candy apple pie • grilled beef tenderloin • easy ... - Penzeys Spices

“I really enjoy being in my kitchen,” says Karen,
to which husband Gary and daughter Melanie
might quickly add “Amen!”
Karen Niessing
Teachers and parents have such a
significant impact shaping a child’s
development,” says Karen Niessing of
Hales Corners, Wisconsin.
“I just sent an email to the
principal of my daughter’s school to
recognize a teacher who puts his heart
and soul into his work. I can’t give him
a pay raise, but I
certainly can let
his boss know how
much I appreciate
the way this
teacher does his
job.
“Teachers have
very difficult jobs
and face so many
“ When you cook
something for someone
else you are really giving
of yourself in a very
unique way.
”
challenges, so when we encounter a
teacher who has that special ability to
light those fires in children and be a
true difference-maker we should
recognize it, applaud it and encourage
it!
“At home children are like little
sponges, listening, watching and
interacting with family members. So
much of their value system is shaped
this way. When my daughter was very
young I realized that she was like a
little tape recorder. At any given
moment you could press the play
button and my words would come out
of her mouth. Believe me, that wasn’t
always a good thing! But thankfully
most of the time it was absolutely
gratifying, like the time when she was
about 3 and while talking to another
child she referred to her as ‘you little
sweetheart!’
“I was brought up to appreciate the
importance of cooking and I’m very
glad that my mother and
grandmothers all cooked with so
much love. The tradition has been
passed down to me and hopefully I
will do the same for my daughter.
Cooking is necessary to sustain our
bodies but it also sustains our souls
and spirits. I’m proud to be a cook
and I’m gratified that what I make
not only feeds people but also
enriches them.
“I’ve also learned much from my
mother-in-law, sisters, sister-in-law,
step children and friends from a
variety of cultures and have woven
their recipes and food choices into
my life. It is wonderful! They all share
a love of good food, a willingness to
experiment and a desire to use food
to make others happy.”
Karen enjoys
preparing meals for her
immediate and
extended family
members. She
especially loves to cook
for holidays, birthdays
and for people who are
recovering from illness
or “just need something yummy to lift
their spirits.”
“Cooking is very personal. You take
ingredients and even though you may
follow a recipe you are really putting
yourself into whatever dish you are
making. Everyone has his or her own
cooking style and approach to a dish,
and that is why the same recipe can
turn out slightly or very different
depending on who is making it.
“So when you cook something for
someone else you are really giving of
yourself in a very unique way.
Whether it’s one of a thousand
routine suppers you’ve made over the
course of many years or a really
special meal for someone who needs
some TLC, that cook is saying ‘I care
about you’ when he or she takes the
time to prepare your food.”
–Jim Smith
Blueberry Spice Muffins
Blueberries are really good for you, and when
they’re packed in a cinnamony muffin, they’re
irresistible.
1 3 ⁄4 Cups flour
1 ⁄2 Cup sugar
2 1 ⁄2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. CINNAMON (Karen likes
VIETNAMESE)
1 ⁄2 tsp. salt
1 ⁄2 tsp. GROUND NUTMEG
1 egg, lightly beaten
3 ⁄4 Cup milk
1 ⁄3 Cup melted butter
1 1 ⁄4 Cups fresh blueberries
Topping:
1 TB. sugar
1 ⁄2 tsp. CINNAMON
Preheat oven to 400°. For the muffins: Combine
the dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a small
bowl, combine the egg and milk and then add
to the dry ingredients along with the melted
butter. Stir just until moistened and then fold in
the blueberries. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin
cups 2 ⁄3 full. Combine the topping ingredients
and sprinkle over the batter. Bake at 400° for
16-20 minutes or until browned and springy or a
toothpick that doesn’t hit a blueberry comes out
clean. Cool a few minutes in the pan and then
remove to a wire rack.
Prep. time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 16-20 minutes
Yield: 12 muffins
Nutritional Information: Servings 12; Serving Size 1 muffin (61g);
Calories 150; Calories from fat 45; Total fat 5g; Cholesterol 25mg;
Sodium 200mg; Carbohydrate 23g; Dietary Fiber