Wright Iron Chef 2012

Any of you that have followed my blog at all has heard me talk about our Wright Iron Chef competition over the years.  Anytime we have family in town for any particular occasion (other than those who are normally around) or just when we think about it and want an excuse to get together for some fun we have an Iron Chef competition.

In years past we have gathered everyone together and each person gets to put a suggestion for a secret ingredient into a hat.  Then someone draws out what the official secret ingredient is and we all go running.  We have an hour to shop and an hour to cook whatever it is that we want to but it must include the secret ingredient.  We all have assigned kitchens around the Bountiful/Centerville area that we cook at.  In years past we have had pasta, sausage, broccoli slaw and asparagus as secret ingredients and it's been fun to see what everyone makes with those things.  Each year someone is the winner and they get to keep the Mrs. Fields apron for the year and sign their name as champion.

This year since Tera and Erick were going to be here from Germany, and my parents also, we asked if they would like to do Iron Chef while they were here.  My parents were in charge and decided to change things up this time, so that we could spend more time together instead of apart cooking.  They decided to give us the secret ingredient early.  The guys were in charge of choosing and "making" the main dish with the secret ingredient - potato.  We could make it any time before noon on Saturday when we would all be meeting to eat.  Then they put the girls in charge of our first Cupcake War.  They love to watch the show "Cupcake Wars" on tv and wanted a yummy dessert.

Here are my Banana Cinnamon Cupcakes with Nutella Centers baking in the oven.

Since Bump was in charge of our main dish and since the secret ingredient was potatoes something would be wrong with him if he didn't choose to make potato salad.  It was pretty yummy.  Being a Williams now I have had a lot of practice making potato salad.  In the Williams family potato salad IS love.  Bump took these close up pictures of some of the dishes.  Here is his potato salad.

 Tera and Erick tried to steal the show with their incredibly yummy, juicy, smokey brisket (on top of a baked potato. . .:)

Tracy got creative with a potato pizza.  She found some purple potatoes and used them with some good alfredo sauce and veggies for a veggie pizza that was pretty tasty. Steve had stake conference duties, so Tracy's partner was her daughter, Jessica.  Tracy did the main dish, Jessie did the cupcakes.

 We didn't get a picture of Jared and Casi's yummy potato soup, but it was really good and probably a close second in the competition.  The winner was this yummy dish by Lee.  It was hashbrowns with onions and peppers.  It looks pretty basic and not too thrilling, but I can't even begin to describe the amazing flavor that it has!  He uses some bullion somehow that really pulls the flavor and everything was cooked to perfection.  I thought is was the clear winner even though I wasn't the judge.

 She wasn't the judge either - Jessica's baby, Avery. What a cutie!

 Here are the judges getting ready to sample the feast.  From left to right (for the food) Tracy's veggie pizza, our little potato salad, Tera and Erick's brisket. . . and baked potato, Jared and Casi's soup, Lee's hashbrowns, and then Tera and Erick tried to cheat some more by doing a whole different type of brisket, but this time it had fresh cut french fries on the side with two different dipping sauces.

After trying everything and announcing that Lee won that round again. . . (if you notice the names on the apron Lee and Trish win every other year.  They know how to cook that's for sure!). . .then the judges moved on to the cupcake wars.

A cup was placed next to each cupcake presentation and my mom gave 2 coins to each grandchild.  They got to come one at a time and put a coin in the cup that they thought looked the very best.  So, the kids got to judge on the best looking cupcakes and my parents then judged on the taste.

Trish did some yummy chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, Jessica made some lemon cupcakes with blackberries, Casi made owl cupcakes (they won in the best looking department according to the kids), Tera made some Reeses Peanut Butter Cupcakes with peanut butter frosting and a peanut butter cup in the middle of chocolate cupcakes, and I made very ugly looking Banana Cinnamon Cupcakes with Nutella centers and Cinnamon Buttercream frosting.  I tried to frost cute faces to make them more appealing to the kids, and I didn't get the least votes!  :)

It was a good thing that my parents could then judge on the flavor because I knew mine at least tasted heavenly!  I did end up winning for the cupcake flavor and somehow Bump and I were named the Iron Chef Champions for this year.  Maybe because Lee and Trish had won before, or maybe because my cupcakes were just the best thing of the day.  For whatever reason we got the apron and are the Wright Iron Chef champs for 2012.  You can find the recipe that I used HERE from the blog Your Cup of Cake with great pictures from someone that can actually frost cupcakes.  I'll also post the recipe at the bottom of the post.

