Happy New Year!

As we welcome January and a New Year, it is time to settle in for another Canadian winter. Many of us have a long list of New Year’s resolutions, which probably include improving the nutrition of our diets (and working off the Christmas turkey!).

Cold winter months give us the opportunity to experiment with new healthy recipes and to try out the cool kitchen toys Santa brought for us.

In this month’s newsletter, we are pleased to feature Schlemmertopf clay bakers, which offer a great way to make healthy, hearty meals throughout the winter months. In our kitchen toys section, we offer the world’s best pot scrubber to clean your clay baker as well as the Garlic Twist and more.

I would like to thank all of my customers and newsletter subscribers for their support in 2011, and wish you and your family a happy and healthy 2012!

In this Issue

• Culinary Events and News
• Did you know?
• Schlemmertopf Clay Bakers
• Fun Kitchen Toys
• Clay Baker Recipes and Tips

Culinary Events and News

January 28, 2012
The Great Canadian Pondspiel Island Lake Conservation Area
www.orangevillecurlingclub.ca

February 15 to March 4, 2012
WinterFeast A Culinary Experience in the Hills of Headwaters
www.winterfeast.ca

Congratulations To:
Susan M. the December winner of a Trudeau electric wok.

Congratulations To:
Cynthia R. winner of the Ginger Bread House and at the same time we raised funds and will be presenting Family Transition Place with a cheque for $500.00.

January Subscriber Draw
All subscribers to our electronic newsletter in January will be entered in a draw to win a Schlemmertopf clay baker, valued at $84.99.

Subscribe to Secrets from our Kitchen

Did you know?

• The earliest known ovens were discovered in central Europe, dating back to 29 000 BC. It is believed that they were used to cook mammoth meat.
• The ancient Greeks are credited with the development of bread baking. Bread bakers are believed to be the first culinary professionals.
• A Canadian, Thomas Ahearn, is credited for the invention of the first electric oven, in 1882.
• Introduced by the Raytheon Company in 1947, the first microwave ovens were the size of a refrigerator, weighing 750 pounds, and selling for about $5000.

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Schlemmertopf Clay Bakers from Germany

According to archaeological finds, clay pot cookery can be traced back thousands of years, when food in an earthenware pot was put in the glowing ashes of an open fire. What was important for the taste of the food was not the fire but the pot! The Romans, lovers of good wine and good food, used pots made of a special type of earthenware.

Everyone knows that a nutritious diet is essential to maintain good health, but even the healthiest foods can loose nutritional value when preparation processes allow valuable nutrients to escape.

Clay pot cooking is an easy method for preparing food, that seals in nutrients and is low in fat. Some of today's most popular cooking techniques can either deplete nutrients in food (as in the case of over-steamed vegetables) or add too much fat (as in the case of frying meat or fish). Clay pot cooking avoids over-cooking, while eliminating the need for added fats. Using a pre-soaked clay pot, before placing in the oven, allows the pot to create and maintain moisture, allowing recipes to cook to perfection, while preventing nutrients from escaping. The shape of the pot keeps any escaping moisture within, infusing it back into the food. Meats can be trimmed of all fat and poultry can be cooked without skin and still come out moist, tender, flavourful and browned — with no need for basting. Meat, potatoes, rice and vegetables can all be cooked together to make nutritious and flavourful one-pot meals.

From the Kitchen to the Table is pleased to offer three sizes of clay pots from Schlemmertopf of Germany, and we invite you to try them, as you settle in for a long, cold Canadian winter.

Made in Germany, Schlemmertopf clay bakers are completely unglazed, with the exception of the interior of the base, and are available in three sizes.

Small - 2.5L Capacity Serves 2-4 people $84.99
Medium - 3.7L Capacity Serves 3-6 people $99.99
Large - 6.3L Capacity Serves 4-8 people $139.99

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Fun Kitchen Toys

Cuisipro Apple Corer

Coring an apple is easier than ever with the Cuisipro apple corer. Simply push down into the core, twist and remove. Then, with the flick of your finger, open the hinge, and out slides the entire core, seeds and all. The handle is ergonomically designed for ultimate ease of use.

$12.99 each

World’s Best Pot Scrubber

Some of the best tools for the kitchen are those that make the toughest, most undesirable jobs a cinch. These colourful little pot scrubbers make quick work of the toughest kitchen cleaning jobs with their abrasive surface. Our customers rave about these little gems, coming back for more for themselves, their friends and families!

$3.00 each

Garlic Twist 3.0

One of our favourite and most popular kitchen gadgets is back. The Garlic Twist - the tool that minces garlic (and ginger) with a simple twisting motion - has been redesigned. The third generation Garlic Twist has improved ergonomics and design, to make mincing easier than ever. Available in three colours; clear, purple and lime green.

$18.99 each

Shake and Serve from Trudeau

For the perfect vinaigrette, add your ingredients to the bottle, shake and serve. The Trudeau salad dressing bottle includes recipes for simple vinaigrettes, with measurement markers right on the side. This handy bottle is great to take with a salad to school or work and on a picnic.

$24.99 each

Clay Baker Recipes

• Clay Baker Beef Stew
• Clay Baker Vegetarian Lasagna
• Clay Baker Octoberfest Chicken
• Clay Baker Vegetable Casserole
• Schlemmertopf’s Baked Fresh Salmon Steak
• Schlemmertopf’s Baked Apples California
• Roasted Garlic in a Clay Baker

More Clay Baker Recipes from Schlemmertofp - PDF of 30 recipes

Six Golden Rules for Using A Clay Baker

1. Before use, soak top and bottom in cold water, for 15 minutes.
2. After soaking, place Schlemmertopf baker in cold oven and bring slowly to required temperature (electric ovens do this automatically; for gas ovens, turn heat to low for 10 minutes, and then increase to desired temperature).
3. Never put the clay baker on direct flame, stove top or electric hot plate.
4. Do not put a hot clay baker onto a cold surface and be sure to warm all ingredients before putting them into the hot clay baker.
5. When finished using your clay baker, clean with a brush in warm water; do not use soap, and never scour.
6. Store your clean clay baker in an airy place, with the lid resting upside down in the base.

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