In Need of Ideas

I am planning a dinner and I need ideas.


The main course is sausage stew and biscuits. The dessert is birthday cake and ice cream, with homemade caramel sauce.


I have no idea what to serve as an appetizer/first course.


Not exactly the problem of the year, but any ideas?


Any other food questions out there? 




I am participating on the October 2017 Ultimate Blog Challenge. A blog post every day in October. #blogboost 

Lentil Sloppy Joes

This is what we are having for supper tonight. We aren't vegetarians, but try to do meatless meals a few times a week for the sake of the environment and our health. Lentils work well for this because they can be made to almost look like ground beef. 

Enjoy!

Serves 6

• 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
• 2 to 3 cups water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup white or yellow onion, chopped
• 1 green or red bell pepper, chopped (about 3/4 to 1 cup)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 cup tomatoes, diced
• 1 tablespoon organic brown sugar or maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon  vinegar
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoons salt (adjust according to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth (or more as needed)
• 6  buns
• Toppings of choice (Tabasco sauce, sriracha, pickles, onions, sauerkraut, coleslaw, avocado slices, etc.)

1. Place lentils in a large pot, and cover with water (enough so that there's at least a full inch or two of water above the lentils). Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes, or until the lentils are chewable, but still have some firmness to them. Drain them and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and pepper, and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the onion is soft and clear, stirring frequently. Add the garlic, chili powder, and paprika,  and continue cooking for another minute or two, until the garlic is quite fragrant.
3. Add the lentils, tomatoes, brown sugar or maple syrup, vinegar, salt, pepper, and broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Add more broth as needed. Simmer until the mixture has thickened to your liking, about 15 to 20 minute, until as thick as preferred
4. Remove mixture from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes. Divide sloppy joes onto the buns and top with toppings of choice, including some Tabasco or sriracha for heat, if desired. Serve. 

What are you having for supper?  

I am participating on the October 2017 Ultimate Blog Challenge. A blog post every day in October. #blogboost

Meme-ic Monday: Hurricane Katrina

New Orleans is recovering slowly from Hurricane Katrina. As of last year, the 10 year anniversary, only 34% of residents had returned to their homes in the Lower Ninth Ward, the area hardest hit when the levees broke. 

But that's pretty well known.

My family and I are in New Orleans for the first time, working with a mission team from our American Baptist region. Some members of our team have been coming for years. 

A team member, who started coming shortly after the storm, worked at school today. She said it was wonderful to see schools and children, because in the immediate aftermath there had been so few,

Two small groups worked at construction sites, helping to rebuild homes that were damaged in the storm. One homeowner is still in Texas. The other is living in part of her house, although a member of that team said it "wouldn't be livable by our standards."

Me? I encountered rats. Assigned to a food pantry, I thought I would be sorting, boxing and distributing food, and I did for part of the time. However, we arrived before the food and we were asked to clear out a room, sending some stuff to a thrift store and throwing out garbage. Rat droppings were everywhere. I found a dead rat. Other team members saw more rat bodies and a live one. They moved a huge box of popcorn kernels, the rats' main food source we think, out. 

While the room was swept, I moved over to organizing food boxes and dividing large bags of rice into small ziploc bags. 

But what really stands out about the day was the appreciation. I and another team member were introduced to the food pantry customers as people who had come down to help after Katrina. There was a wave of thanks on the people's faces. 

And then there was lunch. We had brown bag sandwiches, but Miss Brenda figured we would want New Orleans food and cooked fried chicken and jambalaya just for us. Delicious. (Alright we were a tad nervous, because of the rats. but we got over it. That stuff was cooked in boiling oil ,, and, boy, did it smell good!!)

So today's meme reminds us of the slow progress rebuilding the Lower Ninth Ward. Behind it there are stories, so many stories. You should visit. These people need to tell those stories. And they are very grateful for the chance to tell them to new ears. And appreciative of whatever work you can do. 

Pantry Challenge

Prompted by two friends, I have decided to try an "April Pantry Challenge."


The idea is to only buy perishables and use up all the foodstuffs in your pantry and freezer.


My food budget is in two monthly installments, beginning on the 1st and 15th of each month, and I do two large shopping trips each month, occasionally picking up things in between,  I decided to set the following parameters:




$80 for each budget period for perishable items.
$100 for treats (including the chips for the chocolate chip cookies I promised a friend) and meals on the road during April vacation (we'll take snacks and sandwiches as well)
Special dispensation for Easter treats/dinner items.


Only food counts. Cleaning supplies, toiletries and similar items are in a different budget line.


I did fill in two holes in my pantry before starting: white flour (those cookies require it) and Earl Grey decaffeinated tea (the boy's request.)


Did the first shop today. So far, so good.


I will need to menu plan, I think to make this work.


For this week's dinners:


Tonight: Potatoes with homemade salsa and cheese
Tomorrow: Soup with stock from the freezer, rice and lentils from the pantry, and vegetables
Thursday: Homemade eggrolls and Jasmine rice
Friday: Pancakes, Bacon, Fruit
Saturday: Leftovers/meal at a retreat
Sunday: Pasta with sautéed veggies
Monday: Brown Rice and Lentil Casserole




We'll see how this goes. I hope my pantry gets a good spring cleaning!




Have you ever tried anything similar?

Food for 10,000

First off, Jordan suffered no ill effects from eating raw vegetables last night. :)

Our host is the President of the Pwo Karen Baptist Seminary. His seminary hosted 10,000 people for the Judson BiCentenary finding them beds, setting up temporary latrines and keeping things orderly and moving. The seminary students (16-20 year olds) plus youth from the villages perforned "Stewardship." In teams, they set-up, cleaned and served food.

The seminary also  cooked for all those guests plus 500 extra. Before the program started, we had a tour of the big outdoor kitchen they were using:

                                       

  

They had many cooks preparing vegetables and meats with garlic and a numer of other spices.  Rice was cooked in a separate outdoor kitchen. 

The wood for the fires was from some buildings that had recently been torn down.

Twice each day the peope  were served "meat ball" (curried meat with a serving of rice) in styrofoam lunchboxes which the youth laid out on several rows of long tables at three or four stations around campus. They could pick up breakfast between 9:30 and 11:30 and dinner between 4:00 and 6:00.

So how was the food? Well, I don't know how that food was because our group didn't eat it. Before the sessions started our host sat down with us and explained that he was afraid the food might not be good for foreigners' stomachs and he wanted to provide us with separate food that would be very clean. So all through the celebrations we ate meals like this one. 

And they were good. 

It was a real blessing, too, as otherwise we would have had to spend time and money at safe restautants. We are very grateful!!

What food advenures have you had?

Taking the Time

Recently I made  a batch of cookies for a friend. Actually, I did it twice. Here's why.

I was making chocolate chip cookies, which are high on my friend's list of tasty items. I made the cookies the day before I was to see him and his family.  The cookies came out so-so.

So-so cookies are edible but I decided I wanted something better for my friend. I did some reflecting on why sometimes my cookies come out fabulous and other times just OK. I realized that it was about time.

The first step to chocolate chip cookies is to cream the butter and sugar.  I had done it in a hurry this time and, therefor was not very thorough. I realized this had been the case other times when I had made so-so cookies.

I re- did the cookies. I took time. I mixed the dough all through chess club, handing it off to a young baker while I taught the strategy lesson. It worked. This batch came out great.

I decided to keep the time needed for various tasks in mind and to look at where I could cut so that I can give the needed time to necessary or especially desirable tasks throughout life. That task in itself will take time. But it will be worth it.

What are your thoughts on taking time for tasks? What lessons have you learned about doing well as you have tried things?

Song for Sunday: Ice Cream

I scream,

 you scream, 

we all scream

 for ice cream!!

Ok. I am being silly, but it's hot out there. 

So today's Song for Sunday is to help us all feel cooler. At least a little. Plus, my son and I are running an ice cream social tonight at our church to help raise funds for the mission trip we are taking to Burma in December. 

So, this is just for fun, but if fits. :)

What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Up in Ocean Park, ME, where the Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park meets, there is a soda fountain with fabulous raspberry lime rickeys and all kinds of ice cream. CYC also provides worship, learning and recreational opportunities to high schoolers for two weeks every August. Check it out!

Me, Fire and the Christmas Pudding.

My husband is English and one of their customs is for the mother of the family to bring a flaming Christmas pudding to the dinner table for the holiday dessert.

Basically, she pours brandy over the pudding ( a fruitcake-like thing), sets it on fire, and carries it from the kitchen to the dining room.

I have never done this, but I would like to add it to our celebration this year, to give an extra taste of the family's English heritage. Sounds ok, right?

The thing is, I am afraid of fire. I don't even light matches.

Well, over the past few years I have been working on this at CYC. A friend of mine has been helping me to overcome this fear. This past conference,  with his help and encouragement, I put a log on a big fire and helped light another one.

So, maybe I can do this.

My husband wouldn't have a problem with lighting and carrying the pudding, but I want it to be a surprise for him. My son loves fire, so he'd probably do it, but I think that might make me more  nervous than carrying it myself.

So .... deep breath. I am going to try it!

Are you trying anything new this year?

Have a Very Merry Christmas!!

Vegan Baked Apples

Usually when I bake apples I fill the space where I have cut out the core with butter, brown sugar and raisins. Yesterday, though, we had vegan friends over and decided to have baked apples for dessert. Cooking oil didn't sound appetizing as butter alternative and neither did the vegan margarine I had on hand.

I looked around and realized that maple syrup might work. So I used that and raisins in the apples. I cooked them for 90 minutes at 275 degrees and then turned the oven down to warm for an hour until we were ready to eat them. They were actually quite good.

For Jordan's birthday party we had the same family over, so I did a second cake with a vegan cake mix, egg replacer and vegan margerine. I used a confectioner's sugar and water glaze as a frosting, and that cake served for several kids with allergies as well.

There are many forms of diversity and dietary philosophies and restrictions are one of them. It's fun to learn about how different people eat and use a variety of foods to accomodate their needs.


What types of diversity have you encountered lately?

Iced Teas

I have been preparing iced tea lately, it being rather refreshing in these hot days. Rather than just drink it plain, I've been trying out some different flavors. Here are two of my more successful "recipes".


Mint Iced Tea

4  orange and black decaffienated tea bags
2 Bigelow Mint Medley tea bags
1 gallon of water
1 pound ice


In a large saucepan, place the tea bags and water. Bring to a rolling boil and boil for one minute.

Take pan off heat. Add ice. Let sit for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags. Refrigerate.
Add sweetener to taste. I like this one unsweetened.


Calming Iced Tea

5 orange and black decaffienated tea bags
1 tea bag of Yogi Calming tea
1 gallon of water
1 pound ice


In a large saucepan, place the tea bags and water. Bring to a rolling boil.

Take pan off heat. Add ice. Let sit for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags. Refrigerate.
Add sweetener to taste. I find this one best with a half teaspoon of sugar per glass.


What are your favorite iced teas?



Have a blessed day!



This is my 16th post for the Ultimate Blog Challenge.

Vegetables of Unknown Variety

We used to get most of our vegetables off the grocery store reduced rack. We ended up with some very good vegetables very cheaply. Usually one or two things in the bag would need parts cut out, but other than that they were fine.

They weren't labeled, though, so sometimes we would be eating stuff without knowing what to call it. "Vegetables of unknown variety" became a staple phrase in our house. We'd try to guess and we'd joke about them.

Now, we've joined a CSA. (For those who are new to the term CSA -- look here.)

We have been getting fresh vegetables and fruit every week -- in abundance. We split a half share from a local farm so we are paying less than $10 a week.

 Nothing is labeled and we get stuff we don't recognize. So we are still eating vegetables of unknown variety. Fresh, organic vegetables of unknown variety are just as good for a laugh as their reduced rack counterparts.

What food adventures have you had lately?





I love my CSA for their food and because they support the Pan -Mass Challenge. More on that next week.

This is my 14th post for the Ultimate Blog Challenge. I'm going for 31 posts in 31 days!

Diabetes Awareness Stuff

November is Diabetes Awareness Month.

Everything has a month I guess.

A friend of mine just died of complications from Type 1 Diabetes. It is treatable to a point, but it's tough to manage.

