White Pizza Wontons

Super simple idea for a Holiday party.

White Pizza made with Wontons
Ingredients:
12 small square wonton wrappers (stocked with the tofu in the refrigerated section of the market)
3/4 cup light/low-fat ricotta cheese
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1 cup chopped brown mushrooms
2 cups chopped spinach leaves
6 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tbsp. chopped fresh basil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick spray.

Place each wonton wrapper into a cup of the muffin pan, and press it into the bottom and sides. Lightly spray with nonstick spray. Bake until lightly browned, about 6 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and seasonings. Mix well.

Bring a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium-high heat. Cook and stir mushrooms until mostly softened, about 3 minutes. Add spinach and cheese mixture. Cook and stir until mushrooms are soft, spinach has wilted, and cheese is hot, about 1 minute.

Evenly distribute mixture among the wonton cups. Top each cup with a tomato half, and sprinkle with basil.

Thanks to Hungry Girl for the recipe.

Apple-Cranberry Wild Rice Pilaf

Yummy idea for Christmas dinner.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cups apple juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons butter, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 cup wild rice blend, rinsed and drained
1/2 large onion, diced
1 Fuji or honeycrisp apple, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Garnish (optional)
fresh thyme
fresh parsley

Directions:

Bring broth, apple juice, Dijon, 1 tablespoon butter, salt, pepper, dried thyme, oregano, parsley and bay leaf to a boil in a large nonstick skillet. Add rice, cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer 45-60 minutes or until rice is tender and almost all of the liquid has been absorbed, checking rice for doneness at 45 minutes. Once cooked, drain rice and leave in fine hole strainer.
To the now empty pan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Increase heat to medium high and add onions and apples; saute for 5-7 minutes, or until onions and apples are tender. Add garlic and saute for 30 more seconds.
Return rice to skillet along with cranberries, pecans and apple cider vinegar. Toss to evenly combine. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Garnish as desired.

Creative Christmas Tree Appetizers

Dig in to these healthy appetizers!

Annual Holiday Meeting

Leslie Christiansen, host Joan Galloway, Sandy Loeffler

Laughter, fabulous food and friendly conversation were the focus of the event at Joan Galloway's home. The beautiful Christmas decorations got us all in a festive mood while the December meeting was full of good news.
Museum Director Tawn Downs mentioned the new carpeting in the Steele Auditorium as well as the new exhibits and programs at AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park.

Linda Corderman, Bonnie Newhoff

Nina Filippi, Linda Fritsch, Karen Swanson

Cookbook co-chair Linda Corderman gave encouraging news of the 15 historic venues that have submitted recipes for Tastes & Treasures Volume II cookbook. She also spoke of the new Cherished Legacy Recipes section where participants can honor someone special in their life with a Tribute Page. The page includes a photo, short story of the person and recipe. A lasting legacy, this section makes the book more personal as well as tells the history of members, food and family. Gift Certificates are available for Christmas, birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Anniversaries, etc.

Historymakers Gala co-chair Deb Hester told us about the Gala progress and the exciting dinner and program March 4, 2017

Hospitality chair Meg Knopf presented Sandy Loeffler with a Thank You gift for her support.

Tour chairs Sharron McKinney and Judy Blackwell spoke of the January and February tours.
Judy Blackwell and Claire Nullmeyer reported on the new members and their orientation programs.
The Esteban concert was a big hit. Chair Pam denDraak reported on his very enthusiastic performance.

Pam den Draak, President Anne Lupica, Sharron McKinney, Renee Donnelly, Karen Swanson

Honey Roasted Butternut Squash and Cranberries

There are so many recipes with the ever popular Butternut Squash. This one sounds intriguing.

Honey Roasted Butternut Squash and Cranberries
Ingredients:
1 large butternut squash, peeled + chopped
a hearty drizzle of olive oil (approx 1-2 TBSP)
salt, pepper, and garlic powder, to taste
2 cups fresh cranberries
2-3 TBSP honey [or extra, to taste]
1/4 cup finely crumbled feta
ground cinnamon, to taste (optional)
fresh or dried parsley, to garnish (optional)

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F.
Lightly drizzle or spritz a baking sheet with olive oil.
Add cubed squash to the sheet along with another drizzle of olive oil.
Sprinkle with a light layer of salt, pepper, and garlic powder, based on taste preference.
Roast at 400 F for 25 minutes on the center rack.
At the 25 minute mark, pull out the oven rack, and add your fresh cranberries to the roasting pan.
Return to the oven for 10 minutes or until the cranberries have started to soften and burst a bit.
Remove from oven and add a sprinkle of cinnamon (approx 1/8-1/4 tsp depending on preference) along with feta and honey.
Garnish with parsley for a burst of color and dig in while it's hot!

