Step by step, you'll get there yet!
Made By: Our Simple Country Life
Made By: Money Wise Moms
Made By: Happy Little Homemaker
When I was visiting “The Taste of Hudson” a few weekends ago with friends, one of our friend’s Andy ordered these at the Hudson’s restaurant booth. He and my husband went crazy over them. I curiously looked at his “boat cup” filled with these things that I have never seen before and thought “These don’t seem so hard to make!” Hmmm…so here we are, a delicious 3 -ingredient recipe that will be perfect to serve your guests! Who would have thought it could be this easy!?
Start out with a package of bacon, a dozen jalapenos, and 1-2 bricks of cream cheese
Slice jalapeno in half length wise
Scoop out the inside and seeds with a serrated spoon (or something of the like) In this step you can choose how much heat you like in your jalps..the more seeds you leave in the hotter it will be, if you like a mild flavor than scoop out all seeds. I like to leave a few in.
Simply fill the Jalp with cream cheese to the top
Wrap bacon around and fasten with a party pick
Place your Jalps on anything that will allow bacon grease to drain (broiler pan would work great here)
I used a baking rack and placed a pan at bottom to collect drippings. Bake at 425 for about 15 mins or until your bacon is done. You will be AMAZED how delicious this recipe is!
| Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Jalps |
The internet has been such a blessing in my life… not only have I met Sister’s in Christ I would not have met, I have had the blessing of meeting ladies ALL over the WORLD! Katja is one of those friends that I feel very blessed to know and she comes to us today from Germany sharing a deeelicious recipe.
Spaetzles just so happen to be one of my husband’s FAVORITE side dishes. Here in America…they sure don’t come easy. We have a favorite German restaurant that serves these but, I have yet to make them. I asked Katja for her recipe and she was so kind and wiling to share. Thank you SO much Katja!
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Visit Katja at her blog: Ein bisschen Haushalt– be sure to click on the “translate” button!
Homemade Spaetzle
One of my children’s favorite dish is „Spätzli with cheese and bacon”. Spaetzle is a typical German/Austrian dish and every area has it’s own way of preparation. In Austria Spaetzle are called Nockerln. In south-west Germany the Spaetzli are a little big longer whereas the Swiss “Knöpfli” or the Austrian “Nockerln” are smaller and round. You can eat them as a side dish or as a main meal. A very well known way of serving them is called: “Kasspatzn” where the Spatzli are layered with roasted onions and shredded cheese in a ovenproof bowl and baked.
Here is our favorite recipe:
For the dough for about 4 servings you need:
1 cup wheat flour
1 cup whole-grain flour
3 middle-sized eggs
1 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
Salt
Additional: Onions, Oil, Bacon and grated cheese
Mix flour, eggs, yogurt (or sour cream) and salt until smooth.
Boil salted water in a big pot.Take the pot off the oven and
strain the dough through a Spaetzle-Sieve.
Bring to a boil until the Spaetzle come to the top.
Pour off and set aside.
In a pan heat up oil and brown onions (cut in stripes), add bacon and Spaetzle. Add butter if you like. Before serving add cheese.
Guten Appetit!
Greetings from Germany!
Eure Katja
Thank you so much for guest posting today Katja! I can’t wait to make these for my husband..he will be so surprised!
Ten years ago my Aunt Kelly sent out invites to my bridal shower in which she included 2 recipes cards and the note below. When guests arrived the day of my shower, they placed their recipe cards in a recipe box my mom purchased for me. This present has been a continued blessing to me-and now (hopefully) a blessing to you. My blog is a “living” version of my family recipes which came about from this very gift.
If you have a friend or relative who is getting married. Please think about doing this for them…it is SO special!
The very letter
My recipe box given to me on the day of my shower by my mom.
Does this look familiar? I think stains add character, don’t you?
So, I went to my local farmer’s market and would you know that they had pre-shredded cooked white meat chicken in their freezer!? I thought that purchasing an already roasted chicken was a short cut…I hit the jackpot here! This is just a quick example of one of my dinners last week…it’s “Weight Watcher’s” friendly.
A simple mixed green salad with homemade salsa (which I prepared the night before).
The sandwich is simply the shredded chicken, mixed with 1 cup of BBQ sauce, and heated through on the stove top. Then I served it on a bun topped with a sprinkle of freshly shredded cheddar cheese and deli pickles.
* For homemade chicken sliders please see my friend Lisa over at Simply. This.That. And the other..
We just got back from a wonderful weekend in Pittsburgh! Here are some photos I thought I would share! We visited the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, Idlewild Park and The Pittsburgh Children’s Museum. We also stopped at “Primanti Brothers” for lunch…this is where I ordered a “turkey sandwich” and received a delicious monstrosity of homemade bread, turkey, cheese, cole slaw and french fries. I struggled to finish half of this sandwich! What a neat place…my hubby bleeds orange and brown (Cleveland Rocks) so he was a bit out of his element being submerged in Steeler’s Town. But, we managed to blend in enough and get along just fine on the strip! I have to say ladies….my favorite pit stop had to be this little frozen yogurt place called “Razzy Fresh”- there were so many different flavors to choose from and it was all buffet style. I think it is the “trend” in the city because there were TONS of people walking around with the “Razzy Fresh” cups in hand. I would have gone here every night if I didn’t have a conscience! I tried the cake batter frozen yogurt with peanut butter cups and cookie dough…oh yum. You girls who live in the Burgh must have serious will power!
A HUGE thank you goes out to the ladies who gave me advice on where to go- AWESOME suggestions! SO sorry I spelled your city wrong..lol. I need grace…any givers?!
OH BOY! Here it is! This is my most requested recipe!!! These Creamed Chicken Crepes have been in my family for years. My grandma made this “copy cat” recipe which was inspired from one of her favorite restaurants…she passed it to my mother and she on to me. I make these most often for company because they are just so beautiful served in individual “au gratin” dishes…it truly is a special dinner for our family. I may be in trouble for sharing…but it will be worth it, I know you will enjoy this one…..
(my mom and I are cooking together in this photo-it was my birthday dinner!)
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| Shredding a block of Swiss cheese-it melts better and is creamier than pre-shredded |
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| Well worth the extra effort….trust me? |
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| Mom made the crepe batter before I came over- she should have known better! haha. I have the recipe at the bottom..it is so simple. |
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| Place butter in a med-high heat pan and add chicken tenders- season with salt, pepper, and onion powder. |
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| Cook until lightly browned |
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| Place to the side and cut with a fork and knife into bite sized pieces |
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| In a well buttered pan, on med-high heat place about 1/2 cup of crepe batter into a small pan (this is an omelette pan) |
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| Cook until lightly browned and flip over |
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| Flip in half |
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| Place each crepe into each au gratin dish and place 1/2 cup of cut chicken on top of each |
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| Start making your basic white sauce: In a saucepan on med heat melt butter, then add flour to make a “rouge” -it will look like a paste |
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| Add milk, salt and pepper. Whisk all together…then continue to stir until it thickens..it will take about 20 mins. |
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| Pour approximately 1/4 cup of white sauce over top of chicken and crepe |
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| Add shredded cheese to cover- place under pre-heated broiler until lightly browned |
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| Serve this on top of a plate (the dish will be hot!) accompany with french bread and salad. |
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| Save your extra crepes for the next morning! |
Thanks for linking up last week…those recipes looked DEEEElish! I wonder what you have cooking this week? Hmmmm……I can’t wait to find out! Keep serving your families, friends, and community! Your gift of hospitality is more precious than you could ever know…
Made By: This.That.And the other…
Made By: One Small-Town Girl
This is my “go to” dessert recipe for large crowds…I have made this many times for the church. It never fails that I get asked for the recipe. In fact, this may be the recipe I get asked for the MOST! lol! It is SO easy to make and is deeeelish! My mother in law first made this and brought it over to my house…and since then I have made it more times than I can count!
Pineapple Pretzel Fluff
1 cup coarsely crushed pretzels
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 cup sugar, divided
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Directions
In a bowl, combine pretzels, butter and 1/2 cup sugar. Press into a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 400 degrees F for 7 minutes. Cool.
Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and remaining sugar until creamy. Fold in pineapple and whipped topping; chill until serving.
Break pretzel mixture into small pieces; stir into pineapple mixture and layer some along the top.
This recipe was featured on www.womenlivingwell.org
I am participating in
Have you ever made the Jell-o Jiggler recipe on the back of your Jell-o box only to be disappointed because it just wasn”t solid enough to cut? Well, here is secret you all have been waiting for…..drum roll please! (lol)
I posted this recipe back in December, but because I have made this SOOO many times this Summer…I thought I would share it again with more photos. My children LOVE when I make finger Jell-O. I am officially a very cool mom just because I bring finger Jell-o to play dates. That is all it takes girls…
Making finger Jell-O for the masses….lol.
My son’s buddy enjoying a good ole fashioned kid lunch at our playdate.
(Thanks Grandma Puppies!)
“Out of the top 10 comfort foods ever, Chicken N Dumplins just HAS to be on top of the list! This particular recipe cuts out hours of preparation by using a canned chicken broth and a ready- roasted chicken (no dicing veggies and boiling chicken here!). My entire family gobbles this meal up!! I have also been known to make this for friends/family who need a meal if they are sick…it is easy to transport in a covered plastic container.”
Chicken broth, a pre-roasted chicken from your grocery (deli area-$5.00 per chicken at Giant Eagle), flour, baking powder, milk, salt and pepper
Place the 6 cups of chicken broth in a heavy sauce pan and boil on high.
Peel skin away and discard…flake off medium sized chucks of white meat with a fork.
set aside chicken
To make the dumplins (DO NOT be leery, this is so simple!!) : Combine the flour, baking powder, 1 1/4 tsp salt and milk in a medium bowl. Stir well until smooth, then let the dough rest for 5-10 minutes.
This is what your ball of dough will look like…not fancy!!
Sprinkle flour on top of your counter…again, this is not a fancy step. Place the dough ball on the flour and add a little flour to the top of the dough ball so it will not stick to your rolling pin. Roll out the dough. Dough is very informal so please don’t get yourself upset during this step..roll it out until it is about 1/2 inch thick.
Take a knife or a pizza cutter (even better) and cut 1/2 inch squares
Toss your squares of dough into the boiling broth (turn the broth down to a med-high)
Keep tossing them in..they won’t stick to each other! They will puff up and the flour from them will dissolve into the broth and make a gravy..isn’t that easy?!
Add in your chicken and flavor with pepper. Because we used pre-made chicken broth DO NOT add any salt until you eat…broth is very salty on its own.
A delicious homemade meal!
Chicken n Dumplins made EASY!
1 Pre-Roasted Chicken (near your grocer’s deli area)
6 Cups Low Sodium canned chickenbroth
1 Cup water
Dumplins
2 cups all purpose flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 ¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp milk
Directions:
Pour your broth and water in a large heavy saucepan/pot and boil on high heat. Peel back and discard chicken skin and flake off medium sized chunks of your chicken and set aside.
To make the dumplins: Combine the flour, baking powder, 1 ¼ tsp of salt and milk in medium bowl. Stir well until smooth, then let the dough rest for 5 mins. Roll the dough out onto a floured surface to ½ inch thickness. Cut ½ inch squares with a knife or pizza cutter.
Drop each square into the simmering broth. The dumplins will swell then shrink as they partially dissolve to thicken the broth into gravy. Simmer 20-30 mins until thick. Stir often. Add chicken and cook another 5 mins. Season with pepper (no salt needed because the broth is salty enough). Enjoy!
I am participating in
Nothin fancy about it Ladies! But, it’s still tasty! (and I trimmed some fat/calories too!)
Many people have asked me what I do for weeknight dinner planning. How do I know what to make? What do I pair with what? How do I make something quick, easy, tasty, healthy…
Well, this is just one dinner “on the go” that I made last week.
Football season has started, which means I have to say goodbye to my boys (coach hubby and my son) a lot quicker than I would like in the evenings. So, dinner needs to be set out by 5:15 and by 5:45 -we have prayed, have eaten, and have said goodbye for the second half of our evening! *tear*
Just because we are a busy family doesn’t mean that we must run through McDonald’s every night (I must admit, I have made those trips though!)…but I also know that I just can’t make huge elaborate dinners every night either. This is where the “easy middle” comes in…
My goal is this:
Meat, Starch, Veggie
That’s it!
These are homemade baked chicken fingers. They are SO easy. I baked them on the top rack of the oven…
And place red potatoes on the bottom rack. I rolled them in olive oil and covered them in salt-
I baked them at 425 for 45 mins. These were set in before the chicken fingers because they take longer to cook. But, they can both be cooked in a high degree oven! That helps!
While those two items were baking, I sauteed asparagus on the stove in olive oil. I added salt and cracked pepper.
This is my plate (I typically show you my hubby’s plate, lol) A little honey mustard for the baked chicken fingers is on the side…I topped the small red potato with a squirt of ” I can’t believe it’s not butter” a tsp of cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of bacon crumbles.
It helped to have a Veggie Tale plate advertising the Asparagus. But, my children call
Asparagus green noodles anyways..lol.
Baked Chicken Fingers
(serves 6)
6 chicken breasts (1 breast per person cut into thirds -fat trimmed off)
3 egg whites (in an individual bowl)
1 cup bread crumbs (in an individual bowl)
salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 425
Rinse chicken, pat dry and remove fat. Cut into thirds. Dip chicken pieces into egg whites then roll in bread crumbs. Foil line a cookie sheet (easy cleanup) Spray cooking sheet with Pam. Salt and pepper chicken fingers and spray the tops with cooking spray. Bake for 20 mins until cooked through. Serve with honey mustard or BBQ sauce.
This recipe is so easy, a 4 and 6 year old can make it! I am not typically a pineapple lover..but I have to say this recipe is deeeeeelicious! It is one of “those” recipes that if left on the counter, covered, you get a fork..lift the foil… and take a bite before you leave the kitchen…over and over….agh! This is a keeper!
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| 5 Ingredients. 1 box yellow cake mix, 1 21 oz can cherry pie filling, 1 15 oz can crushed pineapple, 8 oz chopped walnuts, 1/2 cup butter. I’m serious…that’s it. |
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Pour the cherries and the pineapple in a pan-( I used a throwaway pan because I was cooking for a family on this night.) |
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Stir together |
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“Dump” dry cake mix over top |
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| Stir until just combined (you may also leave it just like this-whatever you prefer) |
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This is what it looks like just combined |
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Add nuts to top |
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Ladle on the butta |
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Bake for 35-40 mins in a 350 oven |
Dump Cake
1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling
1 (15 oz) can crushed pineapple
8 oz chopped walnuts
1/2 cup butter
In 9×13 pan mix cherries and pineapple. Sprinkle with dry cake mix over top and stir until just combined. Sprinkle walnuts on top and drizzle with butter. Bake in 350 oven for 35-40 mins.
OHHHH YUMMMMM
Enjoy!
Recipe featured on Women Living Well
A little while ago I asked had an online poll asking “ What kind of recipes do you like the best?” The most popular answer was…..homemade! (with a close second to quick and easy) I also had some requests for economical (amen to that!). Here is the perfect recipe for ALL 3 of those requests! Best of all, you probably have most, if not all, of these ingredients on hand at all times!
