Cooking 201

I’ve recently gotten into food shows:  not so much the competitions, but the ones that are more instructional. I’m always on the lookout for ideas for meal planning and techniques for cooking. I am NOT a creative cook. I’ve always depended on a good recipe, and just tweaked it as needed to satisfy my family. However, after watching some of these shows, I feel my creative juices start to flow (at least a little).

I also have a tendency to be an unenergetic cook. I really do prefer most food when it is prepared from scratch (although there are some convenience products that are VERY good!). But I don’t always want to go to the effort. Watching these shows reinforces how much better good food that is prepared using good ingredients is than most prepackaged or frozen foods. I also got a lesson, first hand, while recently cooking for Ricky during his low-iodine diet. I made all of his bread from scratch…even hamburger buns and tortillas. I’ve since decided that homemade tortillas are definitely worth the effort! They are SO much better than store bought. I’ve also learned to really enjoy and use my bread machine a lot!

I’ve also been doing some experimenting on some of our old “tried and true” meals. I’ve been trying to use less canned tomatoes and tomato sauce to help with acid reflux. We happen to eat a LOT of meals that include these! I’ve experimented with spaghetti by making a couple of different white sauces (which taste fine, but don’t taste like spaghetti at all) and making an “al fresco” version (which we all really liked, even though Dennis still prefers the traditional marinara type sauce). When I do homemade pizza (which is one meal that I’ve made from scratch for 42 years, because it is definitely worth it!), I’ve started doing one traditional and one white pizza. I think I like it as much as regular, and I LOVE pizza! One thing that I’ve been learning is that fresh ingredients really do make a huge difference.

Something else that I’ve noticed along the way…whenever I’ve been asked in the past if I enjoy cooking, I’ve always answered that I enjoy feeding people…and I do. I love to cook for my family and friends! It has never been the cooking process that I’ve found enjoyable, though. What I’ve always loved is making people happy through good food. As I learn to be more creative and try new techniques, however, I am also learning to enjoy the process more. I don’t just love to feed people anymore, I love to cook!

Don’t get the wrong idea, though. I still enjoy eating out and doing quick and easy meals at times. Even though I enjoy cooking, I DON’T enjoy the inevitable clean-up that follows. (And the more “from scratch” that you prepare, the more clean-up there is!) We actually eat out more now than we ever have (except for when we were busy remodeling)…mostly at lunchtime. But I really enjoy having people around to try new and fun recipes out on. Dennis isn’t exactly an adventurous eater, so having others over gives me more excuses to try new things. I’m really loving having Sheila’s family over. Matt and Caleb are both GREAT to cook for! They love “adventurous food” and they make you feel like a 5 star chef with their compliments.

So what is the purpose of this post? I’m hoping it will encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and try new things. Besides food shows, there are an endless supply of cooking videos on YouTube. Try out different ethnic foods; try different methods of cooking old favorites; be adventurous! You might discover that you enjoy cooking more than you realized…like I did.

A Light, Healthy Lunch Idea

I haven’t posted on here in a while, so I decided to share a recipe with you today. With our new eating habits, I am cooking a LOT more! Rather than our usual sandwiches for lunch, I’m making soup on a regular basis. It is a great way to pack in extra veggies, and Nam loves it!

Our family loves Mexican food, so we usually go to our local Pulidos when we eat out. Since Mexican food is pretty heavy and not diet-friendly, I’ve been ordering their chicken tortilla soup. It is very tasty and is a good, healthy alternative. I decided to try to come up with something similar. We were all pleased with the results, so I thought someone else might want to give it a try.

Chicken Tortilla Soup – serves 4-5

3-4 chicken tenderloins, cut in half lengthwise and sliced thin

½ medium onion, diced

1 large clove garlic, minced

1 tablespoon butter or olive oil

1 quart chicken broth

½ can crushed tomatoes

1 small calabacita squash, cut lengthwise in fourths and then sliced (can substitute zucchini)

1 small yellow squash, cut lengthwise in fourths and then sliced

1 tsp. cumin

¼ - ½ tsp. Creole seasoning

Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish with grated cheese and crushed tortilla chips (avocados would also be great in this)

Melt butter (or heat oil) in soup pot. Add onions and chicken and saute until chicken is no longer pink on the outside. Add garlic and cook one minute, stirring. Add broth, tomatoes, squashes and seasonings. Bring to boil, then cover and reduce heat to simmer. Cook about 15 minutes until chicken is done and vegetables are tender. Ladle into bowls and top with grated cheese and crushed chips.

