Dairy/Egg Free (Vegan) Hot Soft Pretzels, Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies, Carrot Coconut Pineapple Muffins, Coconut Pineapple Scones, and Cinnamon Spiced Scones using Bob’s Red Mill flours, as well as homemade gluten-free bread. 

So, when Bob’s Red Mill contacted me recently about spreading the word about their Spar for the Spurtle Recipe Contest, I responded with a resounding “Yes!” This contest is all about Bob’s Red Mill’s Steel Cut Oats, wholesome and hearty, which comes in both a regular and gluten-free version.  If you’ve never tried steel cut oats, you’re missing out. One of my favorite recipes for steel-cut oats is Steel Cut Oats with Dried Fruit and Blueberry Compote. Although you might be thinking, “It’s so hot outside – why would I cook up a pot of oats now?!” I can tell you I enjoyed a nice comforting bowl of hot oatmeal for breakfast in 90 degree weather during my recent trip to Orlando, Florida, and never gave it another thought.

So, get your thinking caps on and come up with an original steel cut oats recipe, savory or sweet. All you need to do is submit a 3-minute videotape segment demonstrating your own creative steel cut oats recipe (that can be prepared in 30 minutes from start to finish) by July 31 August 7, 2011. All entering videos will be posted on Bob’s Red Mill’s Spar for the Spurtle site, where fans can vote for their favorites. The top three contestants will be flown to Portland for a live cook-off, and be treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Bob’s Red Mill facility by Bob Moore himself, in addition to winning additional prizes. The winner of the 30-minute cook-off will receive an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Scotland, including $2,500 in cash, to compete in the 18th Annual Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship!

And now for the Giveaway – in addition to having a chance to win a trip to Portland and Scotland, the first five people who email me (Jeanette at JeanettesHealthyLiving dot com) to let me know you’ve submitted a video to the Bob’s Red Mill Spar for the Spurtle Recipe Contest will receive a prize pack that includes a bag of Bob’s Red Mill Steel Cut Oats and a Spurtle (a Scottish kitchen tool dating back to the 15th century that is traditionally used to stir porridge and prevent it from becoming lumpy), and a copy of Bob’s Red Mill Cookbook: Whole Healthy Grains for Every Meal of the Day.

To enter the Spar for the Spurtle Recipe Contest and the Giveaway, simply submit your video To Bob’s Red Mill’s Spar for the Spurtle Contest. To enter to win the Giveaway, email me (Jeanette at JeanettesHealthyLiving dot com) and let me know you entered. For more information, visit Spar for the Spurtle.