 Thanks to all of the competitors!  The food was fabulous (I am so glad that I don't have to judge) and the great company was even better!!  I have such a fun family and it's always a treat to get together!  Can't wait until next time!!

Banana Cinnamon Cake:  From the Blog Your Cup of Cake

3 eggs

¼ cup oil

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup sour cream

1 box White Cake Mix

3 medium bananas mashed well (2 large)

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Nutella (Buy a small jar and you will have leftovers)

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Buttercream:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

½ cup butter, softened

1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3-4 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

      1.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line pans with cupcake liners (yields 30).

      2.    In a large bowl, combine eggs, oil, buttermilk and sour cream.

      3.    Add cake mix (sift in for easy mixing) and mix until combined.

      4.    In a separate bowl, mash bananas and add baking soda, cinnamon and vanilla.

      5.    Add banana mixture to cake mix bowl and stir. 

      6.   Fill cupcake liners ¾ full and place about ¾ teaspoon of Nutella on top of each uncooked cupcake. (The batter is light, so the Nutella will sink to the bottom while it bakes, but feel free to swirl it with a toothpick a little bit.)

      7.    Bake for 15 minutes, or until an inserted knife comes out clean.

      8.   Buttercream:  Beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy.  Add cinnamon, vanilla and powdered sugar. TIP:  Never melt your butter or cream cheese.  Add a little powdered sugar at a time until you reach your desired consistency. 

9.   Pipe onto cooled cupcakes and top with cinnamon sugar and banana slices.    

YIP - Week 6

Sunday, March 19th

I don't have a picture for today.  Darn it!  I meant to take a picture of my brother-in-law, Steve.  So, since I didn't get to take one I will post one that I took off of facebook.  Thank you facebook!  I chose this particular one because I love his shorts.  :)  So, why did I want to include a picture of Steve?  Because he is my Stake President and today was Stake Conference.  It was fabulous.

Monday, February 20th

Today was President's Day.  We took the kids to see Star Wars, The Phantom Menace.  It was just re-released in theaters in 3D and the kids were excited to see it.  They did great.  After the movie we went to Bump's parents to help them put up a new bed that they bought.  I put the kids to bed tonight and later when I went up to bed this is what I saw.  Gabby loves to have Fin sleep in her room, but he doesn't like to stay with her.  Usually she will put up the baby gate and he will stay in there, but tonight I guess she couldn't get the baby gate to slide open enough, so she used whatever she could find.  I love this picture because Fin is in it too.

Tuesday, February 21st

The kids missed school today because they had dentist appointments.  Normally people don't miss an entire day just because of a dentist appointment, but since we go to Bump's brother Darin in Tremonton it does take a good chunk of the day.  It takes about 2 hours to get there and 2 hours to get home, but it's worth it to go to the very best dentist in the whole world!  Both Corban and Gabby had to get some work done and so I took pictures of both of their crooked smiles afterward.

Wednesday, February 22nd

My dad gave Bump and Corban haircuts today.  They both needed it badly and I am grateful to let someone else do it on occasion.  When I married Bump he worked out a haircut dowry with my dad, so if Bump asks for a haircut then my dad has to comply or else he'll give me back.  :)  Also notice the white square thing below the window in the background.  Last week my dad helped me build a garbage can holder for my kitchen.  It's not finished yet, I need to calk and paint it.  But it has a lid that keeps the dog from pulling things out and the bead board that he used is really cute!  It's been great having parents around!

Thursday, February 23rd

Today was kind of a catch up day.  There was a lot of running around, homework and laundry to do. I also got started painting the trim in my dining room. I took this picture of the inside of my car because that's what I see a lot of.

