Oreo Salad

Today is our son's birthday. Every year he is so excited to celebrate his special day. One year his home manager brought this salad for his birthday and it's been a favorite of his ever since. His eyes will light up when he sees this bowlful arriving at the party. Actually I find this is more of a dessert but it's called a salad. Fruit can be added if desired. You would add fruit at the same time as the cookies. This recipe is adapted from Kraft's website.

• 4 cups milk
• 2 - large packages instant vanilla pudding
• 2 - 1 litre container of whipped topping
• 2 packages Oreo cookies, chopped in coarse pieces. 

1. Combine milk and both packages of pudding in a large bowl. Whisk until pudding sets up.
2. Stir in whipped topping until well combined.
3. Chop cookies into coarse pieces. Put a few chopped cookies aside to decorate the top.
4. Fold cookie pieces into creamed pudding mixture. Cover and chill in refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight.
5. Serves: 15 

Curry Lamb Burgers

Recently our Manitoba family went to Chilliwack to meet with our BC family for a wonderful family reunion. One of the great things about these reunions were the meals shared together. I would like to share another recipe from our vacation made by my cousin Jennifer. She made these awesome Curry Lamb Burgers and I asked if she would share the recipe with us and she happily agreed. Jen, these were awesome, thanks for all the love and food and fun!!

Ingredients:

• 1 KG ground lamb (or half beef and half lamb combo as that is what Jen used)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup saltine crackers (or gluten free panko crumbs, which is what Jen used) 
• 4 cloves of fresh garlic cloves
• 1-112g jar of Thai Kitchen green curry paste
• 100 g of prepared horseradish
• fresh lime juice (enough to moisten bread crumbs)
• 1 teaspoon salt or more if using bread crumbs instead of salted crackers
• 2 teaspoons of cracked pepper
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

Directions:

1. Place crumbs into a bowl and add enough fresh lime juice until all the crumbs are moistened well but not wet with juice sitting at the bottom of the bowl. leave sitting while mixing the remaining ingredients. 
2.  In a separate bowl mix all the remaining ingredients thoroughly. 
3. Check the crumbs if the crumbs are consistently moist add it to the meat mixture and blend thoroughly. 
4. This mixture is best if it is refrigerated overnight. 
5. The next day shape the meat into baseball size patties. 
6. Let them sit until room temperature. 
7. Grill the burgers until desired doneness. 
8. Top with Applewood smoked cheddar or smoked gouda cheese. 
9. Enjoy!! We all did :)

Bread For The Journey

Reminiscing 

I've been spending time recently remembering days gone by.   Between our new book where we share our family stories of coming out of Russia and the passing of a dear friend's father and the stories she has shared, my mind continues to remember things that I haven't thought about for a long time.

This week, I'm preparing a speech for my brother and sister in law who are going to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.  I'm remembering how excited I was to finally have a sister and I'm also realizing how quickly the years have flown by. 

They have chosen to celebrate by renewing their vows before family and close friends.   The reason they are doing this is because they want to give honour for their happy marriage to the Lord who has brought them this far.

While I was reminiscing, I pulled out the candle lighter dresses I wore in 1966.  The white one was for my brother and sister in law's wedding and the apricot dress was for my cousin's wedding later in the same year. My mom was all about keeping things that matter.  For many years, these little dresses were not called upon to shine but now it was fun to pull them out of the cedar chest and try them on my sweet grandgirls. While they had fun running around the garden with the dresses on, I thought about the times I wore them and how they would be enjoyed fifty years later.  

On Friday, Ken and Mary's  children and grandchildren will hear and see and be witnesses to what God has done in the lives of one couple who have been faithful to one another and who have made God a priority in their marriage. 

Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

Psalm 103:2

Ginger Lime Marinade

With it being a civic holiday weekend in Canada today, many people are enjoying a long weekend.  I had to post a fabulous BBQ recipe from our recent trip to BC. My longtime childhood friend Irm Nickel made this fabulous meal for us while we were visiting them. I have to admit food made with love by someone else for you always tastes better. I made this steak last night for my husband and son and they really really enjoyed it. Definitely something that will be my go to recipe for steak marinade. Thanks Irm for sharing, and my family thanks you :)
I found this is enough marinade for 6- 6-8oz  top sirloin or sirloin strip steaks.

