Good evening! I hope you have checked out the new look of my blog! I am so excited that pretty soon you can pull it up by going to joncarole.com and you will be able to search recipes on it. Thanks to a genius that is being so kind to help an internet deprived friend set up something professional, rather than so amateurish!
Our ladies Wednesday night class has started a "service program" and each member is working -- four of us worked cleaning the kitchen of our fellowship room - I threw out peppers from the refrigerator that had an expiration date of 5/08!! Others took on the hardest job of all - the ovens and wow - when the hour had expired it looked totally different. Others went to a member's home to clean it for her. She has little children and has a horribly broken leg. Her husband works full-time and can only do so much. She also is a teacher and is trying to hold onto her job. Others wrote cards to our shut-ins. Isn't that great? If any reading this want to join us - come on - there is so much to do!! God's work - whether cleaning the kitchen or writing notes to those who need cheering!
Have you driven by or stopped at the new Chuey's Mexican food restaurant? I have been by at noon, one o'clock, two o' clock, three o' clock and 5, 6 and 7 and it is packed. No - I don't drive up and down Broadway just checking out Chuey's, but it just happens since they have been open I have passed by there at those times. All of the other Mexican Food Restaurants have to be suffering right now! I hope they hang on and remember the people that love their food will be back! We have not braved the crowd - just went to BJ's this week - and I did find something wonderful - the Avacado Rolls on the appetiser menu. They are absolutely wonderful!!
Speaking of wonderful, this salad sounds delicious and I can't wait to make it. Just waiting on the really sweet corn to be available. I love the white and yellow combination - it has a name but I can never think of it - but here is the recipe:
SUMMER CORN SALAD WITH CHILES, LIME AND FETA
8 Cups fresh corn kernels (from 8 to 10 ears)
1 Cup loosely packed fresh cilantro, chopped (love this stuff)
1/2 Medium Red onion, chopped
2 Jalapenos (or to taste), seeded and thinly sliced into half moons
1/4 Cup Olive oil
3 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (about 2 limes)
1 Teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 Teaspoonb freshly ground black pepper
1 Cup (4 oz.) crumbled feta cheese
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except the feta. Gently fold in the feta last. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
NOTE: Only thing I see missing is about 2 minced or pressed garlic cloves - and I will definitely add it!
Have you ever had Red Cabbage as a side? It is wonderful. We first had it at Econdita, which is the resort of Texas Country Reporter. Of course, we had their breakfast friata and I had to find a recipe and make it. You need to try this cabbage because it is really delicious! Excellent with pork tendeloin and it adds such a pretty color on the plate!
RED CABBAGE
2 to 3 slices bacon, diced
1/2 medium onion, sliced
1 Granny Smith apple, sliced and peeled
1 Medium head red cabbage (6 cups) sliced
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
Saute bacon. Add onion, apple and saute for 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients. Cook, covered for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Delicious - so enjoy!!
Time to say goodnight - as soon as I remind you -do good on your own or join a group and do good. God tells us we must give back! May He bless each of you!!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
TUESDAY NIGHT - LONG BUT FOLLOWED BY A GOOD MEAL
Wow - I am starting late - but just could not let the night go by without you seeing my new blog structure and tell you that now it will be easier to find desserts, sides, main dishes, miscellaneous, and my thoughts! Not sure yet just how it works -- we will find out together - but thanks to a great computer geru friend - I now have my own domain -- www.joncarole.com and you can find my blogspot either way - old or new!
Just finished cleaning the kitchen after cooking after a very long Red Cross meeting. I prepared Pork Tenderloin (having been marinated in lots of stuff), fresh squash casserole,and a brocolini salad. I never had cooked broccolini before -- but just let me say - I will never cook plain ole broccoli again - this is so much better. I let it cook a few minutes and then dumped it in ice water. I added fresh Noonday onion, fresh Jacksonville tomato, a dash of crushed red pepper, a tad of Texas Olive Oil Ranch Rattlesnake Olive Oil, and two dashes of Texas Olive Oil black/red balsamic vinegar - with a dusting of Penzey's minced garlic, black pepper and salt. It was so crisp, but tender, and delicious! IF you haven't tried it -- please take my word and try it. I think it would be equally delicious to just cook slightly, dumped into ice water and season with salt, pepper and a little lemon juice. The dumping into the ice water keeps the greens bright green!! A great tool to have beautiful and delicious veggies!!!
I sent my Mom the most beautiful bouquet this morning -- picked fresh from my backyard. Two blue hydrangas, one small purple hydranga and one huge purple hydranga, one very different blue and white hydranga, a chocolate daylily and one mauve daylily. IT truly was gorgous, and although she didn't feel good, she said she could not take her eyes off of it - that it was so beautiful. I made sure the daylilies had several blooms that will continue to bloom! My backyard continues to exclaim God's beauty!!
Here is a recipe given to me several years ago that is really easy and really good.
GRAHAM CRACKER BREAKAWAY
12 Honey Maid full graham crackers
1 stick butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup swirl chips (white and dark)
1/2 cup toffee chips
1/2 cup pecans
Put parchment paper on jelly pan. Lay graham crackers on pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Heat butter and brown sugar in sauce pan. Boil 2 minutes. Pour over graham crackers making sure crackers are completely covered, Bake 6 to 7 minutes.
Put chocolate chips and heath chips on crackers.
Put back in oven about 1 minutes or until chocolate melts.
Drop chopped pecans over melted chocolate, taking spoon and making sure pecans are in chocolate. Let sit and then break into pieces.
Enjoy!
Half way to end of week - and only a few more days to the end of May, 2011. Life is flying by - we each need to realize this and live each day as Jesus asked us to - helping others and teaching them about Him. Do your part - so you will have a home with HIM! May God bless each of you tomorrow with a blessed day.
Just finished cleaning the kitchen after cooking after a very long Red Cross meeting. I prepared Pork Tenderloin (having been marinated in lots of stuff), fresh squash casserole,and a brocolini salad. I never had cooked broccolini before -- but just let me say - I will never cook plain ole broccoli again - this is so much better. I let it cook a few minutes and then dumped it in ice water. I added fresh Noonday onion, fresh Jacksonville tomato, a dash of crushed red pepper, a tad of Texas Olive Oil Ranch Rattlesnake Olive Oil, and two dashes of Texas Olive Oil black/red balsamic vinegar - with a dusting of Penzey's minced garlic, black pepper and salt. It was so crisp, but tender, and delicious! IF you haven't tried it -- please take my word and try it. I think it would be equally delicious to just cook slightly, dumped into ice water and season with salt, pepper and a little lemon juice. The dumping into the ice water keeps the greens bright green!! A great tool to have beautiful and delicious veggies!!!
I sent my Mom the most beautiful bouquet this morning -- picked fresh from my backyard. Two blue hydrangas, one small purple hydranga and one huge purple hydranga, one very different blue and white hydranga, a chocolate daylily and one mauve daylily. IT truly was gorgous, and although she didn't feel good, she said she could not take her eyes off of it - that it was so beautiful. I made sure the daylilies had several blooms that will continue to bloom! My backyard continues to exclaim God's beauty!!
Here is a recipe given to me several years ago that is really easy and really good.