Type 2 Diabetes runs in my family and I hope to hold it off with a sensible diet and exercise. Apparently, as obesity has risen in our population so has this type of diabetes and it is now even seen in children fairly often.


Here are a few links for more information. I think they are legitimate, but use common sense.


American Diabetes Association (General Information)
http://www.diabetes.org/
About symptoms:
http://diabetes.webmd.com/guide/understanding-diabetes-symptoms
Tips and recipes:
http://www.diabeticlifestyle.com/

A dessert recipe from a website for diabetics:

Apple Pecan Upside Down Cake
Ingredients: butter (one-fourth cup), flour (one cup), baking powder (one teaspoon), cinnamon (2 teaspoons), brown sugar (half cup), vanilla (1 teaspoon), toasted pecans (half cup), thinly sliced apples (3), granulated sugar (one-fourth cup), eggs (2)

Procedure:

• Foil a baking pan and spray nonstick cooking spray onto it. Mix flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt in a bowl.
• Beat butter in a bowl with brown sugar and granulated sugar with the help of a blender. Add egg white and vanilla and continue beating. Now add flour mixture in it. Mix properly.
• Add the sliced apples in the baking pan and add the above mixture onto them and spread evenly.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool the pan and invert onto a serving plate. Remove the foil carefully.
• Serve it warm with sliced apple pieces.

And some cool quotes:

Trying to manage diabetes is hard because if you don't, there are consequences you'll have to deal with later in life.
Bryan Adams

Diabetes is a word, not a sentence. 

T-shirt

Diabetics don't need sugar to be sweet.

T-shirt

 

Life is not over because you have diabetes. Make the most of what you have, be grateful.
Dale Evans


Have  a blessed day!

How to Cook Without a Kitchen

I needed to provide food for a large group of teens and leaders and our host church had no kitchen.


First, I looked into takeout options. Too expensive. I figured I could make baked ziti at home and keep it warm using electric warming plates, but the amount of time between leaving my house and serving dinner seemed too long for that.

Then, someone suggested I use my crock pot. OK. That'd work. But what could I make that teens would enjoy? Would baked ziti work in a slow cooker. My first thought was that I would cook the ziti on the stove top and use the crockpot for the "oven" portion of the preparation.  Then, someone mentioned checking online for a recipe so I did.

I found a blog called "A Year of Slow Cooking" that had a baked ziti recipe. I used that as the basis for my meal, modifying it somewhat and adding an extra crockpot of sauce and sausages.


Here's how I did it:

Spray crockpot with cooking spray. Layer baked ziti, sauce and grated romano cheese in crockpot. Add a layer of ricotta cheese and some extra sauce on top. Add a quarter cup of water. Cook on low for 4-5 hours.


It worked really well!

I am also thrilled I found that blog. I am going to make good uise of it, and my slow cooker, in the future.

Have a good day!

Necessity being the mother of invention and all...

I called a friend today and suggested we get together for tea sometime. "How about I come down now?"

I was delighted with the idea -- company is always fun. After we'd hung up, I realized I had nothing in the house to serve a guest. Normally, this isn't a problem. I always have the ingredients for some kind of cookie on hand and several recipes are the quick and easy type. The difficulty today was that my oven is broken. I can't open it. The service man is coming on Monday, but until then, no baking. So....

I looked around, gathered up some odds and ends, and made this:


Over low heat melt around 3/4 of a stick of butter. Add a 12 ounce bag of Hershey's cinnamon chips. Once they have melted add about two teaspoons of granulated sugar, a tablespoon of brown sugar and two tablespoons of milk.

In a large bowl, combine a few handfuls of stick-type pretzels somewhat broken up, about two cups of o-shaped oat cereal, about two cups rice Chex and about a half cup of raisens.

Pour the melted mixture over the crunchy stuff and stir until well coated. Spread into a 13x 9 pan and refrigerate for 15 minutes or until firm. Break into pieces and serve.

As you can see, all measurements are approximate. Also almost any plain crunchy things will probably work.

I was very pleased that my guest and my son seemed to enjoy my creation. I liked it pretty well myself.


Have you ever tried a food experiment with whatever was around? How did it go?