Enjoy!

The Lost Art of Hospitality

After a very long hiatus, I decided it was time to resurrect this blog. What made me think of this was sitting at the dinner table at Sheila’s on Saturday. We had gone over to spend the day and work on getting some things ready for Josiah. Sheila cooked us a good lunch of enchiladas and beans (with chips and homemade salsa). I tried to remember the last time that I had been to someone else’s house for a meal (other than for potlucks). I couldn’t remember. That really made me sad, because it showcases how society has changed over the years, and hospitality is becoming a lost art. (I’m not discounting potlucks…they are an especially generous form of hospitality! It is just that entertaining individuals/single families is such a valuable way to truly get to know one another.)

In Romans 12, Paul is talking about the different gifts that we have as Christians and how we should utilize them. One of these gifts is hospitality, which is defined as entertaining strangers, and he says that we should be “given” to hospitality. To be given to something means that we actively pursue it…it doesn’t just happen. This same word is used in the following passage:  Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:1-2 KJV)

In the qualifications of an elder or bishop, one of them is listed as given to hospitality:  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; (1 Timothy 3:2 KJV). In this verse, the word means a lover of or user of hospitality. Even though this is meant for elders, the qualifications of elders are really just exhibiting a mature level of Christianity. This same word is also used in 1 Peter:  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. (1 Peter 4:8-9 KJV). I included the preceding verse also, because it is love that drives our hospitality. If we have the fervent love for one another that we should have, we will naturally want to show hospitality to one another.

Dennis and I have always loved to entertain. During our early years of marriage, and while the kids were growing up, we frequently had our house filled with guests. Dennis pushed me to entertain even when I didn’t really want to:  the house wasn’t presentable, we really didn’t have room, I didn’t really feel up to it. I learned through those times that it isn’t about having a nice home or going to a lot of effort to impress people…it was about sharing your home (and hearts) with others. I will NEVER forget the time when we had 60 people over for sandwiches in our 14x56 foot mobile home! I was afraid the walls would blow out! Some of the people may have been offended by being crowded into such a small space (when it was time to offer thanks…afterwards, people spread to the out of doors), but I think most of them just enjoyed spending the time together.

However, as society has changed, so have we…to my dismay and embarrassment. When I look back, it has been over 9 months since I’ve had anyone over for a meal or overnight stay, other than Daddy and Bobbie and my kiddos. That truly shames me! It isn’t that spending time with family isn’t important, because it is.  However, Christians are also our family! When I try to evaluate why it has been so long, the excuses that come up are the same old ones that I struggled with in our earlier years:  the house isn’t fit for company (because of our construction); we don’t have room (also because of construction); or I don’t feel like it (I’ve had my hands full with other things). Why have I forgotten the lessons learned when I was younger? Why do I now feel like I need to impress people rather than just open my home and heart to them?

As much as we try to “be in the world, not of the world”, it is hard to avoid succumbing to the pressures of society. Now, more than ever, social media has tried to convince us that we should all have homes that are showplaces. People don’t just host a meal, they make a presentation out of it so they can post it on Instagram or Facebook. Plus we are all “too busy” to have time to spend time with our brothers and sisters in Christ. It seems to be a challenge for a lot of people to carve out a couple of hours on Sunday to assemble to worship God, much less spend several more hours entertaining one another. Again, I am as guilty as the next person. It is too easy to find excuses for not having folks over for a meal…or just to hang out! Shame on us!

If I’m not worried about what Daddy and Bobbie, or my kids and grandkids, think about coming over to displaced furniture and bare concrete floors and more dust than I’d like to admit on everything; then why should it concern me to have others over under the same conditions? Are people really that shallow that they are only interested in seeing a perfect house, or are they more interested in the sweet fellowship that we can enjoy when we share a meal or have overnight guests? We need to move past this! We need to revive the art of hospitality again!

Meditations while Mowing

As I've mentioned before, I'm not fond of mowing.  However, it is one of those mindless activities that allows you to ponder.  This morning I was thinking about our service to others and common excuses used why we don't do more.  I think we tend to get bogged down with our own "stuff".  We focus on our own issues, whether they be emotional or physical, and think we are too tired or feel too bad or can't think about anything else at the time.  Don't get me wrong, I realize that there are times when we are almost paralyzed by our grief...and we need to take the time to grieve!  But often we find ourselves getting "stuck" in our pain.

