Sourdough Bread

Recipe : Quinoa, Zucchini and Roasted Pepper Chili Staff Member: Jennifer Karch If you know me, you know I start shivering the moment the temperature dips below 80 degrees. As soon as there’s even the faintest hint of fall in the air, I’m reaching for something warm, cozy, and comforting—and nothing hits the spot quite like a smoky bowl of chili. It’s the kind of meal that makes the house smell incredible, fills you up without weighing you down, and brings a little heat to even the chilliest evening. Whether it’s simmering on the stove after a long day or enjoyed by the fire on a weekend night, it’s my favorite way to ease into the cooler months. Roasted Pepper & Quinoa Chili Warm, smoky, and packed with wholesome ingredients, this plant-based quinoa chili is perfect for cozy dinners or make-ahead lunches. Here’s everything you need to bring it together. Ingredients 2 red bell peppers, halved and seeded 2 poblano chiles (or similar mild green chiles), halved and seeded 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium zucchini, diced 1 yellow onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 cup quinoa, rinsed 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, with juices 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed 1 ½ cups vegetable juice (like V8) 1 cup water 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste Instructions 1. Roast the Peppers Preheat your broiler. Arrange the bell pepper and chile halves, skin-side up, on a foil-lined baking sheet. Press them flat with your hand or spatula. Broil for about 10 minutes, or until the skins are blackened. Transfer the roasted peppers to a paper bag, fold it shut, and let steam for 10 minutes. Once cooled slightly, peel off the skins and chop the peppers roughly. 2. Sauté the Veggies Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the diced zucchini, onion, and garlic. Sauté for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and golden. Stir in the cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Cook for 30 seconds to bloom the spices. 3. Simmer the Chili Add the chopped roasted peppers and chiles to the pot. Pour in the quinoa, diced tomatoes, pinto beans, vegetable juice, water, and salt. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the quinoa is fully cooked and the chili thickens. 4. Serve & Enjoy Ladle into bowls and top with fresh cilantro, avocado slices, or a spoonful of sour cream if desired. This chili is even better the next day!

Recipe : Best Summer Salsa Staff Member: Nina Skurkis Summer and gardening are my favorite times of year. I’m excited to share a delicious Fresh Salsa (Pico de Gallo) Recipe featuring fresh vegetables straight from my garden. My other secret is the “Fresh Success Salsa” seasoning packet to bring out the best flavors. I like to change it up a bit and add garlic, red or orange peppers and a little sugar to taste. Salsa, in Spanish, simply means "sauce" and can take a variety of forms. Pico de gallo (a.k.a. salsa fresca) is a type of salsa made with chopped fresh tomatoes and onions, cilantro, fresh chiles, lime juice, and salt.  Ingredients Yields about 5 cups (serves 40 as an appetizer-sized portion) 3 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped 1 cup onion, finely diced ½ cup green bell pepper, chopped ¼ cup fresh cilantro, minced 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 4 teaspoons fresh jalapeño pepper, finely chopped (seeds included for extra heat) ½ teaspoon ground cumin ½ teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste) ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Instructions 1. Chop and Prep Gather and prep all your ingredients: chop the tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, cilantro, and jalapeño. You can leave the tomato skins on—especially if they’re garden fresh—or peel them if you prefer a smoother texture. 2. Mix Everything Together In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, cilantro, lime juice, jalapeño, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is well mixed and evenly coated. 3. Let the Flavors Mingle While you can serve it right away, this salsa gets even better if you let it rest. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour before serving to let the flavors meld. 4. Serve and Enjoy Serve with tortilla chips, spoon over grilled chicken, pile onto tacos—or just eat it by the spoonful. It’s fresh, flavorful, and addictively good. Tips & Variations: For a smoother texture, pulse everything in a food processor a few times—but don’t overdo it! Swap the bell pepper for red or yellow varieties for a touch of sweetness. Like it spicier? Add an extra jalapeño or toss in a serrano pepper. No fresh cilantro? Parsley or oregano make great stand-ins.