This traditional Amish- style bread pudding is absolutely delicious… The smell of it baking will draw your family into the kitchen with anticipation! Even better is the warm vanilla milk that is poured on top after it is fresh out of the oven. You will never want to throw out day-old buns, rolls, or bread again, especially when you know what potential they can live out! Enjoy!
Ingredients for Bread Pudding: Half & Half (you may substitute milk), bread (I used rolls), vanilla, sugar, eggs, butter, ground nutmeg and cinnamon chips (if you do not have these, you may sprinkle on cinnamon)
Pour Half & Half into a pot on med-high heat , add butter and let simmer (do not boil)
In a separate bowl add eggs, nutmeg and sugar and mix well
Add your warm milk/butter mixture and mix well again
Rip bread into small cubes and place in a lightly “pammed” casserole dish and cover evenly with mixture
Sprinkle with cinnamon chips (if you don’t have these, sprinkle with cinnamon)
Cover and bake in a 350 oven for 30 mins
Start your Vanilla Milk Topping: Heat butter in a saucepan, then whisk in flour to make a paste
Add milk, vanilla and sugar and let simmer until it thickens
After 30 mins is over, take off the foil and bake for another 15 mins until set and lightly browned on top
Remove from oven and pour warm vanilla milk over top
Serve fresh and pipping hot out of the oven! Those buns didn’t know their potential until this very moment!! Enjoy!!!
Cinnamon Chip Bread Pudding w/ Warm Vanilla Milk Topping
(Serves 6)
Bread Pudding
2 cups Half&Half (you may substitute milk)
2 Tbsp butter
3 eggs
1/3 cup sugar
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups of bread, torn into small pieces
A handful of cinnamon chips to sprinkle over top (you may substitute cinnamon to sprinkle)
Pour Half & Half and butter in saucepan on med-high heat, let simmer (do not boil). Beat eggs, nutmeg, and vanilla in separate bowl.
Add warm milk and butter mixture and beat well.
Tear bread into small pieces and place in a prepared casserole dish.
Pour mixture over top and sprinkle with cinnamon chips.
Cover with foil and bake @350 for 30 mins.
Take foil off and bake an additional 15 mins.
Warm Vanilla Milk
1 cup milk
¼ cup butter
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1Tbsp flour
½ tsp salt
Melt butter, add flour to make a paste.
Whisk in the milk, sugar, vanilla and salt.
Let boil for 5 mins stirring constantly until it thickens into a syrup.
Pour over warm bread pudding and serve warm. Enjoy!
A recipe featured on Women Living Well.
Courtney from Women Living Well is sharing my Perfected Southern Sweet Tea on her blog today. Pull up a chair, pour yourself a glass of iced tea and mosey around her site…you will surely be inspired!
Open Face Chicken Caprese Sandwiches
Made By: Bleucloud
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Meet my friend Olivia
at Her Noble Character
Olivia’s Homemade Granola Recipe
Meet my friend Darlene
at The Time Warp Wife
Darlene’s Strawberry Banana Pops
I tried this amazing dessert for the first time at a recent family gathering. I took my first bite with a bit of caution because I didn’t really know what it was…to my surprise it was one of the most delicious treats I have ever tasted!!!!! In this recipe, I scaled down the calories and used low-fat sour cream and lite cream cheese. If the thought of putting sour cream over grapes makes you question this recipe…think of old-fashioned cheesecake. Trust me you are going to love this one….I just made this for guests at our house and we all had seconds around the table!!!!! I am SOOOO excited for you to try this…..it is DEVINE! (no pun intended! haha)
Red and Green Seedless Grapes, Low-Fat Cream Cheese, Lite Sour Cream, Sugar, Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Chopped Pecans
In a medium bowl add cream cheese, sour cream, white sugar, and vanilla
Beat with mixer until well combined and smooth
Remove grapes from stems and rinse…aren’t these beautiful?! MMmmm!!!!!
Combine brown sugar with chopped pecans
Place over top of grapes (you may also place on the side if you desire) Note: While I was at the store I looked at the calories on the 1/2 Splenda 1/2 brown sugar box and regular brown sugar has less calories.
Stir cream cheese mixture with the grapes and place in a serving dish
Low-Fat Dessert – Grape Salad
1 ½ lbs green seedless grapes
1 ½ lbs red seedless grapes
8 oz lite sour cream
8 oz low-fat cream cheese
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Topping
¼ cup brown sugar
½ cup chopped pecans
Remove stems from grapes and rinse. Beat sour cream, cream cheese, granulated sugar and vanilla with mixer. Stir grapes into the mixture and place in a serving dish. Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle over top.
Ladies, you asked for it-MORE HEALTHY RECIPES!
Well, I am like butter…I am on a roll! (I know, I am hilarious). Here is a lighter yet just as yummy (promise) way to make scrambled eggs.
(5 points for those of you on weight watchers)
Add 1 egg (yolk and white) and 3 egg whites. Add 1 Tbsp of water and whisk. Melt 1/2 Tbsp of butter in a pan and scramble on medium heat. Add a dash of salt and pepper.
How do you just add egg whites? Crack the egg and toss the egg yolk back and forth from one shell to the other. The yolk will stay in the shell and the whites will fall into your bowl.
Whala! Sprinkle with freshly shredded parmesan cheese…It melts..it’s yummy.
I added 1 egg yolk to this recipe because, in my mind, scrambled eggs should be yellow (lol). I will not give up butter in my eggs. So, cutting the amount in half helps with calories but still gives the eggs a buttery flavor. Exchanging milk with water makes for a lighter texture-the water evaporates while scrambling.
Scrambled Eggs~done light~
1 egg (yolk and white)
3 egg whites
1/2 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp water
salt/pepper
sprinkle of shredded parmesan cheese
Beat egg and egg whites together and add water. Melt butter in a pan heated to medium heat. Scramble and add your salt and pepper. Top with parmesan cheese.
And here is a grilled panini for the kidos- (or grown-ups, I know I am a fan!) Check out the gooey melted peanut butter …who could resist?
For a crunch, add some granola. If you are using natural peanut butter add a touch of honey. Enjoy!
On a whole wheat tortilla shell spread 1-2 Tbsp of peanut butter. Slice one banana and place on top
Fold in the two sides and wrap
Place on a heated panini press-press for 4 mins until golden.
A wrap that would make Elvis proud..Uhhuu.. 😉
Grilled Banana Peanut Butter Wrap Panini
(per 1 wrap-split them in half for 2 children)
1 whole wheat tortilla
1 banana
1-2 Tbsp peanut butter
Spread peanut butter on tortilla and add a sliced banana. Wrap and grill on heated panini press for 4 mins until golden.
(again you may use a George Forman or a pan)
One of my favorite places to eat for lunch is called “Nectar”-it’s a little smoothie joint that has surprisingly awesome wraps and salads! This is where I got the inspiration for this delicious wrap…
If you don’t have an official Panini maker -a George Forman or even a simple skillet/pan will do!
Marinate chicken breasts in Italian dressing over night. Then, on a foil covered grill , sprinkle garlic powder, seasoned salt, cracked pepper and a squeeze of lime on each. Grille on medium heat for appx 5-6 mins on each side for small chicken breasts. (I heart organic chicken)
On a wheat tortilla place mixed greens, homemade salsa, sliced chicken, and teaspoon of shredded cheddar cheese.
Tuck the two sides in and roll up. Place on a heated Panini grill. Press for appx 4 mins.
Whala! YUM!
Lime- Grilled Chicken Mexi Panini
(4 Paninis)
4 Chicken Breasts marinated in Italian dressing overnight
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp seasoned salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 lime
4 whole wheat tortilla shells
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup mixed salad greens
Homemade Salsa (or you may purchase)
Grill chicken breasts on a foil lined grill heated to medium. Sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lime. Cook for appx 5-6 mins on each side until chicken is *just* white throughout (remember chicken will continue to cook after you take it off the grill-do not over cook). Lay out your tortilla shells and disperse mixed greens, salsa, slices of your chicken breasts, and cheese. Take the two corners and fold in-then wrap. Place on a heated Panini press (or George Forman or pan). Press for 4 mins until lightly golden.
Enjoy!
A friend and I went out to lunch a couple of weeks ago and ordered the MOST delicious salads. We literally did everything but lick our plates clean..lol.
The funny thing is, that week, we both re-created this salad because we hadn’t had enough. Here are some photos of our “Copy Cat” Wild Berry Salads! YUM!
Katina’s Creation!!! YUM!!!!!!
My take, with chicken!
Do great minds think alike or what?
Mixed Berry Salad
(Per 1 salad)
2 cups of mixed greens
a small handful of:
blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, grapes, cranberries,raw almonds
1 Tbs goat cheese (you may use blue cheese or feta)
Light poppy seed dressing on the side
1 chicken breast marinated in Italian dressing overnight and grilled
*Featured on Women Living Well
This is one of my grandma’s delicious recipes! I know you will just love it… my family sure does! Every time I make it at home we all go back for seconds. It is also a beautiful dish to have when company is over. Serve with crusty bread and a salad and you will have an amazing meal. Enjoy!
(perfect for those of you who have extra zucchini from the garden!)
1 box bow tie noodles, olive oil, 5 links of sweet Italian sausage, onion, fresh garlic, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, salt and pepper
Cook sausage as directed. I place mine in a pan with about a cup of water- larger sausages like this take longer to cook. By steaming them, they cook on the inside without burning on the outside too quickly. The water will eventually evaporate.
Boil your box of noodles as directed.
Drain
After sausage is cooked. Take out of pan and leave drippings. Add olive oil and minced garlic. Sauté until on med heat for about 2 mins -do not brown.
Cut your sausage into coin-like slices
Add and saute all veggies in the pan with the garlic and oil
Add the sausage and toss with pasta in the pan
Remove from pan and add Parmesan cheese. This is such a delicious dish that you will come back to over and over again…we sure have!
Bow Tie Pasta with Italian Sausage and Vegetables
5 Sweet Italian sausage links
1 16 oz farfalle (bow tie) pasta
3 Tbsp olive oil
3 cloves of garlic minced
1 onion sliced into wedges
1 zucchini cut
15 cherry tomatoes halved
salt and pepper as desiredPlace Italian sausage onto a skillet with approx 1 cup of water. Cook through on med-high heat. While sausage is cooking, start pasta. When sausage is done, remove and slice into coins. Keep remaining drippings from the sausage and add the olive oil and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté the garlic on med-low for 2 mins, do not brown. Add sliced veggies and sauté for approx 5 mins. Mix the sliced sausage with veggies in the skillet. Add cooked and drained pasta to skillet and toss with all other ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste. Top with Parmesan cheese.
When my husband and I crept away for a weekend a few years ago, we stayed at a Westin hotel. Served in the lobby area was a huge drum of ice water infused with fresh oranges. Every time I passed it, I could not resist refilling my cup.
Because I try my hardest not to drink many calories (because I prefer to eat them, lol) This is something I do at home. I happily drink plenty of water daily and get a little vitamin C to boot. My children also like it!
You can be as creative as you wish with your fruit choice… Try cucumbers, melons, lemons, etc. It’s a great way to please guests and not break your pocket book.
Enjoy!
slice 1 orange and fill up the rest of a container with water and ice. Let soak for a minimum of 2 hours. You may keep this refrigerated and drink at your leisure.
SO refreshing on a warm Summer day.
Women Living Well is featuring “Comfy in the Kitchen’s” most loved recipe, Crescent Chicken. While you are there, be sure to browse around! What an inspiring blog that focuses on biblical marriages and family…
Made By: Joyful Homemaking
It’s A Feasting in Fellowship Link up! Post as many recipes as you wish..I love seeing what YOU have cookin! Please place my button (located on the side bar) on to your post and link back.
This is a very simple recipe for very delicious calzones ! Leave the bread to thaw and rise in the morning and come home to ready made dough! You can be as creative as you like with the filling…traditional calzones typically are made with mozzarella, ricotta, and tomatoes..in this recipe I added swiss and ham for a sweet and savory kick. A definite crowd pleaser for the grown-ups and little tykes alike!
*A featured recipe on Women Living Well
Take out two frozen Rhodes Bread dough balls and place on greased and lined cookie sheet
Drizzle tops with olive oil and cover for 6-8 hours until tripled in size like so.
Cut each loaf in half. Flour a flat surface and a rolling pin.
Shape dough into a circle and roll out into a larger flat circle. You will push your rolling pin straight in front of you then to the sides to get an even circle.
Layer ricotta cheese, fresh mozzarella, swiss and ham on one side of the circle.
Fold over and pinch sides
Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder and parsley
Sprinkle Corn Meal on a pizza stone and place calzones on top (or you may grease and place on a cookie sheet)
Bake in a 400 oven for 20 mins or until lightly browned. Serve with a side of your favorite dipping sauce! MMMMmmmm
Calzone Recipe
(makes 4 large calzones that could easily be split and served with a salad)
2 loaves of frozen Rhodes Bread
1 lb. of thinly sliced deli ham
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 lb. fresh mozzarella cut into squares
1/2 lb. sliced swiss cheese
1/4 cup flour for rolling
2 Tbsp of cornmeal
olive oil for drizzling
garlic powder
parsley
Tomato sauce or favorite dipping sauce.
Preheat oven to 400.
In the morning, set out your frozen dough on cookie sheets and drizzle with oil, cover with plastic wrap for 4-6 hours. Cut each loaf in half. Flour a flat surface and shape first half into a ball and roll out into a flat circle. On one side spread appx 1/4 cup of ricotta cheese, and layer on a handful of mozzarella cheese, 2 slices of swiss and 1/4 lb. of ham. Fold over and pinch all all around to close- set on cookie sheet. Do this with remaining dough. Drizzle all calzones with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder/parsley. Place cornmeal on 2 baking stones and transfer calzones (you may also bake on oiled cookie sheets-make sure to give enough room apart so they do not bake together). Bake in oven for 20 mins until bread is lightly browned. Serve with dipping sauce.
Hi Ladies! What a GREAT recipe for those who garden. As you can see, I purchase my ingredients…but mark my words, SOMEDAY I will take up gardening! I admire all of you who work so hard to grow beautiful, organic, delicious veggies, herbs and fruits….I can’t wait to join in!
Spinach, zucchini, onion, carrots, celery, bay leaves, chicken broth, thyme, diced tomatoes, navy beans, macaroni, garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper
Rinse and drain beans
In a large pot on medium heat, add beans, tomatoes and broth
Dice onions, carrots and celery
Take thyme off of stems and break off 2 bay leaves.
Add bay leaves, thyme, onion, carrots, celery, salt, pepper, garlic powder.
Cover and let simmer for an hour on medium heat.
Add zucchini, spinach and noodles and simmer for 30 more mins until noodles are softened. Remove Bay leaves..taste and season more with salt and pepper if desired.
Serve with parmesan cheese. Delicioso!
