October 2019 Newsletter

OCTOBER 2019 NEWSLETTER

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: 

My Heart...Revised

My heart aches...my heart prays...my heart rejoices...my heart sings! For you, My Friend!
"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice” (Phil. 4:4).

 MY HEART...revised 2011  Paula George 2004
My heart ACHES, watching that friend or loved one, their body afflicted in this life.
My heart ACHES, watching that mother...spouse, 
filled with anguish and fervent prayer, ministering to his/her loved one.
My heart ACHES, watching that caregiver, feeling despair, 
questioning their limited knowledge for the afflicted.
My heart PRAYS, blessings daily, health restored and happiness 
for that friend or loved one.My heart PRAYS, courage, strength 
and a heart full of love for this mother...spouse as they minister.
My heart PRAYs, knowledge, compassion and medical breakthroughs 
to those chosen caregivers.
My heart REJOICES, watching that friend or loved one, a Warrior,
through it all.
My heart REJOICES, watching that mother...spouse, 
encompassing their friend/loved one with a heart full of love.
My heart REJOICES, watching that caregiver, continually striving,seeking a cure.
My heart SINGS, praises to Great Spirit, knowing that friend or loved one,
that mother...spouse, that caregiver...Are carried through each day.
My heart SINGS, granted blessings, answered prayers, healing; 
and the Greatest Gift, LOVE.
My heart ACHES, My heart PRAYS, My heart REJOICES...and with each breath, 
My heart SINGS...
Love you all with ALL MY HEART, Paula

**************************

Fried Green Tomatoes 

For Tomatoes: Slice about 1/4 inch thick

Dip in batter, dredge in cornmeal mixture and fry in skillet 2-3 minutes per side. 

Serve with Roasted Red pepper aioli on the side with Feta Crumbles.

Batter:
I use Krusteaz Pancake Batter Mix...adding enough water to make it fairly thin.

Dredge:
2 cups self-rising cornmeal
1 cup self-rising flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 Tbsp. Cajun or Creole seasoning
1 Tbsp. Emeril's Essence

Roasted Red Pepper Aioli

1-1/2 cups mayo
1/4 cup roasted red peppers, drained
1 tsp. fresh ground pepper
1 tsp. celery salt
1 Tbsp. horseradish (2, if you like it hotter)
1/4 tsp. each garlic powder and cayenne pepper
several drops of Tabasco
Feta Crumbles for topping

Combine all ingredients in a blender or with an immersion blender. 

Store in refrigerator.

*******************

Bacon/Sprouts/Kale Sauté 
It was very good.

Cooked 4 slices bacon, removed bacon, crumble and set aside. 
Added 1 lb. Brussel Sprouts, quartered/halved to bacon fat, sauté 5 minutes. 
Add 2 cloves garlic, minced 
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt, 
1/2 tsp. Crushed red pepper, 
1/2 tsp. Fresh ground pepper.
Cook 1 minute. 
Add 1/2 cup chicken broth.
Add 1 bunch kale, stems removed, cut in strips. 
Cook 3-4 minutes, covered . 
Tossing kale in broth 1/2 through cooking. 
Add reserved bacon and serve.

*******************

MIXED GREENS

2 lbs. of washed & chopped greens, your choice. My favorite is collards & turnip greens. 

Kale

Mustard

Turnip Greens

Collards

You decide...choice of 2 or 3 for about 2 lbs. of washed & chopped greens. 

4 slices bacon, cut in pieces

1/2 cup country ham seasoning pieces, chopped

1 med. onion, cut in strips

Add bacon, ham & onions to a large stockpot. Cook over medium heat until bacon is cooked through. Add 1 qt. Chicken broth & 2 cups water. 

Seasonings:

1 tsp. Kosher salt

1/2 tsp. Fresh ground pepper

1 tsp. Dry mustard

1 tsp. wasabi powder

1/2 tsp. Crushed red pepper

1 Tbsp. Dark brown sugar

Bring to boil, add greens & cook 30-40 minutes until greens are tender. 

MARINATED ONIONS

4 large Vidalia onions

1 cup vegetable or canola oil

1 cup white vinegar

3 Tbsp. Sugar

1/2 tsp. Black pepper

1 tsp. Garlic powder

1/2 tsp. Parsley flakes

1/2 tsp. Dried oregano 

Slice onions 1/4 inch thick and separate into rings. Add remaining ingredients to a container, whisk to combine. Add onion rings & stir to coat with marinade. Cover & refrigerate 24 hours before serving. 

******************

Green Tomato Relish (or Chow-Chow)

This is a recipe from my aunt, now in her 80’s. 

I have made it numerous times!

Chow-Chow
Thanks, Aunt Joyce!

