Hoptown Families - Fourth Quarter 2020

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F A M I L I E S

Escape into a Magical Wonderland From natural beauty and worldly cuisines to craft culture and historic preservation, explore what makes Clarksville a must visit destination. Plan your trip today at visitclarksvilletn.com/holidays.

As you plan a safe, fun and memorable trip to Clarksville, know that we have been taking extra precautions so you can travel safely. Please help us keep Clarksville a safe destination by doing your part to observe recommended guidelines for masks, social distancing and frequent handwashing.

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CONTENTS ABOUT US Hoptown Families is a magazine dedicated to the families of the southern Pennyrile. Inside you will find a host of fun stories and activities for everyone in your family.

EDITOR Jon Russelburg jrusselburg@kentuckynewera.com CONTRIBUTORS Tonya S. Grace

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Jon Russelburg

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Maegan Saalwaechter

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Lifestyle Finish your shopping and other tasks during the holiday

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Pets Safety during the holidays isn’t just for travelling or kids

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At Home A special visit to the Alexanders’ treehouse

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Thanksgiving Tips for smoking a turkey and enjoying this staple year-round Food Your holiday lineup for main meals, side dishes and sweet treats Kitchen Don’t waste your holiday leftovers

Entertaining Provide friends and family with a warm, inviting outdoor space

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Michele Vowell

DESIGN Maegan Saalwaechter

TO ADVERTISE 270-887-3270

CONTACT US 713 S. Main Street Hopkinsville, KY 42240

‘TIS THE SEASON Finding the time to finish shopping, complete other tasks is challenging WRITER: METRO CREATIVE The holiday season is a busy time of year. So many activities are packed into a relatively short period of time, and it is easy to become a tad overwhelmed by it all. Once Black Friday arrives on November 27 (or Thanksgiving evening for those who can’t wait until Friday), holiday shoppers have less than a month to get all of their shopping done. Planning, decorating, entertaining, and socializing takes time away from shopping. To find the time to get everything done — especially shopping —consider these time management tips and tricks.

Shop during off-peak hours The busiest times of the day for holiday shopping will be lunch hour during a business day and right before or after supper time. Wading through crowds can be time-consuming. Try to shop when the stores are more sparsely populated so you can get in and out faster.

Shop local Think about patronizing small, independent retailers. Not only will you enjoy customized, exemplary customer service, but the stores probably will not be able to fit as many customers as large chains. That means you can browse more readily and shop faster and more safely.

Schedule online shopping blocks Pepper your calendar with blocks of time devoted to online shopping. This way you can handle it without distraction and easily check people off of your list. Remember if the person you are buying for is in the same household as you that packages may spoil the surprise upon arrival.

Delegate some tasks Pool your resources with friends or family members and divide up your shopping lists. Each person can be in charge of a different category of shopping. For example, if you are in charge of gaming gifts, buy all of these and then distribute them to whoever needed them. Delegating saves time and lets shoppers avoid rushing from store to store.

Take a day off While it may not be ideal to use vacation time for holiday shopping, sometimes it can be an effective way to check off a good portion of your list. Start in the early morning when the children are at school and visit as many stores as possible. Stow away those gifts until you have the opportunity to wrap them. Make the day off a little more special by treating yourself to a solo lunch or a midday meal with a friend.

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Caring for your child’s health and safety.

Jan H. Floyd, MD PEDIATRICIAN

Jennie Stuart Health Pediatrics is committed to every child’s health and well-being. Routine preventive care and vaccines are important to ensure healthy development, and we are taking precautions to keep your children safe while in the clinic.

Dr. Jan Floyd, our board-certified pediatrician, has more than 20 years of experience in providing comprehensive care for children from newborns to adolescents. In caring for the whole child, Dr. Floyd and her team diagnose and treat common childhood conditions— everything from asthma to ADHD—and provide developmental screenings, physicals (school, sports, foster and adoption) and more.

