Shop Local

shop local?

 

The local radio stations are promoting a “shop local” campaign in Minot. They are asking the Minot residents and businesses to sign a pledge to buy local instead of buying online.

I already look for the “Made in the USA” label. If I cannot find *that* I still try to avoid buying anything made in China. Whenever possible — there are some things I cannot avoid purchasing from China, but I do make a serious effort to *not* buy things made in China whenever possible.

No, I don’t think my minor purchases will make any real difference in the trade wars. However, I also don’t think I need to contribute to the problem!

That kind of “buy local” is **not** what this campaign is promoting. They are not promoting the “Pride of Dakota” campaign, which I do fully support. They are not promoting the local crafters, the local industry, or even our local clothing factory.

Stop!

 

 

This is a campaign to stop people from buying anything online.

 

STOP!

Their position is that buying on line is stealing from the local community.

Buying online robs the community of sales taxes, sales taxes that will make the sun shine and the birds sing, sales taxes the city can use for paying for boondoggles like the ill-fated parking garages downtown.

I actually might **want** to sign this pledge, as it does fall under my personal shopping policies in many ways, but it rubbed me the wrong way when I listened to our fearless leader hizzonerthemayor promoting this pledge.

MY problem is, the city of Minot, the Minot Public Schools, and Minot State University need to take a “HIRE LOCAL” pledge before I can take this campaign seriously. Whenever there is an opening for a great job, these outfits embark on a nationwide “search for the best candidate.”  They do not promote from within, they prefer to demoralize their employees by hiring a new boss over their heads.

When these big employers start hiring people and giving them the opportunity to “work their way up” — after all, isn’t the great American dream getting hired in the mail room and being able to move all the way up to the top ranks by using your own talents? I would be thrilled to shop local when they all commit that they will stop bring in the top management from outside the organization — when **they** stop buying them online, as it were.

 

 

 

 

politics

open letter to the Heritage Foundation

maybe Mike Huckabee

maybe Bueller?

somebody ?

anybody ?

 

The Left owns the media.

I work with young people. In countless ways, across the board, they are constantly bombarded with the Liberal Socialist message. The Leftist policies and ideas are constantly presented as “fact” instead of opinion.

The public school textbooks – and many of the parochial school books as well – are not neutral observers in the culture war, but they all skew left. Subtle tilt — just enough to promote the message, but not enough that you can force the issue.

Much like an “innocent” stalker. He leaves you a flower on your desk chair. He puts a note in your mail box. He watches you flip through a magazine at the check out counter when you stop for a bottle of milk on your way home, and you find that magazine on your doorstep the next morning.

Creepy.

Unsettling.

But not enough to prove malicious intent.

Fashion magazines should be safe territory, but the political message contained in all of them is hard left. Che would be pleased. In every article, as they discuss the virtues of this nail polish over that nail polish, there is a small dig at the president, or the Republican party, or the United States as an exceptional nation.

This must stop.

There is an entire generation out there that has absorbed this anti Libertarian, anti Republican, anti American with their teething biscuits.

The mainsteam of America needs to reclaim the culture wars, reclaim the media, reclaim the message. There need to be magazines on the newstand that affirm America and her greatness.

I am not talking about religious publications. Any kid that would read one of those already has a seat in the church pew on Sunday morning. I am not promoting a hard right Christian message. What I am suggesting is a series of main stream magazines for teens and young adults that do NOT skew left.

Feature pretty clothes and do NOT add in the leftist propaganda. Take pictures of movie stars and popular singers and talk about their love songs, not their far left political views. Give non-political instructions on fixing hair and makeup, on how to braid or how to color mermaid hair. Give financial advice that involves personal responsibility and saving money for the future. Give college-prep advice that includes checking to make sure the degree has actual financial value — is it worth borrowing an insane amount of money to get a degree in a useless field? Value is a combination of price and utility, after all…

It can be done. My pockets are not deep enough to do this myself, but there has to be a publisher out there somewhere that can actually breathe free American air instead of leftist propaganda!

There is an urgency here — if we do not reclaim the culture soon, it will be gone forever.