4 quarts green tomatoes
1 large head of cabbage
10 medium onions
5 medium green peppers
7 medium sweet red peppers
2-3 chopped jalapenos
1/2 cup salt
15 cups vinegar
5 cups sugar
3 tablespoons dry mustard
1 tablespoon turmeric
4 tablespoons mustard seeds
3 tablespoons celery seed
2 tablespoons pickling spice
Preparation:
Chop all vegetables; combine in a large kettle. Stir in salt; let stand at room temperature overnight, or at least 8 hours. Drain.
Combine vinegar, sugar, dry mustard and turmeric in a large kettle. Put mustard seed, celery seed, and pickling spices in a 6-inch square of cheesecloth. Gather and tie string and add to the kettle. Bring the liquid to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes. Add vegetables and return to simmer for 30 minutes longer. 

Discard spice bag. Spoon chow-chow into hot sterilized jars and seal.
Process for 15 minutes in a boiling-water canner, or 20 minutes 

****************

Tomato Pie

Garden and Gun

Ingredients

4 shallots, minced

3 garlic cloves, minced

4 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, divided

1 tbsp. Dijon mustard

9-inch pie shell

1 lb. assorted heirloom tomatoes, sliced 1/4-inch thick

3 oz. goat cheese, crumbled

1/2 oz. fresh basil chiffonade

1 tbsp. Grenache vinegar (this is like red wine vinegar)

1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs

1 oz. grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a small pan, sauté shallots and garlic in 1 tablespoon of olive oil until tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in mustard, and set aside.

Place pastry shell in a 9-inch pie dish. Layer in half of the tomatoes, and season with salt and pepper; spread shallot mixture over top. Add goat cheese and half of the basil, distributing evenly. Layer in remaining tomatoes, and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle 1 tablespoon each of olive oil and vinegar over the tomatoes; top with remaining basil.

In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs, remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle evenly over tomato filling.

Bake 30 minutes, or until topping and crust are golden brown.

Recipe from Drew Robinson of Jim ’N Nick’s Bar-B-Q in Birmingham, Alabama.

*********************

This reminds me of the cake Ma always made for me when we would visit after I married. She didn't use a recipe, she just made it and it was always perfect! 

 

Nut Cake Source: Pennsylvania Dutch Cooking (like my grandmother, Ma,  used to make) 1/2 cup shortening or lard 1-1/2 cups sugar 3 eggs, separated 2-1/2 cups cake flour 1/2 tsp. salt 2 tsp. baking powder 1 cup milk 1 cup chopped pecans 1 tsp. vanilla extract Cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks and beat until light lemony color. Sift flour; add salt and baking powder, sift again. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk/vanilla, beginning and ending with flour. Beat thoroughly after each addition. Fold in chopped nuts and stiffly beaten egg whites. Pour into 2 greased and floured 9 inch pans. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Turn on wire rack to cool. Cool completely and frost with Seven-Minute Frosting. Seven Minute Frosting 2 eggs whites, unbeaten 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar 5 Tbsp. cold water 1 tsp. white corn syrup 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar 1 tsp. vanilla extract Combine egg whites, sugar, water, corn syrup and cream of tartar in top of double boiler . Mix thoroughly. Place over rapidly boiling water and beat continually with electric mixer or  rotary beater until mixture will hold a peak (about 7 minutes). Remove from heat. Add vanilla and beat until thick enough to spread. Frost tops and sides of cooled cake.

Chorizo and Black Bean Enchiladas

Chorizo & Black Bean Enchiladas

4 links Chorizo Sausage, casings removed
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 can black beans, rinsed & drained
4 oz. can chopped green Chile’s
1-2 tsp. Southwest or Taco seasoning
6 oz. block Colby Jack cheese grated
2-3 scallions, chopped
6 flour or corn tortillas
1-1/2 cups medium salsa

Preheat oven to 375. Line a 11x7 dish with foil or spray with cooking spray.

In medium skillet, brown sausage, crumbling as it cooks. Add onion & cook 2-3 minutes. Add beans & green Chile’s & seasoning. Heat until bubbly & mash a few beans slightly against side of pan. Add 1/2 cup grated cheese to filling.
Fill center of tortillas, fold over both sides and place seam side down.
Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes to crisp up tortillas.
Top with salsa, remaining cheese & sprinkle with scallions. Bake an additional 20 minutes.

Haluski (Fried Cabbage and Noodles)

Haluski (Fried Cabbage and Noodles)
★★★★★
adapted from A Family Feast

•

• Prep Time: 10 mins

• Cook Time: 15 mins

• Total Time: 25 minutes

• Yield: 4 servings


• 4 ounces pancetta, diced small (or bacon if you prefer)
• 6 tablespoons butter, divided
• 2 cups onion, diced
• 1 ½ pounds green cabbage, cored and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 6 ounces dry No Yolks® egg noodles, any size noodle
.1/2 tsp. McCormick’s Chipotle & Roasted Garlic seasoning.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a medium to large skillet, over medium high heat, cook pancetta in 2 tablespoons of butter until crisp. Add onions and sauté for 2 minutes. Add 2 more tablespoons butter, cabbage, salt and pepper, cover and once mixture is hot, reduce to medium and cook for ten minutes.
2. While cabbage mixture is cooking, cook No Yolks® noodles according to package direction and drain.
3. Once cabbage is tender, remove cover and add drained noodles& Chipotle seasoning
4. Add remaining butter and cook to bring to serving temperature.
5. Season with additional salt and pepper as desired. (Lots of black pepper is traditional!)