Jennie Stuart Health Pediatrics is conveniently located downtown, near the hospital. For more information about pediatric services or to schedule an appointment, call 270-886-4625 or visit JennieStuartHealth.org/Pediatrics.

Medical Group EXPERIENCE MAKES the DIFFERENCE.

222 W. 18th St. | Hopkinsville, KY | 270-886-4625 | JennieStuartHealth.org/Pediatrics Dr. Floyd is a member of the medical staff.

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KEEP PETS SAFE Holiday hosts should factor in pet safety when they open their homes to guests

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WRITER: METRO CREATIVE

intestines as well.

The holidays are a time to spend with friends and family. Celebrating and entertaining are large components of what makes Thanksgiving, Christmas, Avoid artificial sweeteners Exercise caution when baking sugar-free desserts. The artificial sweetenChanukah, and New Years festivities so enjoyable. Holiday hosts with pets must consider companion animals when planning the festivities. The holiday er xylitol can cause dogs’ blood pressure to drop to dangerously low levels. season brings added dangers for pets. The American Veterinary Association Xylitol is found in some toothpastes and gum, so tell overnight guests to keep notes that, by keeping hazards in mind, pet owners can ensure their four- their toiletries secure to avoid accidental exposure. legged friends enjoy the season as much as everyone else.

Be cautious with cocktails

Secure the tree

If the celebration will include alcoholic beverages, the ASPCA says to Securely anchor the Christmas tree so that it won’t tip over on anyone, place unattended adult beverages where pets cannot reach them. Ingested including rambunctious pets. Also, stagnant tree stand water can grow bac- alcohol can make pets ill, weak and even induce comas. teria. If a pet should drink the water, it may end up with nausea or diarrhea.

Be picky about plants Replenish the tree basin with fresh water daily.

Mistletoe, holly and poinsettias can be dangerous in pet-friendly households. These plants can cause gastrointestinal upset and may lead to other Skip the candles When creating mood lighting, opt for electronic or battery-powered problems if ingested. Opt for artificial replicas instead. If guests bring flowers, lights instead of open flames. Pets may knock over candles, and that can be an confirm they are nontoxic to pets before putting them on display. instant fire hazard.

Watch the door

Keep food out of reach

Guests going in and out may inadvertently leave doors open. In such instances, pets who get scared or are door dashers may be able to escape the Situate food buffets beyond the reach of hungry and curious animals.

Warn guests to promptly throw out their leftovers so that dogs and cats do house. Put a note by the door to watch for escaping pets. not sneak away with scraps that may cause stomach upset or worse. Real Simple magazine warns that fatty foods can promote pancreatitis — a potentially Designate a safe space for pets If the holiday hustle proves too muujch for cats, dogs, birds, and more, dangerous inflammation of the pancreas that produces toxic enzymes and causes illness and dehydration. Small bones can get lodged in a pet’s throat or give the pet a safe, quiet spot away from the crowds.

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At Home with the Alexanders Hopkinsville woman loves styling homes, expands hobby into design business

STORY AND PHOTOS: MICHELE VOWELL

I

n the heart of the Deepwood subdivision is the Alexanders’ treehouse — a nickname given by its residents because of the wooded location in the middle of Hopkinsville.

Home owner Brandi Alexander finds peace and harmony in her house with her family looking out into nature.

“We are in the trees,” she said.

“My mother would have had so much fun with me decorating this house.”

The house features a juliette balcony extending from the main floor and a walk-out basement into the back yard. Alexander chooses not to add blinds to the windows in order to see the seasons change.

“In the winter, I love to see the snow on the trees,” she said.

The Alexanders’ 4,500 square foot house was a blank canvas when Brandi and her husband of 20 years, Jamie, moved there with their son, Ethan, in 2017. They knocked down a few walls to open up the floor plan and then moved in. They share the space with two schnauzers, Gidget and Benson.

“My home stays styled all the time, even though we live here and I have dogs and a husband and a teenager,” she said. “My house stays pretty

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tidy. My husband helps with that. We both work full time so it takes both of us to keep a tidy house.”

