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Show : \J ' The Beaver Press - April 7, 2011 -Page 4 Bakin' It Easy Ideas For Spring Entertaining (NAPS)—Whether you're feeding a crowd of friends or your extended family, few things will impress your guests and improve your party Uke home-baked goodies. Fortunately, delicious breads, desserts and other baked goods can be created with less time and effort than you might think. For example, these Bakin* It Easy recipes work well with a brunch, a lunch or even as side dishes at dinner, yet each has an active prep time of 20 minutes or less, and the whole thing will be ready to enjoy in 00 minutes. , Gorgonzola and Pear Focaccia Ma kes: 8 servings Prep time: 20 minutes Proof time: 30 minutes Bake time: 36 minutes A fantastic-tasting focaccia can be easy to make and elegant enough for guests. _____ • % cup sliced black olives 1 Bosc pear % cup chopped walnuts Bake in p r e h e a t e d 375'F oven for 35 minutes or until golden. Serve warm. Bread: Parmesan Garlic Roll* For bread: Mix flour, undisIX cups all-purpose flour Makes: 12 to 15 rolls solved yeattt, sugar, % teaspoon 1 envelope FleischmannV Prep time: 20 minutes salt and apices in a large bowl. RapidRUe Yeast Proof time: 35 minutes Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon sugar Bake time: 15 to 18 minutes water. Stir until well mixed. % teaspoon kosher salt, Cover and lot rifle in a warm, divided draft-free place for 30 minutes 2X to 2W cups all-purpose 1 teaspoon basil (will not double in bulk). Pat flour % teaspoon Italian herb dough into a circle with oiled 1 envelope Fleischmann's* seasoning* fingers on a greased pizza RapidRJse Yeast % teaspoon garlic powder % teaspoon dried lemon peel pan. Dough should be about %• IK tablespoons sugar inch thick. Poke holes into the IK teaspoons salt % teaspoon onion powder dough about 2 inches apart, % teaspoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon Mazola* Extra using fingers or the handle of % cup water Virgin Olive Oil K cup milk % cup very warm water (120° a wooden spoon. 1 tablespoon butter OR For topping: Drizzle bread tol30*F) with 1 tablespoon olive oil. margarine, softened Sprinkle evenly with cheeses 1 egg white Topping: and olives. Slice p e a r into 1 tablespoon grated 1 tablespoon Mazola* Extra fourths; core. Cut each fourth Parmesan cheese Virgin Olive Oil into thiu slices. Place pears X cup (2 ounces) shredded evenly on the dough and top Combine 1% cups flour, Italian blend cheese M cup crumbled Gorgonxola with walnuts and remaining 14 undissolved yeast* sugar, salt teaspoon kosher salt. and garlic powder in a large cheese A Slimmer Dipper For Healthy Hummus (NAPS)—A crunchy California endive leaf filled with a dollop of creamy chickpea hummus makes a great guilt-free snack. The contrast of the creamy hummus, lightened with olive oil and lemon, and the crisp endive leaf is both refreshing and delicious. Easy to make, lighter, freshertasting chickpea hummus, made without the tahini, a rich sesame paste, shows off its versatility in the basic recipe, plus four simple variations: roasted red pepper and walnuts, curry powder and grated ginger, avocado and cilantro, and grated Parmesan and sun-dried tomatoes. Keep one or all on hand for a casual get-together, cocktail nibbles or snack attack. The perfect slimmer dipper, CaUfarnifl.enHiveu leaves. Are. ideally- shaped. -They -easily glide through a bowlful of dip or safely cradle a spoonful of dip without the threat of drips or spills. Endive — Just One Calorie Per Leaf At approximately one calorie per leaf, and with an impressive nutritional profile of vitamins A, B, C and K, beta-carotene, potassium andfiber,tho concept of substituting California endive leaves for more-caloric chips and crackers is a no-brainer for the healthconscious savvy cook. Because the cost per pound of endive is cheaper than most chips and crackers, it's a less expensive choice as well. Each head of California endive has about 15 leaves that are large enough for dipping. Tb prepare the leaves, slice about X inch from the base of each head and carefully separate the leaves. As each layer of leaves is separated, cut thin slices from the base until all the larger leaves are released. For extra crispness, give the leaves a 10-minute soak in a bowl of ice water. Drain, pat dry and store in a plastic storage container or food storage bag. Save the tightly packed endSVo hearts for a vegetable stir-fry or salad. Because endive keeps much longer than other lettuces (10 to 14 days), there's even more reason Ask a Specialist: How Can I Prevent Vole Damage? LOGAN, UT - Answer by Sterling Banks, Utah State University Extension agricultural agent, Summit County As the snow melts, it becomes obvious that field mice, or voles, have damaged many lawns and ornamentals. During the winter, voles move about under the protection of snow cover, thus creating unique surface runway systems with numerous burrow openings. Runways are one to two Inches in width, and vegetation near well-traveled runways is often dipped near the grourfd. Feces and small pieces of vegetation can usually be found in the runways. Voles may cause extensive damage to ornamentals and tree plantings by girdling, or chewing around, seedlings and mature trees. Girdling from Endive leaves make a delightfully healthful dipper for flavored hummus. to add American-grown California endive to your shopping list of refrigerated staples. per to Basic Recipe and proceed as directed. Garnish with coarsely chopped walnuts. Light Lemon and Dill Hummus Hummus with Avocado and Cilantro Omit the dill from Basic Recipe and use lime juice instead of lemon juice. Add 1 peeled and pitted ripe avocado, 2 tablespoons ccarsely chopped cilantro and 2 teaspoons chopped jalapeno, or more to taste, to Basic Recipe and proceed as directed. Gamiah with cilantro leaves. 