In the grief class that I'm taking, through CASA, we recently learned about STERBs:  short term energy relieving behaviors.  STERBs are those things that we use to dull or forget our pain.  It can be as harmful as alcohol or as innocuous as exercising or watching tv.  If those things are being used to keep us from facing our grief (grief is sadness over any loss OR CHANGE, not just death of a loved one), they are unhealthy.  I think, however, that sometimes a STERB can be a good thing (obviously NOT drinking or overeating or overspending, etc...).  Sometimes we need a short term break from focusing on our pain.  I believe that focusing on helping someone else with their situation is a great STERB!

One thing that I have learned in my (almost) 56 years of life is that EVERYONE has "stuff"!  Pain is inevitable in this world, and most of us are dealing with a difficult struggle at any given time.  If we constantly focus on our "stuff", we never see how much we can help others.  Some of the best people to offer comfort to someone in pain are those who have also suffered...or those who are also suffering!  Even those with physical limitations can reach out and help others.  One of the most physically "challenged" people I know is Heather.  Her struggles with lupus and her heart condition, as well as all of the colon and kidney problems that she has, leaves her too weak and in pain to get out and do much.  However she has managed on several occasions to help organize and serve at a "soup kitchen".  When she can't leave her house, she still manages to pick up the phone to call and encourage others who are struggling or suffered loss.  Everyone has something that they can offer to others!

So my encouragement for the day is to not get bogged down in your own pain and struggles, but use the compassion and wisdom that you learn through them to reach out to others. 

Philippians 2:1-4 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

365 Days of Thanksgiving

I'm going to challenge myself to finding at least one thing to be thankful for every day for the next year.  I'm not talking about the usual pat things that everyone says.  I'm talking about noticing something every day that happens and thanking God for that blessing.  I think we sometimes overlook the little everyday things that are blessings in our lives.  I want to become more aware of these small (or large) happenings and give thanks to my loving Father for taking care of such "incidentals."

Day 1:  Two things came to my mind this morning.  First, I am so thankful to be able to blow my nose!  Up until a few years ago, when I had sinus surgery, I couldn't do this simple task.  I ended up with a LOT of sinus infections because of it!  Now it is such a relief to be able to relieve myself of that uncomfortable stuffiness!  (Sorry if this is a little gross to anyone, but it is SUCH a blessing!)

Secondly, I'm thankful for our meat slicer that I use to make jerky.  (Today is jerky day!)  It is so nice to quickly and uniformly slice up a hunk of venison for drying into this wonderfully tasty treat. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Learning from baby birds

Psalms 81:10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

This verse was used in a lesson Sunday.  Although I have read Psalms many times, I don’t remember noticing this verse before.  It really caught my attention this time tho. 

I love this imagery.  A baby bird, when it hears or sees it parent will throw back his head, open his mouth, and eagerly wait to be fed…trusting that the parent bird will deliver.  Isn’t that how God wants us to be…trusting Him and eagerly awaiting Him to fill us.  This is so true on both physical and spiritual levels.

Matthew 6:25  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? [26] Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [27] Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? [28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: [29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? [31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

I hope to carry that picture in my mind and remember to be like the baby bird, throwing open my mouth (and heart) and allowing God to fill me with His goodness and blessings!

Ironing

I was ironing Ricky's shirts last night and got to thinking....  First of all, ironing always makes me think of Granny.  She "took in" ironing for as long as I can remember...trying to help out with the family expenses.  I can still see her standing in the kitchen in front of her ironing board, listening to Swap Shop on the radio, perspiration trickling down her face.  (No air conditioning in her house...except for a window unit to cool the living room when company came... and a swamp cooler in the guest bedroom.)  To this day, I love the smell of freshly starched laundry.

I began to think about ironing as a metaphor for our purpose as mothers and homemakers.  I mean, isn't that what we do...smooth out the wrinkles?  Of course, literally we care for our family's clothing so they will look nice in public.  (Pr 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.)  But we also "smooth out the wrinkles" in so many more ways.  When the kids or husband come home from a rough day, we try to encourage them and make them feel better.  We send them off with a good meal in their bellies, lunches packed...ready to face their day.  We schedule appointments, buy supplies, clean up after them, etc...."smoothing out the wrinkles"...making their lives run a little easier.  When they can't sleep at night because of stress or emotional pain, we listen patiently and try to lighten their load.  Even when we see them doing something they shouldn't and have to correct them (in meekness - Ga 6:1  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.), we are still "smoothing out the wrinkles." 

I think I will approach this less than desirable chore with a different attitude from now on.  As I slide the hot iron across the fabric, I will think about what more I can do to "smooth out the wrinkles" for my family.  Happy ironing!

Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;