Recipe 3 of 4:

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

3 slices bacon, chopped

1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil - 1 turn of the pan

1 shallot, chopped

1 ½ lbs. Brussels sprouts, trimmed - small sprouts left whole, larger sprouts halved

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 cup chicken broth

Brown bacon in a medium skillet over medium high heat. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Add extra-virgin olive oil to the pan, 1 turn. Add shallots to the pan and sauté 1 to 2 minutes. Add brussels sprouts and coat in oil. Season with salt and pepper. Cook brussels sprouts 2 to 3 minutes to begin to soften and then add broth. Bring broth to a bubble, cover and reduce heat to medium low. Cook 10 minutes, until tender. Transfer sprouts to a serving dish with a slotted spoon and top with cooked bacon bits.

4 servings.

Contact Republic West for home remodeling in Arizona, including window and door replacement, custom cabinet re-facing, kitchen and bathroom remodeling and room additions.

Recipe 2 of 4:

Pear, Chestnut & Sage Dressing

While this recipe calls for baking the dressing separately from the turkey, it can easily be used as a stuffing. Simply pack the unbaked dressing loosely into the turkey cavities and follow the roasting instructions included in the back of this booklet for a stuffed turkey.

1 lb. loaf rustic country bread

½ lb. pork breakfast sausage, casings removed

1 Tbs. unsalted butter

1 large yellow onion, cut into ½-inch chunks

1 large carrot, cut into ½-inch chunks

3 celery stalks, cut into ½-inch chunks

1 Bosc pear, cored and cut into ½-inch chunks

1 cup peeled and chopped, steamed or

roasted chestnuts

1/3 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1/3 cup chopped fresh sage leaves

4 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted

4 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth

(See Creamy Giblet Gravy page for recipe)

Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Tear the bread into ½-inch chunks, spread out on a baking sheet, and leave out to dry overnight.

Preheat oven to 375°F and butter a large, shallow baking dish.

In a large sauté pan over medium heat, brown the sausage, stirring and crumbling with a large fork, until cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Melt the 1 Tbs. butter in the pan, and add the onion, carrot, celery and pear. Using a large spoon, sauté the vegetables, stirring occasionally, until tender, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the vegetables to the bowl with the sausage along with the chestnuts, parsley, sage, melted butter, broth, salt and pepper and stir to mix. Add the bread chunks and stir to mix well. Spoon the dressing into the prepared baking dish and bake, uncovered, until the top is golden and crisp, about 1 hour. Pass the stuffing at the table to serve.

Serves 10 to 12.

Contact Republic West for home remodeling in Scottsdale, including window and door replacement, custom cabinet re-facing, kitchen and bathroom remodeling and room additions.

The Thanksgiving holiday is right around the corner and Republic West would like to give thanks by giving back… to you!

As many of you know, we hosted a Thanksgiving cooking class to benefit The Big Wish. It was a huge success and we’d like to share the recipes and cooking tips of Chicago Chef Frank DiMaria with you. This is our way of saying thanks for everything - your business, your referrals and your support of our community outreach programs.

We hope that you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Here’s the first of 4 featured recipes:

Roast Turkey

In the kitchen at Wheatleigh, turkeys are soaked in salt-water brine before the chefs slowly roast the birds for the hotel’s Thanksgiving dinner.  The roast turkey is served with creamy giblet gravy and a savory pear, chestnut and sage dressing.

1  fresh turkey, about 16 lb.

2  lbs. kosher salt (about 2 ½ cups)

1 small yellow onion, chopped

1 carrot, chopped

1 celery stalk, chopped

4 fresh thyme sprigs

4 fresh flat leaf parsley sprigs

16 T. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted

1 double-thick piece of cheesecloth, 2 sq. ft.

Remove the giblets and neck, if included, and if desired, reserve them for making gravy. Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water. In a large pot or 5-gallon bucket, stir the salt and 1 gallon of cold water together. Carefully set the turkey into the water and cover turkey with additional cold water by 2-3 inches.  Refrigerate or set the turkey in a very cold place (32º-40ºF) for 8-12 hours.

