I so enjoy grapeseed oil.  It doesn't have a heavy flavor, just a light shine through of the flavors you wish to accent in your dishes and dressings.  Everything cooks to perfection!  

Did you know?

Grapeseed oil is enjoying a rapid rise in popularity today. Although this oil is relatively new to our market, it has been produced and enjoyed in Europe for many years—sold not only as a cooking oil, but also in French pharmacies as a remedy for high cholesterol. In fact, grapeseed oil is one of the only foods shown to not only lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, but also increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol—a distinct advantage over other oils. This wonderful oil is now available from Watkins for the home cook concerned with good health and great taste.


Try some soon in this recipe!!!


Greek White Bean & Feta Salad
3 tbsp/45 mL Watkins Garlic & Parsley Grapeseed Oil
2 tbsp/30 mL fresh lemon juice
2 tsp/10 mL sugar
3/4 tsp/4 mL Watkins Oregano
3/4 tsp/4 mL lemon pepper
2 cans (16 oz/454 g each) white cannelloni or navy beans
1/ 2 cup/125 mL halved and thinly-sliced red onion
3 plum tomatoes, seeded and cut into chunks
1/4 cup/60 mL pitted Greek olives
1/2 cup/125 mL crumbled feta cheese
Torn dark green lettuce leaves

In large bowl, combine grapeseed oil, lemon juice, sugar, oregano and lemon pepper; mix well. Drain beans and rinse with cold water. Add beans, onion, tomatoes, olives and feta; toss lightly. Chill until serving time. Serve on a bed of lettuce.
Makes 6 servings.

Comfort Foods For All!

I love recipes, comfort foods and so does almost everyone I know!  Of course, the epitome of taste and flavor comes from fine ingredients such as...you guessed it...Watkins products.  

Watkins spices and soup bases are simply yummy.  Few people have the time to make soup stocks from scratch, but the alternative is expensive canned broth or flavored cubes of salt.  I keep my cupboards stock with Watkins Soup and Gravy Mixes.  They are always ready when I am cooking in a hurry.  And, it seems I am always in a hurry!  Enjoy this recipe, I think you will be thrilled with your results!

Apple Cider Chicken and Dumpling Recipe
8 bone-in chicken thighs (3 pounds), skin removed
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium red onion, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
Watkins Sea Salt and Watkins Black Pepper to taste
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups chicken broth (Make with 3 cups warm water and ¼ cup Watkins Chicken Soup Base, or to taste)
1 cup apple cider or juice
Dumplings
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon Watkins Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cold butter
1 egg, lightly beaten
2/3 cup milk

In a Dutch oven, brown chicken in butter; remove and set aside. In the same pan, combine the onion, celery, parsley, salt and pepper; cook and stir until vegetables are tender. Sprinkle with flour and mix well. Add broth and cider. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add chicken.

Cover and bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes. Increase heat to 425°.
For dumplings, combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl; cut in butter until crumbly. Combine egg and milk; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Drop batter into 12 mounds onto hot broth.

Bake, uncovered, at 425° for 10 minutes. Cover and bake 10 minutes longer or until a toothpick inserted into a dumpling comes out clean. Yield: 4 servings.

Recipes For You!

 

November Recipes Newsletter, 2011

"Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary."

Margaret Cousins
1905-1996, Writer

I hope you had a fabulous time with family and friends this Thanksgiving of 2011. There is always so much to be thankful for even amidst the turmoil of that which is life altering or simply life dampening.   Resilience and joy are strong allies for making it through trying events. 

May your challenges be few and far between and your blessings abundant.  Please enjoy the recipes associated with this Recipes Newsletter as you look forward to the next holiday!  "Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!"

Fall Baking & Seasonal Shopping Has Begun!

Ready, Set...Bake and Shop!  It has begun and where better to begin than with a shopping cart of Watkins Extracts and other fabulous products!

Please enjoy my Watkins Specials, Tips and Recipes Newsletter, October 2011~I love to share the best with YOU!

www.myVanilla.com
(800) 425-7411

Winding Down The Summer and Grinding Away!

Life is like a coin.  You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once.  ~Lillian Dickson
 

Summer is winding down, the youngsters are back in school, and the holiday festivities are sneaking into everyone's thoughts that linger in the back of their minds.  Whee!  This year has galloped along at a break neck pace and I don't see it slowing down anytime soon.  But that is just fine and dandy, because it has been a wonderful ride.

