Beef Burritos

This is an easy meal to make early in the day. . .and refrigerate. . .or wrap separately and freeze to have individual servings to heat up later. I buy Uncle Bens Spanish Rice to serve with the burritos. . .I quickly pop it in the microwave while I am shredding lettuce and grating a bit of cheese. I also prefer sun dried tomato tortilla shells. . but you can use whatever you like.

Beef Burritos. . .makes 12 large burritos

• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 large yellow onion .. chopped
• 1 large sweet pepper. . chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 small can green chili peppers
• 2 cans beans in tomato sauce
• hot pepper sauce to taste
• 12 large tortilla shells
• 1 can refried beans
• grated cheddar or monterey jack cheese
• shredded lettuce
• chopped red onion
• salsa
• sour cream
• guacamole

1. In a large fry pan. . .brown the ground beef and add the onion, sweet pepper, garlic until the beef is browned and the onion and peppers tender.
2. Add seasonings and green chili peppers.
3. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add the beans in tomato sauce.
5. Heat the tortillas slightly in the oven in foil.
6. Divide the refried bean evenly between the shells. . and spread around the center to make a bed for the beef sauce.
7. Using a ladle. . .divide the beef sauce between the shells.
8. Sprinkle a little cheese on each one.
9. Fold the sides in and then roll together.
10. Spray a 9 X 13 pan with Pam. . .and lay the burritos in the pan seam side down.
11. Sprinkle with cheese.
12. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.
13. Shred lettuce, and red onion and bell pepper to serve with the burritos. . and accompany with salsa, guacamole and sour cream.

If you want to bake them all. . you'll need more than one pan. I pan the ones I want to bake. .and wrap the remaining in plastic wrap and put them all in a ziploc freezer bag. When you want to serve them.. . .either thaw to bake or pop them in the microwave for a quick meal.

Watermelon and Tomato skewers

• watermelon cubes
• cherry tomatoes
• small basil leaves
• several tablespoons good quality balsamic vinegar ( the balsmaic vinegar can be reduced on the stove for several minutes with the icing sugar to slightly thicken it. . or use a balsamic cream)
• confectioners or icing sugar
• a drizzle of olive oil

1. Simply cube your watermelon and put onto a skewer alternating with cherry tomatoes and basil leaves.
2. In a small bowl. . combine the balsamic vinegar . . and a teaspoon of icing sugar to sweeten it slightly.
3. Drizzle over the skewers. . and finish with a drizzle of olive oil.
4. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Yummy Sauce for Chicken

There are so many great ways to prepare chicken. This recipe is from my friend Betti. I usually have boneless skinless chicken breasts in the freezer for quick supper meals. This sauce glazes the chicken and gives the meat a wonderful flavor.

Sauce

-1/2 cup honey

-1/2 cup ketchup

-2 tbsp brown sugar

-1 tsp prepared mustard

-3 tbsp apple cider vinegar

-4 tbsp teriyaki

-1 tbsp cornstarch

-1 cup water

-6-8 chicken breast

Method

Heat first 6 ingredients in saucepan. Whisk together cornstarch and water. Add to saucepan, and continue to heat until thickened. If you want to make the sauce in the microwave, whisk together all the ingredients and heat until thickened, stirring several times. Place chicken breasts in a 9x13 glass pan and pour hot sauce over meat. Bake uncovered in 350º oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, turning occasionally. Serve with hot rice, vegetables and a salad.

Bread For the Journey

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (English Standard Version)
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Black Bean, Corn and Romaine Salad

We just love southwestern flavours of this summer favorite salad. It is great with anything from hot dogs to grilled steak. You could add some sliced grilled chicken to the salad to make a full meal.

• 1 head Romaine Lettuce
• several cobs of fresh corn, cooked, cooled and kernels removed.
• 1 can black beans
• 1 sweet pepper, diced
• 1 handful cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup diced red onion
• 1 cup of shredded Monterrey Jack or cheddar cheese
• 3 cups corn chips

Dressing

• 1/2 cup guacamole .. . purchased or Judy's homemade
• 1/2 cup of salsa
• 1/4 cup sour cream or mayo
• hot sauce to suit your personal taste
• the juice of 1 lime
• several tablespoons finely chopped cilantro

1. Layer the lettuce, black beans, corn, cilantro and onion in your salad bowl.
2. Arrange the cheese, red pepper, and tomatoes on the top.
3. Make a circle of corn chips around the edge of the bowl.
4. Combine the dressing ingredients and pour over the salad 
5. Just before serving toss the salad and the dressing together.

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

This recipe comes from the Roasting edition of the Best of Fine Cooking magazine.
I couldn't find the sherry vinegar listed in the dressing ingredients so the recipe below
 reflects my substitutions.
 It's an unusual salad with the warm squash and onions and well suited for a special meal.

