Homemade Soup Day is February 4th

One of our favorite family recipes is Meatball Soup.

It is simply a good soup made easy! 

Easy Meatball Soup

18 oz. pkg. Italian seasoned meatballs  (about 35) 

      or your own homemade meatballs

1 28 oz can Hunts Spaghetti Sauce

1 cup Salsa (optional)

1/2 cup grated carrot

2 14 oz cans beef or vegetable broth

2 cup water

1 cup fresh spinach, coarsely choppped

1/3 cup Orzo or other small pasta

shredded parmesan cheese

Combine meatballs, spaghetti sauce, salsa, broth, water and carrots. Bring to a boil. Add pasta and reduce heat. Simmer 10 minutes or until pasta is tender. Just before serving add spinach to the soup. Serves 4-6. 
Top with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese. 

It's Fabulous February!

 The Polka Dot Pantry

February Class Schedule

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Delicious Healthy Eating

Fresh and Tasty bites for your Sweetheart

are on the menu for February!

Avacado citrus shrimp salad, Italian Wedding Soup,

Skinny Skillet Steak with an Asian flavor,

top it off with Cheesecake Souffle, and Apple Tartin

Healthy Eating is a monthly class featuring nutrition,

 a variety cooking of cooking skills. 

 We will explore new ideas to make good food great 

 including Low-Glycemic and Heart healthy menus. 

Tuesday, February 7^th  7 p.m. $20

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Reserve your spot with Julie today!

 801-643-5156 or rdill752@msn.com

Jr Chef Cupcake Workshop

Make, bake and decorate cupcakes with us!  

Bake cupcakes from scratch to decorate with delicious frosting.

 Learn fun and easy decorating techniques. 

Bake delicious confetti, red velvet and chocolate cupcakes

 and decorate them with sprinkles and candies!

 Saturday, February 11th – 10 a.m. $15

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Artisan Bread 101

Let’s get homemade bread on the table everyday. 

Learn to make, shape and bake “brick oven” style. Take home a loaf.

Skills Covered: Flour 101 – functions of basic ingredients;

 “how” bread works, “no-knead” techniques & shaping.

Wednesday, February 15^th– 7 p.m.  $20

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The Whole Enchilada

A hands-on class where you'll prepare traditional Mexican dishes including: 

Enchiladas rolled or stacked with chicken or pork fillings, 

topped with Red or green mole (sauces), Fire roasted salsa & Fiesta rice.

Skills: Chile I.D., Moles/Sauces, 

Enchiladas from the oven and crock-pot,

 vegetable roasting rice cookery.

Take home your favorite sauce or mole

Thursday, February 23rd 7 p.m. $25

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**Jr. Chef classes are open to young

foodies who 10 years and older.

Exceptions can be made for 

exceptional young foodies! Just ask.

Yes, Whole Wheat Crepes!

Where do you think crepes began? In the early days of the crepe, white flour was reserved for royalty. Crepes were originally made from buckwheat.  As white flour became more affordable people began to enjoy white flour crepes as an after-dinner or special breakfast treat. 

If you can make pancakes, you can definitely make crepes! I know that they might seem fancy, but they are incredibly versatile and can be served with both savory and sweet fillings and store extremely well. I recommend using a shallow 8" non-stick skillet for easy cooking. Cool them on a wire rack before wrapping them in plastic wrap and storing in the fridge. 

Try this recipe for a good-for you crepe!

Whole Wheat Crepe with berries & cream

Crepe Batter - makes 12-15 crepes

1 ½ cup water

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour 

1/2 cup low-fat, 1% buttermilk

2 egg whites

2 teaspoons olive oil

¼ teaspoon salt

Non-stick cooking spray

Directions

Blend all ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth. Refrigerate 1 hour or up to 8 hours covered.

Heat a griddle or a crepe pan over medium heat. Coat with cooking spray. Transfer about ¼ cup of the batter onto the griddle or pan and spread it out with a small spatula or spoon. Cook 2 to 3 minutes until the crepe begins to brown around the edges, and starts to dry out on the top. Flip and cook an additional 2 minutes until the crepe is no longer wet in the center but still moist.

Why are Americans getting Fat?

Get your Colors!

DIETITIAN SHARES COLORFUL RECIPES

VIDEO COURTESY OF KSL.COM

Artisan Bread...

ARTISAN |ˈärtizən|noun

        a worker in a skilled trade, esp. one that involves making things by hand.
    Now you know and I know a loaf of bread could never become a skilled worker or a craftsperson.
    Bread made by an artisan or someone who is skilled is very possible; it would then be called artisanal. Artisan or artisanal, either way it means a WONDERFUL fresh loaf of bread.

Basically, an artisanal bread is a bread made by a craftsperson using largely traditional techniques.

If you make a loaf of sandwich bread, shaping it by
hand, putting it into a bread pan, and baking in your home, it is an artisanal bread. Taking flour, water, yeast and salt with mixing, shaping, and "crafting" will deliver the bread you desire... filling  the air with wonderful scents and anticipation of an "ultimate" comfort food.

Fresh, hot bread from your own oven doesn't have to take hours or cost and arm or a leg. For less than $1 make more than bread - make some memories.

Make your Chocolate More Than Just Hot

Rainy days are just begging for a cozy cup of hot chocolate to hold as you stare at the drops falling on your windowpanes. But with all the showers forecasted for this year, you might want to try these twists to prevent the winter favorite from becoming a boring ritual. 

While marshmallows and whipped cream are the usual suspects to hang out on the top of your mug, but here are a few other exciting suggestions.

1. Stir in a drop of gooey caramel. 
2. Try a scoop of ice cream, as it melts, it will make it creamy and thick
3. Spice up your mug with a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg or vanilla extract
4. Drop strips of orange rinds for a fresh citrusy kick.
5. Use a candy cane to stir your drink; the refreshing minty taste is even better when you have a cold.
6. To add a bit of luxury, shave some dark or white chocolate pieces.
7. A spoon of peanut butter has the ability to make anything that much better.
8. No marshmallows? Try a scoop of marshmallow creme - devinely delish!