Sweet Potato Bruschetta

From Smitten Kitchen

2 pounds sweet potato, scrubbed, unpeeled, in 3/4- to 1-inch coins
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/4 cup toasted and cooled pecan halves
1 small shallot
2 stalks celery
2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley
1 heaping tablespoon dried cranberries
2 ounces firmish goat cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon smooth Dijon mustard

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Coat a large baking sheet generously with olive oil, about 1 to 2 tablespoons. Lay sweet potatoes in one layer on the oiled sheet. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roast, without disturbing, for 15 to 20 minutes. Carefully flip each piece: the undersides should be blistery, dark and a bit puffy and should release from the pan with no effort. If they’re not, let it cook longer. Sprinkle them with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper and return the pan to the oven for another 10 minutes or so, until the undersides match the tops.

Meanwhile, prepare your salad. Chop your pecans well, mince your shallot, chop your celery and parsley, mince cranberries, crumble your goat cheese. If you, like me, got too soft of a goat cheese for mixing, set it aside and sprinkle it on top. In a small dish, whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon dijon. Pour half over salad.

When the sweet potatoes are done, place on a serving platter. Scoop a spoonful of the salsa over each round. Pour remaining salad dressing over top, to taste. Eat immediately.

For more on the event this dish was featured at, go to the Dinner Project Website.

Caramel Apple Goodness

Have you ever wondered about a specific recipe that was served at a Dinner Project Function? Well, one of the most asked about was Sonja's Caramel Apple dessert that was served at the Ronald McDonald House event. We will be putting up more recipes as we get them and hopefully not only can we help a worth charity, but we can also expand our recipe collections.

12 oz. or larger whipped cream cheese
16 oz. container of Caramel Dip (not topping, sauce, or syrup) this can be found in the produce section by the apples
6 - 8 green apples - do not peel
bag of Heath English Toffee Bits (found on the baking aisle by the chocolate chips)

Smear the cream cheese into the bottom of a serving dish to about 1/2 inch deep.
Pour the caramel dip over this and spread around to about 1/4 inch deep.
Sprinkle the Heath bits over the top of the caramel to cover nicely.
Cut the apples into 1/4 inch or smaller slices and serve aside the caramel dip.

Enjoy!

For more on the event this dish was featured at, go to the Dinner Project Website.

Ronald McDonald, Fashion, and Mediterranean Food

Ronald McDonald, Fashion and Mediterranean food--what do these three things have in common? Well, the Dinner Project of course!!

First, let me start with Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. What an amazing night of appetizers, donations and good friends to start 2011. We raised over $550 of cash, gift cards, and in-kind donations for this wonderful cause. Ronald McDonald House of Dallas is the ONLY location in the entire United States that serves 3 full meals to families who have loved ones going through medical emergencies and procedures. Like all of us that night, we all went home, squeezed our children a little tighter,gave extra good night kisses and felt truly blessed for all that we have in our lives.

Secondly, let's talk about fashion. I LOVE FASHION!! Ever since I was a little girl I would stage runway shows with my Barbie dolls, my friends, and even my cats!! So when I interviewed for my first "real" job after college I remember exactly what I wore: a black crepe bebe suit, nude hose and a pair of Nine West pumps. (think Ally McBeal in the late 90's) I felt confident and yes, I got the job. All of us have had interviews throughout our careers and agonized over what to wear--something conservative, yet distinctive to show us as unique individuals. So that brings us to TDP's charity of February, Dress for Success. Since 1997, this non-profit organization has helped to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Just thinking about my old bebe suit helping another woman to land her dream job instead of collecting dust in my closet makes me happy. So come on--clean out your closet of old suits (please dry clean them), work appropriate handbags/briefcases, and accessories and help women get a fresh start in life. Or...cash will do just fine!!

Last but not least, Mediterranean food. Yummmmm...okay so not only was the Bebe suit collecting dust but there is no way after 2 kids, and a whole lot of wonderful TDP event dinners that the suit was going to ever fit again (I mean--come on I did say the late 90s!!) February 11th's food theme is Mediterranean which includes Greek and Italian--my two favorites! Feta, olives, pasta, desserts...well suffice it to say it will be another fabulous meal at the Dinner Project! So please join us to eat, think and give!

Ronald McDonald House

Happy New Year everyone! Thanks to everyone who made the Dinner Project's inaugural year so wonderful in 2010. In just a few short months, we were able to raise $4,805 for 5 amazing organizations. Thank you!

This month, we will be supporting the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, which is a temporary home for families who live too far away to commute back and forth while they seek medical care for their children in a Dallas-area hospital. I first heard about the Ronald McDonald House when fellow Dinner Project members, Dana, Stephanie, Sonya and Ginger mentioned they volunteer once a month at the House to prepare lunch for the families. I made an appointment to tour the House and immediately signed up to be part of this amazing organization.

The new House opened its doors just last year and can host 52 families, including 6 special rooms for children receiving bone marrow and organ transplants. The have playrooms, libraries, outdoor play area, laundry facilities, chapel and respite rooms among other services at the House. If you get a chance to ever stop by and take a tour of the facility, you will be amazed! I was awestruck at how it truly felt like a home, the perfect place for families to find peace after a long, stressful day of medical appointments, procedures, meetings with doctors, and worrying about the health of their children.

From firsthand experience, having a sick child is one of the worst, if not the worst feelings a parent can experience. While we count our blessings our daughter, Carly, has been relatively healthy, our little boy, Noah has experienced his share of illness. From several bouts of pneumonia, recurrent asthmatic episodes, a broken leg and two trips to the emergency room due to his peanut allergy, my husband and I are quite familiar with stress during a child's illness. I admire the courage of both the parents and children everywhere who are experiencing higher levels of medical care, illness and treatment, and am so thankful a place like the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas is a local source of support, respite and peace for them.

Please take a moment to visit their website to learn more about them, what they do and how you can help. I warmly invite you, your family and friends to my home at 7 pm on January 14, 2011 to learn about the Dinner Project and support our designated January 2011, the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.