For the Salad:

• 1/2 cup raisins (I used sultanas)
• 1/2 cup port
• 1 butternut squash (about 2 lb.)
• 1 small red onion
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• a mixture of red and green Salad greens - I used the Organic Spring mix
• 4 or 5 slices bacon, fried crisp and crumbled
• 1/2 cup toasted pecans
• Feta or goat cheese
• Sherry Vinaigrette dressing (recipe follows)

1. Cover the raisins with the port in a small bowl and let sit 4 hours or overnight.
2. Heat oven to 400 degrees F. 
3.  Peel the squash and cut into 1/2 inch dice. Thinly slice the red onion.
4. In a bowl, combine the squash, red onion, olive oil and maple syrup.
5. Season with salt and pepper and toss to combine.
6. Spread squash and onions on parchment covered baking sheet and roast, stirring occasionally, until the squash is just cooked through and slightly browned, about 20 minutes. If making ahead, at this point you can refrigerate the squash and onions and rewarm just before serving.
7. Place salad greens in a large bowl and toss with 1/2 cup of the vinaigrette.
8. Arrange on 6 plates.
9. Top each plate of greens with the warm squash and onions.
10. Drain the raisins and sprinkle them over the squash. Add the pecans and bacon and crumble the cheese over each serving. Drizzle a bit more dressing on each salad and serve.

Sherry Maple Vinaigrette

• 1/3 cup cider or white wine vinegar
• 2  tablespoons Sherry
• 1 teapoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1  tablespoon finely chopped shallots or red onion
• 1 cup salad or peanut oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker or glass jar with a tight lid and shake or whisk until well combined.

Bread for the Journey

The Color of Beauty

"Then God saw everything that He had made,

and indeed it was VERY GOOD!" Gen. 1:31

Have you ever tried to imagine a world without colour?

Have you ever thought of how colour has no practical purpose ?

Yet how often are decisions made according to 'colour' - the garden plants we choose, the paintings we buy, the clothes we wear, the way we arrange food on a plate, how we decorate our homes.

Why is colour so important to us ?

We need beauty in our lives for our soul to thrive as surely as we need food for our bodies.

God could have created our world limited to the things we need to sustain life -- and He could have created the earth using a palette with shades of grey.

Boring, dull, lifeless.

But He did not. Instead, He made our world ablaze with colour,

and He put in man's heart a love for beauty .

How many times a day does your heart respond with delight to something clothed in shades of colour?

Did you know that the beauty of colour is NOT in the object but in the light that shines upon it?

Jesus is the light of the world and in Him dwells the beauty of all His creation!

All things bright and beautiful,

all creatures great and small,

all things wise and wonderful:

the Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,

each little bird that sings,

God made their glowing colors,

and made their tiny wings.

The purple-headed mountains,

the river running by,

the sunset and the morning

that brightens up the sky.

The cold wind in the winter,

the pleasant summer sun,

the ripe fruits in the garden:

God made them every one.

God gave us eyes to see them,

and lips that we might tell

how great is God Almighty,

who has made all things well.

(Cecil Francis Alexander)

"Dear Father, we thank you this day for the beauty of colour in Your creation.

We thank you for teaching us to love beauty so that we will learn to love the beauty of who YOU are, and desire to draw near.

Thank you !"

Raspberry Clubhouse Salad

This salad is simply a summertime version of several salads that I enjoy. Since the raspberries are plentiful at this time of the year...they are showing up in everything from desserts to salads around here...and it's all good! Mixed greens, crumbled feta, red onion, caramelized pecans and raspberries combined with the sweet and sour tang of raspberry vinaigrette, make for a delightful summer lunch.

Layer the following ingredients on individual salad plates:

• mixed greens
• sliced red onion
• feta cheese, crumbled
• real crumbled bacon (optional)
• caramelized pecans (*see note)
• fresh raspberries

Drizzle with raspberry vinaigrette (recipe below) and enjoy on a sunny summer day!



Raspberry Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup raspberry vinegar (**see note)
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• freshly ground salt and pepper to taste

Blend raspberry vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper and honey...slowly add olive oil and blend well.

*To caramelize pecans, combine 1/2 cup pecans with 2 Tablespoons sugar in a large frying pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar melts to a golden syrup and roasts the pecans (about 5 minutes). Turn onto parchment paper; cool and break into pieces. 

**To make your own raspberry vinegar, combine 2 cups fresh raspberries with 2 cups of white vinegar in a glass jar with tight fitting lid. Mash raspberries slightly with handle of wooden spoon; store in refrigerator for one week...shaking jar daily. After seven days, strain the liquid and use in your favorite gourmet dressings. Store in refrigerator.

