13 November ICC's Scheuer shares holiday food preparation tips for stress-free gatherings - Tis the season for food and stuffing more than just the turkey! November 13, 2023 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 Can it be November already? Thanksgiving will be here and shortly after, Christmas. Tis the season for food and stuffing more than just the turkey. There will be holiday parties, family gatherings and many opportunities for entertaining, all of which involve food and more food. The fare can range from fancy to home cooking, but no matter what the occasion, preparation tips and shortcuts are always appreciated. Itawamba Community College Food Management Certification program director Christy Scheuer, who has catered numerous events in her career ranging from the most elegant to smaller more intimate, has suggestions for family gatherings no matter how many Thanksgivings and Christmases you’ve celebrated together. She even has a recipe to share. “Take time to sit down and plan what menu items you would like to prepare for your guests,” Scheuer said. “How many guests do you anticipate? Are there any dietary restrictions/allergies/preferences? Remember, most times, simple is best…there is no need in having five sides…three family favorites are perfect!” She recommends selecting items that your family likes and you feel comfortable preparing. “If using new recipes, do a trial run in advance,” she suggests. Additional tips include assigning tasks to family members and letting people bring something even if it’s rolls, a dessert or tea. “These items will not only save you time and space, but also allow them to help how they can. Embrace it!” With the escalating costs of food prices, Scheuer also reminds meal planners to ensure they are maximizing/repurposing all ingredients and potential leftovers. “Maybe your family isn’t a huge fan of leftovers…no biggie,” she said. “Make turkey and wild rice soup with leftover turkey and veggies.” Space and appliances also play a role in the success of a family dinner or any other event. “Make sure you create a menu that uses both your range and oven,” Scheuer advised. “This will reduce stress when trying to ensure all your items are ready at the same time.” Preparation in advance is crucial, she noted. “Make a list and triple check it. There’s nothing more frustrating than tackling traffic and the crowds to realize you forgot a key ingredient for your dish. Take some extra time to inventory what you have and ensure all needed items are on your list. I like to stock up early on shelf staple items I know I will use and are more popular during the holiday season. Then I do a last-minute run closer to time for any items I forgot as well as perishable items to ensure freshness.” “Prep, prep, prep,” Scheuer advises. “Whether this means chopping veggies a day ahead or making casseroles/dessert items that you can freeze in advance, letting you enjoy time with family and friends…isn’t that ultimately what the season is about?” Additional tips include setting the table the day before to allow you more family and friends time on the day of the event. And, finally, she said to RELAX! “Everything doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s all about the time together…be sure to enjoy it!” Among Scheuer’s recipes is her “Easy Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms.” The ingredients include one package Jimmy Dean hot ground sausage (raw), one large container whole button mushrooms, pepperjack cheese and Italian seasoning. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Gently wash/wipe mushrooms clean and de-stem while keeping them whole. Generously stuff mushrooms with sausage and place on lined baking sheet. Bake mushrooms until sausage is fully cooked, approximately 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and top with pepperjack cheese and sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Place back in oven and continue to bake until cheese is melted. Enjoy! ICC’s four-week Food Service Management Certification class includes the skills necessary to thrive in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Students will experience ServSafe® Food Manager and Alcohol Certifications, menu planning preparation, assist/participate in the execution of catered events, résumé/interview skills and front- and back-of-the-house operations. Related Articles ICC's Community Relations team wins more than 30 CPRAM awards Itawamba Community College’s Community Relations team received a total of more than 30 awards from the College Public Relations Association of Mississippi, which were presented during a recent conference in Bay St. Louis. They include C.J. Adams of Fulton – third place, Photograph, for “New Semester Excitement;” first place, Television Spots, for “2023 ICC Super Bowl Commercial;” third place, Radio Spots, for “Fall Preview Day;” first place, Television Program, for “Skilled to Work;” second place, Multi-Media Presentation, for “2023 Orientation Presentation;” second place, New Media, for “Fireworks CRM;” first place, New Media, for “Inside ICC;” third place, Social Media – Non-Sports, for “Itawamba Community College Nat’l Smarties Day;” third place, Social Media – Sports, for “LetsGoICC YouTube Shorts; second place, Sports Promo/Hype Video, for “2024 ICC Volleyball Schedule Release;” first place, Creative Partners, for “I See A Leader Partnership;” Lee Adams of Fulton – second place, Digital Art/Photo Illustration, for “2023 ICC Softball Poster;” third place, Sports Photograph, for “Diving Catch;” second place, Sports Photograph, for “Boom;” first place, Sports Photograph, for “Strike;” third place, Television Program, for “ICC ... More than 600 graduates participate in 2022 ICC commencement ceremonies More than 600 