February 14 Pinch Superone by Cowles Publishing

FEBRUARY 14, 2024

Guilt-Free, Superfruit Snacking Sweet treats made to permissibly indulge

Make Fresh Ricotta in Your Kitchen BY DONNA ERICKSON When I hear “I made it from scratch!” at a gathering, my first instinct is to assume that it must have taken a lot of time to prepare the tasty-looking dish coming my way down the table. But I also think, “Oh, it must be extra good!” Here’s where I’m going with this: Do you love ricotta cheese in lasagna or as a spread on crostini toasts, topped with a drizzle of olive oil and savory delights for a quick appetizer? You can make ricotta yourself! Prepare it in your kitchen from start to finish in less than an hour

FAMILY FEATURES For many, enjoying a small indulgence can serve as a reward for a job well done or a moodboosting pick-me-up. In fact, mindful snacking is on-trend for a majority of consumers. According to Mondelez International’s Fourth Annual State of Snacking Global Consumer Trends Study, 78% are choosing small indulgences to pamper themselves and 68% are checking nutrition labels on snacks. With today’s changing palates and the growing demand for sour, less sweet foods and beverages, a superfruit like tart cherries can help snackers permissibly indulge without the guilt. Primarily grown on small family farms in the United States, Montmorency tart cherries – also referred to as sour cherries – are available year-round in dried, juice and juice concentrate, canned and frozen forms. More than 110 scientific research studies show Montmorency tart cherries are a superfruit. In addition to their sweet-sour taste and unique nutrient profile, research suggests tart cherries – one of the few natural food sources of melatonin – may help improve sleep, aid in exercise recovery, reduce inflammation, ease arthritis symptoms, improve gut health and promote heart health. In fact, in one study published in the “European Journal of Nutrition,” adults who drank Montmorency tart cherry juice slept about 40 minutes longer on average and had up to a 6% increase in sleep efficiency. While increasingly featured in functional beverages and healthpositioned foods, tart cherries can also add drool-worthy flavor to superfruit-infused snacks, such as these Tart Cherry Superfood Banana Splits and Tart Cherry Brownie Bites. Plus, using tart cherries as a favorite ingredient in recipes like these adds a health halo to sweets – reinforcing the trend of permissible indulgences. As an ideal superfruit snack that makes snacking more satisfying, tart cherries provide delicious flavor and potential health benefits in these recipes and

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beyond so you can savor the moment and cherish every bite. Find more tart cherry snack recipes at ChooseCherries.com.

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TART CHERRY SUPERFOOD BANANA SPLITS

Recipe courtesy of Hannah Zimmerman of Bite Sized Studio on behalf of the U.S. Tart Cherry Industry Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 2 1/2 2 2 1 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/2

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cup walnuts tablespoons rolled oats cup cocoa powder tablespoon chia or hemp seeds (optional) teaspoon salt tablespoons peanut or almond butter tablespoons tart cherry juice cup mini chocolate chips cocoa powder (optional) melted chocolate(optional)

In bowl of food processor, combine dates; dried tart cherries; walnuts; oats; cocoa powder; seeds, if desired; salt; and nut butter. Pulse 30-60 seconds until ingredients are ground into tiny pieces.

cup dark chocolate chips cups tart cherry juice ripe bananas cup vanilla Greek yogurt cup almond butter cup granola cup dried tart cherries cup frozen tart cherries, thawed

Place chocolate chips in bowl. In saucepan over medium heat, bring tart cherry juice to simmer about 20 minutes until reduced to 2/3 cup. Pour juice into bowl and mix until chocolate chips are melted and sauce is smooth. Cut bananas in half lengthwise and place on two plates. Spoon 1/2 cup Greek yogurt on each banana then drizzle with 2 tablespoons almond butter and 2 tablespoons tart cherry chocolate sauce. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons granola, 2 tablespoons dried tart cherries and 1/4 cup thawed frozen tart cherries on top of each banana split. Note: Leftover tart cherry chocolate sauce can be stored in airtight container in refrigerator for later use.

