Planning a buffet

Preparing a buffet dinner can be fun if you plan ahead. First, make a list of your specialities and then incorporate the freshest ingredients into those recipes. The springtime is here so add some flowers to your table - the colours will definitely add to the atmosphere of the room.

Choose a variety of fruits, vegetables and cheeses - these are crowd pleasers and

keep the table healthy too! Try some new recipies using sweet potatoes and beets - then add your favourite comfort foods. I am excited to present French Toast Casserole - it has been a hit everytime I make it.

Finally, keep the desserts to a few choices - especially if the Easter Bunny will be stopping by your house!

Recipe #29 Apple Dip Surprise

1 250g cream cheese
3 (or more) crushed skor bars (or use Skor Chipits)
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 container of T. Marzettis Caramel Dip

Beat the cream cheese and brown sugar until mixed.

Add some of the crushed skor bar, stir to mix.

In a shallow dish:

Spread a thick layer of caramel dipping sauce, half the cream cheese
mixture, more caramel dipping sauce, the rest of the cream cheese mixture,
drizzle more caramel dipping sauce on top, sprinkle the rest of the crushed
skor bar on top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Cut Granny Smith (or any tart apple) into thin slices. (Soak them in water
with the juice of 1/2 a lemon plus the 1/2 lemon, just to keep them from
turning brown until serving time or Sprite or 7Up.)

Recipe #28 Five cup Salad

1 cup Unsweetend Coconut
1 cup Diced pineapple (drained)
1 cup Mandarin orange sections
1 cup Sour Cream (light works well too)
1 pkg white minature marsmallows


Mix all ingredients in a bowl and then transfer to a serving bowl. A clear bowl looks best on a buffet table. Chill 3 or 4 hours.


Decorate with fresh fruit like strawberries, grapes or raspberries!


This is a simple but so well loved addition to your buffet table!

Lets celebrate with Easter Bunny!

With Easter bunny arriving next weekend, we are looking forward to celebrating with family and friends. Our family pictured above will be home to celebrate Easter with us. And the Easter bunny will definately be making a stop here.

And to add to our celebration weekend, Kern's two sisters - Colette from New Liskeard and her husband Jack and Solange from Smithville and her husband Rob will join us for an Easter brunch.

Planning and preparing an Easter Brunch is easy and fun. I am looking forward to trying a few fresh ideas as well as serving all time standard favourites. The recipe I am sharing with you today is one that was given to me by a very old friend from my days in Elliot Lake - thank you Lois Harrop.

Happy Easter to All!

Recipe #27 Hungarian Goulash

Ingredients:

3 lb Sirloin tip roast

1 large shallot

1/2 red onion

1 tbsp sweet paprika (hungarian)

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

2 tbsp sour cream

corn starch & water to thicken

Preheat oven to 275 degrees F

Cut Sirloin tip roast into 1 inch cubes

Dice onion and shallot

Toss beef with paprika, cayenne, onions and shallots

Place in heavy bottom casserole dish, cover and cook 4 - 5 hours

Note: * no water

Last hour, skim fat & Add sour cream

During last 15 minutes, correct seasoning - salt & pepper and thicken with cornstarch and water.

Serve with garlic mashed potatoes.

Memories from long ago!

In September 1974, Kern & I went to a little restaurant to celebrate getting engaged. We enjoyed Hungarian Goulash that evening and always remembered the quaintness of the restaurant.

Thirty years later, we visited the same restaurant (yes, it was still there) with Kern's brother Norm and his wife Janey (pictured above). The atmosphere of the restaurant had not changed over the years and it brought back fond memories.

Places like food can trigger memories of great times, celebration times like this little restaurant in Callander Bay created for us. Can you think of a place where you enjoyed a wonderful meal of celebration?

Recipe #26 Chicken Stew with Dumplings

5 cups chicken stock
14 chicken thighs
1 bunch small carrots, peeld and cut in half diagonally
4 potatoes, peeled and cut in 1 inch cubes
2 cups pearl onions, peeled
2 tbsp becel or butter
3 stalks celery, chopped
2 cups small button mushrooms
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped (dried can also be used)
1/2 tsp salt and black pepper
1/2 cup frozen peas (fresh if you have them)
1/4 cup whipping cream or half & half


Dumplings
2 cups sifted cake and pastry flour
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp shortening
1 cup milk

In a large dutch oven, bring chicken stock to a boil. Add chicken, cover and simmer over medium-low heat until juices run clearn when chicken is pierced, about 30 minutes. With slotted spoon, tranfer to a plate; let cool. Remove meat from bones; cut into bit size chunks.

Add carrots and potatoes to stock; cover and cook 10 minutes. Add pearl onions; simme, covered, just until onions are tender, about 5 minutes. With slotted spoon, transfer vegetables to plate. Pour stock into large measuring cup; if necessary, add more chicken stock to make 5 cups.

In same pan, melt butter over medium high heat; cook celery, onion and mushrooms, stirring often, until softened; about 8 minutes. Add flour, thyme, salt and pepper; cook, stirring for about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in reserved stock; bring to a boil, stiring. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, stiring often, for about 5 minutes or until thick enough to coat back of a spoon. Return chicken and any accumulated juices to pan. Add carrot mixture, peas and cream, stiring to combine.


For Dumplings:

In bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Using pastry blender, cut in shortening to make coarse crumbs. Gradually add milk and mix with a fork to make a soft dough. Drop by spoonful onto simmering stew; cover and cook, without lifting lid, for 12 to 14 minutes.


Recipe can be found at http://www.canadianliving.com/

Gifts of food made with love.......

The next time you need a special gift for a friend, co-worker, your Mom, sister, brother - think homemade gifts - like cooking a little something special. A homemade gift from the heart will not only be enjoyed by the recipient, it will also make you feel great! Its a win-win situation.

Baking cookies or making homemade fudge can only sweeten a friendship. Try making a special homemade vegetable soup or chicken stew to warm someone's heart. If you want to really impress someone, buy a nice crock pot and give the pot as a gift too. Even a beautiful tray of fruit or vegetables make a wonderful suprise treat!

In our house, we have often made the next recipe and delivered it pipping hot to make someone's day special. Homemade food is always welcomed! Try it!