FebruaryWhat Home Could be
I learned - at least - what Home could be - |
Recipes For The Month of February
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February 1
"Time, dough in a bowl, rose, doubling, trembling in bulk, and I was in the middle of the swelling, yeasty mass - lost."
-Vera Randal
"Love doesn't jut sit there, like a stone,
it has to be made, like bread;
remade all the time, made new."
-UrsulaK. LeGuin
Wanda's Oatmeal Bread
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2 packages dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1 1/4 cups boiling water
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup molasses
2 eggs
1/3 cup shortening
1 teaspoon salt
5 1/4 to 6 cups flour
Combine yeast and warm water. Set aside. Combine boiling water, oats, molasses, eggs, shortening and salt. Stir in enough flour to form soft ball. Place on floured bread board or counter and knead 7 to 8 minutes. Shape into a ball, place into greased bowl, turn once and cover with a damp towel. Place in a warm area and allow to rise until doubled in size. "Punch” fist into middle of dough, fold sides in and turn once. Divide into 2 pieces and form into loaves. Place in greased loaf pans. Cover and allow to rise another 45 minutes. Bake in 376 degree oven for 30 minutes. Cover with foil and bake another 15 minutes. Remove form oven and let sit several minutes before removing from pans. Serve warm.
*Wanda is a registered dietitian who mentored my college dietetic class. Unlike any of my other instructors, she was able to incorporate fun and spirit into the meals served in her hospital. Probably because she is fun and spirited. Thanks, Wanda, for the great experience, and this awesome recipe. Serve with Honey Butter and Strawberry Jam.
February 2
"“O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you in the parched and weary land
where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself; how I praise you!
I will honor you as long as I live; lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
You satisfy me more than the richest foods.
I will praise you with songs of joy.
I lie awake thinking of you, meditation on you through the night.
I think how much you have helped me;
I sing for you in the shadow of your protecting wings.
I follow close behind you; your strong right hand holds me securely.
But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin.
They will go down into the depths of the earth.
They will die by the sword and become the food of jackals.
But the king will rejoice in God.
All who trust in him will praise him. While liars will be silenced.”
-Psalm 63 (NLT)
Spiced Ruby Red Grapefruit
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5 ruby red grapefruit
2 cup sugar
1 cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon whole cloves
2 sticks cinnamon
Peel and section grapefruit over a bowl, reserving the juice. Pack sections into pint jars and set aside. Combine ½ cup of reserved grapefruit juice, sugar, vinegar, cloves and cinnamon in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Using a mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter, strain juice to remove spices. Pour hot liquid into jars covering sections completely. Cover and cool at room temperature. Refrigerate overnight before using. Serve in chilled glass dishes.
*This elaborate version of the boring breakfast grapefruit definitely brings spice and light to our mornings. Serve with Buttermilk Cornmeal Pancakes. Don't let it end there. Also serve as a fruity appetizer or for a light dessert following Baked Orange Roughy with Vegetables.
February 3
"I tend my flowers for thee -
Bright Absentee!
My Fuchsia’s Coral Seams
Rip – while the Sower – dreams -
Geraniums – tint – and spot -
Low Daises - dot -
My Cactus – split her Beard
To show her throat -
Thy flower – be gay -
Her lord – away!
It ill becometh me -
I’ll dwell in Calyx - Gray -
How modestly - always -
Thy Daisy -
Draped for thee!”
-Emily Dickinson
Herbal Teas
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I think Emily was referring no only to tending her garden and receiving healing in her garden, but also to the satisfaction and benefits from drinking herbal teas. Here is a brief list of common herbs and their reported therapeutic value. With all listed, choose clean, fresh herbs and step them in boiling water. Drink as is, or sweeten with sugar and milk to taste.
*Chamomile Daisy Flower --- Reduces Anxiety and Common Cold Symptoms
*Basil Leaves --- Relieves Nausea from Indigestion
*Basil Leaves with Rose Petals --- Improves Depression
*Calendula (Pot Marigold) Petals --- Relieves Menstrual Pain
*Sage Leaves --- Reduce Sore Throat
**And Ms. Dickinson would probably have included a light pastry with her tea, such as tomorrows’ Apple Scones or Strawberry Almond Torte.
February 4
"Adm lay y-bounden
Bounden in a bond;
Four thousand winter
Thought he not too long;
And all was for an apple
An apple that he took,
As clerkes finden written
In theire book.
Ne had the apple taken been,
The apple taken been
Ne haddle never our Lady
A been heaven's queen.
Blessed be the time
That apple taken was!
Therefore we may singen
'Deo Gratias!'"