GRAHAM CRACKER BREAKAWAY
12 Honey Maid full graham crackers
1 stick butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup swirl chips (white and dark)
1/2 cup toffee chips
1/2 cup pecans
Put parchment paper on jelly pan. Lay graham crackers on pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Heat butter and brown sugar in sauce pan. Boil 2 minutes. Pour over graham crackers making sure crackers are completely covered, Bake 6 to 7 minutes.
Put chocolate chips and heath chips on crackers.
Put back in oven about 1 minutes or until chocolate melts.
Drop chopped pecans over melted chocolate, taking spoon and making sure pecans are in chocolate. Let sit and then break into pieces.
Enjoy!
Half way to end of week - and only a few more days to the end of May, 2011. Life is flying by - we each need to realize this and live each day as Jesus asked us to - helping others and teaching them about Him. Do your part - so you will have a home with HIM! May God bless each of you tomorrow with a blessed day.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
TIME IS FLYING BY AND MONDAY IS ON THE HORIZON
It seems like it is only Sundays - maybe a Monday and Wednesday that I get the time to write anymore! It's not that I don't think about it every day and think about what I want to tell but it seems I would have to start too late or something else! Tonight I want to give you another recipe from my pie making last week! They were all so easy and fast! Let's see - I've given you the Cookies and Cream and the Banana Nut. Tonight I will share the Strawberry pie and show you a couple of pictures.
Tonight we had a guest preacher -- an older man - but he sure can still preach. Actually he was helping Mark out by preaching so Mark, our regular, could be at West Erwin because his oldest daughter was in senior bacularate at West Erwin. My school is almost over and then before anyone can turn around - it will be starting over. The man tonight was not just any old man, but the man that was the regular preacher at Shiloh for 28 years! Great sermon Mike Warner!!
STRAWBERRY PIE II
1- 8 Oz. package Cream Cheese
1 Cup Sugar
1 Small pkg. Frozen Strawberries
1 Large Container Cool Whip
1 Graham Cracker Crust
Combine softened cream cheese and sugar until mixed well. Add strawberries and fold in Cool Whip. pour into crust and chill well before serving - either for several hours or overnight. Almost too easy to be very good - but it is!!!
Well I guess if I am going to show you any other I will have to go back and edit one of the other blogs -- I think I will try and show you the Banana Nut!
I wish each one of you could see my backyard! IT is like a beautiful flower garden. The hydrangas are so beautiful -- God's beauty just takes my breath away everytime I walk outside! I've had people ask me how I get them so blue or how to get them pink. Here is Hydrangra 101:
Strongly acid soil (pH 5.5 and lower encourages blue blowers; near-neutral to alkaline soil (pH 6.2 and above) promotes pink. To acidify soil, sprinkle a cup of garden sulfur or iron sulfate around the plant. To make it less acid, use dolomitic lime - and either way - just wait for the beauty to appear!!!
Our garden is tiny but is really pretty this year - we have a few stalks of corn, about 8 tomato plants, lots of jalapeno peppers, and squash that is really making. We watch it like you would a cake in the oven or a baby playing outside! IT is so fun!!
Get up in the morning and say "Good morning Lord - it is going to be a great day" - and try to not let anything or anyone or any thought change the day for you! Think positive! May God bless each of you! Till next time!!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
MEALS ARE OVER FOR THE SUMMER - AT CHURCH THAT IS!!!
This will be short and just a reminder that I haven't forgotten to write. The meal tonight at Shiloh was definitely a success - thank you dear Lord for guiding us in what to prepare! We did run out of meat right at the end and I was so sorry! We had lots of people show up that did not sign up or call and we started out giving food out like we would only have about 65 to 70 people! I am truly upset and sad that we made a couple of people mad that we could not send home food with them -- but I hope they understand we gave out all of the food and several just got potatoes and beans, bread and dessert! If it will make them feel better - I came home and had a half of a peanut butter sanddwich - with no jelly!
THe cookies and cream pie was one of the favorites - followed closely by the chocolate from Luby's cookbook! Hmmm- most people do prefer chocolate - don't they??
I have to go to bed -- my body is gently - well not so gently telling me it is NOW! So - may God bless your Thursday and remember JUST DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOu!!!
THe cookies and cream pie was one of the favorites - followed closely by the chocolate from Luby's cookbook! Hmmm- most people do prefer chocolate - don't they??
I have to go to bed -- my body is gently - well not so gently telling me it is NOW! So - may God bless your Thursday and remember JUST DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOu!!!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
PIES AND THOUGHTS
Just got 10 pies made and dinner eaten! I think the people that come to eat tomorrow night should be very happy they came! Pies are two Banana Nut, two Strawberry, two Lemon Ice Box Pie, two Cookies and Cream, and two Chocolate Ice Box from Luby's recipe!
Something that really struck me today after speaking with our preacher's wife last night and then being with her tonight. She is a precious, precious lady -- so unusual for a preacher's wife. I don't mean to be mean - but in a lifetime of attending church there have been some real doosies - one was loved by everyone but suffered many debilitating illnesses so that she was ineffectual as a preacher's helpmate, some were just down right mean, some more than lazy - just sorry - some just uninterested. I guess counting Judy - I've known three that are all that you imagine a great preacher's wife should be! Judy is sweet, tenderhearted,educated, Bible teacher, and helpful. Always teaching, helping Mark entertain, and raising 4 children. No more should be expected of "the preacher's wife" than of any of the ladies at a church - but she should be all she can be -- and Judy is that and more. I respect her and love her very much!
One of the pies we made tonight was a Banana Nut Pie. I was going to check the method today and did not have the cookbook with me so I tried looking up the recipe on the Internet - and I've never seen so many Banana Blueberry pies and never did find one without the blueberries. Found it tonight -- it was one I had put in the old church cookbook back in 1998.
BANANA NUT PIE
1 3 oz. pkg. Instant Vanilla pudding mix (not prepared)
1 (12 oz.) pkg. Cool Whip
1 (8 oz.) ctn. Sour Cream
1 large Graham cracker crust
3 bananas
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
Combine the first three ingredients and mix well. Pour half the mixture into crust. Slice 3 bananas on top of mixture. Top with remaining mixture and then sprinkle the pecans on top. Chill before eating.
As I said I could not find the recipe this morning so tonight when I made the pies, I had all of the bananas sliced onto the crust and then topped with the filling. I think it will work either way -- lots of the recipes I looked at today had all of the bananas put directly on the crust!!! Try it and enjoy it!!!
The other night I told you about my favorite 6 ingredients that I use regularly on the food I cook - good black pepper (my favorite is Penzey's Fresh Ground), fresh garlic, cayenne pepper, great cinnamon (non of these little cans or plastic bottles) such as the bulk you can buy at Central Market or at Whole Foods. (I haven't tried the bulk at Fresh), Mexican Vanilla, and a sense of adventure. Mexican Vanilla is very important to me. I recently ran out and bought a small bottle of Adam's best for a little over $5.00. It was ok if I always tripled the amount. The other day while at the Mexican Food Store on the loop - Super Mercado had a stack of boxes with the pure Mexican Vanilla. It was $8.95 - but you got 1 quart and won't have to loose near as much to get a great vanilla flavor. Great buy for great vanilla - right here in Tyler!!
