6A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL November 30, 2016
Cook's Corner
You, too, can make a
famous Diner Omelet
BY BETTY KAISER
For the Sentinel
Customers at our family busi-
ness (Kaiser’s Country Diner)
would often stick their heads
in the kitchen window and ask,
“Is Chuck cooking today?”
My husband was known as a
creative, generous cook who
didn’t cut corners. If Chuck was
working the line or just in the
kitchen, you were in for a good
meal—especially if it was one
of his specialty omelets.
Chuck was not a trained chef
in the classical sense. He started
out in the food business as a
wholesale food and beverage
purveyor to hospitals, military
bases and restaurants. His ter-
ritory ranged from Los Angeles
to Santa Maria, Calif. He was
successful in sales, but I was the
cook in the family. After going
into the restaurant business, he
became a great cook under the
tutelage of an elderly Japanese
chef who was a former custom-
er.
Chuck met Tom Yononaka on
a cold-call sale to his small café
in Ventura. Tom was getting
ready to retire from his busi-
ness at about the time that we
opened Kaiser’s Country Diner.
We desperately needed a good
cook, and Tom needed some-
thing to keep him busy a few
hours a day. He stayed with us
for 10 years.
Tom was a quiet, soft-spoken
gentleman with an interesting
background. When World War
II broke out, his parents and sib-
lings were one of the Japanese
families living on the West Coast,
where they were interned. Tom
was about 18 years old when he
was recruited to join the U.S.
Army. A loyal U.S. citizen who
spoke Japanese, he was trained
as a sniper to be parachuted be-
hind the lines in Japan. After the
war, he returned to Los Angeles,
where he trained as a chef. His
career was exhibition cooking
at the famous Clifton’s Cafete-
ria until he retired and moved to
Ventura.
Clean, neat and effi cient, his
cooking skills were breathtak-
ing, and he was a stabilizing
force for the short-order cooks
who wanted to be part of our
kitchen. He made chefs out of
those who were teachable, and
Chuck was his best pupil. Noth-
ing went out of our kitchen un-
less it met Tom’s standards. His
culinary skills would put today’s
television cooks to shame.
Our breakfast business was
renowned for its omelets.
Thanks to Tom, they were tall,
fl uffy and tasty. They were
never heavy and greasy like so
many restaurants serve. Chuck
was Tom’s fi rst and best pupil.
He says that Tom taught him
everything he needed to know
except how to fl ip two omelets
at the same time!
Today, my husband still
makes the omelets at our house.
They are still light and fl uffy
and so good that I seldom or-
der one at a restaurant. When I
asked him to share his secrets
with my readers, he smiled and
said, “It’s no secret. It’s a skill.”
So here goes. If you’ve always
wanted to make an omelet like
a professional…read his Omelet
101 directions carefully. You
can do it!
Before attempting the om-
elet, practice fl ipping — not
eggs, but toast! Chuck said that
Tom taught him and all of our
cooks how to practice fl ipping
toast before they fl ipped eggs.
You’ll understand why as you
keep reading. Omelet-tossing
is a skill that I’ve never perfect-
ed but I can do oven omelets.
Thankfully, my husband is a
pro. Enjoy!
CHUCK’S
OMELET 101
(Serves one generously)
3 eggs, whipped until fl uffy
3 tablespoons milk or cream
A dash of salt and pepper
3 teaspoons butter
Add cream, salt and pepper
to whipped eggs. On high, melt
butter in a skillet until it sizzles.
Pour egg mixture into skillet.
As the eggs on the bottom start
to set, start lifting the set part
slightly with a spatula.
Let the uncooked portion fl ow
underneath and cook. When the
bottom is cooked, take the pan
to the kitchen sink, swirl eggs
to be sure the omelet is loose.
(Professional cooks fl ip them at
the stove. I don’t recommend it
for beginners!)
Tilt pan downward, pull back,
fl ip up and catch with pan. Put
back on the stove, turn off the
heat (the bottom will continue
cooking and fi ll with desired
ingredients. As soon as the mix-
ture seems set, fold or roll it
over. Garnish as desired. Serve
immediately with country fried
potatoes, toast or biscuits.
EASY PUFFY
OVEN OMELET
(An old Betty Crocker recipe)
4 eggs
4 tablespoons cream
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 tablespoons butter
Preheat oven to 350 degrees,
Separate eggs and beat egg
The progression of a perfect omelet: Above
left, the omelet is ready to fl ip. Left: The om-
elet is plated. Above, garnished with cheese
and avocado, buttermilk pancakes on the
side.
