DECEMBER 2014 NEWLETTER

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

 "I Thank Thee, Lord"
I sometimes get so busy, Lord, I know not where I'm going;
But find that my determination is leading what I'm doing.
At times like these, I thank Thee, Lord, for bringing me to a halt
And putting me down on my knees, where I can see my fault.
For what can I accomplish, when following my will?
So make me take the time to Listen and Be Still
For unless my life is guided completely By Your Hand,
I know my foolish works will never be able to stand.
So take my life and mold me to what You'd have me be;
That through a yielded life, a Loving Jesus some might see.
American Poetry Anthology
Vol. III, No. I 10/15/83
Paula (Stone) Smith


Food for Nourishment!
Some great ideas for appetizers during the holidays!

Spinach and Feta Phyllo Triangles

Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr
Ingredients

    1 stick (1/2 cup) plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
    1 lb baby spinach
    1/2 lb feta, crumbled (scant 2 cups)
    1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
    10 (17- by 12-inch) phyllo sheets, thawed if frozen

Preparation

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, then cook spinach, stirring, until wilted and tender, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and cool, about 10 minutes. Squeeze handfuls of spinach to remove as much liquid as possible, then coarsely chop. Transfer to a bowl and stir in feta, nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Melt remaining 1 stick butter in a small saucepan, then cool.

Cover phyllo stack with 2 overlapping sheets of plastic wrap and then a dampened kitchen towel.

Take 1 phyllo sheet from stack and arrange on a work surface with a long side nearest you (keeping remaining sheets covered) and brush with some butter. Top with another phyllo sheet and brush with more butter. Cut buttered phyllo stack crosswise into 6 (roughly 12- by 2 3/4-inch) strips.

Put a heaping teaspoon of filling near 1 corner of a strip on end nearest you, then fold corner of phyllo over to enclose filling and form a triangle. Continue folding strip (like a flag), maintaining triangle shape. Put triangle, seam side down, on a large baking sheet and brush top with butter. Make more triangles in same manner, using all of phyllo.

Bake triangles in middle of oven until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool slightly.
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SWEDISH MEATBALLS

Nothing beats homemade meatballs smothered in a creamy gravy sauce.

Ingredients

    2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
    1 onion, diced
    1 pound ground beef
    1 pound ground pork
    1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
    2 large egg yolks
    1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
    1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
    For the gravy
    1/4 cup unsalted butter
    1/3 cup all-purpose flour
    4 cups beef broth
    3/4 cup sour cream
    Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
    2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves



Instructions

    Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until onions have become translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
    In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, Panko, egg yolks, allspice, nutmeg and cooked onion; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Using a wooden spoon or clean hands, stir until well combined. Roll the mixture into 1 1/4-to-1 1/2-inch meatballs, forming about 24 meatballs.
    Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Add meatballs, in batches, and cook until all sides are browned, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
    To make the gravy, melt butter in the skillet. Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in beef broth and cook, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in sour cream; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
    Stir in meatballs and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through and thickened, about 8-10 minutes.
    Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.


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STUFFED MUSHROOMS

Ingredients

2 medium leeks
1 (16-oz.) package fresh mushrooms (about 24 medium-size mushrooms)
1 teaspoon salt, divided $
2 shallots, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fine, dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup pecans, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Garnish: fresh basil sprigs

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Remove and discard root ends and dark green tops of leeks. Thinly slice leeks, and rinse thoroughly under cold running water to remove grit and sand.

2. Rinse mushrooms, and pat dry. Remove and discard stems. Place mushrooms, upside down, on a wire rack in an aluminum foil-lined jelly-roll pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. salt; invert mushrooms.

3. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes.

4. Sauté leeks, shallots, and garlic in hot oil in a large skillet over medium heat 3 to 5 minutes or until tender. Transfer mixture to a large bowl. Stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, next 3 ingredients, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt until well combined. Spoon 1 heaping teaspoonful leek mixture into each mushroom cap. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until golden. Garnish, if desired.

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Green Goddess Dipping Sauce

Ingredients


3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup firmly packed fresh parsley leaves
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 green onion, chopped
1 tablespoon firmly packed fresh dill leaves
1 tablespoon firmly packed fresh tarragon leaves
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 garlic clove
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Garnish: fresh dill sprig
Preparation

Process first 11 ingredients in a food processor or blender 30 seconds or until smooth, stopping to scrape sides as needed.
Cover and chill 1 hour before serving.
Garnish, if desired.
Store in refrigerator up to 1 week.

Serve with tray of boiled shrimp, chilled or crudite tray.

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sweet-n-salty Honey Cheese Spread


1 (10.5-oz.) goat cheese log
1/2 cup roasted, salted sunflower seeds
1/3 cup honey
1 pt. fresh raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries
Garnish: fresh mint leaves
Assorted crackers
Preparation

1. Press or roll goat cheese log in sunflower seeds, thoroughly covering cheese,
including ends. Arrange cheese on a serving platter with any remaining sunflower
seeds. Drizzle with honey. Sprinkle with berries.
Garnish, if desired. Serve immediately with assorted crackers.