Palmer family enjoys solstice with award-winning tea ring

Beatrice and Jess Joehnk of Palmer took third place in the Alaska State Fair breadworld.info food competition, making them the only Valley winners in the event.

Their recipe, "Summer Solstice Tea Ring" netted them $50.

The judging criteria was based on 40-percent flavor, 20-percent texture, 20-percent appearance and 20-percent creativity.

Their recipe was described as "a tea ring made into a sun to celebrate the summer solstice."

In the Spam competition, Anchorage residents swept the top three divisions.

A new Web site is up and running that gives winning recipes, tips from judges and secrets from winners of food competitions at state fairs around the country. The site, www.statefairrecipes.com features more than a dozen of the largest prize-money contests in the country, including the Spam and breadworld.info competitions.

Summer Solstice Tea Ring

by Beatrice and Jessa Joehnk, Palmer

Bread

1 package Fleishmann's yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1/2 cup lukewarm water

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup shortening

1 teaspoon salt

1 egg

3 1/2 to 4 cups flour

Filling

2 tablespoons margarine

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 cup nuts

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

food coloring

Mix ingredients for the bread. Knead, rise, roll, fill, rise again. From the ring with the rolls, cutting as desired. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Glaze, decorate and enjoy

the summer solstice.