-Anonymous
Apple Scones
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2 cups chopped tart apples
6 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup whipping cream
2 1/4 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Cook apples in 2 tablespoons butter until tender and butter is almost absorbed. Set aside to cool. Mix flour, 1/3 cup sugar., baking powder and cinnamon; cut in remaining softened butter until coarsely mixed. Add apples, and stir until just blended. On a lightly floured surface, knead just 30 to 45 seconds. On an ungreased baking sheet, pat dough into a 6 to 8-inch circle. Mix sugar and brown sugar together and sprinkle over dough. Cut into 12 wedges; separate slightly. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20 to 25 minuets. Cool slightly and separate.
*These earthy treats are delicious served at any time of the day: at breakfast with Strawberry Blast Smoothies and for lunch with Summer Fruit Salad.
February 5
"The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them;
and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose."
-Isaiah 35:1(KJV)
"The foolish person seeks happiness in the distance; the wise person grows it under his feet."
-James Oppenheim
Day-Before-the-Meal Whole-Deal-Meal
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1 pound lean ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can cream corn
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 small can tomato paste
2 cups frozen string beans
1 teaspoon finely chopped basil
2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
In a large skillet, saute ground beef, onion, garlic and pepper. Meanwhile, cook macaroni in boiling water and drain. When grand beef browned, add kidney beans, cream corn, stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, string beans, basil and cooked noodles. Pour mixture into a greased casserole baking dish and top with grated cheese. Cover and store in refrigerator up to 24 hours. Bake in 350 degree oven for 40 to 45 minutes. Uncover and broil until cheese is bubbly and browned. Serve immediately or refrigerate overnight and reheat. The flavors are stronger the next day.
*In college, when I visited my boyfriend, now my husband, this was one of the few meals he make. He liked it because it was easy, cheap, the leftovers lasted a couple days and it was a hearty casserole on a cold winter's night. I liked it because he could actually cook something. I guess that's why we still like it. Back in the old days, we ate this hot dish with regular sliced bread and butter, but to dress the meal up a bit, try serving it with White Buns or Hot Cross Buns.
February 6
"In creating, the only hard thing's to begin;
A grass-blad's no easier to make than an oak."
-James Russell Lowell
Artichoke Appetizers
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1 (16 ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped black olives
5 tablespoons mayonnaise
Salt and pepper to taste
1 loaf of Tomato Bread or one loaf of French bread
Place artichoke hearts, Parmesan cheese, red onion, and black olives in a medium bowl. Mix in mayonnaise to form a thick spread. Slice bread into 1/3 to 1/2 inch slices. Spread slices of bread evenly with artichoke mixture and place on baking sheet. Place under preheated broiler and bake for about 2 minutes, or until spread begins to bubble and brown. Serve immediately.
Spinach and Bacon Dip
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1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup plain yogurt
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup finely chopped green onion
1 cup fresh finely chopped spinach
1/4 cup crumbled crisp bacon
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
In a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese and yogurt. Add garlic, onion, spinach, bacon and peppers. Spoon into appetizer bowl and serve immediately or refrigerate 1 to 2 hours.
*As many of the ingredients in these recipes are purchased, they are a grand start to a winter dinner party when your garden is not producing. Serve alongside a hot soup, such as Minestrone Soup, Friendship Soup or tomorrows' recipe, Cheese Carrot Soup for a hearty meal.
February 7
"Therefore, I tell you , do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?"
-Matthew 6:25(NIV)
"Never let your head hand down.
Never give up and sit and grieve.
Find another way.
And don't pray when it rains
If you don't pray when the sun shines."
-Richard M. Nixon
Cheesy Carrot Soup
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3 tablespoons butter
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 quart vegetable stock
1/2 pound cheddar cheese, grated
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon parsley
In large saucepan, melt butter and saute carrots, onion and celery until tender. Add flour, salt and pepper and stir. Gradually stir in vegetable stock. Stir in shredded cheese. When melted add milk. Heat but do not boil. Sprinkle parsley for garnish and serve immediately.
*Create some excitement with your soup: experiment with different garnishes and toppings. Along with common herbs and vegetables, such as chives, basil, grated onions and chopped peppers, try more unusual toppings. Some ideas are cooked spring peas and asparagus tips, thinly sliced herbed crepes, diced apples or sauteed garbanzo beans. Serve with Herbed Croutons or Oat Crackers.
February 8
"I cannot think about garden paths without thinking about life journeys. They are simply too similar, too muddled up together to separate. A path is something I can walk on or dream about. Dream gardens and real gardens are not so very different, after all. They become expressions of one another. Only the gardener knows where one ends and the other begins; where sleep ends and waking begins. Sometimes even the gardener doesn't know. The path extends out from the dream, illuminated by moonlight and the gardener walks into the sun."