Bread for the Journey

God's Faithfulness

Some time ago I read a story of a godly grandmother who over the years wrote in the margins

of her bible things that she was learning. After she passed away her family spent time in

her bible and noticed over and over she had written the letters TP. They were perplexed as to

what these letters could mean, until one day they came to the letters written in full beside

one of the faithful promises of God. It read "tried and proved". It was obvious that she had

experienced God to be faithful many times in her life.

Lamentations 3:22-23

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

Are you recognizing God's faithfulness in your life today?

When we begin to grasp God's great faithfulness

to us, our response will be faithfulness

back to him.

Blessing -Kathy

Swiss Garlic Bread

This recipe comes from my friend Vicki. When she gave me the recipe it was titled BREAD! I gave it a new name for here on MGCC, but once you have tried it you might just call it BREAD!  I still remember that all of us at the table kept asking for the BREAD! to be passed around again. Butter, Swiss cheese and garlic....what more can I say.

Bread

-1 loaf french bread

To slice the bread I use my electric knife, but a sharp bread knife will work fine.

Shave off the top crust of the loaf. Now make 1" slices the whole length of the loaf, almost all the way through, but making sure they are still intact on the bottom crust of the loaf.

Butter Spread

-1/2 pound butter, softened (not margarine or tub butter)

-2 cloves garlic, minced

-1 tbsp poppy seeds

-1 tsp dry mustard

-1/4 cup finely chopped chives or green onions

Using an electric hand mixer, beat all ingredients together until creamed. Place cut bread loaf on a large piece of foil. Spread butter mixture on each piece making sure that the slices stay connected at the bottom. Save enough butter mixture to spread on top of the loaf once it is filled with cheese.

Swiss Cheese

-1 160 gram package of sliced Swiss cheese

This part of the recipe does not have to be exact. Cut the large slices of cheese into enough pieces so that you have enough pieces to insert between each slice of buttered bread. Press the loaf slightly together so that it sticks together and spread the remaining butter mixture over the top of the shaved loaf. Pull up the sides of the foil leaving an opening all along the top so that the bread gets slightly crunchy on top as it bakes. Bake in 400º oven for 18 minutes. Serve right from the foil. The cheese should be gooey when you pull the pieces apart.

Baby Shower Cupcakes

This is more of an idea than a recipe. I have done this kind of baby carriage in the past, using a 10 inch springform pan, but using cupcakes is a new idea (for me) that I got from my daughter-in-law, Kari. The cupcakes she told me about had a little baby face tucked into each carriage and star tip wheels. I thought I'd try using little Teddy Grahams and cutting wheels from leftover pastry.

I think I wouldn't use chocolate bears next time, because the color is quite bold. Using the lighter colored bears and not fancying up the wheels, might be better.

For this particular baby shower I tucked two bears into some of them, since we were celebrating the birth of my niece's twins. For the cupcakes, I used the carrot cake recipe and cream cheese frosting with extra confectioners sugar. I think Judys' pineapple cupcakes would also go over well, or any other cupcake of your choice. (click on highlit names to view these recipes)

Strawberry and Mixed Baby Greens Salad

Don't let strawberry season pass you by!  We can't get enough of this salad when the berries are ripe.  I must have seen this recipe in a magazine somewhere and jotted it down , so I can't give credit to anyone, but the dressing gives this old time favorite salad a new twist. The measurements really depend on how many you are making it for.

Salad Ingredients

 -1 bowl full of mixed baby greens (or plain spinach)-for 7 adults I used a 7oz. box of greens from Costco.

 -fresh strawberries -sliced (I used 2 cups of sliced berries)

 

Sour Cream Dressing

 -1/2 cup sour cream

 -2 tsp lime juice

 -1/4 cup liquid honey

Stir ingredients together. This can be made ahead of time and kept for 3-4 days in the fridge. 

Sugar Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

 -2 tbsp white sugar

 -1/2 cup raw shelled pumpkin seeds

Put sugar in a small non stick fry pan over medium heat. Add seeds and stir until sugar has melted and seeds are coated. They burn easily so stay with them. They only take about 2-3 minutes. Turn out onto a piece of wax paper and let cool. After 30 seconds toss them a little so they don't stick to the paper. 

Assemble Salad

Just before you are going to sit down to eat mix the strawberries into the greens, toss with the dressing and then add the seeds. Transfer to a glass serving bowl and enjoy. 

 

 

Bread for the Journey

"We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into His likeness from one degree of glory to another ..." 2 Corinthian 3:18

Max Lucado says, "As we behold Him, we become like Him." When I admire how someone has cut their hair, decorated their home or the clothes they wear - don't I slowly change my look or my home to reflect what I admire? When someone sings loud (and well) beside me, don't I sing better?

