Well, so even though we only had three entrants for this battle, it was our closest battle ever I think!

Onto the judging!

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Judges

Greg from Sippity Sup.

Cooking with The Wineaux: Cumin Scented Pork Chop with Goat Cheese, Pecans and Orange Sauce

Sup! Says: I saw great technique in this recipe. I particularly liked the way the flavors were layered into each step, strengthening and highlighting the featured flavors in the background palate. I also loved the goat cheese, cumin and orange zest combination and know I could not stop eating this if slathered on very good bread.

As far as the finishing details go, I would have preferred the pecans had been crushed, so that they would integrate more into the crust. I think it would create a cohesive flavor combination with the cheese. Lastly I thought that the sauce was just too sweet. Orange juice seems like too much orange and I would have preferred a subtle bit of orange in the form of zest highlighting a savory sauce.

Croque-Camille: Le Cumin et Les Noix de Pecan

Sup! Says: This recipe seems so comforting and seasonal. I can totally taste the signature flavors of this challenge and have no trouble stating this dish would be utterly delicious. I think using cumin seeds as opposed to powder was a great texture marriage between the luscious sweet potatoes and the big crunchy pieces of pecan. I also love the chewy texture and smoky flavor that the lardons added.

However, this dish seemed comforting to me for a reason; and that’s because it felt very familiar. I have had many similar things served to me during this time of year. It’s a winning combination of tastes and textures, but not entirely original.

My Boyfriend Likes It, So It MUST Be Good: Cumin Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cumin Maple Cream Cheese Frosting & Candied Pecans

This takes the concept of a carrot cake and transforms it into a super sophisticated type of spice cake. I love new takes on classic recipes and I suspect it takes a deft hand to make the earthy pungency of cumin work with more traditional “sugar and spice”. But this recipe makes me believe it can be done.

Unfortunately, I feel that the format doesn’t suit the foundation. This is a sophisticated yet rustic palate of spiced flavors and rich cream cheese. Cupcakes are just too cutie-pie for my tastes. This is a dessert for adults and it should be treated as such.

I vote for Cooking with The Wineaux (+300) as a winner and My Boyfriend Likes It, So It MUST Be Good (+100) as runner-up.

Marillyn from Just Making Noise

Now let me be honest, I was very excited about judging for the first time and knew I would learn from the experience… and learn I did!! It was very disappointing that 3 contestants backed out (Lazysumo would’ve joined us, but it looks like something more important came up), but not surprising… pecans and cumin? I love both ingredients, but have never used them together.  It was tough and certainly would have challenged my creative streak.

When I saw the two ingredients, my imagination immediately went into overdrive…. cumin flavored cheese ball rolled in chopped toasted pecans served with homemade crunchy cumin crackers OR candied pecan butter with a hint of cumin served on cumin rye bread OR toasted cumin & pecan shortbread… I could go on and on. That’s why I love these Foodie Fights creation. It is a brilliant set up for foodies who want their creativity to be challenged and explored. I have looked through this site from “cover to cover” and found many creative, delicious looking eye-candy! I really hope that Foodie Fights will continue to grow and more foodies will sign up and bring on their stuff!!

Now, I decided to re-visit the criteria for judging and will start with the most important question… Which would I rather eat? Hmm, let’s see… my winner is:

My Boyfriend Likes It So It Must Be Good – Cumin-Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cumin Maple Cream Cheese Frosting and Pecans (+300)

Like the previous battle… dessert isn’t the first thing that came to mind when I was daydreaming what I would make with these two interesting ingredients. But I LOVE what you came up with, Peggy! This just got pushed up to the top of my list of recipes to try. When I read your comment about the cumin being a tool for bringing out the sweet flavor… I thought about it and realized how true that is despite the intense flavor & smell it gives. I can only imagine how it smelled when it was baking, but I’ll be smelling it soon enough )

Overall, your step by step of the recipe was very easy to follow. I also loved how you overcame your fear with a quick strategy for avoiding a disaster when the cupcakes sunk. Filling them with the candied pecans, covering them with the frosting and then with more pecans was very clever!

Finally, I enjoyed your photography…I might suggest bringing up the contrast and light and also working on the depth, which will make the food pop out more; like the Candied Pecans picture, good color and depth there.

Then, my runner-up is:

Cooking with The Whineaux – Cumin Scented Pork Chop with Goat Cheese, Pecans and Orange Sauce (+100)

First of all, I am honored that I was your inspiration to enter the Foodie Fights! Well done on your first fight!! I can’t imagine how delicious your pork chops must’ve smelled and tasted. I am not a big fan of pork (I used to be, but that changed for several reasons) and would probably prefer this with chicken, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is how you presented everything… so gourmet and classic! I really liked your choice of words through out the whole post and the creativity behind the making of the dish (browning the meat, then putting in the oven… never done that before!). The only thing I would do different is chop up the pecans and mix them with your goat cheese topping for better distribution of the flavor and crunch.

I have to mention the pictures because I am a photographer (freelance) and believe everybody can improve. I like the slightly dark style as it goes well with the “mood” of the set up, but it could be easily improved by increasing the depth (more contrast to increase colors). I know you openly pointed out your lack of photography skills, but I encourage you to take some steps to learn.

Last, but not the least:
Croque-Camille – Le Cumin et Les Noix de Pecan

I applaud you for your efforts, Camille! I really like how you whipped up a yummy-sounding dish despite the fact these aren’t “French” ingredients. I also liked your use of whole cumin seeds, but I have to say that the final photo looks un-focused and therefore, not very appetizing. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed reading about your adventures in France and your delicious finds & recipes. I would love to spend a good month or two exploring the food of Paris… eating fresh bread, oh yeah! Anyway, do try entering the Fights again. You never know, they might present ingredients that are what you would commonly find in Paris (like my coconuts and black beans in Costa Rica) and blow everybody out of the water!!

Thank you Dan and Nick for this opportunity! Great job everybody and keep it coming… now, I must go make those cupcakes )

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Public Vote

Results

Wow. This is a close one.  I will point out that somebody voted for om-nom-nomnivore even though they never actually submitted a recipe!  Hmm…

Winner – My Boyfriend Likes It So It Must Be Good – Cumin-Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cumin Maple Cream Cheese Frosting and Pecans - (300 + 100 +17 = 417)

Runner Up – Cooking with The Wineaux – Cumin Scented Pork Chop with Goat Cheese, Pecans and Orange Sauce – (300 + 100 +11 = 411)

Croque-Camille: Le Cumin et Les Noix de Pecan – (20)

Om-nom-nomnivore: 1 (really?!)

Congrats to everyone who participated! Check out the Hall of Fame to see the current rankings!  Think you could do better? Sign up!