Tonight our Preacher and HIS WIFE were entertaining the friends of their oldest daughter who is graduating from High School in only a few days. She had made Queso and you know how sticky the bowl gets. Pam, who was helping me asked Judy if she wanted hot water in the bowl - but before Judy could answer - I said, "wait, use cold water." Reason: Hot water just causes cheese, flour, corn meal, and such to just become stickier. Cold water just causes it to come right off and then you can wash your bowl in hot soapy water. Pam remarked that she loved working with me because of what I had taught her. I don't know where I learned that little trick - I think I just discovered it -- but remember this the next time you have a cheesy bowl or one where you've used flour!!! You do use flour, don't you?
Well - you have a recipe, a reminder about good Mexican Vanilla, and my cudos to our preacher's wife - so it is time to sign off and try to get in bed by 11:30!!
Have a blessed Wednesday, come eat with us tomorrow night - and bless someone with a kindness that only you can pass along! God Bless.
Something that really struck me today after speaking with our preacher's wife last night and then being with her tonight. She is a precious, precious lady -- so unusual for a preacher's wife. I don't mean to be mean - but in a lifetime of attending church there have been some real doosies - one was loved by everyone but suffered many debilitating illnesses so that she was ineffectual as a preacher's helpmate, some were just down right mean, some more than lazy - just sorry - some just uninterested. I guess counting Judy - I've known three that are all that you imagine a great preacher's wife should be! Judy is sweet, tenderhearted,educated, Bible teacher, and helpful. Always teaching, helping Mark entertain, and raising 4 children. No more should be expected of "the preacher's wife" than of any of the ladies at a church - but she should be all she can be -- and Judy is that and more. I respect her and love her very much!
One of the pies we made tonight was a Banana Nut Pie. I was going to check the method today and did not have the cookbook with me so I tried looking up the recipe on the Internet - and I've never seen so many Banana Blueberry pies and never did find one without the blueberries. Found it tonight -- it was one I had put in the old church cookbook back in 1998.
BANANA NUT PIE
1 3 oz. pkg. Instant Vanilla pudding mix (not prepared)
1 (12 oz.) pkg. Cool Whip
1 (8 oz.) ctn. Sour Cream
1 large Graham cracker crust
3 bananas
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
Combine the first three ingredients and mix well. Pour half the mixture into crust. Slice 3 bananas on top of mixture. Top with remaining mixture and then sprinkle the pecans on top. Chill before eating.
As I said I could not find the recipe this morning so tonight when I made the pies, I had all of the bananas sliced onto the crust and then topped with the filling. I think it will work either way -- lots of the recipes I looked at today had all of the bananas put directly on the crust!!! Try it and enjoy it!!!
The other night I told you about my favorite 6 ingredients that I use regularly on the food I cook - good black pepper (my favorite is Penzey's Fresh Ground), fresh garlic, cayenne pepper, great cinnamon (non of these little cans or plastic bottles) such as the bulk you can buy at Central Market or at Whole Foods. (I haven't tried the bulk at Fresh), Mexican Vanilla, and a sense of adventure. Mexican Vanilla is very important to me. I recently ran out and bought a small bottle of Adam's best for a little over $5.00. It was ok if I always tripled the amount. The other day while at the Mexican Food Store on the loop - Super Mercado had a stack of boxes with the pure Mexican Vanilla. It was $8.95 - but you got 1 quart and won't have to loose near as much to get a great vanilla flavor. Great buy for great vanilla - right here in Tyler!!
Tonight our Preacher and HIS WIFE were entertaining the friends of their oldest daughter who is graduating from High School in only a few days. She had made Queso and you know how sticky the bowl gets. Pam, who was helping me asked Judy if she wanted hot water in the bowl - but before Judy could answer - I said, "wait, use cold water." Reason: Hot water just causes cheese, flour, corn meal, and such to just become stickier. Cold water just causes it to come right off and then you can wash your bowl in hot soapy water. Pam remarked that she loved working with me because of what I had taught her. I don't know where I learned that little trick - I think I just discovered it -- but remember this the next time you have a cheesy bowl or one where you've used flour!!! You do use flour, don't you?
Well - you have a recipe, a reminder about good Mexican Vanilla, and my cudos to our preacher's wife - so it is time to sign off and try to get in bed by 11:30!!
Have a blessed Wednesday, come eat with us tomorrow night - and bless someone with a kindness that only you can pass along! God Bless.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
SUNDAYS - A NEW BEGINNING - I HOPE!
How did your Sunday go? Did you attend services, Sunday school, and services again - and hear your husband pray a most beautiful prayer -- one very sincere, well phrased, and heartfelt? I did and was so proud to be his wife. The smallest things sometimes mean so much! He bought me some great gifts for Mother's Day and I loved them (even the ones that were too big) but something he said tonight made me happier. I told him that my sister had had a great sandwich at CHeddars - some kind of grilled chicken panini with avacado (she and I share one with chicken and avacado wherever we go!!!) and he said "I bet it isn't any better than what you make! It only takes a few kind words to thrill me!
Today after lunch we stopped at Sam's and picked up briskets to cook (will marinate tomorrow night ,cook all night Tuesday (at home -- I'm scared to leave ovens on at church), potatoes for roasted, herbed potatoes, rolls, and beans for my baked beans. I still have to get ingredients for the pies we are going to serve! Going to be good - God's will - so come eat with us at SHiloh on Wednesday at 5:30 to 6:30!!!
Speaking of pies - here is one that I will have Wednesday night:
COOKIES AND CREAM PIE
1-1/2 Cups Cold Half and Half
3-1/2 oz. box Vanilla Instant Pudding
4 oz. frozen whipped topping
1 Cup crushed Chocolate Sandwich cookies
1 Chocolate Graham Cracker crust
Combine the half and half with the Instant Vanillia Pudding, stir in crushed Chocolate sandwich cookies and frozen topping. Pour into crust and allow to chill at least 2 hours or overnight.
I plan to make two of these, two Lemon Ice Box pies, two Banana pies, two strawberry pies, and two Chocolate Icebox pies. All of these will be cold pies -- but hopefully please the palate after brisket!!
It ia 10:25 and I just took out three loaves of fresh Sour Dough Bread. It smells so delicious!!!
Started it about 4:30 p.m., stirred it up, went to church, came home and made out loaves and let rise! Baked!! YUM!! You have the recipe -- try it!!!
Have a wonderful evening - probably most are asleep since it is a little before 11:00! May God bless your Monday as you bless someone else.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
TIPS FROM THE PAST
This has been a very good day -- tonight was really a blessing. I was so tired and only because of Maura and the blessing last week did I pull myself to class. We gathered together in a classroom and made "blessing bags" for the ladies there to have in our cars - so that if we are face to face with a homeless person - we don't have to look away - but give them the bag. It is filled with food and a scripture to bless them! We made 32 bags and will do more in the future. The blessing of a class in James led the leaders of the class to show our faith by our works as described in James. The class next door was working on sorting out supplies ladies of both classes had brought, and was packing the in one of our ladies' car heading to Tuscaloosa tomorrow with the supplies for the victims of the tornadoes. THE SHILOH WOMEN ARE WORKING!!! I know Facebook can either be a curse or a blessing. If used the wrong way by people with bad intentions - it can be a curse -- but in other ways it has been a blessing. I've been in touch with several people from my past and it was wonderful to hear from them. Some were teenagers when we were younger and worked with the youth in Tyler and Marshall. Some have been friends almost forgotten and some that I've often wondered how their life turned out. One was special lady that I had worked with - but after her divorce - she moved away and I had often wondered what happened to her. She found me on FB and is happily married and fun to share with!