This isn’t true Italian-made ricotta, but it’s an easy, delicious version. Just boil milk, cream and salt, and add lemon juice or vinegar. Then gather ‘round the pot with your kids and watch it curdle. Within a half-hour of draining away the whey in a separate bowl, you’ll have lovely ricotta with a mild, sweet flavor and light consistency for use in a favorite Italian recipe or for spreading on crackers and toast sliced from a baguette -- a sure winner at a Super Bowl party! HOMEMADE RICOTTA

Makes about 1 1/4 cups 4 cups whole milk (not ultra-pasteurized)

Add tart cherry juice in 1 tablespoon additions, pulsing mixture after each addition, until crumbly dough forms.

1 cup heavy cream (not ultra-pasteurized)

Transfer dough to bowl and fold in chocolate chips.

or white wine vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice To prepare the sieve for draining: Set a fine

Roll dough into 12 balls. Serve plain or finish balls with dusting of cocoa powder or drizzle of melted chocolate, if desired.

sieve or colander lined with a double thickness

Place halved mini sweet peppers on prepared baking pan and lightly brush both sides of peppers with oil.

milk, cream and salt in a large pot, and bring

Divide lemon garlic tuna evenly between six mini pepper halves. Top with cheese and bake 8-10 minutes, or until peppers are tender and cheese is melted. Allow to cool and top with sliced green onions and fresh cracked black pepper, to taste.

of cheesecloth over a deep bowl. To prepare the ricotta mixture: Combine to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Watch carefully. Just as mixture reaches a boil, turn off heat, remove from burner and stir in lemon juice. The mixture will separate and curdle. Let it set for about a minute. Pour into the cheesecloth-lined sieve and let the watery whey drain into the bowl. Discard the liquid that drips through. Let the curds continue to drain for about 25 minutes, until cool. The longer it drains, the thicker the ricotta will be. Spoon the ricotta out of the cheesecloth

TART CHERRY BROWNIE BITES

and use immediately, or refrigerate in a covered storage container for up to five days

Recipe courtesy of Hannah Zimmerman of Bite Sized Studio on behalf of the U.S. Tart Cherry Industry Prep time: 10 minutes Yield: 12 bites 10 1/2

“from scratch.” It is extra good!

medjool dates, pitted cup dried tart cherries

Distributed by King Features Synd.

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Celebrity Extra By Cindy Elavsky

is “Law and Order.” Does he have another show on the horizon? - Janet Y., via email

A: Jeremy has a new show premiering this Federal Bureau of Investigation. The series

Mr. Wolf has the procedural magic touch). Missy Peregrym and Zeeko Zaki also star.

Q: There was a show I got into that starred find it anywhere. Is it still on? And can you refresh my memory of what it’s called and where I can see it? - Paul T., via Facebook

A: You are referring toSPORTS “StartUp,” a drama

QUIZ

series on Crackle (which is a free online

it). It follows “the emergence of GenCoin, a BY RYAN A. BERENZ

Hockey on digital currency – 1. anWhat idea that Hall gets of Famer won four consecutive Selke

mold of ‘tech entrepreneurs.’” Trophies for best

defensive forward as a

third season, which should this memberpremiere of the Montreal September. Canadiens from 1978-

Eric Berger, GM of Crackle and chief digital 81? 2. Bill Vukovich, winner

Jeremy Sisto Depositphotos

of the Indianapolis 500 in 1953 and 1954, died in a crash while leading what race in 1955? 3. Name the 1990 sports comedy/drama film that starred C. Thomas Howell and Peter Horton as beach volleyball players. 4. What British swimmer, born with cerebral palsy, won 13 medals in six Summer Paralympic Games? 5. Who was interim head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team when they beat the Michigan State Spartans 17-3 in the 2003 MasterCard Alamo Bowl? (Hint: He was Nebraska’s head coach from 2008-14.) 6. On July 5, 1947, Larry Doby became the first Black player in the American League as a member of what MLB team? 7. Scott Zolak was the backup quarterback for what NFL team from 1991-98? © 2024 King Features Syndicate, Inc.

