Plenty of chances to show off cooking skills and win money

Got a contest-worthy recipe?

This year's National Chicken Cooking Contest is over, but there are plenty of other chances to share your cooking creation. If you haven't entered contests before, here are some tips:

• Test and tweak your recipe. To be sure it's written clearly, give it to a friend to make. Sally Sibthorpe, the Michigan contestant who took second place in the NCCC event, said she had neighbors try making her Warm Chicken Salad with Black Bean Salad on their own.

• Increase your chances by entering more than one recipe. This year's NCCC grand-prize winner, Michelle Anderson of Idaho, said she entered three recipes.

• Garnishes enhance your dish's appearance; don't forget to list items such as cilantro or parsley sprigs in the recipe.

Here are some current recipe competitions:

Southern Living Cook-Off 2007: Grand prize is $100,000 for the best original recipe that includes at least one sponsor product. Categories are Your Best Recipe, Quick Weeknight Favorites, Sweet Endings, Good For You and Party Starters. Finalists travel to a cook-off in Birmingham, Ala., in September. Deadline is June 6 (www.southernlivingcookoff.com).

Bundts Across America 2007: Recipes must use a bundt pan and be based on Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Independence Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah or Christmas. Grand prize is $10,000. Deadline is Sept. 1. Send entries to "Bundts Across America" Contest, P.O. Box 16297, St. Louis Park, MN 55416 (www.nordicware.com).

The Food Network's Ultimate Recipe Showdown: Contestants compete for $10,000 with original recipes in six categories: Chicken, Cakes, Cookies, Pasta, Comfort Food and Burgers. Recipes are judged on originality, presentation and taste, with a televised "showdown" among finalists. Deadline is May 25 (www.foodnetwork.com/ultimaterecipe).

The Vinegar Institute's Online Vinegar Use Contest: Submit unique or quirky uses for vinegar — in cooking, cleaning, health regimens, etc. Grand prize is $200 and a basket of vinegars. Deadline is June 1 (www.versatilevinegar.org).

Katie Barker of Layton took top honors in Reader's Digest's search for the best brownie. There was no prize money attached to the award, but the recipe ran in the May issue of the magazine:

BEST GOTTA-HAVE-IT BROWNIE

Brownies:

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar

1/3 cup cocoa

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups flour

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups chopped nuts (optional)

Topping:

1 pound mini marshmallows

1 2/3 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/3 cup cocoa

1/3 cup canned evaporated milk

Mix butter, sugar and cocoa. Stir in eggs; add flour, vanilla, salt and chopped nuts. Stir; pour into greased, 1-inch-deep baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until done. Cover with mini marshmallows; bake for 3 minutes. Mix powdered sugar, butter, cocoa and evaporated milk. Frost brownies.

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E-mail: vphillips@desnews.com