The Breakfast Club Blog

Friday, February 09, 2007

Anita's Sloppy Joes (with secret ingredient)

Courtesy of Anita Apple:

Spicy Cocoa Sloppy Joes
Ingredients:
€ 1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef
€ 1 to 1-1/4 cups chopped onion
€ 1 cup ketchup
€ 2 tablespoons HERSHEY'S Cocoa
€ 1-1/2 tablespoons yellow mustard
€ 2-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
€ 1-1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
€ 1-1/4 teaspoons salt

Directions:
1. Cook ground beef and onion in large skillet on medium heat until beef is
browned and onion is tender. Drain excess fat.

2. Stir in ketchup, cocoa, mustard, chili powder, pepper and salt. Heat 10
to 15 minutes on low heat or until hot. Serve in buns. Cover; refrigerate
leftovers. About 4-1/2 cups sandwich filling.

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Information on Reading and Radio Resource

Courtesy of Jan Crockett:

A lot of you asked about Reading & Radio Resource. Here's the 411:

http://www.readingresource.org/

The site contains info about the center, what they do, and who to contact if you would like to be a reader, or have any other skill that needs to put to use (other than, say, pole dancing).

Also, there is a fundraiser on the evening of February 25. The theme is Ocsar Night and if anyone would like to attend, let me know and I will send you an invite. The guest is Skip Hollandsworth and (as many of you will recall from the conversation it sparked) his topic is Candy Barr and her ties to Hollywood. There will be delightful food, an open bar, a silent auction, and a prize for best "Oscar" costume. Also, if anyone would like to donate an item or service to the silent auction (birthday cakes, great "dough" etc. please let me know asap!

Monday, February 05, 2007

Breakfast Club recap (2-3-07)

Dear Breakfast Club,

Well, that was a great one. I mean, they're all great, but this one will go on the highlights reel. Thank you for giving us a special day to remember.

You took the theme — Chocolate for Breakfast — to new heights, much to everyone's delight. The creativity was second to none. I hope you'll contribute your recipes to the blog. Donna Clark has already sent me a couple of hers, which are posted below. Yum!

The "Getting to Know You" game was a blast. I have known many of you for several years now, and yet I learned something new about each of you. What a fascinating group of women we are privileged to call friends. Once again, special kudos to Anita Apple for taking home the grand prize.

I was particularly moved by the way we helped each other face individual challenges, including all of the smart solutions that were suggested. We're certainly looking forward to supporting Liz Tramer, as she works to design and launch a groundbreaking line of children's furniture.

Finally, I have posted several tidbits of information below that you asked about, like the In the Dough freezer sale. You'll also see items contributed by others — keep them coming! This is our blog together, so please send me stuff any time.

The next Breakfast Club will likely be scheduled for early to mid-March. The theme? Spring Break-fast. Ha. We'll do traditional breakfast foods: eggs, croissants, fruit, French toast, etc. Looking forward to it. And, as always, feel free to bring someone new along.

Happy Valentine's Day!
Kelli

New column, Tuesday, Feb. 6

Hey everyone — Check out my new column in Healthy Living in your own Dallas Morning News. You can also find it at DallasNews.com. That's Tuesday, Feb. 6. And if you have time to e-mail it to a few friends, I'd appreciate it. Let's top that ol' "Most E-mailed Stories" list!

Book suggestions from Liz

Avid reader Liz Tramer recommends:

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore

and

Poster Child: A Memoir by Emily Rapp about the first child to appear on a March of Dimes poster.

In the Dough: Valentine's Party & Winter Freezer Sale

Here's the invite to the party and sale. We'd love it if you could come:

In the Dough
cordially invites you to our

Valentine’s Party & Winter Freezer Sale

Saturday, Feb. 10
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Please join us for this special event for In the Dough customers and friends. Enjoy light refreshments, while you make your way through our kitchen. See our latest products, created just for Valentine’s Day, and save on some of your all-time favorites.

Food is fun at In the Dough’s Valentine’s Party & Winter Freezer Sale!

In the Dough is located at 10836 Grissom Lane, Dallas 75229.
(972) 243-0322

Recipes from a Breakfast Club kitchen goddess

Thanks to Donna Clark for contributing two of her most requested recipes:

Baked French Toast Casserole
1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 oz.)
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt

Praline Topping (recipe follows)
Maple syrup, optional

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9” x 13” flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350º F.