Friday, February 24th

Today my mom and I painted and painted and painted.  I started out the morning by heading to Home Depot to pick up my wall paint.  I had finished the white trim work the day before and we were ready to get going on the walls.  My mom is such a great motivator and I was so ready and in the mood to get this room finally tackled!  I had to take a break to go and volunteer in Gabby's classroom for an hour and my mom kept right on painting without me.  We got the first coat mostly on by the time school was out.  Then we got a babysitter and went to dinner with my parents.  The dining room is looking so good!  I am really happy with the color!

Saturday, February 25th

My mom came over to help me finish painting.  I wore her completely out and after a few Harry Potter movies (they had only seen the first one) this is how I found them while I finished up the second coat of paint.  I just love this picture (they will hate it) because it shows both of my parents asleep with Harry asleep right by them.  They work hard and I am glad that they could rest up before having a fun evening with my brother, Lee.

Speaking of the dining room.  I'll go ahead and post the before and after pictures even though everything isn't put back together yet.  The color before is the same color that it's been since we bought the house 4 years ago.  It's a golden yellow color and the trim had never been painted.  These pictures aren't the best, but at least I took some.  The before pictures were taken just after we began painting the trim on Thursday.  You can see in one picture where I tested the new color on the wall. 

And here are the after pictures before I hang stuff back on the walls.  My mom and sister were worried when they looked at my color swatch on the wall.  They thought it would be too dark.  I wasn't worried about it at all and I am really happy with the color I chose.  It is Martha Stewart's Natural Twine color.  I love how updated this looks and the bright white trim just pops (I haven't painted the doors yet, so don't look too closely).  The color isn't dark at all and catches the light well, so it actually looks brighter and cleaner than the previous color.  The pictures don't do it justice, as usual, but it's great and it's done and the best part about it is that I didn't have to do it alone this time thanks to my mom!

YIP - Week 5

Sunday, February 12th

Today I got to see Erick for the first time since I went to Germany when Tera had David.  So, it's been about 18 months since I've seen him.  Tera and Erick were so happy to be together again (she hadn't seen him for 6 months)!  They came over to Tracy's house for dinner with everyone and then sneaked away for a few days and nights alone in Salt Lake City.  Bailey got to come and stay at our house for those few days.

Today you get 2 pictures because my mom snapped a picture of Tracy, Tera and I practicing to sing in Sacrament meeting today.  I was asked to sing back in January and I asked if I could put it off and sing with my sister (Tracy was in Costa Rica at the time).  So, the date they gave me was today and since Tera was going to be in town I asked her to sing also.  It was a really pretty song and it went really well!  I was so happy to get to sing with at least 2 of my sisters.  Thanks girls!

 Monday, February 13th

I said before that we had Bailey stay with us for a few days.  Her teacher is so awesome and let Bailey come spend some time at school with Gabby.  She gave her a desk with her name on it and let her join in the Valentines Day festivities the next day (she bought Valentines for each child to give to Bailey).  Bailey was such a hit and the girls had a great time together instead of apart during school hours.

 Tuesday, February 14th

Happy Valentines Day!

I had to have two pictures today also.  First is Quincy's Valentine from her Dad.  Gabby got the same thing. My dad still gets us girls a Valentine every year and I am glad that Bump is doing the same thing for his girls.

 When we were young my mom taught my brothers that Valentines Day is a day when boys can give something special to a girl that they like.  Us girls were not allowed to buy boys anything extra, but she took the boys to the store and helped them buy a cute thing for a special girl.  I decided to do the same thing for Corban.  While we were at Walmart I let him pick out a small (and inexpensive) stuffed animal to give to a girl of his choice.  He had to decide between 2 girls, but didn't hesitate too long.  After school on Valentines Day he delivered his gift to her (see the picture below).  He was all smiles when he got back to the car and sighed as he said, "I just love her so much."  What a sweet moment!

 Wednesday, February 15th

Corban is loving Star Wars and Legos so much right now.  Today he brought me this little vehicle that he made and said it was just like the vehicles in Star Wars.  This picture doesn't show how tiny this little machine is.  The wheels are made out of Lego's that are used for flowers in a Lego garden.  He made me take a picture and text it to Bump at work.