Pasta E Fagioli
4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
2 15 oz cans diced tomatoes
1 15 oz can navy beans rinsed and drained
1 cup carrots chopped
1 cup celery chopped
1 cup onion diced
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp thyme
2 bay leaves
1 cup dry macaroni noodles
1 cup zucchini diced
1 cup fresh spinach
salt and pepper
Parmesan cheese
In a large pot on medium heat combine broth, tomatoes and beans. Cut/dice carrots, celery, and onions and add. Take thyme off of stems and break off 2 bay leaves, add to pot. Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper, cover and allow to simmer for an hour. Add noodles, zucchini and spinach and simmer until noodles are tender. Season with salt and pepper to your taste- serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
My friend Ingrid, over at “Reaching HIS Kids” contacted me about this sweet couple. Ingrid told me that they are “THE” couple who she thinks about first when she thinks about a “Meal Ministry”. Ingrid was kind enough to take some beautiful photos of this couple in action. What an incredible gift of hospitality.
Ingrid beings…
When I think of a meal ministry, I think of Ralph and Mary. Mary was born and raised in our church. Ralph started to attend during college. They met, married, raised three kids and 56 years later still attend and serve in many ways! They have hosted a “young adults” dinner one Sunday a month for 15 years.
After their children were grown Mary spent years serving as the church cook. On a weekly basis she would cook for hundreds of people. Events included Wednesday evening church dinners, mission guild lunches, ladies luncheons, men’s events and church banquets. I love her wisdom in saying, “I quit while I still enjoyed it!” After “retiring” as the church cook, they began to host dinners in their home. Ralph was teaching a college age Sunday school class and at Mary’s suggestion, they invited the class over for dinner. What was a simple dinner, grew into a monthly meal ministry. Mary said, “Our life has been so enriched by investing in young people.”
For years the dinners were focused on college age singles and it became known as the “young adults dinner”. Today the meals are open to everyone. Mary said, “The term young has lost its definition.” It is still called the “young adults dinner” but our pastor will joke about young being a state of mind.
Despite having a small kitchen and modest size home, they have hosted anywhere from 5 to 54 people. Mary said, “We’ve always had enough food. God directs me to prepare the correct amount.” The food is always delicious and served on fine China. Mary said that, “Once a year I use paper plates, that is when we have a picnic and eat outside. I am too cheap to buy paper plates each month. I was blessed with my wedding China and my mother’s and grandmother’s China. I can serve 50.” She has a variety of flatware but always uses her good silver.
I asked Mary about preparation and she said, “Usually the Thursday before I will say to Ralph, ‘What should we have on Sunday?’ Then I shop and prepare the day before.” Mary has years of recipes to choose from. The food is always delicious and everyone leaves satisfied.
Another thing I love about Ralph and Mary is how they have lived their lives to serve God. They support many missionaries, have served faithfully at our church and started taking short-term missions trips in their 50s. The list includes Peru, Thailand, China, Philippines, Chad, England, Germany and many months of time volunteering with Wycliffe in Dallas, TX. Also, they have spent countless years working at our church’s missions guild.
As I interview them Mary said to Ralph, “We’ve had such a rich life, I am so glad you asked me to marry you.” She also shared with me that Ralph occasionally brings home a single red rose. She had one in a vase on her kitchen table. I am so thankful for the example of Ralph and Mary in my life. They have blessed me and so many others with their love for each other and for their Savior!
The pictures below were taken on a recent Sunday at Ralph and Mary’s home. I enjoyed the food and fellowship along with 29 other people from our church. I hope this story inspires you to find a way to use your gifts and abilities to serve others.
“We’ve always had enough food. God directs me to prepare the correct amount.”
“I was blessed with my wedding China and my mother’s and grandmother’s China. I can serve 50.”
“Our life has been so enriched by investing in young people.”
Here is a delicious dish from Mary’s Kitchen!
Calico Carrots
1 lb. of carrots
1 onion
1 green pepper
1/2 can tomato soup
1/3 cup vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cooking oil
1/2 tsp. prepared mustard
Slice and cook carrots (not too cooked), then cool. Slice and separate onions and slice green peppers. Keep them raw. Mix the remaining ingredients for the sauce. Toss carrots, onions and green peppers. Pour mixture over veggies and refrigerate overnight. Serve cold. It is delicious!
One of Mary’s recipe books in which she keeps her Calico Carrots recipe!
Dear Ingrid,
Thank you so much for sharing this inspiring story. It has been such a blessing to me and will be to anyone reading. Christ’s work is so evident through this couple in these photos…the smiles on everyone’s faces as they gather in fellowship is absolutely priceless.
Dear Ralph and Mary,
Thank you so much for being a part of Comfy in the Kitchen’s “Meal Ministry Monday”. God has blessed you with such an amazing life song…keep singing!
P.S My 7 year old son came in why I was typing this up and asked about who you were. I told him your story and his precious words were: “They’re definitely going to heaven”.
I found this adorable recipe in a Taste of Home magazine a few years back. At the time, I decided it was the perfect recipe to make for my son’s school picnic … the children loved them!
This week I will be making “piggies” for a baseball picnic for my son. There are a few steps, but they are worth it.. I’m so looking forward to the sweet smiles of these boys who worked so hard….
(When I make these I give my children a cookie, a spoon of frosting, and the toppings on the side and let them have fun making their own.)
Make your dough (as directed) and scoop into Tablespoons onto an un-greased cookie sheet
Bake @ 375 for 10-12 mins or until edges are lightly browned
Cool on racks
Start doing your “prep work” by cutting strawberry wafers into quarters then cutting them horizontally (these will be be the piggy ears)
Slice marshmallow in half
Use the “sticky” side of the marshmallow to place butterscotch chips- I did not poke holes as directed, I simply pushed them in.
Make your frosting as directed using powdered sugar, butter, milk, vanilla and red food coloring 
Mix Well 
Frost cooled cookies 
Add the snout 
then the mini-choc chips (eyes) and the strawberry wafers (ears)
Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
FROSTING/DECORATING:
4 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
6 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 to 4 drops red food coloring
Pink sugar wafer cookies
36 large marshmallows, halved
Butterscotch chips and miniature semisweet chocolate chips
Directions
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
Drop by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
For frosting, in a large bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, butter, milk, vanilla and food coloring. Frost cookies.
Cut sugar wafers into triangles; place two on each cookie for ears. With a toothpick, poke two holes in each marshmallow half for nostrils; press butterscotch chips into holes. Place noses on cookies; add chocolate chip eyes. Yield: 6 dozen
The other day while I was talking with some friends about our children (go figure), I mentioned that my son was making eggs for his sisters over the weekend. I got quite a humorous response….my friends thought that was just the silliest thing they ever heard…they did not believe me! So, I started bragging…(as us moms tend to do) that not only does me make eggs..he makes me coffee in the morning ..the ultimate “trump”. Oh yeah.
Here is my 7 year old hosting his very first cooking class….scrambled eggs!
Part 1
And the grande finale….Ta Da!
Scrambled Eggs
(per person)
2 eggs
2 Tbsp milk (or water)
1 Tbsp butter
Heat pan on medium high heat and melt butter. Crack 2 eggs per person and add 2 Tbsp of milk (or water) per person. Poke holes in each yolk, then whisk well with a whisk or a fork. Pour in heated pan with melted butter. Stir until just cooked (not runny, not browned). Season with salt and pepper.
* Ask an adult before making anything in the kitchen! Stoves are hot and knives are sharp 🙂
Oh, and always make sure to wash your hands!
I can’t even explain to you how much I LOVE my little man. Is it just me or is he not adorable? Seriously.
Happy Friday All! Are you staying cool on this late July day? It’s in the upper 90’s in my neck of the woods…Wowsa!
Come visit me over at Women Living Well for a delicious “Grilled Veggie Salad” – it is healthy AND Oh, so tasty! Perfect for a weekend evening dinner. Enjoy!
Thank you to all who participate in Feasting in Fellowship Friday! Mmmmm!
Thank you, Simply.This.That.And the other!
Thank you , Mommydom Chronicles!
Thank you, Hospitality at Heart!
On my list of favorite things to eat, ever…. stands the good ole fashioned chocolate chip cookie. Who can resist these hot, buttery, gooey, chocolatey little dollops of goodness?! The only thing is…many of us don’t know how to make them just so! In fact, it took me years to figure out exactly what to do to make them crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, dense, buttery and fluffy! Some of my failed attempts had my cookies flat..burnt..too gooey…not buttery enough..and the list goes on. Learn from my mistakes and begin your cookie making journey with a winning recipe you will make over and over again!!!!
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| Beat together 1 cup butter (2 refrigerated sticks put in the microwave for 20 seconds) , 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 box of vanilla instant pudding dry mix |
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| Beat these ingredients well with a hand held mixer |
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| Add 2 eggs (I was doubling this recipe that is why you see more than 2 eggs) |
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| In a separate bowl combine 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt. By combining these dry ingredients, it will help distribute them evenly in the cookie dough. Add them to the wet ingredients. Then add 12 oz of semi-sweet chocolate chips. You may also add nuts if you desire! |
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| After the dough is made, place it in the refrigerator for 1 hour…this is an important step! Then, scoop in heaping Tbsps onto un-greased cookie sheet and bake in a 375 oven for 10-12 mins or until golden. |
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| After the cookies are taken out of the oven, keep them on the cookie sheet for about 2 mins..they will continue to cook and will keep their shape better this way. |
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| This guy is ready to be “spatulaed” onto a wire cooling rack. Now, grab yourself some milk and you are ready taste “The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie”! Mmmmmmmm…. |
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Here is yet another recipe I have tried…and tried….and well, you know made a lot. Over the weekend I finally said “Ahhhh….yesss! This is IT!” Here it is, the BEST Southern Tea recipe you’ll ever sip! This recipe is great because it is super easy and doesn’t require the sun or the stove (nothing wrong with those two methods-this is just so easy!) There is a *secret* ingredient that may take you aback -but, hopefully you trust me by now and know I would not lead you astray…..
Fill a pyrex measuring cup with 2 cups of water and microwave for 2 mins. Add 8 tea bags and 1/8 tsp of baking soda and let steep for 30 min.
Pour concentrated tea into a container that allows room for additional water. Add 1 cup of sugar to tea.
Stir well until sugar dissolves. (You *may use sweetener in place of sugar, but the amount will be different-read your sweetener box for the equivalent of 1 cup of sugar)
Add 6 -8 cups of cold water (depending on how weak/strong you like it). Serve in ice- filled glasses….sip and enjoy!
Perfected Southern Sweet Tea
8 tea bags
1/8 tsp baking soda
2 cups HOT water
1 cup sugar
6-8 cups COLD water
- Microwave 2 cups of water in a pyrex cup for 2 mins
- Add baking soda and 8 tea bags. Let steep for 30 mins
- Pour concentrated tea in a large container
- Add sugar and stir well until dissolved
- Add 6-8 cups of cold water
- Serve in ice-filled glasses and enjoy!
“But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. … Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality …”
~2 Corinthians 8:7,13-14
Hi Ladies!
Some of you may be intimidated by the idea of having your own “meal ministry”…please don’t be! Yes, A meal ministry can be a lot of work and preparation…but it doesn’t have to be. You can make double of what you are planning for your own family one evening and bless another family. You can even make something simple like a batch of cookies, a loaf of bread, or even cheese and crackers. If you get too nervous to make something you can send a pizza on a Friday night to a family…what a blessing that would be!
The best advice I have for someone who feels led to this ministry is to pray that God leads you to a person who could use a meal.Then, decide if you want to start with desserts, meals, pre-made food, etc. God will provide you with people in need and the means to provide for them…I am living proof that this happens. Remember, I started this ministry while my husband was unemployed and was (and still is) so blessed because of it.
Now, please help me welcome Lindsey to Meal Ministry Monday! Here is a sweet letter I received from her…
OF COURSE I wanted pictures! And here they are…..
Lindsey and her beautiful family
The “making of” Crescent Chicken (this is my MOST popular recipe).
It looks like she made double- one batch for her family and one batch to give away. It is VERY important to remember that your own family is your FIRST ministry. Sometimes our “ministries” can take us away from our family…this is not what God wants. This is a great example Lindsey…love it.
Here we have a homemade meal, banana bread, strawberries and angel food cake. Again, a perfect example of homemade mixed with store bought. You don’t have to make everything homemade! Some things are easier and just as tasty bought from the store.
I love “perfecting” recipes. Some of you may already know about the many times I have made and tweaked chocolate chip cookies in order to find out the “Master Recipe“. Low and behold…here is my tried- and- true Banana Bread recipe. You are going to LOVE how moist this is. My dad was just in town visiting and this is one of his favorite desserts. I had coffee brewing and just took this bread out of the oven when they came in for a visit. His wife commented on how good it smelled as soon as she walked through the door. The children were caught sneaking an extra piece…hehehe. I pray that you and your family can have fond memories over banana bread and coffee too… save this recipe girls, it’s a winner! Love to you, Janelle
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| Mash bananas |
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| Butter, mashed bananas, eggs, sour cream |
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| Beat, then add vanilla |
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| In a separate bowl combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt- then add it to the banana mixture |
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| Mix until just blended |
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| Pour into a loaf pan that has been sprayed with Pam (“a prepared pan”) |
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| Bake at 350 for 45-60 mins until lightly golden and baked through center. Let cool on a wire rack in pan for 15 mins until ready to slice and serve! |
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| Me and Dad catching up over coffee and banana bread 🙂 |
Best EVER Banana Bread
1/2 cup butter melted
3 very ripe bananas mashed with a fork
2 eggs
1/3 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
(you may add nuts or chocolate chips to your liking)
Preheat oven to 350
Prepare a loaf pan
Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside. Beat butter, bananas, eggs and sour cream together. Add vanilla and beat again. Add combined dry ingredients and beat until just blended. Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake for 45-60 mins depending on your oven. The bread will be lightly brown, cooked through the center, yet still moist. Set pan on a wire rack to cool for 15 mins before slicing.
Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs
Thank you ALL for sharing your delicious recipes every Friday!
Blue Berry Crumb Bars:
Made by: Catz in the Kitchen
Bistro Focaccia
Made By: Simpy…This.That.And The Other.
Rocky Road Fudge Bars
Made By: Captive Creativity
These pretty little Crab Rangoons are simple to make, but look so fancy! If you want to impress your guests, but don’t have a lot of time- these are “your” appetizers. Serve them by themselves or along side of a sweet and sour sauce. Delicious!
Purchase pre-made Wonton wrappers (these are found by the bagged lettuce at your grocery store). Grease a mini muffin pan and place a wonton wrapper in each cup. You will need to fold sides and press them together. If you get a tear, no worries- they will turn out just fine.
In a large bowl, add cream cheese, crab meat, mayo, and green onions.
Mix together well.
Fill each wonton with a heaping teaspoon of mixture. Bake uncovered in a preheated oven at 350 for appx 15 mins or until golden brown. When cool to the touch, take each one out and place on a serving tray for your guests!
Easy Crab Rangoon
(Recipe from Kraft)
12 oz crab meat (you may use imitation)
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup sliced green onion
1 cup mayonaise
24 wonton wrappers
- Preheat oven to 350
- Grease a mini-muffin tin
- Place wonton wrappers in muffin tin-gently folding and pressing so they fit and do not attach to one another
- Mix crab meat, cream cheese, mayo and green onion together
- Place a heaping teaspoonful of filling in each wonton wrapper
- Bake uncovered for appx 15 mins until golden brown
- Place on serving tray along side of sweet and sour sauce/Thai dipping sauce (World market sells the best).
