6 Delicious Build-Your-Own Party Meals

Are you planning a gathering for friends and family? Do you dread cooking for a house full of people? Well, instead of spending all your time in the kitchen, let guests get in on the fun, with one of these delicious, build-your-own party meals. Prep everything, and then let the guests customize their food as they like! Click on the party idea below for all the details of how to pull it off successfully.

Taco Bar

Homemade Pizza Party

Baked Potato Bar 

Avocado Bar

Crepe Party

Ice Cream Social

Happy Mother’s Day!

Wishing all moms a wonderful day filled with much love and happiness!

Hello Summer Time!

Quassy Amusement Park: Cool Off at this Middletown Water Park

When it comes to plain old fun, nothing beats a day at Quassy Amusement Park. They’ve got rides for all age levels, from the Little Dipper Roller Coaster and Boat Ride for the tots, to rides like the Paratrooper and the Free Fall N’ Drop Tower for big kids and adults. When the weather gets hot, head to Quassy Beach and Saturation Station to cool off in a multi-tiered, state of the art jungle gym with water cannons, waterfalls and cascading fountains. It’s a fantastic interactive water park that’s a blast for all ages. You can also take a break on their beach on Lake Quassapaug, with refreshments and beach supplies provided. Ticket prices are varied, with season passes, group rates and individual day passes. See the website for pricing options.

Quassy Amusement Park
RR 64
Middletown, CT 06457
(203) 758-2913
http://www.yelp.com/biz/quassy-amusement-park-middletown

Our new Facebook Sweepstakes has started! Enter to Win an iPad mini!

To enter the Sweepstakes, Like our Facebook page and then look for the Sweepstakes tab (image shown below) located on our Facebook page to enter. Sweepstakes ends June 30th, 2013. For mobile users ONLY, like our Facebook Page, and then click here to enter http://respage.com/facebook-sweepstakes-form.html.

Knoll Crest Is Celebrating Cinco De Mayo Style!

The Staff at Knoll Crest Would Like to Wish Everyone a Happy and Safe Cinco De Mayo Weekend!

Enjoy!

Knoll Crest Staff

Low Sodium Cooking: 4 Great Tips To Add Flavor, Not Salt

If you suffer from high blood pressure, or are just trying to get healthier by cutting back on your salt intake, check out these 4 great tips for low sodium cooking. Try incorporating them into your diet, and you'll feel better in no time!

Use lots of spices
Instead of thinking of a low-sodium diet as a set-back, think about it as a chance to try all the amazing spices you've been longing to try. Salt is a flavor enhancer, so if you bring more flavor and spice to your meal, you won't miss it!

Have fun with vinegars, oils, molasses, jams, and marmalades
Store-bought condiments often contain a lot salt. Instead of reaching for the BBQ or Ketchup, add a dash of a flavored vinegar or oil, molasses, and even a homemade fruity jam or marmalade.

Add extra citrus!
Instead of relying on salt, add fresh lemon or lime juice to your meal brighten up the flavors. This trick works great for steamed vegetables, grilled chicken, hearty pastas, and more.

Make it appealing to the eye
Always remember, we eat with our eyes first. So, be sure to present your low-sodium meal in an attractive way. Use your favorite plates, nice glassware, and add a few garnishes to the final preparation. 

Fred Astaire Dance Studios

Baking Tip: How To Successfully Double A Recipe

Have you doubled a recipe, only to have the end result look nothing like it did when you made just a single batch? Well, you're not alone. Baking is a science, and calls for very exact measurements. The next time you're baking up a storm, keep these calculations in mind to achieve the best results.

Cakes, Muffins, and Quick Breads
These baked items are the main offenders when it comes to disappointing doubling. The culprit? — typically the baking soda and baking powder. The next time you're baking a big batch, you can simply double all the other ingredients, but re-calculate the baking soda and baking powder based on the following ratio: 1 to 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder per cup of all-purpose flour OR 1/4 teaspoon baking soda per cup of all-purpose flour. Also, if your recipe contains an acidic ingredient, such as yogurt or buttermilk, include an extra 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda per cup of an acidic ingredient.

Cookies and Bars
Luckily, recipes such as these can usually be doubled without too much of an issue. If you're looking for puffy, cake-like cookies, remember the baking soda and baking powder ratios as outlined above. Also, you can try refrigerating the cookie dough between batches so the dough doesn't become too soft in the hot kitchen, as this will cause the cookies to spread more than usual while baking.

Breads and Rolls
Yeast is a much less temperamental agent than baking soda and baking powder. For that reason, yeast-risen breads and rolls can be doubled without needing to adjust any of the quantities in the recipe. If you're tripling or quadrupling, however, it's best to weigh your ingredients rather than measuring them by volume to make sure the ratios stay consistent.

4 Tips To Care For Houseplants

Plants not only bring life into your space, but they can make your house feel even more like a home. Even if your interior is tiny, bringing in a small plant or two is a great idea. Here are 4 tips to help you care for indoor plants even if you don't have a green thumb. 

  1. Humidity. Plants need additional humidity to thrive. Mist your plants occasionally, or bring them into the bathroom when you take a shower.
  2. Light Control. Check to see how much light your plant requires, and place it accordingly in your space. Too much or too little light can negatively affect its growth. 
  3. Watering. Again, check and see how much water your plant requires, and follow the guidelines. Especially in a small space, it's easy to remember to water your plant if its in a highly visible area. 
  4. Design. Plants enhance the style and design of your home. Pick out pretty pots, and make sure that they're big enough to provide adequate room for the plant's roots!