Quick Cauliflower And Coconut Stew & more...

Mark’s Kitchen

drhyman.com

Quick Cauliflower Coconut Stew

This delicious stew is perfect for vegetarians or meat eaters. And it’s full of healthy fats! Comforting and warm, it’s one the whole family can enjoy for dinner. Add in some chicken or tofu for extra protein. If you’re enjoying a bit of grains, this pairs nicely with wild rice.

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1 medium onion, finely chopped

3 ripe tomatoes, finely chopped

1 medium head cauliflower, stemmed and cut into bite-size florets 1 jalapeno, stemmed, seeded, chopped

1 cup chopped kale

2 teaspoons ginger paste

1 tablespoon cumin powder

1 tablespoon coriander powder

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 can full-fat, unsweetened coconut milk

1 teaspoon sea salt

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Step 1: In a medium stock pot, heat the coconut oil for 30 seconds on medium heat

Step 2: Add the cumin seeds and stir until they start to sputter. Then add the onions and cook for another minute, and then, add the tomatoes, stir and cook for a few more minutes until the tomatoes soften.

Step 3: Add the rest of the ingredients and stir together. Cover the pan and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to keep from burning.

Step 4: Ladle the soup into 4 serving bowls and enjoy! Leftover stew can be stored in air-tight container and saved for lunch the next day.

Nutritional analysis per serving: calories 204, fat 24 g, saturated fat 20 g, cholesterol 0 mg, fiber 6 g, protein 6 g, carbohydrate 18 g, sodium 588 mg

Chicken Crusted Pizza & Spaghetti Squash

Revisited an older recipe & thoroughly enjoyed it this week. 

 Chicken Crusted Pizza is quite tasty!
4 Flattened Chicken Cutlets
1/2 cup Chopped red onions
1/2 cup Chopped red Bell Peppers
8 oz. Sliced Baby Bella Mushrooms

4 cups baby spinach 

15 oz. can Crushed or Petite Diced Tomatoes, drained
Garlic Minced
Oregano 

Salt
Pepper
small slices of fresh Mozzarella

Using 2 skillets, sprayed with cooking spray. In one, saute onions, peppers and mushrooms until tender, add spinach & cook until wilted.  In the other, season chicken breast pounded thin with salt, pepper, garlic . Cook on each side for 3-4 minutes. Season tomatoes with salt, pepper, oregano and garlic.  When chicken breast is cooked through, top with sauteed veggies, seasoned tomatoes & 1 oz. of cheese. Cover and cook for 1 minute to melt cheese. Or broil to melt & lightly brown cheese.
If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan & Crushed red Pepper.

I used Asiago & McCormick’s Chipotle & Roasted Garlic Seasoning. Served over Spaghetti Squash. 

As I walk, let me walk close to THEE....

As I walk, let me walk close to Thee...
*****
Human nature causes us to stumble, & in many situations, we tend to err from the path. Lord, help me to walk in the Light...

1 John 1: 9

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
*****
Trusting you, Lord, acknowledging that You are all knowing...direct my paths
In Your Righteousness.

Proverbs 3: 5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
*****
Help me to walk in love; to let Your Love & the Love of Christ shine through me.

Ephesians 5: 2

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

*****
Only Your Grace is Sufficient...help me to rely on Your Grace & Your Power.
So, when I falter or stumble along this path...
You Strengthen  & Uphold me.

2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paula 01-19-2020
                                   
                           
                       

I am weak, but THOU art strong...

I am weak, but Thou are strong...

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Over the past couple of months, many have remarked what a strong, good woman that I am. I have known joy & mountaintop experiences over the years. 

I have also known heartbreak & traveled through valleys. If it were not for Faith, 

Numerous prayer warriors & our gracious Lord...none of these experiences would have been possible to bear or rejoice in. 

Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

From Day 1: November 18, 2019...God has been with us, He has not left us or forsaken us. 

Isaiah 41:10 - Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Surely He is with us & hears our prayers. He has brought us this far & continues 

To uphold us with each passing day. 

2 Chronicles 7:14  (KJV)

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

What a loving God, He is ALWAYS there. 

Psalm 95:1-11

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. ...

How could we not praise Him, acknowledge His Love, His Blessings, His Healing 

& His knowing our every need before we even ask. 

He IS my strength. Thank you, Lord, for your Blessings on us. 

Paula 01-18-2020