Lakewood Woman Wins Recipe Contest at Cuyahoga County Fair

Amy Eagleeye isn’t a chef.

The Lakewood resident describes cooking as a hobby.

But on Wednesday, she took first place in the annual Great American SPAM Championship at the .

Besting 26 other contestants, Eagleeye claimed the Blue Ribbon for her “Monte Cristo SPAMuse-Bouche,” a recipe inspired by her love of Monte Cristo sandwiches.

Of course, the recipe had to include some SPAM.

“It’s a simple recipe,” she said, “and I am a big fan of the Monte Cristo."

She won $150 cash prize and a chance to win a trip to Hawaii for her sandwich.

“I like to cook, but I don’t do it professionally,” said Eagleeye, an editor at American Greetings. “I think I am a stronger editor. I am not a bad cook, but it’s more of a hobby.”

Last year, she took third place in the competition, giving her some experience heading into this year’s event.

“I wanted to do an appetizer,” Eagleeye said. “My mom used to make a Monte Cristo sandwich and I found a recipe that I could adapt.”

Here’s the winning recipe:

• 4 cups shredded Swiss cheese
• 1 (12 ounce) can SPAM Lite, browned and diced
• 2 cups roast turkey, chopped and cooked
• 1 (17.3 ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1/3 cup honey mustard
• 2 eggs, beaten
• Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
• Preserves or Jam, (your choice)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a large baking sheet. Toss together Swiss cheese, SPAM and turkey. Set aside. Unfold puff pastry on a lightly floured surface, roll into two 15x10-inch rectangles. Spread evenly with honey mustard, leaving a 1/4-inch border; sprinkle with the cheese mixture. Brush edges of puff pastry with some of the beaten egg. Starting at a short side, roll up like a jellyroll. Cut into 8 equal slices and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet. Brush tops with remaining beaten egg.

Bake until golden brown and cheese is melted, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool briefly on wire rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired. Serve warm with preserves (or jam). Yields: 8 to 12 servings.