 

 

 

 

 

Primary Election on June 12

Endorsements based on personal conversations and the published Info from the candidate’s answers as given to the Minot Daily News questionnaire and printed on the http://www.minotdailynews.com/

Excerpts provided here are the points that helped me make my decision to endorse — link is provided to read the full text

 

For the Minot Park Board, I strongly endorse Randi Monley.

 

http://www.minotdailynews.com/news/election-2018/2018/05/minot-park-board-candidates-june-2018-questionnaire/

 

 

Q: Are there gaps in the services provided by the park district that you believe the board needs to address, such as more bark parks, disc golf, splash pads or other recreational opportunities? Should there be more neighborhood parks?

Monley: One thing that has come up over and over again when speaking to citizens is that we need an indoor pool. While we have a fabulous pool at Roosevelt Park, it is only servicing the community 3-4 months a year. I also think we need to work on walkability and making use of the river perhaps with kayaking or festivals.

  1. What knowledge and background would you bring to the position?

Monley: Recent demographic studies show that Minot is getting younger, and it is important to have younger families having a say in their communities. That is the perspective I would bring to the Park Board. I think that my collaborative spirit will aid me. I spearheaded the Build Minot project with the Minot Public Library and feel that I have gained insight into our community members and their wants; this project really helped me to understand the value of getting community feedback. I really think that the Park Board is not as transparent with the citizens of Minot about what projects they are working on as they could be. I also think that the Park Board needs to work in conjunction with the City in a better way. I also have board experience, as I have been on the Minot Area Council of the Arts executive board for a combined 8 years.

 

Q: Are you satisfied with the park district’s spending level? If there is a need to tighten the budget, what would guide your decisions?

Monley: I feel satisfied with the spending level. Recently there seems to have been a lot going out for big projects, which is why I am a interested to hear about how much the golf course project would cost. I think the best thing to do now is to maintain and work projects in segments, so we don’t get ourselves into a large debt. I just really want to make sure that the Park Board is transparent in sharing what is being spent and why with the taxpayers.

 

Minot Mayor

http://www.minotdailynews.com/news/election-2018/2018/05/minot-mayor-candidates-questionnaire/

 

Toss up:

Tim Mihalick

Nancy Bommelman

Both make some great and valid points. I really like Bommelman, but insider advantage goes to Mihalick

 

 

Q: What are your thoughts on breed-specific legislation and vicious dog ordinances?

Mihalick: Being a pet owner myself, I respect the rights of those who also have pets. I also believe we should have legislation that protects our citizens against harmful injuries from vicious animals.

Bommelman: I believe this should fall on the owner. I have a lab, and during the day, she is in a kennel. I can’t tell you how many times I have dogs wander into my yard. If a pit bull runs wild, it should be on the owner if something should happen to somebody else. If you want your animal to run around in your yard, I have no problem with that. I have seen pit bulls that are gentle and some that are vicious. If any animal does damage to a resident or business or human, all costs should be on the owner.

 

 

Q: With Trinity Hospital’s planned move, what do you envision as best case scenario for potentially empty properties downtown?

 

Bommelman: I do NOT want to see the city buy the old Trinity Hospital NO way!! To remodel the hospital would cost millions. We should just put it up for bids and let somebody else take care of the headache.

 

Q: Would you support an increase in the city sales tax beyond the current 2 percent?

Mihalick: Simply NO! Now is not the time to attach additional sales tax to the citizens who have just seen a substantial increase in their real estate tax portion from the city.

Bommelman: No. Absolutely NOT.

 

Q: What can the city do to create an environment more welcoming to new businesses?

 

Mihalick: Empower local business owners to become advocates for our city instead of the opposite. I continue to hear stories about the difficulties some of our local businesses have incurred as they have tried to expand or create new projects and the results have not been positive. We, as city representatives, have to have a “can do” attitude instead of stopping a project in its tracks. As Mayor I would focus on helping our existing business grow before we concentrate on bringing in outside business.

 

Q: What are your budget priorities and what actions do you believe the council needs to consider to hold taxes down? Specifically, could you support shifting more infrastructure costs to special assessments?

 

Mihalick: Maintain position of reflecting no increase in real estate taxes for 2019. Support city by encouraging innovative ideas to address the budget. Focus on increasing revenue by growing the economic tax base. Routine infrastructure maintenance should be included in the city budget and not shifted to special assessments. New developments requiring infrastructure should be paid by the developer.