1 con (15-16 ounces) chickpeas, ringed and drained 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill 1 garlic clove, chopped K teaspoon salt % cup extra virgin olive oil 3-4 heads California Endive, stem-end trimmed, leaves separated, hearts reserved for other use Process chickpeas, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon dill, garlic and salt in food processor to rough puree. With motor running, gradually add the oil and process until mixture is creamy. Mound a heaping teaspoon into each endive leaf and sprinkle with remaining dill. Hummus with Curry and Ginger Omit the dill from Basic Recipe. Heat 1 tablespoon curry and 1 teaspoon turmeric in small skillet until warmed. Add warm spices, K cup plain low-fat yogurt and 2teaspoonschopped ginger to Basic Recipe and proceed as directed. Garnish with thin slices of green onion tops. Hummus with Parmesan and Sun-Dried Tomatoes Omit the dill from Basic Variations:. Recipe. Add Vt cup each grated Hummus with Roasted Red Parmesan and ricotta cheese and Pepper and Walnuts 2 tablespoons chopped oil-packed Omit the dill from Basic sun-dried tomatoes to Basic Recipe. Add VJ cup broken walnuts, Recipe and proceed as directed. Yi cup cut-up rinsed and drained Garnish with coarsely chopped jarred roasted peppers, 1 teaspoon black olives. ground cumin and % teaspoon For more healthy endive ground cayenne or other red pep- recipes, visit www.endive.com. voles usually occurs in the fad decrease the suitability of an and winter and may not be dis- area for voles. covered until the snow melts in • Place hardware cloth cylinders around the base of young trees the spring. It occurs in Irregular patches at ground level with the to protect them from voles. The mesh should be one-fourth inch size of gnaw marks approximately one-eighth inch wide by or less in size and should be buried three inches betow three-eighths Inch long and oneground level to prevent voles sixteenth inch or more deep. If your lawn has been dam- from burrowing under the cylinaged by voles, rake out the der. Cylinders should be higher dead grass as soon as possible. than the typical snow-line level. This will allow grass crowns to • Provide at least a three-foot start growing sooner so the lawn bare soil swath around the base can heal more quickly during the of a tree ? especially young summer. Young trees that have trees ? to prevent voles from been girdled more than 50 per- gnawing on the bark. cent around the trunk will have a low survival rate. Tree wound • Place bait stations with poisodressings will not help the damnous vole bait in areas where aged area. Try to reduce stress voles have_been in the past. Do to the tree by applying the propthis in the fall just before the first er amount of water and fertilizer heavy snow storm. Bait stations during the growing season. prevent consumption by nonTo help prevent vole dam- target animals and pets. Be sure to read labels carefully before age from occurring next year, using. consider these tips. • If feasible, provide a six- to * Decrease the height and density of ground cover, and mow eight-foot bare soil strip between your yard arid the your lawn very short the last native habitat of voles. mowing of the fall. This can mixing bowl. Heat water, milk and butter until very warm <120*F to 130'F). Add to dry i n g r e d i e n t s a n d beat for 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in enough additional flour to make a soft dough. Cover and let dough rest 10 minutes in bowl. Portion dough evenly into 12 to 15 greased muffin cups (2J4 x VA inches). Tip: Use an ice cream scoop to make portioning easier. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in bulk, about 35 minutes. Combine egg white with 1 tablespoon water. Carefully brush tops of rolls with egg mixture; sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 375* F for 15 to 18 minutes or u n t i l lightly browned on top. Remove from pans and cool on wire rack. Make This Spring Even More Delicious (NAPS)—A perfectly prepared ham can be the center of attraction at your dinner table—and a Ham Hotline from Kentucky Legend Ham makes getting it there much easier. Anyone can create a great ham dinner, according to Diane Morgan, author of more than 16 cookbooks, including'several on entertaining. "No matter what your skill level in the kitchen, ham is just about foolproof for your spring celebrations—especially with the hotline backing you up," she said. "And the leftovers are an added bonus. You can stretch your food dollars by using them in everything from sandwiches and soup to creative casseroles." Here's one recipe you may care to try: Ham and Potato Lasagna 9 uncooked lasagna noodles 1 onion, sliced % cup butter 2 cups mashed potatoes 1 Ib. Kentucky Legend Ham, cut into X/T ham slices Parmesan Garlic Rolls make a delicious accompaniment to any party meal, from casual to formal. You can find more great bread and yeast recipes online in the Fleischmann's "Bakin' It Easy" collection at www.breadworld.com. Dangerous Drinking: When one Is not enough (ARA) - Drinking is often a fixture of social activities for many adults, especially during the holiday season and into the new year. While many people can enjoy a beer after work or a glass of wine with dinner and stay