I promised to post the Starter to the Sour Dough Bread recipe I posted last night. Here it is:
POTATO SOURDOUGH STARTER
3/4 Cup Sugar
3 Tablespoons Instant Potato Flakes
1 Package Active Dry Yeast
1 Cup Warm Water (120 degrees to 130 degrees)
STARTER FOOD
3/4 Cup Sugar
3 Tablespoons Instant Potato Flakes
1 Cup Warm Water (120 degrees to 130 degrees)
To make starter - combine the first 3 ingredients in small mixing bowl Stir in warm water. Cover with plastic wrap; pierce wrap 4 or 5 times with point of knife. Refrigerate 3 to 5 days. Remove from refrigerator; let stand 1 hour. Stir well. Remove 1 cup starter; use in a recipe or give to a friend.
FOR THE STARTER FOOD:
Mix together sugar, potato flakes, and water. Stir the starter food into remaining starter; let stand, uncovered, 8 to 12 hours. Cover with plastic wrap; pierce wrap 4 or five times with a sharp knife. Refrigerate 3 to 5 days. Repeat 3 times. Use or discard after four feedings. Makes 3-1/2 cups.
Sounds complicated?? No - anything worth doing is worth a little time! Make it one time, wait the 3 to 5 days, make your bread and you will be hooked and so will the friends and family you share with -- loaves of bread that is!!!
My first blog said: "Cooking doesn't have to be a chore - let's see if we can make it an adventure. Ever use cayenne pepper?? Not to make whatever you are cooking 'Hot', but to give it zip. Here is your tip tonight: Know what a dash is? A dash is to take a little between your thumb and first finger and sprinkle it into whatever you are cooking. Put a 'dash' of cayenne into eggs when you are scrambling them-- also, before scrambling, beat a little (oh - a little is about 2 tablespoons) of half and half into the eggs, salt, black pepper and don't forget the "dash" of caynne. (And please don't "scramble them to death and into little piece"s) - let them start to set and turn them gently until not runny!"
My second post on December 31, 2009, told you there are six (6) special ingredients that I absolutely could not be without -- unless I wanted to serve really bland food. They are very good black pepper (the best I have found is Penzey's Fresh Ground (Penzey's is in Dallas), fresh garlic, cayenne pepper, great cinnamon (and there is definitely a difference -- either cinnamon from Penzey's or Central Market's bulk is so good), Mexican vanilla, and a sense of adventure!
I will tell you about each one again -- but remember one of the tips I have for you - Think of your cooking as a ministry - not as something you think about as how much "you don't like to cook" or "let's see what I can put on the table tonight?", but "What can I do for my husband or family tonight, how can I please them most, what can I do special for my family tonight?"
Here is something my cousin had written today and sent to me with his blessing to publish on my blog.
Never Overlook the Potential of the Ordinary
Zechariah 4:10
“Despise not the day of small beginnings.”
God always does extraordinary things with ordinary stuff. Just look at what He made with dirt –YOU! How amazing is that? The Bible tells us that He made everything out of nothing. He is the CAN DO God. With Him nothing is Impossible.
One day a young boy showed up at a crowded event to hear a traveling preacher talk about wonderful things. He never dreamed for an instant that he would become the central character in an epic moment of history. The preacher was Jesus. The young boy was the lad with a small sack lunch containing two fish and five loaves of bread. Just enough for his lunch.
It was just a sack lunch on any other day, but on this day it became the stuff of miracles. It is amazing what can happen when you place something in the hands of Jesus. What do you think
Could happen if you placed your life in His hands?
You may be just an ordinary person, with ordinary looks, and ordinary thoughts, ordinary talents and ordinary dreams—but Jesus can do something amazing with that sack lunch of yours. If you let Him have it.
Most people never reach their full potential in life simply because they overlook the potential of the ordinary. If you simply start where you ARE, instead of waiting to start until you get to where you hope to go---you will become all you ever dreamed of being!
Little by little. Step by step. Day by day.
Bob
Let's not forget God made each of us and what we do with that life depends on HIS GRACE and us! God Bless - have a wonderful day tomorrow!! Be sure and look for that person that needs the bag we made tonight!!!
I promised to post the Starter to the Sour Dough Bread recipe I posted last night. Here it is:
POTATO SOURDOUGH STARTER
3/4 Cup Sugar
3 Tablespoons Instant Potato Flakes
1 Package Active Dry Yeast
1 Cup Warm Water (120 degrees to 130 degrees)
STARTER FOOD
3/4 Cup Sugar
3 Tablespoons Instant Potato Flakes
1 Cup Warm Water (120 degrees to 130 degrees)
To make starter - combine the first 3 ingredients in small mixing bowl Stir in warm water. Cover with plastic wrap; pierce wrap 4 or 5 times with point of knife. Refrigerate 3 to 5 days. Remove from refrigerator; let stand 1 hour. Stir well. Remove 1 cup starter; use in a recipe or give to a friend.
FOR THE STARTER FOOD:
Mix together sugar, potato flakes, and water. Stir the starter food into remaining starter; let stand, uncovered, 8 to 12 hours. Cover with plastic wrap; pierce wrap 4 or five times with a sharp knife. Refrigerate 3 to 5 days. Repeat 3 times. Use or discard after four feedings. Makes 3-1/2 cups.
Sounds complicated?? No - anything worth doing is worth a little time! Make it one time, wait the 3 to 5 days, make your bread and you will be hooked and so will the friends and family you share with -- loaves of bread that is!!!
My first blog said: "Cooking doesn't have to be a chore - let's see if we can make it an adventure. Ever use cayenne pepper?? Not to make whatever you are cooking 'Hot', but to give it zip. Here is your tip tonight: Know what a dash is? A dash is to take a little between your thumb and first finger and sprinkle it into whatever you are cooking. Put a 'dash' of cayenne into eggs when you are scrambling them-- also, before scrambling, beat a little (oh - a little is about 2 tablespoons) of half and half into the eggs, salt, black pepper and don't forget the "dash" of caynne. (And please don't "scramble them to death and into little piece"s) - let them start to set and turn them gently until not runny!"
My second post on December 31, 2009, told you there are six (6) special ingredients that I absolutely could not be without -- unless I wanted to serve really bland food. They are very good black pepper (the best I have found is Penzey's Fresh Ground (Penzey's is in Dallas), fresh garlic, cayenne pepper, great cinnamon (and there is definitely a difference -- either cinnamon from Penzey's or Central Market's bulk is so good), Mexican vanilla, and a sense of adventure!
I will tell you about each one again -- but remember one of the tips I have for you - Think of your cooking as a ministry - not as something you think about as how much "you don't like to cook" or "let's see what I can put on the table tonight?", but "What can I do for my husband or family tonight, how can I please them most, what can I do special for my family tonight?"
Here is something my cousin had written today and sent to me with his blessing to publish on my blog.
Never Overlook the Potential of the Ordinary
Zechariah 4:10
“Despise not the day of small beginnings.”
God always does extraordinary things with ordinary stuff. Just look at what He made with dirt –YOU! How amazing is that? The Bible tells us that He made everything out of nothing. He is the CAN DO God. With Him nothing is Impossible.
One day a young boy showed up at a crowded event to hear a traveling preacher talk about wonderful things. He never dreamed for an instant that he would become the central character in an epic moment of history. The preacher was Jesus. The young boy was the lad with a small sack lunch containing two fish and five loaves of bread. Just enough for his lunch.
It was just a sack lunch on any other day, but on this day it became the stuff of miracles. It is amazing what can happen when you place something in the hands of Jesus. What do you think
Could happen if you placed your life in His hands?
You may be just an ordinary person, with ordinary looks, and ordinary thoughts, ordinary talents and ordinary dreams—but Jesus can do something amazing with that sack lunch of yours. If you let Him have it.
Most people never reach their full potential in life simply because they overlook the potential of the ordinary. If you simply start where you ARE, instead of waiting to start until you get to where you hope to go---you will become all you ever dreamed of being!
Little by little. Step by step. Day by day.
Bob
Let's not forget God made each of us and what we do with that life depends on HIS GRACE and us! God Bless - have a wonderful day tomorrow!! Be sure and look for that person that needs the bag we made tonight!!!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
A CONTINUED WEEK OF BLESSINGS
A great weekend - Mother's Day - a great meal at Outback and some great gifts - how can a woman wish for more? I cooked dinner last night - grilled chicken, great tasting grilled fresh corn, fresh guacamole , etc, and tonight - great seasoned pork loin, roasted new potatoes, great seasoned greens, sauted mushrooms and jalapeno cornbread. What was best - tonight Travis realized no matter how tired he was - he got to the sink and he and Michelle helped clean up as I divided food - for Travis, Michelle and my Mom! That is a gift no one can understand unless they experience it! Wonderful!! Last night I also made a wonderfully easy Pineapple cake for Travis to take to a lunch meeting and got up at 4 a.m. to make a huge peach cobbler to also take. So I am wearing out!! Can't imagine why???
The pork loin I cooked tonight was so great. It was one I had bought at Sam's and frozen - I think it was some kind of barbeque seasoning on it. I added garlic, Worchester sauce, red pepper, black pepper, white wine, and orange olive oil. Let it sit in refrigerator from noom until about 6 p.m. and then used my new meat thermometer that I bought on Saturday at The Kitchen Drawer and cooked it to 160 degrees F and it was so great. I had some Pampered Chef Raspberry Habanaro Sauce that complimented the pork perfectly. I also put about a tablespoon of it in the mushrooms that were sauting! The potatoes were so easy and so good. I took about 6 large new potatoes, washed, quartered and boiled until fork tender. Then I drained, put in casserole dish, drizzled with olive oil, threw on a little minced garlic (Pensey's of course), salt, black pepper, Pensey's freeze dried jalapeno, Pensey's Red Black Pepper and roasted about 15 minutes. Sorry - I don't like to brag - but they were delicious - topped with a tad of light Sour Cream! pr
I promised the Sour Dough Bread recipe - but you will also need the starter recipe unless you contact me and I give you a starter so either check out the Junior League's "Cooking Through Rose Colored Glasses" for the starter recipe or I will post it for you! I made this bread on Saturday and it is so wonderful!! Sorry I am not bragging on myself -- just the bread's recipe! God Bless whoever shared it!! The only thing I regret about that book --- everyone is anonomous!
SOUR DOUGH BREAD
JC GILBREATH
FEED STARTER WITH:
¾ cup sugar
3 Tablespoons Instant Potato flakes
1 Cup Hot tap water
TO MAKE BREAD:
ORIGINAL Mix:
1/3 Cup sugar
½ cup corn oil (I use canola)
1 Tablespoon salt
1-1/2 cup warm water
1 Cup starter
6 cups of bread flour
MORNING: - Sour dough starter must be fed every three to five days as follows: Remove from the refrigerator and add the feeding ingredients. Mix well; cover with a wet paper towel and let set out for 8 to 10 hours after feeding. Remove 1 cup to use for making bread and return the rest to the refrigerator. Keep covered, but make sure there are some holes in lid. If you are not making bread after each feeding, either give one cup of starter away or throw it out. Repeat feeding in 3 to 5 days.
MIX: Mix the mix ingredients together adding the flour last and mix well. Put into large greased bowl (use paper towel to wipe oil all over the inside of the bowl. Cover with saran wrap. Let rise for 4 to 8 hours – not in warm place – bread needs to rise slowly. Kneed down and divide into 3 sections, put into oiled pans, turning to coat top, cover with saran wrap and let rise all day or night. (Sometimes it only takes 4 to 6 hours). It should rise above top of pan – but watch and not let go over sides and drop down!
Preheat oven to 375 F. Bake for 20 to 25minutes. Brush with butter when removed from oven, let cool about 15 minutes and remove from pan.
VARIATIONS: WHEAT AND NUT
Add 2 tablespoons honey and in place of all purpose flour use: 3 Cups whole grain wheat flour (I use Gold Medal), 2 cups either all purpose or bread flour; ½ cup oatmeal, and ½ cup finely chopped nuts. (I usually use walnuts, but also use a combination of walnuts, pecans and almonds.) From this – just follow same instructions. Sometimes I also sprinkle nuts and oats on top of each loaf before they rise.
HOT GARLIC/CHEESE BREAD
After dividing the bread for loaves, take the bread and gently press it out into a flattened oval. Sprinkle with minced or pressed garlic, cheddar or jack cheese. Then liberally sprinkle with black pepper and crushed red pepper. Then pull together and pinch top and ends to make loaf. Let rise and bake the same way as original.
Ok - I know that is pretty imposing - but so worth the effort. Here is one that is so easy but is no effort at all and everyone will rave!! Try it please!!!
GRAPE SALAD
1 - 8 OZ. Fat free cream cheese ( or light)
1 - 8 oz. Light Sour Cream
1/2 Cup Sugar
1 Tsp. Vanilla
2-3 lbs. Red Seedless grapes
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Chopped toasted pecans
Mix the cream cheese, sour cream, white sugar, and vanilla. Beat well; add 2 to 3 lbs. Red Seedless grapes - tossing to mix. CHill 2 to 3 hours. Just before serving - mix brown sugar and toasted pecans. Sprinkle over top of salad!!!
This is so good -- Enjoy!! Your family will!!!
Well - I had something really neat to share but I can't seem to copy and paste it - so I will just say to you "Do what is right and God will take care of you!"" May God bless you and all of your efforts!!
This one is my favorite...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The pork loin I cooked tonight was so great. It was one I had bought at Sam's and frozen - I think it was some kind of barbeque seasoning on it. I added garlic, Worchester sauce, red pepper, black pepper, white wine, and orange olive oil. Let it sit in refrigerator from noom until about 6 p.m. and then used my new meat thermometer that I bought on Saturday at The Kitchen Drawer and cooked it to 160 degrees F and it was so great. I had some Pampered Chef Raspberry Habanaro Sauce that complimented the pork perfectly. I also put about a tablespoon of it in the mushrooms that were sauting! The potatoes were so easy and so good. I took about 6 large new potatoes, washed, quartered and boiled until fork tender. Then I drained, put in casserole dish, drizzled with olive oil, threw on a little minced garlic (Pensey's of course), salt, black pepper, Pensey's freeze dried jalapeno, Pensey's Red Black Pepper and roasted about 15 minutes. Sorry - I don't like to brag - but they were delicious - topped with a tad of light Sour Cream! pr
I promised the Sour Dough Bread recipe - but you will also need the starter recipe unless you contact me and I give you a starter so either check out the Junior League's "Cooking Through Rose Colored Glasses" for the starter recipe or I will post it for you! I made this bread on Saturday and it is so wonderful!! Sorry I am not bragging on myself -- just the bread's recipe! God Bless whoever shared it!! The only thing I regret about that book --- everyone is anonomous!