 

***In other places I have lived, when a developer wants to build a subdivision, he is given the required specifications for the infrastructure — sewer lines, water lines, roads, curbs and gutters, sidewalks…the developer is required to construct those as part of the subdivision. Minot is the only place I have ever lived where the city does this for the developer ***

 

School Board

 

I strongly endorse Michael Carswell for the Minot Public School Board

 

The MDN questionnaire did not address any of the points I personally considered important for the school board candidates to answer.

 

School Board Election coming up in Minot

 

Minot City Council

I strongly endorse Edward Montez

http://www.minotdailynews.com/news/election-2018/2018/05/minot-city-council-candidates-questionnaire/

 

Q: What are your budget priorities and what actions do you believe the council needs to consider to hold taxes down? Specifically, could you support shifting more infrastructure costs to special assessments?

 

Montez: I think we need to look at having a third party audit our budget. We should consider making a simpler budget overview available to the public. We could also suggest adding cuts to the budget to the ballot and give the voters a chance to voice what areas to be cut. We should look at areas that no longer produce results to make sure we continue to fund pertinent areas and possibly reduce the budget. Most importantly we need make sure that necessary services such as utilities, roads and emergency services are funded and remaining efficient. As far as special assessments, that’s something I’d be more comfortable looking at on a case by case basis.

 

 

Q: Are there areas where you feel the city can create greater efficiencies to improve or maintain service while cutting costs?

Olson: I know it is difficult for many residents to believe, but last year’s budget was very lean and efficiencies were implemented. With that said, I fully understand that there is not an appetite for property tax increases again this year, so the City has to become more creative and more collaborative. When IEDC visited Minot, they suggested combining Parks and Recreation. I believe this is worth looking into, but without information to compare, I cannot make a recommendation at this time. At this time, I am not aware of any redundancy in services, but obviously if there are some, they should be examined and eliminated.

Pdorygula: The first thing the city can do to cut costs is to stop throwing away money.

The best examples that come to mind are: the fiasco with the parking ramps, where we were sold a bill of goods by the developer; Home Sweet Home, where we made a deal with the state without figuring out how much buying and moving the building might cost; and not charging appropriately for sanitation services.

Since the problems with the parking ramps and Home Sweet Home are so obvious, let me focus on sanitation services, which are not as well known.

With the changeover to automated trash collection, the city discovered that it had been picking up garbage (particularly for small apartment complexes) without charging the owners, something which lost us about ™ million dollars a year in revenue. The fact that we didn’t know this was happening shows we need better monitoring of all our services and their associated costs.

Just as bad, we were letting private haulers get away with not paying their landfill bills on time. In December 2017 we learned that one hauler was over $180,000 behind, and often paid two months late. Although they charged their customers 1.5 percent interest a month, we never charged them any interest (which would have come to over $2,300 in one month alone) or late fees; in contrast, all other North Dakota cities are much more aggressive in payment policies. When I found out what was happening, I immediately brought this to the attention of the Council and we have since passed an ordinance requiring payment within 30 days and charging interest on any overdue accounts; landfill privileges are suspended if a bill is two months late (and full payment is required before reinstatement). Basic city services need to be run like a business (e.g., making sure bills are paid on time).

Jantzer: I think the combining of the Recreation Department and Park District should be actively pursued to see what savings can be gained from combining them. Continuing to automate some of the city jobs to gain efficiency needs to be a constant pursuit. We need to benefit from the advances in communication and technology connecting formerly ‘dumb’ devices (e.g. as was done with water meters) to the Internet. There Partnering or coop buying activity with other organizations like the MPS District or County to save money on purchases of equipment and supplies is an opportunity. The City should look at doing centralized purchasing. The City needs to stop doing things that aren’t mandated or which don’t yield much value.

Montez: I feel like there is always room for improvement and that council members should challenge department heads to improve efficiency within their respective areas and look at areas where they can reduce their budgeting needs by at least 2 percent. We have department heads for a reason and if the council is solely working towards it, well, that in and of itself seems inefficient.

