successfulsettings

Hi Foodies and Other Gulf Coast Cooks,

This blog is designed to share interesting information about cooking in the Bay Area, specifically cooking from the beautiful books published by Assistance League of the Bay Area, Settings on the Dock of the Bay, and Settings Sunrise to Sunset.   All of the recipes in these books have been tested multiple times and you will be able to find first hand tips on recipes from our kitchens to yours.

We would also like to share menus and other fun information to enhance your experience as you enjoy using these books.  Whether you are a gourmat chef, or just learning your way around the kitchen, we hope you enjoy this blog.

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A kitchen start-up checklist for your student

 

HOUSTON, TX, (August 2, 2011) – Having the right tools in the kitchen can make the difference between healthy, creative eating and last minute dashes to the nearest fast food chain.

Help your student avoid the “freshman 15” by equipping their first kitchen with the essentials: kitchen tools, and a cookbook to remind them of home. Settings on the Dock of the Bay (978-0-9668381-0-7, $22.95, Hardback 272 pages) and Settings Sunrise to Sunset (978-0-9668381-1-4, $27.95, Hardback 240 pages.), two cookbooks published by Assistance League of the Bay Area are the perfect homesickness cure for any student from the greater Houston area.

The books have quick and easy recipes to prepare meals at home, color photographs of local scenery to ease heartache, and many complete menus already compiled to save time.  Hundreds of sidebars outline cooking tips, and the recipes are all tested multiple times to ensure success.   Complete menus will take cooks of all levels from a casual tailgate to a romantic dinner.  The books are a fun and low-pressure way to create impressive and delicious dishes.

Proceeds from the sales of the books benefit Assistance League of the Bay Area’s many philanthropic programs.  The books are available on Amazon.com, or if you would like to order the books directly, please call 281-554-2594.

Essentials for a new kitchen:

• Measuring utensils
• Thin metal spatula
• Large pot
• Colander
• Saucepan
• Knives: a paring knife, chef’s knife, and bread knife
• Skillet
• Grater
• Wooden spoon
• Whisk
• Settings on the Dock of the Bay
• Settings Sunrise to Sunset

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A Snookie O’Lantern?

HOUSTON, TX, (September 29, 2011) – Have a B.Y.O.P. (Bring your own pumpkin) party this Halloween.  Assemble a collection of items from your local craft store. Ask friends to decorate their pumpkins to resemble a TV personality, politician, or other celebrity.  Recent magazines can inspire your guests to search for the perfect model.

A perfect recipe to reward your artists is Pork Tenderloin Guiseppina from Assistance League^® of the Bay Area’s cookbook, Settings Sunrise to Sunset. (978-0-9668381-1-4, $27.95, Hardback 240 pages.)  This beautiful dish can be placed in the oven when your guests arrive.  It fills the house with a delicious aroma while they are creating; and, is ready and waiting when they are finished with their masterpieces.  As a bonus, you can enjoy your own party!  Combine this with a salad, and serve the Pecan Cream Cake for dessert.

Some ideas for the pumpkin decorating are listed below:

• Paint
• Google Eyes
• Pipe Cleaners
• Fake Hair (the kind for dolls)
• Hot glue
• Upholstery Pins
• Pumpkin Carving Utensils

Proceeds from the sale of this cookbook benefit Assistance League of the Bay Area’s many philanthropic programs.  The books are available on Amazon.com, or if you would like to order the books directly, please call 281-554-2594.

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Can Stress-Free Holidays Be Your Reality?

HOUSTON, TX, (October 13, 2011) – We all envision the perfect family holiday: family around the table, friends bantering, and Dad carving a delicious browned turkey.  What do we sometimes do along the way to derail this idyllic experience?  Expect too much, and prepare too little.

The key to a successful holiday meal is to make careful decisions about what to do yourself, and what to purchase or delegate.  Few people have time to create everything from scratch, but we still want to personalize the meal for our own family and friends.  A good rule of thumb to achieve this is to choose a few proven recipes that will stand out, and purchase other dishes from a restaurant or store; or better yet, ask each guest to bring his own specialty dish.

Deep fried or baked turkeys can be purchased from many area restaurants.  Pair with Garlic Green Beans with Toasted Bread Crumbs, which can be made ahead and frozen.  Add to this, Broccoli-Corn Casserole, which can be assembled the day before, and baked before serving, and delicious Sweet Potato and Pineapple Casserole.  Your guests may not think they have room for dessert, but they won’t be able to resist a slice of Pecan Cream Cake while watching the big game.

These easy and impressive dishes are all found in Assistance League of the Bay Area’s cookbook, Settings Sunrise to Sunset.  For experienced chefs or beginner cooks preparing their first holiday meal, the recipes in this book can be trusted, as they have all been tested at least three times and carefully selected from hundreds of other recipes before being published.

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Engagements, bridal showers and weddings are now inseason; planning a successful event is always in season, and easy to do with the AssistanceLeague of the Bay Area’s award winning cookbooks Settings on the Dock of the Bay and Settings Sunrise to Sunset.  Featured on page 92 of the Settings Sunrise to Sunset is a Bridal Luncheonmenu that will make you shine as a hostess. Just planning a finger-food buffet? Be sure to includePoppy Seed Ham and Cheese Rolls found on page 245 of Settings on the Dock of Bay.  Thisrecipe can be made quickly and easily by the most novice of home chefs and your guests will think you are genius in the kitchen.

Each of these cookbooks is a beautifully designed and written hardbound book that offers ataste of home with a medley of flavors and styles from the Texas Gulf Coast, and the setmakes a perfect gift for a bridal shower or wedding gift for the happy couple.