-Jennifer Bennett
Spinach Lasagna
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10 lasagna noodles
4 cups fresh spinach leaves, cleaned
1 (16 ounce) jar prepared spaghetti sauce
1 (16 ounce) container ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil
1 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
Cook lasagna noodles until just tender. Drain and rinse with cold water. In large saucepan, bring 3 cups water to boil. Add spinach and cook until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain spinach, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid. Mix ricotta cheese, pepper and basil. To assemble, cover the bottom of a buttered 9" x 13' baking dish with some spaghetti sauce. Arrange 4 to 5 lasagna noodles in dish. slightly overlapping. Spread half of ricotta cheese over noodles. Top with half of spinach. Sprinkle with half of pine nuts. Cover with 1 cup cooking liquid into jar of remaining spaghetti sauce, mix and pour gently around edges of layered lasagna. Sprinkle with Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Cover with aluminum foil. Baking in 375 degree oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
*For a complete, traditional American-made-Italian meal, serve with Crispy Bread Sticks and Caesar Salad. Add ambiance and expression to your dinner by placing a candle in an old wine bottle, and turning off all other lighting. Let the candle drip down onto the bottle; use many different shades of candles each time you use the candle to add color paths of interest.
February 9
"As with most fine things, chocolate has its seasons. There is a simple memory aid that you can use to determine whether it is the correct time t order chocolate dishes: any month whose name contains the letters a, e, or u is the proper time for chocolate."
-Sandra Boynton
"As for as God is concerned, there is a sweet, wholesome fragrance in our lives. It is the fragrance of Christ within us, an aroma to both the saved and the unsaved all around us."
-2 Corinthians 2:15 (CLB)
Walnut Fudge Cake
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1 3/4 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups butter, softened
6 eggs
2 cups powdered sugar
2 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups finely chopped walnuts (a must)
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 cup butter
3 - 4 teaspoons milk
Grease and flour a bunt or tube pan. In large mixing bowl, combine sugar and butter; beat until light and fluffy. Ad eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each one. Gradually add 2 cups of powdered sugar, blend well. By hand, stir in flour and remaining cake ingredients until well blended. Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for about 1 hour. You will be unable to do an ordinary toothpick test with this cake, as filling will still be moist. Cool upright in pan on wire rack or a turned over cupcake tin for 1 hour; invert onto serving plate. Cool completely. For glaze, combine powdered sugar, cocoa and butter, adding only enough milk so that it can drizzle over top of cake. Store the cake in airtight container in refrigerator.
*Isn't it a good season for chocolate? Winter months can be made warmer, sweeter, friendlier and more wholesome just by making sure you keep a chocolate cake in the house.
February 10
"There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pry you, love, remember. Ant there is pansies, that's for thoughts... There's fennel for you , and columbines. There's rue for you; and her; some for me. We may call it herb of grace on Sundays. O, you must wear your rue with a difference. There's a daisy. I would give you some violets, but they wither’d all..."
-William Shakespeare
"I come from a family that considered gravy a beverage."
-Erma Bombeck
Rosemary Stuffed Chicken with Gravy
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1 (4 - 5 pound) roasting chicken
1 cup fresh rosemary stems
1 whole lemon, pierced 6 - 8 times
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup hot chicken broth
1/2 cup cream
Rosemary stems for garnish
Wash the chicken and pat dry. Stuff the rosemary and lemon into the cavity of the chicken and tie the legs. Place in a roasting pan; rub the mustard over the skin and season with coriander, salt and pepper. Bake in 350 degree oven for 1 hour. Pour the chicken broth over the chicken and bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes more. Remove chicken to serving platter, first emptying the cavity. Stir the cream into the hot pan drippings and pour into gravy boat. Garnish chicken with fresh rosemary stems.
*Through the ages, rosemary, or "Mary's rose," was believed to ward off evil, keep nightmares away and prevent moths. Rosemary is also considered the symbol of love and life. So, not only are you offering your labors of love by cooking this meal, but the addition of rosemary (and gray) serves as reminder of the bond between food and our well being as families and friends. Serve with Good Old Fashioned Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry Relish and Cornmeal Bundt Cake.
February 11
"Bread that must be sliced with an ax is bread that is too nourishing."
-Fran Lebowitz
"Flops are a part of life's menu, and I've never been a girl to miss out on any of the courses."
-Rosalind Russell
Fluffy Dilly Popovers
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1 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon finely snipped fresh dill
1 tablespoon butter, melted
Place all ingredients in blender. Blend at medium speed 1 minute. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Batter may be refrigerated up to 24 hours. Generously grease 10 muffin tin cups or six 6-ounce glass custard cups. Place on a baking sheet. Blend batter at medium speed 20 seconds. Divide among cups. Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until puffed and golden brown. Be sure not to open the door in the first 20 to 25 minutes of baking or puffs will fall, and you don't want that . Serve immediately with eggs and bacon.
