Hopping into Health - This Weekend!

Come out to Hopping into Health - the Junior Auxiliary of McMinnville FREE Easter egg hunt - this Saturday, March 27th behind Hickory Creek Elementary at 1pm!

Thousands of eggs!

Prizes!

Snacks!

The Easter Bunny will be there too! So parents be sure to bring your cameras and/or camera phones for free picture opportunities!

Pageant Applications are available!

Applications are available for two Junior Auxiliary pageants to be held on Saturday, May 22, 2010. They can be picked up at Ashley's Attic, Kathy's of McMinnville, Memories Bridal Boutique , Merle Norman Facial Spa and Tan 4 U.

We will soon have a downloadable version of the application available right here on the blog and, of course, you can call 931-607-6599 or email jamcminnville@yahoo.com to get one.

The pageants are open to girls in Warren County, Cannon, Coffee, DeKalb, Grundy, Sequatchie, Van Buren and White Counties. Contact pageant chair Ashley Wright at the above number or email for more information.

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Junior Miss is open to girls who will be 14, 15 or 16 years old on May 22, 2010.

Junior Auxiliary Princess is open to girls who will be 11, 12 or 13 years old on May 22, 2010.

2009 Junior Miss - Caroline Carter

2009 Junior Auxiliary Princess - Leslie Moulton

All proceeds from these pageants go to support Junior Auxiliary of McMinnville's service projects.

Easy Beef Stew Recipes

Several members have been asked to make beef stew for the upcoming Wings Ministry Family Fun Event. Having never made beef stew, I immediately started looking for easy, yummy recipes for the dish. I found a couple that sounded really good and I thought I'd share.

Amazing Beef Stew

From the cookbook: Daymaker Countertop Inspirations - Simple Slow Cooker Meals

You will need:

• 2 cups chopped carrots
• 3 cups chopped raw potatoes
• 2 small apples, chopped
• 2 pounds beef stew beef, cut into pieces
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 2 tablespoons minced onion
• 2 cups apple cider
• 1 to 2 tablespoons flour

Directions:

1. Place vegetables and apples in slow cooker.
2. Add meat and sprinkle with salt, thyme and onion.
3. Add cider.
4. Cook on low heat 10 to 12 hours.
5. Thicken with flour during last hour of cooking.

(Remember, a slow cooker works best when it is two-thirds full. More food may lead to an undercooked meal and less food may lead to an overcooked meal.)

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Old-Time Beef Stew

From Paula Deen via the Food Network web site

You will need:

2 pounds stew beef

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 cups water

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 clove garlic, peeled

1 or 2 bay leaves

1 medium onion, sliced

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon paprika

Dash ground allspice or ground cloves

3 large carrots, sliced

3 ribs celery, chopped

2 tablespoons cornstarch

Directions:

1. Brown meat in hot oil.
2. Add water, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, bay leaves, onion, salt, sugar, pepper, paprika, and allspice.
3. Cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours.
4. Remove bay leaves and garlic clove.
5. Add carrots and celery.
6. Cover and cook 30 to 40 minutes longer.
7. To thicken gravy, remove 2 cups hot liquid.
8. Using a separate bowl, combine 1/4 cup water and cornstarch until smooth.
9. Mix with a little hot liquid and return mixture to pot.
10. Stir and cook until bubbly.

Happy cooking everyone!