'Taste of Home' returns to Greencastle

Dust off your spatulas, heat up your ovens and join us for what is certain to be one of the best shows of the year.

The BannerGraphic presents Taste of Home Cooking School "Swing Into Spring" show. Join culinary specialist Dana Elliot as she whips up some superb spring dishes right before your eyes. She is one of nine "Taste of Home" culinary specialists who travel across the U.S. bringing food and fun to thousands of home cooks.

"It's going to be a great time," Elliot said. "I love giving people new ideas for meals and seeing how excited they are to go home and try them!"

Looking for great recipes to serve at a spring brunch? Perhaps quick dinner fixes are more your style? We'll have something for everyone. Whether you're an experienced cook or just testing the waters, we'll be demonstrating some of the best recipes for spring. Beyond that, we'll share with you some helpful tips and tricks to ensure that your cooking endeavors are successful.

What else can you expect at the show? Get there early to visit booths from local vendors. Additionally, you'll receive a gift bag full of coupons, information and the "Taste of Home" brand name cookbook, featuring 157 new tantalizing recipes. Prize drawings will be held during intermission and every dish prepared on stage will be given away at the end of the demonstration. Here's one of our favorite recipes from the "Taste of Home" cookbook:

Five-Fruit Salsa

Prep time: 20 minutes, plus chilling. Bake time: 10 minutes.

Ingredients:

* 2 cups chopped fresh cantaloupe

* 6 green onions, chopped

* 3 kiwifruit, peeled and finely chopped

* 1 medium navel orange, peeled and finely chopped

* 1 medium sweet yellow pepper, chopped

* 1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped

* 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped

* 1 can (8 ounces) crushed unsweetened pineapple, drained

CINNAMON TORTILLA CHIPS:

* 10 flour tortillas (8 inches)

* 1/4 cup butter, melted

* 1/3 cup sugar

* 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

* 1 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the cantaloupe, onion, kiwi, orange, peppers and pineapple. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

For chips, brush tortillas with butter; cut into eight wedges. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over the tortillas. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-14 minutes or just until crisp.

Just before serving, drain salsa if desired. Stir in strawberries. Serve fruit salsa with cinnamon chips. Yield: 8 cups.

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Taste of Home Cooking School has hosted demonstrations for more than 10 years. The Taste of Home Cooking School "Swing Into Spring" program is coming to Greencastle on Tuesday, Feb. 26, and will be located at the Community Building on Putnam County Fair Grounds.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. The Taste of Home Cooking School "Swing Into Spring" show is brought to you locally by the BannerGraphic and features special guests Gallo Family Vineyards, McCormick, Taste of Home Entertaining and Viva.