Date: Fri 17-Apr-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

WIN-cookbook-Tambascio-recipes

Full Text:

WIN-ning Recipes Are Now Available For Everyone To Enjoy

(with photo & cookbook cover)

BY KAAREN VALENTA

Feeling stressed out and angry? Whip up a batch of Mike's Aggression Cookies:

Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mash, knead and squeeze, taking out your

aggression on the batter.

Looking for an easy-to-make, elegant pasta dish? Try Chicken Passero with

artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes, a favorite of the Tambascio family of

My Place Restaurant.

Have you despaired of finding a delicious low-fat dessert? The answer just may

be Karen O'Connell's Heavenly Strawberry Cheesecake.

These recipes, and approximately 275 others, are to be found Winning Recipes,

a new community cookbook published by Women Involved in Newtown (WIN).

Women Involved in Newtown is a non-profit organization made up of women of all

ages who reside in Newtown. The organization's goal is to help better the

community. Its main projects every year include Thanksgiving baskets to

provide needy families with enough food for the holidays, Meals on Wheels, and

Easter baskets for needy children under the age of 12 in Newtown. The

organization has helped the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps every year,

donated to the Booth Library, and sponsored a needy family every Christmas.

Each year WIN also presents a scholarship to a graduating female high school

student who has done outstanding community service.

In January, a cookbook committee composed of Nicole Christensen, Ruth Tapke,

Melissa Kraycir and Dorothy Dwyer began assembling recipes from WIN members,

their relatives and friends for a fund-raising cookbook.

The book is divided into appetizers, beverages; soups, salads; vegetables;

main dishes; breads, rolls; desserts; and miscellaneous, a category that

includes special holiday recipes, sauces and side dishes.

There are lots of handy guides, charts and tips, including a spice and herb

guide, substitution and equivalent charts, hints for microwaving, meat and

poultry roasting guides; pan size equivalent charts, suggestions for lowering

fats, and a chapter on nutrition, lowering fats, reading labels and healthful

eating.

But best of all are the recipes, favorites of club members and friends. They

are easy to make. Some incorporate convenience products such as frozen or

canned vegetables or fruit, spaghetti sauce, or canned soup. Most are just

simple, but tasty. Nancy Scallon's Apricot Mustard Glazed Chicken Breasts has

a name almost as long as the recipe: Blend one-third cup honey or Dijon

mustard with three tablespoons apricot preserves and one teaspoon ginger.

Brush some onto four skinless chicken breast halves. Grill or broil, brushing

with remaining mixture frequently until done. Delicious.

"The recipes are great," said Dot Dwyer. "They're the best, most reliable

recipes that everyone could contribute."

The book is available at Elizabeth's Tea Room on South Main Street in Newtown;

at the Booth Library, at 25 Main Street; and at Danish Inspirations, 1805/7

Post Road, Westport. The price is $10. It can be ordered by mail (add $2 per

book for packing/shipping) by writing to Women Involved in Newtown, PO Box

286, Newtown 06470.

The book also will be sold at WIN's Spring Fling, the organization's biggest

fund-raising event of the year. Spring Fling will be on Saturday, May 30, at

McLaughlin Vineyard in Sandy Hook, and will include catered food by

ClearWaters Restaurant, a jazz band, silent auction, and lots of prizes.

Tickets are $60 a couple.

For more information, call Dorothy Dwyer at 270-8907 or Ruth Tapke at

426-2775.

Summer Squash With

Sun-Dried Tomatoes

3-4 yellow squash

4 sun-dried tomatoes

2 Tbs oil from tomatoes

4 sprigs fresh rosemary

Salt and pepper to taste

Slice squash into one-fourth inch rounds. Slice tomatoes into thin strips. In

a skillet, heat oil over high heat and saute squash slices on both sides until

light brown. Add tomato strips, rosemary, salt and pepper. Toss well and serve

immediately. (Recipe contributed by Lisa Swain.)

Mike's Aggression Cookies

3 cups brown sugar

3 cups butter or margarine

6 cups oatmeal

1 Tbs baking soda

3 cups flour

Put all ingredients in a huge bowl and mash, knead, squeeze with your hands

until well mixed. Form dough into small balls. Place on ungreased cookie

sheet. Butter the bottom of a small glass. Dip it in granulated sugar and mash

the balls flat. (Butter the glass once, but re-dip in sugar for each cookie.)

Bake at 350§ for 10 to 12 minutes. (Recipe from Lorelei Sowa.)