Category Archives: I’m Giveaway Crazy!

Winning!

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I think I gained about 5 pounds reading the recipes submitted by those of you who either:

A)   have mercy on me now that I’ve taken on a huge cookbook project
B)   like to win wicked cool prizes
C)   really enjoy cooking

I can respect all three reasons.

Seriously, y’all have sent in some yummy sounding stuff. I say “sounding” because I haven’t prepared any of them…yet. (I’ve got to stick to apples and low-fat granola to get in shape for turkey season, then I’m gonna blow the diet with gusto!)

And now it’s time to announce the top camo chefs and their recipes.

BEST SOUNDING BREAKFAST DISH

Tom Nare of California will receive a black and pewter NWTF logo mug for his Wild Duck/Goose Breakfast Scramble.

BEST SOUNDING DESSERT or DRINK

Jim Kelly of Georgia gets a three-pack of Knight & Hale’s Bad Medicine Series diaphragm calls just in time for opening day. Good luck, Jim! Bet you’ll mix up some Wild Turkey Bourbon Slushies if you get one, won’t ya?

I didn’t receive any packable snack recipes, so I’m giving away two prizes for…

BEST SOUNDING SOUP, SALAD or SANDWICH

Beth Cowgill of Missouri can relax to a dogwood-scented, Eastern wild turkey-themed candle handmade by best female editor of a turkey magazine under 5-foot-2. She gets it for sending in her Aunt Bubba’s Baked Turkey and Potato Soup recipe. (Here’s a cute little twist: She’s Aunt Bubba!)

And Quaker Boy’s own Ernie Calendrelli can pack out meat for his awesome-sounding Wild Game Cutlet Sandwiches in the new soft-sided camo cooler that’s being sent his way.

Congrats to you all. And most of all, thanks for taking part in what’s turning out to be a really fun project. I already have delicious recipes and camp cooking back stories from hunting greats Will Primos, Cuz Strickland and Troy Ruiz.

You should join in the fun. Send the 411 on your favorite camp dishes to keepingupwithkaren@nwtf.net.

Also, don’t miss out on current and future giveaways through this blog. There’s actually one happening right now around the March-April issue of Turkey Country.

The best way to stay in the loop is to friend me on Facebook.

Yes, I realize that’s basically buying friends. But it’s not weird if you admit it, right?

 

It’s food o’clock at the NWTF

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Food has always been a big part of my life.

I grew up in a family who used mealtimes interchangeably with numbers on a clock.

Instead of making a shopping date for 2 p.m., it was, “Let’s go shopping after lunch.”

Or, “Aunt Margie passed away around dinnertime,” as opposed to talking about the hours around 7 p.m.

Meals make the world go-round in my house, and my life is richer (and belly rounder) for it.

That’s why I volunteered to spearhead the newest NWTF-sanctioned cookbook. It’s still in its pre-breakfast stage (I’ve yet to even settle on a title.), but I’m gobbling up recipes from NWTF members as fast as they’re served.

My hope for this cookbook is that it finds a permanent place on a hunting trip packing list, or even becomes a hunt camp cook’s favored kitchen companion. I want to pack it full of hearty, easy recipes to satisfy the most active sports enthusiasts, from in-the-field snacks to go-to-bed-happy wild game dinners.

Here’s your chance to be a part of this spiral-bound feast of information by sharing your favorite recipes. (Here’s a teaser … Will Primos already submitted his!)

In the next 15 days, I will award a prize to the yummiest recipe in the following categories:

BREAKFAST — Winner will receive a super classy black and pewter NWTF logo mug, perfect for a cup of Joe on a chilly spring morning.

PACKABLE SNACKS — Winner gets a soft-sided camo cooler for toting your own goodies in the field.

Have an awesome wild game inspired soup, sandwich or salad recipe you want to share? It could get you one of these Grand Slam candles handmade by yours truly.

SOUPS, SALADS and SANDWICHES — A Grand Slam wild turkey themed candle handmade by yours truly goes to the one with the best recipe here. Don’t worry, the candle smells like dogwood, not an Eastern.

DESSERTS and DRINKS — Winner gets the Knight & Hale Bad Medicine Series 3-Pack of diaphragm calls. They have a minty flavor, which will go nicely with after-dinner calling practice.

So crack open your recipe files and send your favorites to keepingupwithkaren@nwtf.net. Be sure to include your name, hometown/state and any NWTF chapter affiliation. I’d also like to hear any backstory on the recipe, such as how you came up with the concoction, if it was something your mom used to make, it’s a favorite at hunt camp, stuff like that.

And feel free to send as many recipes as you’d like. But don’t make me wait, it’s three hours ‘til dinner and I’m getting hungry.

I want your momma’s recipe!

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The countdown to Thanksgiving has begun. No doubt, many of you are in the throes of planning your feast, whether you’re in charge of deep-frying the turkey or the whole kit and caboodle.

I, for one, am still low enough in the family hierarchy that I’m not responsible for the big meal items, like turkey or dressing. My assignment? Green bean casserole.

That’s one step above bringing the canned cranberry sauce (no offense, sis) and a step below sweet potato soufflé.

Now that I’ve caught you with your cookbooks open and recipe cards laid out, how about passing along some of your favorite turkey treatments?

I’m in the (very) beginning stages of pulling together a cookbook for the NWTF and am in search of recipes.

In theory, it will be a collection of wild game culinary delights from NWTF members across the country, much like we did with Wild About Turkey and Wild About Turkey and More. But if you know me, I’m going to add some kind of twist … I’m just not sure what it will be quite yet.

So come off your super blend of spices that makes a venison steak zing. Let me have the ingredients to a creative leftover casserole that gives wild turkey a second chance on the table. Grace me with those side dishes that will stick to the ribs of the hungriest hunter.

Help me get this cookbook out of my mind and onto paper.

The first 25 of you who send your recipes to keepingupwithkaren@nwtf.net will go into a random drawing for a bunch of turkey hunting gear, including:
• H.S. Strut Squealing Hen Call
• H.S. Strut Ring Zone Li’l Deuce Glass Call
• H.S. Strut Ol’ Mama Hen Waterproof Box Call
• Quaker Boy Crankin’ Crow Call
• Quaker Boy H20 Easy Yelper (push-pin call)
• Gerber Magnum L.S.T. 3½-inch folding sheath knife
• random NWTF logo items
• and a handful of call lanyards for good measure

That’s more than $150 of stuff, if not for you, then re-gift them. Christmas is fast approaching, you know.

Don’t forget to include your NWTF membership number and contact info.

Of course I can’t guarantee your recipe will appear in the book. (I can’t even guarantee I’m going to pull this whole cookbook thing off!) But know that your recipes will be put to good use, if I ever get promoted on my family’s Thanksgiving meal plan.