Fort Bend Lifestyles and Homes Magazine Mar 2009: FBJSL Cookbook

This October, the Fort Bend Junior Service League will publish its second cookbook, Treasures from the Bend, Rich in History and Flavor. Named the official cookbook of Fort Bend County by the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, the hard-cover publication will feature a collection of more than 275 treasured recipes from league members, community leaders and area restaurants. Serving as a tribute to seven Fort Bend community treasures, this cookbook will include beautiful color photographs along with information about each treasured location.

The seven treasures are: Katy House—also known as the Woods Home in Katy; Regal Ranch in Stafford; the Prairie House at George Ranch in Richmond; Another Time Soda Fountain & Cafe in Rosenberg; Brazos Bend State Park in Needville; the Freedom Tree in Missouri City; and Lakeview Auditorium in Sugar Land

Edible Heirlooms, the league’s first cookbook, raised $18,000 for its beneficiary, Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels. This new cookbook will

Preparing to launch the 2009 FBJSL cookbook are cookbook committee members: (l-r) cookbook chair Julie Wilson; Nicole Volek, assistant secretary, Meals on Wheels Board of Directors; David Vasquez, vice chairman, Meals on Wheels BOD; Michael Campbell, Meals on Wheels BOD; Manuela Arroyos, executive director, Meals on Wheels; Lisa Collins, assistant treasurer, Meals on Wheels BOD; and Tom Shirley, treasurer, Meals on Wheels BOD. v Open Wednesday through Sunday, Another Time Soda Fountain is located at 800 Third St. at Ave. F in Rosenberg .

The Fort Bend Junior Service League is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing their potential and improving the Fort Bend County community through effective action and leadership.

Pre-Sale orders of Treasures from the Bend, Rich in History and Flavor will begin May 31 on FBJSL’s Web site.

To learn more about sponsorship and underwriting levels, visit www.fbjsl.com or contact Julie Wilson at 281-242-7223. To learn about the Meals on Wheels program visit www.fortbendseniors.org.

In the meantime, have a little taste of the upcoming treasures the cookbook will offer by trying this sample recipe.

Amazing Meatloaf

2 T butter

¾ cup onion, chopped

3 stalks green onions, sliced thin

½ cup red bell pepper, chopped

2 t garlic, minced (about 2 cloves)

2 large eggs

1 cup ketchup (divided)

½ cup milk

1 T + 1 t worcestershire sauce

½ t salt

2 pounds lean ground beef

1 pound pork sausage

¾ cup dried Italian bread crumbs

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Melt butter in a skillet and sauté onions, peppers and garlic 8 to 10 minutes until soft, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, beat eggs in a large bowl with a fork. Stir in ½ cup ketchup, milk, worcestershire sauce and salt. Add

onion mixture and meats. Add bread crumbs. Mix with a wooden spoon or smush with your hands until well blended. Pat into a greased 12x5x2-inch loaf pan. Brush with the remaining ketchup. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes or until meat thermometer reads 155 degrees. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Mixture can be made ahead into loaf, wrapped tightly with aluminum foil and frozen.

also benefit Meals on Wheels, and the league hopes to raise even more in 2009. Meals on Wheels has been delivering meals in Fort Bend County since 1974. The organization is committed to helping seniors remain independent by enhancing their quality of life through various services and social events. However, the primary focus of the organization is the meal program that provides over 170,000 meals per year to citizens 60 years or over who are unable to safely prepare their own meals.

The success of FBJSL projects depends on community support. Numerous sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are available ranging from $200 to $5,000. Sponsorship deadline is March 15. Forms are available on the Web site.