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 Want to learn how to make the best pie crust in the world? 

Do your homemade cookies turn out misshapen and burnt? 

Can you put a gourmet dinner on the table in less than 15 minutes? 

Interested in learning more about Italian cuisine? 

HRH Pat Condelli, The Cookie Queen, also known as "the practical Martha Stewart," teaches all the tricks of the trade in fun-filled classes at the Castle in New Kensington, Pa. 

Home Economist Pat Condelli 

Pat received her degree in Home Economics at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has been teaching cooking, baking and home making since 1968. 

Choose one of the following classes or tell the Cookie Queen what you would like to bake or cook and she will plan a class specifically for you and your friends. 

Pat also is available for LIVE consultation on SKYPE. If you have a web cam, message Pat on the internet for a time for a live SKYPE consult on your computer. 

* Dough Re Mi - How to handle all types of doughs - yeast, phyllo, pizza, pie, biscuit. Hands on. Sampling. Take home something wonderful. 

* Hassle-Free Holidays -. Save time and your sanity with easy holiday recipes. Hands on. Sampling. Take home something scrumptious. 

* Kids Can Cook - Easy recipes. Lots of fun. Hands on. Sampling. Take home something to show your family what you made. Class limited to six children. 

* Cookies to Die For, Cry For, Lie For - Learn to make "professional-looking" cookies that taste fabulous. Men of all ages really love this class. Hands on. Sampling. Take home some goodies. 

* Yes, You CAN Make a Pie - Anyone can and I’ll teach you how. 

* Intro to Cooking for the Single Man -Basic cooking skills for guys. Prepare wonderful meals for you and your buddies. Food safety. Learn how to host a party. Hands on. Sampling. Something to take home. 

* Carry Me Back to Old Italia - Grand recipes from the North and South of Italy. Family-tested for generations. Hands on. Sampling. Something to take home. 

* Ethnic Cooking With American Flair - You’ll get a little bit of everything in this class - Italian, Greek, Polish, German, Mexican, Dutch, Indian, Chinese. Six sessions.$300. Come for dinner. We eat first. Then I’ll show you how to make it. And you can take some home for your family to taste. Class size limited to six students. 

All classes feature hands-on (not just watching me do it) experience. And everyone gets to take home something they themselves made. 

Most classes are just one 2-3-hour session. There are morning, afternoon, evening and weekend sessions available. 

Individual Classes: $40-$60 (depending on items being prepared), which includes recipes and something delicious to take home. 

To register for a class, phone the Cookie Queen at 724 339-0920 or E Mail: cookiequ@verizon.net 

This is such a delightful and filling salad.  Easily serves as a main course.  You can use deli chicken (or turkey) if you don’t want to cook it yourself.   I like to serve this as a “make your own salad.”  I put all the ingredients in individual bowls and allow guests to take only those items they want and however much dressing they prefer.

Ingredients

1 cup cut fresh asparagus, 1 inch pieces, steamed until crisp-tender

4 cups spinach or other greens

1 1⁄2 cups sliced strawberries 

2 cups boneless skinless chicken or turkey, cooked and torn into bite-size pieces

1⁄4 cup toasted sliced almonds

Salt and pepper to taste

1 medium ripe avocado

2 Tbsps. lemon juice

Dressing 

5 fresh strawberries, halved

1 Tbsp. orange juice

2 Tbsps. olive oil

1 tsp. balsamic vinegar

1⁄8 tsp. pepper

1⁄2 tsp. sugar

How To Make It

In a big salad bowl, add salad greens, asparagus, 1 1/2 cup strawberries, chicken or turkey and nuts.*  Season with salt and pepper to taste.*  

For dressing: Combine all ingredients in blender or food processor; cover and process until smooth.*  Slice avocado and toss with lemon juice.  Add the avocado to the salad.*  

Pour dressing over salad; toss to coat.

(NOTE:  The word commentary implies that this is opinion.  If you do not want to read my political opinions, please skip this section. You will not hurt my feelings.  I won't know if you read it or not.)

As a Roman Catholic I was distressed at the news this week about the state’s investigation into  sexual abuse by predatory priests.  I made the mistake of going to the State’s Grand Jury report website and reading all the horrific details.  I was shocked to read of some of the actions by Priests whom I knew personally.  

I came away with some thoughts that are pertinent:

*  Our pastors are supposed to read us a letter from our Bishops at this week’s Sunday Masses.  I am greatly opposed to this.  This topic is not appropriate for a “celebration” which is the way I was taught to regard our Mass and I do not want young children at Mass to be exposed to this kind of discussion.

*  There is no way the church can explain or excuse ay of this.  The only thing they can possibly say that would be acceptable is that they apologize and that it will never happen again.  Ever.