Alexander said her black and white bedroom is her favorite room in the house. A plaque over the bed features the phrase written in cursive, “All because two people fell in love.” A stack of pillows provides support and comfort for anyone seeking relaxation.

“I start and end my day in my bedroom,” she said. “I want my bedroom to be a retreat. I want to wake up and the sun’s coming in. It’s a quiet place for me and the dogs to just calm down after being busy on the go.”

As the seasons change and holidays approach, Alexander said she enjoys decorating and styling her house and then sharing it with the community.

“I love to open up my home for open house opportunities because it does inspire others,” she said. “One of my favorite sayings is ‘Inspire. Create.

Decorate.’ I do like to inspire people. I do like to create things and I do like to decorate.”

Her inspirations A Hopkinsville native and the daughter of Charles “BI” Rogers and the late Carolyn Lamb Rogers, Alexander credits her mother for her love of styling homes and her father, sister Alison Rogers Keith and other family members for inspiring her entrepreneurial spirit.

“I come from a line of entrepreneurs and creative people,” she said. “I never realized that or tapped into that until after 40.”

Alexander’s father was the LaFayette postmaster and U.S Air Force veteran. Her mother was an interior designer by trade and showcased her talents wherever she lived.

“I grew up in a beautiful home. My mother loved interior design and that

was her passion,” Alexander said. “She enjoyed entertaining. She enjoyed showing off her home.”

Alexander said her parents did an historical restoration to their house in LaFayette before her mother passed away in 2006 from a rare degenerative brain disease.

“It was beautiful,” she said. “My husband and I were actually married in that house.”

Before her mother became ill, Alexander spent a lot of time with her, observing her talent and techniques.

“My mother poured a lot of herself in me,” Alexander said. “My home is inspired by my mother. There is a piece in every room of my house that belonged to my mother.”

Launching a business Although Alexander has enjoyed styling her home for years, the idea to start her own business to help others began during the 2017 Christian County Salutes Fort Campbell Week.

Her home was part of the Tour of Homes for officers’ spouses. Alexander said some guests asked her if she was an interior designer.

“My house was just styled for fall,” she said. “I just scratched my head and thought ‘maybe I should just put myself out there.’”

Although Alexander does not have an interior design degree, she has a flair for decorating like her mother. At the time, she styled homes for friends and family for free.

“That sparked the whole Embellish Your Home Designs,” Alexander said.

“I channeled my mother and did some designs.

“It is a hobby. It has been for years, but I’m really trying to pivot my hobby into a business where I can be able to earn an income and work for myself and grow that business.”

The business name has its own origin.

“Embellish is always something that’s run true for me. I like to embellish other people’s stuff because I can’t just do mine,” Alexander laughed. “I’ve doodled the word embellish on my desk for many years. That’s kind of what I do — I tie a bow on stuff or stick a flower in it or throw a pillow. You give me a blank canvas or a blank table … I just like embellishments.”

Inspire. Create. Decorate.

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Through Embellish, Alexander helps her clients to transform their houses into a “beautifully-designed home that they love and never want to leave it.”

“I want you to love your home as much as we love ours,” she said.

During consultations, Alexander asks clients what they want from her from creating artwork to rearranging furniture.

“When I do a consult with a client, I come into their home and I want to learn about them,” she said. “I want to learn what their style is. What are some favorite things that they have in their home that they love and cannot part with? I do my own interview. I take notes. I want to take pictures of their space. I want to know what their favorite colors are.”

Alexander said she probably does more color consulting work than any other.

“People struggle with picking paint colors. They don’t want to commit,” she said.

Sometimes the answers to a home makeover could be on a client’s bookshelf or attic, Alexander said, noting she likes to repurpose items for tablescapes and decorating.

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“A lot of times clients don’t have to buy anything.

They don’t realize what they already have to work with. I tell people first to shop their house. You would be surprised what you already have under your own roof,” she said.

“If you really love this one vase, this one platter, this one photo, I like to create spaces for people to enjoy their loved items and their cherished items, the family heirlooms.”