in control, others may have trouble drinking within healthy and sensible limits. People who cannot stop after a drink or two can place themselves and others in serious danger, and can even become addicted. Drinking responsibly does not mean masking intoxication, as the common expression" "hold your liquor" implies. In fact, enjoying a moderate amount of alcohol without overindulging means having no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women and older people, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse Alcoholism is a form of drug addiction and a serious, chronic disease. Alcoholics are both physically and mentally dependent upon alcohol. Similarly, "alcohol abuse" means your drinking is excessive and interferes with your life, even though you may not be physically dependent. In the United States, one out of 12 people abuses alcohol. Somoone who is addicted to alcohol: * Feels an uncontrollable need to drink. * Can't stop drinking once he or she has started. * Has physical withdrawal symptoms (nausea, sweating, shaking) after stopping. * Needs increasing amounts of alcohol. Getting holp The good news is that alcoholism is treatable. However, the person with a drinking problem must be willing to get help and change his or her behavior, which can include seeing a counselor and seeking medical treatment. The person may even heed to check Into an alcohol treatment center for days or even weeks to fully get on the road to recovery. Twelve-step support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous can also help recovering addicts focus on staying sober, and family therapy can support the healing process. "If you are worried about a loved one's drinking habits, remember that covering up for them doesn't help in the long run," says Gene Baker, Ph.D, vice president at OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions. "Choose a time when your loved one is not drinking, and talk it over as Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C). Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions, adding 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil to the water. Drain. In a s e p a r a t e large skillet over medium heat, combine the onion with the butter and saute for 5 minutes. Place 3 noodles in the bottom of a lightly greased ftx!3-inch baking dish. Spread Mi the potato mixture over the noodles in the dish. Top with a layer of ham slices. Top this with 3 more noodles, followed Use your noodle and serve a dish with a difference: Ham and Potato Lasagna. by the other */4 of the potato mixture and the remaining ham slices. Finish by topping with the remaining 3 noodles* then top those with sauteed onions. Bake at 350° F for 20 minutes or until bubbly. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before cutting. The Hotline The first-ever ham hotline can help at-home chefs choose, prepare and serve up a delicious ham meal—and even provide recipes for the leftovers. Experts from Kentucky Legend Ham will field calls at (866) 343-5058from9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday throughout April, The Ham Made for more than 100 years, each Kentucky Legend Ham is hand carved from a recipe handed down through generations, slow cooked in its own natural juices, then double smoked. It can be eaten right away or gently reheated in the oven. Learn More ; You can find more facts about ham and new recipes at : ; www.specialtyfoodsgroup.com. Serve Sensational Sandwiches Give your chicken salad sandwich a healthful switch: Use hummus Instead of mayonnaise. (NAPS)—You can give your lunch a smart sandwich with a healthful difference when you use hummus instead of mayonnaise. That's because chickpeas, the main ingredient of hummus, are a great source of solublefiber,which is believed to help lower cholesterol. Chickpeas have a buttery texture and a mildly nutty flavor and are highly versatile. To help, Sabra Chef Colombe Jacobsen, a graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute, came up with this recipe for a chicken salad sandwich that's a tasty way to wow family and friends: Hummus Chicken Salad 1 cup grilled chicken breast, cubed 1 tablespoon finely diced • scullions \ tablespoons diced celery 2 tablespoons diced red pepper 1 tablespoon water ; dimly-as you can. If they agree to get help, call your health provider right away." Recovering from alcohol addiction is not easy, but it is possible. For more information on healthy habits, visit www.Facebook.com/myOptum Health. 1*4 cup Sabra Hummus Salt and pepper to taste Combine all i n g r e d i e n t s and stir well. Serve in a bowl of radicchio as a salad, on o sandwich, in a wrap, or aa an appetizer with veggies, chips or pita. Yields 2 servings. For health's sake, Chef Jacobsen advocates a Mediterranean diet. It generally consists of healthful oils—such as extra virgin olive oil—fresh seasonal vegetables, fresh fish and lean proteins, beans, including the chickpeas used in Sabra hummus, and whole grains as well ns fresh herbs. There's not much red meat and no heavy sauces or unnecessary loads of butter, just the right amount of seasoning to bring out the naturally delicious fresh food. Learn More You can find many wholesome and wholly delicious recipes online at www.Sabra.com. -:• *•* Curiosity...endows the people who have it with a generosity in argument and a serenity in cheerful willingness to let life take the form it will. :: —Alistair Cookie : More pencils are made in the U.S. than in any other country. John J. Loud, an American Inventor, patented a ballpoint pen in 1868; |