Saturday in Bev's kitchen - Gadgets

For today's post I thought I'd talk about a few lesser known gadgets that I use in my kitchen.

You may be familiar with these and use them as often as I do but for those who don't, here are 

three things I love to use.

This first gadget is a wooden tool with two different sized knobs, one on each end.

Any guesses?

It is a tart pastry shaping tool. Form your pastry into 1 1/2 inch balls (for the smaller tart cups) and push the small end of the tool down on to the pastry ball until a tart shell forms around it.

It's as simple as that. No rolling out and fiddling with small pastry rounds. 

For the lovely cheese and parsley pastry in the photo, check out the Red Pepper Jelly appetizer tart recipe on page 25 of our "Celebrations" cookbook.

Here's an antique cookie jar full of one of my most used tools.

These can be bought by the bagful at Ikea or at some kitchen stores.

They are bag clips and do a terrific job of sealing in freshness.  I use them for chips, nuts, bags of frozen vegetables as well as for anything I make and store in a bag for the freezer.

 My final gadget is something I found in Denmark on one of our business trips there.

They came in several shapes but these are the two I chose.

The are silicone trivets. I use them at the table under hot serving dishes as well as under pans that I take hot out of the oven.  The nice thing about these trivets is that they can go in the dishwasher. I think they are pretty classy looking and very useful.

Have you got some less than common gadgets that you use often?

Flashback Friday ~ Macadamia Nut Cookies

Flashback Friday brings us back to a recipe that I pulled out a few weeks ago. My little boys asked to bake their favorite chocolate chip cookies. So I pulled out my 'my no-fail recipe' on my Ipad from MGCC and noticed the recipe needed updating. They were surprised to see their photos from when they were younger. These cookies are a must for any school lunches or a ski day in winter.

 Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups oatmeal
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup white chocolate chips (substitute milk chocolate)
• 1 cup Macadamia nuts or you can substitute almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts.

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350 °
2. Cream butter with eggs and sugar
3. Add the salt, and baking soda.  Mix well
4. Add oatmeal, chips, and nuts. Stir well.
5. Add remaining flour.  
6. Scoop cookies on the pan.  ( I use a small ice-cream scoop)
7. Do not flatten them. 
8. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes.
9. When they come out of the oven, let the pan drop (6 inches) on the countertop or a flat surface. This is called the slapping method, which allows them to flatten naturally.  

Get those little guys to help you. (Photo: 2008)
 Give them assistance with a motor and you'll be surprised about productivity.
There you are, a fresh platter of cookies with coffee or milk.

Mexican Lasagna

Here is a Tex-Mex version of lasagna that is sure to please.  Rather than noodles and pasta sauce, simply layer tortillas and salsa and change up the cheese.  Bake it and serve it right in a cast iron skillet.  Great for potlucks and family gatherings.

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 package taco seasoning mix
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups salsa (medium or hot)
• 1-14 oz / 398 ml can re-fried beans
• 1-12 oz / 341 ml can corn (or 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed)
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (Cheddar and Monterey Jack)
• 6-8 flour tortillas  (ten inch)

1. Place ground beef in a deep skillet. 
2. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. 
3. Drain, then season with taco seasoning and add water. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add salsa, refried beans and corn; heat through.
5. Place about 1/3 cup of meat mixture in the bottom of a round baking dish...quiche pan, cast iron skillet, or round casserole dish.
6. Place 1 tortilla at bottom of dish.
7. Add a layer of meat mixture (about 2/3 cup); sprinkle with a layer of cheese.
8. Continue alternating tortilla, meat mixture and cheese...ending with a thin layer of meat mixture.
9. Cover and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
10. Top with a layer of cheese.
11. Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.  
12. Let stand several minutes before serving. 

Garnish with olives, guacamole, tomatoes, shredded lettuce and sour cream...as desired. 

Yield: 8 servings.

