October 23, 2010

Service Auction Recipes

Thank you to all those who came and participated in the Service Auction last Tuesday. A special thanks to Gabby Hansen who provided the recipes for that night's wonderful, authentic dinner. In case you were not able to be there, below you will find her recipes. Bon appétit!



Chocolate cake Flan
Recipe for one cake

1 mix of chocolate cake (betty crocker triple chocolate works very well)
1/3 cup oil (for cake mix)
2-3 eggs(for cake mix)
1 can condensed milk
1 can evaporated milk
6 eggs
1 8 oz cream cheese full fat :)
1/2 cup sugar
1 ts vanilla 
1 can of dulce de leche (mexican caramel)

Make cake as instructed on package. In a sauce pan, melt the sugar until it becomes golden-amber in color. Pour it in the bundt cake pan. With a knife spread the sugar over every surface in the pan-  on the sides and the middle. Let sugar harden. After sugar is cool and hard add the cake mixture. Using a blender, mix evaporated milk, the condensed milk, eggs, cream cheese and vanilla in separate bowl. Add this mixture on top of the cake. Bake as instructed on the cake box. After cake is done let rest for about 5 minutes, turn over on a platter, let cool and frost with the dulce de leche. 

"Barbacoa" 

3.5 - 4 lbs of beef chuck shoulder 
5 roma tomatoes
2 anaheim peppers
1 small white onion
1 small red onion
1 ts white vinegar
1 cup water
3 dried pasilla peppers (To rehydrate, stick in container of hot water and let soften. Remove seeds and stem before using)
3 medium size garlic cloves
1/2 ts mexican oregano
2 russet potatoes
3 carrots
about 10 to 12 green pickled olives
5 slices of pickled jalapeno
1 T pickled jalapeno juice
2 ts of tomato-chicken bouillon
salt and pepper to taste

In a pan, sauté meat, onions, pepper and tomatoes with about 2 T of oil. After about 10 minutes add chile pasilla mixture (blend chile pasilla, garlic and oregano and 1 cup water) let  simmer for about 1 and half hours. Add potatoes, carrots, olives, jalapeno, pickled jalapeno juice, chicken bouillon, salt and pepper. Cook until potatoes and carrots are done. I hope this is helps.

Horchata:

2 cups of rice
3 cups of water
2 cups whole milk
3/4 C sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Soak rice in hot water for 8 hours. Drain the rice and add it to a blender or food processor along with 3 cups of water.  Pass the rice blend through a mesh strainer or thin cheese cloth into a container. Squeeze it good to get all liquid out.  Discard all the solid part of the rice.  Add remaining ingredients to the jar, stir, serve cold. (You can add spices and sugar to your taste)  Makes about 1.8 liters.=7 cups




Mexican Sausage Beans (similar to refried beans but much much better)
3 cups of cooked beans (puree beans in a blender or food processor)
6 oz of chorizo
1 1/2 cups of shredded melting cheese (such jack, colby, etc)
1 T dices pickled jalapeno
1 ts jalapeno pickle juice 
2 T butter

add butter to a pan, add the chorizo cook for about 10 minutes. Add the beans cheese, pickled jalapeno and juice.  Stir cook on low until cheese has melted.  this serves about 8 to 10 people.

Pasta Salad
Noodles 8 oz
Mayonnaise 6 T (mexican mayonnaise tastes the best "Mayonessa" I think)


peas 3/4 cup

salt 1 tsp
pepper to taste

Cook pasta, let cool. Mix all ingredients. add mayo till it seems right.  You don't need to add the whole amount if it seems ok. Add pepper and more salt if desired. Serves about Serves about 9 to 10 people. 


Mexican Rice (we didn't serve this, but its a delicious and authentic recipe!)
1 cup of rice
1 clove of garlic minced
3 T chopped green pepper (anaheim or bell pepper)
4 T chopped white or yellow onion
1/4 cup tomato sauce
1 3/4 C warm water
1 ts salt
1 ts chicken bouillon (is that how you spell it)
2 T butter

In a pan melt butter add rice, garlic, onion, and green pepper. sauté for about 10 to 17  minutes being careful not to burn the rice. Add water, salt ,tomato sauce, and the chicken bouillon. cover and cook in medium heat for about 20 to 25 minutes. Turn the stove off, fluff the rice with a fork, add warm vegetables such as carrot, peas and corn and mix. 