***

Q: Would you support an increase in the city sales tax beyond the current 2 percent?

 

Jantzer: I do not believe that increasing the city sales tax much beyond the current rate will be successful, and I would not vote to do so at this time. If we are the highest sales tax city in the state by say, two percent, buyers who aren’t captive here will bypass us for Bismarck, online shopping, or going elsewhere. Revenue increases may be less than expected or minimal. If we are going to support local businesses, jacking up the sales tax is the wrong way to go. I would support repurposing the current county one half penny to flood protection when it sunsets about 2022, thus keeping the overall tax rate the same as it is now. The USACE may start a Corps Project on the Maple Street Diversion, reducing Minot’s costs. The Supreme Court may decide online sales are taxable by the states, which will help ND, and indirectly Minot. Finally, a better way to finance flood protection is the approach I have worked on with local legislators for the 2019 session. Using a portion of the Legacy Fund as a revolving loan fund through the Bank of ND at below market interest rates would save Minot tens of millions of dollars in interest alone. It would allow us to accelerate completion of the project, relieving our citizens of high cost flood insurance. The cloud of uncertainty would be lifted sooner, allowing investment and progress.

Montez: Absolutely not. I may have been coerced on this before but after looking at the numbers and hearing the opinions of multiple citizens throughout the city I firmly believe that increasing sales tax would cause a much larger problem. We should be looking at ways to reduce taxes and make Minot more competitive in all markets.

 

Q; What are your thoughts on breed-specific legislation and vicious dog ordinances?

 

Montez: I am against breed-specific legislation. There is no evidence to support that one breed is more aggressive than another. While pit-bulls do make up a large percentage of dog attacks, they are the most common breed of dog in the U.S. I think the most sensible course of action is holding owners responsible for their pets and making sure that the ordinances that keep animals in control are enforced. We have to remember that these are animals and any dog can become vicious if not properly cared for and trained.

 

Pitner: I am a dog person and it is hard for me to think any specific breed should be restricted. I do believe there can be certain caveats that can be implemented to ensure we have ‘responsible’ dog owners. It only takes one to ruin it for everyone else and a lot more discussion has to be had on this topic.

 

District 3 Republican candidates

http://www.minotdailynews.com/news/election-2018/2018/05/district-3-republican-candidates/

I strongly endorse Alan Walter

 

 

Walter: My career has had me dealing with all government levels. I worked extensively with city government. And through that, with state and federal levels of government. My attitude towards all levels of government was to get the job done. I believe I worked well with the different agencies. I am not afraid to ask questions about specifics or rules that are being applied to issues or situations. The attitude “that I’m the government and I’m right” doesn’t work for me. If elected, I would bring that strength to the Legislature.

Q: How would you like to see spendable principal and earnings from the Legacy Fund treated next biennium?

 

Walter: Spendable principal or interest earnings from the Legacy Fund should be used as a revolving loan fund. Few, if any grants should be given from those funds. A revolving loan fund program would pay back the Legacy Fund. The money could then be loaned again, making it possible for the money to be put to good use to improve our communities. The loan program would be well defined and be used to support necessary infrastructure for communities. the loan program would be low interest, making it possible for communities to afford the needed infrastructure improvements.

Minot Magic Squares 2018-2018 schedule

Minot Magic Squares 2018-2019 Square Dance schedule

Dancing in Minot, North Dakota at the Minot Moose Lodge

Square Dances 7:30-9:30 PM

Plus Dances 7:30-9:00 PM

Come on Out and Swing Your Partner!

 

Sept 14 – Arnold Strebe

Sept 17 – PLUS Doc Brooks

Sept 28 – Doc Brooks

Annual Meeting

October 12 – Doc Brooks

October 15 – PLUS Doc Brooks

November 9 – Roger McNeil

November 19 – PLUS Doc Brooks

November 30 – Charlie Huhtala

Dec 14 – Jim Lizakowski

Dec 17 – PLUS Doc Brooks

Dec 28 – Doc Brooks

Jan 11 – Doc Brooks

Jan 21 – PLUS Doc Brooks

Jan 25 – Roger McNeil

Feb 8 – Charlie Huhtala

Feb 18 – PLUS Doc Brooks

Feb 22 – Doc Brooks

March 8 – Doc Brooks

March 18 – PLUS Doc Brooks

March 22 – Jim Lizakowski

April 12 – Doc Brooks

April 15 – PLUS Doc Brooks

May 10 – Roger McNeil

May 20 – PLUS Doc Brooks

 

