LIFE
JULY 25, 2012 • WESTERN HILLS PRESS • B3
Recipes feature fresh herbs, plus help for drying
“Just one more” stuffed mushrooms
These were a “secret” staple during my catering
days. Nobody could ever eat just one. Depending upon the size of mushrooms, you may have stuffing left over. It freezes well. 1 lb. sausage, regular or hot 2-3 cups shredded mozzarella Palmful fresh basil, chopped, or 1 generous teaspoon dried basil 2 lbs. mushrooms, stems removed (save for other uses) Parsley for garnish
Preheat oven to 350. Combine everything but mushrooms. Stuff mushrooms and place on baking sheet. Bake 20-30 minutes until sausage is done. Sprinkle with parsley.
Fresh tomato mozzarella tart
Homegrown tomatoes are available and just the best for this recipe. Some folks like to squeeze out part of the juice and seeds of the tomatoes.
1 pie crust 1 tablespoon flour 8 oz. mozzarella, Monterey Jack or a combination of both Salt and pepper to taste ½ to ¾ cup mayonnaise, regular or light (start out with ½ cup; if too thick to
SUMMER FESTIVALS Here is a list of summer festivals
July
Our Lady of Lourdes, Glenway Avenue and Muddy Creek Road, Westwood Family Festival 5-11 p.m.July 27 5-11 p.m.July 28 5-11 p.m.July 29 Food available chicken dinner Sunday (3-7 p.m.); beer garden with ID, wristband For more info, 513-9220715
August
St. Aloysius on-theOhio, 134 Whipple St., Cincinnati Riverboat 6:30-11:30 p.m. Aug. 3 5-11:30 p.m. Aug. 4 4-10:30 p.m. Aug. 5 Food available; chicken dinner Sunday; alcohol with ID, wristband For more info, 513-9413445 ■ St. Teresa of Avila, 1175 Overlook Ave., Cincinnati 6:30-11:30 p.m. Aug. 3 5-11:30 p.m. Aug. 4 4:30-10 p.m. Aug. 5 Chicken dinner Sunday (4-7 p.m.); beer with ID, wristband For more info, 513-9219200
Scouts need helpers Are you interested in making a real difference in the lives of girls in your community? Girl Scouts of Western Ohio is looking for volunteers to help with school recruitments. There are more than 1,500 elementary schools in the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio region. To find out more information , visit our website at www.girlscoutsofwesternohio.org or call 513-4891025 or 800-537-6241.
■ Our Lady of Visitation, 3172 South Road, Green Township 6:30-11 p.m. Aug. 10 5 p.m.-midnight Aug. 11 4-11 p.m. Aug. 12 Food available; spaghetti dinner Sunday; beer with ID, wristband For more info, 513-9222056 ■ St. Ignatius Loyola, 5222 North Bend Road, Monfort Heights Festival 2012 6 p.m.-midnight Aug. 24 4 p.m.-midnight Aug. 25 4-11 p.m. Aug.t 26 Food available; beer with ID, wristband For more info, 513-6616565
September
Our Lady of the Rosary, corner of Winton and Farragut Roads, Greenhills 6 p.m.-midnight Sept. 7 6 p.m.-midnight Sept. 8 1-8 p.m.Sept. 9, Chicken dinner Sunday (1-5 p.m.); beer and Wine Coolers with ID For more info, 513-8258626
Rita calls these “just one more” stuffed mushrooms, made from a old catering recipe. THANKS TO RITA HEIKENFELD. spread, add a bit more as needed) Tomatoes, thickly sliced, enough to make a layer 1 bunch green onions, sliced thin, both white and green parts Generous handful of fresh basil, chopped, about 1⁄3 cup or so, or 2 teaspoons dry Sprinkling of shredded Parmesan or Romano for top
with flour. Mix cheese, salt and pepper and mayonnaise. Spread thin layer over crust. Lay tomato slices on top. Spread rest of cheese mixture over tomatoes. Sprinkle with green onions and basil. Smooth top, pushing onions and basil into cheese mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake about 20 minutes or until puffed and golden. Serves 6.