*The early Greeks liked to hang bunches of dill in their homes to freshen stale air. Egyptian doctors were said to have used dill to soothe coughs and dill water or 'gripe water' is still used today as an herbal remedy for sore throats. If you lie in the South, it should be growing well this time of the year. So be sure to add some of dill's parasol-shaped blooms to your next cutting of fresh flowers to cleanse your home or brew some into tea for seasonal sore throats.
"That God once loved a garden
we learn in Holy writ.
And seeing garden in the spring
I well can credit it."
-Winifred Letts
February 12
"Youth's for an hour
Beauty's a flower
But love is the jewel that wins the world."
-Moira O'Neill
"Die when I may, I want it said by those who knew me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow"
-Abraham Lincoln
Mushroom and Broccoli Linguine
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7 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons flour
3 cups vegetable stock
1 1/2 cups cream
2 springs thyme, finely chopped
2 sprigs rosemary, finely chopped
1 teaspoon pepper
1 onion, diced
4 - 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 pound button mushrooms, sliced
1 pound shiitake mushrooms, sliced
1 pound broccoli, chopped
1 pound linguine
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
In a large saucepan, melt 5 tablespoons butter over medium heat. When it starts to bubble, add flour. Stirring constantly, cook for several minutes until mixture begins to brown. Slowly whisk in vegetable stock and cook until mixture bubbles and becomes thick. Stir in cream. Add thyme, rosemary and pepper. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until lightly browned. Add garlic and mushrooms and cook until they start to become soft. Add broccoli and cook until all tender, about 5 minutes. Add mushroom sauce to skillet and stir to combine. Turn off heat and set aside. In boiling after, cook linguine only 3 to 4 minutes, when only starting to soften. Drain and rinse, Stir noodles into mushroom mixture. Pour all into a greased glass 9" x 13" baking pan and sprinkle with Romano cheese. Bake in 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until bubbly and top is browned. Cool 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
February 13
"Love is the seed of all hope,
It is the enticement to trust,
to risk, to try, to go on."
-Gloria Gaither
"God is the sunshine that warms us, the rain that melts the frost and waters the young plants. The presence of God is a climate of strong and bracing love, always there."
-Joan Arnold
Cherry Nut Squares
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1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon almond flavoring
1 can cherry pie filling
Powdered sugar
In a mixing bowl, mix together the butter, shortening, sugar, vanilla and eggs. Add the flour, salt and walnuts and mix until well blended. Spread 3/4 of the batter in the bottom of an ungreased jelly roll pan. Stir almond flavoring and cherry pie filling together and spread over the unbaked crust. Dot the remaining batter on top of cherry filling. Bake in 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until dough is browned and cherry filling is bubbly. Let cool slightly and sprinkle generously with powdered sugar. Refrigerate to store.
*February has been deemed National Cherry Month, so these delicious bars can be a promotional product! Tomorrow, Valentines Day, present these treats to a favorite someone to display your love.
"Only in dreams of spring shall I ever see again the flower in of my cherry trees."
-Frances Hodgson Burnett
February 14
"One can get just as much exultation in losing oneself in a little thing as in a big one. It is nice to think how one can be recklessly lost in a daisy."
-Anne Morrow Lindbergh
"There is no love sincerer than the love of food."
-George Bernard Shaw
Sweet and Cream Fruit Dip
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8 ounces cream de coconut
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
Assorted fruit, cleaned and cubed: recommend strawberries, blueberries, peaches mandarin oranges and bananas.
In a medium bowl, combine cream de coconut, cream cheese and sugar. Whip together until lumps disappear. Serve or refrigerate.
Milk Chocolate Fondue
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2 cups milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup heavy cream
Assorted fruit, cleaned and cubed: recommend same as above
Combine chocolate chips and cream in fondue pot set on low. Stir several times. Using fondue forks, dip fruit, cakes and marshmallows into hot chocolate.
*Valenties' Day has long been the celebrated day of love. The name and legend started around 2669 Ad with Valentine of Rome and has grown to be one of the biggest Hallmark holidays. These two simple, yet sensual dips are a must for food lovers to recklessly lose themselves in. whether it is Valentines Day, or any other perfect day of the year.
February 15
"Those who are planted in the house of the Lord
shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall still bear fruit in old age;
they shall be fat and flourishing."
-Psalm 92:13-14 (KJV)
"My journey to the gardener's paradise starts fresh each year on te third Saturday in February. That's the day I plant tomato seeds."