Alexander said she enjoys going into people’s homes and rearranging items and furniture they already have and “letting them see the true potential that their home has.”

Future growth A mortgage banker for Stockton Mortgage, Alexander understands the importance of finding a house to live in and making it a home.

“I feel like I can help you buy your home and help you decorate it too,” she said. “It’s kind of a two for one deal.”

Alexander said the coronavirus pandemic has opened doors for her business because people have been forced to stay home more because of the lockdown.

“People are sitting there looking at their four walls and they hate them,” she said. “They want to paint.

They want to redecorate, but they don’t know how to do it.”

For people needing help, Alexander said Embellish Your Home Designs may be their answer. She has a healthy presence on Facebook and Instagram.

Potential clients may reach her there.

“Things are happening and people are noticing and people are reaching out to me — even in Hopkinsville and in Bowling Green and in Elkton,” she said.

Alexander said her design business has opened up some opportunities with local realtors to help stage some homes for open houses.

“It has helped me work on those networking relationships,” she said.

Eventually, Alexander wants to market her own line of Embellish home interior products.

“I want to be able to curate items for Embellish,” she said. “Then, show people how to style my home interior line and share that with everyone.”

Alexander said pursuing her dreams is a mission for her future.

“My mother would want me to take Embellish into every home and share it with everybody,” Alexander said.

“There’s too much the world needs of me. God has gifted me with talents that I need to share with others.

I need to bless others. That’s what I’ve got to do.”

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the secrets of winter outdoor entertaining WRITER: METRO CREATIVE

Upon the arrival of cold weather, people tend to move indoors and limit their time spent in the elements. For those who live in places where there are restrictions placed on indoor entertaining and gatherings, it may be challenging to find ways to spend time safely together as temperatures drop. The COVID-19 virus as well as other respiratory viruses are spread from person to person through respiratory droplets released into the air while coughing, talking or sneezing, states the Mayo Clinic. A person is more likely to inhale these droplets from an infected person while indoors, especially when they’re in close contact with that person. When outdoors, there is a lower risk of contraction. Outdoor entertaining in winter may be challenging, especially in regard to keeping everyone warm.

The following are some solutions that can help people stay warm and have fun outside.

Invest in fire pits Fire pits are an affordable way to heat a patio or another outdoor area. They can be great places for friends and family to gather around and enjoy special occasions. They’re readily available from garden centers and home improvement retailers at a variety of price points. Permanent fire pits can be built by a homeowner or professionally built by masonry experts.

Install an outdoor fireplace A step up from a fire pit, outdoor fireplaces not only add warmth, but also improve the ambiance and value of an outdoor entertaining area. Set up outdoor furniture right next to an outdoor fireplace and you have a cozy alternative living room where everyone can gather.

Explore outdoor heating systems Few things are more effective at warming up outdoor entertaining areas than patio heaters and infrared heaters. These devices are far more effective than average fire pits or fireplaces. One or two heaters will be enough to keep a large entertaining area warm.

Keep cozy options available Guests should dress warmly, but having a basket of throw blankets, scarves and parkas available for extra warmth while mingling is helpful. Use outdoor rugs to insulate from the cold from the ground up.

Serve hearty foods and beverages Stews, chilis, soups, and other hot foods can help guests warm themselves up from the inside out. Warmed cider, hot chocolate and mulled wines also can be served to help people stay warm.

Get moving Incorporate activities that encourage guests to move around and stay warm. Beanbag tosses, dancing and even sports like flag football can keep guests’ blood flowing.

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simply smoked Thanks in large part to a global pandemic that has lasted for much of 2020, Thanksgiving figures to be celebrated a little differently this year than in years past.

Family gatherings may not be as large and highways may not be as heavily trafficked as they are on what is normally one of the year’s biggest weekends for travel.

In addition to smaller gatherings, many families may opt to host Thanksgiving dinner outdoors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the COVID-19 virus spreads very easily through person-to-person contact, and the risk of spreading the virus is even greater when spending time indoors with other people.