Staff Member: Stephanie Hagan A friend gave me these scones at an important time in my life. Of course, I had to have the recipe! Now I make them for other friends and family. I also make a batch and individually wrap them, and freeze. Then each morning I take one out, warm it and have with my coffee. The best part of the recipe is that I can use whatever I have on hand – raisins, craisins, chocolate chips, etc and change them up. Easy Homemade Scones (Customize Any Flavor!) These buttery, tender scones are the perfect balance of flaky and moist—and you can personalize them with your favorite mix-ins, from berries to chocolate chips. Whether you're making breakfast extra special or need a sweet treat with your afternoon coffee, this foolproof scone recipe delivers every time. Ingredients Makes 8 scones For the Scones: 2 cups all-purpose flour ⅓ cup granulated sugar ¼ teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup frozen unsalted butter ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup mix-ins (such as Craisins, fresh or frozen blueberries, chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit) For the Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar 1–2 tablespoons milk Instructions 1. Preheat and Prep Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. 2. Mix the Dry Ingredients In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 3. Cut in the Butter Grate the frozen butter directly into the dry mixture. Use a pastry blender or fork to work the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs. 4. Combine the Wet Ingredients In a separate bowl, whisk together the yogurt, cream, egg, and vanilla until smooth. 5. Bring the Dough Together Add the wet ingredients and your chosen mix-ins to the dry mixture. Fold together with a rubber spatula just until the dough starts to form clumps. 6. Shape and Cut Gently knead the dough in the bowl a few times until it comes together (don’t overwork it). Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into an 8-inch circle. Cut into 8 even wedges. 7. Bake Place wedges on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 16–18 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack. 8. Glaze and Serve In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled scones. Serve the same day for best flavor and texture. Optional Add-Ins & Flavor Variations Blueberry Lemon: Add fresh blueberries and 1 tsp lemon zest to the dough. Chocolate Chip: Use mini or dark chocolate chips for a dessert-style scone. Orange Cranberry: Swap vanilla for orange juice and add 1 tsp orange zest to the glaze. Peach Pecan: Fold in diced peaches and chopped pecans. Savory Option: Reduce sugar to 1 tbsp and add shredded cheese and chives. Make-Ahead & Freezer Tips Make Ahead: Prepare dough up to 1 day in advance and store tightly wrapped in the fridge. Freeze Dough: Flash-freeze shaped wedges on a tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake directly from frozen or thaw overnight in the fridge. Freeze Baked Scones: Let them cool completely, then freeze. Reheat briefly in the microwave or toaster oven before serving.

Newsletter: October 2024 Recipe: Orange Marmalade Glazed Ham Staff Member: Penny Miller Text: A show stopper from Penny for the fall: Cooking is another way for me to use my imagination and creativity in creating flavors and textures which I can enjoy with my family. This Orange Marmalade Glazed Ham is a wonderful recipe to share with my family and friends with it’s warm sweet colors, smells and flavors. Orange Marmalade Glazed Ham A sweet, tangy, and aromatic holiday centerpiece This show-stopping glazed ham gets its irresistible flavor from a blend of orange marmalade, brown sugar, whole grain mustard, and warming spices. It’s festive, easy to prep, and the glaze caramelizes into a beautiful golden crust that’s holiday-table ready. Ingredients Serves 12 to 14 1 (8–10 lb) bone-in smoked, fully cooked ham (shank portion) ½ cup orange marmalade ½ cup whole-grain mustard ½ cup light brown sugar, packed 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon ground allspice Freshly ground black pepper, to taste Fresh rosemary sprigs (for serving) Oranges, quartered (for serving) Instructions 1. Prep the Ham Let the ham sit at room temperature for 30–60 minutes. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Trim away any skin and score the fat in a diagonal crosshatch pattern, about 1 inch apart. Place the ham, flat side down, on a rack in a roasting pan. Pour ½ inch of water into the bottom of the pan. Cover tightly with foil and roast for 1 hour. 2. Roast Until Heated Through Remove the foil, check the water level, and add more if needed. Loosely re-cover with foil and continue roasting for another 1 to 1.5 hours—about 15 minutes per pound—until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 130°F. 3. Make the Glaze While the ham finishes roasting, whisk together the marmalade, mustard, brown sugar, vinegar, coriander, ginger, allspice, and a few grinds of black pepper. Spoon off about ¼ cup of pan juices and stir them into the glaze. 4. Glaze and Finish Increase oven temperature to 400°F. Brush the ham with half of the glaze. Continue roasting, uncovered, for 40–45 minutes, brushing with the remaining glaze two more times, until caramelized and the internal temp reaches 140°F. Add more water to the pan if needed to prevent burning. 5. Rest and Serve Transfer the ham to a cutting board or platter. Let rest for 20 minutes before slicing. Garnish with rosemary sprigs and orange quarters. Serve extra glaze on the side, if desired. Tips for Success Use a meat thermometer—don’t guess! Internal temperature should hit 140°F after glazing. Don’t skip scoring the fat—this helps the glaze seep into the ham and makes for a stunning finish. If the pan begins to dry out, add more water to avoid scorching the glaze.