Anyone in the mood for a continuous fine ride?  If you are, start doing a little something everyday to prepare for your fun family times and events.  It might be the impending holidays, or it might just be a few hours on a weekend for a special time together.  There is no time like a glorious fall afternoon to gather on the deck and light up the grill.

Be prepared with Watkins Seasoning Grinders.  They are so versatile, tasty and go on more things than what is designated on the label.  I use the Chicken Seasoning in scrambled eggs!  Of course, chicken and eggs go together...but have fun getting crazy with your seasonings.  It makes your meals memorable, and meals bring families together.

Try a few of these recipes and use your grinders liberally!

Pork Kabobs

1/2 cup Watkins Grapeseed Oil, Original Flavor

1/4 cup chopped onion

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon Watkins Parsley

1 teaspoon Watkins Garlic Powder

1/2 teaspoon Watkins Sea Salt

1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram

1/8 teaspoon Watkins Black Pepper (use a grinder instead ` How about the Garlic and Peppercorn?)

2 pounds boneless pork, cut into 1-inch cubes

Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

1 cup (8 ounces) plain yogurt

1/2 cup chopped cucumber

1 tablespoon chopped onion

1 teaspoon Watkins Parsley

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/8 teaspoon Watkins Garlic Powder

Pita bread

In a resealable plastic bag or shallow glass container, combine the first eight ingredients; add pork and toss to coat. Seal or cover and refrigerate overnight.

Meanwhile, combine sauce ingredients; cover and refrigerate for several hours. Drain pork and discard marinade; thread pork on skewers, leaving a small space between pieces.

Grill, uncovered, over medium heat for 8-10 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink, turning frequently. Serve in pita bread with sauce. Yield: 6-8 servings.

Grilled Zesty Honey Mustard Chicken

1/2 cup prepared mustard

1/2 cup honey

1 teaspoon Watkins Chicken Seasoning, ground (this is the Chicken Seasoning Grinder)

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 pounds), cut in half

In a small bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Carefully loosen the skin of the chicken; spoon some of the mustard sauce under the skin.  Using long-handled tongs, moisten a paper towel with cooking oil and lightly coat the grill rack. Prepare grill for indirect heat, using a drip pan. Place chicken skin side up over drip pan and grill, covered, over indirect medium heat for 20 minutes on each side or until juices run clear, basting occasionally with remaining mustard sauce. Remove chicken skin; cut into serving-size pieces. Yield: 6 servings.

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

10 fresh asparagus spears, trimmed

1/8 teaspoon Watkins Black Pepper

5 bacon strips, halved lengthwise

Watkins Garlic Peppercorn Blend, grinder

Place asparagus on a sheet of waxed paper; coat with cooking spray. Sprinkle with pepper; turn to coat. Wrap a bacon piece around each spear; secure ends with toothpicks.  Liberally cover with Watkins Garlic Peppercorn Blend, ground, to taste.  Grill, uncovered, over medium heat for 4-6 minutes on each side or until bacon is crisp. Discard toothpicks. Yield: 2-3 servings.

The statements made and opinions expressed on this page are those of the Independent Watkins Associate who is the publisher of this document, and are not to be construed as the statements or opinions of Watkins Incorporate

Tenacity is a beautiful thing!

Tenacity is a beautiful thing!
"Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
1749-1832, Poet, Novelist and Philosopher

Give yourself a little insight into yourself today.  Explore your tenacity because it is a beautiful thing.  Each new day presents new challenges for each one of us.  They all come as uniquely wrapped gifts to open, explore, experience or simply deal with.  

The most successful people in life are constantly making offers throughout the day. These offers are also packaged attractively.  They are swaddled in positive attitudes, encouragement, thoughtful responses, and gentle honesty.  

Embrace your tenacity to avoid the pitfalls of self pity and negative emotions that send you spiraling downward.  Make all of your offerings gems!

Here is a fun offering for your family and kitchen!

Mexican Chocolate Brownies
Makes about 24 good-sized brownies
1  cup Watkins Baking Cocoa
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
3 cups sugar
7 eggs, lightly beaten
1 Tbsp Watkins Vanilla
2 1/2 tsp Watkins Cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. Watkins Pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a small bowl, combine cocoa with butter, stirring until smooth.  In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, salt and sugar.  Stir in cocoa mixture.  Blend in eggs, vanilla, cinnamon and pepper.  Pour into a 9x13 inch pan sprayed with  Watkins Cooking Spray.  Bake 35-40 minutes or until center is set.

May Recipes Newsletter -Give them a try!

Please enjoy a few new recipes from us!  We love to share ideas, fun and Watkins Products!  Please give them a try! Click here to go to the web page

May Recipes Newsletter