In the same way, I desire to look at Jesus and become more like Him. Listen to Him and sing louder.

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Bars

Happy Fourth of July to all our U.S. followers! This is a favorite with all of our kids. If you have never tried making this simple treat you should remedy that and give it a try.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup Karo light corn syrup
• 1 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
• 6 cups Rice Krispies
• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Method:

1. Bring sugar and corn syrup to a boil and take off heat.
2. Add peanut butter and blend well.
3. Add Rice Krispies and mix till the krispies are coated well.
4. Put this mixture in a well greased 9 x 12 pan pressing evenly into pan to edges.
5. Put butterscotch and semi-sweet chips in microwavable container and cook at 3-30 second intervals mixing well after each interval, mixing until smooth. 
6. If you don't have a microwave you can use the double boiler method to melt the chips.
7. Top the Rice Krispie mix with the melted and blended chips and spread evenly. 
8. Cool and enjoy.
9. Serves at least 12. 

Applesauce Spice Muffins

This recipe was given to me by my sister Rhoda. They are quick to make, and a perfect morning coffee treat. These taste the very best served warm from the oven. The sprinkle of brown sugar gives the muffin top a sweet crunch. If you plan to freeze, I suggest you omit the brown sugar on the top as it turns a little bit soggy on top once it has been frozen. This recipe is easily cut in half or doubled. 

Muffin Batter

 -4 eggs

 -2 cups white sugar

 -1 1/2 cups oil

 -1 3/4 cups apple sauce (I use unsweetened)

 -3 cups flour

 -1 tbsp cinnamon

 -1/4 tsp nutmeg

 -1/4 tsp cloves

 -2 tsp baking powder

 -2 tsp baking soda

 -1 tsp salt

 -2 cups raisins (can use walnuts or 1 cup of each)

 

Beat together eggs, sugar, oil and applesauce. Add all dry ingredients and beat until well blended. Stir in raisins (and/or nuts). Line muffin tins with paper liners and fill each cup to almost full. Sprinkle approximately 1 tsp of brown sugar on the top of each muffin. Bake in 375º oven for 15-20 minutes. Remove to a cooling rack. Yields 2 dozen muffins.

Gazpacho (fresh tomato soup)

This recipe comes from Better Homes and Gardens Grilling magazine.

I never thought I'd enjoy a cold tomato soup but after having had it recently, I changed my mind. 
It is cool, refreshing and different. A great first course for a summer meal.

• 1 thick slice white bread cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 6 or 7 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 2 tablespoons cider or sherry vinegar
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium or 2 mini cucumbers, seeded and chopped*
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped red onion*
• 1 medium green pepper seeded and chopped*
• 1 quart tomato vegetable juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon  hot pepper sauce (or to taste)
• Salt and fresh ground black pepper.

* How much red onion, cucumber and green pepper you add will depend on how thick you want the soup. I used 1/2 a red onion, 1 mini English cucumber and 1/2 large green pepper.

1. Spread bread cubes in a baking sheet and bake at 300 degrees F oven for 10 minutes or until cubes are dry. Cool.
2. In a food processor, combine bread cubes, tomatoes, vinegar olive oil and garlic. Process until almost smooth. Add a bit of the vegetable juice if necessary.
3. Pour into a bowl.
4. Add red onion, cucumber and green pepper to food processor and process until finely chopped. (I did the onion in the chopper so that it was finely chopped and did the cucumber and green pepper by hand in a fine dice.)
5. Add vegetables to the tomato mixture. Stir in remaining vegetable juice, parsley and hot pepper sauce if desired.
6. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
7. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours.
8. Garnish each serving with chopped or sliced cucumber and chopped fresh parsley.

Cheesy Onion Burger Buns

I got this recipe from the "Word of Life Church Cookbook" submitted by Valerie Funk.
These burgers buns are great in the summer during bbq season. They make any burger taste better.

• 2 1/2 cups water
• 3 tbsp. sugar
• 2 tbsp. butter, I used oil
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 5 3/4-6 3/4 cups flour, I use half unbleached and half whole wheat
• 2 tbsp. instant yeast
• 1 1/2 grated sharp old Cheddar cheese ( the stronger the cheese the better the flavour)
• 1/4 cup grated onion

1. Combine all the dry ingredients, 5 cups of flour, sugar, salt, yeast.
2. Stir in the cheese and onion.
3. Add all liquid ingredients, water and oil.
4. Knead until you have a soft dough adding more flour as you go along if needed to makes a soft and slightly sticky consistency.
5. Place dough into a greased bowl.
6. Let rise until double in bulk.
7. Shape into buns and flatten slightly.
8. They make about 20-24 buns depending on size
9. Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes.