Dream Teamer Nancy Zeitman took first place at the State Fair of Virginia this year for her sugar-free cookies. Her winners are based on a sugar cookie recipe that a friend gave to her years ago.

VIRGINIA BEACH
Lunch had ended at Beach Day School, but at a round table ringed by 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds, there was plenty of eating ahead. Pumpkins, fat-fingered hands and broom handles and bristles had yet to be consumed.

Here are two recipes from The Pilot’s 2009 Dream Team, which brought home 11 ribbons from the State Fair of Virginia’s baked goods competition.

And now, for the second batch of recipes from The Pilot's Dream Team of bakers who took home a bevy of ribbons from the State Fair of Virginia.
Today, we have Francie Rayburn's chocolate chip cookies, which took second place in one of the most crowded divisions at the fair.

DOSWELL
The bustle in Building 221 began before sunrise.
Soon after, bakers from across Virginia came bearing cookies, pies, fudge, truffles, corn bread and biscuits. At the door of a football-sized tent, volunteers, mostly women and some who have been working the State Fair of Virginia for decades, carefully checked in each plate of baked goods.

Betsy Dijulio
Correspondent
The Veggie Table

Whatever happened to the once-cherished summertime ritual of churning ice cream?

The tradition seems to have gone by the wayside for many people, maybe because they’re pressed for time, lactose intolerant, vegan or just searching for a healthier alternative to eggs, cream and half-and-half. 

The latest crop has ripened to make the summer palette complete: red tomatoes, white corn and now blue blueberries.

The peak of the blueberry season has arrived, and the berries will grace bushes through the third week of August, said Juanita Burns, who with her husband, Robert, owns Pungo Blueberries Etc. in Virginia Beach, South Hampton Roads’ only pick-your-own blueberry farm.

By AnnaLisa Michalski Correspondent

There’s so much to love about this dessert. Even picky kids don’t find its familiar ingredients suspicious. Adults are drawn to its elegant presentation. And let’s face it: who doesn’t like a cool ice cream treat in the heat of summer.

AnnaLisa Michalski, churchland-corner@adminmaven.com  

By AnnaLisa Michalski Correspondent July’s plump, sweet blueberries require very little in the way of embellishment. Give them center stage by topping berries with biscuit dough for a cobbler or buttered bread crumbs for a betty or crumble. If you prefer a little more depth without more fuss, blueberry crisp might be the perfect dessert.

Frankie Wagner, a decorated cook from Virginia Beach, offered up these low-cal strawberry recipes. Wagner, a member of The Pilot’s 2008 State Fair Dream Team of cake bakers, won a ribbon at the fair for her devil’s food cake.

These, needless to say, are a little lighter.

SUGAR-FREE STRAWBERRY PIE
Makes enough filling for one 9-inch pie
-2 cups water