Preheat oven to 400. Prick crust and pre-bake 10 minutes. Dust bottom
Drying herbs
For John, who said his basil and oregano are
flowering. “I want to dry it and I’m not sure how to do it,” he said. To dry herbs, strip an inch or so from the bottom of the stem and hang upside down in a large paper bag. Or strip all the leaves from the stem and place in single layers in a basket, on a cloth or screen. The key here is to dry them in a dry place away from light. You’ll know the herbs are dry enough when a few leaves crinkle between your fingers. This could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending upon the moisture in the herb. Don’t crush leaves: After the herbs are dry, I leave the leaves whole, and put them in bottles or tin containers. The volatile oils stay intact until I crush them between my palms for cooking. Store herbs away from heat and light which reduces their flavors.
Crunchy overnight cinnamon streusel cake This can be made right away, also. If refrigerated overnight, allow extra baking time. Filling:
1 stick unsalted butter, softened 1 cup sugar 2 large eggs, room temperature 8 oz. sour cream 2 teaspoons vanilla 2 cups flour 1 teaspoon each: baking powder and soda Dash salt
Streusel: Mix together: 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1 cup chopped toasted pecans 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 9-inch by 13-inch pan. Beat butter sugar and eggs together until blended and light, about 2 minutes. Add sour cream and vanilla and blend. Combine flour, baking powder, soda and salt and add to batter slowly and blend well. Pour into pan. Sprinkle streusel on top. Bake 35-40 minutes. Freezes well. Rita Nader Heikenfeld is an herbalist, educator and author. Email her at columns@communitypress.com with “Rita’s kitchen” in the subject line. Call 513-248-7130, ext. 356.
Refuge celebrating econ’ birthday Refuge Coffee Bar, 5010 Glenway Ave., is part of an international effort celebrating the life and legacy of the late Milton Friedman, the late Nobel Prize winner who is considered one of the 20th century’s leading economists. The bar will welcome 100 attendees to a dinner presentation and celebration to honor Friedman on what would have been his 100th birthday from 4-9 p.m. Tuesday, July 31. Friedman’s theories on free markets and limited government dominated the economic and political discourse in the latter half of the 20th century. His opinions countered those of British economist John Maynard Keynes, who advocated for greater government spending as a way to prevent economic downtimes. Friedman also gained notoriety for his book “Capitalism and Freedom” and the PBS special “Free to Choose.” Organizers of Cincinnati’s 2012 Friedman celebration are asking that those interested in attending register by July 27 or until 100 seats are filled. Last year, Friedman Legacy for Freedom Day gath-
erings welcomed more than 8,400 people in 45 states and six countries. “There is a lot Ohio residents and leaders can still learn from Milton Friedman,” said Robert Enlow, president and CEO of the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, which Friedman and his wife, Rose, founded in 1996. “For those Ohio residents interested in boosting their economy, improving government, and providing access to a quality education for all, they should attend Refuge Coffee Bar’s Friedman Legacy for Freedom Day gathering.” Today, Friedman’s name appears frequently in matters related to school
choice, as the late Nobel laureate was father of the school voucher idea. As early as 1955, Friedman proposed vouchers as the best possible way to raise the quality of schooling in
America. Ohio currently has the EdChoice Scholarship for students attending failing schools as well as two special needs scholarships.
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We have a new neighbor and a boisterous one at that. In fact, when we ride our bikes past Rita his house, Heikenfeld he starts RITA’S KITCHEN squawking. His name is Herman and, if I do say so myself, he’s a good looking male. I just wish his personality matched his looks. Herman is nosy to the point of obsession. He likes to position himself on the fence so that he’s high enough up to see any and all activity on our old country road. Just so you know, Herman is a rooster, and no one knows his origins. He just showed up one day, running through everyone’s yards, finally taking up residence at the Collins’ home. Mike keeps telling me Herman should be with our little flock. I told him our rooster, Yardboy, is territorial and I’m sure he’d chase Herman back down the road.
Dr. Laura Dr. Laura M. Schiller Schiller
5330 Glenway Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45238 513-922-7111 schillerdental@yahoo.com
www.lschillerdental.com