The Get 'Em Girls
Get ’Em Girls' Essential Seasoning
You’ll need:
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Will store for up to six months in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
Makes about ¼ cup.
Got a supersized family?
If you have an unusually large list of relatives you’ll need some help and a lot of organization to pull off a successful reunion. Before you can even begin planning your weekend, put together a list of tasks that need to be fulfilled.
You’ll need to contact family members, set a budget, contract locations, and oversee the weekend’s events to a T. In order to keep things running smoothly assign family to the following committees and delegate out the numerous responsibilities of reunion planning.
Budget Committee: responsible for opening a bank account, tracking, and managing funds collected for reunion events and bills.
Communication Committee: maintains names and contact information for all relatives and is responsible for contacting everyone regarding reunion activities.
Food Committee: responsible for arranging the meals for the entire event, whether catered or homemade.
Welcome Committee: responsible for meeting and greeting all family members on the day of the event. Ideally, it should consist of family members who have stayed in frequent contact with extended family members, as well as someone who enjoys researching the family genealogy.
Reunion Recipes
June 2010
Summer’s the perfect time to host a reunion and there’s no better way to reacquaint yourself with family than with a great get-together. Add a little kick to your ordinary repertoire with three different twists on classic BBQ fare. But be prepared—these dishes are so delicious that your relatives may never want to leave!
Spicy Turkey Burgers
Makes 4 to 6 servings
You’ll need:
1 teaspoon Get ‘Em Girl Essential Seasoning (see sidebar for recipe)
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons chili sauce
2 pounds lean ground turkey
4 to 6 hamburger buns, split and lightly toasted
Directions:
Mix together the Essential Seasoning, cayenne, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, eggs, and chili sauce in a large bowl. Add the turkey and mix well. Shape into 4 large burgers or 6 small burgers and place on a platter or baking sheet. Refrigerate for 1 hour to allow burgers to set. Meanwhile, preheat a grill to medium.
Brush the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking. Place the turkey burgers on the grill and cook until the center is no longer pink, about 8 minutes per side. Serve on a bun with toppings of your choice.
Red Bliss-Caesar Potato Salad
Makes 4 to 6 servings
You’ll need:
4 large Red Bliss potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
½ small red onion, finely chopped
¼ cup finely chopped small green bell pepper
2 hard-cooked eggs, finely chopped
2 teaspoons Get ‘Em Girl Essential Seasoning
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon creamy Caesar salad dressing
Directions:
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the potatoes and cook just until fork tender, 8 to 10 minutes; be sure not to overcook. Drain in a colander and place in a large bowl. Add the onions, green peppers, and eggs and mix gently but thoroughly.
In a small bowl, mix together the Essential Seasoning, black pepper, onion powder, sugar, mayonnaise, mustard, and Caesar dressing. With a silicone spatula, gently fold the mayonnaise mixture into the potatoes, making sure not to break them up. Cover and chill for several hours before serving.
Spiked Fruit Salad
Makes 8 to 10 servings
You’ll need:
½ cup sweet dessert wine, chilled
¼ cup fresh lime juice
¼ cup sugar
2 tablespoons honey
1 pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 mango, peeled, pitted, and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pint strawberries, hulled and quartered
½ pound seedless grapes
½ honeydew melon, seeded and scooped into balls
Directions:
Whisk together the wine, lime juice, sugar, and honey in a small bowl. Place all the fruit in a large serving bowl and pour the lime mixture over the salad. Toss to coat, taste, and adjust to your taste with additional sugar or lime juice. Refrigerate until chilled and ready to serve.
From Get ‘Em Girls’ Guide to the Perfect Get Together by Shakara Bridgers, Jeniece Isley and Joan A. Davis. Copyright 2009. Reprinted by permission of Fireside, a Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.