Chocolate Banana Bread

The original recipe for this lovely bread comes from a Kraft Canada flyer. I improvised with what I had available, switching out a few items and adding baking powder and vanilla. It's a win - win situation with chocolate and banana. I love the density and moistness of this loaf!

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 3 bananas, mashed
• 1  1/2  cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 Tbsp baking cocoa

Method:

1. Beat egg, mayonnaise and mashed bananas in bowl, using a whisk, until well blended. Add vanilla.
2. In separate bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, soda and salt. then stir into wet ingredients.
3. Spoon half  (or slightly over half) of the batter into prepared 8x4 inch loaf pan.
4. Sift cocoa into the batter left in the bowl, stir and drop by spoonfuls onto white batter.
5. Bake in preheated 350 F oven for 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, before removing to wire rack. 

Idea: Cut into thick slices (10), wrap and freeze for individual snacks to go with "someone's" drink at the drive through. 

Bread For The Journey

Snow is so scarce in our area. In the past few days we've been experiencing a 'pineapple express' weather pattern.  I love nothing more than taking a trip out to the mountains to enjoy the beauty of the fresh snow capped mountains, crisp and white, covering the landscape making it a magical land full of wonder and undiscovered mysteries. Did you know that every snowflake begins with a piece of dust? Just a few weeks ago, we had a light dusting and I'm always reminded of the lyrics of the song:  "Nothing But the Blood of Jesus"  

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Two other references about snow come from Isaiah 1:18  and Psalm 51:7

"Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow..." 

"Purify me from my sins and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow."

The snow covers everything and it reminds me of how much God loves us and yet how much more, that he paid a high price for our sins to be washed away.

Snow makes everything pure and clean, and hides the dark patches of soil and dirt. Even when the snow gets dirty, another snowfall makes it clean and white again. The old dirt cannot be seen.  
Just as snow covers everything in sight, God's grace covers our sin, not only our sin, but it also erases our sin.

Could it possibly be that you are discouraged because of something you have done? Come back to God and and allow him to wash away your sin and make You as 'white as snow.'  God can also create something beautiful out of us when we ask for forgiveness and allow God to cleanse us and when God forgives us, he removes every trace of impurity.

Yorkshire Pudding Gluten Free

It is a good thing to remind ourselves how the expression of our appreciation toward someone is such an encouraging thing.
You -  our readers -  often make our day with your comments and kind words. Without you our blog would have no purpose!

One of you made my day recently,
June, who has to eat gluten-free, decided to mix up my Julie's Flour Blend and has enjoyed using it.
 She took the time to  send me an e-mail and  shared one of her successes with me. In response to my request, she kindly gave her consent for me to post her recipe and photo for others to enjoy!
So thank you, June for your Yorkshire Puddings recipe and your willingness to share it with us!

Saturday in the kitchen when I was growing up was always with Sunday dinner and company in mind. Someone I was reminiscing with about our childhood Saturdays said how roast beef was always served at her house every Sunday dinner,  and of course Yorkshire Puddings are perfect with roast beef.

Here is June's recipe --  I have tried/tested  it and found it to be five star !

Yorkshire Puddings (gluten-free) 

• Three large eggs
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 tbsp canola oil
• 1 cup Julie's flour blend (no need to sift)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon xanthan gum

1. Put all these ingredients in a bowl and mix with an electric mixer until smooth. Do not overbeat because they will not rise as high.
2.  Heavily butter six muffin cups or custard cups and divide batter between them.
3.  Bake in a 375°F oven for 60 minutes until puffed and very well browned. Don't open the oven to peek!
4. Spoon on some gravy and enjoy! Mine rose to 4 inches high! 

NOTE - The Yorkshire Pudding may be re-crisped in a 375°F oven for five minutes or a toaster oven for two minutes.

Whole Wheat Bread ~ Flashback Friday

I first posted this recipe for my everyday whole wheat bread back in 2010.  The recipe that came to me from my mom in law Pauline has been a staple in our house since we've been married.  I've adjusted the salt amount and measured the flour once more and am satisfied that you will find this a great everyday bread. It freezes well and makes fantastic toast.   