Remove the turkey from the brine, rinse well and pat dry with paper towels.  Let the turkey come to room temperature, at least 1 hour but no longer than 1 1/2 hours.

Position a rack in the bottom of an oven and preheat to 450ºF.

In a large bowl, toss together the onion, carrot, celery, thyme, parsley and half of the butter. Pack the body and neck cavities loosely with the vegetables. With kitchen twine, truss the legs together loosely and secure the neck flap to the back with a couple of trussing pins or sturdy toothpicks. Rub the turkey with half of the remaining butter and set the bird on its side on a rack in a large roasting pan. Roast the turkey for 15 minutes, then turn it on its other side and roast for 15 minutes more. Reduce the heat to 325º.

Soak the cheesecloth in the remaining butter, turn the turkey breast side up and place the cheesecloth over the breast. Add about 1/2 cup of water to the pan. Continue roasting, basting with the pan juices every 15-20 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the breast registers 165˚F and inserted into the thigh - but away from the bone - registers 180˚F. If the breast begins to cook too quickly, tent it loosely with aluminum foil. Total roasting time should be about 3 hours. Let the turkey rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving.

Serves 12.

Contact Republic West for home remodeling in Phoenix, including window and door replacement, custom cabinet re-facing, kitchen and bathroom remodeling and room additions.

Since Republic West began back in 1995, we have made it a priority to “give back” to the community regularly. It is a part of our culture that makes us proud. This year, our community outreach program has adopted Eileen Roger’s “Big Birthday Wish” and we are fully committed to helping Eileen reach her goal of building a school in Mali. We ask for your help and support as well. Please take a moment to read about “The Big Wish,” and then do what you can to help support Eileen.

While many people celebrate milestones with a big trip to a faraway place or an extravagant party, Eileen Rogers has chosen to celebrate her 50th birthday this year to raise funds to build a school in Mali, a landlocked country in West Africa. Those of us close to Eileen are not at all surprised because we have always admired and been inspired by her commitment to giving to those less fortunate than her. She is an inspiration. “The Big Wish” is to build a 90-student, two-classroom, brick and cement school and related projects in the Mali village of Tourari, located approximately 10 miles west of Timbuktu.

To join Republic West in their support of “The Big Wish” please visit Turtlewill and make a donation.

Contact Republic West for home remodelers in Scottsdale, including window and door replacement, custom cabinet re-facing, kitchen and bathroom remodelers and room additions.

All glass is not created equal. Window glass technology has made remarkable advancements for the residential market. It is no longer a one-type-fits-all solution. Your windows are exposed to different heat, sun, and weather conditions. That’s why Republic West custom designs and fabricates replacement windows using our exclusive Republic West PROtec^TM glass system. The only fully customized, high performance glass system able to ensure each replacement window provides maximum efficiency, comfort, optimum light transmission and the highest long-term energy savings. Republic West is the ONLY COMPANY to offer FOUR unique high-efficiency glass systems, one that’s just right for each window in your home.

Features and Benefits of Energy Efficient Windows & Doors in AZ

Energy efficient windows and doors offer an unprecedented opportunity to increase the value of your home and enhance its beauty, while reducing your expenses. Consider the following:

Features

• Energy Savings up to 40%

• Eliminates 99.9% of harmful UV rays

• Less wear and tear on the HVAC unit

• Substantial noise reduction

• Easy operation

• Reduced maintenance

Benefits

• Let the sun shine in without the heat

• Increase your home’s resale value

• Attractive to potential buyers

• Expand living space: make every room comfortable

• Environmentally responsible

Contact Republic West for energy efficient windows and doors in AZ, and other home remodeling services including custom cabinet re-facing, kitchen and bathroom remodelers and room additions.

Take advantage of financing options when replacing doors in Ahwatukee AZ …there are many creative options in financing today and a “good” company will secure a loan for you from a reputable finance company. Today, home improvement loans are readily available in both the secured and unsecured varieties. This means you can choose a loan that best fits your needs…..fees or no fees, no prepayment penalties, same as cash loans that give you time to pay it off with no interest charges, or deferred loans which allow you to put off the start of the payments for up to one year. Loans are typically based on your credit worthiness and/or equity in your home. There are many companies vying for your business and they have found ways to make these loans available to a great many more people than in the past.