5. Bo Pelini. 4. Sascha Kindred.

BY JOANN DERSON

6. The Cleveland Indians.

A TIP

7. The New England Patriots.

Now Here’s

3. “Side Out.” 2. The Indianapolis 500. 1. Bob Gainey. Answers

* To get a really good shine on your windows, try using newspaper instead of a paper towel. Spray the window with your cleaner and just use the paper like a towel. Practically no lint! * “We save the bread ends and any too-hard or molding bread in our freezer until we can get down to the lake and feed the birds and fish. The ducks especially love it.” -- E.F. in Wisconsin * Drop a couple of crackers (saltines) in your sugar canister if you have problems with clumping. The crackers will keep it from clumping. Just remember they are there if you dip a measuring cup in the canister. You don’t want a bunch of cracker crumbs in your sweet recipe! * To stretch your gravy, add a spoonful (or two) of bouillon mix to a glass of hot water. Add enough cold water to a tablespoon of cornstarch to make a loose paste, and add both the bouillon and the cornstarch to your regular gravy. Mix well. * If you have a hard time skinning fish that comes “skin-on,” like salmon, try freezing it just long enough to firm up the flesh in order to easily peel it off or trim it. * “Keep a container or baggie of wet wipes with your shoes so it’s easy to give them a quick wipe-down either before you put them on or before you put them away. They will always stay nice and clean.” -- E.W. and V.O. Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Sudoku Answers

Pinch

February 14, 2024 • Wednesday • Page M3

BY DANA JACKSON

Ariana Grande (Upcoming in “Wicked”)

Q: When is the movie “Wicked” coming out? Will it be one of those live musicals on TV like they did with “The Sound of Music”? -- H.G. A: “Wicked,” a prequel to the classic 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz,” is a musical, but it won’t air live on television. It will be released in movie theaters as a two-part film series -- the first releasing on Nov. 27, 2024 and the second a year later. It’s a film adaptation of the Tony-Award-winning Broadway musical, which was based on the novel written by Gregory Maguire. “Wicked” the motion picture will star Ariana Grande as Glinda Upland, otherwise known as Glinda the

Trivia Test BY FIFI RODRIGUEZ

1. MOVIES: Which movie has the tagline, “May the odds be ever in your favor”? 2. GEOGRAPHY: Which country possesses Baffin Island?

4. LANGUAGE: What is a common saying for the Latin phrase “lapsus linguae”?

BY FREDDY GROVES

THE RECORDS CENTER HAS CAUGHT UP The National Personnel Records Center, part of the National Archives and Records Administration, has finally cleared up a huge, four-year backlog of work. Caused by the Covid pandemic, at one time they had a list of 600,000 requests for records.

8. MATH: What is 1/60 of a degree?

Now allowed back to work, they’ve dealt with longer hours for staff, working weekends, additional staff and shifts, new technology and much more. At this point they’ve caught up, and ideally any normal requests for separation records should be handled within a week or so, with other types of records taking approximately 20 days. Meanwhile, they receive over 4,000 new requests each day. That’s over a million per year.

10. Sun Protection Factor. 9. C.S. Lewis.

5. MUSIC: What country was home to reggae singer Bob Marley?

8. A minute. 7. “Thomas the Tank Engine.” 6. Kangaroo. 5. Jamaica. 4. A slip of the tongue. 3. Allstate.

6. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is an example of a macropod?

From what we hear, it was a crazy time, with only a certain number of emergency personnel allowed to work in the building at once to take care of must-have requests for things like documents for funerals and medical emergencies.

The vast majority of the records at the record center are paper copies that must be found by hand. They’ve been busy digitizing all the files they can find, including asking the VA to digitize all the military service records they hold. In addition, the eVetRecs portal has been upgraded to handle requests for files online, and there is now a phone line to check the status of orders. The fire of 1973 continues to impact efforts to produce records. With 16-18 million files reduced to ash, it’s been necessary over the years to reconstruct information from various sources and locations to produce the requested files, such as DD Form 214. Some of the alternate records they can search are final pay vouchers and medical/hospital records. Staff at the records center should be applauded for their work under less than ideal conditions. I personally wondered if they would ever catch up, even with their plan of action and status report one year ago, but they have. If you need to request service records, go to vetrecs.archives. gov/VeteranRequest/home.html and file your order online. © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

SENIOR NEWS LINE By Matilda Charles

2. Canada. 1. “The Hunger Games.”

Answers

Stay ready for the next storm In many areas of the country it’s been a harsh winter. Snow, ice, wind, flooding ... we’ve seen it all, sometimes several of those at the same time. We need to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at us.

