I Never Win The Contest



Is that a good thing, you might ask? Well who in their right mind would NEVER want to win? 


Exactly! But sadly, that was my reality and seemed to be the same for everyone around me. One day I noticed I seemed to be the girl now holding up the gas station line, buying tons of tickets only to win back less than half of what I'd spent. Bummer! 

 

I would tune into HGTV for the first time in months only to be greeted by an enticing advertisement filled with dream homes and smiling faces. The voiceover would scream "ENTER NOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN" and I'd hurriedly enter my name into an email field with fingers crossed. I mean, even listening to my colleagues talk about their multiple entries in the upcoming raffle only to be beaten out by Candy from marketing was giving ME secondhand disappointment. So I started to ask myself, does anyone ever really win the contest? 

 

 I remember growing up watching the 3 finalists fight for the win in the Pillsbury Baking Championship. I always thought, "if that's the winning recipe they surely just haven't made it to my side of the block yet". Right? Keep in mind I was 10. So we all at one time or another have sat by while someone won and we cheered gracefully, but then thought to ourselves "I hope it's me next time". And there's no harm in that! 


In retrospect, it gave me the clarity to see I was just competing in contests that weren't for me. And again, no harm in that my friend.

 The trick is to find out what works for you, and make sure you're so damned good at it that your probabilities skyrocket. 

Once I adapted this mindset I stopped caring so much about the contests I hadn't won and focused on the opportunities I hadn't taken yet. One of the last contests I entered instructed the contestants to incorporate mushrooms into a winning burger recipe if you can believe. So, I purchased my ingredients, I created my recipe, and I posted it with photos, just like they asked. Even though it wasn't the winning recipe they wanted at that time it inspired me to do so much more with my cooking and my health.

 I may have lost the 10,000 dollar grand prize, but I probably added 10,000 minutes to my life by cooking healthier and not wondering why I never win the contest.


Here is my WINNING (in my book at least) Chicken-Parm Burger RECIPE💫


INGREDIENTS: Makes about 4 burgers
1lb ground beef
1lb ground chicken 
1 8oz package Baby Bella mushrooms
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
1 package pepperoni
1 package fresh sliced mozzarella cheese
1 24 oz jar of your favorite pizza sauce
1tbsp salt
2 tsp black pepper
3tbsp garlic powder
3 tbsp onion powder
1tbsp oregano
1tsp red chili flakes
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1 package hamburger buns
2 tbsp oil


RECIPE

  • Start by placing your proteins in separate mixing bowls. Dice mushrooms finely and divide the amount evenly between proteins. Add each half to the separate bowls. In a smaller mixing bowl combine all dried spices. This will be your "everything seasoning" for the recipe
  • Starting with the chicken; add breadcrumbs, egg and 3 teaspoons of "everything seasoning". Mix to combine.
  • Hand cut mixture into 4 equal sections, this will give you an idea for the size of your 
  • patties. 
  • Before handling the ground beef, wash your hands to reduce risk of cross contamination. Add 3 teaspoons of everything seasoning to the beef and mushrooms. Mix to combine
  • In a skillet on medium heat add the oil and 1tbsp of butter. Form chicken patties as flat as possible without breakage and pan fry for 3 mins on each side. They will shrink
  •  Remove chicken patties. Form your burger patties to your liking, pan fry in 1 tbsp butter until desired internal temperature is reached. Remove from heat, top with mozzarella cheese and add a lid. Residual heat will melt the cheese
  • Remove patties after the cheese has melted (about 5 minutes) and set pan to medium low. Pan fry desired pepperonis. 
  • Add remaining "everything seasoning" to remaining butter. It should be room temperature at this point and easy to mix. Spread everything butter evenly over the buns before pan frying on low until golden brown.
  • Assemble your burger using pizza sauce to hold it all together and Enjoy!

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