CILANTRO RANCH Dressing (contributed from Cafe Rio)
1 packet TRADITIONAL Hidden Valley Ranch mix (not BUTTERMILK)
1 c. mayonnaise
1 c. buttermilk
2 tomatillos, remove husk, diced
1/2 bunch of fresh cilantro
1 clove garlic
juice of 1 lime
1 jalapeno (we like it SPICY so we kept the seeds in it, if you like it mild, just remove the seeds)

Mix all ingredients together in the blender. That's it!

October 8, 2010

Upcoming activity: Service Auction!

The Relief Society Service Auction is coming up!
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 When: Tuesday, October 19
     dinner @ 6pm- authentic mexican food with a special dessert!
      auction @ 7pm
Where: Church




What: Donate acts of service (ie., a car wash, free babysitting, a friend to walk with), or donate your talents with handmade items (ie., freezer meal, cookies, crocheted beanie). Look for more ideas of what you can donate in the Relief Society binders on Sunday. Consider this as an opportunity to grow closer to the sisters in our ward through service.


How: When you arrive at the auction, you'll be given a quiz to determine  how many points you have for the auction. Items will be bid on for points only, no money. After the item is "sold", the bidder and seller will each receive receipts of the item/service acts.

You won't want to miss this fun event!

September 25, 2010

Best fun, free , & cheap in Seattle

If you attended the latest 3rd Ward Activity, you'll know all about the best fun, free, and cheap activities to do in Seattle, but just in case you missed it, here's a list to overwhelm you:

Dates:

  • Waterfront Activity Center Kayack/Canoe rental. $6-$7/per hour. 
  • Columbia Tower- the tallest building in Seattle with 360* views! $5 per person. Located on 5th & Columbia downtown. Open business hours only, no holidays
  • Date Nite at the Institute- Come for cheap (but good!) dinner, socializing, and a special speaker every 3rd Friday of the month (with exceptions. Watch the ward bulletin for more information). $2.50/person for dinner. Dinner at 6pm, Speaker at 7pm. Kids welcome.
  • Cheap Theater! Showing recently released movies for $3/person, you can't go wrong with The Crest Cinema! Call 206-781-5755 for showtimes. Located at 16505 Fifth NE, Seattle 98155
  • Take a Ballroom Dancing class with your hunny! Capitol Hill Studio offers regular walk-in classes in everything from salsa to lindy hop for $15 a lesson! Visit centuryballroom.com  or call 206-324-7263 for more information
  • Discover the Frye Art Museum - its always free! Visit FryeArt.org for hours.
  • Take a romantic stroll through the Japanese Gardens. Just $5 for adults (or $3 with college ID). Closed with inclement weather. Call ahead for hours of operation 206-684-4725
  • Rent a kayak at Agua Verde (206-545-5870) Visit this link for more details.
  • Drive-in movies at Auburn or Everet
  •  Alki beach & Golden Gardens allow fires
  • Dinner at the temple and a session
  • Rock climbing at UW (206-616-7227, website) or REI downtown.
  • Watch a movie at the PSC IMAX.
  • Laser light show at Pacific Science Center.
  • Free summer music concerts in the U-Village Parking lot.
  • Drive up 99 at night and look at the lights.
  • Visit Cafe Besalu for a breakfast date- best pastries in Seattle.
  • Pier in Des Moines, eat at Anthony’s.
  • Go shopping with your honey at Pike Place Market, where you'll find a wide variety of beautiful bouquets starting at $5.  
  • Take a Safeco Field Tour. Adults $9; Children $7
  • Take the Ferry and have dinner on an Argosy  Cruise around the Sound. Rates are $70-$80 for dinner, and $40-$50 for lunch.
  • Space Needle Café Besalu, breakfast date
  • Partake in the UW Arts: visit this link for more information on upcoming events. Admission varies.
  • Visit 3rd Place Books and find affordable used books!
  • Take a class  together at the Experimental College- even if you're not students.
  • Gun range in Wade, ladies night is Tuesday Arboretum with 1/2 price lane rental and free gun rental (with purchase of Wade's ammo)- husbands love this!
  • Motorcycle Show, December 10-12 Qwest Field
  • Seattle International Auto Show November 10-14 2010, Qwest Field Event Center
  • Go watch Shakespeare in the Park. Macbeth is running from October 8-30th, Thurs- Sun at 8pm. Reservations required. Macbeth will play at 2115 5th Ave, Seattle (right next to Cinerama and across the street from Top Pot Doughnuts).
  • Groupon is a great resource for limited-time local coupons. Check back everyday for a different coupon!
  • For great music, the tractor tavern in Ballard features lots of local groups and is usually a little cheaper. For more on the music scene, visit the crocodileneumosthe paramount & the moorethe showbox sodo & the showbox marketkey arena & wamu theater (usually bigger ticket bands), the vera project. Sonic Boom record store features in-store preformances, plus there are a ton more little spots all over capitol hill.
  • Watch a movie OUTDOORS! Check here for dates,  venues, and movies (shows run through September!)
  • Watch the Stars at the UW Observatory! (Check the link for open dates and times)
  • Ever had a Theo Chocolate? How about a tour of the factory? $6/person, ages 1 and up only. Reservations required for weekend visits.