graduates of Itawamba Community College crossed the stage at the Davis Event Center on the Fulton Campus May 13 during three commencement ceremonies and were rewarded with Associate of Arts or Associate of Applied Science degrees or certificates. They were among more than 1,000 graduates who have earned degrees from ICC this year, including Kelly Jo Ashley of New Albany, who participated during the 5 p.m. health sciences ceremony. Ashley, who was a certified elementary teacher for 11 years, began the Associate Degree Nursing program during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “None of us knew what to expect,” she said. “However, as I reflect on the past two years at ICC, I am beyond thankful to the faculty, staff and all other support personnel who not only made this journey possible, but who helped us to grow and learn as future nurses and people. I would not be the person I am today without everything I have learned and experienced during these two years at ICC, and for that I ... ICC's sophomore AD Nursing students engage in service learning Itawamba Community College’s Associate Degree Nursing program is currently preparing its students for civic engagement and social responsibility through its service learning component. Service learning allows students to develop moral judgment, civic responsibility and cultural competency, according to Dr. Dana Walker, program director. “It is an educational experience in which students participate in a service activity that meets the needs of multiple stakeholders in the professional and community environment. Components include experiential learning, reflecting and a partnership between the educational institution and community agency.” This semester, sophomores have assisted with health screening for more than 700 area students including King Early Childhood Education Center, Carver Elementary School and Lawhon Elementary School. Screenings included height, weight, vision and hearing for students ranging from four years to second grade. “ICC student nurses had a terrific time with the children while applying concepts learned in their current maternal/pediatric course to help promote health in the community,” Walker said. 12 sophomores selected as members of ICC's prestigious Hall of Fame Twelve Itawamba Community College sophomores have been selected as members of the prestigious Hall of Fame for 2022-23. They include and Kelly Barnett, Anthony Reece Cantrell, both of Amory; Lori Leachman of Bruce; Emma Grace Allen, Hayden Campbell, both of Fulton; Emory Reinhard of Mantachie; Eli Harlow of Pontotoc; Lexi Tabbs of Red Bay, Ala., Madison Collins of Shannon; Noah Jones of Smithville; and Jamarious “Jay” Salters and Mae Young, both of Tupelo. At ICC, Allen’s activities have included Indian Delegation president, Orientation Leader, Food Pantry representative, Resident Assistant and a member of the Baptist Student Union Leadership Team, The Global Experience, Fashion Tribe, STEM Club, The Wesley Foundation, Phi Theta Kappa, Honors College, Science Club and Wesley Foundation. Among her honors are Dean’s List, Freshman and Sophomore Homecoming Maid and first runner-up in ICC’s Most Beautiful Pageant. A pre-med (biology) major, Allen is also involved in college ministry and youth group at Bethel Baptist Church. She is the daughter of Dr. Jay and Belinda Allen. Barnett, who is majoring in Business and Marketing Management Technology, is a member ... ICC graduates more than 650 during three May 12 ceremonies More than 650 graduates of Itawamba Community College crossed the stage at the Davis Event Center on the Fulton Campus, May 12, during three commencement ceremonies and were rewarded with Associate of Arts or Associate of Applied Science degrees or certificates. They were among approximately 1,000 graduates who have earned degrees from ICC this year, including Kelly Barnett of Amory, who participated during the 10 a.m. ceremony. Barnett, who majored in Business and Marketing Management Technology, said she “didn’t have the opportunity to attend college right out of high school because of personal issues, so to be able to finally complete this has meant the world to me. This time around has not been without its challenges either.” She lost her father in October 2021. “I know he was so proud I was back in school, so even though I wanted to quit, I pushed through! I just want my children to look at me and be proud of me and understand that it is okay if you fail or get off track, but don’t ever quit.” That drive led ... ICC ranks second in state in producing more bachelor's degrees than any other community college Recent data from Mississippi’s Institutions of Higher Learning shows students who graduate from Itawamba Community College and transfer to a university receive their degree with a grade point average above the state average. In addition, ICC graduates earn their college credentials with a higher GPA than students who begin their university studies during their freshman year. The statistics also indicate that ICC ranks second in the state in producing more bachelor’s degrees than any other community college, 12 short of first place, which is held by an institution that doubles our enrollment, said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. Students who began their college careers at ICC and transferred to a university graduated from there with an average GPA of 3.28. The average among all IHL graduates is 3.23. ICC graduates finish with higher GPA than the average completion GPA of all Mississippi community colleges and institutions of higher learning,” Allen said. “ICC’s priority is our students, and it is our mission to provide them with a quality educational foundation, no matter where their life journey takes them,” Allen ... Comments are closed.