Fondue

New Year's Eve Fondue.

Parmesan Cream Cheese Fondue
1 Tbsp.butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups milk
2 - 8 ounce bricks cream cheese, softened
1/2 cups grated, dry, parmesan (not fresh)
   Melt the butter in the fondue pot.  Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.  Add the milk, cream cheese, and parmesan and stir together.  Cook on low to medium heat until slightly bubbly and warm.  Turn to low.  We like to dip french bread cubes into this fondue.

Cheddar Cheese Fondue
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tsp. garlic, minced
2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. ground mustard (powder)
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
   Pour the chicken broth into the fondue pot on medium heat.  Add the mustard powder and pepper and whisk them together.  Add the garlic.  Stir it in.  Add the cheddar into the mix in small amounts.  Continue to stir until well blended.  Fold in the Worcestershire sauce.  Turn to low.  This fondue is for lightly steamed broccoli and cauliflower dipping.

 
Hot Oil
chicken breast, cubed
pork, cubed
steak, cubed
shrimp
mushrooms
cream cheese wontons
Mozzarella cubes
Vegetable oil
   To prepare the meats I like to freeze them for about 2 hours before cutting them.  The frozen meat is easier to cut in to uniform cubes. 

   Heat the oil on high in the fondue pots. Each of the meats takes different amounts of time for cooking.  The shrimp cooks the fastest, followed by the steak.  The chicken and pork need the longest in the oil.  Do not eat under cooked chicken or pork.

   The mushrooms are easy and quick cooking.  The cream cheese wontons are easy to put together.  Put a little bit of cream cheese in a wonton wrapper and fold the corners up, pinching them in the middle.  For the Mozzarella cubes, cut the Mozzarella into cubes.  In a small bowl beat 2-3 eggs.  In another bowl add Italian bread crumbs.  Dip each cheese cube into the egg and them into the bread crumbs and then repeat for a second coating. 

The sauces.  For the meats we like to dip the cooked chicken and pork in Peanut Sauce, or bbq sauce.  The shrimp is really good with cocktail sauce or drawn garlic butter.  The steak we like to also dip in the butter or just sprinkle with garlic salt.  For the Mozzarella cubes we use a simple jar of marinara sauce.  The wontons we dip in a homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce.

 
Sweet and Sour Sauce
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cornstarch
2 Tbsp. oil
1/4 cup ketchup
   In a small bowl combine the pineapple juice, sugar, salt,and cornstarch. Set aside.  In a small saucepan add the oil and ketchup. Stir together and heat over high heat until bubbly.  Add the pineapple juice mixture and stir together over high heat until the sauce thickens.  Remove from heat.  It will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.

Peanut Sauce
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. lime juice
1/4 cup coconut milk
1/4 cup water
1 clove crushed garlic
1 pinch of red pepper flakes (to taste)
   Mix all the ingredients together and heat over medium high heat until thickened.

Chocolate Fudge Fondue
8 - 1.55 ounce Hershey's milk chocolate bars, broken into squares
1/4 cup milk
10 large marshmallows
1/4 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
   Place the broken chocolate bars and milk into the fondue pot on medium heat.  Stirring constantly add the marshmallows until melted.  Gradually add the heavy cream until desired consistency.  ( I like it a little on the thinner side.)
We like to dip bananas, strawberries, brownie bites, rice krispie squares, angel food cake cubes, and mini cream puffs in the chocolate fondue.

Caramel Fondue
40 unwrapped caramels
1/2 block cream cheese, softened
3-5 Tbsp. milk
   Combine the caramels, cream cheese, and 3 Tbsp. of the milk in a fondue pot.  Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until melted.  Add the other 2 Tbsp. of milk if desired for the consistency.
Apples are the favorite for the caramel fondue.

December Sunday School: Building the Kingdom of God in the Latter Days - How can I share my testimony that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?

This is a silent Christmas lesson.  It includes pages to hold up for the class to read and videos to watch and listen to. The first video has subtitles, the second has a vocal song accompaniment, the third has some background music and the last one has speaking in it. The idea is for the class members to remain silent throughout the lesson.  The parts below that are in quotations are from Elder Henry B. Eyring's talk, "The Perfect Gift".
Other lines and scriptures were taken from the lesson outline and a few of them I wrote to add to the message and help link thoughts together.

(Each line is printed onto one sheet of paper.  Hold the papers up, one at a time, and allow time for class members to read.  Show the videos in between when listed.)