Thanks to peasandcrayons.com

New recipes with Tasting Party

Lee Rogers prepares Harvey House Scallion Rice

Trying new recipes for Tastes and Treasures, A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona Volume II is a pleasure at our Tasting Parties. Our second party featured some delicious foods like Lasagna, Burgers and Tres Leche Cake.

Bonnie Newhoff serves Cafe Roka's Lasagna

Cowboy Poke Burgers from Sprucedale Ranch

Tres Leche Cake with Caramel Sauce from Wisdom Cafe

Esteban Concert for holiday gift giving.

Have you started Christmas shopping? We've got the perfect gift that will have you and your family making memories with a night of Sangria, Spanish tapas and an exciting raffle! Join us for a Holiday Concert with Esteban on December 10th! www.BrownPaperTickets.com

Strawberry-Banana Muffins - sugar free

Strawberries and banana in a muffin that is sugar free. YUMMMM.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup applesauce
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
2 bananas, mashed
2 Tbsps. vanilla Greek yogurt
2 tsps. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup strawberries, chopped

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425°F.
In a large mixing bowl, blend together applesauce, butter, egg, bananas, Greek yogurt, and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
Combine dry ingredients with wet ingredients, and mix in strawberries.
Scoop batter into lined muffin tins.
Bake for 5 minutes at 425°F, then lower to 350°F and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
Serve and enjoy!

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bread

Think of a soft, moist, spiced, dense pumpkin bread for Thanksgiving. This is it! The cream cheese layer is like having a layer of cheesecake baked into pumpkin bread.

Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Filling
Ingredients for Bread:
1 large egg

1 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup liquid-state coconut oil (canola or vegetable may be substituted)

1/4 cup cup sour cream (lite is okay; or Greek yogurt may be substituted)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2  teaspoon baking powder

1/2  teaspoon baking soda

pinch salt, optional and to taste
Ingredients for Cream Cheese Filling:

1 large egg

4 ounces softened brick-style cream cheese (lite is okay)

1/4 cup granulated sugar

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions for Bread:
Preheat oven to 350F. Spray one 9x5-inch loaf pan with floured cooking spray, or grease and flour the pan; set aside.
Bread - In a large bowl, add the the first ten ingredients, through ground nutmeg, and whisk to combine.
Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, optional salt, and fold with spatula or stir gently with a spoon until just combined; don't over mix; set aside.
Turn about two-thirds of the batter out into the prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula and pushing it into corners and sides as necessary; set aside.
Directions for Cream Cheese Filling - In a large bowl, add all ingredients and whisk to combine. Alternatively, mix with a hand mixer.
Evenly pour filling mixture over the bread, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula and pushing it into corners and sides as necessary.
Top filling with remaining pumpkin batter, smoothing the top very lightly with a spatula as to not disturb cream cheese layer and pushing batter into corners and sides as necessary. Coupons
Bake for about 48 minutes or until the top is domed, golden, and the center is set, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Note this is tricky because the cream cheese never gets totally solid so the toothpick test isn't the most accurate. Tip - Tent the pan with a sheet of foil draped over it at the 35 minute-mark if you feel the tops and sides will become too browned before center cooks through. Baking times will vary based on moisture content of pumpkin, cream cheese, climate, and oven variances. Bake until done; watch your bread, not the clock.
Allow bread to cool in pan for about 15 minutes before turning out on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving. Bread will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Yield: one 9x5-inch loaf, about 10 slices

Thanks to myhoneysplace.com for the recipe

Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler

Nothing like Fall weather and an abundance of Pumpkin! Also try Great Pumpkin Cookies from Tastes & Treasures cookbook page 162.


Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Pumpkin puree
1 3/16 cup All purpose flour
2 tsp Baking powder
1/2 cup Brown sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Cloves
1 1/4 cup Granulated sugar
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1/2 tsp Salt
1 1/2 tsp Vanilla
1/4 cup Butter or vegetable oil
1/4 cup Pecans
1/4 cup Milk
1 1/2 cups Water, very hot

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium sized bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and spices. Set aside.
In a smaller bowl, stir pumpkin, milk, melted butter and vanilla together to combine. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix to create a thick batter. Pour into a small 8-inch casserole dish with high sides.
In a separate bowl, stir sugar, brown sugar and pecans together. Spread over the top of the batter evenly. Pour hot water over the entire thing (without stirring a thing) and bake for 40 minutes or once the middle is set. (Be sure to place on a baking sheet in case it bubbles over.) Cool 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve with more pecans and vanilla ice cream.


Thanks to laurenslatest.com for the recipe.

Tasting Party for Tastes & Treasures Vol II recipes

Lee Rogers, Carolyn Mendoza, Delores Tomasek, Hostess Mary Parker,
Leslie Christiansen, Linda Corderman

Mary Parker's home was a perfect venue with good friends and fine wines, tasting recipes for the Historical League's new cookbook, Tastes & Treasures, A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona Volume II. Tasting Parties are a wonderful way to critique the recipe for flavor, presentation, ingredients and helpful hints on how to make it. The Evaluation Sheets get filled up with suggestions and comments. The excitement for Volume II is building with these historic venues and their foods.

Jolene Beard, Cathy Shumard, Lee Rogers, Bonnie Newhoff, Linda Fritsch, Lindy Isacksen,
Julie Moore, Delores Tomasek, Carolyn Mendoza, Renee Donnelly, Mary Parker, Margaret Baker

Historymakers meeting with Linda Whitaker

Always knowledgeable about storing information for AHS library, Archivist Linda Whitaker met with Historymakers Legacy Project members to discuss the amazing materials the Historical League has collected since the Historymakers program started in 1992. Storing these valuable documents and photographs and making them accessible to the public is an ongoing project.

Archivist Linda Whitaker, Margaret Baker, Nina Filippi and Zona Lorig and Ruth McLeod (not pictured) meet
in the AHS Library, AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park

Eating Locally and Beyond

Sunflower Sprout salad topped with Watermelon Radish

Creating a new cookbook involves so much more than recipes. Cookbook committee members Cathy Shumard, Leslie Christiansen and Ruth McLeod attended a seminar at ASU School of Nutrition and Health to learn about eating local, eating healthy and helping the environment. The Third Annual Food and Thought Event: Eating Locally & Beyond was very informative and interesting.

Lon's Chef Joe Hobson

Cathy Shumard, Leslie Christiansen
Ruth McLeod attend the demo

Chef Joe Hobson from Lon's at Hermosa Inn demonstrated two creative and appetizing salads along with squash soup for the attendees. Lon's will be featured in Tastes & Treasures Volume II.

Dr. James McWilliams, Texas State University History Professor and Author of Just Food:Where Locavores Get It Wrong and How We Can Truly Eat Rsponsibly gave a power point presentation filled with facts and research. We left the event wondering if we can all be vegetarian - eat less meat and still get protein? Dr. McWilliams offered some alternatives for meat . . . insects, oysters farming, lab meat, roadkill . . . and got some interesting responses from the audience.

Pioneer Museum in Flagstaff

The wonderful day trip to Flagstaff included an informative stop at Arizona Historical Society's Pioneer Museum.

Sharron McKinney and daughter Lexie

Lexie's son built this for his
Eagle Scout project

Published by the League for AZ Centennial

Q & A on the front porch

Riordan Mansion on Flagstaff tour

Lobby entrance is in the original 6 car garage

Two brothers married two sisters and built a customized duplex so both families could live together in 1890's Flagstaff, AZ.  Each side had their own entrance but was a mirror image of the other side.  With 13,000 square feet, each half is about 6,000 with a 1,000-square-foot room in the middle joining them together. They hired the same architect that built El Tovar at the Grand Canyon to design this Craftsman style home using pine from the surrounding Ponderosa forest. It even had electricity accommodating 16 watt light bulbs (they owned the electric company).
Touring the Riordan Mansion on the November Historical League bus tour, we learned so many interesting facts and stories about the family, the logging business, the economy and life in that era.

Ready to begin the tour with guide Rebecca

Originally a drive-through six car garage, it was converted to lobby entrance.

League Tour organizer Cindy Tidwell-Shelton presents our guide Rebecca with Tastes & Treasures cookbook.

Tools of the robust logging trade in 1890.

Multiple brick fireplaces in the home but they were stuccoed as was the fashion at that time.

Very tall Tim and 5'1" bride Caroline Riordan