• 4 1/2 cups lukewarm water
• 1/4 cup honey

1. In a large bowl, add 2 tablespoons yeast to the lukewarm water and honey and allow to rest 10 minutes.

• 1/4 cup oil
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 5 cups whole wheat flour
• about 4 cups white flour or enough to make a smooth elastic dough

1. Add the oil and salt to the yeast mixture, stir well.
2. Add the flour one cup at a time stirring until you can't stir it anymore.
3. Knead in the remaining flour until you have a smooth elastic dough.
4. Put into a large bowl, cover and let double in bulk. . .about an hour.
5. Divide into 4 loaves, roll in whole wheat if desired for an artisan effect and put into greased loaf pans.
6. Let rise until double and bake in a 375 F oven for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes 4 loaves

Strawberry-Banana Cheesecake

I love having dinner with our friends. We each take turns hosting and rotate between us what we bring so the cooking doesn't all fall onto the person that hosts. That  makes it a relaxing and enjoyable evening for all. My friend Irmi brought this delicious dessert and shared the recipe with us. A meal and good friends, I can't think of a more enjoyable way to spend an evening. If you are intimidated to host a dinner party because you don't have enough time to do it all, call your friends, let everyone bring something, sit back, relax and enjoy the evening.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups graham wafer crumbs (Chocolate Oreo crumbs are good too)
• 1//2 cup butter, melted
• 1- 8 oz package of cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 2 Tablespoons + 31/2 cups cold milk, divided
• 2 cups whipped cream or cool whip
• 3 cups of strawberries, sliced (Fresh or frozen that has been drained well)
• 1 can crushed pineapple, drained and squeezed dry
• 2 bananas, sliced
• 2 boxes of Dr. Oetker's Strawberry Mousse
• 2 skor toffee chocolate bars, crushed

Directions:

1. Mix the graham wafer crumbs with the melted butter. 
2. Press the crumbs firmly into a 9x13 pan.
3. Refrigerate until the filling is made. 
4. Combine the cream cheese, sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla with a mixer. Beat until light and fluffy.
5. Fold in 1 cup of  whipped cream, and combine well. 
6. Pour over the crumbs and spread to fill the pan.
7. Top the cream cheese layer with strawberries, bananas, pineapple.
8. Mix the the strawberry mousse with the remaining milk according to package directions. 
9. Spread over the fruit.
10. Top with remaining whipped cream and crushed chocolate bars. 
11. Chill the dessert for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Applesauce Spice Muffins

These muffins are not overly sweet. I sprinkled some sugar crystals on the top of these for the photograph but left the rest plain.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups applesauce (I used unsweetened)
• 4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cream butter and sugar.
3. Add eggs one at a time incorporating well and mix in vanilla.
4. Stir in the applesauce.
5. Combine flour, baking soda, salt and spices.
6. Stir into creamed mixture.
7. Fold walnuts in.
8. Fill greased or paper lined muffin cups 3/4 full. 
9. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Yield: About 30 small muffins.

Pineapple Sandwich Buns

These sandwich buns are delicious for ham and cheese sandwiches. They are fluffy and moist and the pineapple pairs well with the ham and cheese. I used cheddar cheese but Swiss cheese would be really good too.
*Today we are celebrating one of our mgcc girls birthday. Happy Birthday Judy.  Here's wishing you a wonderful day, full of fun times with family and friends. Hugs and blessings dear friend. I will bring pineapple buns with ham and cheese to the celebration. What are the rest of you bringing?