If you like this recipe you must try my friend, Mem’s Spring Rolls ! I love Asian food…MMMmmmm….
I heard noises coming from the kitchen early this morning. “What time is it Hon?”, I asked my husband across the bed. ” Uhh..7″ he said in a very groggy voice. I had 15 mins until the alarm would go off then I would have to get my crew ready for church. I had a feeling the noise was just my oldest in the refrigerator helping himself to some cereal, so I sunk back into my pillow to get that extra 15 mins I “deserved”. About 5 mins later I heard my son running up the steps and into our room. “Mom! I have a surprise for you…come look!!!!” He was just so excited that I managed to get myself up (yes, before the alarm rang- haha) to find out what my surprise was...and would you look at this….
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| Breakfast “7 -year- old- style” |
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| Placemats…. |
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| with all of our names 😉 |
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| 1/2 of a waffle, banana, and a Sprite for Mom and Dad. |
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| Grapes, a banana and some fruit punch for his sisters! |
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| Me and my little man… I was one proud Mama. |
Yes… I ate that cold frozen waffle, that not-quite-ripe banana…and traded in my coffee for a Sprite this morning. My son was moved to serve his family all on his own and nothing else mattered.
This is a small start, I know…but I have high hopes for this child of mine. It brought a tear to my eye that he may be watching me afterall…..
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| (All New Good Housekeeping Cookbook p. 65) |
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| Shuck fresh corn on the cob |
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| Rinse corn and get rid of all silk |
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| Quarter baby red potatoes. |
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| Dice onions. |
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| With a knife-slice the corn off the cob. You may end up cutting kernels unevenly-don’t worry about it. |
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| Saute butter in large pot, add onions and garlic |
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| Then add flour, salt and pepper – this will make a paste on your onions. |
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| Add milk, broth, cream, corn, and potatoes. |
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| Place 3 corn on the cobs (with kernels off) in the soup for an extra corny taste. This really “makes it”. Cover and let simmer for 20 mins until the potatoes are tender. |
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| I added seasoned salt and pepper on top. You will LOVE this! |
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
Top 3 Picks from Last Friday!
Smashed Potato Bites
Brought to us by: A Fixed Heart
Deviled Eggs
Brought to us by: My Heart’s Desire
Homemade Lemonade
Brought to us by: Eating my way back.
This is one of my favorite chicken recipes EVER! I make this often in the Summer for guests. These kabobs taste amazing and look beautiful. The pineapple juice in the marinade makes the chicken so juicy…Mmmm! Enjoy!
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| Marinade: soy sauce, pineapple juice, vegetable oil, brown sugar, garlic powder (I used garlic, garlic), ginger, dry mustard. |
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| For the pineapple juice, I simply use the juice from a can of pineapple. But, for the pineapple in the kabobs- I use fresh pineapple. Call me crazy..but I can taste a big difference in canned vs. fresh pineapple! |
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| Grate your ginger. You can find ginger root at your grocery store. It is typically by the fresh lettuce. Peel the skin off and simply grate it with a zester or your cheese grater. No biggie here. |
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| This is what it will look like. DO NOT omit this if all possible-it really adds a kick to the marinade! |
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| Put all those ingredients into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 mins. Take off of burner and let cool in the saucepan. |
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| Cut up raw chicken (get rid of fat) |
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| Place your cut chicken in a 9×13 pan and pour marinade over top |
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| Cover and refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours or overnight. |
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| Prep your veggies. I have fresh pineapple, red peppers, green peppers, cherry tomatoes, and onions. |
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| When you are ready to “kabob” water your skewers so they don’t catch on fire on the grille. |
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| Ready! |
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| And away we go! After I finish “kabobing” I sprinkle them with seasoned salt and freshly ground pepper. (I use Tastefully Simple Seasoned Salt-it is so good). |
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| Fire up the grill! I lay grill foil down every time I make kabobs- it keeps them from sticking and if anything falls off it just falls onto the foil. I cooked these on medium high heat (I have a gas grill) for about 6 mins then flipped for another 6 mins. |
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| Our menu that evening also included fresh watermelon, corn on the cob, mashed garlic red potatoes, pickled cucumbers and bread twists (and berry cobbler). I put most of my effort into the main course and made sure to make very simple sides.
Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs(Makes enough for 6- you may double as I did in the photos) Marinade: 6-8 chicken breasts Wooden skewers Combine all marinade ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 mins. Cool. Cut off fat on raw chicken and cube. Place chicken in a 9×13 pan and pour cooled marinade over top. Cover and put in refrigerator for at least 3-4 hours (or overnight). Prep/cut all veggies up and place in another 9×13 and refrigerate until you are ready to “kabob”. Run water over wooden skewers so they do not catch fire on grill. Alternate chicken with veggies and pineapple. Sprinkle kabobs with seasoned salt and pepper. Heat grill to med-high heat and cover with grill foil (or regular foil with cooking spray). Grill covered appx 6 mins a side until chicken is cooked through. Utter deliciousness. Enjoy! |
Who would have thought there were so many different ways to prepare green beans? Cooked in bacon, stirred in marinara, french cut, fresh cut, frozen, canned, fresh, boiled with a ham hock…I could go on and on. This is my husband’s favorite way I make green beans. They are fresh, crisp, nutty, flavorful and they look fancy (don’t tell anyone your steamed them in the microwave, lol). Oh, I forgot to add quick and easy too!
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I purchase a large bag of fresh green beans from my grocery store. Then, I poke holes in the steam bag and microwave for 5 mins.
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| Crush Oreos (I put them in a plastic ziploc and crush them with a meat pounder). |
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| Mix them in a bowl with melted butter and press mixture out on a 9×13 pan. Place in the refrigerator. Move on to the next step.
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| Beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and milk together with mixer. |
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| It will be thick and creamy like so… |
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| Then, you will fold in 1 cup of Cool Whip (Stir vertically). This is important NOT to beat with mixer- it will get soupy. Also important NOT to add the entire container of Cool Whip!! |
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| Take the Oreo crust out of the refrigerator and carefully spread cream cheese mixture on top . |
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| When your pudding is set, pour over top of cream cheese mixture and spread evenly. |
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| Top with Cool Whip. I drop heaping spoonfuls all over the top, then spread carefully. |
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| Sprinkle Oreos on top. WHALA!
Oreo Maddness 1 package of Oreos 8 oz cream cheese Crush entire package of Oreos. Place crushed Oreos in a large bowl (reserving 1 cup or Oreos for topping-important!) mix well with butter. Press crumb mixture at the bottom of a 9×13 pan and place in refrigerator. Whisk milk with pudding and place in refrigerator and let set. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and 2 Tbsp milk well. Fold in 1 cup of whipped topping. Place cream cheese mixture on top of oreo crust. Pour chocolate pudding over cream cheese mixture. Then, top with Cool Whip and crushed Oreos. Enjoy! |
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| Action shot of my friend Nikki -Love her. |
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| Oreo Madness it is. |
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| My 2 year old “stole” my husband’s plate! lol. Love to you, Janelle |
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| 4 lbs of redskin potatoes. I peeled any “brown spots” I didn’t like off and kept the good skin on. Boil these on high heat until very tender. Pierce with a fork to test – if the fork goes through easily they are done. Drain in colander. Transfer to large bowl. |
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| Mash potatoes with sour cream, butter, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder ( I used Garlic, Garlic from Tastefully Simple) |
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| This made enough for 10 servings. I also made corn on the cob, bread twists, cucumber salad, watermelon , Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs, and Triple Berry Cobbler. |
Mashed Redskin Potatoes
4 lbs redskin potatoes (brown spots peeled off)
1 stick of butter
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp garlic powder (or more to your liking)
salt and pepper to taste.
Peel brown spots off of potatoes keeping some of the red skin on. Boil potatoes in a large pot until tender. Pour out into colander. Transfer hot potatoes into a large mixing bowl. Add butter to potatoes and mix with mixer (or mash with a potato masher). Get out most lumps (I always leave in a few). Add remaining ingredients and mix ( or mash) well.
(If you want thinner potatoes add additional milk 1 Tbsp at a time.)
Friday’s Top 3 Picks!
Thanks again for sharing your delicious recipes!
Fruit Pizza
Served By: Hospitality at Heart
Roasted Eggplant and White Bean Dip
Served By: Ministry To Motherhood
Free Form Apple Tarts
Served By: Shop Girl
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| Simply slice a hotdog in half leaving the top in tact for the head of the “octopus”. Then, turn and slice again. You will have 4 “legs”. |
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| Boil water in a large pot on the stove. Add hotdogs. The legs will begin to curl up. Boil for appx 5 mins. |
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| Serve on top of Kraft Mac n Cheese! I made eyes with mustard- you can get as creative as you wish. |
May this bring smiles to YOUR table.
Love to you, Janelle
Just the smell of this delicious dessert will have you drooling! Summer has arrived and I can’t think of a better dessert to make with fresh berries. Using pre-made pie crust makes this a very quick and easy recipe, but still tastes every bit as homemade. Serve this warm with vanilla bean ice cream. Mmmm….
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| Sugar, flour, butter, vanilla |
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| Whisk together into a paste |
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| Rinse and drain fresh blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries in a colander |
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| Stir together gently with a large spoon. |
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| On a clean and floured surface roll out 1 pre-made pie crust. |
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| Slice in strips with a pizza cutter |
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| Lay dough strips over berry mixture in a lattice fashion |
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| Bake and serve warm with vanilla ice cream! Triple Berry Cobbler (Serves appx 10) 1 cup sugar 1/3 cup flour 1/2 cup butter melted 2 tsp vanilla 1 container (appx 1 pint) each of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries 1 refrigerated pie crust (I used pilsbury in a roll-its by the crescents at the grocery store) sugar for dusting Vanilla ice cream Preheat oven to 425 Mix together sugar, flour, butter and vanilla in a round casserole dish (you will also bake in this dish). Rinse and drain berries, then add to flour mixture. Gently stir together with spoon. Cut pie crust into 1 inch strips and lay in a lattice fashion across the berry mixture. Dust top with sugar. Bake at 425 for appx 35 mins or until crust is lightly browned and berries are bubbling. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream. |
Hi Ladies! What an encouragement this “Meal Ministry” testimony is to me. I have a feeling you will love it has much as I do. Please help me welcome Lori…
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| Lori and her husband Kevin have been married for over 27 years and have 3 sons, Sean (26), Dave (24), and Jordan(20). ” As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” -Joshua 24:15 Here is the sweet letter I received from Lori a few days ago: |
*A very sincere thank you for your prayers from last week. My uncle went home to be with our Lord and we are feeling very carried by all of you.
“You give and take away, You give and take away, my heart will choose to say,
Lord blessed be Your name”.
http://comfyinthekitchen.com/2011/06/happy-friday-ladies-come-visit-women/
Let’s face it…we live in a fast paced world right now. Convenience has become a huge factor in what we feed our children and what we eat ourselves. The food industry has made it easy for us with individually bagged chips, fruit snacks, cookies, etc. Yes, there are the 100 calorie bags, which I appreciate, but I know they aren’t always healthy.
There ARE ways to make “healthy” choices AND have them be convenient. One way that I practice this in my home is by “bagging” healthy foods. When I get home from the grocery store, or farmers market…I simply wash, cut, and individually bag fruits, veggies, and cheese. I place the bags in the bottom drawer of my refrigerator and allow my children to take a snack from there whenever they get hungry (with moderation). I love that they can get to it on their own, and that they are getting a healthy snack. If we are in a hurry to get out the door, I also grab bags from this drawer and put them in an insulated bag.
Another great tip: Freeze “Gogurt” and place in an insulated bag with the fruits. They keep everything cold and they thaw when the children are ready to eat them!
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| My bottom refrigerator drawer |
Love to you,
Janelle
When I was 12 a neighbor invited me to church with her. I went up to an “alter call” and asked the Lord into my heart. I don’t think I completely knew the commitment I was making at the time…but I knew that the Lord wanted me and I certainly craved His love.
Throughout my teenage years I felt the Lord’s protection and the holy spirit’s convictions and managed to stay on a fairly straight path (praise you God!). But little did I know I had SO much room for growth…I hadn’t grown at all spiritually. I was still that 12 year old little girl in a young woman’s body. After college, I started craving things of this world….
I wanted the degree…the husband….the high powered job…shnazy suits…the Mc mansion…the beautiful children…the fancy car…the spa treatment….success…the envy of my friends…I wanted it ALL.
And guess what? For the most part, God gave it all to me.
Then…..he took it all back for a while and humbled me in a very hard way….My husband lost his job for a year and a half during a hard economic time…bills, phone calls, embarrassment, pride crushed, ugh.
Why? Because as as Hebrews 12:6 says “Because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son.” He wanted more for me than I wanted for myself. He wanted me to have true happiness that can only come from Him.
It was during this time that I started growing in Christ. I decided to TRULY open my arms and say “Ok, I am done with this world, you are right God! Use me how YOU want to use me and help me excuse myself!!!”
That is when He spoke to me and told me to start cooking for a man with MS. I had a hard time understanding why God wanted me to give to someone when I had nothing extra. But, I submitted to this request….and there began my “meal ministry”. I cooked for Kevin for a year, visited him, and prayed for him….I remember him telling me (as he sat in his wheel chair) “You don’t have to look very far to find a person who has it worse than you do.” God used this man to help ME while I thought I was helping him.
I got hooked….
“God, keep using me please!” I would pray at night. The more I served people the closer I felt to God. The more and more I submitted to His will on my life…the better my marriage got, our financial situation turned completely around, and my spiritual life grew leaps and bounds. God blessed me with a church family, friends, many ministry opportunities, and this blog!
What would I have done if I hadn’t given it to God? I would have continued to desire what only God could give me and would have accepted a subpar world to fulfill my needs.
People think I am crazy that not only do I not make money off of my ministry…it costs me money. But, I am God’s and everything that I have is God’s…and it feels so good and freeing to live life this way. I don’t have to even the score…I just have to submit to Him!!!!
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| Me and my sweet hubby bringing in food for the church |
Last week was the “Meet and Greet” for our Summer Women’s Bible Study. With our group of sweet ladies, when there is a get together…you KNOW there will be some yummy snacks (lol). These delicious Cucumber Sandwiches were my contribution to the evening! They are inexpensive to make, quick, easy, delicious, and make enough for a large group! I make these often.
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| Italian dressing mix, cream cheese, mayo, loaf of party pumpernickel, cucumber, (dill weed) |
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| Combine dressing mix, mayo and cream cheese |
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| Mix well with mixer |
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| Peel and slice cucumbers |
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| I find this bread by the deli section at my grocery store. |
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| Spread appx 1 1/2 tsp of mixture on bread slice. |
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| Top with cucumber |
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| Sprinkle with dill weed |
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| Continue until bread is gone |
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| Line em up! Aren’t they beautiful? |
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| And here we are at bible study! (We are studying “The Ministry of Motherhood”- check out the online study at the Good Morning Girls website!) |
Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries by “My Perfect Mess”
Pancake Muffins by “Eating My Way Back”
A very sincere thank you goes out to those who have prayed for me and my family. We have had a long year of illnesses and death. We are blessed to be such a close family. If you would, please say a special prayer for my “Grandma Ruth”(many of you have made her recipes!) She has lost a husband this year and is expecting to lose her son this week. This is the very first time I have asked for prayer, but I believe in the power of it and and would be so grateful if you would be willing to do this for me.