As a result, some families are planning to host Thanksgiving dinner outdoors on their patios or decks this year.

That decision has prompted some to consider different ways of cooking their Thanksgiving turkeys, including smoking.

Smoking has long been associated with cooking foods like brisket at home, but smokers also can be used to make delicious Thanksgiving turkeys.

Thanksgiving hosts who want to smoke their turkeys outdoors this year are urged to take a few trial runs and watch some online tutorials before trying their hand at smoking.

Smoking relies heavily on controlling temperatures, which can fluctuate dramatically and quickly inside a smoker.

As a result, smoking a turkey may require simple but frequent adjustments to dampers so the temperature inside can remain steady at around 225 F. Hosts who suspect they will be busy hosting or preparing side dishes on Thanksgiving may want to cook their turkeys in more traditional ways, such as baking the bird in the oven. Those who can devote the time to controlling the temperature on their smokers also should know that the turkey will take much longer to cook in a smoker than in an oven.

According to the online grilling resource Heygrillhey.com, cooks should plan to smoke their turkeys at 225 F for approximately 30 minutes per pound.

That means smoking a 15-pound turkey will require at least 7.5 hours cooking time.

That’s a significant factor to consider for people who want to host Thanksgiving dinner outdoors this year.

In order to avoid serving smoked turkey after the sun has gone down and temperatures have dipped, Thanksgiving hosts may need to wake up especially early and fire up their smokers around the break of dawn if not earlier.

TURKEY YEAR-ROUND Turkey is much more than a Thanksgiving staple and can be enjoyed throughout the year WRITER: METRO CREATIVE Aside from the occasional sandwich, many people think turkey is solely for the Thanksgiving dinner table. However, turkey is much more than a holiday centerpiece. Anyone concerned about healthy eating would be wise to learn more about the health benefits of turkey and find ways to include it in their diets throughout the year.

Turkey is low in fat and high in protein, making it an important source of nutrition. One piece of turkey breast without the skin measures up at 160 calories, four grams of fat and a whopping 30 grams of protein, according to the USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory. Dark meat and turkey legs are higher in calories but boast similar amounts of protein.

The average portion of turkey is 100 grams, or 3.5 ounces of meat. This is about the size and thickness of a deck of cards. A single serving of turkey can provide around 65 percent of the recommended daily intake of protein.

But turkey is more than just a lowfat source of protein. The meat is rich in niacin (B3), which may help increase HDL cholesterol, widely known as the “good” form of cholesterol. Niacin, in addition to helping balance cholesterol levels, can lower a person’s risk for cardiovascular disease by reducing atherosclerosis, which is a hardening of the arteries. The resource Healthline also says niacin may help reduce inflammation and symptoms of arthritis.

Turkey also is rich in vitamins B6 and B12. B6 helps keep red blood cells healthy and reduce fatigue, while B12 can decrease levels of homocysteine that can contribute to cognitive decline.

Turkey is also a good source of selenium, which helps to keep hair and nails healthy while serving as an immune system booster that protects against damage to cells and tissues. Around 20 percent of the recommended daily amount of selenium can be obtained from a single serving of turkey.

Turkey is lower in calories and fat and higher in protein than chicken.

Those who routinely consume chicken as part of a healthy diet can substitute it for turkey for even greater nutritional benefits. Turkey is particularly low in saturated fat, which may contribute to increased levels of the LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol.

Turkey also is versatile, as it can be baked, boiled, stir-fried, grilled, ground, chopped for salads, and sliced for sandwiches. Turkey can be served for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Home chefs often find they can substitute turkey for any meat in a recipe with good results because turkey’s mild taste takes on the flavor of other ingredients.

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HOLIDAY RECIPES WRITER: TONYA S. GRACE

Tiffany Bolinger’s mind wanders toward thoughts of a holiday feast as Thanksgiving nears, but it’s not the traditional bird that she prefers to take center stage on her own dinner table.

“When I think about Thanksgiving, I think most people think turkey,” says Bolinger, the Christian County extension agent for family and consumer sciences. “For me, I prefer ham.”

