~*~*~*~*~ Happy Easter ~*~*~*~*~

To You and Your Family~ Chef ~

~ Chef ~

~ An Apple A Day ~

In a study of 160 women who ate dried apples or prunes daily for one year their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (the "bad" one) dropped 23% after 6 months. Their high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (the "good" one) rose about 4%. The women participating in the study ate 2/3 cup of either dried apples or dried prunes each day. Even though the dried fruit added 240 calories to their daily intake most of the women lost an average of 3.3 pounds. This study was conducted by Florida State University. So go ahead and add some dried apples or prunes to your daily intake ladies! ~ Chef ~

~ Mother's Day in Britain ~

In the UK "Mothering Sunday" is also known as Simnel Sunday because of the tradition of baking Simnel cakes. It is a fruit cake with a flat layer of marzipan (sugar almond paste) placed on top of the cake and then decorated with 11 marzipan balls representing the 12 apostles - - - minus Judas, who betrayed Christ. It was not eaten on Mothering Sunday because of the rules of Lent, instead it was saved until Easter. The word simnel probably derived from the latin word ‘simila’, meaning fine, wheaten flour from which the cakes were made.

If you dare to bake one of these cakes here is a link to the recipe ... http://projectbritain.com/easter/simnelrecipe.html

~ Chef ~

~ It's Strawberry Planting Time ~

* 1. Check the pH of your soil using a testing kit. Strawberries thrive in soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. You will need to amend your soil if the pH is higher or lower.

* 2. Loosen the soil with a pitchfork and remove any large sticks, stones or debris. Amend the soil if necessary using lime for a pH below 5.5 or peat moss for a pH that measures above 6.5.

* 3. Plant the strawberry plants after the final winter thaw, which is usually around mid to late April in Tennessee. Dig holes that match the size of the nursery containers holding the strawberries, each hole spaced 2 feet from the next. Space rows 4 feet apart.

* 4. Set one strawberry seedling in the center of each hole. Backfill the holes around the strawberry seedlings, patting the soil afterward to remove air pockets. Water the strawberries deeply using a soaker hose after planting.

* 5. Keep the soil moist throughout the growing season, to a depth of 1 inch. Tennessee sees a yearly rainfall total of 53 inches, which is plenty of rain to sustain crops. However, weekly supplemental waterings are necessary in lieu of rain.

* 6. Fertilize the strawberry plants approximately one month after planting in the Tennessee soil. Apply a 10-10-10 fertilizer according to manufacturer's directions. Tennessee strawberries appreciate a dose of fertilizer in the early spring and after harvesting.

* 7. Control weeds around the strawberry plants with a layer of mulch. A 3-inch layer of bark chips will also improve drainage and protect the roots of the strawberry plants from the Tennessee temperature changes.

All this work will be worth it come June!

~ Chef ~

~ Grillin' Time ~

Lick Your Lips!

~ Chef ~

~ Olives ~

The olive tree is an evergreen tree or shrub native to the Mediterranean. The trunk is typically gnarled and twisted. Olives are harvested in the green to purple stage. Canned black olives may contain chemicals (usually ferrous sulfate) that turn them black artificially. Olives contain substances that are believed to help ward off cancer, polyphenols. Polyphenols give the olive its taste and aroma. One of the polyphenols found in olives is thought to act as an anti-inflammatory. So eat up! ~ Chef ~

~ Banana Pudding anyone? ~

~ Chef ~

*~*~* National Caramel Day *~*~*

We know that soft caramel candy is an American invention—we just don’t know exactly when it was invented. About 1650, Americans were boiling water and sugar in deep kettles in their fireplaces to make hard candies. Someone, at some point, added butter and milk to the pot and invented the caramel. By the mid-1800s, there were nearly 400 American candy manufacturers producing hard candies as well as caramels. Milton Hershey’s first business was the Lancaster Caramel Company. He learned to make chocolate when seeking a coating for his caramels.

To Caramelize sweetened condensed milk: Oven method; Pour 1 can sweetened condensed milk into 9 inch pie plate. Cover with foil; place in larger shallow pan. Fill larger pan with hot water. Bake at 425 degrees for 1 1/2 hours or until thick and caramel colored. Beat until smooth. Stovetop Method: Pour 1 can condensed milk into top of double boiler; place over boiling water. Over low heat, simmer 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until thick and caramel colored. Beat until smooth. Microwave Method: Pour 1 can condensed milk into 2 quart glass bowl. Cook on 50 % power (medium) for 4 minutes, stirring briskly every 2 minutes until smooth. Cook on 30% power (medium-low) 12-18 minutes ot until very thick and caramel colored, stirring briskly every 2 minutes until smooth. NEVER HEAT UNOPENED CAN! ~ Chef ~

~ The Winters ~

We true Southerners know once the "Winters" are complete ... WATCH OUT as Summer will soon arrive. Dogwood Winter brings a few days or even a week of cold weather, sometimes with frost or snow and potential damage to garden plants. The 'Oldtimers' knew it meant the possibility of frost so they waited until after the dogwoods bloomed to plant tender vegetables and annuals. Native Americans watched for the dogwood blooms as the sign to begin planting corn and other crops. Blackberry Winter, the 'Oldtimers' also knew that blackberries needed a cold snap to set buds on the blackberry canes.

In some areas, a late cold snap occurs with the blooming of the locust trees and it is possible that you will have Locust Winter and Redbud Winter happening at the same time.

Now I personally have never heard of these but it appears that there is also a Linsey-Woolsey Britches Winter and Whippoorwill Winter. Linsey-Woolsey Britches Winter was once a popular term, back when winter clothing was homespun of linen/wool and winters were harsher. It was the last time in spring that you’d need "long johns" before trading them for short sleeves and it usually came about the time of Blackberry Winter. And Whippoorwill Winter is when the Whippoorwill migrates from wintering in Mexico to their summer range farther north in late May to early June. ~ Chef ~

~*~*~* Unstuffed Pepper Bake *~*~*~

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1/3 c. chopped onions

1 1/2 c. diced bell peppers (orange, red, yellow mix)

2 garlic cloves (minced) or 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 (14.5 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes, drained

1 1/2 c. instant white or brown rice

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 (8 oz.) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce

~ ~ ~ Preheat oven to 375F degrees ~ ~ ~

Brown ground beef, onions, peppers and garlic until the beef is browned and the vegetables are tender. Drain off excess fat and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the tomatoes, rice, Worcestershire sauce and Italian seasoning. Remove from heat and stir in half of the cheese. Spread mixture into a 13x9-inch baking dish and top with tomato sauce and remaining cheese. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Total Prep and Bake time: 40 minutes - Serves: 4

~ Chef~