Karen’s Version of Ratatouille Casserole
Region Prep time / Cooking time
Provence, Riviera
30 min / 45 min… they lie!
Ingredients
1 lb eggplant (1 large)
1 lb zucchini (courgette) (three small)
Or you can combine squashes to make 2 lb (like add yellow and white)
4 tb olive oil or as much as needed
Optional .. Hardwood smoked bacon (a few slices)
1/2 lb yellow onions (one medium) sliced and peeled
Salt and pepper
2 garlic cloves (or some chopped from jar in olive oil)
Splash of white wine
1 lb tomatoes, firm and ripe
Heinz ketchup!???
Splash of red wine
3 tb fresh Italian parsley
3 tb fresh thyme (fresh produce section combo season pack has thyme..
hard to find separate)
3 tb fresh basil
fresh shredded or shaved Parmesan/reggiano
Buy ingredients at the grocery and gourmet store
need extra large skillet or two and deep casserole dish (like 8x9 or so)


Ratatouille Recipe (serve 6)
Step 1: Peel and slice the eggplant into 1/4 inch slices (for large one, round is ok) or slice on an angle for longer pieces..you want all the vege slices about the same thickness and roundness.. Cut the zucchini into slices and peel alternating…leave long stripes.. Place those vegetables in a bowl, cover with water and let rest for at least 30 minutes (I left and came back in an hour and a half). Drain.
Step 2: original recipe says Sauté the eggplant and zucchini with olive oil (and bacon if desired) in a skillet. One minute on each side. Set aside. I cooked longer and hotter so the veges were browned (not burnt) on each side, be careful not to overcook or let break apart
Step 3: afterward..Cook the onions with olive oil and same bacon (in the same skillet) for 10 minutes over moderate heat. Stir in the garlic and add salt and pepper and splash of white wine if desired,.let cook down a minute while you do step 4.
Step 4: boil the tomatoes for 30 seconds then peel. Cut into slices. Lay them over the onions in the skillet. Drizzle over olive oil and splash of red wine during this tomatoe stewing process as needed, except at the end. Cover and cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Uncover. It was at this point I felt there wasn’t enough sauce to layer with the veges so I squirted in about a tablespoon of ketchup..bryces favorite…then I Poured the juice from the the skillet over the tomatoes a few times.while raising the heat to boil for several minutes until juice has almost entirely evaporated. I tried to keep the tomato slices intact so I could layer them too in the casserole
Step 5: Put a third of the tomatoes mixture in the bottom of a casserole. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of the three fresh herbs. Then a layer of the eggplant, then one of squash. Then the second third of tomatoes. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of the fresh herbs. Put the remaining eggplant and squash, then the tomatoes and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of the fresh herbs. Toward the end I added more ketchup to stretch my sauce a bit.as needed it doesn’t need to be too saucy as the sauces from the squash will mix in also.
Step 6: Cover with foil or lid and put in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Uncover, pour the juice over the vegetables and let cool. if you want you can put it in the fridge now and serve later (either microwave w/parm or do the following)
. Or you can uncover and cook for another 10 -15 minutes with fresh shredded parmesan cheese on top
Serve with croissants to dip in the juice and a nice strong red wine!
Bon appetit!

Gulliver's Creamed Corn (Karen’s version)
2 (20-ounce) packages frozen corn
1 cup (8 ounces) whipping cream
1 cup (8 ounces) Half and Half
1 teaspoon salt
6 teaspoons sugar
Large Pinch of Nutmeg
Large Pinch of cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoon all-purpose flour (more or less)
1. Combine all ingredients, except butter and flour, in a pot and bring to a boil, stir and Simmer 5 minutes.
2. Blend butter with flour to make a paste like pancake batter and add to the corn, mix well and remove from heat.
Serves 8.
Variation: Put finished corn in heat proof casserole, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and place under a broiler until evenly browned.

3/22 FUN NOSE WORK WORKSHOP

ANNOUNCING A NEW K9 NOSE WORK Workshop: Exteriors and Interiors

March 22nd, Sunday at K&D Company from 9 am - 12 noon

Intensive 3-hour training session focusing on Exterior Area Searches and Interior Building Searches only.
Training is geared for those interested in competition and more advanced handling.

Details:
Open only to dogs already trained on odor and/or level II students and above….
Any nose work students are welcome, even if you did not do Nose Work through My Best Friend, as space permits.
10 working spots are available each session (three hours is the length of the workshop for the 10 students).
Audit spaces are available (without your dog) for $28.00 no matter what training you’ve had, or even if your just curious!

Cost is $85 per session (3 hours).
Schedule:
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. will be workout session for: Exterior Area Searches and Interior Building Searches
Location:
K&D Company at 7850 Gloria in West Van Nuys. Just north of Saticoy and just west of the 405 freeway… exit Sherman way and go north on Gloria about 1 mile.


Payments:
Please email me (k9frend@earthlink.net) your interest in pre-registering and whether or not you want a working or audit spot and your dogs name. Once you hear from me whether or not space is available: Mail check payable to My Best Friend, with a note in the memo section what workout session time/date you are registering for and your dog’s name or mark it audit if you are auditing. If any of this information needs explanation… please call My Best Friend Obedience at 818 996 3647 or 866 996 3647 or email at k9frend@earthlink.net. Our website is www.mybestfriendobedience.com but you will not find this information as it is only available to nose work students. If you would like to pay by paypal or credit card I can send you an e-bill but there is a $10 additional processing fee.

