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Fundraiser Tempts School's Taste Buds

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By SUZANNE M. SCHMIDT

IN THE LOOP

Published: January 7, 2009

The PTSA at Dr. John Long Middle School thinks it has a fundraiser people can sink their teeth into.

The group has rolled out a recipe book chockfull of tempting dishes supplied by members of the school community. Rhonda Shaw, president for the PTSA, said she loves the new recipe book and she hopes others will, too.

"Fundraising is more difficult at the middle school level," Shaw said. "We wanted to try something different; do something people could get excited about. We had a lot of hard work put into this. We had the faculty, the staff and the students turning in recipes for this book."

The book is filled with 250 recipes for appetizers, soups, salads, dinners and desserts as well as some helpful hints like how much to make for different servings and how to cut down on odors when cooking cabbage or cauliflower.

"I tried to put in the recipes that I have had before so I knew they were good," said Dee Stephens, third vice president of the PTSA. "I didn't include recipes I didn't think anyone would cook. So nothing is too complicated or requires too many ingredients."

The PTSA is raising the money so it can fund programs for the students and their families. In the past, the group brought speakers to the school and supplied funding to the teachers.

"All the money we raise goes to the school," Shaw said. "We have had speakers come to the school to talk about the importance of literacy, we have paid to have the pianos tuned for the band department and we have given funds to teachers for programs like the Odyssey of the Mind."

The PTSA has about 300 recipe books still left to sell. The books are available in the front office of the school, 2025 Mansfield Blvd. in Wesley Chapel.

In the near future, the PTSA plans to have a second annual Round Up in March where the recipe book will also be for sale. Festivities will include carnival games, bouncy houses, a rock climbing wall, bingo, a disk jockey, a dunk tank, quad bungie and a gift basket raffle.

The PTSA is also encouraging parents to attend the second general board meeting Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. where they will have the chance to learn about the Pasco County Sheriff's Office Find Me program.

For more information, call (813) 346-6200.

Recipes From The Ranch

The following recipes come from "Recipes from the Ranch," a fundraising publication put out by the Dr. John Long Middle School PTSA.

Mrs. Brown Famous Shrimp Scampi

Ingredients:

1 1/2 shrimp-deveined and peeled

1 French baguette, cut into 1/2 inch slices

1/2 lb light butter

1/4 cup parsley

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon oregano

3 tablespoons garlic

1 small can black olives, cut in halves

1 small bunch scallions, chopped

4 ounces cherry tomatoes, quartered, salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Melt butter in a shallow glass baking dish. Add all seasonings and lemon juice to hot butter. Mix shrimp, black olives, scallions and cherry tomatoes into the hot seasoned butter mix. Return to hot oven for 10 minutes or until shrimp turns pink. Do not overcook. Line a glass pan with baguette slices. Bake slices until done. Spoon shrimp mixture onto baguettes. Enjoy.

Recipe supplied by Principal Beth Brown

Gooey Cake

Ingredients:

1 stick butter or margarine

1 box yellow cake mix

3 eggs

1 box powdered sugar

1 8-ounce package cream cheese

Directions: Melt butter in a 9-by-13 baking dish. Add yellow cake mix (powder form), add one egg. Mix well, then pat bottom of baking dish. In a separate bowl combine one box powdered sugar, two eggs and package of cream cheese. Mix well then pour on top of patted down mixture in baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes. Top will appear almost original color with a slightly golden tint. Serve at room temperature or refrigerate. This is very sweet, so serve in small pieces. Maybe 1-1/2 to 2 inch squares.

Recipe provided by Amanda Runyan

Reporter Suzanne M. Schmidt can be reached at (813) 948-4288 or sschmidt@mediageneral.com.

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