SOUR DOUGH BREAD
JC GILBREATH
FEED STARTER WITH:
¾ cup sugar
3 Tablespoons Instant Potato flakes
1 Cup Hot tap water
TO MAKE BREAD:
ORIGINAL Mix:
1/3 Cup sugar
½ cup corn oil (I use canola)
1 Tablespoon salt
1-1/2 cup warm water
1 Cup starter
6 cups of bread flour
MORNING: - Sour dough starter must be fed every three to five days as follows: Remove from the refrigerator and add the feeding ingredients. Mix well; cover with a wet paper towel and let set out for 8 to 10 hours after feeding. Remove 1 cup to use for making bread and return the rest to the refrigerator. Keep covered, but make sure there are some holes in lid. If you are not making bread after each feeding, either give one cup of starter away or throw it out. Repeat feeding in 3 to 5 days.
MIX: Mix the mix ingredients together adding the flour last and mix well. Put into large greased bowl (use paper towel to wipe oil all over the inside of the bowl. Cover with saran wrap. Let rise for 4 to 8 hours – not in warm place – bread needs to rise slowly. Kneed down and divide into 3 sections, put into oiled pans, turning to coat top, cover with saran wrap and let rise all day or night. (Sometimes it only takes 4 to 6 hours). It should rise above top of pan – but watch and not let go over sides and drop down!
Preheat oven to 375 F. Bake for 20 to 25minutes. Brush with butter when removed from oven, let cool about 15 minutes and remove from pan.
VARIATIONS: WHEAT AND NUT
Add 2 tablespoons honey and in place of all purpose flour use: 3 Cups whole grain wheat flour (I use Gold Medal), 2 cups either all purpose or bread flour; ½ cup oatmeal, and ½ cup finely chopped nuts. (I usually use walnuts, but also use a combination of walnuts, pecans and almonds.) From this – just follow same instructions. Sometimes I also sprinkle nuts and oats on top of each loaf before they rise.
HOT GARLIC/CHEESE BREAD
After dividing the bread for loaves, take the bread and gently press it out into a flattened oval. Sprinkle with minced or pressed garlic, cheddar or jack cheese. Then liberally sprinkle with black pepper and crushed red pepper. Then pull together and pinch top and ends to make loaf. Let rise and bake the same way as original.
Ok - I know that is pretty imposing - but so worth the effort. Here is one that is so easy but is no effort at all and everyone will rave!! Try it please!!!
GRAPE SALAD
1 - 8 OZ. Fat free cream cheese ( or light)
1 - 8 oz. Light Sour Cream
1/2 Cup Sugar
1 Tsp. Vanilla
2-3 lbs. Red Seedless grapes
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Chopped toasted pecans
Mix the cream cheese, sour cream, white sugar, and vanilla. Beat well; add 2 to 3 lbs. Red Seedless grapes - tossing to mix. CHill 2 to 3 hours. Just before serving - mix brown sugar and toasted pecans. Sprinkle over top of salad!!!
This is so good -- Enjoy!! Your family will!!!
Well - I had something really neat to share but I can't seem to copy and paste it - so I will just say to you "Do what is right and God will take care of you!"" May God bless you and all of your efforts!!
This one is my favorite...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, May 8, 2011
A WONDERFUL MOTHER'S DAY!!
A wonderful day - a great wake up with perfect gifts from Travis and Michelle -- he picked gifts that were so me and so did Michelle, then a delicious lunch at Outback with all of my family -- a trip to Atwoods (yes - my idea -- I wanted a new umburella for the deck) - and a past week of good things too!! On Tuesday I had the second lumbar epidural and now I feel so good - able to keep going and get lots done - a New Woman!! On Wednesday - we had a very wonderful class where we blessed a young lady - much more mature than her 14 years and showed her what love really looks like. About 50 ladies joined to gather to bless her and support her! God had to have looked down and been pleased. Then on Thursday Alice and I attended a strip center's open house at Broadway and 8th Street. We found many fabulous finds but my favorites were at Rubicon Two - a beautiful store that makes you appreciate nature and all of the things God has given us. A beautiful bird bath came home with me! Then there was Larry Lott Interiors who had a Cinci de Mayo fiesta going on and everything in his store is wonderful. Then another very favorite was The Kitchen Drawer. The nicest people and the most fantastic kitchen finds! I bought some napkins and few other things but then went back on Saturday and did some more damage to my checking account. If you ever need a gift for yourself or someone that loves their kitchen or cooking - this is the place to go!! They are so nice - they put my blogspot on their website!!! I found perfect napkins for my Southwest kitchen, fabulous teas towels, and the most Southwest awesome tray that I could not resist. Now I just have to figure out what to change so I can use it!!!!
All of this and I have been cooking some too! I am trying to re-perfect my bread making -- so I made up my Sour Dough Starter, patiently let it do it's thing and then the last two weekends - I've made the bread. This weekend - it was perhaps the best I have ever made. I have the recipe typed out at work and will send it home tomorrow and post it - it is easy and just takes a little patience and anticipation of a most wonderful bread! If you have the Tyler Junior League cookbook, COOKING THROUGH ROSE COLORED GLASSES" - the recipe is there -- I do it exactly! Can you believe that? I really do!!
I have decided to post some of the recipes that I originally posted on my blog - because if I have one complaint about the blog setup -- it is hard to get all the way back to find some of my very favorite recipes -- I have tried it! So here is one that is a favorite every time I cook it and it is so easy -- you will see - I don't always cook something complicated! THIS is not an original - I got it from a friend of my friend in Ruidoso and she got it from a caterer at a party she attended!
TAQUITO CASSEROLE
1- 20 PIECE BOX FROZEN CHICKEN TAQUITOS
2 CUPS GRATED CHEESE - YOUR CHOICE - SHARP CHEDDAR OR 4 MEXICAN CHEESE (MY FAVORITE)
1 CAN HATCH* GREEN ENCHILADA SAUCE
1 CAN DICED GREEN CHILES
Place chicken taquitos in 9 X 13 casserole dish and cover with 1-1/2 cup cheese. Pour Green Enchilada Chile Sauce over the taquitos, place green chiles over the sauce and sprinkle the remaining cheese over it. Bake about 25 minutes at 350 degrees until nice and bubbly!!
*I like the Hatch brand over Old El Paso because it is a bigger can and you need extra moisture!!
I promise if you make this - you will make it again! It taste like wonderful chicken enchiladas!!! Try it -- you will like it.
Have you been to Fresh lately? Really fun -- and one of the things we bought was Irish Oatmeal which features Steel Cut Oats. I really like them but Travis says they have a taste he doesn't like -- so tonight I cut the recipe in half and cooked some -- the quick way -- brought 2 cups water to a rolling boil, pour in 1/2 cup oats, bring back to a quick boil and then cover and refrigerate until morning. Then you cook it for about 9 to 12 minutes. Maybe Travis will finish cooking them for me. If he or Michelle doesn't want any -I can have them for 3 or 4 days!
Here is something that my cousin wrote and sent to me and I think it is appropriate to post tonight - at the end of Mother's Day. Enjoy - take to heart and don't forget - "DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU!"
Enriched By Memory
Deuteronomy 8:2
“You shall remember all the way the Lord thy God has led thee.”
