Food Fun and Facts Meal Planning Tips

Meal Planning Tips

Always use a shopping list! Check the recipes ahead of time to make sure you have the needed ingredients. Don't wait till the last minute. Your neighbor may not have the extra tablespoon of vanilla that you need!

Unexpected Company

A casserole dish could be a lifesaver. Tuna noodle casserole or macaroni and cheese can be whipped up in no time. Always keep a couple extra cans of tuna,a package of noodles or macaroni and grated cheese on hand. Serve either with string beans, applesauce, bread and butter and beverage.

What to serve with your main course?
Here are some helpful hints:

Bacon: Corn Fritters with Maple Syrup

Hamburg: Toasted Buns and Sweet Onion Rings
Potato Salad and Carrots

Baked Ham: Sweet Potatoes and Spinach, rice and Fried Pineapple Rings , Parsley Potatoes and Asparagus

Cold Ham: Baked Beans, Relish and Egg Rolls, Potato Salad and Dill Pickles

Ham Steak: Buttered Rice and Glazed Pineapple, Fried Eggs and Hash Brown Potatoes, Hominy, Corn Muffins and Fried Bananas

Hash: Poached Eggs and Green Salad

Hot Dogs: Sauerkraut and Baked Beans

Lamb Chops: Buttered Parley Potatoes and Succotash
Browned Potatoes, Spinach and Peas

Roast Lamb: Mashed Potatoes and Currant Jelly

Lamb Stew: Dumplings and Green Salad

Liver: Bacon and Corn Bread

Meat Loaf: Baked Potato and Canned Tomatoes
French Fries and Asparagus

Roast Pork: Brown Potatoes, Applesauce or Fruit Salad, Sweet Potatoes and Saurkraut, Mashed Potatoes, Celery or Apple Salad

Pork Chops: Scalloped Potatoes and Fried Apple Rings, Mashed Potatoes and Cole Slaw

Sausage: Fried Apples and Corn Bread, Mashed Potatoes and Pickled Peaches

Tongue: Buttered Noodles and Spinach

Veal: Baked Potato and Tossed Salad

Need a menu for Friday Night Supper?

Oven Fried chicken, creole rice, mixed green salad, fruit and beverage.
Easy and economical.

Add eye appeal and taste appeal by using attractive color,
flavor and texture combinations.

Serve hot foods hot and cold foods well chilled.

Experiment with new recipes and try different herbs
and spices. The herbs can make the ordinary dish
turn into the extraordinary!

Watch for information on ideas on how to make food appealing.
Information is usually found in the newspaper, magazines, television
and on the internet!

Menu for Christmas Dinner
From the Boston Cooking School Cookbook 1896

Consomme, Bread Sticks, Olives, Celery, Salted Pecans,
Duchess Potatoes, Cream of Lima Beans,
Chicken Croquettes with Green Peas,
Dressed Lettuce with Cheese Straws,
English Plum Pudding with Brandy Sauce,
Frozen Pudding, Assorted Cakes,
Bonbons, Crackers,Cheese, Cafe Noir

Go Big for the Big Game

(Family Features) When your friends and family gather around the big screen for the big game, only BIG FLAVOR will do! Earn MVP status with quick and easy Johnsonville recipes featuring sausages that are big on flavor when served by themselves, or when they're included in these traditional sports-fan favorites. Visit www.Johnsonville.com for great recipes to flavor up any get-together.

Deli Bites

Keep it simple with crowd-pleasing Deli Bites. There's big flavor (and no fillers) in these bite-sized delights. And, all you have to do is open the bag and serve - but you may want to stock up since they're often the first to go!

Reuben Brat Hoagie Recipe

Ingredients

1 package (19.76 ounces) Johnsonville Original Bratwurst
1 large onion, sliced
1 teaspoon butter
1/3 cup Thousand Island salad dressing
1/3 cup coarse ground mustard
1 loaf (1 pound) French bread
12 slices Swiss cheese, thinly sliced
1 can (14 ounces) sauerkraut, drained

Preparation

Grill brats according to directions.
When cool, cut into 1/4-inch bias slices.
In skillet, sauté onion in butter until tender; set aside.
In small bowl, combine salad dressing and mustard.
Slice French bread lengthwise and transfer to baking sheet.
Spread salad dressing mixture on inside of bread. Layer bottom of bread with six slices of cheese, brats, onions, sauerkraut and remaining cheese.
Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Cut hoagie and serve hot.

