Treats From Your Kitchen

Now, more than ever, our kitchens are the most important rooms in our house. We can create good meals and fun snacks for ourselves. We can also brighten up others' lives with our creations. It's time to uses those ovens and stove tops for culinary gifts.

A hot meal is always appreciated. If you know someone , whether family or friend, who is struggling to put food on the table, then treat them to a full meal. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Think crockpot or Instapot sauce with pasta. Include a loaf of crusty Italian bread and a container of a lovely mixed salad, chock full of such veggies as broccoli and cauliflower. If you're a whiz at dough making, then make dough for pizza and calzones. Include sauce and cheese along with ricotta and ham for the calzones. Chili is also an easy make that can be doubled and even tripled. This is a great gift because the dish can be stretched with more meat or beans, allowing it to last and be repurposed for several meals. Any pasty or empanadas would be a nice change up. Cornish pasties can be filled with meat, veggies and cheese. A fun combo anyone would like is a filling made up of cheddar and onion. You could also create feta and spinach puffs using phyllo dough.

A fruit plate is a tasty and healthy choice. You can create your own Edible Arrangement. You just need cookie cutters , wooden skewers and chocolate chips. To get the chocolate as glossy and smooth as what Edible Arrangements uses, add coconut oil  to the chocolate for a shiny finish. If you're not that creative , then think about a homemade fudge. Fudge recipes can be as simple or elaborate as you want. You can whip up one that only requires chocolate chips, butter and condensed milk. Make it yummier with walnuts or chopped almonds added. For a sophisticated cook a white chocolate caramel fudge laced with pecans. Haystacks are another fun treat and it's an easy microwave make of melted chocolate chips mixed with toasted coconut. Then they're just dropped by the spoonful onto waxed paper or a greased cookie sheet. A tin of homemade cookies is always appreciated. Of course chocolate chips are the preferred favorite but if you can, vary them with some peanut butter and sugar cookies too. A box or container of cupcakes is always welcomed. Have the kids decorate them with cheery notes and decorations. These are the perfect leave on the step surprise for any first responders in your neighborhood.

A creative gift from your kitchen is much appreciated these days, it could be a got meal or a sweet treat. Any food is wanted and given from the heart.

The Veteran's Initiative

With today being Veteran's day, it's time to think of what we can do to honor them along with helping them.The best bet is working together as a community to make sure our vets are well fed and tended to. It may eve bring us together.

One of the best ways to honor them is reaching out. You can volunteer at veteran's homes , helping to cook and bake. Another pair of hands will be appreciated , especially when it comes to cutting and paring veggies.Also be on hand when the vets have birthdays, especially a milestone one. If you're a baker contribute a home made birthday cake or cupcakes, If they're on strict diets, then think about creating fruit bouquets similar to Edible Arrangements. They're easy to create , especially if you have metal cut out molds or paring knives. You can also contribute savory dishes such as veggies and dip or chips and homemade salsa. A homemade dinner is also a great way of saying thank you especially if you have vets in your neighborhood. It's also a great way of learning about history from someone  who has first hand experience. Another way of saying thank you is just taking him or her out for a meal or even a coffee. They'll probably enjoy the company more than the food.

The community can also come together to help vets. Think about having large communal holiday themed dinners like Thanksgiving at your schools. The school cafe or even gym can serve as the dining area. The cost can be diffused by turning it into a pot luck buffet. This is also a good lesson in inclusiveness as well. Have students and their families cook up or bake family favorites or heirloom recipes. It'll give vets a chance to try a possible array of Indian, Filipino and Caribbean dishes as well as such Thanksgiving classics as cranberry sauce and stuffing.  The students , especially the older ones, will gleam info about the country's involvement in recent wars. It may even inspire them to consider public service as a career choice. Another way of honoring them is having block parties. If the weather is mild in your area, then think about a holiday one. It's not just a good time for a plate of Christmas cookies but plaques thanking them for their service. Gift them with gift cards to their favorite restaurants or coffee houses like Panera, Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts.

Don't honor veterans just on today. Honor them everyday. They fought  like the heroes they are. Celebrate them always.