Today's meeting was very fun.Heidi Fox came and gave us some great holiday tips. Heidi is "budget caterer". She caterers friends, family & church functions. She said she is often referred to as Martha but is by far not Martha. Through her tips she gave a bit of her testimony growing up & how she believes her love for cooking is her God given talent. She encouraged each of us to find the talent God has given us because He has given each of us our own unique talent.
A few tips we learned today were:
- How to set a table with multiple layers using books or boxes to create layers & then "puddling" the table cloth or fabric over it. Think outside box when looking for table decorations. Some of her best table cloths aren't really table cloths at all. Example she gave was to use a fabric shower curtain.
- Use neutral platters when serving. Then you can let your food set the mood or be the presentation.
- She loves the knives found at Costco Business center. (roughly around $7.00)
- QFC sharpens knives for free in the butcher department or you can buy the handy dandy Samuri Sharke at Walmart.
- Some of her favorite cookbooks are
2. Cake Mix Doctor - recommends the Carrot cake
3. Barefoot Contessa
4. Cooks Illustrated - each recipe reads like a novel but gives great tips like - soak a spiral
ham for 90 minutes before cooking. This helps to maintain the juices.
- Basic kitchen items she uses daily: kids ruler for measuring (it's dishwasher safe!), cake leveler for leveling/cutting cakes (cut a round cake into 4 pieces and you have a "torte"), and a digital scale that measures up to 12 pounds.
- Instant coffee/espresso is a great add in to any brownie or cookie recipe. Add 1tbsp per recipe for a little kick.
- Finally - she loves, loves, loves Costco!! - she mentioned many times - Anyone who knows me knows I was happy - as my husband is a manager at Costco - so you ladies spending money helps us pay our mortgage. A win-win for all of us ;o).
- Costco tips - When a price at ends in .97 it's a markdown and if the tag has a * in the corner it means that this item isn't coming back to the store - so buy it when you see it.
3.5 cups of scone mix
3/4 cup of craisins
1/3 cup pecans
Then we attached the recipe card & a pretty Christmas ribbon. I can't decide if I am going to make the scones or give them away. I love the way the little package looks but then again the scones will taste even better!
Okay, I believe that sums it up. Don't forget next time to bring a gift for the gift exchange. A gift found at home that you aren't using. Janas idea an un-opened bottle of lotion ( we all have at least one of these lying around)
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