Love to you, Janelle
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I am so blessed to be a part of a “Good Morning Girls” group. Have you ever heard of it before? If not please take a look at the “Good Morning Girls” blog.
Simply put, we are a group of ladies God put together to send one another daily e-mails about what we read in the bible that morning. Sometimes morning becomes afternoon becomes evening…but grace is all over that for moms <wink>. We also pray for one another, ask for prayer, and get together for fellowship.
Below are some photos of our most recent brunch…God gave us a beautiful sunshiny day, provided us with a delicious meal and sweet fellowship. It was so nice to be “in person” with the ladies I e-mail every morning!
I hope you get some great ideas below and perhaps I could encourage you to put together a “Good Morning Girls” group of your own! Simply ask a group of friends if they are interested in “devotion accountability”and register your group on the GMG’s website. There are “breaks” and “times” to register, but there is no reason you couldn’t start e-mailing now!
Here is a sample:
GMGs! It’s 7:00 and I just had my quite time in Jer 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I prayed this over my family and over my life. I am getting ready to take the kidos to school…here they come running down the stairs! Oh, please keep praying for my uncle who is in the hospital. Love you, Janelle
Then, we hit “reply all” when we want to respond to the chain of GMG’s in our group. It is wonderful!
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| The lovely ladies chatting |
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| Mmmmm…we have fresh berries, pastries, grapes and melon, and of course my favorite “Quick and Easy, Ham and Cheesy Quiche” (you gotta try this!) |
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| Tania is one of my very dear friends. She is the most AMAZING hostess. This girl can keep a home, let me tell you! She also has the gift of decorating …we were blessed to have such a beautiful home open to us on this day. |
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| The children had a great time playing AND got to see their moms together in fellowship with other Christian moms. |
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| Another very dear friend, Courtney, from Women Living Well prayed over our brunch, our families, and our sisterhood! Courtney started “Good Morning Girls” so I feel especially blessed to be part of her group. She is the BEST accountability partner. |
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| Beautiful Courtney slicing up the quiche for us! |
A few months ago, Dawn, a reader of “Comfy in the Kitchen” brought this story to my attention. I was so touched and felt it very necessary to share it with you.
Much love going out to Courtney and her God-honoring blog…her posts have been a blessing in my life!
Thank you Money Wise Moms! What a great idea to use a pita as a base crust for this delicious pizza!
Oooooo Ladies, we love a good Chicken Salad, don’t we?! It is just such a treat when this dish is served. Why? Because typically it takes a bit of time to make, is expensive, and yes…most times is deeeelicious (if you have a good recipe of course).
Because this recipe calls for an already roasted chicken (which at my store is $5), it reduces the time and price it takes to make this delicious salad! Sound good? It is…
The mixture of sour cream, mayo and Marzetti’s Slaw Dressing makes the texture lighter, the grapes add sweetness and the nuts add a crunch. A mixture of utter yumminess.
Feel free to be adventurous with your sweet/savory items and different ways to add texture.
Beware, make this just once, and everyone will ask you how to make “That” Chicken Salad!!!!
Enjoy!
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| Chicken, pecans, celery, onion, mayo, sour cream, grapes, Marzetti Slaw mix. |
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| Pound pecan halves |
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| Quarter grapes |
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| Dice celery |
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| Dice onions |
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| Place it all in a bowl |
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| Slice white meat off of chicken (you may add the dark meat if you like!) |
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| Cut into bite sized chunks |
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| I typically save the legs for the children for lunch the next day. |
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| Add all wet ingredients |
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| Mix well |
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| And serve! (This chicken salad wishes it was on a croissant, but I didn’t have one! lol still YUMMY!) |
“That” Chicken Salad
1 Roaster Chicken
1 cup quartered grapes
1 cup diced celery
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
2/3 cup Marzetti’s Slaw Dressing
2/3 cup sour cream
(you may change fruit to apples, pineapples, or red grapes. You also may use water chestnuts and Chinese noodles in place of nuts)
Pull chicken off of breast and dice. Add all other ingredients and mix well. Serve on lettuce, croissants, or bread…also very pretty in phyllo cups!
Love to you, Janelle
I tried this recipe years ago by recommendation of a close friend. It didn’t sound very appealing, but I decided to try it anyways. Was I ever pleasantly surprised! Not only is it a healthy choice it is juicy, tangy, and very satisfying to those of us with a sweet tooth. Adding just a bit of brown sugar on top of the grapefruit and broiling it creates a crust or a “brulee” if you will….trust me, you will love it. It’s perfect for breakfast or a snack… especially for those of us who are participating in the “Reshaping It All Challenge“! Love to you, Janelle
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| (photo from food.com) Grapefruit Brulee (1-2 servings) 1 Pink grapefruit Turn broiler on to high. Slice a grapefruit in half and place it on a cookie sheet. Spoon brown sugar on top and spread evenly. Broil for 5 mins until bubbly and lightly browned. Eat with a serrated grapefruit spoon! Enjoy. |
Our friend George (his wife Christina and my baby girl is also pictured)
Sonya from “ Becoming a Strong Woman of God” is a military wife!
If you don’t have the time to make a care package, why not order one to be sent? It would make a soldier’s day! This is an excellent website that actually makes “care packages” for soldiers! They have thought of it all.
I like this recipe because I have most, if not all of the ingredients in my cupboard! A simple, efficient, and delicious treat! Thanks Crystal with “Life is nothing without Him”! These sound deeeeelish!
| I was so anxious and ladled with guilt when I was pregnant with our second child. I worried horribly that our son would feel he was being replaced by our newest addition. He was our first child and the first grandchild on both sides of our family. I firmly believe he received enough love and attention in his first 2 years of life to last anyone a lifetime! Not only did I worry about his feelings, I even started to wonder about my feelings. I wondered how I could love another child as much as I loved our first. Ohh…the guilt! What a battle this was inside of my head! Then, someone told me “One of the best treasures you can give your children is a sibling. There is something about growing up in a family together that creates a very special bond …sharing the same family memories is priceless” Wow….that was all I needed to hear. I am an “only child” by my parents, however I have 3 half- siblings. Unfortunately we didn’t all grow up together in the same home or have the same memories of our childhood. I wish we did! If I had any control over that, I would have done anything to grow up with all of my siblings. However, it just wasn’t so…but, nonetheless, God has blessed me abundantly. I love watching the three of my children grow up together and have SO enjoyed watching “siblings in action”. They laugh, fight, play, hug, cheer on, and love one another on a daily basis. I pray every night that they keep this bond throughout the rest of their lives. Love to you, Janelle “Like Branches On A Tree, We May Grow In Different Directions, Yet Our Roots Remain As One. Each Of Our Lives Will Always Be A Special Part Of One Another.” ~ Unknown |
Peel and chop garlic
Saute onions and garlic in olive oil on med-high heat. When onions start to soften, add chili powder and cumin
Add broth and water
Turn heat up and let simmer for 15 mins
Turn down heat
Take an immersion blender and blend right into the pot of soup. This willliquify some of the beans making a thicker/creamy texture and will leave some beans in tact. If you do not have an immersion blender, please do not let this stop you from making this recipe! Simply take half of the soup and blend it in an actual blender or food processor and place back with remaining soup.
Scoop a cup of rice into your serving bowl. (I just used a simple minute rice here)
Pour soup over top and garnish with fresh cilantro! ( I had 2 helpings of this, which is NOT typical- it was THAT good!)
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. ~Mark 10:13-16
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My children and their friends eating popcicles.
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Running through sprinklers, playing at the park, fishing, swimming, eating ice cream, laughing, playing, golfing, catching fireflies, vacationing, and biking…these are just a few things I can’t wait to do this Summer with my children…. I’m so excited for school to be out so I can have all of my ducklings in a row and at home with me. At ages 7, 5 and 2 years old I’m sure they will keep me running this year, but all the memories will be well worth all of the energy spent.
Since I can remember I’ve always wanted to be a mom….my life is my dream come true. Even more, I’ve always wanted to be “that mom” and live in “that home” where other children want to come and play. The mom who bakes chocolate chip cookies and makes lemonade…the mom who loves all of the children deeply like Jesus did and does.
Being “that mom” is a meal ministry in itself….I can’t count how many batches of cookies I’ve made, gallons of kool aid I’ve served, and popcicles I’ve handed out. To be honest, It is actually my favorite ministry. It is such an honor to be part of a child’s life. I am so thankful to live in a neighborhood filled with sweet children, and have so many friends with children that I can help. What a blessing!
As Summer rolls around, I pray that you too will feel called to be “that mom” for all the children in your life….is truly is so special.
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| The neighbors and my son playing Star Wars in the yard. |
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| My daughter and her friend making sundaes. |
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| My children and more friends with “olive fingers”. |
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| I took my friend’s little girl on a “Build a Bear” day trip with my girls! We had so much fun. Of course, ice cream was a must! |
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| My children with more friends! We all made cookies together…so sweet. |
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| My friend’s little girl…we made cupcakes for her birthday! |
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| Our next door neighbors came over for some rootbeer floats! I have had these little ones over for 6 years…wow, has time flown and how they have grown!
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Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.
~Charles R. Swindoll
These memories are priceless….Thank you Lord for blessing me with my own children and allowing me to be a part of the lives of other children.
Love to you,
Janelle
“Cooke Droplets Etc.” shares a delicious twist on the traditional (and ever SO yummy) no-bake cookie! I am not going to tell you the secret…you have to look for yourself 😉 Thanks Marelie!
I bet these didn’t last long…
“The Hungry Homebody” brought this delicious salad to her neighborhood block party! What a treat! Looks and sounds delicious. Thanks Julianna!
“Jewelry For Change” shares a simple to make bread ring recipe that will be sure to WOW your guests! I just LOVE the mixture of onions with swiss. Looks wonderful Jan!
Last week my family enjoyed an excellent recipe from Candace’s kitchen. I had already made up some salsa and was searching for a good Mexican dish to pair with it. I remembered Turkey Tacos being mentioned in “Reshaping it All”. I had to adapt it just a bit because I had already made up the salsa, but it turned out great just the same. This is a recipe I will be adding to my “make often” list! It is healthy, delicious, and pleases the entire family. Candace, thank you for your encouragement and your delicious recipes! You are most certainly Comfy in your Kitchen!
Love to you, Janelle
As I looked out the window on one of our warmest Spring days, I was so appreciative to see the gentleman we hired doing outside work on our home. He was on time, working hard, and doing an excellent job. He had a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, sweat dripping from his brow, and was listening to Shania Twain (lol). I had just made the girls their lunch and they were eating at the dining room table. It dawned on me that he was working through his lunch hour. I looked in the refrigerator for something to make him….I actually didn’t have much to offer because I hadn’t been to the grocery store in 5 days. I was able to scrounge up something edible and my daughter and I brought it out to him and told him how much we appreciate his hard work. He was so thankful…I can’t even describe the smile he had on his face. The lunch I made him wasn’t much, but it meant a lot to him…I did this the following day as well. He called us the next evening to let us know that in the 20 years he had been doing work, no one had ever made him lunch before……
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:12-17
We can do no great things, only small things with great love. ~Mother Teresa
Please help me welcome our fellow Sister-in-Christ, Lisa! What an amazing life-song she sings…
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| Lisa and her daughter |
I am a follower of Jesus Christ and know that without HIM, I am NOTHING. I live in the Pacific NW with my sweet hubby of 20 years, two very fun teenagers and our little dappled dachshund. I have always loved making things, but after I became a mom myself, I found that I enjoyed crafting gifts EVEN more. There is so much excitement in starting with a few details and bringing it all together…especially when textured paper and ribbon are involved! Growing up in Europe as the child of missionaries to the military, I watched my mom create amazing things with what she had. Most things were handmade. It is the skills I learned from her that I use in all my creative endeavors. I love making simple gifts that have a story, a memory or a special meaning. Recycling and repurposing as much as possible and finding a great bargain are on the list of my favorite things! Most of my days are filled with taking care of my family…avoiding laundry at all costs {except for laundry day which is my Mundane Monday!}, taking meals to people, entertaining and being extremely grateful to God for every day of life.
Showing hospitality by taking meals to people when they are sick, have had surgery or just need a little extra tlc when life gets overwhelming can be such a JOY! Sometimes it is easy to become so focused on our own families that it becomes difficult to think of others around us who are in need of our encouragement and help.
There have been PLENTY of times in my life when I have been taken under the wings of others and have been shown mercy. It is still a blessing thinking back to so many times others have cared for me and for my family. I can’t help but to think of how it feels to be taken care of. It is one of the best feelings in the world!
When I think of hospitality, I think of the root word “hospital”. So, I looked it up…just for fun. I know we are all familiar with what a hospital is, but my old 1963 edition of Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines it as follows: “a charitable institution for the needy, aged, infirm, or young, an institution where the sick or injured are given medical or surgical care.”
While we are most likely not giving medical or surgical care, taking a meal to someone is comforting beyond words and it is always appreciated and welcome. For those of you who may struggle having people in your homes, this is the perfect alternative for you!
If your palms are starting to sweat, hold on. Showing hospitality to others does not mean fancy schmancy. It does not have to be homemade and it certainly does not have to be a complete meal…unless you signed up for it. If you did commit and are feeling like it is more than you bargained for, ask a friend to help. Maybe you can split the meal.
What is the first thing you do after you commit to taking a dinner to someone? Do you start to stress and wish you would have never offered? Do you ask a friend to trade dates in hope that the recipient will no longer be in need when it rolls around to your turn? Anyway you look at it, it can be a daunting task, to not only need to fix your family dinner but somebody elses family as well!
I think my favorite binder is the “MEALS TO GO” binder. It has made taking meals to people so easy…and might I add…FUN! I am not even kidding! Taking the guess work out of what to prepare and take allows me to make quick decisions and spend a little extra time embellishing it. It is a great way to pamper people and I no longer feel like I am just doing crafts “to do” crafts, but it allows me to be a little creative while being able to share with those who are in need!
Here is what works for me, but I would love to hear what works for you. Others ideas are always welcome and appreciated!!! I think we all enjoy hearing how other people do things!
BINDER ORGANIZATION:
Label your binder
The first page has the list of meals I choose from…if your recepient loves something in particular that you are aware of it makes it even easier to decide!
Keep this list simple and doable. If it is a chicken from Costco, a loaf of bread, bag-o-salad and lemonade, write it down. If it is a box of cereal, milk and bread write it down. This has to be what works for YOU! If it is having a pizza delivered write the phone number down so that you can call and have it DELIVERED! Are we all on the same page? Onward we go!
Each Meal has a complete list of what I will be taking to make it a “meal”.
I would encourage you to come up with one menu for each season…start with one meal that will be a JOY to make! 