 

 

Bismarck Schedule

Belles & Beaux

Square Dance Club in Bismarck, North Dakota

 

 

Contracted Callers for 2018-2019 Dance Year

 

 

 

 

Date                                                            Caller

 

August 6, 2018                                          Jerry Junck

 

September 15, 2018                                 Arnold Strebe

 

October 13, 2018                                      Lurita Fugier

 

November 10, 2018                                 R&B McNeil

 

December 8, 2018                                  Doc Brooks                  Christmas Dance

 

March 9, 2019                                        R&B McNeil

 

April 13, 2019                                         Doc Brooks                   Annual Meeting

 

May 11, 2019                                          Jim Lizakowski

 

Time to Dance

 

Still some dance season left!

 

After far-too-long off the dance floor, we are dancing on Friday!

Friday April 13, Minot Moose Lodge, 7:3o PM – Charlie Huhtala calling

Monday April 16, Minot PLUS dance, Minot Moose Lodge, 7:3o PM , Doc Brooks calling
Saturday, April 21, Bismarck – Bismarck Senior Center, 7:00 pre-rounds, 7:30 square Dance, Lurita Fugier calling
Friday April 27, Minot -Minot Moose Lodge, 7:3o PM , Doc Brooks calling
***State Festival***
Saturday April 28, Bismarck – Bismarck Senior Center, 

 

Friday, May 11, Minot Minot Moose Lodge, 7:3o PM – Jim Lizakowski
Monday May 21, Minot PLUS dance, Minot Moose Lodge, 7:3o PM Doc Brooks calling
Saturday June 9 1:00 Washburn Memorial Hall Arnold Strebe dance

 

School Board Election coming up in Minot

School stuff that matters to me

As there are some declared candidates running for the Minot School Board, I have some points that need to be considered by the school board candidates.

 

Minot Public School System needs school busses

 

The Minot Public School system needs to provide school bussing for students that live too far away from the schools to safely walk to school.

Originally, the MPS was designed around a “neighborhood school” system. The intent was for all children to be able to walk to the neighborhood elementary school, and that school was located within one mile of the child’s house. Currently, as I understand the plan, the school system is dreaming of switching toward fewer larger schools, with each school then having four sections (classes, most of us ordinary people would call them) for each grade.

If the schools are not going to be located in neighborhoods where children can walk to school, then the school system needs to provide bussing to get the children to the school safely.

 

 

Building a New Middle School

 

The MPS has been pushing for a new middle school, but the bond issue to put it in the current Central Campus building has been voted down. Twice.

Why?

Central Campus is actually in walking distance of Jim Hill Middle School. A long walk, but reasonable distance for middle school students. This means the same neighborhood children could walk to either school. A far more intelligent location for the new middle school would be to locate it on the land the school district owns near the new John Hoeven Elementary School. Then Minot would have one middle school located on the south edge, one in central Minot, and one on the north edge of town.

 

Minot’s New High School

 

A new high school should be located on the land the district owns near Erik  Ramstad Middle School, or else we could probably save on construction costs by building it in the south near John Hoeven while building the new middle school there. If Minot continues growing, eventually there will need to be one built in both of these locations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bread Issue

 

Pesto French Bread

Gets Zing from a Delicious, Aromatic Pesto Filling
A Flavorful Green Spiral in Every Slice, Every Bite
A Perfect Complement to a Plate of Homemade Spaghetti, Fettuccini, or Lasagna

 

Hollow Honey Beehive Bread
A Hollow Dome of Braided Bread Towering up to Eight Inches…
Consists of 10 Braided “Ropes” and Glazed in Honey Butter

 

Bread Issue

 

Fresh bread baking has a heady aroma, recognizable to everyone who walks into the house—or even passes by an open window.

Bread is comfort food. It fills the base of the food pyramid because it provides our basic daily need for nourishment. New government guidelines adjust the recommended amounts for age, sex, and activity level, but most people will need about five to seven servings a day.