 Thursday, February 16th

I have had so much fun getting to hang out with my parents during the last week.  They drove Tera down after she flew into the Air Force base in Washington State.  They get to stay and drive her back up a week from Monday.  Here is Quincy with my dad.  She would read to him and play the piano for him.  My mom watched the kids this afternoon so I could go to Stake Temple Day.  It was so good to get to go to the temple.  I'm lucky to live so close to so many.

 Friday, February 17th

The main reason that Tera and Erick met in Utah for Erick's R&R was for this very special occasion.  Today Erick was able to baptize Bailey.  And they got to do it in Utah so that Erick's family and many of ours could  attend.  It was a great experience and the speakers were awesome!  (I'm just saying that because I was one of them!!  Ha ha!)  Afterwards we went up to Lee and Tricia's house for a pot luck and birthday cake - it was Grandma Blackham's birthday.  It was a special and really fun day to be together.

 Saturday, February 18th

Then we all turned right around and came back to Lee and Tricia's the very next day for our Annual Wright Iron Chef Challenge!  This year my parents were in charge and they chose the secret ingredient of potatoes, but put the condition that the guys were in charge and it was all on their shoulders for the main dish.  Then the girls were given the Cupcake Wars challenge.  We had to make cupcakes.  All of the grandkids were able to vote on which one they thought looked the best and my parents voted on taste for both dishes.  I am pleased to say that I won the cupcake taste award, but Bump's potato salad didn't win the main dish.  I will do a whole separate post on our Iron Chef competition, but here is a picture of my Cinnamon Banana Nutella cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream frosting showing a happy family for the kids.  They tasted a lot better than they looked for sure!

YIP - Week 4

Sunday, February 5th

Bump and I haven't been away for our Anniversary in years.  I mean, I can't even remember the last time we actually did something for our Anniversary.  This year we left on Sunday night and stayed at the Anniversary Inn in Salt Lake.  We had the Sun Valley room and it fit us just perfectly!  We had a fireplace and a whirlpool tub with a waterfall, chocolate covered strawberries, cheesecake and sparkling cider.  It was a perfectly relaxing evening away from the kids and work and chaotic life.

 Monday, February 6th

Today was our 14th Anniversary.  We spent the day going to lunch and shopping downtown.  My sister, Tracy, had our kids over night.  They love getting to hang out with their older cousins.  I came home to girls that were plastered with make up just the way they like it thanks to their cousin, Kaylea.  Bump and I felt rejuvenated and ready to tackle life again after our night away.  I married a pretty amazing guy.

Tuesday, February 7th

Me doing homework while Bump was ice skating with his young men.  Gabby had a hard time sleeping so she came out and did my hair while I was doing my homework.  She took this picture when she was finished.  Not bad for a 7 year old.

Wednesday, February 8th

These are the cute new shoes that Bump bought me for our Anniversary while we were out shopping.  I broke them in today running kids all over town.  I was also cleaning up my house to prepare for the arrival of guests later that day.

Thursday, February 9th

Cousins from Germany!  My kids (and me) have been counting down the days  until my sister Tera arrived from Germany.  She gets to meet her hubby here for his R&R from Afghanistan.  She flew into a base in Washington and my parents drove her down.  So, we get to see my parents for a few weeks and my sister and her kids.  All of us have been so excited and love being together.  Here is Bailey and Gabby (notice the headband and necklaces Gabby is sporting made by her cousin).

 And here is my amazing sister!  She was getting ready to see her husband (who ended up not arriving for a few more days) and I was happy to give her a little manicure.  Every time we get together it's like we've never been apart.  

Friday, February 10th

Bump and I had a free babysitter tonight so we invited my parents to go to dinner with us.  We also called my brother Lee and his wife Tricia to go with us.  Lee showed off a lovely brownie smile for us.  It's pretty good although nothing like the one that his wife gave a few years earlier (see here and enlarge the picture on the left under "about me").  Keep working on it Lee.

Saturday, February 11th

Today Gabby got to go to 2 different birthday parties for girls in her school class.  Luckily they weren't at the same time since they are both her "BFF's".  Bump and I had a relaxing day at home with my parents.  Erick's plane finally got in around 7:30 tonight.  Tera is so happy and I am happy for them!  We didn't go to the airport, but I loved seeing the pictures of him arriving and greeting his wife and kids.  More pictures next week!