• 1/4 cup soya sauce
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup honey 
• two large limes, zest and juice 
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger
• freshly cracked pepper to taste
• 4-6 cloves garlic minced

1. Mix the above ingredients, and pour over steak that has been placed into a zip lock bag. 
2. Remove any excess air and massage the marinade around the meat. 
3. Refrigerate overnight. 

Prepare the grill by heating the clean grill on high with the lid closed for about 10 minutes. Place the steaks on the grill and grill on medium low heat until desired doneness. 

Bread For The Journey Book Launch Invitation

Last week we had our first look at our new book Bread for the Journey. 

The boxes were delivered to my farm gate and I used a great deal of self-control not to take a peek inside.

Among many of the things I've learned within the Mennonite Girls Can Cook group is that there is a special joy and blessing  in sharing our experiences as a group.

When we found out a few months ago that  Charlotte and her husband were planning on being in the Fraser Valley for a family reunion, Marg sent out an invitation for dinner in their back yard.  

The Lord worked out all the details in such a beautiful way that we all agreed that we couldn't have planned it any better.
Our author copies were there just in time to turn this evening into a book reveal party.

Betty and her husband were not able to be with us on that evening and they were missed.

We look forward to spending time with them later in the year when we all travel to see the  

Blue Gate Musical's play Mennonite Girls Can Cook!

When we opened up the box ...

we saw the back first.  

Everyone was gathered around as we shared the first glimpse of the cover.

This new book has earned its title
not only through our Sunday Devotional posts

but also by the stories passed down to us
about the journeys our parents undertook to leave their homes in Russia.

We've each shared at least one story of how our families left Russia to come to Canada and US, some having lost homes and precious family . . . left as orphans and widows.

We think you will be inspired by the courage of our forebearers, and the trust they had that God would have a purpose for them in a new land.

Bread for the Journey is a thirteen week devotional with a recipe and a family journey story for each week.

As with our two cookbooks, the royalties from this book will all be given to orphans and widows who face each day in need.

Our prayer is that they would see the love of Jesus extended through caring hands, one home and one heart at a time.

If you live in the Fraser Valley, we would love to see you at our book launch on August 3rd! 

Book Launch Invitation

Mennonite Heritage Museum 

1818 Clearbrook Rd, Abbotsford, BC V2T 5X4

August 3

6:30

Zwieback Making demonstration 

7:00

Book Launch Celebration,

Excerpts from the book

Coffee and Zwieback

Chicago's Best Steak Rub

I have no idea what makes this Chicago's best steak rub but I can vouch that it is good!  It is a recipe given to me by a friend many years ago...and is easy to mix up and have on hand during the grilling season.

Ingredients:

• 12 Tablespoons lemon pepper
• 2 Tablespoons black pepper
• 2 Tablespoons oregano, dried
• 2 Tablespoons basil, dried
• 4 Tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
•  2 teaspoons sugar

1. Mix all ingredients and store in a tightly covered jar. 

*If you prefer a more homogeneous blend, process in a food processor or coffee grinder.

Directions for grilling steak:

1. Brush steak with olive oil.  
2. Rub about 1 tablespoon of spice mix onto each steak.
3. Allow to sit for about 20 minutes before grilling.

*Note...there is no salt in the mix and you won't miss it!

 

Poppy Seed Chicken Bake

Another easy and satisfying chicken dish. A great way to use up leftover chicken. Serve over rice or noodles, add a salad and your meal is ready.
If you bake it in a foil pan you can bring it to someone for dinner and they don't have to bother bringing back the pan. I brought dinner to our son's house and they loved it.

