Munch Madness 2013: May the Odds Be Ever in Your Flavor
Hey! You guys! Remember Munch Madness 2012: Snacketology, where we forced 48 of our favorite snacks to go head-to-head in an epic battle of supreme tastiness? You guys submitted brackets and votes from around the world, smack was talked, Nachos stood tall, and we all had a very fine time.
As delightful as that was, I think you’ll find it was small potatoes compared to this year’s fully loaded prize-stravaganza. Introducing Munch Madness 2013: Potato Goodness, where even the spec-taters win prizes!
Yes, you read that right—it’s just potatoes this time! Since the snack category has been pretty definitively decided, we’ve now boiled the competition down to a search for the best potato dish, backed by the U.S. Potato Board and Kitchen PLAY. Eight bloggers have prepared eight sensational recipes, which they now submit for your approval in a round-by-round grudge match tournament to determine this year’s ultimate Taterchamp. All but one triumphant blogger will end up smothered, covered and scattered by defeat, as determined by your votes! Be sure to vote each day for your favorite recipe, because your team needs that 12th man on the field. And until the first round of voting closes, you’re once again invited to submit your predictions, this time for a chance to win one of the $50 prizes that will go to the highest-scoring bracket in each round (determined by random prize drawing in the event of a tie).
How will the brackets be scored, you ask? There are only three short rounds in which to earn points, so we’ll be awarding one point to each correct pick in the first round, three points to correct picks in the second round, and six points for accurately predicting our Taterchamp.
And! If your bracket submission stinks like old broccoli and you don’t get even one lousy point, you still have a chance to win an additional $50 prize just by voting in the polls! We’ll randomly choose one eligible voter at the end of the event, and that voter will get the free money. (The other voters will be generously awarded the satisfaction of a job well done.)
Since you’re now on the edge of your proverbial padded portable stadium seat, let’s introduce the eight contenders that are about to leave everything on the field for Munch Madness 2013. Check out the pictures, look over the recipes, and decide which horse to back in this epic battle of the tater titans.
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The Contenders
Donna’s Party Streamer Pancakes
with Confetti Yogurt
(recipe)
— vs —
Denise’s Potato Gnocchi with Mint Pea Sauce
(recipe)
vote on this matchup
[divider]
Kate’s Rainbow Roasted Potato Salad
(recipe)
— vs —
Heather Scholten’s Warm Potato
& Acorn Squash Salad
(recipe)
vote on this matchup
[divider]
Brandy’s Tri-Color Potato Hash
with Kale & Pancetta
(recipe)
— vs —
Chris’s Baked Tater Tots
(recipe)
vote on this matchup
[divider]
Heather Disarro’s Ranch-Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Buffalo Yogurt Dipping Sauce
(recipe)
— vs —
Milissa’s Salt Crusted Mini Medley Potato Bites with Skinny Come Back Sauce
(recipe)
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Now begins the preliminary round. Submit your bracket and vote your conscience (current voting links are in the sidebar) to determine which of our eight blue chip prospects will draw first spud. And keep your eyes peeled throughout the competition for more smashing potato puns! Because at the end of the day, this is still a Knuckle Salad event, and I, as you know, am an idiot.