But whether it’s turkey or ham or corned beef (another main dish mentioned by Bolinger), the important thing is the quality time family and friends spend together as they share a meal.

As she’s aged, Bolinger says the holidays are less about certain dishes and foods and more about making memories.

“Sometimes now my family will think outside the box,” she says of sharing a meal at Thanksgiving or Christmas.

“We might have soups or steak instead of turkey or ham,” she adds. “We’ve even talked about having a Mexican-themed meal. No matter what you’re eating, it’s about those relationships and being able to spend that quality time with family and friends.”

In a year caught unawares by the appearance of COVID-19, Bolinger also notes that the ongoing virus will likely have an impact on family gatherings during the holidays.

More families might gather with just a few of its members and maybe a grandparent, she suggests. There may be family members who can’t take the risk of a large gathering because of pre-existing conditions, and Bolinger notes

that current technology allowing phone calls, Face time and Zoom can help people get together even though they can’t do so in person.

She hesitates to recommend any specific foods for families’ holiday dinner tables, noting that in situations where different sides of a family are gathering or perhaps where there are different cultural backgrounds, it can be difficult to know what’s important without knowing the family dynamics.

The extension agent does, however, offer several suggestions from Plate It Up Kentucky Proud Recipes, an initiative of the University of Kentucky’s family and consumer sciences extension service that incorporates fresh fruits and vegetables, i.e., apples, broccoli, asparagus and others, into its dishes.

“I do think it is nice when we can use locally grown produce for our holiday meals,” Bolinger notes of those recipes.

Here are several of the Plate It Up recipes provided and others are available by visiting http://fcs-hes.ca.uky.edu/piukp-recipes#

Butternut and Acorn Squash Soup Makes 7, 1-cup servings ingredients

directions

1 butternut squash, halved and seeded

1. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the skin from the butternut and acorn squashes and cut into 1-inch cubes.

1 acorn squash, halved and seeded 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/3 cup chopped sweet onion

3. Add cubed squash, and cook 4 to 5 minutes.

4 cups chicken broth

4. Add chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Lower heat, and simmer 30 to 35 minutes, until the squash is fork tender.

3 tablespoons peanut butter 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg Fresh parsley for garnish

2. In a large soup pot, heat the oil on medium high. Add the onion, and cook 1 to 2 minutes until it starts to become translucent.

5. Allow to cool slightly, then blend until smooth in a food processor or blender. Return mixture to the pot, and heat to medium low.

6. Add peanut butter, brown sugar, pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir until well blended. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve warm.

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Pumpkin Apple Muffins

Easy Peach Cobbler

Makes 18 muffins

Makes 12 servings

ingredients

ingredients

1¼ cups all-purpose flour

½ cup whole wheat flour

½ cup unsalted butter

1¼ cups whole-wheat flour

½ cup all-purpose flour

4 cups fresh peeled peaches

1¼ teaspoons baking soda

1½ teaspoons baking powder

1 tablespoon lemon juice

½ teaspoon salt

1 pinch salt

1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

1½ cups sugar (divided)

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg or cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground ginger

1 cup skim milk

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

directions

1¼ cups honey

1. Preheat the oven to 375º F. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and ¾ cup sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the milk and mix only until the dry ingredients are wet.

2 large eggs 1½ cups fresh pureed pumpkin

2. Melt the butter and pour into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish or pan. Add the flour mixture on top of the butter. Do not stir.

½ cup canola oil 2 cups Granny Smith apples, finely chopped

directions 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. 2. In a large bowl, combine flours, baking soda, salt and spices.

3. In a small bowl, combine honey, eggs, pumpkin and oil; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in apples.

4. Fill greased or paper lined muffin cups, two-thirds full.

5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until muffins test done. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan.

Note: Can substitute two cups granulated sugar for honey, decrease baking soda by ¼ teaspoon and increase oven temperature to 350 degrees F.