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes,
until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup, if desired.

Praline Topping
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

Dark Chocolate Mousse
Serves 12
12 ounces semisweet chocolate
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup hot coffee
1/4 cup hot water
3 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla
5 egg whites
1/3 cup sugar

Place the chocolate in a double boiler over low heat, stirring until completely melted. Remove from heat.

Whip the cream and set aside.

Beat the egg yolks; add vanilla. Add the coffee and hot water slowly, whisking briskly until completely mixed. Then whisk in the melted chocolate. Continue whisking after completely mixed to cool the chocolate.

Whip the egg whites and sugar until stiff peaks form.

Fold the egg-white mixture into the chocolate mixture gently with a wooden spoon. Make sure this mixture is cool to the touch, then carefully fold in the whipped cream. (This is crucial - if the chocolate mixture is warm, the cream will break down and the mousse will be flat.) Lightly blend until mixture is uniform.

Gently spoon mixture into serving glasses, sprinkle with shaved chocolate, add a dollop of whipped cream, and garnish with fruit if desired. Can be served immediately or refrigerated.


Chocolate on the menu?

Special thanks to Amber for this contribution. Next year, click here for more chocolate-themed recipes!

http://chocolate.cdkitchen.com/

Something important to consider ...

The reason I am posting this is not to make a political statement about anything contained therein, but simply to make you aware of this issue. It's about women, and more to the point, it's about our daughters (and future daughters). My concern is that a decision has been made without our input. Gov. Perry issued an executive order, which means the state legislature has no authority to repeal it. If you want to be heard on this, please speak up by writing to Gov. Perry's office or to your congressman.


By way of The Dallas Morning News:

Perry asked to rescind HPV vaccine order 1:55 PM CST
02:45 PM CST on Monday, February 5, 2007
Associated Press

The comfort of your own backyard

From your own Dallas Morning News:

Sidebar comment: Though they frame these local hotels as romantic getaways, I'm thinking they're perfectly useful for spa weekends or in-town vacations, etc...

Enjoy a romantic getaway without ever leaving town

By KRISTIE RAMIREZ/Contributor
Scene & Heard: Here's the scoop on Dallas hotels that are perfect for an overnight stay. Take a break from routine and treat yourself.

I have to say it: You go girl.

From the NY Times:

INTERNATIONAL / EUROPE | February 1, 2007
Rome Journal: Berlusconi Flirts. His Wife’s Fed Up. Read All About It.
By IAN FISHER
The wife of Italy’s former prime minister asked her husband to apologize — in a front-page letter to the editor.

Yet another fascinating woman

From the NY Times:

BUSINESS / MEDIA & ADVERTISING | January 31, 2007
Molly Ivins, Populist Texas Columnist, Dies at 62
By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE
Molly Ivins was the liberal newspaper columnist who delighted in skewering politicians and interpreting, and mocking, her Texas culture.

A character from the book of fascinating women ...

From the NY Times:

FASHION & STYLE | February 1, 2007
Citizen Anna
By CATHY HORYN
Wielding power like a press baron, Anna Wintour extends her influence throughout the fashion industry.

Or if you prefer Spain ...

From the NY Times:

TRAVEL | January 28, 2007
36 Hours: Madrid
By SARAH WILDMAN
As the city fast-forwards into the 21st century, Madrid remains the country’s political and cultural capital. A weekend itinerary in “the most Spanish of all cities.”

More Paris news ...

From the NY Times:

INTERNATIONAL / EUROPE | January 31, 2007
Megastores March Up Avenue, and Paris Takes to Barricades
By ELAINE SCIOLINO
The Paris city government has promised a plan aimed at stopping the “banalization” of the Champs-Élysées.

Good call.

From the NY Times:

NATIONAL | January 26, 2007
Hollywood, the Sequel: Less Shabby, More Chic
By JENNIFER STEINHAUER
A famous intersection in Los Angeles — Hollywood and Vine — seems to have finally achieved a comeback.

True believers?

From the NY Times:

HEALTH / MENTAL HEALTH & BEHAVIOR | January 23, 2007
Do You Believe in Magic?
By BENEDICT CAREY
Scientists are trying to figure out why even the skeptics among us cling to lucky numbers, special game-day clothing and other odd rituals.