Bonnie Burk | Rio Verde Foothills Lifestyle | October 2021 Digital Newsletter

Vol. 8 Issue 10

Get Spicy

Herbs & Spices 101

Biltmore Estate North Carolina

Creamy Pumpkin Empanadas GoodNes

Exclusively Presented By

TRAVEL TIME Biltmore Estate North Carolina

THE Spice OF LIFE W

Known as America’s Largest Home®, the Biltmore Estate is considered a National Historic Landmark. It took six years, from 1889 to 1895, to complete the 250-room chateau designed in the extravagant French Renaissance style – an architectural feat for its time. Over time, the estate has expanded to include beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds, its own winery and a village where visitors can stay in luxury.

Take in the impressive history and preservation of this major tourist attraction through self-guided tours, seasonal events, outdoor trails and even lavish spas.

Source: Biltmore.com

hether you’re a novice in the kitchen or you cook like Julia Child, we can all still learn a thing or two about the power of herbs and spices. These bright and beautiful keys to delicious cuisine are good dried and even better fresh. No matter how you use them they’ll add flavor to your food transforming your meals from bland to bravo in no time.

Some herbs are best grown fresh—think basil, rosemary, oregano, thyme, chives, and sage which are all ideal for adding flavor to savory dishes.

Just clip the leaves fresh from your herb garden or from pots in your kitchen. Or buy them dried for convenience. Other spices are better bottled and kept in a cupboard near your stove. Many of these aromatic spices come from fruits, seeds, bark, and other plant parts. They are usually dried and ground and then added to cooking and baking.

Freshly ground peppercorn is an essential spice for savory dishes. A few grinds will add subtle pop to chicken and fish as well as sauces. Most chefs will also have crushed red pepper flakes in the pantry to add some zing to everything from tomato sauces to sautéed vegetables. The fiery flakes also add heat to pizza and soups.

Garlic powder, granules, or flakes are ideal for when you don’t have fresh garlic bulbs or you simply don’t have time to peel and chop. Similarly, onion powder or flakes offer quick versatility, adding flavor to everything from grilled chicken to guacamole to meatballs. Both are also great for classic Italian dishes, dry rubs, and homemade vinaigrettes Cumin will add warm, nutty flavor to your dishes. Often used in Middle Eastern, African, and Asian dishes, ground cumin enhances chili, tacos, and roast vegetables, and even shines when sprinkled on yogurt. Bright yellow turmeric, a member of the ginger family, may not be as familiar to some beginner cooks. Used in Indian and Thai cuisine, turmeric is healthful and livens up chicken and rice dishes. Paprika is perfect for adding smoky red notes to meat and vegetarian fare alike.

Though cinnamon is usually used in baking, consider shaking it on baked sweet potatoes, French toast and pancakes, and even sprinkled on ice cream or gelato.

It can even be a secret savory ingredient in chili. Experiment with these and other spices to learn what works best and what spices you really like. Bon appetit!

LIFEWISE

THE POWER OF PETS

M

ost pet owners would agree that their animals are beloved, priceless additions to their homes and families.

While you’re probably already aware of the immense joy your pet brings, there are several reasons that pets help people live healthier, happier lives. From emotional wellbeing to physical fitness, pets are superstar companions.

Pets fill the basic human need for interaction. They can ease symptoms of depression and sadness in their owners. Have you noticed that playing with or petting your cat or dog often makes you feel better? That’s because interacting with them elevates levels of serotonin and dopamine, which help humans stay calm and relaxed. In fact, pets are so effective at boosting people’s moods, they are commonly brought into stressful settings such as hospitals to share their soothing effects with patients and doctors alike.

While the emotional benefits of having a pet may be the most obvious, the health benefits are just as impressive. Studies have shown that compared to their pet-less counterparts, pet owners have lower triglycerides and cholesterol levels.

People with pets tend also to have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets. Pets can even help heart attack patients live longer than patients without an

animal companion. Perhaps due to all these individual health advantages, pet owners over the age of 65 reportedly make fewer visits to their doctor each year.

Caring for animals such as dogs, cats and horses typically gives owners an overall healthy lifestyle. Whether its walking a dog or playing with a cat at home, pets will get you moving and add an element of physical fitness to your life. Animals will help you make friends wherever you go. Places like dog parks and riding trails are excellent places to meet new people who share similar interests. Pets also add structure to your life through their exercise and feeding schedules.

The consistency of a regular routine can help you feel calm, comforted and on-track.

FLAVORFUL

It’s undeniable that pets are an asset. If you already have a pet, consider giving them an extra treat as a thanks for all they bring to your life. If you don’t have a pet but want to start enjoying the value they offer, consider adopting from a local shelter or rescue group. Feeling inspired to share the gift of animal companionship with those who need it most? Look into organizations that provide therapy and service animals.

CREAMY PUMPKIN EMPANADAS INGREDIENTS 1/3 cup ¼ cup 1 large 2 tsp

Libby’s® 100% Pure Pumpkin Sweetened Condensed Milk Egg All-purpose flour

½ tsp 1 large 12

Pumpkin pie spice Egg, beaten empanada dough discs

DIRECTIONS Combine pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, egg, flour and pumpkin pie spice in a small bowl; mix well.

Add 1 ½ tablespoons pumpkin mixture to the center of one empanada disc. Fold in half and quickly crimp edges with a fork to seal. Place on foil-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining empanada discs and pumpkin mixture.

Brush empanadas with beaten egg. Bake at 350° F for 20 to 30 minutes or until golden. Serve warm.

GoodNes.com

DIGITAL

Integrity Based, Service Driven

Bonnie Burke

In todays challenging real estate market, selecting the right real estate agent is crucial. Working with a full time, seasoned Real Estate professional, such as myself, makes all the difference in the world!

My intimate knowledge of the Valley area is derived from my 35+ years extensive experience as a Real Estate professional here in Arizona. I work diligently to make sure my buyers and sellers meet their real estate goals.

As your listing agent, my extensive marketing plan provides you the opportunity to get the maximum value for your home.

For my buyers, I search until I find the perfect property and I help negotiate the best possible deal. Nothing satisfies me more than seeing the smiles that come from a successful sale or purchase.

Bonnie Burke

ABR, CDPE, CIAS, CLHMS, CRS, e-PRO, GRI

480.720.8001 Bonnie@BonnieBurke.com www.BonnieBurke.com If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

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