3. In a saucepan, heat the peaches, ¾ cup sugar and lemon juice until the sugar is dissolved and the peaches are coated. Pour evenly over the flour mixture. Do not stir. Sprinkle with nutmeg or cinnamon.

4. Bake for 40 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Remove from oven and serve warm.

Green Bean Medley Makes 6, 1 cup servings ingredients 1 pound fresh green beans

Fall Harvest Salad

6 tablespoons light soy sauce

Makes 8, 1 cup servings

1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice

ingredients

2 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil

1 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

5 cups torn leaf lettuce

Dressing:

4 teaspoons minced garlic

2 ½ cups spinach leaves

2 ½ tablespoons olive oil

1 medium red bell pepper, sliced to narrow lengthwise strips

1 medium red apple, chopped

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 cups sliced mushrooms

1 medium pear, chopped

1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard

2 cups yellow sweet corn, fresh or frozen

4 teaspoons lemon juice

2 teaspoons Kentucky honey

directions

¼ cup dried cranberries

½ teaspoon salt

1. Place the green beans in a large saucepan with one inch of water. Bring to a boil, cover and steam for 5 minutes. Green beans should still be firm. Drain.

¼ cup feta cheese crumbles ½ cup chopped walnuts

2. In a small bowl stir together soy sauce, balsamic vinegar and lime juice; set aside.

directions 1. Combine leaf lettuce and spinach leaves in a large salad bowl. Mix apples and pears with lemon juice in a small bowl and add to lettuce mixture.

2. Prepare dressing by whisking together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey and salt; pour over lettuce mixture and toss to coat.

3. Sprinkle salad with cranberries, feta cheese and walnuts. Serve immediately.

3. Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until it starts to brown.

4. Add red bell pepper and mushrooms; stir to coat with oil. Cook 3 minutes.

5. Add corn and green beans; stir to coat with oil. Cook an additional 2 minutes. Stir in the soy sauce and lime juice mixture and simmer for a couple of minutes, uncovered to reduce the sauce. Serve.

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SEASONS’ SWEETENED

WRITER: METRO CREATIVE CONTRIBUTED: MAEGAN SAALWAECHTER

PHOTO BY: MAEGAN SAALWAECHTER

Certain foods are synonymous with particular holidays or times of year. For example, few people can imagine celebrating Valentine’s Day without ample supplies of chocolate on hand. And what summer barbecue is complete without grilled hot dogs and hamburgers?

While these foods and others are must-haves during certain times of the year, that doesn’t mean they cannot be enjoyed whenever a craving arises.

Apples, and particularly apple pie, are a staple of many holiday season celebrations. But apple pie is just as delicious in March, April, May, etc., as it is during the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. That’s especially true when the apples are fresh. Whether yours is a seasonal or non-seasonal craving for apple pie, be sure to satisfy it with this recipe for “French Apple Pie” from Mollie Cox Bryan’s “Mrs. Rowe’s Little Book of Southern Pies” (Ten Speed Press).

French Apple Pie

Plain Pie Pastry

Makes one 9-inch pie

Makes two 9-inch pie crusts

ingredients

ingredients

Raisin Filling

2 cups all-purpose flour

2⁄3 cup raisins

1 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons water

2⁄3 cup vegetable shortening

1⁄2 teaspoon lemon juice

5 to 7 tablespoons cold milk

1⁄4 cup light corn syrup

directions

11⁄2 teaspoons all-purpose flour

1. Sift the flour and salt into a bowl. Cut in the shortening with a pastry blender until it is the size of small peas. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the milk over part of the flour mixture. Gently toss with a fork and push to the side of the bowl. Sprinkle another tablespoon of milk over another dry part, toss with a fork and push to the side of the bowl. Repeat with the remaining milk until all of the flour mixture is moistened.

11⁄2 teaspoons sugar

Apple Filling 2 apples (preferably a tart variety) 1⁄4 cup brown sugar

2. Press the dough together to form 2 equal balls, then flatten into disks. Roll out the crusts right away, or wrap the dough tightly, smoothing out any little wrinkles or air pockets and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball to a thickness of 1⁄8 inch. Use a light touch and handle the dough as little as possible.