South Lane Physical Therapy LLC
Did you know?
As a patient at SLPT you
receive free and unlimited
access to Emerald Fitness
Club in Cottage Grove.
W. STU HOGG
PT, OCS, COMT
Orthopedic • Sport • Spine
whites until stiff with cream
of tartar. Beat egg yolks until
thick and lemon colored; beat in
cream. Fold into beaten whites.
Pour into sizzling butter in a
heavy, ovenproof skillet. Turn
heat to low. Cook slowly until
light brown underneath (about
10 minutes) and no fi ngerprint
shows when touched. Bubbles
will appear and mixture will
look moist.
303 Main Street, Cottage Grove OR
Phone: 541.942.6482
Fax: 541.942.6483
MARIE WILLIAMSON
PTA
Place in skillet in oven and
bake until light brown on top
about 10-15 minutes. Make half-
inch deep crease across omelet.
Slip turner under, tip skillet to
loosen omelet and fold in half.
Roll omelet top side down onto
hot platter.
Serve with a hot cheese or
mushroom sauce or a creamed
chicken, ham or asparagus
sauce. Serves 2 with a side dish
of fruit and rolls.
Keep it simple and keep it
seasonal! Betty Kaiser’s Cook’s
Corner is dedicated to sharing a
variety of recipes that are deli-
cious, family oriented and easy
to prepare. Contact her at 942-
1317 or email
bchatty@bettykaiser.com
For information call
800-481-3280 or return coupon.
Name(s)
Address
City, State, Zip
Age(s)
Phone (
)
E-mail
The Salvation Army, Bill Olson, Gift Planning Office
8495 SE Monterey Avenue, Happy Valley, OR 97086
E-mail: plannedgiving@usw.salvationarmy.org Visit: www.salwest.org
©2016 The Salvation Army
TB ACGA4
The City of Cottage Grove Public Works Department will be
conducting its annual Leaf Pickup during the following weeks:
November 14 th -18 th • December 5 th - 9 th • December 19 th -23 rd
Tips for Leaf Placement in Street
✓ Only piles of loose leaves will be picked up
✓ Pile leaves on the street surface near the gutter, keeping gutter
and catch basins free of leaves so storm water is not obstructed
✓ On streets without curbs and gutter, pile the leaves near the street
surface away from ditches
✓ Stack the leaves so that they don’t block bike and traffi c lanes
✓ Leaves should be piled in rows so they do not block the fl ow of
water along the curb and do not encroach on the traffi c lane
✓Do not place leaves in the streets where curbside parking does
not exist. You may bring those leaves to the designated area
outside the Row River Water Treatment Plant at 3300 Row
River Road
✓ Do not place your leaves in plastic bags
✓ Branches will not be picked up
✓ Shrub prunings and blackberry vines will not be picked up
✓ Do not include rocks, metal or other debris in your leaf pile
✓ Lawn clippings will not be picked up
For more information please contact the Public Works
Department at (541)942-2042 during working hours
of Monday through Friday, 8:00AM to 5:00PM.
W orship D irectory
DRAIN:
Gateway Family Fellowship
Church of the Nazarene
337 “C” St. Drain, OR
Sunday School 9:30am
Worship 10:45am
Living Hope Free Lunch
Wed. at 12:30pm
541-836-7051 www.drainnaz.org
HOPE U.M.C.
131 W “A” St. Drain, OR
541-315-1617
Pastor: Lura Kidner-Miesen
Bible Study: 10:45am
Potluck Lunch: 11:45
Worship: 12:30pm
COTTAGE GROVE:
6th & Gibbs Church of Christ
195 N. 6th St. • 541-942-3822
Pastor: Aaron Earlywine
Youth & Families Pastor: Seth Bailey
Services: 9am and 10:30am
Christian Education
Nursery for pre-k - 3rd Grade
www.6thandgibbs.com
Calvary Baptist Church
77873 S 6th St • 541-942-4290
Pastor: Riley Hendricks
Sunday School: 9:45am
Worship: 11:00am
The Journey: Sunday 5:00pm
Praying Thru Life: Wednesday 6:00pm
Calvary Chapel Cottage Grove
1447 Hwy 99 (Village Plaza)
541-942-6842
Pastor: Jeff Smith
Two Services on Sun: 9am & 10:45am
Youth Group Bible Study
Child Care 10:45am Service Only
www.cgcalvary.org
Center for Spiritual Living
Cottage Grove
700 Gibbs Ave. (Community Center)
Rev. Bobby Lee
Meets Sunday 3:00 p.m.
