What is a satellite media tour? Instead of having to travel to different cities to make in person appearances, you can stay in one location and do satellite links to television, radio, internet or newspapers for interviews and promotions. SMTs, as they are called in the business, save time and money which allows for greater prizes for companies that are doing giveaways.
The grand prize winner, Jenny Flake, and I spent two days making local TV appearances in the Valley of the Sun (I call it the hot box during summer, where it reaches 103 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade) after our morning media stops.
Jenny joined me as my assistant for a cooking class at St. Mary's Food Bank. This food bank does more than just provide food. St. Mary's has a training program for men and women who have experienced some misfortunes. At St. Mary's, people receive help with life skills and training programs in the kitchen. These are the men and women we had the great pleasure of cooking with and for.
We made a couple of dishes. Classic comfort food such as my Mom's Mac and Cheese plus Broccoli and Cheese Casserole. Of course we used Elsie's favorite Borden's Cheese, and the Makers of Borden Brand Cheese donated five hundred pounds of cheese to the Food Bank. You can find those recipes on my Web site, www.curtisaikens.com.
After the cooking class, we gave Jenny a break before we went to her home to present her with her Grand Prize: a $5,000 gift card and my cooking for her and seven of family members or friends. Today's recipe is the one that got me to the desert, from Jenny Flake, my new friend.
Next week, maybe I'll share more of my adventures around Phoenix, which includes golf, great food and a wonderful resort and spa. Have the best week of your life.
Breakfast
Frittata Italiano
Ingredients
1 cup prosciutto, chopped
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons basil leaves, fresh, chopped
10 eggs
1 / 4 cup half-and-half
1 / 4 teaspoon salt
1 / 4 teaspoons black pepper, fresh-ground
1 / 4 cup white onion, finely diced
1 / 4 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
1 / 2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 1/ 2 (6 oz.) cups Borden Six Cheese Italian Shredded Cheese
Procedure
PREHEAT oven broiler. PLACE eggs, half-and-half, salt and pepper into large bowl and whisk until well combined; set aside. Place olive oil in large 12" nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot, add onions, bell pepper and prosciutto. SAUTÉ for 3 to 5 minutes or until prosciutto is crisped and vegetables are tender. ADD garlic and cook 2 minutes. Add egg mixture and cook until just starting to firm up, but still loose in center, scraping down sides to evenly cook. SPRINKLE with basil and cheese. PLACE skillet 5 to 6 inches under oven's broiler and cook for 3-5 minutes or until eggs are firm and cheese is melted. Transfer frittata to serving plate, cut into wedges and serve.