-Jim Nollman
Garbanzo Beans with Garlic and Peanuts
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3 tablespoons peanut oil
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1/2 green bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 large tomato, diced
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained with liquid reserved
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
10 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 cup dry-roasted peanuts
In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons oil. Add onions and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 2 to 3 minutes. Add red and green bell peppers and cook until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Add red and green bell peppers and cook until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add tomato and ginger, cover and cook 5 minutes. In a small bowl, combine reserved liquid from garbanzo beans, tomato pasted, mustard, salt and peppers, Blend well. Stir into garbanzo beans, cover and simmer an additional 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small frying pan, heat remaining 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add garlic and stirring occasionally, cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add peanuts and tossing constantly, cook another minute or so, until peanuts are browned. Garnish over beans and serve.
*The third Saturday of February is coming up soon. Do you have your supplies ready to start seedlings? While you consult and debate on your list, enjoy Garbanzo Beans with Garlic and Peanuts over Bounty Rice with Sweet Potato Biscuits.
February 16
"God gave a loaf to every Bird -
But just a crumb - to Me..."
-Emily Dickinson
"The winter will lose its cold, as the snow will be without whiteness.
The night without darkness, the heavens without stars, the day without light,
The flower will lose its beauty, all fountains their water, the sea its fish
The tree its birds, the forest its beasts, the earth its harvest -
All these will pass before anyone breaks the bonds of our love.
And before I cease caring for you in my heart
May your days be happy in number as flakes of snow,
May your nights be peaceful and may you be without troubles."
-Matthew of Rievaulx
Cinnamon Graham Muffins
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1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups, cinnamon graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup dates, chopped
1 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
In a medium bowl, combine egg, buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Stir in graham cracker crumbs and dates. In a separate bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add to egg mixture, stirring just to moisten, Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake in 400 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool. Store the muffins in an airtight container.
*On a cold winter day, these muffins are tasty anytime, breakfast, non or night. They can be especially delicious when served warm and fresh with Strawberry Butter.
February 17
"Take a large quantity of cheerfulness
And Let it simmer without stopping.
Put with it a brimming basinful of kindness.
Then add to it a full measure of thoughts for other people.
Mix into these a heaping tablespoon of sympathy:
Flavor with essence of charity.
Stir well together and then carefully
Strain off any grains of selfishness.
Let the dish be served with a sauce
Of love and the fruit of the Spirit."
-Author Unknown
"The spontaneous energies of the earth are a gift of nature, but they require the labors of men to direct their operation."
-Thomas Jefferson
Creamed Brussels Sprouts and Celery
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4 cups Brussels sprouts, washed with ends cut off
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Put Brussels sprouts. celery, water and salt into a small saucepan. Cover and boil for about 8 minutes, or until tender. Drain, saving vegetable liquid. Meanwhile, melt butter in a small skillet. Add flour, stir and cook for about 1 minute. Measure remaining vegetable juice; add enough milk to make 1 3/4 cup liquid. Stir gradually into flour mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for several minutes or until sauce thickens. Stir in the nutmeg. Combine the vegetables and sauce in a greased 1 1/2- quart casserole. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Broil for 4 to 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Serve immediately.
*Serve with Broccoli Beef Squares and Cranberry Pumpkin Bread.
February 18
"My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received form her."
-George Washington
"True friendship is a plant of slow growth."
-George Washington
Spiced Gyngerbread
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1/2 cup shortening
2 tablespoons grated orange rind
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 eggs. beaten
1 cup molasses
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup brandy
2 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoons soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon mace
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup raisins
Whipped topping
In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and orange rind. Add brown sugar gradually and cream thoroughly. Blend in eggs and beat for 1 to 2 minutes, or until smooth. In a separate bowl, combine flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, mace and nutmeg. Set aside. In another bowl, stir together molasses, orange juice and brandy. Add dry ingredients and liquid ingredients alternately to the creamed mixture and blind well. Fold in raisins. Pour into a greased 9"x13" pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes. or until fork test comes out dry. Let cool. Serve immediately with whipped topping. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container.
*This unique Gyngerbread, which uses no ginger, is rumored to have been George Washington's Mother's recipe. Pay tribute to our 1st President by honoring his mother and serving her satisfyingly simple, yet top-notch dessert.
February 19
"I see joy in blue thistle blossoms
Red sweet clover and Queen Anne's lace.
I see joy in hollyhock stalks,
Old valentines and green grass
I touch joy in silver chains,
Worn turquoise stones and warm woven rugs.
I touch joy in linen book covers,
Walnut shells and rich black land.