Remember that old song we use to sing, “Precious memories how they linger, how they ever they flood my soul.” Do you remember some years ago on TV Bob Hope closed his show?
“Thanks for the memories.”
I am speaking today at a Senior Care Center to a group of my favorite people, seniors! They live on Yesterdays. You know, remember when?
Our lives come, from time to time, to crossroads of defining importance; those critical intersections along the way, which face us with choices for new directions in our thinking, and in our living. At such moments we need to briefly pause, for we have not passed this way before.
Before we move onward we must reflect back upon where we have been; remembering all the way that the Lord our God has led us. For in His leading are the lessons that will hold true all the days of our lives. As we think upon what He has taught us, shown us, done for us and with us-our lives become enriched by memory, and mindful of love that never fails.
With this, we then step across the boundary into anther season, filled with faith and courage. We are also renewed in spirit and adventure, discovering afresh that the way in is also the way on. As He led us, He will still lead us. As He loved us, so He will still love us. And as He has been faithful, so faithful shall he ever be.
The happiest people are those who live their lives enriched by the memory of God’s handiwork throughout their days. Why not pause right now and recall to mind the many undeniable moments throughout your life when the Lord blessed you, loved you, healed you, helped you, saved you, used you-and the list goes on, and on, and on, and on, and on…….
Bob Garsee
Good night!!! JC
All of this and I have been cooking some too! I am trying to re-perfect my bread making -- so I made up my Sour Dough Starter, patiently let it do it's thing and then the last two weekends - I've made the bread. This weekend - it was perhaps the best I have ever made. I have the recipe typed out at work and will send it home tomorrow and post it - it is easy and just takes a little patience and anticipation of a most wonderful bread! If you have the Tyler Junior League cookbook, COOKING THROUGH ROSE COLORED GLASSES" - the recipe is there -- I do it exactly! Can you believe that? I really do!!
I have decided to post some of the recipes that I originally posted on my blog - because if I have one complaint about the blog setup -- it is hard to get all the way back to find some of my very favorite recipes -- I have tried it! So here is one that is a favorite every time I cook it and it is so easy -- you will see - I don't always cook something complicated! THIS is not an original - I got it from a friend of my friend in Ruidoso and she got it from a caterer at a party she attended!
TAQUITO CASSEROLE
1- 20 PIECE BOX FROZEN CHICKEN TAQUITOS
2 CUPS GRATED CHEESE - YOUR CHOICE - SHARP CHEDDAR OR 4 MEXICAN CHEESE (MY FAVORITE)
1 CAN HATCH* GREEN ENCHILADA SAUCE
1 CAN DICED GREEN CHILES
Place chicken taquitos in 9 X 13 casserole dish and cover with 1-1/2 cup cheese. Pour Green Enchilada Chile Sauce over the taquitos, place green chiles over the sauce and sprinkle the remaining cheese over it. Bake about 25 minutes at 350 degrees until nice and bubbly!!
*I like the Hatch brand over Old El Paso because it is a bigger can and you need extra moisture!!
I promise if you make this - you will make it again! It taste like wonderful chicken enchiladas!!! Try it -- you will like it.
Have you been to Fresh lately? Really fun -- and one of the things we bought was Irish Oatmeal which features Steel Cut Oats. I really like them but Travis says they have a taste he doesn't like -- so tonight I cut the recipe in half and cooked some -- the quick way -- brought 2 cups water to a rolling boil, pour in 1/2 cup oats, bring back to a quick boil and then cover and refrigerate until morning. Then you cook it for about 9 to 12 minutes. Maybe Travis will finish cooking them for me. If he or Michelle doesn't want any -I can have them for 3 or 4 days!
Here is something that my cousin wrote and sent to me and I think it is appropriate to post tonight - at the end of Mother's Day. Enjoy - take to heart and don't forget - "DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU!"
Enriched By Memory
Deuteronomy 8:2
“You shall remember all the way the Lord thy God has led thee.”
Remember that old song we use to sing, “Precious memories how they linger, how they ever they flood my soul.” Do you remember some years ago on TV Bob Hope closed his show?
“Thanks for the memories.”
I am speaking today at a Senior Care Center to a group of my favorite people, seniors! They live on Yesterdays. You know, remember when?
Our lives come, from time to time, to crossroads of defining importance; those critical intersections along the way, which face us with choices for new directions in our thinking, and in our living. At such moments we need to briefly pause, for we have not passed this way before.
Before we move onward we must reflect back upon where we have been; remembering all the way that the Lord our God has led us. For in His leading are the lessons that will hold true all the days of our lives. As we think upon what He has taught us, shown us, done for us and with us-our lives become enriched by memory, and mindful of love that never fails.
With this, we then step across the boundary into anther season, filled with faith and courage. We are also renewed in spirit and adventure, discovering afresh that the way in is also the way on. As He led us, He will still lead us. As He loved us, so He will still love us. And as He has been faithful, so faithful shall he ever be.
The happiest people are those who live their lives enriched by the memory of God’s handiwork throughout their days. Why not pause right now and recall to mind the many undeniable moments throughout your life when the Lord blessed you, loved you, healed you, helped you, saved you, used you-and the list goes on, and on, and on, and on, and on…….
Bob Garsee
Good night!!! JC
Sunday, May 1, 2011
GOURMET IS WONDERFUL - BUT TAKES EXTRA EFFORT!!!
You know - I am about ready to find a new medium to send you my thoughts and recipes -- I have just typed for the last thirty minutes and it all just disappeared - so here is my second try! I have spent more hours in the kitchen the last 4 days and nights than in quite a while -- but there has been lots of things I have tried to do. On Thursday night and Friday morning - I cooked for the wonderful employees that I work with. Jack and I decided to honor each one there with a meal to thank them for all they do to help us. Yes - I did a little something for the two wonderful ladies that help me -- but everyone else helps me too -- so I didn't want to leave them out. We fed them Wild Wings, my potato salad - made at 4 am on Friday, rolls, brownies and peach cobbler with ice cream!
I had made up Sour Dough starter last week - so on Saturday I made the Sour Dough Bread. Hate to brag - but I personally thought it was delicious!! Then I made my sister a baker's dozen of dessert crepes ready to fill. Saturday night I made more basic crepes and then made up a Spinach / Mushroom filling that proved to be a lot of worthwhile work and rolled it up in the fresh crepe. IT included a great homemade Mornay Sauce. I waited and baked it this morning. I also tried out a new recipe for Swiss Red Chard - I had never cooked it before but everyone gave it an A. The Crepes got an A+. The Corn Pudding also received a raved A+. I really pulled out all of my culinary skills for this meal. All of this was served with baked ham, Mango Salad - that my sister made, rolls, Chocolate Pie and Angel Food Cake with Strawberries that my 93 year old Mom made. A pretty good Easter Meal -even if it was a week late!!!
My back is letting me know that I need the second shot -- had to get off Celebrax and all other pain relievers until after the shot on Tuesday!
The Corn Pudding was taken from a recipe in a great cookbook - but after tasting it -- I knew I wanted to make it mine with my own tastes. Here is the recipe and then I will tell you what I did to make it my recipe - with my own flavor!!
