Cheese Please!

Ever wonder how cheese is made? Well, its EXTREMELY easy, and you can make your own cheese with only two ingredients in your very own kitchen!
Here's how:
Bring 2 quarts of milk to 185 degrees. Slowly Stir in 1/4 cup vinegar or lemon juice.
The curds will separate form the whey. Drain the curds through cheese cloth.
Voila! You've made your own cheese!

Kitchen Summer Fun For the Kids!

Kids bored for the summer?
Try This!
Place a fresh berry or small piece of fruit in each well of an ice cube tray. Add water and freeze.
Or
Use fruit juice instead of water for ice cubes. Its a great way to flavor your beverages, and a fun project for the Kids!

Butternut Squash Lasagna!

Too much squash, and you don't know what to do with it all? Well, I got this amazing recipe for Butternut Squash Lasagna from my mother in law. At first, I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical, but my husband convinced me to make it, and let me tell you, it's "melt in your mouth" terrific! I give it 2 thumbs up! Below is the recipe, with a couple variations I added that save you time, from the original recipe.
Enjoy!
1 (1 1/2 to 2-pound) butternut squash, baked, and seeds removed
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup water
1/3 Cup Seasoned Bread Crumbs
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 1/2 cups whole milk
Pinch nutmeg
Dash of Italian Seasoning
12 lasagna noodles
2 1/2 cups shredded whole-milk mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup grated Parmesan
Directions
Mix Softened squash with Bread crumbs, salt, and pepper to taste.
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, whisking often, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the nutmeg. Cool slightly. Add the basil and mix until smooth. Season the sauce with salt and pepper, to taste.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Butter a 13 by 9 by 2-inch glass baking dish. Spread 3/4 cup of the sauce over the baking dish. Arrange 3 lasagna noodles on the bottom. Spread 1/3 of the squash over the noodles. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of mozzarella. Drizzle 1/2 cup of sauce over noodles. Repeat layers 3 times.
Add 1/2 cup water to dish. (this helps the noodles steam and cook)
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake the lasagna for 40 minutes. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over lasagna. Bake 10-15 minutes more.
Serve and enjoy!

Free Downloadable Recipe Book to Fight Hunger

What's better than a great recipe book? A great FREE recipe book, that helps a great cause! Exciting things are happening on The Pampered Chef page! Starting today, you can help fight hunger by downloading our new celebrity cookbook (Pssst, it's FREE!). Check out the brand new "Celebrities" tab and help make a difference for those in need. Click on over for all the details! www.pamperedchef.com
Ask Courtney about The Pampered Chef Hostess and Guest Specials!
(276) 957-1422 (home)

Dinner in a Dash? Look to the Microwave!

When I first heard of microwave cooking, I was a bit skeptical to say the very least. But, I got addicted to microwave cooking after I tried a mouth watering molten chocolate cake made in just 11 minutes! So, I invested in a Pampered Chef Stoneware Deep Covered Baker*. Since then, my cooking has forever been altered! I cook whole chickens in 30minutes, and I make gourmet desserts in about 10 minutes! My guests also rave when they hear that my dishes come from the microwave.

If you are pressed for time, why not get a microwavable dish and try your hand at microwave cooking! Its cuts lots of bothersome cooking time off the weeknight race for dinner.

*For more information, or to order your own pampered Chef Stone Cookware, call me: (276)957-1422, or email me kitkitwv@yahoo.com, and put "Pampered Chef" in the subject line. It can be shipped directly to your home!

Freezing-A Quick Alternative to Canning

Have you ever wanted to preserve your garden's harvest but not had the time to invest in canning? Well, an inexpensive and easy alternative is to freeze your food!
Just find some freezer safe bags, perpare your food as normal, and stick it in the freezer! Usually frozen foods from your garden, when packaged properly, will stay good for about a year. Its that easy!

Canning - A Money Saving Southern Tradition

Canning has been a favorite past time of southern women for years. Its also a great way to save money. And, as my favorite cook, Paula Deen says "Anybody who says you can’t bottle up sunshine and save it for a winter’s day hasn’t tasted my canned tomatoes."
An easy way to get started is to can some tomatoes straight from your garden! Is very easy, and you don't even need a pressure canner. Simply follow the instructions below!
5 pounds tomatoes, blanched, and peeled
dash of lemon juice
pinch of salt
2 (1 quart) Jars with lids
Boil tomatoes and salt, covered with water in a pan for 5 minutes
Add a little lemon juice to each sterilized jar
Fill jar with tomatoes, leaving 1/2 inch headspace
Add "simmered" lids to jars, and process in hot water bath for 10 minutes.
Remove from bath and cool on counter.
Its that easy!