Ponderosa...At Home

Happy holidays, Bay Area! Christmas is quickly approaching – and, if you’re still looking for those perfect holiday dishes for your family, here are two recipes that your guests will love (and won’t take much time in the kitchen).

Appetizer: Butternut Squash Rösti Cakes

Total Time: 45 Minutes

Services: Makes 4 Dozen Mini Cakes

In a bowl, combine the shredded squash and potatoes with the cornstarch, eggs and onion and season with salt and cayenne. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1/8 inch of oil until shimmering. Add 2 tablespoon-size mounds of the mixture to the skillet and cook over moderate heat, turning once, until golden and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels and repeat, adding more oil to the skillet as needed and wiping out the pan occasionally. Top the rösti cakes with sour cream, caviar and chives and serve hot.

MAKE AHEAD

The fried cakes can be kept at room temperature for 4 hours. Recrisp in a warm oven.

Dinner: Butterflied Cornish Hens with Sage Butter

Total Time: 50 Minutes

Prep: 20 Minutes

Cook: 30 Minutes

Ingredients
4 (1 3/4-pound) Cornish game hens, butterflied
1 stick butter, softened
5 to 7 sage leaves, finely chopped
1 lemon, zested
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Olive oil for sautéing
4 strips bacon, chopped

Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Place hens on a sheet tray fitted with a cooling rack in the refrigerator to dry skin out for 1 hour. Meanwhile, in a small pan over medium heat, melt butter with sage, zest, salt and pepper. Remove hens from refrigerator. Preheat 2 large saute pans over medium heat, lightly coat with oil. Season hens with salt and pepper and sear, skin side down, in the pans. Sear until skin caramelizes and turns golden brown and crispy, about 7 to 10 minutes. Flip birds over and baste with sage butter.

Get the full recipe here.

 

Happy 2016, Bay Area! Ponderosa Homes would like to wish you a joyous season and help you find your new home at Vinsanto II or Coventry in Livermore!

Vinsanto II offers distinctive designs, sought-after qualities and a friendly neighborhood atmosphere. These new energy-efficient residences are GreenPoint Rated and feature up to approximately 3,168 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths as well as a walk-in shower with cultured marble surround in the master bath, warming gas log fireplace, Kohler fixtures, GE Profile kitchen appliances and customizable opportunities.

Every day is a chance to relax and unwind at Coventry! These Livermore new homes offer up to approximately 2,325 sq. ft. of living space, 4 bedrooms and 3 baths as well as GE stainless steel kitchen appliances, abundant kitchen storage, large walk-in closet in the master suite, convenient laundry room with stylish utility sink and energy-saving features like a tankless water heater and radiant barrier roof.

And coming soon are new single-family homes at Red Hawk in Danville, The Vines in Livermore, Belmont in San Jose and Meridian in Pleasanton. Visit our website to learn more and make sure you stop by the sales offices at Vinsanto II and Coventry!

To make sure you’re always in the loop and up to date with everything happening in your community, be sure to Like the Ponderosa Facebook page.

You may not think weather preparedness is necessary when you live in Northern California but, with El Nino approaching this winter, it’s a good idea to start thinking about ways to protect your home. Here are some helpful tips:

 

  • Look into and purchase flood insurance before the storms start. If you already have a policy, call your broker or insurance company to ensure your property is properly covered for damages.

 

  • Inspect various parts of your property including your home’s gutters, roof and yard. Clear debris from gutters, check the roof for cracks and holes and secure outdoor furniture or move indoors to minimize the risk of injury from strong winds.

 

  • Secure plants, vegetation and trees in your yard to lessen the risk of injury from air-born objects due to strong winds.

 

  • Have a plan and prepare an emergency kit with the essentials that your family may need during a storm. Make sure to have flashlights with extra batteries, a first aid kit, canned food, packaged food items, blankets and warm sweaters in your kit.

 

  • Receive updates on your phone by installing apps from the Weather Channel and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

 

  • Make copies of important documents and store in a safe deposit box or safely stored elsewhere outside your home.

 

  • Create a list of contact numbers for emergency services, family members in/outside of the area and the power company.

 

To make sure you’re always in the loop and up to date with everything happening in your community, be sure to Like the Ponderosa Facebook page.

Season’s greetings! Check out the fun events that are happening in Livermore and Pleasanton soon.

Bring your family and friends for this fun-filled holiday event in downtown Pleasanton this weekend! The Hometown Holiday Celebration is taking place tomorrow from 3:30PM to 7:30PM with a holiday parade starting at 5PM. Stick around after the parade for a tree lighting ceremony at 6:45PM with music and a visit from Santa. Click here for more info.

Spend a holiday-themed day with your family in Livermore this weekend! Enjoy Home for the Holidays tomorrow from 11AM to 4PM with performances and horse-drawn carriage rides, plus you won’t want to miss the 20th annual Holidays Sights & Sounds Parade and special tree lighting ceremony.

A night of festive songs, amazing costumes and dance await you in Livermore this Sunday, December 6th. Ballet Folklorico Mexicano is coming to the Bankhead Theater at 2PM. Go here for tickets.

Groove to some holiday tunes next weekend in Pleasanton! December People: A Classic Rock Christmas is coming to the Firehouse Arts Center on Saturday, December 12th. These five incredible musicians will entertain you with two shows at 2PM and 8PM.  Plus, you can get your picture taken with the band when you donate food items for local area food banks at the show. Purchase tickets here.

To make sure you’re always in the loop and up to date with everything happening in your community, be sure to Like the Ponderosa Facebook page.