A Few Words From Guest Judge @rebeccaryan About Steemit Culinary Challenge #32: Picnic Alfresco

A big hello to all Steemians. I was absolutely honoured when my girl @woman-onthe-wing asked me if I would be interested in being this week's Steemit Culinary Challenge's Guest Judge.

I didn't hesitate for a second...not even a nano-second.

I said "yes" immediately because it was through this contest that I first started to build my reputation, new friendships on Steemit and of course Steem Back Dollars which I took in 100% Steem Power.

The decision to take my SBD in 100% SP has most definitely paid off for me because when I upvote now, I am actually able to give other Steemians a few bucks at a time. It's really a great feeling when I can see that my upvote on someone's original contribution on the platform, now makes a notable difference for them financially. 

YAHOO! That's a big win and something that I have been working hard to achieve for the last 10 months.

Perseverance pays off if you stick it out.

My advice to anyone, just starting out on the platform, is to look at what contests are being run by other Steemians. There is a tag for all contests, so make sure you check it out. 

The most recent contest that I participated in was put on by @theprophet0. He's one of Steemit's youngest witnesses (16 years old this year, I think). He was giving away 10 Steemit Car Magnets and I was lucky enough to win!

I wrote a blog post about it and you can view it here (just in case you missed it): https://steemit.com/steemit/@rebeccaryan/theprophet0-s-blog-vote-get-paid-car-magnet-campaign

It is the first post that I have ever written that made over 100 SBD and I am not embarrassed to admit that it brought tears to my eyes because of the level of support that I have experienced from our outstanding community. 

I was so stoked about this that I have made 3 more vlogs and I'll share them with you right now!

@knarly327 filmed all the videos today and he uploaded them to his Youtube chanel (Scrap Fe) on June 24th, 2017.

Our first stop was to Brambleberry Farm which is about a 10 minute drive from our house and is owned by a wonderful lady named Kerry Copestake. 

The theme that I chose for this week's culinary challenge is: Picnic Alfresco. I decided to give extra points for any enter that included local ingredients which are grown either by the contestants themselves or sourced from a local producer who is harvesting food within a 100 km radius from where they personally live. 

@knarly327 and I jumped in the car and headed to Kerry's farm:

More information about Brambleberry farm can be view right from the farm's website: http://www.brambleberryfarm.ca/

The fresh strawberries are fantastic this year. Kerry said that this was because the plants didn't get hit by an early spring frost this year, which is customary for our region in Ontario, Canada.

Here's a little more information, directly from me about this week's Steemit Culinary Challenge:

Please consider joining this week's challenge. As I mentioned, you don't have to be a professional Chef or even a recognized Cook to participate. Please feel free to try your hand at it. Here's @woman-onthe-wing's contest announcement which will give you all the particulars about what you have to do to qualify as a participant:

https://steemit.com/steemitculinarychallenge/@woman-onthe-wing/steemit-culinary-challenge-32-winners-and-new-theme-and-introducing-a-new-bonus-prize

This week we also have a special bonus which has been offered by my girl @englishtchrivy. She started the SCC and ran the contest for the first 20 weeks! She knows a thing or two about how Steemit works and how to run contests. If you haven't followed her already, @woman-onthe-wing or @theprophet0 I would highly recommend that you check their blogs out. All of them are great people and they all have helped me a great deal.

This Steemit Culinary Challenge closes on Wednesday June 28, 2017 at 12:00 noon UTC.

Now, let me share a fun recipe with you that I wouldn't hesitate to pack in a picnic basket!

Avocado Deviled Eggs.

Ingredients:

• 6 hard-boiled eggs (The older the eggs are, the easy they are to peel the shell off of them.);
• 2 ripe avocados;
• 1/4 Dijon mustard;
• 1/2 tsp of paprika (to dust the tops of the egg halves with);
• and 2 stems of chives to garnish.

Directions:

• Buy the eggs locally.

• Boil the eggs in water, in a medium size pot, for 15 minutes on high heat.

• Drain the eggs and soak in cold water for 15 minutes.

(If you soak them for 15 minutes in cold water, the yolks won't oxidize to a blackish-grey colour on the outside.)

• Peel the shells off the eggs and soak them in could water to remove any remaining particles of shells that may have been left behind after peeling.

• Cut the eggs lengthwise and put the cooked yolks in a food processor. Save the cooked white halves and store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to fill them.

• Cut 2 avocados lengthwise, remove the pits and roughly chop them. Then add these pieces to the food processor with the egg yolks.

• Add Dijon Mustard.

• Blend well, until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

• Put this mixture into a piping bag and individually fill the hollow of each egg white.

• Cut fresh chives from your garden and chop into small pieces to use as garnish.

• Lightly dust each egg half with paprika and small chopped bits of fresh chives.
• Served chilled.

Enjoy your picnic with good friends and family!

I welcome your comments and I invite you to follow me on my journey. Happy picnicking!

~ Rebecca Ryan