By Jan Biles
Melinda Misner, who has been living at Hope Center, the rescue mission's women and children's facility, since September, said the meal and the shelter meant a great deal to her. If not for the rescue mission, she said, she would be hungry and living on the street.Topeka resident Bob Harms stirred the yams and pineapple simmering on the stove at Breakthrough House Inc.'s Clubhouse on Saturday morning as other members of Temple Beth Sholom watched over the broccoli-corn casserole and gravy being prepared for the annual holiday lunch for clubhouse participants.Recipe excerpt used with permission. Text copyright 300 Sensational Soups © Carla Snyder and Meredith Deeds 2008 Robert Rose Inc.Harms said about 25 members of the temple volunteered to help at this year's lunch. In addition to the yams, casserole and gravy, they also served turkey, stuffing, rolls, tossed salads, cranberry sauce, various kinds of pie and beverages to more than 50 people. Leftovers, he said, would be wrapped and placed in the facility's refrigerators for other meals this week."I love it. It's so nice," Rolfe said. "I've been coming to this dinner for years."THE CAPITAL-JOURNALor jan.biles@cjonline.com.Stir in cheese, a handful at a time, whisking after each addition until smooth. Add in hot pepper sauce if using. Add thawed broccoli and stir to heat. Do not boil. Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary.Harms said about 25 members of the temple volunteered to help at this year's lunch. In addition to the yams, casserole and gravy, they also served turkey, stuffing, rolls, tossed salads, cranberry sauce, various kinds of pie and beverages to more than 50 people. Leftovers, he said, would be wrapped and placed in the facility's refrigerators for other meals this week.Across the Kansas River at Topeka Rescue Mission on Saturday afternoon, volunteers and staff were in a festive mood as they served roast beef dinners and gave out gifts to hundreds of people living at the mission and others in the community.Daniel Benson, of Topeka, said the annual lunch is part of the activities organized by the temple's Social Action Committee. Also on Saturday, volunteers served a meal at Ronald McDonald House.To find more recipes your family will savor, visit www.wisconsinpotatoes.com and www.onions-usa.org .Storage Tips Onions and potatoes pair well together in lots of recipes. They also like similar storage conditions, but can spoil if stored in proximity to each other. Follow these quick tips for the best possible shelf-life.Breakthrough House's Clubhouse provides a supportive environment for those with mental illness so they can regain the self-esteem and skills they need to function more independently in their social, living and work settings.Heat large pot over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove bacon with slotted spoon and transfer to paper towel lined plate and reserve. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat. Add butter and onion and cook for 6 minutes or until softened. Add flour and cook, stirring for another 2 minutes or until foamy.
Whisk in salt, cayenne pepper, milk and chicken stock and cook until it becomes smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add potatoes and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.Harms, who has helped with the Christmas Day dinner for the past seven years, said his job this time was to purchase the food, pull together the recipes and supervise the cooking.Mosbacher said many of the clubhouse members have difficulty tolerating large crowds, so a meal in a smaller facility with their peers is more comfortable for them. The meal, he added, allows clubhouse members an opportunity to socialize with the volunteers, as well as offering a chance to educate others about mental illness.Topekan Martha Rolfe, a clubhouse member, said she appreciates the annual dinner.All of the food -- including mashed potatoes and gravy, Mexicali corn, rolls, salads and pies -- and the gifts for the event were donated, he said.Mosbacher said many of the clubhouse members have difficulty tolerating large crowds, so a meal in a smaller facility with their peers is more comfortable for them. The meal, he added, allows clubhouse members an opportunity to socialize with the volunteers, as well as offering a chance to educate others about mental illness."It means a lot to the (clubhouse) members," Mosbacher said. "We couldn't afford the food or decorations. I'm impressed with the commitment the temple has had over all of these years."Store potatoes and onions separately. Store onions in cool, dry, well-ventilated places, optimally, at a temperature between 45ºF and 55ºF, but not in the refrigerator. Potatoes require similar storage conditions, but they also need darkness and should kept at 50ºF or less to avoid sprouting. Potatoes can be stored in perforated plastic bags or paper bags to extend their shelf-life. Onions should NOT be stored in plastic bags. Lack of air movement reduces storage life. Don't wash potatoes or onions (or any produce for that matter) before storing. Dampness will promote early spoilage. Chopped or sliced onions can be stored in a sealed container in your refrigerator for up to 7 days.Melinda Misner, who has been living at Hope Center, the rescue mission's women and children's facility, since September, said the meal and the shelter meant a great deal to her. If not for the rescue mission, she said, she would be hungry and living on the street.Ladle soup into heated bowls and garnish with reserved bacon.or jan.biles@cjonline.com.Trim fat from beef roast. Place roast in bottom of 5 to 6-quart slow cooker. Spread horseradish over surface of meat. Top and surround roast with onions, potatoes, and carrots. Sprinkle with thyme and rosemary and pour in tomato juice and beef broth. Cover and cook on high setting for 6 to 8 hours or until beef is fall apart tender.
Mix wine (or beef broth) with flour and pour mixture around meat in slow cooker. Gently stir flour mixture into existing sauce without disturbing the meat. Replace cover and cook on high setting for 15 minutes or until thickened. Before serving, season with pepper and salt to taste and garnish with sprigs of rosemary."We look at this as a charitable thing," he said of the meal. "For the Jewish community, it's not their holiday, so we're available to do something for people in need on the Christmas holiday."The theme of the festivities was Christmas Overland Express, with volunteers wearing railroad conductor caps, blowing wooden railroad whistles and yelling "All Aboard!" as they led people through a red- and-white decorated aisle toward the gift area. After the meal, children could have their photographs taken with Santa.
or jan.biles@cjonline.com.
Author: Jan Biles
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