And This Year's Grand Prize Winner Is....

Congratulations to Renee Slattery of Cleveland, OH for her contribution to our 20th Annual Recipe Contest for Season’s Eatings. Renee is a member of Core Media for Christmas Connection, The Great Big Home + Garden Show and The Cleveland Home + Remodeling Expo, all held each year at the I-X Center in Cleveland. Renee shared the following recipe, giving attributes to her grandmoter.

“I did include a very very special recipe that not many people know about,” said Renee. “... an unusual Italian recipe from the old country that I’m so grateful to have as I helped my dear grandmother make them each year for many years when I was very young. Thank you for including!

Gavazoon*

(Editor’s Note: known as an Italian cookie named Gavazzone or Gavazzoni)

Cecei Pie Dough

Ingredients:

4 cups flour

8 Tablespoons oil

3 beaten eggs

1 teaspoon baking powder

¼ cup water

1 Tablespoon vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

Instructions: Make a well, work in ingredients until well blended and smooth. Divide dough into three parts, roll out, cut into squares and fill. (Dough should be on the hard side like macaroni dough)

Filling

3 cans drained and mashed Cecei

1 small jar of honey

½ cup sugar

1 can citron fruit

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3 Tablespoons milk

½ teaspoon salt

Orange and lemon rind Mix together and fill in squares

“These are my Grandmother’s exact words and recipe… she didn’t leave instructions for frying but I recall: a large skillet type pan filled with boiling oil that we would lay the little Cecei filled pies in” explains Renee. “The dough would fry up and get a little bubbly. We’d turn them over to brown the other side and then remove and place on paper towels to drain any extra oil. Then she would sprinkle alittle sugar on top. THEY ARE DELICIOSO!!!

“She always made these on St Joseph’s Day in March… not sure the connection, but everyone looked forward to these. My Grandmother would make lots and then, of course, give them out, right?...that’s what Grandmas did!”

As the Grand Prize Winner, Renee is the recipient of a Weekend Getaway to Shipshewana, IN. Sponsored by the Bluegate Restaurant & Theater, the Mel Riegsecker family welcomes Renee and a guest for a night’s accomodations at the Blue Gate Garden Inn, an Amish home-style dinner for two at the Blue Gate Restaurant.

The hardest part will be choosing when to go and take advantage of their show tickets at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center. Theatre patrons can expect a great view from every seat, outstanding sound and state of the art production. There are so many great options from musicals, like “When Calls the Heart” or “Josiah for President.”

Perhaps a concert will be preferred and every genre is included from which to choose. There are future comedy, instrumental, country, rock, classic rock, bluegrass and southern gospel concerts on the schedule. A brand new Christmas special offered this year that no one should miss is “The Christmas Candy Caper” through Dec. 30.

After years of playing pranks on her family and friends, Candy Shop owner Lydia Miller experiences

real-life holiday danger when two men break into her shop to steal her coveted candy recipe. But what began as a burglary, quickly escalates into a kidnapping when the burglars, rebuffed by Lydia and told much the town loves her and will come after them if they harm her in any way, figure they can make far more money in ransom pay. Tickets are $38.95.

Be sure to review Blue Gate’s opportunities on the very next page. For more information on what the Blue Gate organization has to offer, https://www.thebluegate.com/