BY LUCIE WINBOURNE * A UCLA study determined that football players with lower jersey numbers are perceived as slimmer and faster than their teammates with higher jersey digits. * The Sullivan Ordinance of 1908 in New York City aimed to prohibit women from smoking in public places, sparking not just widespread debate about women’s rights, but marking a symbolic battleground for female activists dedicated to gender equality. The law was vetoed by Mayor George B. McClellan Jr. just two weeks later. * A study of over 10 million births revealed that children are 4.6% more likely to be born in the same month as their mothers.

If you can’t wait to see more of Ellis, you can catch him in the upcoming Netflix film “Players” with Gina Rodriguez (“Jane the Virgin”) this Valentine’s Day. You can also see him in the limited series “Washington Black,” based on the best-selling novel by Esi Edugyan. It co-stars Sterling K. Brown (“This Is Us”) and can be streamed later this year on Hulu. So, it looks like you won’t be experiencing a dearth of Tom Ellis projects for much longer! *** Q: Why isn’t Maksim Chmerkovskiy on “Dancing with the Stars” anymore? He was my favorite pro on the show. -- A.C. A: A:Maksim “Maks” Chmerkovskiy hasn’t been part of the ABC dance competition show since 2017, but has been sorely missed by his fans. His wife, Peta Murgatroyd, and his brother, Val, are still pros on “Dancing with the Stars,” but Maks has been busy with other projects. He’ll be a judge on the upcoming season of Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he’s a celebrity contestant on the current season of “The Traitors” on Peacock. Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. (c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

PAW’S CORNER

7. TELEVISION: Gordon, Percy, James, Toby and Emily are characters on which children’s show?

9. LITERATURE: Who wrote the book series “The Chronicles of Narnia”?

3. AD SLOGANS: Which company’s slogan is, “You’re in good hands”?

Good Witch, and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, aka the Wicked Witch. The film adaptation appears to be in good hands with director Jon M. Chu at the helm. He’s also directed the hit film “Crazy Rich Asians” and the well-received musical film “In the Heights.” Chu recently thanked his cast and crew on social media, stating it was “the most ambitious cinematic production I have ever been a part of, or, frankly, ever witnessed.” *** Q: What can I look forward to seeing Tom Ellis in now that “Lucifer” has ended? Does he have another series lined up? -- D.L. A: A: British actor Tom Ellis gained fame here in the United States for his portrayal of the DC Comics character Lucifer Morningstar. Netflix aired “Lucifer” after Fox chose not to renew it for a fourth season, and it continued on the streaming giant for a total of six seasons. Next up for Ellis is a new series called “Second Wife,” that he’s co-producing with his wife, Meaghan Oppenheimer, for Hulu. It stars Ellis and Emma Roberts (“American Horror Story”) as a couple who spontaneously marry after meeting in London. The half-hour dramedy doesn’t have a premiere date yet, but it’s expected sometime in 2024.

pharmacist if you can get your refill a bit early, ahead of the next storm. How early you can do this will vary by state. Have a list of contact numbers, written and taped to the inside of a kitchen cabinet door. Don’t trust important numbers to only your phone.

The first step is to know what’s coming, and when. While the local news and weather can Have at least three days of water be your trusted source, having and food on hand, things that other options can’t hurt. I like don’t need to be cooked if your Wunderground (also known power goes out. The same goes as Weather Underground) for for your pets: Make sure you the way it can target my area have enough of their food. and provide a wide variety Don’t wait until the last minute to of information. Keep www. put gas in your car. wunderground.com as one of the bookmarks in your computer or Invest in a small batteryget the app for your phone at the operated radio and little camp lights. Have enough batteries App store or Google Play. on hand. Keep your devices charged up. And perhaps most A neighbor loaned me a handy importantly, arrange to stay in charging gadget that stores enough battery “juice” to charge communication with a few others up a phone. I’ve since purchased if you have a nasty storm. For more ideas, go to the AARP one of my own. disaster preparation page at Keep an eye on your AARP.org/disasterprep. prescriptions and know © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc. when you’ll run out. Ask your

