SPAM Recipe Winner

Karen Cope, of Minneapolis, is the 2015 Minnesota Great American SPAM Championship blue ribbon winner.

The Great American SPAM Championship is an annual recipe contest held at 26 state and county fairs. The 2015 theme is local and regional recipes.

Cope won based on the taste, creativity and presentation of her Wild Rice Salad.

Her recipe will now be judged against 25 other blue ribbon winners from across the country for a shot at an all-expense paid trip for two to the SPAM JAM Waikiki food festival.

Princess SPAMatonna (Owatonna) Wild Rice Salad

(SPAM, Romaine, Cranberries & Pumpkin Seed Salad)

Salad:

6 cups chicken stock

1 1/2 cups wild rice

juice of one lemon

1 (12 oz) can Classic or Low Sodium

1 cup cut carrots (1/2-inch matchsticks)

1/2 dried cranberries

4 scallions, finely chopped

1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, roasted, salted

6 cups chopped Romaine lettuce

Vinaigrette

3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup + 2 canola oil

2 tablespoons honey

1/2 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Combine chicken stock and wild rice in stockpot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer. covered, for about 45-55 minutes, until the grains are just opened up and tender. Toss with lemon juice. Cool.

Slice SPAM into thin slices and chop into pieces (can cut decorative pieces using a small cookie cutter for garnish). Sauté in large skillet until browned. Set aside to cool.

For vinaigrette, in a small bowl whisk together apple cider vinegar, canola oil, honey, salt, and pepper. In a large bowl, add rice, SPAM, carrots, dried cranberries and scallions.

Toss rice mixture with the vinaigrette, refrigerate for at least one hour. Stir in pumpkin seeds. Serve over romaine. Top with decorative SPAM pieces if desired.