• 4 cups of chicken, cooked and chopped
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 can (284 ml / 10 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
• 3 teaspoons honey Dijon mustard
• 3/4 cup Gouda cheese, grated
• 1 1/2 cups of buttery round crackers, crushed
• 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
• 1/2 cup butter, melted

1. Place chopped chicken in the bottom of a greased 9" x 13" baking dish.
2. In a medium sized bowl stir together sour cream, condensed cream of chicken soup, honey Dijon mustard and pour over chicken, covering evenly.
3. Sprinkle grated Gouda cheese on top.
4. In another bowl mix together crushed crackers, poppy seeds, and melted butter. Sprinkle over cheese layer.
5. Bake in a 350º oven for 30 minutes or until the top is browned and you see the sauce is bubbly.
6. Serves: 6 to 8

Sticky Bran Muffins

My favorite bran muffins are made at a local bakery shop that I used to pop in at when my sister-in-law worked there. This past spring I had a craving for them when I saw the same large, sticky muffins at a bakery bar in California. I thought it was time to figure out how to duplicate them and found out that adding a sticky sauce to my regular buttermilk bran muffins would work. While these did not turn out with the large overhang muffin top, they were still so good, I won't go back to plain.

Ingredients:

Muffins:

• 1 cup (loosely filled) chopped dates or raisins
• 1/2 cup boiling water 
• 1 tsp soda
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup All Bran Cereal (such as Kellogs)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup wheat bran
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

sticky syrup:

• 4 Tbsp butter
• 4 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 
2. In a small bowl combine chopped dates or raisins with boiling water and soda. Set aside.
3. In a second small bowl, combine buttermilk with All Bran and set aside.
4. In mixing bowl, beat sugar and eggs and oil until smooth. 
5. Stir in date mixture and All Bran mixture (from steps 2 and 3) then stir in the rest of the dry ingredients (flour, wheat bran, baking powder and salt) 
6. In saucepan melt butter along with the rest of the sauce ingredients, stirring until sugar is melted. Divide into 12 regular muffin pans, about 1 Tbsp per pan. Spray tops of pans.
7. Divide muffin mix by large spoonfuls into syrup.
8. Bake for 20 minutes. Invert onto cooling racks. Yield: 12 regular sized muffins

Tip: to clean sticky pans, stick them in a larger oven proof container and fill pans with water. Sprinkle with soda and return to hot oven for about 15 minutes. The mess will easily wash off. 

Bread for the Journey

Last year when getting ready to head to Vancouver Island for our vacation my friend brought me over this loaf of bread. She knew that I had been in need of some encouragement and she gave me this bread as a reminder to spend time in the Word where God would refresh my soul.

The 10 of us ladies here at Mennonite Girls Can Cook have in the recent months been focusing our thoughts on Jesus who is our Bread of Life (John 6:48).

There are times where our own personal journeys are a wonderful adventure, but the reality is that each of our journeys take us to places where we are in a dry and weary land or a place where we find ourselves asking God "where are You?"

2016 for our family began with the realization that our son in law's concussion from a sports accident  in November was more serious than they had thought. It's not been an easy journey for this young family but over the months they have found strength through Jesus as they have walked this road trusting in Him.

This year has also been one where we have been prayer supporters and encouragers for family and friends walking along very slippery slopes. We and others have reached out to them and they have hung onto God's hand ... at times feeling like they would loose their grip along the journey. God has and is always faithful.

My dad has struggled with a very weak heart and is now on the last steps of his earthly journey. He has been journeying for 87 years. He recognized his personal need for Jesus in his teens. His journey took on new meaning and purpose and he's walked with God since. Of course he's been on rocky roads, roads of sorrow, high plateaus, through dry land and fertile green pastures. God has been faithful to His promise to always be by our dad's side. Helping, forgiving, comforting, encouraging, shepherding, guiding, strengthening, loving.

Jesus has been our strength in these times. He's given us hope. Without hope we would be lost.
We've had some really great times along our journey ... even during the difficult parts. It's there we have learnt to lean on the Lord. To help each other. To take help from others. We've learnt how to pray more effectively. We've learnt to thank and even praise in the hard times, knowing that God inhabits the praises of His people.

The Word of God is nourishment for our daily lives. As we journey with the Lord He continues to refresh and strengthen us. I pray that you are journeying with the Lord. If not, I invite you to stop and invite Him into your life today. I know from experience that your journey will be complete with Him by your side. I promise you there will be valleys and mountain tops, but He promises that He will always be by your side.

