September's Monthly Meeting

Time to start planning next months meeting...

Date: Thurs Sept. 11th

Time: 7:00

Place: Kelly's

Theme: Breakfast

Activity: Pizza Assembly

Snack: Amy (you did volunteer, right?)

RSVP: Sept 3rd

Some breakfast meal ideas:

Sausage Breakfast Muffins http://www.recipezaar.com/87629

Bagel Breakfast Sandwiches http://www.recipezaar.com/120519

Berry Good Moirning Breakfast Casserole http://www.recipezaar.com/122197

Breakfast Bake http://www.recipezaar.com/262761

Breakfast Burritos http://www.recipezaar.com/191627

Quick bread/muffins (banana, pumpkin, zucchinni)

We'd like to start committing to whether or not you can come by the first of the month in order to better plan the number of meals that we'd need to make. Since I'm getting a late start, I extended it to the 3rd, but please let me know ASAP is you will or will not be coming and if you know what you'd like to make. As soon as I hear from everyone, I'll send out a message to the group.

I will also create a sign-up sheet for the pizza ingredients. If you have a bread maker and would be able to make some dough, let me know.

During the meeting we'll also attempt plan dates, locations and themes for the rest of the year. So some prepared with some potential ideas for our meetings and when you might be able to host.

Some potential ideas:

-Christmas cookies in November

-Meatless meals

-Apple night: applesauce, pies, fritters in the fall (many hands make the cutting go so much faster)!

-More sewing projects

We could also try to plan another field trip and hope we don't get rained out again. I'll look into some potential apple orchards.

Already looking forward to our next meeting!

Appetizer and Dessert ideas

Artichoke Dip - Krista's got this one down!
Sausage and Mushroom pizza pockets
Chili's salsa
Ham It Up Crescent Rolls
Eggrolls
Pizza Spirals
Bacon Roll ups
Chicken Empanadas

Desserts
Raspberry Summer Sensation
Caramel Dessert
Orange Cream Freezer Dessert
Heidi's Chocolate Chip Cookies (which you know you can make up and freeze)

August meeting

July went well. We made a few bags despite a few glitches with our sewing machines. If Heidi will send me a picture of her's I will post it here. August's meeting is the 14th. We have to decide who is hosting and what we are going to do.

Several people mentioned making August - appetizer and dessert month. I agree! So post some ideas here when you get time.

Next Meeting

We will be meeting on July 17th at Amy's house. Don't forget those that made their June meals just bring that and those that didn't you will just bring a new dish. I think we are going to try our hand at sewing bags so it should be fun. If you aren't good at sewing no worries! We will have fun anyway.

Freezer Smoothies

I make smoothies very simply. I never measure so this is a guess at the exact ingredients.

1 cup of frozen strawberries or blueberries or 1/2 cup of both
1/2 cup of frozen/peeled chopped banana
1 cup (or so) of Milk
1 T. of sugar (optional)
3 ice cubes (optional)

I just put this in my blender and run it until it is smooth. This usually makes about 2 really good size smoothies or 4 smaller size smoothies. If it is too thick I just add more milk. If it is not sweet enough for me I might add a little more sugar.

I don't usually make mine with protein powder, but you could put that in there or put 1 T. of peanut butter as well which is yummy too!

You can freeze these in ice cube trays and then use about 1/2 the cubes for 1 smoothie. Or you can freeze them in freezer bags and allow to thaw a little bit on the counter and pour it into your glass in the morning.

Obviously you can use any number of fruit combinations. Some people use yogurt and milk or just yogurt. I have done both, but I find milk works just as well.

Granola

Granola

You can freeze this. You can use it as a cereal or put it in yogurt.

10 cups of old-fashioned oats
1 cup wheat germ
½ lb. shredded coconut
2 cups raw sunflower seeds
1 cup sesame seeds
3 cups chopped almonds, pecans or walnuts
1 ½ cups brown sugar, packed
1 ½ cups water
¾ cup vegetable oil
½ cup honey
½ cup molasses
1 ½ t. salt
2 t. ground cinnamon
3 t. vanilla extract
Raisins or other dried fruits, if desired

Preheat oven to 300F (150C). In a large bowl combine oats, wheat germ, coconut, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and nuts. Blend well.

In a large saucepan, combine brown sugar, water, oil, honey, molasses, salt, cinnamon and vanilla. Heat until sugar is dissolved, but do not boil. Pour syrup over dry ingredients and stir until well-coated. Spread into five 13” x 9” baking pans or cookie sheets with sides.

Bake 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Bake 15 minutes longer for crunchier texture. Cool. Add raisins or other dried fruit, if desired. Put in airtight containers. Label with date and contents. Store in a cool, dry place. Use within 6 months. Makes about 20 cups.

*This recipe is from the Make-A-Mix cookbook.

June Cooking Club

This month we are going to be picking strawberries. I believe this will happen this coming weekend. Remember to bring your coolers packed with ice and your meals to the strawberry picking. Maybe try some recipes that would be good on the grill since it is grilling season. Below are some ideas. With these you could put all of the ingredients in a bag or foil packet and then thaw overnight in the fridge and grill!

Grilled Chicken Breast with BBQ Glaze
Smokin' Chicken Kabobs - I'm sure you can substitute veggies of your choice that freeze well
Beef Kabobs
Grilled Ginger Salmon
Grilled Steak Soft Taco
Shrimp Robby
Veggie Burger
Lemon Pepper Chicken

Also, don't forget how to make strawberry jam.