Spring is so refreshing. People are out cleaning their yards, picking up garbage and enjoying warmer temperatures.
Springtime is also birthday time in our family. It is always fun to have a party but instead of doing an elaborate meal, we opted for casual.
Salad and potatoes were done on the barbecue, teamed with a burger and, of course, cake. Try some of the recipes.
Zesty pasta salad
8 cups bow tie pasta, 2 L
uncooked
2 cups broccoli florets 500 mL
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1 red onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
2 cups halved cherry 500 mL
tomatoes
1 cup sundried tomato 250 mL
oregano dressing
Cook pasta as directed on package, adding broccoli to the boiling water for the last three minutes of the pasta cooking time. Drain, rinse under cold running water. Drain well; place in large bowl. Then add the onions, pepper and tomatoes; mix lightly.
Add dressing; toss to coat. Cover and cool for one hour. Stir before serving.
Greek lemon potatoes
1/3 cup fresh 75 mL
lemon juice
1 tablespoon, 15 mL
oregano crumbled
1 tablespoon 15 mL
chopped fresh parsley
4 cloves garlic, finely
chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt 2 mL
1/2 teaspoon 2 mL
freshly ground pepper
3/4 cup olive oil 175 mL
10 cups potato 2.5 L
chunks (2 inch/5 cm)
Grease a large rimmed baking sheet or line with nonstick foil.
To prepare vinaigrette, whisk together first six ingredients (lemon juice through pepper) until combined. Gradually whisk in oil until blended. Reserve 1/4 cup (60 mL) vinaigrette to toss with cooked potatoes. Add remaining vinaigrette to raw potatoes and toss to combine.
Place potato mixture in a single layer in prepared pan. Bake, uncovered, at 425 F (220 C), stirring occasionally, for 11/4 to 11/2 hours or until potatoes are tender and lightly browned. Transfer to a serving dish and toss with reserved vinaigrette. Serve immediately. Serves eight. (Note: I have done this recipe on the barbecue with great success.)
Source: Blue Flame Kitchen.
Don’t forget dessert
Chocolate coffee cake is my favourite. Our family often serves it for birthdays. The recipe appealed to me because I hate throwing things away that could be useful. Each morning I dump out the coffee at the bottom of the pot. While browsing through old clippings, this cake caught my eye because now that stale and strong coffee is useful.
Chocolate coffee cake
2 cups sugar 500 mL
13/4 cups flour 425 mL
3/4 cup baking cocoa 175 mL
2 teaspoons baking 10 mL
soda
1 teaspoon baking 5 mL
powder
1 teaspoon salt 5 mL
2 eggs
1 cup strong brewed 250 mL
coffee
1 cup buttermilk 250 mL
1/2 cup vegetable oil 125 mL
1 teaspoon vanilla 5 mL
Note: As a substitute for buttermilk, place one tablespoon (15 mL) vinegar or lemon juice in a measuring cup and fill with milk to one cup (250 mL).
Combine the first six ingredients in a mixing bowl. Add eggs, coffee, buttermilk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed for two minutes. Pour into a greased and floured 10 inch (25 cm) bundt pan. Bake at 350 F (180 C) for 45-50 minutes. Cool and serve. Top with frosting.
For our last birthday party, we served this cake with fresh sliced strawberries and whipped cream.
Banana split “cake”
If a birthday party is going to be held on a warm day, try one of my other favourites, a frozen cake.
11/2 cups graham 375 mL
crumbs
1/3 cup butter or 75 mL
margarine, melted
2 packages 250 g each
cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar 250 mL
1 can (14 oz./398 mL)
crushed pineapple in juice,
drained
6 bananas, divided
2 cups cold milk 500 mL
2 packages (four-serving size
each) vanilla instant pudding
2 cups thawed 500 mL
whipped topping or whipped
cream, divided
1 cup chopped, 250 mL
pecans optional
1 cup grated 250 mL
chocolate of your choice,
optional
Combine graham crumbs and butter and press onto bottom of a
13 x nine inch (33 x 22 cm) pan. Put in the freezer for 10 minutes.
In the meantime, beat cream cheese and sugar with electric mixer until well blended. Spread carefully over crust; top with pineapple. Slice four of the bananas and arrange over the pineapple.
Pour milk into large bowl. Add dry pudding mixes. Beat with wire whisk two minutes or until well blended. Gently stir in one cup (250 mL) of the whipped topping; spread over banana layer in pan. Top with remaining one cup (250 mL) whipped topping. Refrigerate at least five hours. Slice remaining two bananas just before serving; arrange over dessert. Sprinkle with pecans or grated chocolate, if desired. Store leftovers in refrigerator.
Pollution is in you
Since Health Canada declared that bisphenol A was a chemical of concern, I have been asked many questions by readers. It prompted me to research chemicals we are exposed to every day.
One resource was titled Toxic
Nation, done by Environmental Defence, an environmental activist and lobby organization.
Studies show that people young and old are exposed to a wide range of chemicals found in everyday products such as furniture, TVs, food packaging, cleaning products and clothing.
The chemicals have a range of potential health effects including cancer, developmental and reproductive damage, respiratory illnesses, hormone disruption and damage to the nervous system.
Environmental Defence has completed three studies on toxic chemicals in Canadians’ bodies.
The first study tested 11 adults from across the country for 88 chemicals.
The second study tested children, parents and grandparents from five families for 68 chemicals. The third study tested four federal politicians for 103 chemicals.
Findings of all of Environmental Defence’s studies demonstrate that toxic chemicals contaminate people no matter where they live, how old they are or what they do for a living.
Read the full Toxic Nation reports at www.toxicnation.ca.
How to detoxify
- Avoid plastics with bisphenol A.
Studies have shown that in some cases the chemical mimics estrogen and may be linked to breast and prostate cancer. Bisphenol A is found in polycarbonate plastic and the lining of some food cans. It can leach into food and beverages.
The best alternative is to avoid food and beverage containers that contain the chemical. Use glass or stainless steel refillable drinking bottles. For juice or other drinks, it’s best to use lined aluminum bottles. Stainless steel bottles are great for water. Choose glass for baby bottles.
- Indoor air quality
Poor indoor air quality can expose people to a number of pollutants such as volatile organic compounds and mould. Don’t smoke indoors or store paints, solvents or varnishes in the home.
Control humidity, allow ventilation by opening windows and dust and vacuum regularly. Check Environment Canada to at www.ec.gc.ca/cleanair-airpur/Indoor_Air_Pollution-WS1280FDA8-1_En.htm.
* Personal care products
- Personal care products
Some personal care products expose people to chemicals with various potential health effects such as hormone disruption, cancer and damage to reproduction and development. These are products that people put all over their bodies. Remember that skin absorbs everything, good or bad.
Resource: Environmental Working Group Skin Deep database, www.ewg.org.
TEAM contest
Pets, their care and companionship are an important part of many people’s lives. Whether it is a stray kitten that you have adopted, a wild animal that you have rescued, a gold fish in a bowl, or a faithful dog – they all provide meaning, routine and interest to our lives.
TEAM Resources is having a summer draw for our readers.
To enter this draw, send us your pet story. Tell us how your pet has become part of your life, the place it holds in your heart and its adventures or misadventures. Please send your stories to team@producer.com or mail to The Western Producer, Box 2500, Saskatoon, Sask. S7K 2C4. Contest will end June 30.
Jodie Mirosovsky is a home economist from Rosetown, Sask., and one of four columnists comprising Team Resources. Send correspondence in care of this newspaper, Box 2500, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2C4 or contact them at team@producer.com.
