Wednesday, February 12, 2014

MFRET Sweet Treats Recipe Round Up for Valentine's Day!

Still looking for the perfect treat to bake up for your sweetheart on Friday?

Since our team is full of SWEET people, we thought it'd be fun to share our favorite sweet treat recipes with YOU for Valentine's Day!  We've submitted our favorites, pinned them on Pinterest, and here they are in no particular order:




David's Pick: Red Velvet Cake Bars





Rachel's Pick: Sticky Toffee Pudding 





Lauri's Pick: DIY Thin Mints





Deneen's Pick: Triple Chocolate Cookies 




Audrey's Pick: Valentine's Day Chocolate Pretzel Buttons






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If you want to check our more of our favorite foods, check out our Team Eats Pinterest Board!

What treats will YOU be eating this Valentine's Day?

Team Eats: Rachel's Tips for PERFECT Sticky Toffee Pudding


After having Sticky Toffee Pudding at The Whip Tavern a few years ago I decided it was so good I needed to know how to make it.  Below is a link to a recipe that I use, I have also included some tricks that I find very useful.



Rachel's Go-To Recipe 
for 

Rachel's Tips:

1.  After the cakes are done use a straw to stick in the middle and remove some of the cake.  This ensures that the cake really soaks up the sauce.

2.  Do not start to prepare the sauce until right before you plan on serving, if it sits for to long it starts to get really thick and harden. 

3.  Serving vanilla ice cream and whip cream on the side are a MUST.  It will melt in the sauce and helps to tone down the sweetness of it. 

I would also like to challenge anyone who makes this to then try the Whip's version and see how they compare.  I was very impressed with the fact that I (along with others) have confirmed mine tastes better!


Team Eats: Deneen's Triple Chocolate Cookies

Deneen enjoys making these chocolate cookies with her daughter - they even decided to make a video about it!  Bake these before guests arrive to make the house smell scrumptious!



  • 2 1/2 Cups all purpose flour 
  • 1 tsp baking soda 
  • 1/4 tsp sale 
  • 1 cup unsalted butter AT ROOM TEMPERATURE 
  • 1 1/2 cup brown sugar 
  • 1/2 cup of granulated sugar 
  • 2/3 cup cocoa powder 
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract... 
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips 
  • 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips 
  • 3 eggs 
  • 1 cup MELTED semisweet chocolate chips (can melt in microwave) 
  • A little extra sugar for rolling 




Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Mix flour, salt and baking soda in a bowl and set aside.
Cream sugars and butter.

After it is all creamed together, add the cocoa powder; then add the melted chocolate, add eggs, and the vanilla. When it is all mixed through, add the dry ingredients. Do not over mix. Add the chips and just gently mix them through. 

Roll out small balls (after rolling through the extra granulated sugar). Spray a light mist of non-stick spray on cookie sheets.
Cook for 11-13 minutes. Enjoy!!!



And for those who need a visual, here's is Deneen's Video Tutorial!


Team Eats: Audrey's Chocolate Pretzel Buttons

These are one of Audrey's favorite treats to make for Valentine's Day!  If you have a showing in February, leaving a bowl of these Valentine's-Themed Chocolate Pretzel Buttons on your counter for potential buyers to enjoy would be a nice touch!





What you'll need:
  • Square or regular pretzels
  • Hershey's Hugs or Kisses
  • Valentines M&Ms


Directions:
  • Preheat oven to 200°. (If your oven runs hot you may want to turn the temp down to 170°.)
  • Place the pretzels on & top with the hugs. 
  • Bake for 4-5 minutes until the chocolate is shiny and soft (but NOT melting - they should still hold their shape). 
  • Carefully place an M&M in the center of each hug and press it down to spread the chocolate. 
  • Allow to cool completely (a few minutes in the fridge works perfectly) and enjoy!

Monday, February 10, 2014

How to Fold a Fitted Sheet {VIDEO}



We've all had that embarrassing wrestling match with the fitted sheet: that awkwardly-shaped elastic-edged sheet that has no perfect  corners which makes it IMPOSSIBLE to fold.

Or is it?

David, our Lead Buyer's Agent, has mastered the Fitted Sheet and shows you exactly how easy it is to fold it in this video:






Another great home tip from the Matt Fetick Real Estate Team!

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Meet the Team: Rian Cronauer

We love adding to our team! One of our newest and most energetic additions is Rian. Have you met him yet? Here's the inside scoop on our Client Care Specialist:

Name

Rian P Cronauer

Position at MFRET  

Client Care Specialist. Point of contact for customers looking for a new home on website. Setting up home searches, booking buyers consultations. Lead generating, making a mean pot of coffee.



How long have you worked for the MFRET?  

3 months

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor? 

Mint Chocolate Chip

Favorite spot to grab dinner in Chester County? 

Dilworthtown Inn, West Chester

Where was the best vacation you have ever taken?   

Ireland

Favorite Website? 

Craiglist. Free items.

Favorite App? 

Audible Living Book App.


Why do you like working in real estate?  

Educating people on the new trends of the market.


Favorite thing about Chester County?   

Land, Land, Land, Great people.


If you could have lunch with 1 famous person, who would it be and why? 

Abraham Lincoln, I was born on his Birthday! Look at what he has done for freedom in America.