• 1/3 cup milk, warm
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/4 cup oil
• 2/3 cup crushed pineapple, not drained
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon honey Dijon mustard
• 2 eggs, well beaten
• 1 tablespoon yeast
• 4 1/4 cups flour

1. Stir together milk, butter, oil, pineapple, and sugar in a bowl. 
2. Whisk in salt, pepper, Dijon mustard, and well beaten eggs.
3. Add yeast and 3 cups flour.  Knead dough until smooth, adding more flour as needed. Dough should be slightly sticky.
4. Place dough in a greased bowl and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk.
5. Punch down, form buns, and place in a well greased 9" by 13" pan.
6. Let rise again until almost doubled in bulk.
7. Brush buns with an egg wash. (whisk an egg and 2 tablespoons water)
8. Bake in a 350º oven for 25 minutes, until tops are golden brown.
9. Brush tops with melted butter if desired. 
10. Yield: 12 buns

Bread For The Journey

This is the year!

I've never yet succeeded in completely reading through the Bible in a year. 

It's not that I haven't started. I have good intentions but then give up when the names in the genealogies become too hard to pronounce.  The plan changes from reading through the Bible in a year to reading a daily devotional that gives me something I can use for the day ahead.  

I want to read God's word.  The Bible is clear that his word is powerful and just as applicable today as it was when it was written.

I have a new tool to use in my determination to go through the Bible in one Year.

I realized that there are so many helps available with the technology we have today.

I downloaded the YouVersion Bible App.   I have it on my phone and on my computer.

I set up a free account and then checked out the Reading Plans available and found the Bible in One Year.   

It notifies me everyday to remember to read my Bible.  

When I'm in the kitchen I can set it to read aloud to me.  I can read it when I'm waiting in the doctors office, or waiting in the car to pick up children from school.   Since it is easily divided into sections each day, I can read for awhile and it will remember where I left off and carry on to the next section.

We all need God's word in our life to encourage us, to teach us, to give us hope and to help us learn what God's will is.

 Do you have a system that works well for you?   Share it with us and let's encourage each other to spend time in God's word.

Won't you join me in making Bible reading a priority for 2015?

If you start the plan today, you will finish reading through the Bible on January 18, 2016.

Today is a good day to start!

As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

Luke 8:15

For the word of God is alive and powerful.  It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between the soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

 Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)

Oven Baked Strata

What is strata, you ask?  Essentially it is a savory bread pudding. I will share with you the base for this recipe and a build your own strata topping ideas. With this basic recipe you can use an endless amount of options with the add ins and what cheeses you want to use. A great make ahead dish, that can be made the night before and popped into the oven in the morning to serve at brunch or make earlier on in the day to serve for supper. This amount makes a 9x13 in pan. Serves 8.

Start with-

• 8 cups of cubed soft bread, any kind. White, french, whole wheat, multigrain, all work well. Use what you have on hand. 
• 8 large eggs
• 3 cups of milk
• 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard
• few drops of tabasco sauce according to your preference 

Add in a combination of any of the following choices. I will group them together with what I think is a good combination. 

• 2 cups shredded or chopped leftover chicken
• 1-2 cups leftover steamed broccoli
• 1 1/2 cups shredded swiss cheese

or

• 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped (or green onion)
• 1/2 cup bell peppers, what ever color you have on hand
• 1 package of bacon, pre cooked, browned sausage bits or ham, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups old cheddar cheese

or

• 1 cup pepperoni, chopped or pre cooked Italian sausage
• 1 cup mushrooms
• onion and peppers
• 1 sliced or diced tomato (seeded) 
• 1/2 teaspoon of each, basil and oregano
• 1 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

or a tex mex version

• 1/2 cup of frozen corn, rinsed under hot water
• 1 1/2 cups of precooked ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning
• onions and peppers, green or black olives
• a few jalapenos tossed in if you like it spicy
• 1-1/2 cups tex mex cheese

or a completely vegetarian options use cooked spinach, asparagus, mushrooms, garlic or zucchini. Be creative, the possibilities are endless and if you like the ingredients, you will like the final outcome. 

1. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. Add the 1/2 of cubed bread.
3. Add 1/2 of what ever add ons you are using
4. Add the remaining bread cubes and the remaining toppings. 
5. Mix together the eggs, milk, mustard and tabasco sauce if using.
6. Pour over bread. 
7. Top with your choice of cheese. 
8. Let it sit covered in the refrigerator over night or at least a couple of hours so the bread soaks up all the milk and egg. 
9. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour.

Banana Buttermilk Bran Muffins

Banana muffins are a classic and seem to be everyone's favorite.  Mixing up a batch of banana muffins is also a great way to use those overripe bananas sitting on your counter.  The bran adds a bit of a nutty flavour and is a healthier option.  The raisins are easily changed up to chocolate chips or blueberries. 
 

• 1 cup hot buttermilk
• 1 cup All-bran cereal
• 1 cup pureed bananas (about  3 bananas)
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup raisins (or mini chocolate chips or blueberries)

1. Prepare muffin pan by spraying with oil and line with paper or parchment liners.
2. Heat buttermilk in microwave until hot  (about  1 1/2 minutes). *
3. Stir in the All-bran cereal and set aside for a few minutes.
4. Puree bananas.
5. Combine bran mixture and pureed bananas in a large mixing bowl.
6. Stir in brown sugar.
7. Add eggs, vanilla and oil and blend well.
8. Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.  Add to banana mixture and stir gently to make a soft batter.
9. Fold in raisins or chocolate chips.
10. Divide batter equally into 12 large muffin cups.
11. Bake at 375 ° F for 22-25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Yield: 12 large muffins.

*The buttermilk will separate as it is heated...and that's fine.

 

German Flammenkuchen (pizza)

While visiting Germany with friends a few years ago we were fortunate to take part in a village festival where they served this caramelized onion and bacon pizza  

served hot from a wood fired oven. I'd been told it was made with quark but

didn't have any at the time so I used a combination of cream cheese and sour cream.

 Recently my German friend Karin served it to us and she told me she uses sour cream and eggs.

I'll give you both options to try.  Either way it is delicious.
This pizza works well on the BBQ.  Karin has an authentic wood fired oven which she uses to bake them in however we used our wood pellet grill and the results were almost as good.  I used a perforated pizza pan which helped to achieve that crispy crust.
The amounts given make 2 large pizzas

• 1 recipe pizza dough
• 3-4 cups flour
• 1 1/4 cups warm water
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon yeast
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt

• 4 large onions peeled and sliced from root to stem
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 - 1 pound bacon, or Schinkenspeck (Proscuitto) cut up and pre-fried

• Karin's topping:
• 2 cups sour cream
• 2 beaten eggs
• dash each of salt and nutmeg
• pepper
• OR
• Bev's topping:
• 1 250 miligram/ 8 ounce  package cream cheese
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• dash each, salt and nutmeg.

1. For the pizza dough, combine 2 cups flour with remaining dough ingredients and mix well.
2. Continue adding flour, stirring and kneading until dough is elastic and easily handled.
3. Let rise until doubled.
4. Preheat oven or grill to 450º.
5. Meanwhile, caramelize onions by cooking in oil and butter over medium heat until golden brown.
6. Divide dough in half and roll each out fairly thin and place on pizza pans. (Or wrap half of dough and freeze for later)
7. Mix topping ingredients and spread evenly over dough.
8. Sprinkle generously and evenly with caramelized onions and diced bacon.
9. Bake in oven or on grill (450ºF) for 10 minutes or until crust is crisp.
10. Slice and serve.

I

Cranberry Cookies - Gluten-free!

For Flashback Friday I decided to bring back my Cranberry cookies.  I make them for Christmas but with the lovely red filling they are pretty at any time of the year and we have Valentine's Day coming up in less than a month.

I have adapted this recipe  to use my
  'Julie's Flour Blend' and I think it makes them even better !

• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1/4 cup butter 
• 3/4 cup sugar 
• 1 egg 
• 1 tsp almond flavouring 
• 1/2 lemon - grated zest and juice
• 2 rounded tbsp of sour cream
• 1 1/4 cup Julie's Flour blend
• 1/4 cup white rice flour
• 1/2 cup potato starch 
• 1/4 tsp salt 
• 1/2 tsp baking powder 
• 1/4 tsp baking soda 
• 1 tsp xanthan gum 
• sweet rice flour - for handling/rolling dough

1. Cream together shortening and butter, add sugar and beat until fluffy and add one egg and beat well for 2-3 minutes.
2. Add sour cream, lemon juice and finely grated rind.
3. In zip-lock bag combine remaining dry ingredients and shake until well blended.
4. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture.
5. Mix well and turn out onto sweet rice floured surface.
6. Knead in sweet rice flour until cookie dough is no longer sticky.
7. Roll out to less than 1/4" but more than 1/8" thick. (I divided the dough into three pieces to make rolling easier)
8. Using cookie cutter or tumbler cut into circles.
9. On one circle place cranberry filling and then cover with second circle of dough, pinching edges and turning under.
10. Place on parchment lined cookie sheets
11. Bake at 375' for about 18 minutes or until edges turn golden . 
12. When cookies are cool, frost with almond icing and dip tops into angel shredded coconut or as I did, into untoasted crushed almond flakes.

Cranberry Filling

• 1 1/2 cups frozen cranberries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/8" water

Boil water with sugar , add cranberries and stir over medium heat until cranberries pop and mixture thickens. Cool .

Almond Icing

• 1 tablespoon butter,
• 1/4 cup of water (or milk)
• 1/2 teaspoon of almond flavoring

Add icing sugar until desired consistency is achieved

(original recipe first posted on 11/10/08) inspired by Betty's Christmas Cranberry Cookies.

• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp. almond flavoring
• 1 1/4 cup rice flour
• 1/2 cup tapioca starch or flour (the same thing)
• 1/2 cup potato starch (NOT flour)
• 1/4 cup sweet rice flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp xanthan gum
• 2 tbsp sour cream
• 1/2 lemon, juice and grated rind

Vegetable Meal in a Crock Pot

It's been a week of leftovers and dreaming up new ways to serve them. Not complaining here at all, we love leftovers at our house. And when you get tired of reheating them use the last for soup. I had chopped up way too many vegetables for roasting at Christmas. To use up the excess, I decided to make a meatless dish. A nice change to omit meat and enjoy a good dose of vegetables.

• 2 cups sweet potatoes, chopped
• 2 cups butternut squash or use regular potatoes, chopped
• 2/3 cup peas, frozen
• 2/3 cup corn, frozen
• 1 large carrot, chopped
• 1 sweet green pepper, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups pasta sauce
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

1. Spray the inside of your crock pot generously with cooking spray.
2. Add vegetables in order given to the crock pot.
3. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and pour pasta sauce over the top.
4. Top with cheese and cover.
5. Cook on high for 4 hours or until done.
6. Serve with a salad or serve over spaghetti and a salad.
7. Yields: 4-6 generous servings.

One Pot Chicken Curry Casserole

I really don't mind admitting that I love one pot dishes. It saves on the cooking and cleaning time. Serve this up with a fresh salad and you have a well rounded meal in no time at all. 

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 chopped onion
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 - 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 1 28 oz can tomatoes
• 2 cups rice
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 6 chicken breasts cut into strips or cubes
• 1 head cauliflower broken in flowerettes
• 1 lime
• mango chutney optional

1. Saute onion and garlic in olive oil.
2. When onions are softened, add all the spices. Cook for 30-60 seconds.
3. Add the raw rice, tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
4. Add the raw chicken.
5. Cook on medium or medium low for 20 minutes.
6. The last 8 minutes, add broken cauliflower to the top of the pan. Close the lid and continue to cook until cauliflower is done.
7. Serve with fresh lime and mango chutney.

Baked Bacon and Jalapeno Egg Cups

Over Christmas we were served this simple Egg dish at a brunch and it tasted delicious.

If you like a bit of extra zip, add another slice of jalapeno... or two. 

• 1 egg per ramekin
• crumbled crisp fried bacon
• cream
• shredded mexican cheese blend 
• sliced jalapeno pepper  
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Spray ramekins with cooking spray and sprinkle a bit of bacon in each one. 
3. Break an egg into each ramekin, and drizzle with a spoon of cream. Top with a bit of shredded cheese.
4. Put a slice or two of jalapeno right on top and season with salt and pepper.
5. Place ramekins in a baking dish and pour boiling water into the baking dish to help evenly cook the eggs.
6. Bake 12 - 15 minutes for runny yolks, 15 - 18 for soft yolks, 20 minutes for hard yolks.
7.  Serve with a few slices of toasted baguette to get the last bit of yolk goodness out of the dish.  

Bread for the Journey

                                                                                                             Photo: Elora Rahn

Ensnared

A great teacher once said, "You have not taught until someone has learned."   

I always appreciate God's gentle teaching that is designed 

to make the lessons easily understood and learned.

One method God uses is that He placed in His creation unexpected mirrors that catch us off guard and reveal to us that untucked shirt, that smudge across our cheek, that tuft of unruly hair, that ketchup spot on the front of our t-shirt.

Yesterday my granddaughter snapped the above photo.  

It was one of God's strategically placed mirrors for us all to look into. 

My kids have a bird feeder, but of course the birds are not the only ones 

to have found this delectable food source.  

The squirrels are regulars at this feeding station. 

But yesterday a squirrel's greed almost cost him his life.  

 Just before they left the house, my kids saw him hanging upside down
gorging his cheeks full of bird seed.
They returned four hours later and he was still in the same position, 

still filling his cheeks and body with the seed.  

Something seemed amiss. 

Upon inspection they realized that the squirrel in securing his position had wrapped his tail 

around the coiled wire elbow in the post from which the feeder hung.  

When he wanted to let go, his furry tail was tangled in the coil 

and in trying to get loose, he simply twisted his tail a few more times as he swung around.   

But undaunted by his inability to get free, he continued to eat.   

My son in law finally went out with wire cutters to cut the coil, setting the squirrel free, 

minus some fur and the tip of his tail.  

I'm sure he went home with an upset stomach and an aching tail.   

Will he appreciate his freedom ? or will he come back for more....  

Are we not just like that squirrel ?   

We are entangled in Satan's snare, our eternity in question, yet we gorge ourselves with the goodies this world offers.   

We might make an effort to free ourselves but realize we cannot 

and we continue to consume the things our greed tempts us with. 

But just like my son in law freed the squirrel who could not free himself, 

so also God sent Jesus to 'cut us free' from the bondage of sin that we are entangled  in.   

Jesus has provided the 'wire cutters' of the cross, 

we need only to accept what He has done for us 

and we can enjoy the freedom we were created to have. 

  "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, 
and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." 

Gal.5:1

Mushroom and Provolone Pattie Melts

If you love mushrooms....keep reading, then go to the grocery store for a few fresh ingredients and make this simply delicious tasting cheesy pattie melt. If you have non mushroom lovers at the table just make them a grill cheese...everyone will be happy. 

• 1 unsliced round sour dough loaf (this loaf is enough for 4 generous sized sandwiches)
• butter for bread
• 1 package sliced provolone cheese, 10-12 large rounds)
• 2 tbsp butter, for sauteing mushrooms
• 2 pounds mushrooms...or more they cook down when sauteed

1. Slice bread into thick slices. ( I like to use my electric knife for this size loaf) You should get 8 slices and then the two small crust ends.
2. Butter one side of each slice of bread as for a grilled cheese.
3. Melt second amount of butter in a non stick fry pan. Slice mushrooms and add to butter. Saute until soft and nicely browned, making sure there is some moisture in them. (Don't over saute and dry them out)
4. Place one bread on grill heated to medium. Cover well with provolone, then top generously with sauteed mushrooms, topped with another layer of provolone.
5. Place the top bread over and butter it. Cook until the provolone is well melted and bread is well grilled, flip and grill the other side.