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FIELD EDITOR NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2015

Field Editor News

Susan Stetzel
Field Editor Manager
Taste of Home
sue.stetzel@rd.com

Hello Fellow Field Editors!

I hope you're all staying warm. When the weather is chilly, seems like the perfect time to pull out the slow cooker. At my house, I'm always making a big meal, then turning the leftovers into something completely different. I'll start with this Slow Cooker Pot Roast, then make an awesome Sunday breakfast with the extras. We like to call them dinner do-overs because the word “leftover” makes my kids turn up their noses. How do you re-do your leftovers? Do you call them anything special? Look for the Leftover Linkup conversation in Taste of Home Community now!

I know it's only February, but I need you to put on your thinking caps and jump ahead to Christmas. The editors will start pulling and testing recipes for our Christmas issues around the first week of March. We're looking for five-ingredient side dishes that don't need to be baked in an already crowded oven. Something great you make on the stovetop, in a slow cooker or even some spectacular no-cook or make-ahead specialty. Maybe you have a broccoli and apple salad that's a cozy spin on your picnic recipe. How about butternut squash with dried cranberries and blue cheese? Perhaps Brussels sprouts, wild rice with mushrooms, a sweet potato smash with an extra little kick—you get the idea. So start thinking (and cooking), then send your recipes by the end of this month.

Over the next few months, I'll be sharing tricks to help you get your recipes in Taste of Home publications. One of the best ways is respond to the Get Cookin' topics you see each month here in this newsletter. The editors and I look at the upcoming issue plans and pick the topics that need the most attention. Last month I asked for unique takes on Pigs in a Blanket and four of you stepped up to the challenge. Let's see if we can hit 20! Look for the Pigs in a Blanket brainstorm in the Field Editor forum and chime in with your ideas. Tune in next month for more tips!

One final note: Last month I told you we were going to be reviewing the Field Editor program. As part of that review I'll be looking at your participation in the program. If you've experienced some trouble that has prevented you from being as active as you'd like, now is the time to talk to me about that. Send me an email, sue.stetzel@rd.com and we'll chat.

Happy Cooking,

Sue Stetzel
Field Editor Manager

Get Cookin'

Topic 1:
Quick Fix Soups, Chilis and Chowders

Send us your six-ingredient bowls full of goodness (not counting water, oil, salt and pepper) that can be made in 30 minutes or less.

Submit Recipes >

Topic 2:
Go Low & Slow Recipe Contest

Here’s your chance at $500! Break out your recipes that roast, simmer and marinate with 12 or fewer ingredients, and tell your story. Enter by March 23rd.

Submit Recipes >

Topic 3:
Chilled Holiday Desserts

Think frozen or refrigerated sweets like peppermint ice box cake, frozen hot chocolate pie or gingersnap ice cream, send us your most festive and delicious chilled desserts for the holidays.

Submit Recipes >

Enter One of Our Recipe Contests >

Field Editor in Focus

This is the area where we like to feature one of you, but this month we thought it'd be nice for you to get to know a little more about me.

I live in beautiful western New York, about an hour from Buffalo, in the village I grew up in. Population 155! Living in such a small town is wonderful when you're looking for a community BUT not so wonderful when you love good food or create recipes as a hobby. Ingredient choices are limited here so I try to make do with what I have available by altering recipes. I do try to visit a good store (Wegmans is my favorite) at least once a month. I just wish it wasn't 30 miles away.

I'm blessed to have a job that allows me to work from my home, especially on mornings like this when it's 2 below outside, but it can be very challenging, too. My friends and family sometimes forget that I'm actually at work and stop by to visit or call to chat, usually on a day when I'm pressed to meet a deadline. It's also really hard to focus in my office when I'd rather be playing in the kitchen! I'm sure you can relate to that problem!

Speaking of family, my husband (one of the people who forgets I'm actually at work) and I will be celebrating 24 years together this spring. One of us deserves a medal for that, but I'm not sure who—ha ha. I have one teenager left at home (who tends to forget things he needs at school on a regular basis) and an older son who moved home to save money (I really think it was for the food, though), plus two kids living out on their own and parents who don't consider themselves aging but still need a ride to the grocery store when it's storming out.

I have an overactive sense of humor. I've also been known to break out in song at random times and inappropriate places, generally to embarrass one of the kids mentioned above. I love to knit, quilt, paint and now play with rubber stamps (I blame my mom for that). I'm passionate about things I love, including the Taste of Home brand.

Why am I sharing all this with you? To let you know I understand how busy life can be. I understand how challenging it can be to just get through day-to-day life and still have time to do the things I love, like creating new recipes. Some days just reviewing a recipe is a challenge, and I'm on the Taste of Home website EVERY DAY for work! My goal is to help you be the best Field Editor you can be and to make sure we're having fun together cooking up great things. Feel free to email me anytime, even just to say hi and introduce yourself. I look forward to getting to know you all.

Stay warm!

Sue