It’s a saying I heard on the MasterChef Junior television show. I love those little kids and how creative they are.
Auburn, CA has its own little creative cook. His name is Mason Partak. Twelve-year-old Mason has a business, Mason Made and he will be appearing on Chopped Jr December 15, 2015.
Mason and many other entrepreneurs were at the 22nd annual Mountain Mandarin Orange Festival at the Auburn, CA fairgrounds. Evan and I saw everything from mandarins, Wood Fire Mandarin Pizza, Mandarin cocktails, mandarin candy, mandarin trees, jams, syrups, dressings and lots and lots of peels from eaten mandarins.
The sunny autumnal Saturday brought a diverse crowd of people. The festival is only three days, ending the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Nothing like a bowlful of mandarin oranges, or persimmon mandarin butter to share at Thanksgiving.
Mason Made was selling his new sauces. If you didn’t get a jar of his sauce you can still order it, or watch him on Chopped Junior on December 15, 2105. Mason was kind enough to give us his recipe for Mason Made Mandarin Chicken Salad.
Dressing: Use your favorite oriental or peanut dressing, or here’s mine: 1/2C rice vinegar 1/4C soy sauce 4 tsp. fresh ginger (or 2 t. ginger powder) 5 tsp. sesame oil 4 clove garlic, peeled – we like it roasted 3 T. honey 1 C. olive oil Blend all ingredients in a blender and chill before serving.
Instructions: 1. Make the dressing and chill. 2. In a big salad bowl, combine all the salad ingredients and toss to mix well. 3. Top with the desired amount of dressing, sprinkle with nuts and sesame seeds 4. Enjoy!
Lou Ann Hammond is the CEO of Carlist and Driving the Nation. She is the co-host of Real Wheels Washington Post carchat every Friday morning and is the Automotive, energy correspondent for The John Batchelor Show and a Contributor to Automotive Electronics magazine headquartered in Korea. Hammond is a founding member of the Women's World Car of the Year #WWCOTY, and the Concept Car of the Year, and former member of the North American Car and Truck of the Year #NACTOY. She is a guest contributor for Via Corsa magazine and Vicarious magazine.
