Connie’s Kitchen

Fire prevention is on my mind. A recent fire in my kitchen, though small, could have ended differently. Involved: a toaster and two mistakes. First mistake: putting off emptying the crumb tray regularly. (In this case, a piece of bread crust had dropped unnoticed into the tray, left there, it became dry, igniting the toaster this day.) Second mistake; leaving the area while toaster was in use. My first experience with fire turned out fine. A thorough dousing with baking soda extinguished the blaze. I hope it is the last.

Stanwood Camano Fire Department’s Craig Helgeland, assistant chief, was happy to supply kitchen fire safety information and more. See details below.

It follows that today’s main recipe be provided by firefighters who are rumored to be uncommonly good cooks. Camano’s Elger Bay team shared their favorite from a cookbook authored exclusively by firefighters “California Firefighters Cookbook.”

Fast Truck Chicken

by Captain Jim Colston, San Marcos, Firefighters
4 chicken breasts
2 14-ounce boxes
stuffing
2 15-ounce cans
chicken broth
8 ounces pepper jack
cheese, sliced
4 slices ham,
quartered

Grill the chicken until tender and moist; do not overcook. Add chicken broth to the stuffing instead of water and mix. Place an even layer of stuffing in a casserole dish and bake at 350º, 30 minutes, or until the top is crispy brown.

Dice cooked chicken and place on stuffing and top with the ham pieces. Cover with the pepper jack cheese and broil until cheese is melted.

Serve with sweet white corn and salad.

Raspberry Yogurt Smoothie

Serves 2-4

2 cups fresh or frozen berries, unsweetened

½ frozen banana, optional

2 cups plain yogurt

½ cup apple juice, or more

Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Add more juice as needed.

Kitchen Fire Prevention

• Do not leave anything unattended on the stove, in the toaster or microwave.

• Keep stove top clear of ignitable items such as towels.

• Teach children to say three feet away from the stove when you are cooking.

• Keep pot handles turned in.

• Wear short, closefitting or tightly rolled sleeves.

Extensive video help can be seen at www.camanofire. com and click on fire prevention.

For cookbook information and who it benefits, go to www.terryfarrellfund. org.

Go firefighters!

Connie’s Kitchen runs the last Tuesday every other month.