This is a silent Christmas lesson.  "Listen" and feel..
Christmas is a time to remember the birth of the Savior and renew our appreciation for
the great gift of His perfect life and atoning sacrifice.
"We celebrate our Heavenly Father’s perfect gift of His Beloved Son,
Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. In token of this greatest of gifts,
the Christmas season becomes for most of us a time of finding joy in giving to others."

He is the Gift
2 minutes, 6 seconds

Luke 2: 1. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out
a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
3. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, 

into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; 

(because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished
that she should be delivered.

7. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, 

and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Breath of Heaven
7 minutes, 18 seconds

In the scripture accounts of His birth, we find patterns of discipleship—
from Samuel the Lamanite, who courageously prophesied of His coming,
to the Nephites who looked steadfastly for the sign of His birth,
to the shepherds who shared the message that the Son of God had been born,
to the wise men who discerned the fulfillment of prophecy
and traveled a great distance to see the King of the Jews.

The Wise Men Seek Him 
5 minutes, 41 seconds

"You know from your experiences during Christmas seasons
that such shared joy can come from
creating and offering even simple gifts of love.
For instance, many of you have helped a child to take plates of cookies to those who
feel especially alone at Christmas. To the person receiving this modest gift
from a child, it can appear as precious as frankincense. And a child bringing such a gift
can remind them of the Magi bringing gifts from the East to the Savior.
Both giver and recipient can remember Christ and feel love and gratitude."
Simple gifts of love...

They Gave Up Their Christmas
4 minutes, 45 seconds

Their gift to the Savior was the gift of time.
Their testimonies of Him were born through their sacrifice.
Like these faithful Saints and those of old, we should feel the desire
to share with others our testimony of Jesus Christ
and the “good tidings of great joy” that we have found in His restored gospel.
This Christmas let US give the Savior a gift.
The gift of our testimony of Him shared with others
both by spoken word and by the way we live.

Biscotti, Cranberry Pistachio and Chocolate Chip Pecan

Biscotti
6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup extra ingredients (1/2 cup craisins plus 1/2 cup pistachios or 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips plus 1/2 cup pecans or whatever you want to add!)
melting chocolate, optional

  In a large mixing bowl cream together the butter and sugar.  Add the eggs and vanilla and mix together.  Slowly add the flour and baking powder and mix until well combined.  Fold in the extra ingredients.  Spray a cookie sheet with nonstick spray or use parchment paper.  Shape a rectangle about 12 inches by 5 inches and 1/2-1 inch thick with a slight rise in the middle.  Flour your hands if the dough is sticking to them.  I also recommend shaping the dough near the edge of the pan for easier slicing later when the pan is hot.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.  Remove from the oven and using a serrated knife, slice the biscotti into 1 inch wide slices.  Lay them on their side and bake for another 10 minutes.  Turn the slices over to the other side and bake an additional 10 minutes.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before dipping edges into melted chocolate.

Caramel Apple Pie

The credit for the original recipe belongs to The Pioneer Woman: here
The one change I made was to the apples.  I used three different apples. 2 Rome, 2 Granny Smith and 2 Honeycrisp. I loved that they all had different flavors and qualities to add to the pie and made each bite just a little different.

Caramel Apple Pie
1 Pie Crust  my recipe is here: Easy Pie Crust

Pie Filling:

6 to 7 cups peeled and sliced apples
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Crumb Topping:

1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup quick oats
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 jar (or more) caramel topping (I used Mrs. Richardson's Buttercotch Caramel)

   Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Roll out your pie crust and place it in a pie pan, crimping the edges.  Peel, core, and slice the apples.  In a large bowl combine the apples, lemon juice, sugar, flour and salt.  Set aside.  In another bowl mix together the crumb topping ingredients: Start by adding the flour to the bowl and the butter, sliced.  Use a pastry blender to mix the butter into the flour.  Next add the brown sugar, oats, and salt.  Stir together.  Set the crumb topping aside. Pour the apples into the pie crust.  Pile them high in the center.

  Sprinkle the crumb topping mix over the apples.

Bake at 375 for 1 hour.  If the edges of the crust begin to brown too quickly, cover them with foil.

After one hour sprinkle the chopped pecans over the top and bake for another 5 minutes.  Remove the pie from the oven and pour the caramel sauce over the top.

December Sunday School:Building the Kingdom of God in the Latter Days - How can I be a better leader?

I am going to start the lesson with an object lesson, team building activity, to let the class see in action some leadership styles and their effectiveness.