I feel joy in icy morning air,
Strong arms and prayer.
I feel joy when you speak
Or take my hand or touch my hair."
-Glenna James
Walnut Salad
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1 cup walnuts, chopped
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
4 cups lettuce greens, chopped
1 cup grated carrots
2 cups fresh or frozen peas, cooked and cooled
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon pepper
In a small pan of boiling water cook walnuts for 3 minutes. Drain on paper towel and toss with oil, garlic salt and dill weed. Toast in 350 degree oven for 10 minutes. Cool and set aside. Meanwhile, prepare vegetables as directed. Make the dressing by combining the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, mustard, green onion, garlic, parsley and pepper,. In a large clear bowl arrange vegetables in layers, starting with 2 cups of lettuce. Continue with carrots, peas, tomatoes and cheese. Top with 3/4 cup walnuts and remaining 2 cups of lettuce. Spread dressing over lettuce. Sprinkle with remaining walnuts. Cover and chill 2 to 12 hours.
February 20
"(On farming) for me, there was always a sense of contentment in feeling a rythm beneath y feet. The heartbeat of the land. That season would follow season and that the rhythm would never alter. Knowing this brought me peace like no other I had known."
-Witi Ihimaera
"Be patient, therefore, brethren until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruits of the earth, being patient over it until it receives the early and the late rain."
-James 5:7 (RSV)
Special Grandpa K Bars
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1 cup white sugar
1 1/2 cups white syrup
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
6 cups Special K cereal
1/2 cup butterscotch chips
1/2 cup chocolate chips
In a large saucepan, heat sugar and syrup until the sugar dissolves. Add the peanut butter and blend. Add the cereal and stir to coat. Pat into a greased 9"x13" pan. In a small saucepan or microwavable bowl, melt the butterscotch and chocolate chips together. Spread over the cereal. Cool before slicing. Store the bars in an airtight container.
*My Grandpa K. grew up and died a farmer. I remember him patiently gazing out over his fields. He was a quiet man, and seemed content to watch the seasons come and go . His son, my Dad also watched the crops, the rain, and the seasons. And I find myself searching for the same things in my garden pretending to be farmer. Maybe it isn't just the crops that farmers gaze after, but all of God's creation. And deep down, we feel ourselves also waiting longing for our seasons of life to come and go. Only, we are not so patient. Watching nature's crops, rains, and seasons brings a sense of peace like no other. Regardless of his being a farmer, the only thing I remember my Grandpa making is Special K Bars. The rest is just a blur of frozen meals and fast food. But it is a joy to pass along this common recipe, with a deeper meaning. What foods do you have special memories around? Now its he time to share them with family and friends.
"There is a time for everythng, and everything on earth has its special season."
-Ecclasiastes 3:1 (NCV)
February 21
"Worries go down better with soup than without."
-Jewish Proverb
"Take a winter as you find him and her turns out to be a thoroughly honest fellow with no nonsense in him: and tolerating none in you, which is a great comfort in the long run."
-James Russell Lowell
Rustic Soup
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4 quarts water
1 small cabbage, thinly chopped
2 cups spinach leaves, thinly chopped
2 cups Swiss chard leaves, thinly chopped
2 potatoes, diced
3 carrots, thinly sliced
1 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup dried beans or lentils
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 vegetable or chicken bouillon cubes
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
Parmesan cheese
Pour the water into a large stock pot. Add cabbage, spinach, Swiss chard, potatoes, carrots, onion, celery, garlic and dried beans. Bring to a boil and add the parsley, bouillon cubes, olive oil, salt and pepper. Lower heat and simmer soup for 1 1/2 hours, or until vegetables are tender. Serve with Parmesan cheese. Refrigerate the leftovers, which will actually improve the flavor.
*Warm the soul and soothe worries with a hearty soup on a cold day. A big batch simmering on the stove prepares the senses, calms the nerves. Shared with friends or enjoyed alone, Rustic Soup is sure way to beat any winter blues. Serve with Molasses Bran Buns or Irish Soda Bread.
February 22
"A circle of friends is a blessed thing.
Sweet is the breaking of bread with friends.
For the honor of their presence at our board
We are deeply grateful, Lord.
Thanks be to Thee for friendship shared,
Thanks be to Thee for food prepared.
Bless Thou the cup; bless Thou the bread;
The blessings rest upon each head."
-Walter Rauschenbusch
"Let us impart all the blessings we possess or ask for ourselves, to the whole family of mankind."
-George Washington
Miniature Cherry Muffins
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1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 egg yolks, beaten
1 cup flour
2 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
1 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 egg whites, stiffly beaten
24 whole maraschino cherries
Chopped pecans
Powdered sugar
In a mixing bowl, cream together butter, white sugar and brown sugar. Add the egg yolks and maraschino cherry juice. Mix the flour and baking powder together, add to the mixture and blend well. Fold in the stiffly beaten egg whites. Butter miniature muffin tins well and sprinkle bottoms with chopped pecans. Spoon in 1 to 2 teaspoons batter, place 1 maraschino cherry in center, then drop another 1 to 2 teaspoon batter on top. Sprinkle lightly with chopped pecans. Bake in 400 degree oven for about 10 minutes, or until browned. Roll muffins in powdered sugar while still warm. Serve immediately.
*Honor our first President on his birthday with these tasty treats. Let them remind us of the lessons of honesty and integrity, learned at a young age, carried through a lifetime, and corner stoned into a leadership we are still thankful for today.
February 23
"Listen to the salutation to the dawn,
Look to this day for it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course lie all the verities and realities of our existence.
The bliss of growth, the splendor of beauty,
For yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow is only a vision,
But today well spent makes every yesterday a dream of happiness
and every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well therefore to this day.
Such is the salutation to the dawn."
-Sanskrit Salutation To The Dawn
"Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle....
a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl.
And the anticipation nurtures our dream."
-Barbara Winkler
Potato and Ham Pancake
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2 large potatoes, peeled and grated
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup sliced red onion
1/4 cup green onion, chopped
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 finely diced ham or Canadian bacon
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
In a medium bowl, combine potato and salt; set aside for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium heat, Add red and green onion, pepper and ham and saute for 5 minutes, or until onions are tender. Remove from heat, and set aside. Take potatoes in your hands and squeeze any excess water. Add the onion mixture to the potatoes. Add remaining oil to skillet and press mixture in skillet. Cook, uncovered over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes. Do not stir. Place a plate over top of skillet and turn skillet over to catch pancake on plate. Gently slide back into skillet to cook another 5 to 7 minutes, when potatoes are crispy, yet cooked. Serve immediately.
*Serve with your favorite style of eggs and Peppered Muffins.
February 24
"Lead us heavenly Father, lead us o'er the world's tempestuous sea;
Guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us, doe we have no help but thee;
-James Edmeston
"Give a man a fish and he can eat for a day.
Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.
And the anticipation nurtures our dream."
-Chinese Proverb
Citrus Baked Halibut
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1 pound fresh or frozen halibut steaks, preferably 3/4 inch thick
1/3 cup finely chopped yellow onion
1 -2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
1/4 cup orange juice
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Thaw fish, if frozen. Arrange fillets in a greased 8" x 8" baking dish. In small skillet, saute onion and garlic in butter until tender. Remove from heat and stir in parsley, orange peel, salt and pepper. Spread mixture over fish. Sprinkle orange juice overall. Place lemon slices evenly on top. Bake uncovered in a 400 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily. Spoon pan juices over fish several times while baking. Serve immediately.
*You may have noticed by now that none of the recipes provide information on how many portions they serve or how many calories at fat grams are estimated. This is on purpose. I believe when people follow preconceived guidelines, they stop listening to their bodies. They try to gauge intake based on rules, instead of huger and fullness, variety and moderation. I strongly suspect if we were to throw away calorie counting and diets, for fewer of us would have disordered eating and away calorie counting and diets, far fewer of us would have disordered eating and health concerns. For further advice, try reading "Intuitive Eating", by Evelyn Tribole, R.D. and Elyse Resch, R.D. So, enjoy Citrus Baked Halibut served with Lemon Carrots, Potatoes Accordion and Sunflower Bread. Or start the meal with a nice bowl of Cream of Onion Soup.
February 25
"It's odd how large a part food plays in memories of children. There are grown men and women who still shudder at the sight of spinach, or turn away with loathing from stewed prunes and tapioca... luckily, however, it's the good tastes one remembers best."
-Caroline Lejuene
"One's philosophy is not best expressed in words. It is expressed in the choices one makes... The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility."
-Eleanor Roosevelt
Grandma's Banana Bread
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1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
6 - 7 ripe bananas
4 eggs, slightly beaten
6 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vinegar
4 cups flour
2 teaspoons soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
First, make sour milk by adding 1 teaspoon vinegar to 6 tablespoons milk and set aside. Cream together butter, sugar, then add bananas, mixing well. Add eggs and sour milk, Combine flour, soda and salt and add to banana mixture, stirring until all moist. Pour into either a greased 9" x 13" baking pan or 2 greased oaf pans. Bake in 350 degree oven for 55 to 65 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. The loaves will look quite dark, so be sure not to under bake, Let cool for 15 minutes and gently remove from pan(s).