*  If you read between the lines (not actually stated in the report) nearly all of the abuse was perpetrated by homosexuals - not by pedophiles.  There is a difference, you know.  Someone said to me today that none of this would have happened if they allowed priests to marry.  And this statement tells me that this person has no understanding of the actual crime.  A pedophile can be hetero or homo sexual.  Pedophilia is the sexual abuse of a child (a boy or girl below the age of puberty).  Most of the abuse was of teenagers - and I am not excusing anything here - just stating facts.  And the grand jury report was wrong not to point out that the majority of cases involved persons 15 and older and the majority of crimes were committed by homosexuals - not pedophiles.  And I am not saying that all homosexuals are predators.  Not all homosexuals force themselves on teenagers. That’s the crime - whether by hetero or homo sexual.  If the sexual contact at any age is uninvited, then it is a crime and should have been reported to civil authorities - not church authorities.

*  I was especially appalled to learn that pastors and bishops our our churches were responsible for the continuance of this criminal activity.  They not only failed to report the crimes to police but they also took great effort to cover up everything because they feared the loss of donations to the church and participation by devoted Catholics.  Those who did so - the ones who are still living - must be held accountable.  Some of them should go to jail.  I read the letters and e mails they wrote detailing their plans to hide what was going on.  And they refused to notify police. This is reprehensible.

*  I realize that pedophilia is not just a crime - it is also a sickness and so I believe that in addition to praying for the victims we must also pray for the perpetrators.

*  Unfortunately I also realize that this report on Pennsylvania Catholic church crimes is just the tip of the iceberg.  Authorities in every other state m do must do thorough investigations as well.  And not just of Catholic priests. Ministers in all other religions may also be equally as guilty and they need to be outed as well.  Next they need to take a look at our public schools.  There are perverts everywhere.

^^^^^^

I was shocked and disappointed when I learned that a former trusted White House employee had tape-recorded her conversations with members of the Trump administration and was releasing them to the media.  What kind of person does such a thing? She not only betrayed the trust the President put in her but she also endangered the security of our nation by her reprehensible actions.  

And while my case does not have such serious ramifications I too know what is it like to be thrown under the bus by someone you trusted. When you welcome someone into your “family” and go out of your way to do nice things for them for 25 years - even loan them thousands of dollars interest free - and then to be treated with such disdain is sad and disheartening.  

So I do not blame President Trump for calling this horrible woman names.  However - I take issue with him calling her a “dog.”   I messaged the President and told him to stop saying that because calling her a dog is insulting to dogs.  Dogs are nice and kind and loyal.  She is not.  

I told him he could call her a cur - but not a dog.  And I also told him he needs to get a dog as a pet.

Dogs are always there for you no matter what.  They don’t do wicked things to hurt you.  Dogs can be trusted.  Dogs are kind.  Dogs are loyal.   This poor excuse for a human being (I refuse to use her name) is none of those things and neither is anyone who betrays a friend.

^^^^^ 

And then there is the NFL continuing with that stupid kneeling during the playing of our National Anthem.  I realize these guys are not the brightest bulbs in the chandelier - but they should know - or be told in no uncertain terms - that when you are employed you do what your employer requires and if you don’t like it, then you quit the job.  

These dopes do not understand that  - as my Mom used to say - they are cutting off their noses to spite their faces.  The NFL brand is being irreparably harmed.  There are lots of people like me who stopped watching these big babies play a game and will no longer be interested even if they stop their childish antics.  Soon - because of lack of advertisers - there will be no money to pay them millions to act like jerks.  

I grew up from childhood watching football games with my parents on TV. It was a big part of our life.  But after two years of no football - I honestly can say I don’t miss it - not even one tiny bit. 

If these guys were protesting the thousands of lives being snuffed out daily in places like Chicago, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., by criminal thugs I might be inclined to join their demand that such insanity be stopped - though I would not choose to voice my opinion during our National Anthem. 

I never see these same morons protesting the hundreds of police officers killed every year by violent thugs who think that taking the life of a police officer is a badge of honor.

The folks whose lives were lost that they are protesting were in the middle of committing criminal acts.  The police who killed them were DOING THEIR JOB and putting their own lives in danger to protect ours. They should be honored - not held in contempt.

To be sure - like the pedophile priests - there are a few bad egg police officers who sometimes act unlawfully.  But like the priests they are few and far between.  They need to put their concern in perspective and act rationally.  They need to act like employees who love their job and want to continue doing it according to the parameters set by the person signing the check.

If I had employees here at the Cookie Castle and we started the day with the Pledge of Allegiance or the Playing of our National Anthem and someone dared to show disrespect for our country and or flag that employee would no longer have a job.  I would have his/her butt out the door before the last word was said or the last note was played.  

The “kneelers” have a choice - follow the rules or go somewhere else to make millions of $$$$$.  And stop annoying the rest of us with your tantrums.  Do your job or get out.

^^^^^

The Cookie Queen welcomes replies and opposing views to these commentaries. You may respond at cookiequ@verizon.net