I am using this marble pipeline set from my preschool.  The object of the activity is to get the marble from one side of the hallway to the other side and into the orange bucket.  The rules are that everyone must participate and no one can touch the marble with their hands.  The marble is to only come in contact with the plastic pipe pieces. The instructions for building the pipe structure are included ONLY for confusion purposes.  The team is not supposed to build the marble pipeline shown in the picture (Haha!  What a sneaky teacher I am!) The method I envision being successful is for each person to hold a piece of pipe with both hands and let the marble roll from one side to the other into the next person's pipe.  They will need to stand side to side. They will also have to take more than one turn to get it the whole length which means running from one end to the other to get back in line for their next turn.   I have written up 4 different instruction sheets to go along with 4 different leadership styles.  I have chosen 4 class members to read each one and act out the leader's style.  It should be fun and funny! :)

1. The "Incomplete Instructions" Leader.
Place the bucket and box of pipeline with the marble in front of your team (the class).
Set the timer for 1 minute.
Say, "You have 1 minute... Go!"
Start timer.

2.  The "Lazy" Leader.
Sit down on a chair.
Point to the bucket and box of pipeline with the marble.
Tell your team that the bucket goes at the end of the hall.
Tell them that object is to get the marble into the bucket.
Don't touch the marble.
Everyone must participate.
Set the timer for 1 minute, start it and say, "Go!"

3.  The "Commander."
Set the timer for 1 minute and start it. (Start giving orders and stop wherever you are on the list when the timer goes off.)
Bark at someone to move the bucket down to the end of the hall.
Bark at someone else to open the box of pipeline.
Demand that everyone pick a piece out of the box.
Tell someone to pick up the marble.
Yell at the team to start passing the marble to each other.
Bark at them to get it down the hall quickly and without touching it.
Be critical of mistakes.

4.  The "True" Leader.
Have the class gather together in a circle.
Explain the object of the activity: To get the marble into the bucket at the end of the hall using the pipes with everyone participating.
Inventory the equipment.
Ask the team members if they have any suggestions.
Discuss all suggestions.
Together form a plan of action.
Help organize team to set up plan.
Set timer for 1 minute, start it and say, "Let's go! We can do it!"
Work with your team and help where you can.
Be encouraging!
Praise efforts and congratulate success.

After the activity have the class return to the classroom and discuss the different leadership styles.
How did the different styles work?
Which type of leader do you want to be?
Can you think of any examples in the scriptures of leaders who were effective?
Why was King Benjamin such a great leader?
Why were his people so willing to listen to his counsel and follow it?

Read Mosiah 2:11-19

 11 But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind; yet I have been chosen by this people, and consecrated by my father, and was suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a ruler and a king over this people; and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath granted unto me.

 12 I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold nor silver nor any manner of riches of you;

 13 Neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves one of another, nor that ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that ye should keep the commandments of the Lord, in all things which he hath commanded you—

 14 And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.

 15 Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day.

 16 Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.

 17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

 18 Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another?

 19 And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent his days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to thank your heavenly King!

There is another example of leadership we have not discussed yet.  The "Do It All" Leader.
How does a "Do It All" leader lead?
Is this an effective style of leadership?
Does it sound hard or easy?

I have backpack I am going to ask the class members to take turns putting on and feeling the weight of.  Just for example purposes it is labeled, "Bishop."  Inside the backpack are blocks with labels for all of the ultimate responsibilities of the bishop of our ward.  After feeling the weight of the backpack I'll have the class discuss the different responsibilities and how difficult it would be if the bishop tried to take care of everything himself.

What are some of the responsibilities of a bishop?
(Pull out the blocks with the labels and name them.)
As the leader of our ward, how does the bishop take care of everything?
How does he know who to call for callings?
How and when does he lead and teach those whom he calls?
How can we help the bishop?
(Hand everyone a block.)
If as ward members we all help carry some of the load, how does it affect the wright of the bishop's backpack?
(Try the backpack on again with several of the blocks being held by class members.)

For the youth of the ward, or my class, I think one of the ways they can support the bishop is to show him their appreciation for him and his service.  To let him know that they love him.  As of last week my class earned their 3rd pizza party ticket.  Today we will schedule the date for the party.  The activity we will be doing while at the party is making a Christmas gift for the bishop.  Our bishop is a runner so I have put together a small box with the theme, "Thank you for going the extra mile!"  The class members are going to write a letter/note to the bishop thanking him for a specific time that he has helped or influenced them.  We will deliver it to him at the end of our party.

To end the lesson I want to emphasize that the Savior is greatest example of a leader.
Jesus Christ is the perfect example of righteous leadership. Leaders in His Church follow His example by loving and serving those they lead. By first striving to be faithful disciples, we can then help others develop strong testimonies and draw nearer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.