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Monday, 9 February 2015

Recipe of the Day - Homemade Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:
2 cups Macaroni noodles, dry
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
2 1/2 cups milk
2 1/2 cups old cheddar cheese, grated
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
2 Tbsp melted butter
1 cup bread crumbs
1 1/2 cups old cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 tsp salt
5 grinds black pepper
pinch cayenne


Instructions:
1. Cook pasta in plenty of salted boiling water until al dente.  Drain and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, make white sauce (aka bechamel). In a heavy saucepan melt the butter until bubbly but not brown. Add the flour all at once and whisk until it forms a smooth paste.  Begin adding milk slowly, a little at a time whisking all the while gradually increasing to a steady stream until all the milk has been added.  Add nutmeg and season with salt and pepper. 

3. Preheat the oven to 350'F.  Cook sauce over medium heat, stirring around the bottom frequently (to keep sticking and burning to a minimum) until sauce has first boiled, then thickened.  It is done when the sauce is thick enough to heavily coat a spoon.  Remove from heat and stir in first quantity grated cheese. Stir until fully melted.

4. Stir the drained noodles into the cheese sauce and pour into a 9x13 inch glass baking dish or other similar dish.   In another bowl, mix the melted butter with the bread crumbs and remaining cheese and toss to combine. Sprinkle over the noodle mixture as evenly as possible.  Bake uncovered until macaroni and cheese bubbles around the edges and the topping is a nice golden brown colour (about 30-45 minutes).  Remove from the oven and let stand 10 minutes before serving.  Alternatively, skip baking the pasta and freeze until you are ready to serve.  It may take 45 minutes to an hour in the oven if coming straight from the freezer.

Yield: One 9x13 inch pan or enough to feed 4-6 as a meal.

Monday, 2 February 2015

Upcoming Public Class Schedule

We are located in Guelph Ontario

Winter / Spring 2015
February

Date: Wednesday February 4th 6:00-9:00 pm
Theme: Pastry Made Perfect - Discover how easy perfect sweet and savoury pastry can be!
Where: London House Bed and Breakfast

March
FULL!

Date: Thursday March 12th 6:00-9:00 pm
Theme: Sushi - Everything you need to know to make authentic 'seasoned rice'. Includes Maki, Sushi, Sashimi, and more. Note: you do not have to eat raw fish at this class, each participant makes their own ingredient selections.
Where: London House Bed and Breakfast

April

Date: Thursday April 16th 6:00-9:00 pm
Theme: Mexican - This class features a wide variety of dishes from traditional Mexican cuisine including how to make masa tortillas by hand...
Where: London House Bed and Breakfast


May


Date: Saturday May 16th 6:00-9:00 pm
Theme: SouthEast Asian - Our most poular class, focusing on authentic flavours and techniques
Where: London House Bed and Breakfast

Thinking Gift Certificate for Mother's Day? Email me at katie_franks@me.com for more details.

Monday, 26 January 2015

A Personal Note on my Family

Dear Friends of The Kitchen Door,

I haven't posted a personal update in some time and I thought it was time for a New Year post. I have always been told that life speeds up as you get older and I would agree with this statement, but add to it. Life does move faster, as it becomes more full. Let me just say I have been living in the fullness of life lately... That sounds so romantic, but there have been some heavy moments and some wonderful ones too.

It was November 2013 that we officially became a foster family to our beautiful little lady baby Zo. Her birth mother chose us to foster her and she came home from hospital at three days old. We are what is called a Family to Permanence, meaning if possible we will be Zo's adoptive family also. Of course that was over a year ago now and since then that little girl has brought us such joy and so much blessing! All babies are precious but this little girl just loves life and enjoys everyone she meets. She is funny and strong and crazy and now that she is one year she is also full of mischief and can trash the house or grab a chunk of Tricia's hair in the blink of an eye (Tricia turns 6 in February - how is that possible??). We remain Zo's foster family but have high hopes that we will become her adoptive family in the not too distant future.

Becoming a Family to Permanence took a step of faith for Ryan and I as it is without certainty of permanence that we would be bringing little people home. We felt fearful of the potential loss for ourselves and for Tricia. We felt excitement and apprehension about regular contact with birth family (3 visits a week since Zo was born). We also knew it was what we were supposed to be doing. So, we changed our status from Adoptive family to Family to Permanence and in short order Zo came home. We can confidently say we made the right decision. I wouldn't trade a minute of the last year and a bit. As is prone to happen, we have grown and learned so much and are better for it. In reflecting over the past year Ryan and I agree that we have learned most importantly to live in today without expectation of tomorrow. We have learned to celebrate growth and enjoy each moment (even the chaotic stressful ones) because we have no guarantee of more to come. We have learned to let God grow our family in His timing and not our own.

Well wouldn't you know that our growing Zo would have a half brother born one year and eight days later? We did not expect this wee man to be apprehended but when he was we got the call to come pick him up at the hospital when he was just 1 day old. Now we have Irish twins and life has changed dramatically again. We have even less assurance that this little guy will be ours forever but regardless we are in love and enjoying each day despite some borderline severe exhaustion! Seeing our crew grow so fast and watching the girls fawn over little man has been remarkable to say the least.