CAT’S SCRATCHING MAY BE ALLERGIES, OR SOMETHING MORE DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My cat, Buster, has been scratching under his chin for days, and the skin underneath the fur there is getting raw. What is causing this, and how do I stop the scratching and treat the injured skin? -- David G., Buffalo, New York DEAR DAVID: It’s clear that something is aggravating your cat and causing him to scratch in just one spot. The problem could be dry skin -not unusual for pets or humans in the middle of winter -- or allergies. It may also be an infection, a parasite (mites or ringworm) or an allergic reaction to fleas. If the area that Buster is scratching is not infected, you can try a few home remedies to try to relieve the itching. Oatmeal, cooked and then cooled, is one option. Plain yogurt is another. And coconut oil may help moisturize and protect the skin. Dab one of these gently onto the itchy area. (Just a very thin coat; don’t pile it on.) Repeat as needed. If fleas are an issue, treat both your cat and your home to reduce and eliminate these little pests. Vacuum carpets thoroughly. Sweep all the corners and underneath furniture to remove dust bunnies, where fleas and their eggs can hide. If these remedies don’t work within a couple of days, or if your cat exhibits signs of infection or illness, contact the veterinarian. They need to take a look and see what exactly is causing the itching. They’ll also have medication on hand to combat the itch (hydrocortisone, for one) and treat infection. If Buster is scratching compulsively, they may put him into an E-collar (aka the “Cone of Shame”) for a few days to let the spot heal fully. Send your tips, comments or questions to ask@pawscorner.com. © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

THE HISTORY CHANNEL

Time

* On Feb. 19, 1906, American industrialist W.K. Kellogg teamed with Charles C. Bolin to found the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company, now known as the multinational food manufacturer Kellogg’s, after 25 years of working for his brother, John Harvey Kellogg, and buying out his in-debt brother’s business. * On Feb. 20, 1935, Danish-Norwegian explorer Caroline Mikkelsen became the first woman to set foot on Antarctica, though whether on the mainland or on an island is disputed. A small coastal mountain discovered that day is named for her. * On Feb. 21, 1947, Edwin H. Land publicly demonstrated his instant camera, called the Land Camera, which could produce a black-and-white photograph in just 60 seconds. Two years later he put 57 Polaroid Land Cameras in Boston’s Jordan Marsh department store before Christmas, and they sold out within the first day after their demonstration. * On Feb. 22, 1989, Tina Turner won a Grammy award at age 49 for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for her album “Tina Live in Europe,” featuring recordings from her Private Dancer and Break Every Rule tours. * On Feb. 23, 2011, 77-year-old broadcaster Larry King announced plans to conduct a one-man comedy tour after retiring from his popular talk show on CNN. The new venture was set to begin in April of that year in Connecticut and end in June in Las Vegas. * On Feb. 24, 1836, showman P.T. Barnum exhibited an African American slave, Joice Heth, with the claim that she was the 161-year-old former nursemaid to George Washington. After her death from natural causes, and a public autopsy by a respected physician who claimed she was no more than 79 or 80, Barnum eventually admitted to the hoax, which was frequently mentioned by his critics and followed him for the remainder of his career. * On Feb. 25, 1993, the Florida Marlins introduced their 8-foottall, 250-pound mascot, Billy the Marlin. Reportedly, the team’s original owner, Wayne Huizenga, chose the name for the fanfriendly fish. © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

