IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Laura Rinaolo
Get pampered and help a pooch; Local spa owner offers a day of beauty while helping to raise money for shelter, By Laurie Gordon Laura Rinaolo has a soft spot for animals, so on Wednesday, Feb. 9, Rinaolo will hold a special day and night out at her The Spa at Bella Boutique in Andover Township to benefit Father John’s Animal House. Rinaolo built her beauty business from the ground up over the years, gaining a reputation for being the first in the area to bring in the latest innovations and techniques. Rinaolo started Bella as a tanning salon in 1989. She’s grown the business into a day spa and offers advanced salon and spa treatments. She has a long-established clientele among them Marilyn Gribbler, a volunteer at Father John’s. Like many nonprofits, Father John’s is having a hard time making ends meet in the current economy. “The economy is causing a two-fold crisis for [the animals].” Rinaolo said, “More and more people are dropping off pets they can no longer afford and donations are down.” Given her client’s passion and her own love for animals Rinaolo decided to hold an event to benefit the shelter. This beauty day/evening at Bella will offer a full menu of boutique items and spa services with an admission donation of $20. In the spa’s boutique beauty products, accessories and clothing range from 25 to 60 percent off regular prices. In addition visitors will receive a $10 retail credit card towards any retail purchase of $40 or more. A variety of discounts will be available on services including massages; hair cuts, glazes and blow-outs; facials and micro-demabrations, spray tanning, waxing, mani and pedicures. Call for specific services and prices. The boutique is located at 277 Newton Sparta Road in Andover Township. To register call 973-579-7709. The $20 donation will be charged at time of registration. If you can’t make the date, ask about Bella’s one week event extension plan. Located in Lafayette, Father John’s Animal House is a non-profit and no-kill organization whose purpose is to provide love, companionship, shelter, food, socialization and medical care for unwanted animals until permanent homes can be found for them.
The Spa at Bella Boutique’s White Chocolate Macadamia Brownies
6 ounces fine-quality or premium white chocolate, chopped
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup macadamia nuts, toasted lightly and chopped coarse
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350°F. and butter and flour a 9-inch square baking pan, knocking out excess flour.
In a double boiler or metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water melt white chocolate and butter, stirring, until smooth and remove top of double boiler or bowl from heat. Cool chocolate mixture to room temperature.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla until thickened and pale and beat in white chocolate mixture. Into a bowl sift together flour, baking powder, and salt and beat into chocolate mixture just until batter is combined well. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips and spread batter evenly in pan.
Bake brownies in middle of oven 30 to 35 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. Cool brownies completely in pan on a rack before cutting into 16 squares. Brownies keep about five days if layered between sheets of wax paper in an airtight container at cool room temperature.