To celebrate with gifts of the heart, I have 4 wonderful recipes from the Be A Star! Be A Winner with Canola Oil recipe contest.

Karen from Alberta took first place Wild Rice and Potato Pancakes with Corn Salsa.

Here is her story

My Mom grew up in a small town in southern Manitoba and her parents owned the local general store. My grandparents worked long hours in the store often leaving my mom to tend to her younger sister and do all the household chores such as cleaning and cooking. One of her favourite recipes she would make are these wild rice and potato pancakes as they always had the ingredients on hand and it was easy for my (then) 16 year old mom to whip up for when Grandma and Grandpa closed the store. I had stumbled across this recipe in my Grandmother’s recipe collection when I was married with my own children. One day when my mom and dad were over for dinner I made this for them, not knowing the significance of this dish. Upon the first bite my mom was transported back to her childhood and the memories it brought back. Now every time I make this recipe I think of my mom cooking for her parents in that little town in Manitoba and how old recipes can bring such a sense of family. Mom used to serve the pancakes with sour cream and canned corn on the side. I have made a Roasted corn salsa with mine to add my own touch to the recipe. This is great on its own as a vegetarian entree but also makes a tasty side dish to roast beef, pork or chicken.

http://www.mcgacanola.org/food_recipe_individual.cfm?id=474

Second Place went to Joan from Rivers, Manitoba with her Angels Wings Pasta.

Here is her story

Salad is served at family celebrations of holidays, after our grandchildren’s sporting events, cattle shows and when a family member celebrated a successful kidney transplant. The original recipe was shared with me by a friend years ago who is now a extended family member, I changed the recipe to suit family tastes. I gave it a new name Angel Wings Pasta Salad for my grandchildren one of which received the successful kidney transplant. It’s a family favourite.

http://www.mcgacanola.org/food_recipe_individual.cfm?id=475

Third Place went to Sharlene of Regina, Saskatchewan for the delicious Saskatoon Bars

This is the winning recipe with my family and friends! I was given this recipe (from a co-worker about 12 years ago) and it has been a hit every time I bake it since. I have this recipe typed up and saved in “My Documents” because it is such a hit every time I take it to some function or another. So now when, I get a request for the recipe, I can quickly email it to anyone who requests it!

This recipe is such a Prairie favourite, it’s made with canola oil and Saskatoon berries. Picking berries was always a part of every summer with my mom on the farm near Gainsborough, SK. I still enjoy getting out of the city and going berry picking with my mom. This recipe is a hit with everyone who tastes it but it also brings back warm memories of hot summer days and picking berries in south east Saskatchewan on the family farm.

http://www.mcgacanola.org/food_recipe_individual.cfm?id=476

And Aunty Mary’s Buns from Donna of Eriksdale, Manitoba took honourable mention for her wonderful recipe and story.

I have adapted this recipe and make my buns during the day. I mix them up between 8 and 9 in the morning and then make the buns around noon hour and cook them around 6 in the evening. This works great for me as I am a farm wife and this allows me to do other jobs in the morning and the afternoon. I also include some of our home-grown wheat and fall rye which I grind and substitute for some of the store bought white flour. I also throw in a cup of store bought ground flax, making them really healthy.

When I got married 30 years ago my husband confided in me that he hoped I would learn to make bread and buns. It took a few disasters before I received this recipe from my Aunty Mary. My buns have now become sought after at our Church and Ladies Group bake sales and teas. Also, many a bun has been eaten by my fellow community neighbours at Fall Suppers and noon luncheons.

At family gatherings, when I ask what I can bring, their response is “Do you have to ask? Your buns, of course!” I feel very honoured that everyone enjoys them. I hope one day that my daughter will carry in the tradition. Needless to say, after 30 years, I have a very happy husband!

http://www.mcgacanola.org/food_recipe_individual.cfm?id=477

Eat Well…Ellen