We can’t wait to see you!

the dogs talk back

herding trial this weekend... details at the address below

Here's the link for the trial info...
http://www.jan.mcaninch.net/Trials/Premiums-2008/BCCGLA2008-PREMIUM.pdf

dancing with dogs addendum

This is your last chance to participate in the Dancing with the Dogs Competition at the April 6th Bow Wow Meow by enrolling in the Beginning Freestyle Workshop on March 22 lead by Judy Gamet owner of Dogs Can Dance. Additional classes are also available. Register TODAY – space is limited (scroll down for details)! Dogs need to be leashed trained and workshops are held at Doggie Central in Culver City.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Judy at judy@dogscandance.com.

Sandra Lollino
Founder / President
Four Legged Friends Foundation


Dancing with the Dogs is just like Dancing with the Stars!
Now YOU and your DOG can create a routine to perform before celebrity judges
at the Brentwood April 6th Bow Wow Meow Animal Adoptions and Pet Expo!



Sign Up TODAY!

Just like Dancing with the Stars — routines take time and practice.
Enroll NOW in a beginning workshop to register for the Dancing with the Dogs competition.

Judy Gamet, the owner of Dogs Can Dance, is leading a 90-minute Beginning Freestyle Class
which includes entry into the Dancing with the Dogs Fun Competition!
Learn basic freestyle movements that can be used when creating a routine.

To get an idea of how dogs can dance…..
Check out World Renown Dog Dancing Team Carolyn Scott & Rookie Featured on You Tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqbVbPvlDoM&NR=1

Register using the attached form or visit www.flff.org for more event information.
*A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Greater WLA Chamber of Commerce, Four Legged Friends Foundation,
Ashley Hope Fund, LA Animal Services, Best Friends Animal Society, The Rescue Train and Bark Avenue Foundation.

FREESTYLE CLASSES*
March 22, 2008

Presentation Class* - $30
11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Beginning Freestyle Class* - $45
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
(includes entry into the Dancing with the Dogs Fun Competition)

30 Minute Private Classes* - $35
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
(on a first come first serve basis)

*See attached Workshop Descriptions for details on each class.

*All classes are scheduled at Doggie Central in Culver City.
www.doggiecentral.com


***Posted Next Week on www.flff.org ***
The Dog Dancing Teams



Animal Adoptions and Pet Expo
Saving Animals in Urgent Need
Sunday April 6, 2008
Visit www.flff.org for more event details.

Organized by
Greater West LA Chamber of Commerce
Four Legged Friends Foundation
Ashley Hope Fund

Adoptions by
Los Angeles Animal Services
Best Friends Animal Society
The Rescue Train
Bark Avenue Foundation

Sponsors
Ralphs
Petco
911 Vets Home Medical
FlyingPanda.com
Natural Balance
Hollywood Paws
Scott Allen Productions
Millais Event Production
Dogs Can Dance


*****Sponsorship and Exhibitor Space Still Available*****
*****VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITES STILL AVAILABLE*****

If you wish to be removed from Four Legged Friends Foundation email blasts, simply respond with “Remove” in the subject line.

dancing with dogs!

I received this email from a colleague who runs doggie central in culver city... sounds like a fun event and learning opportunity!

here it is:

We are still looking for more owner and dog teams to sign up for a Dogs Can Dance workshop on Feb 16th or 17th and then compete at the April 6th Bow Wow Meow Dancing with the Dogs Competition (pre-registration required). Register TODAY! Dogs need to be leashed trained and workshops are held at Doggie Central in Culver City.



Sandra Lollino

Founder / President

Four Legged Friends Foundation





Dancing with the Dogs is just like Dancing with the Stars!

Now YOU and your DOG can create a routine to perform before celebrity judges

at the Brentwood April 6th Bow Wow Meow Animal Adoptions and Pet Expo!







Sign Up TODAY!



Just like Dancing with the Stars — routines take time and practice.

Enroll NOW in a beginning workshop to register for the Dancing with the Dogs competition.



Judy Gamet, the owner of Dogs Can Dance, is leading a 90-minute Beginning Freestyle Class.
Learn basic freestyle movements that can be used when creating a routine.

(video clips coming soon on www.flff.org)



To get an idea of how dogs can dance…..

Check out World Renown Dog Dancing Team Carolyn Scott & Rookie Featured on You Tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqbVbPvlDoM&NR=1



Register using the attached form or visit www.flff.org for more information *.

*A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Greater WLA Chamber of Commerce, Four Legged Friends Foundation,

Ashley Hope Fund, LA Animal Services, Best Friends Animal Society, The Rescue Train and Bark Avenue Foundation.



FREESTYLE CLASSES*

Saturday, February 16, 2008

10:00 am – 11:30 am

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Sunday, February 17, 2008

10:00 am – 11:30 am



*All classes are scheduled at Doggie Central in Culver City.

www.doggiecentral.com







Animal Adoptions and Pet Expo

Saving Animals in Urgent Need

Sunday April 6, 2008

Visit www.flff.org for more event details.



Organized by







Adoptions by







Sponsors











*****Sponsorship and Exhibitor Space Still Available*****