My what a day -- God created the Sabbath or our Sunday for rest -- and when I talk to lots of people on Sunday evening -- they have rested - taken a nap or just relaxed. Why can't I learn that lesson? Every Sunday afternoon it seems I have a million things to do, errands to run, and people to please. Some people sleep late on Sunday mornings but my late on Sunday is 6 a.m., and if I sleep that late - I am behind schedule by an hour and barely make it to church by 9 a.m. At our church, we have worship services first and then Bible Class -- so there is NO - waiting until 10 and making it for worship service! Then there is usually lunch out (Mexican most of the time) and then home to race back out and get it all done! It is now 10:18 p.m., and I am just sitting down to write. Today - it was out trying to buy groceries I will need to cook on Wednesday night for church! Then I did stop by Dillards to see if a skirt I really want is on sale --- everything in that department was on sale but that one collection - and I've had the jacket and pants since September! What is their problem???
Do you happen to remember in my first attempt at blogging - that one of my five favorite things was "Mexican Vanilla" and to be sure and use a tablespoon of vanilla rather than the mere teaspoon called for in a recipe? Well - I want to tell you a few things about that vanilla tonight. Did you know that pure Mexican vanilla is made from the orchid plant and grows naturally in the southern coastal region of Mexico. It dates back to the early 1400's and was used in ritual offerings and for medicene. It has become a gourmet cook's dream spice.
Warning: When buying Mexican Vanilla - don't look for the cheapest or you might take home a synthetic vanilla that came from a Brazillian Tonka bean which is also known as Coumarin - which is used extensively in synthetic vanillas manufactured in Mexico. Before buying look at the label and make sure it says it is "COUMARIN FREE" and it says "Pure Vanilla." Authentic vanilla is amber colored while synthetics thend to be dark and murky! I have found "Coumanrin Free" Pure Vanilla in Walmart. Just as good as traveling to Mexico to buy it!!!
Now you say - "what all do you do with it besides make a cake or pie?" Well - don't freak out - but one of my favorite - standby recipes is Cornbread!
I told you my Mom does not like for me to use Jiffy Cornbread Mix to make the cornbread for our traditional dressing - but when I take her a piece or two of my cornbread - maybe with soup or stew - she says she eats every bite and could eat a whole pan of it!!! Recipe:
1 Box Jiffy Cornbread mix
1 egg
1 tsp. soda
2/3 cup buttermilk
Then I add: 1/2 cup whole kernel corn, about 1 tablespoon chopped jalapenos (either fresh or canned); 1/4 cup grated cheese (whatever is on hand) Mexican, Cheddar, etc.), 1 teaspoon (yes - not a tablespoon) of vanilla!!! If mixture seems too thick - add about 2 tablespoons more of butttermilk and 1 tablespoon of water! (Water helps give you a more tender cornbread!)
Cover the bottom of thick skillet or small pan with oil, sprinkle corn meal over it and heat until corn meal starts to brown. Pour mixture in and bake about 15 to 20 minutes at 400 degrees or until done. Turn out on a plate!
Well - now you know my secret to cornbread that always gets rave reviews! Nothing to it - just a little Mexican vanilla.
Have a blessed night - find someone to be kind to tomorrow - and God's Will - tune in again.
No comments:
Post a Comment