Faygo Soda Pop

Skinny Me has always insisted that there are parallels between me and his sister. Aside from the fact that her first name is the same as my first name, she also loves to cook. To prepare for our introduction, a dinner gathering at my house-- I prepped 3 cutting boards, sharpened 3 knives, and helped Rooster carve out a place for himself outside the kitchen near the wine opener.

Even bracing for a kindred soul, when Skinny Me and Sister Skinny Me walked in the door, I was shocked. She was wearing a deep chocolate brown t-shirt. I was wearing a deep chocolate brown t-shirt. Her pants were olive green crop pants. My pants were olive green crop pants. We were in fact wearing the exact same olive green crop pants.

Rooster immediately took a fancy to Sister Skinny Me and the two gabbed in a doorway. Once we began to cook, I immediately took a fancy as well. Her knife skills (untrained and home-practiced) are gorgeous. Ginger matchsticks emerged from her blade in perfectly even delicacy. She rolled shrimp, mint, basil and cucumber into a fresh roll so tidy that the thing looked as if it had come straight out of a practiced Vietnamese kitchen.


Too bad she lives in Boston. Otherwise, I’d dub her Chicken Two and ask her to come live with us. I’m sure Rooster wouldn't mind.

FAYGO RECIPE CONTEST

The Rules: Recipes must use Faygo soda pop as the main ingredient or at least 1/2 cup of Faygo. Entries will be judged on creativity, taste, texture, appearance and ease of prep. Categories are: Snack/Appetizers, Soups/Salads/Dressings, Side Dishes, Meat, Fish or Poultry, Pasta, Beans or Vegetarian, Desserts/Baked Goods, Beverages, Unusual uses

The Prize: GP $1,500.00, plus a year’s supply of Faygo (52 cases), 1st Prize: $750.00, plus a year’s supply of Faygo (52 cases), Runner up: One year’s supply of Faygo (52 cases)


Flank Steak Mango Salad (real name withheld for contesting purposes)

12-ounces Faygo Pineapple Orange pop
1/2 cup sherry
1/4 cup soy sauce
5 tablespoons corn oil, divided
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoon minced ginger, divided
3 teaspoons minced garlic, divided
1/2 teaspoon Chinese 5 Spice Powder
1 pound flank steak
3 cups thinly sliced cabbage leaves
1 cup chopped green onion
1 red bell pepper, sliced in 1-inch strips
1 mango, peeled and sliced in 1-inch strips
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 cup cilantro leaves

Combine Faygo Pineapple Orange pop, sherry, soy sauce, 3 tablespoons corn oil, rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon minced ginger, 2 teaspoons minced garlic and Chinese 5 Spice Powder in a gallon zip lock bag. Add flank steak, seal and marinate overnight or up to 48 hours.

Preheat broiler. Heat 2 tablespoons remaining corn oil in a large skillet or wok until hot but not smoking. Add 1 tablespoon remaining ginger and 1 teaspoon remaining garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Add cabbage and stir to coat. Sauté 2 minutes. Add ¼ cup marinating liquid from flank steak. Bring to a boil and cook until liquid is almost all evaporated, 3-4 minutes. Add scallions and turn off heat.

Broil flank steak 6-inches under broiler, 4-6 minutes on a side. Let rest 5 minutes. Slice against the grain in thin strips.

Transfer cabbage to a large serving bowl. Top with red bell pepper strips, mango strips and flank steak. Sprinkle lime juice over the top and garnish with cilantro leaves. Serves 4.