    With your Kids:
    Around the Holidays:
    • St. Patrick's Day Parade March 17, 2011 at the Seattle Center
    Easter:
    • Egg Hunts (for kids ages 3-11) at Seattle area Community Centers,10 a.m Saturday before Easter


      • Alki Community Center (with a pancake breakfast starting at 8:30am, $4/person, Under 3 = free), Ballard Community Center, Bitter Lake Community Center Annex,
        Delridge Community Center, Garfield Community Center, Green Lake Community Center,
        Hiawatha Community Center, 
        High Point Community Center, International District/Chinatown Community Center, Jefferson Community Center (ages 10 and younger. Pancake breakfast to follow egg hunt, $1/person or $5/family), Loyal Heights Community Center, Queen Anne Community CenterRainier Community Center, South Park Community Center,
        Southwest Community Center 
        (with a pancake breakfast starting at 8:30am, $4/person, Under 3 = free), Van Asselt Community Center (ages 10 and under. Pancake breakfast to follow egg hunt, $1/person or $5/family), Yesler Community Center

    • The Naval Station Everett Fleet and Family Readiness (F&FR) annual Easter Eggstravaganza,10 am 
    • Mill Creek’s free Easter Eggstravaganza, 11am 
    • Vasa Park Easter Egg Hunt, 10am 
    • Arlington Airport Easter Egg Hunt, 11am 

    Bremerton Memorial Day Parade, May
    Auburn Veteran’s Day Parade, 11am

    Halloween:
    • Pumpkin patch in Carnation
    • For more information on where to find the best corn mazes and pumpkin patches, visit this website: www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org

    Top 5 Seattle Neighborhoods to Trick-or-Treat:

      1. Wallingford
      2. Queen Anne
      3. Magnolia
      4. University District
      5. Capitol Hill



    • University Village always has trick-or-treating on Halloween night, usually from 4pm-6pm. 


    Christmas:
    • Winterfest 2010! Nov. 26 – Dec. 31 at the Seattle Center includes Ice Skating, Fireside Singing, and other family friendly attractions!
    • Tree Lighting Celebration & Holiday Parade November 26, 2010 at the Westlake Center
    • Cut your own Christmas tree, Visit www.nwtrees.com
    • Christmas Carousel at Westlake Center
    • Christmas snow at Pacific Place Mall downtown.
    • Gingerbread houses at Sheraton Hotel
    • Candy cane tours in Woodinville
    • Lighted Ship Parade, Nov 27-Dec 23. See this website to find out when and where you have to be to see them!


    Christmas Light Displays:

    New Year's Eve 2010 fireworks at the Seattle Space Needle




    Parks: 
          For more park information, search the City of Seattle Parks guide.

    Gas Works Park
    Volunteer Park
    Interlaken Park- hiking
    Magnuson Park
    Carkeek Park
    Discovery Park
    Green Lake, lake activities for rent, 2.8 mile loop around park
    Lakewood Park has 18 hold disc golf course
    Matthews Beach- life guarded beach
    Pratt Park, water spray play area
    Jetty Island, free ferry ride
    Seward Park – nice bicycle ride
    Madison Parl- great waterfront and lifeguards in the summer
    Madrona Park- great waterfront and lifeguards in the summer

    Museums Free on 1st Thursday:

    Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture 10am - 8pm 
    Experience Music Project 5pm - 8pm
    Henry Art Gallery 11am - 8pm
    Museum of Flight 10am - 9pm
    Museum of History and Industry 10am –
     8pm 
    Northwest African American Museum 11am - 7pm
    Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame 5pm - 8pm
    Seattle Art Museum 10am - 9pm
    Seattle Asian Art Museum 10am - 9pm
    Wing Luke 10am - 8pm
    Museum of Glass in Tacoma, 
    third 
    Thursday 5pm - 8pm 
    Bellevue Arts Museum, first Friday 10am – 9pm