Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

What, no Blue Ribbon?  It’s Second Place for my Watermelon Jellies (above) — Orange, Grapefruit and Lemon/Lime Jellies previously won First Place Ribbons, a division win in Confections, and were close to Best in Show.  Last year my Strawberry Stars Jellies earned a Blue Ribbon too.  Each flavor is carefully made with 100% real fruit.  Collectively all have been dubbed Shelly’s Jellies.  I make them because they’re one of my favorite Candies.  I’ve always liked Jelly Candies and can’t believe I can actually make them, and better than any I’ve purchased.  I’m grateful for that and for any win at the fabulous Orange County Fair.

This year we tried the Deep Fried Lobster on a stick with Pineapple — Not bad, but not cheap.

We’re back tomorrow for more FOOD and Fruit Sculptures — The OC Fair ends this week.

We’d like Strawberry and Watermelon ones Aunt Shelly, my Chef Nieces said.  One down, one to go.  Meet Strawberry McGillicuddy, a Candy with a refreshingly real Strawberry flavor, hardly found in Strawberry flavored Candies.  It’s the latest addition to Shelly’s Jellies and a keeper.  Thus far I’ve made Orange, Lemon-Lime, Grapefruit and Tangerine using the Zest and Juice of each Fruit.  For the pictured, I substituted in puréed Strawberries and they turned out amazing good!  Next stop Watermelon town, definitely not Willoughby.

Shelly’s Jellies — I thought they were winners and now I’m glad to have it confirmed.

Made with real Pink Grapefruit, Oranges, Lemons and Limes (Juice and Zest), they burst with natural flavor — Some days I can’t stop eating them.  They are fairly easy to make, but time consuming to cut, sugar and rotate (when necessary to dry out extra moist sides).  Since Shelly’s Jellies taste and yield is so great, some have asked me about selling ’em.  That’s TBD.

We made the paper yesterday — The Orange County Register printed an article on me (Shelly Borrell), Nibbles of Tidbits, Shelly’s Jellies and more.  You’ll need to enlarge it to read it here or try this link, though you may need to sign-in or up to view it on the OC Register’s website.

If you don’t enter, you can’t win.  Why not enter?  Anyone can win a Culinary Arts Competition at the Orange County Fair.  The deadline for competition entries is fast approaching.  Do you know how to enter?  Do you know what to do after you enter?  If not, this post may help.

First, enter (most competitions) online — The OC Fair’s website can get you on the way.

Go to the OC Fair Competitions’ page to learn ‘How to Enter an OC Fair Competition’.

When you’re ready to enter, visit the OC Fair & Event Center On-line Entries page (below).

Entrants are called Exhibitors, thus register as such before entering a competition.

Choose Department (Culinary Arts in this instance), then Division and Class for each entry.

Each entry costs $5.00 and one ticket to the OC Fair is presented on delivery day.

After online entry, note delivery date and time and have all goods ready — Learn more here.

On delivery day you’ll drive onto the fairgrounds, while all is being assembled for opening day.

Culinary Arts Competition entries are generally submitted at the Exhibit Promenade (above).

All entries must have a list of ingredients on an index card attached, as shown above.

Pictured herein are previously submitted entries and a was-gonna-be entry mishap below.

The above was going to be Tangerine Dream Bars (similar to Lemon Bars), but it didn’t set.

Fortunately most past entries have turned out well — It’s what’s hoped for on delivery day.

Above shows what YOUR entry/submission should look like, and below shows what it could look like when checking the competition results displayed on opening day at the OC Fair.

It’s exciting to see how well you did or didn’t do — You can’t win ’em all.

Entering a competition at any Fair makes all more fun.

June 10th, 2013 is the last day to enter the Culinary Arts Competition (excluding Special Culinary Contests) online — See the Culinary Arts Competition Guidelines for all specifics.

Guidelines are available for all OC Fair Competitions.

Come & Get It is the theme of this year’s Orange County Fair.

Good luck to all!

Nibbles of Tidbits’ Food Coloring Series continues with a combo platter aka its first popular color combination — Red & Green in time for December.  Have you seen our series?  FOOD in magnificent shades of orange, purple, yellow, green, blue, red, white, black, brown and pink, have previously been celebrated here.  See respective links.  The Red & Green Color-Combo begins with Chocolate Cups filled with Whipped Cream, Raspberries and Kiwi.  A nice start.

Do I want to go back to Paris?  The above might make me think so, but… Let’s continue on.

Tomatoes, Buffalo Mozzarella, Basil, Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar is all that’s needed.

Watermelon Jellies — Similar to Shelly’s Jellies.  Wait, Shelly’s Jellies are better!

Though the painting looks like Black Olives to me, it’s Green Apples.  Either way, I like it.

I plan to make Caramel and Salted Caramel soon and love it best with Apples and Ice Cream.

Can you find the FOOD above?  A table filled with homemade goodness awaits inside.

Strawberries at a Christmas Party.

Life is short indeed, but I’d opt for King Crab Legs and Filet Mignon — More savory than sweet.

Though a basic, easy dessert to make, it takes time to wait before adding the next layer.

Christmas Cupcake and Cookie decorating ideas.

Looks like a table set for a Christmas Brunch in California — Photo Credit.

Apples and Grapes I didn’t paint, but would give it a try.

It’s Red & Green Season and it’s good for our hearts too — Eat up!  What Color-Combo should be covered next?  Black & White?  Red, White & Blue?  Silver & Gold?  Let us be told.

These Red, White & Blue Gumdrops are similar to Shelly’s Jellies, but different in that SJ’s are always made with real, puréed and/or juiced Fruit, instead of Extracts and/or Oils.  I love the patriotic stars, Gumdrop’s timely color combo and the freedom to make anything I want.

May the best of the worst (too commonly) win — Hope to toast to those I voted for!

It’s Watermelon LOVE, what a surprise since it’s generally not one of my favorite flavors, though I always like it as Fresh Fruit and 100% Juice.  Inspired by the request of Kids in the Kitchen, I discovered Shelly’s Jellies are superb when made from pureed Watermelon.

At first I didn’t think it was possible to create an intensely flavored Candy without using Citrus Juice and Zest — Since I’d made all available citrus flavors, I took a chance with Strawberry and Watermelon and both couldn’t have turned out better.  Lexi and Hannah (pictured) loved the Watermelon and Bailee liked the Strawberry ones better.  Blackberry Jellies are next.

None can say they’ve tasted a better, naturally flavored Jelly Candy. Thanks for the ideas kids!

Awe, Home Sweet Home, I end up where I wanted to be, with a Division Win in anything.

At the Orange County Fair in receipt of a Certificate of Recognition for my Confections Entry (Fruit Bursts aka Shelly’s Jellies) in the Culinary Arts Competition.  Thank you very much!

2012 Awards (center) and entries are linked — A hard act to follow in 2013, but will try. 🙂