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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / DINNER PARTY AND 9/11 BAKE SALE

DINNER PARTY AND 9/11 BAKE SALE

September 12, 2016 by Sarah Kline 6 Comments

Bake Sale Portland

Whew — the last couple days have been a whirlwind.

To begin our busy weekend, we had a lovely family over for dinner that’d recently moved in just down the street.

Brittany and Nic are just the sweetest couple, and Charlotte is in love with their adorable two-year old, Adelyn.

Charlotte and Addie

Knowing that they had moved here from San Francisco, I decided to do a spin on one of my favorites from Zuni Restaurant — a classic French roasted chicken (with mine stuffed with Meyer Lemons).

I bought two gorgeous looking birds at New Seasons and marinated them for two whole days before the party — plenty of time to let the salt seep deep inside the meat and to pick up all the lemony goodness packed within.

Lemon Roast Chicken

We sipped on the incredible Pinot Noir they brought and the kids played outside until dinner was ready.

I was so busy pulling dinner together that I forgot to snap a pic of these two roasted beauties fresh out of the oven, but I did remember to take a pic just before it hit the table.

Meyer Lemon Roast Chicken with Neighbors

I added lots of chopped basil and pan juices (plus a little bit of truffle butter I had stashed in the fridge) and I have to say it turned out pretty darn tasty.

There was a lot to eat; besides the chicken there was an Arugula, Jumbo Crouton and Currant Salad, Roasted Tangerine and Honey Carrots, and a Yukon Gold Potato Puree.

Roast Chicken Dinner with Neighbors

Amazingly enough, we all found room for the Chocolate Buttermilk Cake with Tangerine Frosting.

Chocolate Buttermilk Cake with Tangerine Frosting

Charlotte and I like to bake almost as much as we enjoy eating our creations.

What a sweet evening — and I’m so excited to have this family on our block.

But my cooking had just begun; in honor of 9/11, I’d decided to have a Bake Sale to honor firefighters.

Long time readers with elephant memories will remember what I did last year on 9/11 and the fire station I visited, and this year I wanted to go a step further: a Bake Sale.

So all day Saturday was spent making Triple Ginger Chewy Cookie batter

Chewy Ginger Cookie Recipe

and getting everything ready for an early Sunday morning bake.

Chewy Ginger Cookies

Man I love these cookies and here’s the recipe.

They’re spicy and chewy and they never fail to please (and they always remind me of my Mom, the ginger cookie queen).

Chewy Ginger Cookies

I also made a huge vat of soup to sell: Chicken with Grilled Corn, Fennel and Lentil.

Chicken, Grilled Corn and Lentil Soup

The soup started with the leftover roasted chicken and bones I had on hand from the night before; into the developing stock went the lentils, basmati rice, sliced fennel and garlic. I then added some grilled corn in at the last minute along with a flurry of fresh herbs.

Before I knew it, it was time for the sale.

Bake Sale Sign

What surprised me was how quickly things went; I’d also made a dozen quinoa salad bowls and they were gone within minutes, and cup after cup of the soup — plus all the other baked goods– started to fly off the table.

People were buying boxes and bags full of items.

Bake Sale Portland

Charlotte’s friend Lily helped out by making yummy blondies and lemonade and manning the station with her, and we were glad for the extra help as we were busy.

A couple dozen Bittersweet Chocolate SKOR brownies– gone.

Skor Bittersweet Brownie

Who doesn’t love a brownie topped with toffee bits?

Skor Chocolate Brownie at Bake Sale

Or a rice crispy treat made richer with peanut butter and dark chocolate chips?

Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treat

There were Lily’s blondies (gone before I could take a pic) and these ginger chews.

Ginger Chews/Snaps and Green Apples in Vintage Box

I purposely offered everything at low prices (e.g., my jumbo Quinoa, Avocado, Heirloom Tomato, and Cucumber Salad with Cilantro Dressing was priced at just $2.50, and all treats were just a dollar) so that everyone would feel like they were getting a value, and many people responded in kind by adding a few dollars on top for the charity.

Bake Sale Portland

One neighbor even gave fifty dollars to our cause — the same amount my brother Dave had also committed by phone earlier that day.

Man, it makes me so happy when the people around me give so generously.

Yesterday was such a happy day connecting with friends, neighbors, and even strangers who saw our stand or saw our mention on Next Door and wanted to help out with my firefighter fund.

Bake Sale Portland

I got to meet up with old friends, and introduce them to new ones.

Brittany and Addie

I love this picture of Adelyn and Brittany — such sweet folks.

And I’m beyond excited for an errand I’m running later today.

Bake Sale with Raspberries

I’m taking Lily and Charlotte to the Firehouse that I visited last year.

I’m going to tell the firefighters that we sold 142 items on their behalf because we wanted to honor them — and their brave predecessors who fifteen years ago gave up their lives on that beautiful, cloudless day.

I’m going to bring them a fresh batch of ginger cookies

Ginger Chews, Daiso Bags

and ask them what would they’d like to do with the $300 dollars we raised.

Do they want a gift card? Something for the station? (I’ll let them decide.)

Can’t hardly wait.

In the meantime, thanks to my dear friends and neighbors who showed up, bought our food, bestowed upon us their good wishes and donated to strangers they’re unlikely to meet.

Bake Sale Portland

Ah, firefighters, and other public servants.

This week I’ve been thinking so much about them and all they’re willing to give up.

Thank you card

So here’s to you, my heroes.

GingerSnap/Chews

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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Comments

  1. Lori says

    September 12, 2016 at 10:53 pm

    Your bakesale looks wonderful for the soul and stomach! Can you post how you made your chicken/corn soup? It looks fantastic.

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      September 13, 2016 at 12:18 am

      Thanks, Lori! I don’t have a recipe for the chicken soup but basically I simmered the bones for an hour in a huge pot, I strained it, and then added small lentils and rice and chopped fennel and then simmered for another hour on low. Next I added the grilled corn, lots of garlic, some tomatoes, s/p and lots of lemon. That’s it — and it turned out pretty delicious if I do say so. Good to hear from you!

      Reply
  2. Polly says

    September 13, 2016 at 10:57 am

    Wow – what a weekend!
    Reaching out to new neighbors and honoring 9/11 by supporting local first responders.
    Way to go, Sarah & Charlotte…
    We’re going to do a bake sale next 9/11 – what a wonderful way to get the children involved and make such a positive contribution on a local level. I love it.
    I always have been & always will be your #1 Fan.

    * Is it too late to donate?

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      September 13, 2016 at 2:38 pm

      Thanks, Polly! You’re the sweetest gal, ever. Back at you!

      Reply
  3. Mom says

    September 13, 2016 at 4:47 pm

    Hi, my dear Sarah!
    Wow, you are one busy lady! I am so proud of my wonderful family! You all are so generous and caring for friends and family. I love the idea of bake sales.. We have them here in Niguel Shores from time to time!
    The soup sounds yummy! I will try to duplicate it!

    Reply
  4. Mom says

    September 13, 2016 at 4:48 pm

    Yum! Makes me so hungry!

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Sarah Kline. Former cook at Greens. Restaurant reviewer and food columnist for San Francisco Examiner. Copywriter/recipe writer for Williams Sonoma. Private cooking teacher.  Flash forward.  -> Read More

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