Newsletter: July 2024 Recipe: Banana Frozen Yogurt Staff Member: Jennifer Karch Text: I'm health and diet obsessed, but sadly, really love ice cream. This is my replacement and I love that I can make this quickly at home and customize it to any flavor I want. Ice cream for breakfast?!  Recipe: Ingredients: 4 ripe bananas ¾ cup plain yogurt 2 tbs honey (or to taste) Optional: Cocoa powder Cinnamon Slice bananas and place in a sealed container - freeze for 2 hours Add the frozen bananas, yogurt, honey, and cocoa powder/cinnamon (if using) to a food processor Process until just creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed Serve immediately - it should be more like soft-serve - or transfer to a sealed container and store in freezer

Newsletter: April 2024 Recipe: Pierogi Staff Member: Hannah Text: A recipe from Hannah that reminds her of spring: As spring approaches, my favorite tradition is making pierogis, a cherished activity passed down from my grandma and extended family. Together, we knead the dough, fill it with a savory mixture of potatoes and cheese, and shape each dumpling with care. The kitchen fills with laughter and the comforting aroma of boiling pierogis, evoking fond memories of generations coming together. Making pierogis isn't just about the delicious food; it's about honoring family bonds and the joy of tradition. Classic Homemade Pierogi Traditional Polish dumplings filled with buttery potatoes and cheese This time-honored pierogi recipe comes straight from Grandma Mary’s kitchen. Fluffy dough is wrapped around creamy mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese, and onions—boiled, pan-fried, and served with caramelized onions and sour cream. Comfort food at its finest. Ingredients Makes about 65 pierogi For the Dough: 6 cups all-purpose flour 2 large eggs, beaten 6 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil 2 teaspoons salt 1½–2 cups cold water (start with 1½ cups and add more if needed) For the Filling: 3¾ lbs baking (russet) potatoes, peeled and cubed 1 medium white onion, finely diced ⅓ cup salted butter, softened (divided use) 4½ cups cheddar cheese, finely shredded Salt, to taste White pepper (or fine black pepper), to taste For Serving (Optional): 1 onion, diced or thinly sliced 2 tablespoons salted butter Sour cream Instructions 1. Make the Dough In a large bowl, mix the flour, eggs, oil, salt, and 1½ cups of water. Stir to form a shaggy dough, adding more water as needed. Knead on a floured surface for 4–5 minutes until smooth and pliable. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 30–60 minutes. 2. Prepare the Filling Boil potatoes in salted water for 15 minutes or until fork-tender. Drain well. While potatoes cook, sauté diced onion in 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat until soft (not browned). Mash potatoes until smooth. Add sautéed onions, remaining butter, and cheddar cheese. Mix until creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let cool. 3. Assemble the Pierogi Roll out half the dough on a floured surface to ⅛-inch thickness. Cut into 3-inch rounds using a biscuit cutter or jar lid. Place 1½ tablespoons of filling in the center of each round. Fold into a half-moon and pinch the edges to seal tightly. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. 4. Cook the Pierogi Boil: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pierogi in batches. Once they float (2–4 minutes), remove with a slotted spoon. Pan-Fry (Optional but Recommended): In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Sauté diced or sliced onion until soft. Add boiled pierogi and fry until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes. Freezing Instructions To freeze uncooked pierogi: Place in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag and label. Cook from frozen—no need to thaw—by boiling until they float. Pro Tips Mash Smooth: Use a ricer or fine masher for a lump-free filling. Shred Cheese Fresh: Pre-shredded cheese won’t melt as evenly. Don’t Overwork the Dough: Keep it soft for easier rolling and better texture. Seal Well: Pinch the dough edges thin and tight to prevent leaking.