John 6:48 "I am the bread of life".

Saturday in Marg's Kitchen

I've always enjoyed hosting larger parties. Ten years ago when we remodeled our home, I inquired about building a patio covering for our back yard, for those times when it was cold and rainy, when we expected hot weather.  Finally we decided, forget the renovations, which would mean more expense, cleaning and maintenance in the long run.

Simple solution:  "Let's order tents for minimal costs and have a real party."

While I was in Europe visiting family this past May, word came out that Char, one of our cooks would be coming to BC. Immediately, I knew I was all in ..."let's make a party." In the background I heard Judy say that she would help!  I can tell you know ... I don't mind hosting, but it's sure fun to work with someone who has endless ideas.

Start an Event Outline.

Set a Date:  It didn't take long after a bit of chatter back and forth that we all settled on Monday, July 18th. Two months gave us plenty of time to plan, after all it's just an old fashioned BBQ.

Location: Bartel's back yard, rain or shine.

Time:  6:00 pm 

Purpose:  We love to get together, cook, eat each other's food and spend time connecting

Guests:  Mennonite Girls Can Cook with their spouses

It's way more fun to host and work together.  Invite a friend for a pre-post party planning time.

Find a theme, colors, country or formal.  Check out Pinterest for ideas. Once your theme has been decided upon, check to see what supplies you have in your home, in order to save yourself an extravagant cost.  Between both of us we could supply tables, and chairs, vases, flowers, and all sorts of things from tablecloths to burlap runners. We started texting back and forth chatting about the decor ideas we had in our own homes.

The menu had been discussed a few weeks earlier, as we decided to choose the 'signature dishes' posted in our forth coming book.   

One thing I'd like to emphasize is to make sure you let God orchestrate his own plan at the same time and be ready for the unexpected things he can do in an extra ordinary way.

We decided on favors, something homemade, something with wheat, to fit our theme which continued to develop as we thought about our new book, 'Bread for the Journey'. Our lists became longer and longer.

I have always enjoyed setting my table a few days in advance when hosting celebration events. It makes it look special and as the family pops by they know that I'm thinking of all the details to make it special. Planning in advance allows for those unexpected visits, like the grand kids dropping by unexpectedly.  Don't look at them as an interruption, but enjoy some activities with them and tell then what you are doing.  

What are things that you can do to prepare a few days in advance?

 Collect and count your cutlery.

Decide on your plates and napkins.

 Gather your coffee cups in a tray.
Clean your coffee pots.

 Plan for your favorite serving platters which help present your food,

Gather your linens.

Gather your floral bouquets

Use some old vintage canning jars.


Wrap your favors.
Judy had baked small loaves of bread and wrapped them individually.


Assemble your decor and play with it.

 Prep your food as much as you can in advance.

The final Day, Monday, July 18th, 2016!
Check everything once more on your list.
Enjoy this day ... do a quick clean, a few clean hand towels and tea towels.
We clean before and we clean after right?
The sun shone brightly from a clear blue sky, only for a few hours.
At the end of the day it was evident that we needed a tent.
Thank you Tent Guys for your wonderful prompt, friendly service.

It was so much fun decorating the table and making the seating plan.
Four Costco tables with costco chairs.  Simple and Easy.

But remember what I said about allowing God to be a part of this event?

Last week  (just one week before the party)
there was a real buzz of excitement, as Lovella announced
that a pallet of books had arrived in their shop.
She even asked us if she could peek.  You know the answer.
The excitement grew as we started coordinating our theme
as a 'book launching event'.



Little did we know that when our wheat was planted last fall that it would be
the perfect setting for our backdrop photo shoots with our books in hand.

And little did any of us know that our author copies would arrive just in time for our event.
The day was so perfect as we sat around the fire pit sharing our journeys.

More news will unfold over the next week.
I can only give you a peek of our cover.

Bread For The Journey!

This book is interspersed with devotionals that share our dramatic family stories and tantalizing
recipes, which invite us to extend our tables and share God's blessing with others.

That was a fun weekend in my kitchen.
I hope you can find some planning tips that make it easy for you?
What are some of your favorite planning tips?