CORN PUDDING
1/4 Cup Butter
1/4 Cup flour
3 Tsp. Salt
2 Tablespoons sugar
1-3/4 cup milk
3 Cups Frozen Whole Kernel corn
3 Eggs
Melt butter in saucepan. Sitr in flour, salt and sugar. Cook until bubbly, add milk and cook until thick. Stir in corn. Stir in Eggs that have been beaten until frothy. Pour into well buttered casserole dish and bake in hot water bath at 350 degress from about 45 minutes.
(For hot water bath, fill large pan with 1 to 2 inches of water, place casserole dish in pan and bake as directed.
Ok - here is what I added: 3 Tablespoons sugar, 1/2 tsp. more salt, several shakes of black pepper, used half milk and half - Half and Half, 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper, and one small can of chopped green chiles. It took about 55 minutes to cook almost firm. Really well recived and delicious!!! TIP:I cooked it before church, put it in my casserole carrier, with heated bag, zipped it up - and lo - it was still warm!
Don't ever be afraid to add to a recipe - Make it yours!!!
I am not going to scare you away from a challenge and give you the Sour Dough bread starter recipe and -- WELL RIGHT HERE ALL I SAID DISAPPEARED AGAIN! THIS IS SO CRAZY!! What I was saying is the bread was so wonderful - and yes - I say so myself! If you want the recipes - I will be happy to share!!
You know the more I think about it - the more I want to publish my cookbook - sure won't do it any younger!
Next Sunday is Mother's Day and my sister's husband and son asked her what we were going to do for Mother's Day and just keep bugging her about it -- and Travis even asked me and I just said "I have no idea!" But after that I offered to cook steaks and potatoes but my sister refused saying she was not going to have me cook for two days and then the guys lay around dozing - especially when I am a mom 24/7 - so we decided to ease their minds and picked a place. Mom doesn't like fancy - always finds something wrong so hope what we picked for OUR PAMPERED MEAL will suit everyone!!
Mark's sermon this morning was about repentence and it was an excellent message. Just as he was getting started, a man appeared from somewhere at the front and started toward Mark. He met him and then asked Ron to come help him and to take the man and see if he could help him. Ron put his arms around the guy and led him toward the bastism area. Mark sniffed and said a new set of clothes would make the guy feel much better. I was amazed that no other men went to help Ron and make sure he was safe but near the end of the service - Mark finally said "I think I had better check on Ron." He went to the door and Ron and the man was at the door." THe guy was clean and dressed in dress pants and jacket. Ron started to take the clothes away to the dump and the guy said "Hey - I want those clothes!" Ron left with them. The catch was the "bum" was a well respected member of the church - playing a roll! I did not recognize him until he came out dressed in a suit. The point of the lesson was that when we repent from sin and then go right back committing the same sin - it is the same as someone that is cleaned up and gets their old smelly, dirty clothes and putting them back on! Makes it pretty clear that is not what God wants of us!!! Great lesson!! Thanks Mark, David and Ron! Well - what plans do you have for tomorrow? There are lots of "real" needy people out there right now - what would you do if someone like the dirty, sticky man came to your church? Would someone willingly reach out, put their arm around them and help them feel better about themselves?? Let's be on the lookout for our chance to reach out to others. God Bless your efforts!!!
I had made up Sour Dough starter last week - so on Saturday I made the Sour Dough Bread. Hate to brag - but I personally thought it was delicious!! Then I made my sister a baker's dozen of dessert crepes ready to fill. Saturday night I made more basic crepes and then made up a Spinach / Mushroom filling that proved to be a lot of worthwhile work and rolled it up in the fresh crepe. IT included a great homemade Mornay Sauce. I waited and baked it this morning. I also tried out a new recipe for Swiss Red Chard - I had never cooked it before but everyone gave it an A. The Crepes got an A+. The Corn Pudding also received a raved A+. I really pulled out all of my culinary skills for this meal. All of this was served with baked ham, Mango Salad - that my sister made, rolls, Chocolate Pie and Angel Food Cake with Strawberries that my 93 year old Mom made. A pretty good Easter Meal -even if it was a week late!!!
My back is letting me know that I need the second shot -- had to get off Celebrax and all other pain relievers until after the shot on Tuesday!
The Corn Pudding was taken from a recipe in a great cookbook - but after tasting it -- I knew I wanted to make it mine with my own tastes. Here is the recipe and then I will tell you what I did to make it my recipe - with my own flavor!!
CORN PUDDING
1/4 Cup Butter
1/4 Cup flour
3 Tsp. Salt
2 Tablespoons sugar
1-3/4 cup milk
3 Cups Frozen Whole Kernel corn
3 Eggs
Melt butter in saucepan. Sitr in flour, salt and sugar. Cook until bubbly, add milk and cook until thick. Stir in corn. Stir in Eggs that have been beaten until frothy. Pour into well buttered casserole dish and bake in hot water bath at 350 degress from about 45 minutes.
(For hot water bath, fill large pan with 1 to 2 inches of water, place casserole dish in pan and bake as directed.
Ok - here is what I added: 3 Tablespoons sugar, 1/2 tsp. more salt, several shakes of black pepper, used half milk and half - Half and Half, 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper, and one small can of chopped green chiles. It took about 55 minutes to cook almost firm. Really well recived and delicious!!! TIP:I cooked it before church, put it in my casserole carrier, with heated bag, zipped it up - and lo - it was still warm!
Don't ever be afraid to add to a recipe - Make it yours!!!
I am not going to scare you away from a challenge and give you the Sour Dough bread starter recipe and -- WELL RIGHT HERE ALL I SAID DISAPPEARED AGAIN! THIS IS SO CRAZY!! What I was saying is the bread was so wonderful - and yes - I say so myself! If you want the recipes - I will be happy to share!!
You know the more I think about it - the more I want to publish my cookbook - sure won't do it any younger!
Next Sunday is Mother's Day and my sister's husband and son asked her what we were going to do for Mother's Day and just keep bugging her about it -- and Travis even asked me and I just said "I have no idea!" But after that I offered to cook steaks and potatoes but my sister refused saying she was not going to have me cook for two days and then the guys lay around dozing - especially when I am a mom 24/7 - so we decided to ease their minds and picked a place. Mom doesn't like fancy - always finds something wrong so hope what we picked for OUR PAMPERED MEAL will suit everyone!!
Mark's sermon this morning was about repentence and it was an excellent message. Just as he was getting started, a man appeared from somewhere at the front and started toward Mark. He met him and then asked Ron to come help him and to take the man and see if he could help him. Ron put his arms around the guy and led him toward the bastism area. Mark sniffed and said a new set of clothes would make the guy feel much better. I was amazed that no other men went to help Ron and make sure he was safe but near the end of the service - Mark finally said "I think I had better check on Ron." He went to the door and Ron and the man was at the door." THe guy was clean and dressed in dress pants and jacket. Ron started to take the clothes away to the dump and the guy said "Hey - I want those clothes!" Ron left with them. The catch was the "bum" was a well respected member of the church - playing a roll! I did not recognize him until he came out dressed in a suit. The point of the lesson was that when we repent from sin and then go right back committing the same sin - it is the same as someone that is cleaned up and gets their old smelly, dirty clothes and putting them back on! Makes it pretty clear that is not what God wants of us!!! Great lesson!! Thanks Mark, David and Ron! Well - what plans do you have for tomorrow? There are lots of "real" needy people out there right now - what would you do if someone like the dirty, sticky man came to your church? Would someone willingly reach out, put their arm around them and help them feel better about themselves?? Let's be on the lookout for our chance to reach out to others. God Bless your efforts!!!
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