Lola Kamuda
Lola Kamuda
I created a Maple-Glazed Ham, Pear and Gouda Panini with Bourbon Butternut Squash Spread and a side of Spicy Baked Sweet Potato Medallions.
All the ingredients in the bag immediately made me think of fall, holidays and baking. At first, I was uncertain about the ham. Aside from the occasional bacon or breakfast sausage, I don't cook with pork products because they're usually loaded with nitrates and salt. However, once I read the label and list of ingredients, I was pleasantly surprised!
The next challenge was choosing only one dish from the vast possibilities. The ingredients all complimented each other nicely and I wasn't chained to any dietary restrictions, as I am at home. My husband is a meat and potatoes man, and my daughter is a vegetarian. It was very exciting for me to have so much creative freedom with the ingredients.
My favorite one was the Bourbon Vanilla Paste. It smelled wonderful, and I wanted to showcase it as much as possible, which is why I used it twice. Combined with the erythritol, they make a great baking team for healthy desserts.
My taste testers were my colleagues at the office. The reactions and comments I received were very encouraging. Everyone liked it, even the few who said they didn't care for squash. That to me is the greatest compliment. Others told me they enjoyed the balance of sweet and savory, which was exactly the effect I had hoped for. The only criticism I received was one flavor overpowering the others in some sandwiches. That told me I needed to make the cuts more even, and I was very grateful for that feedback.
Overall, this experience has been very exciting and full of surprises. I feel confident that I will make it to the next round, and I can't wait to see the next ingredients!