The next page has the recipes, so I am not spending all my time flippin’ through different binders trying to track down what I need to make dinner.
Have you ever thought about taking breakfast the evening before? This is AWESOME. You can deliver it in the evening after your evening has “settled” down and it might be a very welcome change for one VERY happy recipient. You may want to try it!
While we have been talking about “meals to go”, I wanted to make sure that I mentioned this: there are certainly seasons in our lives where helping others is easier than others. Showing hospitality is nurturing. It is showing you care. Simple as that.
A few of my favorite things I have received as a “bedridden Momma” are: {1}a little bag with a card, a peppermint plant and a box of tea, {2}a bottle of sparkling water and a fresh lemon, {3}a bag of epsom salts etc. Even a sleeve of Saltine crackers and 7 UP is something you could keep on hand to deliver when the need arises!
So, as we have all been given the gift of TODAY, I hope that you, too, will find JOY in showing hospitality in a very real way wheather it be a meal, a note or a cup of lemonade!
Happy May!
Lisa, thank you so very much for the amazing tips. Your packaging is so beautiful! It is such a blessing to know other women share the gifts of hospitality and mercy. Love to you, Janelle
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| Please click here to visit Lisa’s Blog at The Pearson Family Blogspot! |
My friend Carla brought this delicious salsa to a play-date a few years ago…it was an absolute hit with us moms! So, of course I had to get the recipe. I make this often for family, friends, and guests…It is delicious not only with chips but also on salads, tacos, and wraps! Mmmmm!!!
This recipe is dedicated to my dear friend Krista who has been begging me to share it since I made it on our ladies Narnia night, lol. Sorry it took me so long!
Please help me welcome a very close friend of mine, Katina. She is a huge blessing in my life…we are in bible studies together, our children go to school together, we pray together, encourage one another, and have fun together!!!! Katina is so supportive of my meal ministry …I am so thankful for her.
In light of the “Reshaping it All” challenge, my sweet friend brought ingredients over to my home and made these delicious Oatmeal Rasin Treats for me. As I was watching her make them (which was so much fun), she shared with me her “food testimony”….I really felt it was a “God thing” hearing what she had to share. I immediately thought of my readers….that some of you may be going through this very thing right now (I won’t ruin it ….I will let her tell you).
I was so blessed to have her companionship that day…. I was the recipient of a “Meal Ministry”!!!!! Katina, I am so thankful for your friendship…(and your oatmeal rasin treats, lol).
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| Katina , her husband, and two sweet children. |
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” -1 Corinithians 10:31
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| Such a sweet family!
Katina writes…. |
About fifteen years ago, I started feeling lightheaded and dizzy and was tired all the time. I went to a doctor regarding this and had all kinds of medical tests done. Everything came back normal, and the doctor told me basically that it was in my mind and that she could refer me to a psychologist. I knew that is not what I needed, so I continued to pray for guidance and wisdom. One day I was listening to a Christian radio program and a local doctor was talking about hidden food sensitivities. He stated that a lot of our physical ailments stem from the foods we eat. I was pretty much willing to try anything at this point since I had been having these symptoms for over seven months. I made an appointment with this doctor and he did some blood work, which revealed MANY food sensitivities. The main ones were sugar, dairy, & wheat….which was in everything I was eating!! I then began to educate myself in this area, and completely revamped my diet. I became a label reader and discovered how many different names are used for these foods. I also realized that anything that said ‘enriched’ or ‘hydrogenated’ stayed in me for days and made me feel a lot worse. I came up with many wonderful recipes…like these oatmeal raisin treats….that were not only healthy, but tasted great! It took about one month and then I started to feel AMAZING…and all my symptoms were gone! Praise God!! The doctor told me that I needed to keep these foods out of my diet for nine months, and then I could slowly start to reintroduce them back into my diet…but in moderation. But that’s the part that I’ve always struggled with….moderation. Growing up in an Italian family definitely does not help in that area lol! During most of my family gatherings we had lots and lots of food around us all the time. And this is what I thought was ‘normal’ for most of my life. I know how to eat healthy…..how to read ingredients….how to stay fit….however, I don’t have good self-control. For the next couple of months I am focusing on renewing my mind and spirit in this area. This recipe is great to have so that I can satisfy my sweet tooth in a healthy way. I hope it helps you as well! God Bless, Katina.
Oh, how I love a cool, fresh, fruit smoothie! Make these for breakfast or have them as a treat on a sunny afternoon. Here is a delicious recipe you and your entire family will enjoy! This is a healthier option in place of going out for ice cream or making milkshakes at home, yet still just as satisfying!
Friday’s Top 3
Baked Teriyaki Chicken
The “Unworking Mom” shares with us this delicious recipe! My mouth is watering just reading about it. Thanks Jackie!
Easy Spinach Calzones
Amee’s Savory Dish shares her recipe for these quick and delicious calzones. She is a girl after my own heart using ricotta! Wohoo! I love how she scales down on the calories and fat…no meat, thinner crust, low-fat cheese. Thanks Amee!
Decadent, Healthy Brownies
“Always Learning” shares a healthier version of brownies! I’m in Lori! lol! Thank you!
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| I am laughing right now…this is tofu turkey (“Tofuturkey”) if you will, with brown rice and veggies. I am not a tofu lover, but my husband was really craving some meat so I made this for him. I ate this without the meatless meat, lol. ( I will not make you eat this) Take time to visit the “Reshaping it All” Blog. You will be greeted with encouraging words for a healthier you. I was guest posting there today! |
Thank you, Candace, for sharing your testimony with us in your book. You are a bright light!
Hi Ladies!
Twice a year I get the pleasure of making lunch for our church’s new member and guest luncheon. It is typically a pretty busy weekend for me and my family…I grocery shop for a ton of food, pile everything in my kitchen (it feels like Christmas!!!), cook the night before and the morning of and haul everything over to the church! Then, our Pastor is there to greet us with a crew of volunteers ready to help unload and set up. Call me crazy, but this is actually SO MUCH FUN for me!
Here is a sneak peak into my weekend. I wish I would have gotten more photos, but I was bussssyyy!!!
(I had 60 people to cook for today- we have had up to 120)
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| I made 2 of these huge salads. Lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, olives, and croutons. |
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| I really like the containers at GFS…these are about $2 and have lids. I can also reuse them! |
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| My son “getting in on the action” crushing Heath bars for “Better than a Hug Cake” |
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My semi-homemade dressing. I like to use Good Seasons All Natural with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and sugar to taste.
Line em up!
My husband cutting “Better than a hug Cake”– I am VERY blessed to have such a supportive husband. I thank God for him every day. 
 My son watching me make a simple lemonade punch
 The lemonade takes on the color of the berries…pretty isn’t it? Very nice for Spring and Summer.
(recipe below)
The kids area had PB and J, chips, carrots, silly cookies and juice boxes
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Hi Ladies, I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!
It is such a joy for me to post Meal Ministry Mondays …God has provided a testimony to share every week on this blog. As you know, I have no control over who e-mails me with a story and photos, it is all in the Lord’s hands. So, as long as God is working through you there will be this post on this topic each Monday! Thank you all so very much.
How amazing it is to learn the many different and unique ways there are to serve our Lord and serve others through this meal ministry. You have all taught me so much…I am very grateful.
Please help me welcome our dear sister-in-Christ Jen. Jen hosts a girl sleep over once a month called “Sleep Over Sisters”. During these fun sleep overs the girls get to do “hands on” activities for their community that help spread the Word and share God’s love with others!
It makes my heart sing that these girls can enjoy in sweet fellowship at this young age. I pray that their passion for serving will grow as they do. I also pray their peers will take notice at how joyous it can be to serve…what an awesome age to learn this.
I don’t want to give her story away, so I will stop here….May Jen and these young girls keep their fire for the Lord burning bright!!!!
What a blessing you are Jen! Keep serving the Lord and others!!
Here is Jen’s letter to me…
3 years ago I heard about a local sleep over ministry that intrigued me. Anyone who knows me knows how I am a fanatic about throwing birthday parties, so why not take this passion and give it a purpose. The more I prayed about it the more God revealed a straight path of His will, in encouraging these young ladies to grow deeper in their relationship with Christ. As moms of then 2nd and 3rd graders we were already fretting about middle school. At the same time our church had a burst of growth that left our children feeling like a number. Thankfully our church has since remedied the problem, but at first it was a call to action for us moms. God revealed a group of girls who already knew each other from church but attended everything from public school to homeschool. We wanted these girls to grow in Christ and accountability to each other. Every time I turned God revealed ideas, games, crafts, even ten perfect t-shirts to kick off our little group. We began with a devotional book the girls could do at home with their moms, but as we came together once a month for a sleep over, God gave me words, lessons and verses to guide these young minds. I am not a writer, always despised it in school, but writing this curriculum just flowed like it was coming from God himself.
We are now completing our third year, meeting once a month, and sending off our oldest girls to middle school. This past year we stepped it up preparing them for serving at church and in the community. Each month, as we dove into and dissected scripture (yes we moved on from devotionals to large passages of scripture), we served someone in the community. We made bread for homeless, packed food boxes, made blankets for children’s hospital, raked rocks preparing a large garden for fall, made spa products for an outreach program and most recently made dinner for our local police department. I had no idea how 12, 10-11 year olds would handle themselves in my kitchen making dinner. They were fantastic. We had stations to make sauce, cheese, stuff shells, make bread and gooey butter cake. It went so smooth, that we fit in our Bible lesson about carrying the name of Jesus to the world before delivering the dinner.
Earlier that day I called all the surrounding police departments asking if there was anyone we could specifically pray for by name, and to let them know we would be praying for their departments. I had no idea how this idea would be received. Surprisingly each department was so open and grateful for my phone call. We went to the station and as the dispatcher waved us into the lobby a 911 call came in about an accident. We had the opportunity to drop everything and pray for those in the accident and the officers and paramedics that were pulling out of the parking lot with lights and sirens. An officer came and showed us into the break room where we left the dinner and another call came in. As he left we prayed, for the department for all those by name other departments gave me and the girls, so they would grow to always respect the officers in authority. It was an amazing experience made possible only by God’s hand and perfect timing. I attached some pics. I hope you enjoy them.
~Jen with “Sleep over Sisters”
I am participating at Living Well Wednesdays!
For more inspiring stories please click on the button below.
A local restaurant in my town had this beautiful life sized tomb on display….
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I shared this poem in bible study today and felt led to share it with all of you too….this is something I play over and over in my head daily. My life changed since I first read this poem…I pray yours does too.
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
Everything I do is for God…from cooking, to cleaning, to loving people, to blogging…it is for my Savior, my Father, my Maker…His best for me is enough. His death on the cross is enough.
Thank you, Lord for what you did for us on the cross and for giving your spirit to be with us always.
Enjoy your week leading up to Good Friday and Easter! Love to you, Janelle
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| Gina and her husband |
“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God”
Titus 2:3-5
I am a 47 year old Christ follower who desires to glorify and serve God in any way I can. I grew up in a Christian home and was introduced to Jesus at a very early age. At 20 years old I left home to attend Bible College in hopes of preparing for full-time ministry. I met my husband while I was in college and he was in seminary. We have been married for 22 years, and have been in some type of full time ministry for most of that time. We have two children: Brianna is 20 years old and a Jr. in college, and Caleb is 17 years old and will graduate this year from high school.
I have had a burden to find ways to encourage women since I was about 29 or 30! It has grown over the years as I found myself, at times, looking around for older women I could spend time with, and there were very few who were making themselves available. I would often read the passages about what we are supposed to be and do as women and read any book I could get my hands on that dealt with Titus 2, discipleship or mentoring. As a result of my praying and asking the Lord if there was anything more I could be doing to reach out, I felt led to start a blog. My vision was that I might be able to reach out to the women at the college, by writing and sharing Biblical truths. I had no idea that what God had in store for me would reach way beyond the campus where I live! I now have the privilege of writing and reaching out to a couple hundred women a day, through my blog and monthly at The Internet Cafe.
My husband is an ordained pastor, has a masters degree in sports medicine, and a masters in theology. I have a degree in Bible, and have been a stay at home mom for 20 years. God has combined these gifts and decided that our family would live life with college students. We live on a college campus where Brian is a faculty member and athletic director/trainer and we are both on staff. It has been a perfect fit for us! My first love and priority is being a wife and mother, keeping my home in order, and then living life with students, and serving anyone that happens to come to my door. Much, if not most of our ministry takes place in the kitchen! It includes serving alot of coffee and hot chocolate, fun and easy meals, and as many desserts as possible! College students regularly drop by our home to talk, do homework, relax, and EAT!
I jokingly refer to myself as “the old lady”. The title of my blog (Chats With An ‘Old Lady’) came from the fact that even though I am not really that “old”, because I live with 19-21 year olds, I am the “old lady” on campus. That, and the fact that I love the Titus 2 model and am learning how to be an “older woman”. Someone told me once that I am an “old lady wanna be”! I know they were joking, but I have to tell you that they are absolutely right! I am sensing such an urgency to “step up to the plate” and get involved in the lives of women as the Lord leads. I believe that now is the time! Things are getting worse. Satan is fighting hard. I want to be one that holds up the stop sign! To warn them. To point them in the right direction! And that is what my life revolves around.
God led me to Janelle’s blog, and I not only fell in love with the yummy, practical recipes, but I fell in love with Janelle and her heart to serve people from her kitchen. I guess I see her as a “kindred spirit”, since so much of what I do is from my own kitchen! I regularly consult Janelle’s blog for creative ideas for meals. She never lets me down!!!
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| Gina’s Daughter Brianna making my “Better than a Hug Cake”. |
We do have “regularly scheduled” planned events in our home for the students. One of them is “pancake night”-a night when we open our home from about 6-11:00 PM and I serve pancakes with all the toppings. The students love it and look forward to a time to take a break from studying. And of course the always love to eat! I love to have groups of girls in my home, and over the years have hosted “dorm meetings” here, a time for the girls in the dorm come over and have a meeting and then I serve them some fun, yummy snacks. But most of our ministry is relaxed and spontaneous. They know we are here and that they can come over for coffee or a meal, and they are always welcome. Many nights our couches and kitchen table are lined with students with laptops on their laps, playing on facebook and doing homework!
Don’t laugh…I am serious here. There IS a trick to boiling eggs!
Has this ever happened to you? Your water is boiling, you drop the eggs in then…..crack….tiny bubbles come up from the eggs, then egg whites slowly rise to the top of the boiling water. Now, instead of hard boiled you have accidental poached eggs. Or, an Easter Eggtastrophy if you will… Bummer.
(This is what I have been told happens anyways…hehe)
This is how to make the hard boiled eggs of your dreams…drum roll please….
He is Risen!
Love to you,
Janelle
I love looking through all of your amazing recipes. I can’t thank you enough for taking time to share them! You are SO talented, creative…and COMFY! I made a recipe this week from the link up and my, oh my, was it GOOD!
Caramel Corn submitted by Set Your Heart To Seek God– Thank you for this quick, easy, and yummy treat Robin! My family will love this one.
So are you wondering what one of these I made this week?!!!
Cauliflower Cheese submitted by 21st Century Housewife!!!
Last Sunday I was at a loss for what to make for dinner. I grocery shop on Monday and was left with an array of different ingredients in my refrigerator. I had most of the ingredients for April’s recipe so I went for it! I supplemented some of them as seen below.
Ladies, DO NOT be afraid to supplement ingredients!
(BTW- My husband who doesn’t typically eat left overs had this for lunch the next day…he LOVED it!)
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| April…Girl, I know you said this is NOT a one pot dinner…look at what I did to your beautiful recipe! I just threw it all in there! LOL! Basketball was starting and I had to hurry! |
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| I steamed the cauliflower with just a little water on the stove on high-10 mins. |
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| Threw in a little garlic and sauteed. |
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| All I had were bow tie noodles…it did the trick |
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| Started with a basic white sauce |
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| Threw in the steamed cauliflower with the rest of the veggies |
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| Added the cheese to the white sauce…this was delcious |
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| Put it all together in a 9×13, topped it with cheese and placed it under the broiler |
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| Whala! This did not take more than 35 mins to make and was DELICIOUS!!! |
Thank you All SO much again for sharing your recipes every week on Feasting in Fellowship. Thank you April for making my family happy this Sunday!
Love to you, Janelle
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| Off for our walk |
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| Don’t miss these precious moments |
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| Spend time with your children…it goes by so fast. |
This is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it!
~Psalm 118:24
I am participating in Women Living Well Wednesdays! Love you Courtney!
Please be so kind to welcome our fellow Sister and Christ, Ann (all the way from Australia)! She has been so kind to share a beautiful testimony of how we can give under any of life’s circumstances.
You will see how Ann’s story reminded me of my own…Could this be coincidence or a “God thing”? I will let you decide 🙂
Ann is a homeschool mother of seven children. She lives in Australia in a forest setting she calls her ‘Eight Acres of Eden’ where koalas live in the gum trees and the sub-tropical climate allows them to grow their own bananas.
Ann believes that homes, family and hospitality are inter-twined’. Hospitality is a way of life and is part of their Family Vision Statement. ‘Learning to serve others is what hospitality is all’ about says Ann. But it’s not just about learning how to set a table or cook a lavish meal. I don’t want hospitality to be a checklist or a process; I want my children to know that people are more important than the preparations and this is what we do together as a family – look after people.
Ann has been married for over 20 years and in that time, people from all walks of life have been welcomed into their home. There have been different ‘seasons of hospitality’ but the kitchen has always been a ‘base of operations’ for ministry to others. I am thrilled when I see my teenage daughter, says Ann, ‘ making one of her special desserts for the family and setting aside a portion to take across the road to our widowed neighbour.’
If you have a willing heart and say to God ‘Lord send us people’ – well you better be prepared! I prayed that prayer as a young married wife and God answered – not always in the way I had imagined and not always at times which were convenient for me!’
Tea and Honey Sandwiches’ is one of Ann’s real life stories and a lesson about hospitality and humility that took place in New Zealand where Ann lived until moving to Australia in 2002.
You can read more of Ann’s hospitality stories at her blog eightacresofeden.com where she shares about raising beautiful children in a beautiful place’ and all that she takes delight in as a Christian wife, mother and homemaker.
‘Is it okay to wash hands?’ The young woman with a European accent and oil stained hands had come to the back door of the church building where the Sunday creche was in full swing. She had come to the right place for help that morning. A sink with hot water, a towel and meeting a young mother who just happened to be married to a mechanic. She explained their predicament. They had broken down right outside the church on their way north. They were in New Zealand as agricultural exchange students and today was their day off and they were traveling to the hot pools. They were too far from their farm to expect their hosts to come and rescue them. It was also a Sunday and many garages were closed.
I told her to wait for a moment and went back into church to find my husband. He was sitting in the middle of a row near the front and the Pastor had just commenced his sermon. Never mind, I was now on a mission to help these stranded Danes!
Husband found three Danish girls and one young American guy (another exchange student from the same farm) with their second hand car – an old Austin, funnily enough the guy’s name was Austin and we are fairly certain that he bought it for the name rather than its mechanical dependability! The car needed some work to get it back on the road and then the realization of what I had set in motion that day dawned. ‘I’ve offered to tow them home after church and fix their car and suggested they come for lunch.’ You have? But….’ Before I could respond, my husband had disappeared back into church with Austin who taken up the invitation of joining him for the rest of the service! I still try to imagine what it what have looked like had he taken the three Danish girls into the service instead!
On the trip home with our two year old son strapped in his car seat sharing the back seat with two friendly Danish girls my mind was fixed on what I was going to offer these people for lunch. It was not that I had forgotten to do the grocery shopping that week. We had not shopped for food because we had no money and the pantry was literally bare.
You see, I had taken a step of faith and given up my career to follow the desire that God had placed on my heart to be a full time stay at home mum. My second baby was due in just a few months. We had to leave the desirable seaside city we were living in as we could no longer afford the rents and my husband could not find work. We still owned a home in the North Island and had rented it out prior to my ‘career move’. At least we would have a roof over our heads and hopefully my husband would find work again in the small town we had left. The last of our savings were spent on the move home.
It was good to be home but we were now in a predicament. No job was forthcoming and we had found out that because I chose to leave my post there was no entitlement to any benefits for six weeks from the time of application. We had no income at all. I had already been in touch with the bank, the power and telephone companies as deadlines for payments approached. And now we had run out of food and my husband had invited home for lunch a bunch of overseas students!
I invited the students into our home and my husband and Austin began working on the broken down Austin! The girls seemed very happy to be in our home. They told us all about their time in New Zealand and about their lives in Denmark. To be truthful I was not taking it all in, I was so focused on what I could feed them with and no boy had strolled past recently with loaves and fishes! But God had brought these people to my doorstep and it was lunch time!
But the cupboard was not entirely bare. There was a loaf of sandwich bread and a jar of honey – a welcome home gift from a beekeeper friend. I knew it was there but I had thought I could not possibly just serve up bread and honey sandwiches to our guests. But this is what God laid on my heart to do. To use all that I had left to bless these strangers. We had tea and some milk left so I brewed a pot of tea to serve with the sandwiches. I made an apology for not having coffee or sugar but there was sweet honey available.
And do you know what happened? They absolutely loved the sandwiches and declared how wonderful it was to taste real New Zealand honey! They kept on thanking us for our kindness. My husband managed to get their car running again and when they offered to pay for the work and forward the money to us he turned it down. We were in desperate need of money but we knew that this was the right thing to do. They insisted on giving my little boy the lollies they had brought with them for their trip and showered him with sweets and lollipops. They were able to resume their journey and as they left ‘Thank you’ and ‘We will never forget you’ was ringing in our ears.
Sixteen years have passed and I have never forgotten the Danish students (and Austin the American) that we brought home that day. It was an important lesson in hospitality and humility. I learned that even when it seems we have nothing to offer that God still expects us to reach out and help others. That you do not need to cook a fancy meal or offer five different choices of special teas. That sometimes just a humble plate of honey sandwiches and a pot of hot tea served with love can minister to the people God places in your path. To give unconditionally and not expect any kind of reward.
The following week amazing things did start to happen. People at church began blessing us – bringing us groceries and I learned how to swallow my pride and just say thank you and allow God to work through His people to help us out in our time of need. We never went hungry and that jar of honey seemed to last an extraordinarily long amount of time. There was still honey in the jar when after a few weeks my husband found employment. I was feeling just a little bit like a certain widow in the Bible who fed Elijah with the last of her flour and oil. Do you remember that story. As a result of her willingness to use what she had, her son was raised back to life!
Since that time God has sent us many more people over the years. Friends, strangers and just last week Canadians! Some just came for tea or to spot koalas! Others shared in more substantial meals as God enabled and my kitchen abilities improved and for some we were able to offer significant help in their time of need and distress. I need to save those stories for other posts but our tea and honey hospitality experience is still one of my sweetest memories. I pray that it has encouraged you, especially if you are feeling that you do not have much to offer. A willing heart, an open home, sharing the talents that God has blessed you with and reaching out to those God places across your path. This is what hospitality is all about!
With Love and Joy,
Ann
I felt a connection with Ann’s testimony because it was during the time my husband lost his job (for 1 1/2 years) that God led me to my meal ministry. During that time I began cooking dinner twice a week for a man who had severe MS and lived alone. We had NO income, a new baby (#3), and an awful economy giving us little promise. God used this man to help ME…I got tremendous joy out of this ministry. For a few moments during the week I forgot all about our monetary stress and got to feel God work through me to help someone else. God is so amazing.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you Ann.. Even though we are miles and miles away from one another, I feel so close to you because of our faith in Jesus. It is so beautiful to see how God has used you to serve others and your family!
Love to you, Janelle
I am participating in Titus Tuesdays and 2 Tasty Tuesdays- Please check these wonderful sites out for more delicious recipes from fellow bloggers! YUM!
Friday’s Featured Recipe:
Come visit Courtney over at Women Living Well as she shares her resurrection roll recipe with us. You will be so touched by the meaning behind these delicious treats. This recipe is perfect to make with your children as you share the truth of God’s word with them. Thank you Courtney!!!! Love these!
Happy Friday to you my friends! Thank you so much for sharing your delicious recipes with all of us. I would like to take the opportunity to feature 3 recipes that were posted last week. Great job! Continue serving your families and others. What a blessing it is to see your amazing cooking abilities displayed on the “Comfy” blog!
This recipe is so suiting for the season! How adorable AND simple! My children will enjoy making these! Thank you Missy!
What a beautiful salad! I can almost taste the fresh herbs and veggies just by looking at this photo! Mmmmmm…I can imagine pairing this with a cool glass of lemonade and a beautiful Summer evening out the deck! Thank You Jan!
Baseball season is such a busy time of year for my family. Two nights a week my boys (hubby and son) run out the door with dinner in hand on their way to practice. This delicious yet simple recipe will be great addition to my menu this week! Thank you Suzanne!
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| 2 large cans of chicken broth, frozen meatballs, chicken breasts, carrots, celery, onions, acini de pepe noodles, parsely (many people choose to add a leafy green like spinach or arugula, as hard as I have tried, my children stick their noses up when I add this…but I enjoy it) |
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| Heat chicken broth to boiling |
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| Rinse chicken breasts |
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| Chop veggies |
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| Now, add the chicken and veggies to broth and allow to simmer and cook chicken through |
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| Take chicken out and dice |
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| Add meatballs, noodles,parsley, and parmesan cheese- simmer until meatballs are heated through (they are already pre-cooked). Then, add chicken back into the pot. Sir and simmer until ready to serve. |
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| Whala! Simple and delicious! |
Easy Wedding Soup
2 large cans of chicken broth (low-sodium)
6 chicken breasts
1 cup dry Acini de Pepe noodles
1 small bag frozen meatballs
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced onions
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 Tbs of parsley
(salt and pepper to your liking)
Boil chicken broth in a large pot. Add chicken and chopped veggies. Simmer until chicken is cooked through. Take chicken out and dice into bite sized pieces. Add meatballs, dry noodles, parmesan cheese, and parsley until noodles are tender and meatballs are cooked. Add chicken back into the pot. Simmer until ready to serve. Top with additional Parmesan cheese, a sprinkle of parsley, and serve with crackers.
Variations- Only if you want it “more” homemade.
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| Chicken breasts- VERY important that your chicken HAS SKIN and BONES (NOT boneless, skinless like above), carrots, onions, parsley, garlic, celery, bay leaves (lemon juice). |
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| Boil water and add all ingredients |
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| Add lemon juice, let simmer for 2 hours. |
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| I place a colander on top of another large pot in my sink |
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| Then, I simply pour everything in from my stock pot. The broth falls into the pot. |
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| Delicious and homemade broth. |
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| Tear apart the chicken breast meat and add any veggies back into the pot. Be careful of bones! Continue on with the same directions for wedding soup above. (looks pretty tasty hu? lol! I wanted you to see that yes…it DOES look like this. haha! Sometimes cooking just isn’t pretty) Homemade Chicken Broth
Simmer all together for 2 hours. Place colander in a large pot in the sink and pour all ingredients into colander, letting broth drain into the pot below. Tear meat off of chicken bones carefully. Add any veggies you want back into the broth. Continue with rest of recipe above.  Italian sausage, ground beef, bread crumbs, eggs, shredded romano, fresh parsley 
 Shape into 1 Tbsp balls  Place raw meatballs right into simmer broth  This is after just 2 mins of dropping them in the broth- boil for appx 30 mins until cooked through  Continue on with wedding soup recipe…this is the VERY homemade version. I can tell a slight difference between the semi-homemade and very homemade, but both are delicious! I wouldn’t say that if I didn’t mean it! Enjoy! Homemade Meatballs for Italian Wedding Soup 1 1/2 lbs of Italian Sausage (Bob Evans is just fine) Combine all ingredients together by hand and roll into 1 Tbsp balls. Drop raw meatballs into simmering broth and let cook for 30 mins until done. Choose “Your Way”Ladies! You are going to love this no matter what! |
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Mem and me at her house for lunch after our ladies bible study
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She is “Comfy in her Kitchen!”
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leading bible study at our church; “Stepping Up” by Beth Moore.
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Mem cooked a delicious Thai meal this year for our
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Mem has been so kind to share with us her very own Spring Roll recipe! You will never taste Spring Rolls better than these. I have to tell you Ladies this (I am giggling)…I was at the grocery store today and I brought with me Mem’s recipe. I was a little bewildered at some of the ingredients so I called her. She said “Janelle, why don’t you let me bring the ingredients over to your house…better yet, why don’t you let me stay and help you make them!?”So, sure enough an hour later we were at my house making this delicious recipe together! What sweet fellowship…I am one lucky girl to have such kind people in my life. So, here we are…
Mem’s Thai Spring Roll Recipe
(makes 24)
1 package of spring roll wraps
2 chicken breasts (processed/chopped raw)
1/2 cup diced carrots
1/2 cup pre-chopped cabbage (slaw)
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 (2 oz) package of glass noodles (bean threads)
1 tsp cajun seasoning (or just cayenne)
2 Tbsp soy (separated)
2 1/4 cups peanut oil (1/4 cup to stir fry chicken; 2 cups to fry spring rolls)
(sweet and sour sauce/ juice of 1/2 a lime- for dipping)
Boil water in a small saucepan; add noodles, cook until tender, drain and cut up into 2 inch pieces. Chop carrots and green onions; set aside. Rinse raw chicken and place in food processor-chop well. Open processor and add 1 Tbsp of soy sauce, 1 tsp cajun seasoning, and 1 Tbsp of chopped carrots and green onions to raw chicken, stir. Heat wok and 1/4 cup oil on med-high. When hot, stir fry chicken, and all of the carrots, green onions and add additional Tbsp of soy sauce together. Press down on chicken with spatula, then stir…continue this motion until cooked through. Add noodles and stir.
Rolling
(see youtube video above)
Take spring roll pastry out of package sprinkle with water. Wet dish cloth with water and wrap pastry in it. Carefully peel one pastry at a time. Lay out one pastry and place a heaping tsp of chicken mixture at the bottom corner. Roll bottom corner over chicken mixture. Roll the right corner in, then left corner in, then roll up into finished. Do this until ingredients are gone.