So we continue this 'fullness of life' adventure and the only thing we are lacking is sleep (like all young families). If you think of us, we would love your prayers for stamina and for the adoption of Zo to take place sooner than later. In the meantime, thank you for sharing in our journey, you know I will post tons of pictures as soon as I am allowed!

With love, Katie

Monday, 5 January 2015

Recipe of the Day - Franks' House Dressing

I have been meaning to post this recipe for a long time now, but alas I had lost my recipe card... It's not a tricky recipe but it is amazing if made to these specifications. This salad dressing is used by my sister in law in New Port News Virginia Beach and by my mother in law in Frederick Maryland. Each of them make it slightly differently but both with great results so I have posted two versions and you can choose which suits you better.

Note: This dressing is shelf stable meaning you can keep it in the cupboard until you need it, which will likely be on a daily basis and thus you won't have to wait for it to warm up before using. Enjoy!

Franks Family House Dressing - Maryland Version
Ingredients:
3/4 cup olive oil
3/4 tsp Tabasco sauce
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup honey
1 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:
1. Combine all the ingredients in a jar with a lid or a salad dressing shaker and shake well to combine. Shake before each use. Store at room temperature. Makes: 1 1/2 cups

Franks Family House Dressing - Virginia Beach Version
Ingredients:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp Tabasco
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp salt

Instructions:
1. Combine all the ingredients in a jar with a lid or a salad dressing shaker and shake well to combine. Shake before each use. Store at room temperature. Makes: 1 1/2 cups

Tuesday, 25 November 2014

Recipe of the Day: Mulled Wine

I like wine in all it's forms, Red, white, sparkling, dry, crisp, light, full bodied, imported, locally produced, fortified, even home-made... And I really like mulled wine. Remember, you're spicing and heating this wine so don't use your best bottle... go for a big grape flavour for a good price (think Argentina, Italy or Chile)

Mulled Wine

Ingredients:
4 Cups apple cider
1 Bottle red wine
6 Cardamom pods
3 Cinnamon sticks
6 Whole cloves
3 Star anise
1 Tbsp orange zest (large pieces, not too fine)

Instructions:
1. Combine the cider, wine, citrus and spices in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and so,,er gently over low heat for 10 minutes. Pour into mugs and serve hot. Garnish with cinnamon sticks or large piece orange
peel as desired.

Saturday, 15 November 2014

Tis the Season for Gift Certificates

If you're like me, you just received 900 Christmas flyers in the mail and have started drawing names and brainstorming ideas... I also started getting requests for Gift Certificates for classes here at The Kitchen Door Culinary Classes. Which is perfect timing since I have just posted my Winter/Spring Calendar (see below).

Here's your Step by Step:

1. You buy a Gift Certificate for the person you love the most. Visit the Schedule and Fees page to pay via PayPal.

2. Then you let me know who to make them out to and add a special note I will include. I also need to know if you want me to print and ship or just send you a PDF for you to print (your choice).

3. You sit back and relax knowing you have another amazing gift planned and that your loved one will have so much fun choosing and attending an upcoming class! Better yet, you sign up with them and make a date of it.

Please email me at katie_franks@me.com for more information. 


Fall 2014
December

Date:  Wed December 10th 6:00-9:00 pm
Theme: Appetizers and Sweets for Entertaining - how to throw the perfect party!
Where: London House Bed and Breakfast
January

Date: Saturday January 17th 6:00-9:00 pm
Theme: Southeast Asian Cuisine
Where: London House Bed and Breakfast
February

Date: Wednesday February 4th 6:00-9:00 pm
Theme: Pastry Made Perfect - Discover how easy perfect sweet and savoury pastry can be!
Where: London House Bed and Breakfast
March

Date: Thursday March 12th 6:00-9:00 pm
Theme: Sushi!
Where: London House Bed and Breakfast
April

Date: Thursday March 12th 6:00-9:00 pm
Theme: TBD
Where: London House Bed and Breakfast

Friday, 31 October 2014

Happy Halloween! Recipe of the Day - Tamari Pumpkin Seeds


I sent a Fairy Princess off to school today after she could barely eat breakfast for all the excitement. It's all a little ironic since she is off sugar entirely but if we can get stoked about trick 'o treating on mom and dad's behalf, so much the better! I'm the kind of parent who wants to be as helpful as I can be...


Here is a recipe for a super delicious seasonal favourite of mine... and it's sugar free!



Roasted Tamari Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients:

1/4 cup tamari (or Bragg's if yo can't find tamari)
1 tsp salt
2 cups cleaned pumpkin seeds (1 large pumpkin approx)
1/4 tsp cayenne

Instructions:

1. Stir in the seeds with remaining ingredients until everything is evenly distributed. It's ok that there is too much tamari at this point

2. Pour seed mixture into a 8x8 baking dish and bake at 350° oven for 25 to 35 minutes or until the seeds are dry and puffy (if you have a convection oven you can turn the fan on and it will take less time). Stir the seeds frequently, once every 5-10 minutes or so.


3. When the seeds are done (all the liquid should be gone), leave them to cool in the dish, and stir occasionally to break them apart. Store in an air-tight container.