HERMON, Maine — When Katrina Benjamin heads to the kitchen, she looks at what she has and tries to decide what to create from it. The technique is serving the Hermon resident, who is a finalist in the 2014 Eggland’s Best “Your Best Recipe” Contest, well.
Her dish — Italian Vegetable and Three Cheese Tart— is one of five finalists in the Main Course category of the national recipe competition.
“It’s a nice twist on a quiche made in a tart pan using either commercially prepared pie crust or … your own pie crust,” said Benjamin.
Benjamin is in the running to win the $10,000 Grand Prize as well as a $1,000 category award and the $1,000 fan-favorite award.
Benjamin’s recipe came from a dish she created a few years ago and then revamped for the contest. Filled with eggs, cheese and vegetables, Benjamin says this is a good option for vegetarians since it contains no meat.
“I am a self-taught cook. I started cooking really like anybody else — out of the desire to make good food for myself and my family,” says Benjamin, who describes cooking as a practical, creative hobby.
The mother of one says that she cooks from scratch as often as she can. You won’t find any cans of soup or bottled dressings in her pantry.
“I think probably my favorite thing to make is probably roasting a chicken in the oven, stuffing, mashed potatoes. That real homey kind of food,” says Benjamin.
Benjamin also shares photos of her culinary creations on her Sunday Cooking Facebook Page — something she created after posting food photos on her personal account that were well received.
This isn’t Benjamin’s first time entering a recipe contest. In fact, she has been a winner before.
“The very first time I entered a recipe contest, I actually won,” said Benjamin. “[It] gives you kind of a fever — ooh, I want to do this again.”
As for Benjamin’s daughter, she’s psyched about her mom’s finalist status.
“She’s excited. She wants me to take her to Toys R Us when I win. I told her I would,” said Benjamin.
To vote in the contest, go to http://www.egglandsbest.com/yourbestrecipe through Oct. 31.