Firehouse Cook-off and @Johnsonville (Recipe Also!)

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Last week, I was invited to go and check out a Cook-off between two firehouses...  They were making dishes using Johnsonville Sausage.  Of course I said yes!  It was a beautiful day and it sounded like fun.  I have heard of Chili Cook-offs before, but this was one where they would be making stew or soup.  I am all about learning a new recipe, so Savannah and I headed that way to see what was going on!   

 When we arrived, we were greeted with Firehouse 19 having their truck out on display as a backdrop.  Talk about eye catching for people riding or walking by!  The great thing was that this competition resulted in plenty of good food... and it was open for anyone and everyone to come by and try a bow.  (They also all were able to be judges for the event!)    

 If you notice over to the right...  They even had a radio station there for the event.  You could hear them broadcasting through the neighborhood and people were approaching to see what was going on! 

 The voting area!   You had two clear bowls.  One with a red spoon and one with a blue spoon.  After trying both of the entries, you simply dropped your spoon in the dish of your choosing and that was how you cast your vote!  The two that day?  One was a soup with the sausage and kale (among other ingredients)   The other was a stew with the sausage and the pumpkin.  

The winner won this trophy... and if you look, the recipes of the two entries were printed for us to take home!  Johnsonville also donated $5,000 to the Atlanta Fire Department to show their support and appreciation for all of their support in the community.  

 The two teams working on their entry!   It was quite fun watching them cook and giving out samples to those in the neighborhood that stopped by to try it out.  They had little fire hats to give out to people (so I grabbed one for Broxton.)  The weather was perfect and the food was delicious!  I really enjoyed the red one (soup with kale) and how about they were the ones that one?  YAY!    

That one time I was thisclose to an Atlanta Falcon player (celebrity judge) and did not know until after the fact!   Yep -  Desmond Trufant, cornerback of the Atlanta Falcons. 

It was really neat to be there for the cook-off.  Now, I will be visiting the Johnsonsville Recipe link to figure out what recipe I want to make for us to try one night soon!  (I love ALL of the recipes to decide between.  You can choose from breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can also pick from grilling or cooking and even have the option to see what holiday option you want to go for!)  Head on over to the Johnsonville site and let me know a recipe that sounds good to you!  Here's one that sounds pretty tasty to me! (Taken from their site.)

Bowtie Pasta

5 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 pkg. (19 oz.) Johnsonville® Italian Mild Sausage Links 

1 pkg. (1 lb.) bowtie pasta 

3 Tbsp. olive oil 

1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced 

15 cherry tomatoes, halved 

1 medium onion, sliced into thin wedges 

3 garlic cloves, minced 

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

In a large skillet, cook sausage according to the package directions.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions.

Remove sausage from the skillet; cool slightly. Cut into ½-in. coin slices; set aside.

In the same skillet, heat olive oil. Add the zucchini, cherry tomatoes, onion and garlic. Saute for 2-3 minutes or until tender.

Add sausage; heat through.

Drain pasta; add to sausage mixture. Toss to combine. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.