The comforting stuff that holds life together, bread is beloved by all, even the great poets: A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou. Notice that bread ranks as the number-one item on that list of needs!

Almost all of the world’s cultures have their own basic bread, with our own European-inspired sliced bread being mirrored by the flatbreads of other places; the naan in Indian cooking, tortillas and sopapillias in Mexican cooking, and the fry bread in many Native American cultures.

Bread ranks as an easy meal maker.  Spreading a slice of bread with anything from peanut butter to tuna salad, or topping it with a slice of meat or cheese, will turn a simple piece of bread into a quick meal.

 

 

 

 

Baby Wellingtons

1 pound beef tenderloin filets, cut into 1-inch cubes

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 pound mushrooms, very finely chopped

2 tablespoons minced shallots

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup Mirassou California Cabernet Sauvignon

1/2 teaspoon chopped tarragon

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 (17.3-ounce) package puff pastry, thawed

1 egg, beaten

1 (4-ounce) jar horseradish

1 cup sour cream

 

Place beef cubes in freezer 30 minutes. Meanwhile, melt butter in medium skillet. Add mushrooms, shallots and garlic, and cook over medium heat 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add wine and tarragon and cook until all excess liquid has cooked off. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.

Preheat oven to 450F. Roll each puff pastry sheet into 11-inch square on lightly floured board. Cut each sheet into 9 equal squares and place equal amounts of mushroom mixture in center of each. Top with beef cubes and brush pastry edges with beaten egg. Fold in pastry to enclose and pinch edges to seal well. Place seam-side down on baking sheet and brush with beaten egg. Bake about 12 minutes or until pastry is golden brown.

Stir together horseradish and sour cream and serve with Wellingtons. Makes 18 appetizers

Vegetarian alternative: Substitute 18 (1 1/2-inch) baby portobello mushrooms, stems removed.

Pairing suggestion: Mirassou California Cabernet Sauvignon

Courtesy of Mirassou Winery

 

Cornmeal Chicken Muffinwiches

This handy sandwich in a muffin can be made in advance and stored in an airtight plastic bag in the freezer for up to two months. Simply pop a frozen muffinwich into a lunch bag in the morning and it will be thawed, ready to eat by noon.

Makes 6 muffins

1 (8 1/2-ounce) package corn muffin mix

Egg substitute equivalent to 1 egg or 2 egg whites

1/3 cup skim milk

2 cups coarsely chopped cooked chicken (cooked without skin)

4 green onions, sliced

1/4 teaspoon dried sage

Vegetable oil spray (optional)

 

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Prepare corn muffin mix according to package directions, but use egg substitute or egg whites for eggs and skim milk for milk. Fold chicken, green onions and sage into batter.

Spray 6 muffin cups with vegetable oil or line with paper baking cups. Spoon batter into cups. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool. Serve warm or chilled.

Courtesy of American Heart Association; Reprinted with permission from The American Heart Association Quick & Easy Cookbook

 

Pesto French Bread
Makes Two Loaves

Dough:

6 to 6-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 envelopes Fleischmann’s RapidRise Yeast

2 teaspoons salt
2 cups very warm water (120° to 130°F)
2 tablespoons olive oil
cornmeal
1 egg white, beaten with 1 tablespoon water

Pesto Filling:
1 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons dried basil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup olive oil
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

 

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, undissolved yeast, and salt.  Gradually add water and oil to flour mixture  Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally.  Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes.  Cover; let rest 10 minutes.

Divide dough in half; roll each half to 15 x 12-inch rectangle.  Spread each with Pesto Filling to within 1/2 inch of edges.  Beginning at long end, roll up tightly as for jelly roll.  Pinch seams and ends to seal.  Taper ends by gently rolling back and forth.  Place loaves, seam sides down, on

large greased baking sheet, sprinkled with cornmeal.  Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.

With sharp knife, make a lengthwise cut (1/8-inch deep) on top of each loaf to within one inch of ends.  Brush with egg white mixture.  Bake at 400°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until done.  Remove from sheet; cool on wire rack.

Pesto Filling:  In small bowl, combine parsley, basil, garlic, oil, and cheese.  Stir to blend.