Establish a monthly payment you can afford. Try and estimate what the energy savings will be upon project completion. Estimate the annual tax benefits of executing this project with a home improvement loan whose interest is tax deductible (always seek the advice of a tax advisor to determine whether the interest will be tax deductible for your situation.) Factor in these savings and pick a financial program that allows you to go ahead with an exciting project that can now fit comfortably into your budget.

Remember: With the price of energy increasing every day, you can’t afford NOT to have new energy efficient windows and doors.

After talking to two or three companies about replacing doors in Ahwatukee AZ, your head is spinning and you are completely confused. Don’t forget it is the sales representative’s job to sell their products. You must be diligent in comparing what each company will be giving you in terms of product. But, don’t forget that even the best product will fail if not installed properly. Ask the important questions about how the operational division is structured. Do they have a dedicated measure person, one whose only job it is to determine the best way to get your job installed with quality, timeliness, accuracy within budget, and, importantly, make the home improvement experience a great one. Is there a full time service department? How about a division administrator who takes responsibility for your job being done on time, on budget and stress free? If all of these positions are filled by the same person, you have little chance of achieving a positive remodeling experience.

Don’t let anyone convince you that all of these people are just costing you more money. They each serve a very important purpose in achieving the goal of making your home improvement experience the best ever!

Don’t ever short change the value of integrity. You are considering what may be a long term relationship with a home improvement company. Watch out for misrepresentations or lies. If it happens at an early stage, you can be assured it will only get worse. Ethics and morality should permeate every phase and every stage of this relationship. Don’t ignore the obvious because the upfront cost may look attractive. There is nothing more expensive than a botched job or a never ending job!

Contact Republic West for energy efficient windows and doors in Ahwatukee AZ, and other home remodeling services including custom cabinet re-facing, kitchen and bathroom remodelers and room additions.

“Bargain” products are offered by “bargain” companies. Their strategy is to offer cheap products at a cheap price. They’re easy to spot: one window line with one glass package. And, of course, one size fits all.

To protect yourself, ask for a warranty and a guarantee when replacing windows in Gilbert AZ. Then carefully read between the lines. Does the warranty cover what it takes to replace a product in the event of failure? Who pays the labor cost for replacement? Next, check the companies’ financial stability. There’s no value in a warranty if the company offering it has no assets.

Sometimes a bad experience with a disreputable vendor can tarnish a good idea. With windows and doors, you don’t want to compromise by using bargain, off the shelf models. Hands down, a custom-designed window will outperform a generic commodity design. We can show you test after test that proves it.

Taking the time to carefully evaluate different windows, glass options, doors and companies pays handsome dividends in the end - both in savings and in improved quality. Regardless of the price, it’s no bargain if it doesn’t work for you.

The payback is attractive. You love the windows. So why delay? Most people who delay replacing windows in Gilbert AZ do so for financial reasons. But the truth is, the savings you gain in energy efficiency per month will help to offset the cost of the project. And don’t forget, you’ll save money by not having to invest in sunscreens, tint or shutters. So really, it costs you dearly to do nothing. Additionally, attempt to put a value on your families comfort and your families’ safety. It is difficult to do, but clearly there is an economic value to achieving the goals of your project.

Don’t overlook the possibility of doing your project in stages. Do the hottest windows first and then gradually work your way around the entire house. Do areas at a time while considering efficiency and aesthetics. Don’t choose a company or a product that does not fit your needs or achieve your goals just because it is affordable. Doing a project in stages can make it affordable and allow you to get the project and the product that you have always dreamed of.

Contact Republic West for energy efficient windows and doors in Gilbert AZ, and other home remodeling services including custom cabinet re-facing, kitchen and bathroom remodelers and room additions.

Mistakes to Avoid When Replacing Energy Efficient Windows and Doors in Paradise Valley AZ: Part 4 of 7

Windows are often bought on price alone. The few dollars you save up front can cost you thousands of dollars in lost savings, increased maintenance costs and aggravation due to poor quality windows and a botched installation. Don’t fall for bargain products. Chances are they will not meet your goals. One example is buying a cheap window that is ineffective at stopping the heat “invasion” into your home. This means additional expenditures on sun screens, wood shutters or other methods of blocking the sun will be necessary at an increased cost to you. The cheapest price is almost never the best value!