*Growing up as a kid, we would visit Grandma S. at least weekly. When we walked through the door, we were always greeted with the heavenly aroma of something wonderful baking No spinach or stewed pruns there, only fond food memeories. May you create your own memories.
February 26
"Dining is and always was a great artistic opportunity."
-Frank Lloyd Wright
White Lasagna
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1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach
2 cups cottage cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
3 cups milk
12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 carrots, shredded
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
Thaw spinach by running under cold water. Separate, drain and pat dry with paper towels. Mix spinach, cottage cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, basil, oregano and pepper. Set aside while preparing white sauce; heat margarine in small saucepan over low heat until melted. Stir in flour, salt and nutmeg. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until bubbly. Remove from heat and stir in milk. Return to medium heat and cook to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and sir 1 minute. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm. Using a greased 9" x 13" baking dish, arrange 4 cooked noodles. Top noodles with half of the cottage cheese mixture, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and 4 more noodles. Layer carrots, onion and green pepper over the noodles. Spread half of the white sauce over top and sprinkle with 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese. Top with remaining noodles, cottage cheese mixture, white sauce and mozzarella cheese. Finally, sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, in 350 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.
This eye pleased dish can be an artist change to the traditional tomato based lasagna. It is also a welcomed option for those who are allergic or sensitive to acid containing products, such as tomatoes. Serve with Savory Green Beans and Whole Wheat Batter Bread.
February 27
"They say the typical symptoms of stress are eating too much chocolate, drinking too much coffee, spending too much time shopping, and sleeping too many hours a day. Are they kidding? Sounds like a perfect day to me!"
-Unknown
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it."
-Mae West
Chocolate Chip Bars
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2/3 cup butter, softened
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
In mixing bow., cream the butter and brown sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well. In separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add to the butter mixture and mix well. Stir in nuts. Spread in ungreased 9" x 13" pan and sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Bake in 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool and cut into squares. Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream on top. These freeze very well.
*These are too good to resist - warm, gooey and oh-so-good! If all else fails at beating stress, it's okay to give in to temptation now and then and again. To make it a perfect day, add a tall glass of cold milk or a steaming mug of hot chocolate.
"He who knows what sweets and virtues are in the ground, the plants, the waters, the heavens, and how to come at these enchantments - is the rich and royal man."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
February 28
"Though a tree grows ever so high, the falling leaves return to the ground."
-Malay Proverb
"We always enjoy looking down a long road lined with beautiful trees. The trees are a delightful sight and seen to be forming a temple of plants, with strong wooden pillars and arches of leaves. In the same way you look down a beautiful road like this, why not look back on the road of the years of your life? Look at the large green limbs of God's mercy overhead and the strong pillars of His loving-kindness and faithfulness that have brought you much joy. Do you see any birds singing in the branches? If you look closely, surely you will see many, for they are singing of God's mercy received thus far."
-Charles H. Spurgeon
Walnut Chicken
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2 boneless chicken breasts. sliced into 1sliced into 1 inch strips (woks best if frozen one hour before slicing)
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon sugar
2 eggs white, beaten lightly
4 tablespoons cornstarch
2 cups vegetable or peanut oil
Prepare chicken slices and set aside. In large bowl, combine water, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, pepper, baking powder, salt and sugar. Stir in chicken and let marinate up to 3 to 4 hours. In small bowl, beat egg white, then ad remaining corn starch. In large skillet, heat oil to 375 degrees. Dip chicken strips into egg white mixture, and then roll in chopped walnuts. Deep fry for about 2 minutes are chopped finely enough. Also do not 'play' with pieces while they are cooking. Drain on paper towel. Serve immediately
*Serve with Creamed Kohlrabi or atop Caesar Salad for a different flair to the traditional salad. Finish the meal with Pineapple Dump Cake.
February 29
"For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh off upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God."
-Hebrews 6:7(KJV)
"How can a man die who has sage in his garden?"
-Unknown
Saged Pork Chops and Potatoes
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2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch slices
2 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch slices
2 tablespoons butter
6 boneless pork chops
2 tablespoons fresh sage, finely minced, or 2 teaspoons dried sage
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup apple juice
Fresh sage bundles
In boiling water, cook both sweet and russet potatoes for 8 to 10 minutes, or until starting to get soft. Remove from heat and drain, In the meantime, melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add pork chops, sage and pepper. With the lid off brown the pork chops on both sides, but do not cook thoroughly yet. Remove them from pan. Lay the precooked potatoes in skillet, lay the pork chips over the potatoes and add the apple juice. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 10 to 15 minute, or until pork chops and potatoes are cooked thoroughly. Serve immediately after garnishing with fresh sage bundles.
Recipes For The Month Of:
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