Feedback for our Christmas Turkey Dinner

We just got the best feedback ever and wanted to share it. It really validates all the hard work we have put into our Christmas Turkey Dinner. We have really great clients who appreciate great food and makes it all worthwhile.

Here is the feedback:

Dearest Tammy and Arlen, Just wanted to give you a big thank you for the most delicious meal! Everything was so easy to prepare and went so well. The presentation and color of the food was beautiful on the plate very Christmasy, turkey was so moist and tender, green been was the perfect crunchiness, the beet salad was amazing (I love beets but this was the first time I've ever had beets where it didn't have a hint of earth taste to it), oh and the dessert was too good to be true normally I let my guests take some home but I couldn't part with it this time... even the gravy was superb it wasn't oily or fatty everything just tasted so healthy and clean. I hope you were able to enjoy a delicious x-mas meal... you could really tell love was your secret ingredient! I wish you both best for 2010 and we definetly plan to use Yummease on a regular basis. Thank you again so much....

happy holidays and thanks

As another year comes to a close, we’d like to thank you for bringing YummEase into your lives and kitchens. We wish you all a happy holiday season and all the best in 2010.

Relax & enjoy, from all of us at YummEase!

How fragile we are: Why the complexity of modern civilization threatens us all

How fragile we are: Why the complexity of modern civilization threatens us all

(NaturalNews) The fragility of our modern human civilization did not become clear to me until I began living full-time in South America. As a resident of Vilcabamba, Ecuador, I've grown accustomed to the idea of knowing where the things I consume come from.

The water I drink, for example, comes from a hole in the ground that taps into a water table replenished by the clouds hanging over the Podocarpus National Forest to the East. I can make a logical connection between the clouds, the rainfall, and the water in my glass. And if the well pump fails, I know I can always carry a bucket to the river a few hundred meters away and scoop up virtually unlimited quantities of water that recently fell out of the sky.

During a recent trip to Tucson, however, I found myself hesitating when I turned on the kitchen faucet. I paused, marveling at the magic of this water which apparently appears from nowhere. And it's always there, reliable and uninterrupted. That's when I noticed myself asking the commonsense question: "Where does the water come from around here?"

Read More...

The Mom Stash

Holiday Recipes

Candied Nuts
Yield: 2 cups

Ingredients
2 cups walnuts
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp. cumin
2 tbsp. sugar

Method
Preheat oven to 350˚F

1. In a medium bowl, stir together honey, salt, black pepper, allspice, cayenne, and cumin. Add walnuts and toss until evenly coated.
2. Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and sprinkle with the sugar and roast in the oven for 10 minutes. Stir once and continue to bake for 5 minutes more.
3. Remove from the oven and separate the pieces as much a possible so they don’t stick together too much. Let cool.

Gift Presentation Idea
Package in mason jars, tied with a festive ribbon with a gift card announcing they are from your kitchen.

Peppermint Crunch Bark
Yield: 36 pieces

Ingredients
17 ounces white chocolate (Valrohna), finely chopped
30 candy canes, coarsely crushed (about 6 ounces)
7 ounces bittersweet chocolate (Valrohna), chopped
6 tablespoons whipping cream
3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional)

Method

1. Turn large baking sheet bottom side up. Cover with foil.
2. Stir white chocolate in metal bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water) until chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from over water.
3. Pour 2/3 cup melted white chocolate onto foil and spread.
4. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup crushed candy canes. Chill until set, about 15 minutes.
5. Stir bittersweet chocolate, cream and peppermint extract in heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat until just melted and smooth. Cool to barely lukewarm, about 5 minutes.
6. Pour bittersweet chocolate mixture over white chocolate spreading chocolate in even layer. Refrigerate until very cold and firm, about 25 minutes.
7. Rewarm remaining white chocolate in bowl set over barely simmering water. Working quickly, pour white chocolate over firm bittersweet chocolate layer; spread to cover. Immediately sprinkle with remaining crushed candy canes. Chill just until firm, about 20 minutes.
8. Lift foil with bark onto work surface; trim edges. Cut bark crosswise into 2-inch-wide strips, and each section diagonally into triangles, or simply break into large chunks!

(If all these steps seem too finicky, simply do white chocolate layer, then swirl with dark chocolate for a less structured, more artistic effect.)

Can be made 2 weeks ahead. Chill in airtight container. Let stand 15 minutes at room temperature before serving.

Gift Presentation Idea
Wrap in parchment paper with ribbon.

Recipes from the dish kitchen and Saavy Mom.

http://www.savvymom.ca/index.php/newsletter/the_mom_stash/2

Let Yummease prepare your Christmas Dinner!

As posted on The Lifestyle Pass' website:

Have you planned your turkey dinner? Not to worry, we will be providing our Full Turkey Dinners with all the Trimming as well as Fresh Herb-Stuffed Turkey Breasts for smaller gatherings. See what we are preparing for you at yummease.com.