1⁄2 cup sugar 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 11⁄2 teaspoons cornstarch

Mini Apple Pies

Icing 1 cup confectioners’ sugar

Makes 12 individual pies

2 tablespoons water 1 tablespoon butter, softened

utensils Must use standard 12-ct muffin pan

directions 1. To make the raisin filling, combine the raisins, water and lemon juice in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally until the raisins are plump, about 15 minutes.

ingredients Apple Filling 2 apples (preferably a tart variety)

2. Separately, combine the corn syrup, flour and sugar and mix well, then add to the raisins and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until thick and syrupy, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool until the mixture is just warm, about 10 to 15 minutes.

1⁄4 cup brown sugar

3. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a 9-inch pie plate with 1 rolledout crust.

11⁄2 teaspoons cornstarch

4. Peel the apples, cut them into thin wedges, and put them in a large bowl. Separately, combine the sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch, then add to the apples and gently stir until evenly mixed.

1. Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees F.

5. Spread the apple mixture in the crust in an even layer, then spread the raisin filling evenly over the apples. Brush the rim of the crust with water, cover with the second rolled-out crust, seal and flute or crimp the edges, and cut a steam vent in the center.

6. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 1 to 2 hours, until completely cool.

7. To make the icing, combine the sugar and water and mix well.

Add the butter and mix until smooth. Brush over the top of the cooled pie before serving.

1⁄2 cup sugar 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

directions 2. Cut twelve 3.5 inch circles from the pie crusts. They should nestle into the muffin pan up to the edge and not over. Combine and reroll dough as needed.

3. Peel and chop apples into small pieces and put them in a large bowl. Separately, combine the sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch, then add to the apples and gently stir until evenly mixed.

4. Use any leftover crust to decorate the tops.

5. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

6. Top with ice cream, caramel or other toppings and serve.

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Don’t waste the holiday leftovers WRITER: METRO CREATIVE

Holiday hosts toil for hours to create lavish meals everyone will enjoy.

It’s not uncommon for Thanksgiving tables to be covered with more food than guests can conceivably (and comfortably) consume. Leftovers are the norm, but without a plan for what to do with leftovers, food can spoil or end up in the trash. Here are some delicious and waste-conscious ways to put Thanksgiving or other holiday meal leftovers to use.

Wrap it up promptly Even though you may want to sit around and chat with guests when the meal is finished, leaving food out at room temperature for too long can create a breeding ground for microbes that may lead to food spoilage and sickness. With a few helping hands, all foods can be packaged away in no time, ensuring that drumsticks or stuffing can safely be served another day.

Plan with other meals in mind

into batters for quick breads, pancakes and even doughnuts. Spoon leftover cranberry sauce over hot oatmeal in the morning or use it as a substitute for grape jelly in PB&J sandwiches. Try grinding up stale biscuits to make a breading for turkey slices and turn them into fried cutlets.

Collect containers Be sure to have reusable food storage containers, zip-top bags, foil, and plastic wrap at the ready. Before all of the food is put away, encourage guests to make their own doggie bags.

Take care of the needy Find out which organizations accept food donations. Even if you cannot donate previously prepared foods, if you have surplus packaged, boxed or canned items, you can bring them to food pantries and soup kitchens to help others.

Shop for and prepare holiday fare with a nod toward what can be used Organize a post-holiday pot luck in subsequent meals. Turkey is a versatile ingredient that can be made Turn leftovers into an opportunity to fraternize with friends or relinto everything from breakfast burritos to casseroles. Turn potatoes and atives who couldn’t make it to Thanksgiving dinner. Pool your leftover sausage stuffing into latke patties that can be whipped up for breakfast or resources and enjoy the fruits of everyone’s labor. A pot luck can be a lunch. Sweet potatoes, squash and pumpkin can be mashed and reworked great place to gather after shopping Plaid Friday sales in the community.

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