Well, after a grueling contest, the results of the first LOST AND FOUND HANSONFAN COOKOFF are in. As you likely recall, we met a trio of Hansonfans a few months back, and we realized that Hansonfan must surely be some German dish.

Thus, we sent out word that friends of LOST AND FOUND were invited to submit their own recipes for authentic German Hansonfan. Most folks seemed to agree that genuine Hansonfan definitely involves the use of leftovers and sauerkraut. Since only five readers braved sending their entries, I've decided to award recognition to the top five entries.

So, in order of which made me laugh loudest, here are the winners.

FIRST PLACE: Tress Intveld, of the Pacific Northwest.

Boil several pound of noodles. Mix with 7 pounds of raw sauerkraut. Add basically anything that's been taking space in your refrigerator and filling the Tupperware containers that you want to use for other things. Stir well and pour into a large baking pan. Top with crushed potato chips. (If you don't have access to potato chips in your village, some sawdust can be used as a substitute.) Cook at 450 until the house totally reeks of sauerkraut stench.

For other recipes, she suggests that we should try to find "an English language copy of that great German cookbook 'Hansonfan: your family may not want it, but if they're hungry enough, they'll eat anything!'"

SECOND PLACE: Becky (who claims her name is "Becky Is Loopy")

A sprinkle of Zac
A Dash of Isaac
AND A WHOLE LOTTA' TAYLOR!!!

(Editor's note: This of course is very witty, but I think she really has a thing for Taylor.)

THIRD PLACE: Ann Schoenbeck (Editor's note: THAT's a German name, and in a very German way, she cuts right to the point.)

Recipe for Hansonfan

1 can sauerkraut
2 bratwurst
2 packs of bubblegum

(Editor's note: This is particularly good because Hanson's music would be categorized as bubble gum.)

FOURTH PLACE TIE

Steve Case, of Florida

Ingredients:

Some meat
Some potatoes
Some cabbage
Some Dill Weed

Instruction:

Mix Bake

Mike Waddell, of Manitoba, Canada, thus making it an international contest

Hansonfan (also know as clean out the fridge)

Ingredients:

1 cup of your favorite pasta
a bit of whatever is in your fridge at the moment
--examples are 2 cooked pork chops, peas and carrots, some soup, a small block of cheese, onions and green peppers

Directions:

Cook cup of pasta in boiling water
Drain and cool pasta
Heat in a large skillet and pour 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in the pan
Throw (gently) the pasta into the skillet
While pasta is frying until slightly brown, debone and dice pork chops, cut onions, tomatoes and green peppers. Mix in finely cut ingredients with pasta. Allow to cook in skillet until all is heated through. Grate small block of cheese to the top of mixture in skillet, mix in and spice the Hansonfan to taste. As a chef, I suggest Cayenne, Salt, Pepper, and Basil.

Hansonfan is best served with cold cola and if alone Hansonfan always tastes best when eaten right out of the skillet.

So there they are! Congratulations to all who tried to define the dish. We'll have other contests down the line so watch the newsletters!

Rocking on,

george