Beware of the company that undercuts the competition. Companies can use untrained labor, supply windows that are not AAMA certified, avoid carrying proper insurance, cut corners on installation or fail to pay suppliers. So always compare total value to price.

You can choose the “best” window and door replacement company in Surprise AZ, yet if the installation is not performed properly, the project can become a nightmare.

Before choosing a company for door replacement in Paradise Valley AZ, contact the Registrar of Contractor (www.azroc.gov; 1-888-271-9286) and the Better Business Bureau (www.Phoenixbbb.org; 602-264-1721) and do a thorough check of the company. Call customer references and ask pointed questions about the quality of the installation from job preparation to measurement to the clean up and finishing touches. Try never to use any company who subcontracts labor. Remember, subcontractors get paid by the volume of windows they install.

Few companies pay their sub to do better quality work. Therefore, getting in and out quickly is the main goal of a subcontractor. Work with a company who hires and trains its own personnel. Installations and the people who do the work should be judged and rewarded on the quality of the work they do and the level of customer satisfaction. Make certain that a company has the operational staff and management to support your goals and installation needs. The same person doing measuring, ordering, expediting, scheduling, project management and service work will never offer the operational support that you need and deserve.

Contact Republic West for energy efficient windows and doors in Paradise Valley AZ, and other home remodeling services including custom cabinet re-facing, kitchen and bathroom remodelers and room additions.

We are holding two fundraisers to support needy children. Please join us at one of the following events:

WHEN: October 10th from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

WHERE: Republic West Showroom, 8101 East McDowell Scottsdale, AZ 85259 480-481-9595

WHAT: Raffling off a HANDYMAN FOR A DAY and a Paradise Bakery Gift Card and Starbucks gift cards.

HOW: You will automatically be entered to win with bake sale purchase! We’ll have cookies, cupcakes, truffles, cakes and pies.

WHY: To raise funds to end childhood hunger

WHEN: October 27th and October 29th (seating is limited)

WHERE: Republic West Showroom 8101 East McDowell Scottsdale, AZ 85259 480-481-9595

WHO: Frank DiMaria, a well-known chef from Chicago, will demonstrate how to prepare various Thanksgiving dishes. Each event will be hosted by one of 2 radio personalities. The first evening will be hosted by Darrell Ankarlo (KTAR) and his wife, Laurie. The second evening will be hosted by Danny Davis (KOY) and his wife, Dee. They will serve as Sous Chef’s to Frank DiMaria.

WHAT: As a guest, you will enjoy a taste of each dish prepared by Chef DiMaria.

WHY: To raise donations for “The Big Wish.”

Contact Republic West for home remodelers in Scottsdale, including window and door replacement, custom cabinet re-facing, kitchen and bathroom remodelers and room additions.

Expecting a crowd this holiday season?  If you’re entertaining family and friends over the holidays, there’s no doubt that you’re also cleaning your house from top to bottom.  You may even be thinking about doing some home improvement or remodeling.  Sure, the holiday season is still a few months away – but it’s never too early to start thinking about a remodeling project!

Not quite sure where to start?  Here is the first of 4 tips that should help you put some Phoenix home remodeling ideas together:

Window & Door Replacement – Many people overlook the value of doors and windows.  A simple upgrade can completely change the look of your home and give it the curb appeal you’ve desired for years.  By replacing your windows and doors, you’ll leave a lasting first impression on your friends and family.  Plus, Republic West custom designs and fabricates replacement windows using our exclusive PROtec™ glass system.  PROtec™ is a high performance glass system that provides maximum efficiency, comfort, optimum light transmission and the highest long-term energy savings.  In addition, new windows and doors can help you save on utilities, reduce dust and noise, increase your home’s value and eliminate harmful UV rays.

Get ready for the upcoming holiday season! Contact Republic West for home remodeling in Phoenix, including window and door replacement, custom cabinet re-facing, kitchen and bathroom remodeling and room additions.