cslcottagegrove@gmail.com
First Presbyterian Church
3rd and Adams St • 541-942-4479
Pastor: Karen Hill
Worship: 10:00am
Sunday School: 10:00am
www.cgpresbynews.com
Old Time Gospel Fellowship
103 S. 5th St. • 541-942-4999
Pastor: Jim Edwards
Sunday Service: 10:00am
Join us in Traditional
Christian Worship
Church of Christ
420 Monroe St • 541-942-8565
Sunday Service: 10:30am
Grove Community Church
77820 Mosby Creek Rd.
Cottage Grove, OR 97424
541-942-0123
Pastor: Bryan Parsons
Worship: 10:30 a.m.
Nursery: Infant - Pre-K
Kidʼs Church: K to 5th grade
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
and St. Philip Benizi
Catholic Churches
1025 N. 19th St.
541-942-3420 / 541-942-4712
Pastor: Roy L. Antunez, S.J.
Euch. Liturgies; Sat. 5:30pm
Sun. 10:30am
St. Philip Benizi, Creswell:
552 Holbrock Lane • 541-895-8686
Sunday: 8:30am
Cottage Grove Bible Church
1200 East Quincy Avenue
541-942-4771
Pastor:Bob Singer
Worship 11am
Sunday School:9:45am
AWANA age 3-8th Grade,
Wednesdays Sept-May, 6:30pm
www.cgbible.org
Cottage Grove Faith Center
33761 Row River Rd. • 541-942-4851
Lead Pastor: Isaac Hovet
www.cg4.tv
Summer Schedule: Sunday Service 10am
Full Childrenʼs Ministry available
Covered Bridge Nazarene Church
152 S. M St.
541-942-4422
Pastor: Cindy Slaymaker
Sunday School: 9:30am
Worship 10:30am
Delight Valley
Church of Christ
33087 Saginaw Rd. East
541-942-7711
Pastor: Bob Friend
Two Services:
9am - Classic in the Chapel
10:30am - Contemporary in the
Auditorium
Hope Fellowship
United Pentecostal Church
100 S. Gateway Blvd. • 541-942-2061
Pastor: Dave Bragg
Worship: 11:00am Sunday
Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday
www.hopefellowshipupc.com
“FINDING HOPE IN YOUR LIFE”
Living Faith Assembly
467 S. 10th St. • 541-942-2612
Pastor Rulon Combs
Worship & Childrenʼs
Church 10:00 am
Youth 180 Mondays 5:30-8pm
Non-Denominational
Church of Christ
1041 Pennoyer Ave * 541-767-0447
Preachers: Tony Martin & Robert Evans
Sunday Bible Study:10:00am
Sunday Worship:10:50am & 5:30pm
www.pennoyeravecoc.com
St. Andrews Episcopal Church
1301 W. Main • 541-767-9050
Rev. Lawrence Crumb
“Church with the fl ags.”
Worship: Sunday 10:30am
All Welcome
Seventh-day Adventist Church
820 South 10th Street
541-942-5213
Pastor: Kevin Miller
Bible Study: Saturday, 9:15 am
Worship Service: Saturday, 10:40 am
Mid-week Service: Wednesday, 1:00 pm
Trinity Lutheran Church
6th & Quincy • 541-942-2373
Pastor: James L. Markus
Sunday School & Adult Education 9:15am
Sundway Worship 10:30 am
Comm. Kitchen Free Meal Tue & Thur
5:00pm TLC Groups
tlccg.com
United Methodist Church
334 Washington • 541-942-3033
Pastor:Lura Kidner-Miesen
Worship: 10:30am
Comm. Dinner (Adults $5, Kids Free)
2nd & 3rd Monday 5-6:00pm
cottagegroveumc.org
“VICTORY” Country Church
913 S. 6th Street • 541-942-5913
Pastor: Barbara Dockery
Worship Service: 10:00am
Message:
11:00am
“WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES”
Our Worship
Directory is a
weekly feature in
the newspaper. If
your congregation
would like to
be a part of this
directory, please
contact the
Cottage Grove
Sentinel
at 541-942-3325.