* When Kentucky Fried Chicken expanded its operations to China in the 1980s, the food chain’s iconic slogan -- “It’s finger-lickin’ good!” -- was mistakenly, if amusingly, translated in Mandarin to “Eat your fingers off.” * King Charles III was the first British royal to go to a traditional school. * During the Napoleonic campaigns in the early 19th century, French soldiers observed an odd condition among many local Egyptian men, who reported blood in their urine, leading to the misnomer label “the land of the menstruating men.” The actual cause was the parasitic disease schistosomiasis. * Some scientists make a habit of consuming the organisms they study, a practice that dates to Charles Darwin’s sampling of exotic animals such as pumas and iguanas during his voyages. * The word “gymnastics” comes from the ancient Greek “gymnazein,” meaning “to exercise naked.” * Are you a fan of Cheetos? If so, you might want to visit the town of Cheadle in Alberta, Canada, which is the proud possessor of a 20-foot statue of a ... Cheeto. Bonus: It even lights up at night! *** Thought for the Day: “It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.” -- Lewis Carroll © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

EST. MAY 19, 1883

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Spokane, Washington

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2020 and 2021, and the loans were written off by the federal government. *** You knew there would be a threequel in the “Top Gun” franchise after the $1.5 billion grosses of “Maverick.” Ehren Kruger is writing a screenplay that would bring back Miles Teller and Glen Powell. This explains why Tom Cruise’s recent move to Warner Bros. was “nonexclusive,” leaving the door open for his return to Paramount for the “Maverick” sequel. Meanwhile, Teller has the Apple TV+ romantic-action film “The Gorge” with Anya TaylorJoy and Sigourney Weaver coming soon. Powell has the $200-million disaster film “Twisters” with Daisy Edgar-Jones and Anthony Ramos due in theaters on July 19. *** Pedro Pascal, the busiest actor in Hollywood, has “Drive-Away Dolls” coming Feb. 23; “Gladiator 2” on Nov. 22; “The Uninvited” sometime in March; plus the drama “Freaky Tales” and the thriller “Tropico” with Willem Dafoe on his vision board for 2024! No release dates yet for the last two. *** Jennifer Coolidge, who took home Emmys two years in a row for “The White Lotus” (her winning streak is over now since she was killed off), is headed for the big screen with Jason Momoa and Jack Black for the film adaptation of the popular video game “Minecraft.” Those of us who loved her and never missed her in the CBS series “2 Broke Girls” knew Coolidge was destined for bigger things. And a “Broke Girl” she is not!

Hollywood

BY TONY RIZZO

Richard Simmons in 2013

HOLLYWOOD -- Former exercise guru Richard Simmons has kept a low profile for the last five years, but came out of hiding to denounce a proposed film starring comic Pauly Shore as Simmons. “Hi, everybody!” wrote Simmons on a Facebook post. “You may have heard they may be doing a movie about me with Pauly Shore. I have never given my permission for this movie. So don’t believe everything you read. I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist. I just try to live a

quiet life and be peaceful. Thank you for all your love and support!” Unfortunately for Simmons, they don’t need his permission to make a movie about him. Celebrities are considered public domain. Now should the filmmakers defame or malign you, then you have recourse to sue. But he’s got another problem besides the feature film rumored to be in development. A short film starring Shore as Simmons, titled “The Court Jester,” already premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 19 and is available on YouTube. *** Sad news for Barbra Streisand! Her 1,000-page memoir has -- dare we say? -- flopped! Despite prime interviews everywhere, “My Name Is Barbra” sold little over 200,000 copies, while Prince Harry’s book, “Spare,” sold 3.2 million copies across all formats. Britney Spears’ memoir, “The Woman in Me,” sold 1.1 million copies. In addition, Streisand’s film company, Barwood Films, may be in hot water because they paid her groundskeeper $200,000, which allegedly came from the Paycheck Protection Program. The program was intended to help small businesses make payroll in

Celebrate the Big Easy – Anytime! Spice up winter with a Flavorful Fete! PATTI DIAMOND

