Treat of the Week Winner: Bacon Wrapped Dates

Bacon Wrapped Dates by Ellen Boss Krohn thanks to Solera Restaurant

Medjool Dates (pit in or pitted)
1 # soft goats cheese
1/4 Cup herbs (thyme, parsley, cilantro, chives)
1 # bacon (we use all natural organic meats from MN farmers at Solera, Linden Hills Coop has this available)
Toothpicks

-If your dates have pits in them you will need to slice them in half lengthwise and remove the pit, if you can buy them without pits and halved that will save you some prep time. If you cannot find medjool other dates will work just fine.

-pick your thyme, remove stems from parsley, remove stems from cilantro ( you don't want to CHOP your herbs because you will bruise them . . . you can tell when they start leaching liquid around the edges and turn a dark green color . . . . you want to gently chiffonad them until they are finely minced

-place your goats cheese and herbs together and mix until well incorporated, add a pinch of sea salt

-take about 1/2 a teaspoon of the goats cheese mixture and mold it into the date, you don't want to overstuff it otherwise it will negatively affect the cooking procedure. Stuff all your dates 

-cut your bacon in half and roll the dates in the bacon and then secure with a toothpick

-deep fry the dates until the bacon is just crispy . . . . if you have over stuffed the dates the cheese will start to melt out

-once out of the fryer, toss in an acid vinaigrette and a little bit of chives or parsley then eat . . .can be eaten at room temp as well, it won't hurt them to sit out a little bit.

Treat of the Week Winner: Better Than Sex Cake

Better Than Sex Cake by Annalisa Christensen
Bake one box chocolate cake mix according to directions. Poke holes in cake with bottom of wooden spoon. Pour one can sweetened condensed milk and one jar butterscotch/caramel sundae topping over cake. Top with one container cool whip and crushed toffee pieces.

Treat of the Week Winner: Spicy Hash browns

Spicy Hash browns by Annalisa Christensen
Brown 1lb Jimmy Dean hot sausage. Mix 8 oz softened cream cheese with 1/4c chopped jalapenos. Add 1/3 c milk, 1 c cheddar cheese, 1/4c melted butter and 30oz thawed hashbrowns. Add salt and pepper or Lawry's seasoning to taste. Spread in 13x9 pan. Crush 2c corn flakes with 1/4c cheddar cheese. Spread on top of potatoes and pour another 1/4c melted butter on top. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Ladies,
We hope that you have had a wonderful experience this year in Evening MOPs.  It has been such a joy to see everyone grow in their relationships with each other and with Christ.

We would love to hear about your experience.  Your table leader should have sent you an email with the below link to a survey.  We would appreciate you taking the time to give feedback and help us plan for next year. 
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B6GG58G

There will be some play dates and activities planned for this summer.  More information to come at our next meeting.  We hope to see you over the summer!

Our wonderful coordinator, Michelle, will be leaving us after this year.  Michelle and her family are also moving out of the area.  Best of luck with your move!
Thank you, Michelle, for sharing your gift of leadership and companionship over the past 2 years!  We appreciate all that you have done!
We will miss you!

Ladies,
We would love to have you come back next fall!  If you did not pre-register for MOPs for next fall, iis not too late!  Registration will open later this summer.  Keep your eyes out and be sure to check the blog over the summer for more information.

We will be welcoming a new coordinator this fall, Niki E. 

Interested in leadership?  Please talk to Niki to learn more about these incredible roles.

Welcome Baby Carter!

Evening MOPs would like to welcome Carter Joseph!

Carter was born on March 23rd, 2012 to Heidi P.

He weighed 8 lbs. 6 oz.

Welcome Carter!