Frying
Heat 2 cups oil in wok (or fry daddy) and place 4-6 spring rolls in at a time. Fry for appx 1 1/2 mins per side then flip over. Fry until lightly golden. Place paper towels in a colander, drain, and serve on serving platter.
Sauce
Mem suggests purchasing Mae Ploy sweet chili sauce from “World Market”, however any sweet and sour will do. She squeezes the juice of 1/2 a lime into about 1 cup of sauce.
I am participating in Titus Tuesdays and 2 Tasty Tuesdays- Please check these wonderful sites out for more delicious recipes from fellow bloggers! YUM!
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| By Cindy A. Littlefield from Family Fun Magazine (for more great ideas, this is a wonderful site to visit!) |
My Top 3
As promised, I searched through last week’s linked “Feasting in Fellowship” recipes and found my top 3 favorites! Please…whatever you do, DO NOT be dismayed if your recipe is not in my top 3 this week. I would honestly eat and enjoy every recipe submitted! I will also continue to do this every week. I cannot express how beautiful it is to me to see your recipes posted to this blog…I am thrilled you are working with your heart and hands to produce meals for your family, friends, ministry, etc. Keep those recipes coming…and may God bless the cook! 🙂
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| Homemade Scones For this recipe please visit: http://setyourhearttoseekgod.blogspot.com |
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Chai Iced Tea Latte
For this recipe please visit : http://icantstopcrafting.blogspot.com
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| Peanut Butter Fudge Swirl Pie For this recipe please visit: http://www.catzinthekitchen.biz |
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Giordano’s is where our “native friends” sent us!
Which is fine because our 2 year old is fast asleep….
Thanks for visiting me on my week off of kitchen duty! Don’t worry…I will be heating up the pans as soon as I get home! Love to you, |
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| Then I sent a text to Chuck. I have known this young man since he was 6. He is now 18 and 6’5″! He LOVES my cookies. For 9 years he lived 3 houses away. Whenever I baked cookies I would turn on the exhaust fan and before too long I would hear a knock at the door and Chuck would be standing there with a BIG grin, “You baking cookies?!” |
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| Here’s a helpful hint: If you buy the 72 oz. bag from Costco or Sam’s Club you definitely save money! |
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Come visit Courtney and me over at www.womenlivingwell.org where we share the simple yet classic recipe of egg salad. Dress it up on a croissant or serve it casually on fresh bread…either way it tastes great, is quick, easy, and thrifty!
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Suzanne writes….
When I became a Christian over 25 years ago I was drawn right away to the church of food ministry. You see, when I had a newborn and a three year old over 24 years ago, my then husband left and I became a single mom. It was a devastating time for me and although I was lucky to have the support of family, things drastically changed in my life, as I knew it. When I had to return to work, getting sick was not an option, my children getting sick was dreaded, but sick we all got here and there. One time I had a terrible flu, the kind of flu where your bones ache so bad it takes all you’ve got to get out of bed. At the time I was newly saved and I didn’t have a church family, but somehow this lovely older Christian woman, Roberta, got wind of my situation. This sweet lady rang my bell and I almost didn’t answer it, but my older daughter thought it may be her Nana so got pretty loud and excited. Whoever was at the door knew I was home now. When I opened the door, looking like death I am sure, Roberta stood there with a huge picnic basket and a warm smile. Her eyes were the kindest I had ever seen. I was totally shocked, but invited her in and she emptied the wicker basket on my kitchen table. Out came 3 mason jars full of her homemade chicken soup, a loaf of fresh wheat bread, minted teas and honey, little butter cookies and a bundle of daffodils from her garden. Also inside, wrapped in pretty tissue, a devotional and lavender scented candle. I was so astonished at this lady’s generosity I didn’t know what to say. Tears, hot and salty streamed down my face, she hugged me and told me how special I was to Jesus. To say I felt absolutely cherished is an understatement. Roberta prayed with me, warmed up the soup and sat with my little girls while I ate. I have never forgotten her kind face, her gracious and loving spirit.
I have a special spot in my heart for the single mom and the elderly. My friends and church family know I love ministering to these two groups through food. The gift of a meal to a sick mama or ailing elderly lady or gent can mean the world to them. Most times I bring the same type of food basket that Roberta brought to me. There really is nothing more healing or nourishing than a homemade chicken soup, fresh bread and tea and honey. I still include a devotional and either a candle or flowers. Most sick or new mamas and elderly get an evening meal delivered, but not lunch. So my little “blessing baskets” are a luncheon treat. I do include plenty of soup if there are children . I pack the soup in large mason jars so they don’t have to return any plastic containers. Bread and cookies I will wrap in parchment. I am always in search of baskets and linens and find many vintage napkins and such in the thrift store quite cheap. I don’t spend a lot of money yet dress the basket up a bit with a few personal touches such as an embroidered napkin from the thrift store, a candle picked up at the dollar store. Devotionals I find marked down at the local Christian book shop or Barnes & Noble.
I have also taught my girls to minister to friends who are sick through these blessing baskets. We’ll pack their little friend the same food items, but include a CD of Bible stories or perhaps a Veggie Tales movie. Walmart has these very inexpensively. We’ve put a coloring book and crayons and puzzles into the baskets as well, again the dollar store has these.
My family also enjoys the meals I make. Many years ago I was at a home school conference and Susan Bradrick spoke on women ministering outside the home. Her words stuck to me like glue. She told us if we’re preparing a family a delicious ham dinner and our family is getting PB&J, there’s a problem. In ministering to others ,we cannot neglect our first ministry which is to our husband’s and children.
I would like to end with saying how refreshing it is to see young women like Janelle ministering in this way to those the Lord puts in her path. The blessing of a meal is a balm to the soul of someone sick or hurting. A home cooked meal has the power to make a soul feel cherished and completely loved. Many of those we will bring a meal to may feel crushed in spirit, like no one cares, the gift of a meal ministers and blesses a person’s spirit thus healing the body quicker, I believe.
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An example of Suzanne’s gift…chicken noodle soup, tea, breadsticks, brownies, flowers and a devotional..beautiful.
Suzanne’s Chicken Soup |
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| Trim off fat from roast |
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| Slice red onions |
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| In a medium pan heat oil on medium high and brown roast on both sides. (This will not cook the meat on the inside, just the first 1/2 inch on the outside) |
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| Add one can of french onion soup and 2 cups of beef broth to crock pot |
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| Add roast to crock pot |
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| Saute onions in the same oil and pan used for roast. |
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| Place onions on roast, cover with lid and let simmer in crock pot on high for 6 hours. |
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| Roast will be very tender and flake apart easily when done. |
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| Open hoagie buns, butter and spread swiss cheese on one side. Broil for 5 mins until cheese is melted. |
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| Add roast, onions, and au jus on top. |
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| Slice and serve with a side of au jus! Mmmm… French Dip Sandwiches(Makes 6) 3 lb boneless rump roast Trim fat from roast. Pour oil in a pan and heat on med-high, add roast. Brown roast on both sides. Place soup and broth in the crock pot. Add roast to the crock pot. Saute onions in the pan you used for the roast with the same oil/drippings. Place onions on top of roast and cover crock pot (your roast will not be completely covered). Let simmer on high for 6 hours. Roast will flake apart easily- tear pieces apart to place on buns. Butter buns, add swiss cheese to one side and broil for 5 mins. Place meat on the other side and top with onions and drizzle with au jus. Serve with a side of au jus for dipping. Link up with Feasting in Fellowship Friday! Simply copy and past this button to your post. Then, include the link below that takes us directly to your recipe! Thank you for sharing…I love seeing what you have cooking! ~Love, Janelle |
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Janelle,
Katja has a blog written in German- What an amazing and inspiring woman she is! There is a translator on her blog for your convenience!
There were also many wonderful comments on my Facebook Fan Page that spoke out to me…you are welcome to visit and see how God is really working!!!!
Thank you so much for being open to the Lord. I love you, my sweet Sisters in Christ…keep planting those seeds!!!!!!!
Love, Janelle
P.S. I want to remind you that YOUR family you should be your FIRST ministry. All other ministries second to that 🙂 If you are making delicious meals for your family..I give you a huge AMEN for planting seeds in YOUR home!!!
“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, especially for members of his household, he has denied his faith and is worse than a unbeliver” 1 Timothy 5:8
I am linked up to Living Well Wednesdays- for more inspiration please click on the following button!
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| Chicken, corn meal, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, egg, cooking spray |
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| Cut fat off of chicken and pound- The reason I pound meat is because I want both sides even in thickness so the chicken cooks the same through the entire piece. We don’t want one side dry and the other undercooked. |
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| Add egg white and salt in a separate dish |
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| In another dish combine corn meal, bread crumbs, and parmesan cheese. |
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| Dip chicken into egg white (you may dredge in flour first if you wish-but this is not included in the recipe) |
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| Then, coat in breadcrumb mixture |
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| Spray foil lined baking sheet and tops of chicken with Pam. Place in a 425 oven for 25 mins. |
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| Bake until lightly golden on top and center of chicken is white, but still juicy. |
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| I made some rolls, loaded baked potatoes, corn on the cobs and a dump cake . |
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| Packed it up and was on my way to drop it off to a special family with one sick Mama! |
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| And came home to relax and have a nice dinner with my family 🙂 “Baked” Fried Chicken (From:The All New Good Housekeeping Cookbook) non stick cooking spray 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs 1/4 cup parmesan cheese 2 Tbsp cornmeal 1 large egg white 1/2 tsp salt 6 pounded chicken breasts (fat removed) Preheat oven to 425 and grease a 15×10 jelly roll pan with cooking spray. In a casserole dish beat egg white with salt. In another dish combine bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and cornmeal. Dip chicken breast into egg white mixture, then coat with crumb mixture. Place chicken on pan and spray with cooking spray. Bake chicken until coating is crisp and golden brown and juices run clear. Appx 25 mins. * You can “be bad” and add a white sauce to this for “chicken (baked) fried chicken”… Kind of negates the “baked” part…but I already did that with the loaded baked potatoes. (pray for me, lol) Mom’s Basic White Sauce Recipe 2 Tbsp butter 2 Tbsp flour 1 cup milk salt and pepper On low heat melt butter then add flour for a paste. Add milk salt and pepper -whisk together until thickened (this will take about 5+mins to get desired consistency) |
I am participating in Titus Tuesdays and Tasty Tuesdays- Please check these wonderful sites out for more delicious recipes from fellow bloggers! YUM!
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This is my classic recipe for green beans. It is tried and true in my family 🙂
When I started this ministry I felt very led to help ladies who didn’t have the blessing of growing up around someone who cooked (a mother, grandmother, etc). I take for granted the many recipes that I have in my head just from observation…I feel so blessed to share them with you.
If some recipes seem obvious, please be patient and know that this is where God wants me to be.
I will and have shared more intermediate recipes, but none of my recipes will ever be “expert”unless the Lord leads me in that direction.
To the sweet mom out there with a toddler hugging her leg while she attempts to cook, to the newlywed wife who is overwhelmed by all there is to learn, and to the wife and mom who has always lacked confidence in the kitchen…I am all about you.
To the ladies, like me, who are COMFY- Spread it, give it, embrace it! I love you too…iron sharpens iron! I pray I can give you new ideas and recipes that you and your families will love. I am honored and humbled to have you as my readers.
Blessings and love to you!
Janelle
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| In a skillet heated on medium- high heat, fry bacon and sliced onions. (here, I cut the bacon in fourths) |
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| When the bacon is finished cooking, add 2 bags of frozen green beans (any cut you like- this is french cut), stir, add salt and pepper and 1 cup of water. Turn down heat to medium-low and let simmer for an hour (this will allow the flavor of the bacon to soak into your beans). The water will evaporate some, make sure there is always water at the bottom to prevent from burning. |
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| A delicious side to your meal!Classic Green Beans(Serves 6-8 sides) 2 bags frozen green beans (any cut) 6 slices of bacon (you may cut or leave in tact) 1 onion, sliced plenty of salt and pepper to taste 1 cup of water Fry bacon on med-high heat in large skillet on both sides-add onion and saute. Add green beans and stir. Lower heat to medium-low. Add salt and pepper. Add water and cover. Let simmer for an hour, stirring occasionally. Water will evaporate some- make sure there is always water in your pan so the green beans do not burn. |
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| A dear friend with her new baby…I was blessed to cook lunch for her 🙂 |
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| Rolls Rising |
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| Making broth for chicken n dumplings |
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| A simple Italian tossed salad |
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| Cream Puff Dessert (see womenlivingwell.org for the recipe this Friday!) |
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| Starting to make green beans…. |
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| Packing everything up! |
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| A little “plug in” for the blog..haha. My sweet cousin Jen made these for me for Christmas |
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| A card! |
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| I always, always, always make the same meal I make for others for my own family. They do NOT get my leftovers. God, husband, children, then friends/ministry…Thank you Lord for laying that out for me and giving me grace!
I would love to post YOUR pictures/story of your meal ministry! Tips for YOUR Meal Ministry
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I am very fortunate that my husband’s business is so close to home, but hasn’t always been that way. Years ago, I remember all the long hours he spent at work, commuting, and traveling. If you have been or are in those shoes you probably would agree that the best sound of the day is the noise of the garage door opening! Long hours for a husband equals long hours for a wife!
Because I know it is such a blessing to be just a mile away from my husband, I encourage him to come home so I can make him lunch. It’s a great time to talk about how our day is going, for him to unwind a bit, and for the children to see him.
This is my version of a “bistro lunch” made at home…It is one of my husband’s favorite lunches when he eats out…so I thought it would be a nice surprise!
( I do not do this every day, so please don’t feel pressured! I am still a fan of grilled cheese, bagels, and egg sandwiches! lol)
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| Onion Soup: 2 cans of beef consomme, chicken broth, beef stock, thyme, bay leaves, salt and pepper (and ONIONS and butter! they are sauteing on the stove) |
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| In this recipe we are just going to add the herbs like so, do not take Thyme off of stems. These will just sit in the soup to give it flavor, then we will take them out before serving. |
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| Saute onions in butter until lightly browned and softened, add sugar |
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| Add all other ingredients and stir. Let simmer for about 20 mins, then take out herbs |
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| Ladle soup into a bowl and top with a slice of baguette (or english muffin) |
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| Cover with a slice of swiss cheese |
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| Broil for appx 5 mins until the cheese is lightly browned and bubbling |
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| Sprinkle with parsley and serve.French Onion Soup |
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| Club Roll-Ups: Spread Mayo on a soft flour tortilla shell |
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| Add cheese |
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| Add ham, turkey and bacon |
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| Add tomatoes and lettuce (and any other toppings you enjoy) |
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| Simply roll up! |
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| Whala! |
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| My children prefer meat and American cheese only. Club Roll-Ups 4 flour tortillas 1 lb oven roasted turkey- thinly sliced 1 lb honey ham- thinly sliced 1 cup smoked provolone (or any cheese you prefer) 1 tomato diced 8 bacon slices cooked and cut up lettuce Mayo Spread mayo over tortilla, layer on turkey, ham, bacon, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes. Roll up and cut at an angle. |