DIVAS ON A DIME Photo credit: www.JasonCoblentz.com The Super Bowl (Feb. 11) and Mardi Gras (Feb. 13) are both hopefully good memories of tasty food by now. How often do both of these big culinary events collide like this? The good news is that you can still combine some of the remarkable flavors of both holidays for future gatherings. A New Orleans and sports game combo is like a party explosion waiting to happen as we combine the vibrant flavors of Louisiana with the finger-licking goodness of game-time snacks. Let’s make Jazzed-Up Jambalaya Nachos and Creole Queso. We’ll transform classic nachos by topping them with a zesty jambalaya mix, loaded with spicy sausage and shrimp. A generous dollop of Creole Queso completes this festive fusion. And I’ll share my creole seasoning recipe too. What’s the difference between Creole and Cajun seasoning? While both share common elements, Creole cuisine has a milder flavor compared to Cajun, which tends to be spicier and more robust. If you enjoy spicier foods, swap the Creole seasoning for Cajun. JAZZED-UP JAMBALAYA NACHOS Yield: 8 servings Total Time: 30 minutes 1 (12 to 14 ounce) andouille or other smoked sausage, sliced 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 (16-ounce) frozen three pepper and onion blend* (see note) 1 celery rib, sliced 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning 1 (12 ounce) bag tortilla chips 12 ounces large or medium shrimp, raw, peeled and deveined 2 teaspoons seafood seasoning (like Old Bay) 1 recipe Creole Queso OR 2 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded *Note: If you can’t find the frozen veggie blend, use 1 small yellow onion, diced; half red bell pepper, sliced; and half green bell pepper, sliced. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Slice the andouille into thin half-moons and saute in 1/2 tablespoon olive oil for 3 minutes. Add onion, bell peppers, celery and seasoning, cook for an additional 5 minutes or until veggies are soft. Line a baking sheet with foil, and spread tortilla chips. Top with the sausage mix.

Meanwhile, in a bowl, toss shrimp with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and seafood seasoning. Cook in the same skillet for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the shrimp is opaque. Sprinkle shrimp over the nachos. Drizzle with Creole Queso or sprinkle Colby Jack cheese on top. Preheat the oven’s broiler to low, and broil until cheese melts. CREOLE QUESO Yield: 5 cups

SONNENBERG’S MARKET & DELI

“OLDEST MEAT MARKET IN TOWN”

$ 99 99 LEAN GROUND LB.

BEEF RIB STEAK

PORK $ TENDERLOIN LB.

Total Time: 10 minutes 1 (8 ounce) block cream cheese, softened 4 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning 1/2 to 1 cup milk, warmed In microwave-safe bowl, combine all ingredients. Microwave in 60-second intervals, stirring until cheese is melted and dip is well blended. Thin to your desired consistency with hot milk. Here’s a Creole seasoning recipe that’s perfect for these recipes. But the magic doesn’t stop here; sprinkle it on roasted vegetables, grilled meats or even popcorn for a Creole-infused treat. DIY CREOLE SEASONING BLEND Yield: About 3/4 cup Total Time: 5 minutes 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika 1 1/2 tablespoons salt 1 tablespoon onion powder 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon dried oregano 1 tablespoon dried basil 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon white pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste In a small mixing bowl, stir all ingredients until combined. Store in an airtight container. Whatever the time of year, go ahead and embrace the spirit of “Laissez les bons temps rouler” (let the good times roll). Life’s too short to choose between holidays -- let’s celebrate them all! Cheers! *** *** Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, party-planning, recipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A Dime -- Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at www.divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at divapatti@divasonadime.com © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc

BABY BACK $ PORK RIBS

2 $ 99 7 $ 79 1 $ 49 4

LB. BEEF

BONELESS $8.99LB

PORK STEAK OR ROAST PETITE SIRLOIN STEAK

CHICKEN BREAST LB. OR THIGHS

IN THE BAG CUT-N-WRAP FREE

1 $ 99 1 $ 99 4

99 LB.

LB.

BONELESS SKINLESS

HICKORY OR PEPPERED LB. BACON

LB.

SMOKED FRYER HIND BEEF POT ROAST KIELBASA QUATERS

89 4 GALA HOTHOUSE APPLES ¢ TOMATOES $ 89 99 1 JUMBO POTATOES YELLOW ¢ $ 29 ONIONS 89 2 ¢ $ 49 79 1 SOLD IN 10# BAGS

$ 99

LB.

NW GROWN EXTRA FANCY

GREEN CABBBAGE

$ 49 LB.

LB.

LB. 5 LB BAG GROWN IN IDAHO

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CARROTS

LB. MINI PEELED 1# PACKAGE

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