Serves
6 @ $2.14 per serving

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Serving Suggestions: To grill hoagie, assemble sandwich on a large sheet of heavy-duty foil. Wrap in foil. Grill, covered, over medium-low heat for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted

Preparation Time:
20

Grill Time:
35

Planning a Party?
If you will be using chopped onions, nuts, parsley,
celery, etc. for your party dishes,
get a step ahead of the game.
Chop all of these the day before, wrap in saran wrap
and place in refrigerator. This really will be a time saver.

Do you remember when people used guest books?
I had the pleasure of signing one a couple of years ago,
and it really made me feel special!
Keep the guest book in view, so all will sign it.
Makes for good memories and if gifts were given
at the party, you will have a record of who was there.
Try showing a guest book at your next affair!
You also record what was served and what was the biggest hit!

Planning a Party?
If you will be using chopped onions, nuts, parsley,
celery, etc. for your party dishes,
get a step ahead of the game.
Chop all of these the day before, wrap in saran wrap
and place in refrigerator. This really will be a time saver.

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More Easy Meal Planning Tips

Spicy Sausage Queso Recipe

Ingredients

1 package. (16 ounces) Johnsonville All Natural Ground Italian Sausage
2 pounds Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 jar (16 ounces) chunky salsa
1 tablespoon fennel seed, crushed
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon anise seed, crushed
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
Garlic toast

Preparation

In skillet, cook and crumble sausage until no longer pink; drain. Place cheese in large microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave on high for 6 minutes or until melted, stirring every 2 minutes. Stir in salsa, seasonings and sausage.
Microwave 2 minutes longer or until heated through. Serve with garlic toast.

Serves
24 @ $0.52 per serving

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Serving Suggestions: Add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper for a spicier dish. Serve garlic toast with diced tomatoes and chopped black olives. To serve in a bread bowl, cut off the top of a round loaf of bread; carefully hollow out bottom, leaving a 1-inch shell. Cube removed bread. Spoon cheese dip into bread shell. Serve with bread cubes.

Preparation Time:
25 minutes

SOURCE:
Johnsonville

Avoid a catastrophe-Use a meat thermometer

This way, the $40 rib roast will be edible!
Works on a turkey, or any other meats.
Just follow directions.
If making candy, use a candy thermometer.

While preparing your feast, there is one cardinal rule!
Be sure to clean up as you go.

A mess can pile up quickly! Believe me..It is much easier to wipe a knife and put it back where it goes than to throw it in the sink with tons of other dishes,pots, pans, etc.

If you keep ahead of the game,you will be able to enjoy
your guests and not worry what the kitchen looks like.

Did you every try putting several days mail on the desk
and then try to go through it? Gets frustrating, huh?
This is the same feeling you will get if you don't clean up as you go.

If you are throwing a really big party and have no experience
in the kitchen, I have only one recommendation.
Set aside some money and hire a helper!
Even if the helper is only going to clean and tidy
up for you, this will ease a lot of stress..
You will have more time to focus on your entertaining and food preparation.

Tired of the same old sandwich?
Here are some different fillings you can try!
Great for lunch boxes and outdoor eating.

Hawaiian Ham Sandwich:
1 cup Ground Ham (cooked)
1/2 cup drained crushed pineapple
1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
1/8 teaspoon Cloves

Mix all together and spread on your favorite bread or roll.

O'Hara's Sandwich:
1 cup chopped corned beef (cooked)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped kosher pickle
1/4 cup tomato juice

Mix all together and spread on your favorite bread or roll.

Liver Sausage Salad Sandwich:
1/2 pound liverwurst
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup sweet pickle
1 tablespoon chopped onion
1 chopped hard boiled egg
3 tablespoons mayonnaise

Mix all together and spread on your favorite bread or roll! The above sandwich spreads are servings for 6

East Coast Sandwich:
3 thinly sliced hot dogs(COOKED)
1/2 cup baked beans
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1 tablespoon chili sauce

Mix all together and spread on your favorite bread or roll!

Cheese Pimiento Sandwich:
1 cup shredded sharp cheese (experiment here)
2 tablespoons chopped pimiento
2 tablespoons mayonnaise

Mix all together and spread on your favorite bread or roll!

Making tea sandwiches?

To make it easier to cut the bread, first place the loaf
in refrigerator and chill. Be sure to have
the butter at room temperature when buttering bread.