Serving Suggestion:  Cut bread diagonally to 1-inch slices.  Brush cut sides with olive oil.  Grill or broil in low to medium heat until golden brown, about 1 minute or less per side.

Courtesy of Fleischmann’s

 

Braided Orange Ring

5-1/2 to 6 cups  all-purpose flour
3 envelopes  Fleischmann’s RapidRise Yeast
2 teaspoons  salt
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup butter or margarine
3  large eggs

1-1/2 cups raisins

 

Egg Glaze:

1 egg

1 tablespoon water

Orange Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar, sifted

1 to 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon grated orange peel

 

In a large bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, undissolved yeast, salt, and orange peel.  Heat water, milk, honey, and butter until very warm (120°F to 130°F).  Gradually add to flour mixture.  Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally.  Add eggs and 1 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed.  Stir in raisins and enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.  Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes.  Cover; let rest 10 minutes.

Divide dough into 3 equal pieces.  Roll each piece to 24-inch rope; braid ropes.  Place in heavily greased 10-inch tube pan, bringing ends together to seal.  Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1-1/2 hours.

Brush with Egg Glaze.  Bake at 350°F for 40 to 45 minutes or until done.  Remove from pan; cool on wire rack.  Drizzle with Orange Glaze.

Egg Glaze
In a small bowl, combine egg and water.  Stir to blend.

Orange Glaze
In a medium bowl, combine powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange peel.  Stir until smooth.

Courtesy of Fleischmann’s

 

Hollow Honey Beehive Bread

 

 

 

Makes One Large “Beehive”

6-2/3 cups all-purpose flour

2 envelopes Fleischmann’s RapidRise Yeast

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

1-1/4 cups water

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup butter or margarine

2 eggs, large

Egg Glaze (recipe follows)

Honey Butter (recipe follows)

 

In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, undissolved yeast, and salt. Heat water, honey, and butter until very warm (120 to 130oF). Gradually add to dry ingredients. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add eggs and 1 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.
Divide dough into 20 equal pieces; roll each piece to 20-inch ropes. Twist 2 ropes together; pinch ends to seal. Repeat with remaining ropes. Invert a 2-1/2-quart ovenproof mixing bowl onto a greased baking sheet. Heavily grease the outside of bowl. Starting at rim of bowl, wrap twists around bowl, pinching ends to join each new twist. Continue wrapping twists until entire bowl is covered. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until puffy, about 30 minutes.Brush dough with Egg Glaze. Bake at 375oF for 25 to 30 minutes or until done. Shield with foil if necessary, to prevent excessive browning. Remove from oven; let cool on bowl for 15 minutes. Crumple a large piece of foil, about 2 to 3 feet, into a loose ball with the same diameter and depth of bowl. Place ball on wire rack. Carefully remove hive from bowl; place over ball to complete cooling. Serve with Honey Butter.

 

Egg Glaze: In a small bowl, combine 1 egg, large and 1 tablespoon water. Stir until well blended.

Honey Butter: In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened; 2 tablespoons honey; and 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon peel. Stir until well blended.

Courtesy of Fleischmann’s

Rhodes Doughnuts

 

Rhodes Texas Rolls, or Rhodes Dinner Rolls, thawed but still cold

Vegetable oil

Glaze and chocolate icing

Choice of toppings (nuts, coconut, candy sprinkles)

 

Poke holes in roll centers with both index fingers and stretch to form large openings. If using dinner rolls, press 2 together well and then stretch with fingers. Place doughnuts on baking sheet sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Cover with sprayed plastic wrap. Let double in size. Pour oil two inches deep into small sauce pan or electric fry pan and heat to medium. Fry doughnuts on each side (about 15 seconds) until golden. Remove with a fork and place on paper towel. Drop into glaze and coat both sides. Place on waxed paper. For chocolate doughnuts, drop into icing and coat one side. Quickly sprinkle with toppings.

 

Glaze: 1/2 cup water and 4 cups powdered sugar, mixed.

 

Chocolate icing: Bring to boil 1/2 cup butter, 6 tablespoons milk, 4 tablespoons cocoa. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and 3 cups powdered sugar.

Courtesy of Rhodes