Make the Game Day Party Hall of Fame

(Family Features) - It's the biggest sports day of the year - what are your plans for the Big Game? This year, grab a few of your favorite sports fans, stock up on all-star snacks and get ready to party. Here are some tips to help make your party one that could get you honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

Got a printer and a package or two of plain white t-shirts? Create a custom t-shirt commemorating your party using iron-transfer paper. Better yet, create two - one cheering on one team, one for the other. Everyone will love to have a souvenir of the day.

Use masking tape to "draw" a line roughly down the middle of your party space - then decorate each side of the room in one team's colors. Have fans sit on whichever side represents the team they're rooting for. Start that friendly rivalry going the second your guests walk in the door and you're sure to have a lively crowd from the very beginning.

Give the fans at your party another way to express their passion for the game and their team. Pick up a couple of soft foam footballs that can be hurled at opposing fans at the party when a big play is made.

Football watching can be hard work - and your guests will get hungry. So it's essential to have plenty of hearty, tasty snacks on hand. Make it easy on yourself and keep the menu simple, with one or two hot appetizers and plenty of munchies.

Did you know that 11 million pounds of potato chips are served on Super Sunday? This year step up your potato chip game and skip the ordinary chips in favor of all-natural, great-tasting Kettle Brand Potato Chips. With many intense, all-natural, delicious flavors to choose from, you're sure to find the right flavor combination for your get-together.

Set bowls of snacks all around the room to keep the party circulating. Put out crowd-pleasers such as Emerald Deluxe Mixed Nuts or Pop Secret Premium Popcorn. Salty, crunchy munchies will be exactly what your partiers will crave.

Your guests will also be thirsty. Make sure you have plenty of drinks that are easy to access. If you're not sure how much to purchase, the general rule of thumb to go by is five six-packs for every ten guests.

Consider bringing an extra TV or two into your party room to expand the crowd's viewing options. If you really want to go big, rent a mega-screen for the day.

Your guests will be interested in watching the game (and talking trash) - they won't care if their food is served on your grandmother's fine china. Make set-up and cleanup easy on yourself and go with "green" paper plates and napkins made from recycled paper.

Do you think you have what it takes to be a Party Hall of Famer?

This year, in honor of the biggest sports day of the year, Diamond Foods, Inc. and the Pro Football Hall of Fame are teaming up to honor Party Excellence. One lucky fan will win the prize of a lifetime and be recognized during the enshrinement weekend at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, complete with a trophy awarded by a Hall of Famer and a plaque on display. If you think you have what it takes, visit www.SnackBowl2011.com to find out more.

SOURCE:
Diamond Foods

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PigTails & Fries Recipe

Ingredients

1 package (13.5 to 16 ounces) Johnsonville smoked sausage (Polish, New Orleans, Smoked Turkey, BOLD Beef Hot Links or Beef Franks)
1 package (28 ounces) frozen curly french fries Oil for deep-fat frying

Preparation

Cut sausage links in half lengthwise. Cut each half into three long strips.
TO FRY: In deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°F. Fry french fries in batches for 3 to 6 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Place sausage strips in single layer in fryer basket. Fry for about 1 minute or until they curl. Drain on paper towels. Serve with fries.
TO BAKE: Spread fries in single layer on baking sheet. Bake at 450°F for 17 to 20 minutes, turning once. At the same time, arrange sausage strips in single layer on separate baking sheet. Bake at 450°F for 12 to 14 minutes or until they curl. Serve with fries.

Serves
6 @ $1.69 per serving fried or $0.91 per serving baked

Preparation Time:
10

Cook Time:
20 to 25 minutes

Touchdown Italian Sausage Chili Recipe

Ingredients

1 package (19.76 ounces) Johnsonville Italian Sausage Links
1 cup onion, chopped
3 celery ribs, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 large sweet red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large green pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) Italian recipe stewed tomatoes
1 can (16 ounces) dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) butter beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
3/4 cup black olives, sliced
1/4 cup cream sherry (optional)
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
1-1/2 teaspoons baking cocoa
1/2 to 1 teaspoon pepper

Preparation

Grill Italian sausage according to package directions; cut into half moon slices and set aside.
In soup kettle, sauté onion, celery, sweet pepper and garlic in oil until tender.
Add sausage and remaining ingredients; bring to boil.
Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until flavors are blended.

Serves
12 @ $1.38 per serving

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Serving Suggestions: Sprinkle chili with grated Asiago, Romano or Parmesan cheese.

Preparation Time:
35 minutes

Cook Time:
20 minutes

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