Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Rescue Recipes

Last night we had a guest for dinner. The dinner was to be just a casual weeknight dinner for a guy who lives by himself and would appreciate some home cooking.
I was totally stuck!
I had a turkey breast thawed but was totally uninspired as to what to do with it. Then it hit me...one of my favorite rescue recipes was perfect.

Rescue Recipes are favorite, easy and versatile recipes that include ingredients that you always have on hand. I decided to make a new catagory in my recipe box with that title and copy my favorite rescue recipes into it.

The one I used last night was Dona's Wonderful Honey-Curry Sauce.
1/3 cup honey
1tsp. curry powder
1/3 cup melted butter
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. prepared mustard.
Pour over chicken or pork or even rabbit & bake.

If you have someone in your family who doesn't like curry, this will change his/her mind. We like this sauce very much and it is wonderful served with brown rice.

Last night's menu was turkey baked with the sauce, brown rice, carrots, greenbeans and homemade apple sauce with cranberries. We had a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a little chocolate sauce with our coffee after dinner and family devotions.

Another favorite Rescue Recipe is fried rice.
I just saute' lots & lots of celery, onion & peppers and then throw in leftover rice. I fry all of that in a little oil until browning nicely then pour soy sauce (or Bragg's) over and sprinkle generously with chinese five-spice powder. I often scramble a couple of eggs and throw in frozen peas as well. This is especially good if you have a little diced leftover meat. Then we serve with a salad and applesauce.

Do you have any favorite recipes that help you out when the menu muse has left you? Please share!

Monday, February 23, 2009

Simple Woman's Daybook




FOR TODAY Monday, February 23, 2009...


Outside my window...The sun is blazing and the wind is blowing so that my screen rattles in it’s frame. I see little sticks on the ground that we will have to gather up to add to the “stick pile”. I see a board the children left on the ground after playing some sort of make-believe game.



I am thinking...that the sunshine feels good on my neck as it shines on me.



I am thankful for...the news that I will be a Grandmother late in the year.



From the learning rooms...a tour of Europe and a look at the Church in the year 1000 before we head into the Norman Invasion next week. I love my Truthquest!



From the kitchen...Whole Wheat Cinnamon-Raisin bread rising & yellow split pea & sausage soup for lunch.



I am wearing... blue jeans and a bright pink blouse with ruffles, socks and my ancient black slides.



I am creating...still working on that quilt for Crista, must finish it!!!



I am going...nowhere outside of my domain today except to pick up hubby from work.





I am hoping...to get the house ready for company tonight.



I am hearing...Isaac putting away dishes and singing and Shayna working on memory verses.
Around the house...typical Monday things, cleaning up after Sunday, backlog of laundry, just trying to get things ship-shape for the week. On top of that, a visitor or three for dinner expected.



One of my favorite things...my transferware bowls (Friendly Village), for our morning oatmeal.



A few plans for the rest of the week: Getting on a new schedule, back to early rising and a new thing-breakfast & devotions with Papa before he is off to work.



On Friday & Saturday I’m going to the quiltshow. I’m so looking forward to it (have been all year)!



Here is picture thought I am sharing... My favorite from last year’s show:



Thanks again to Peggy at Simple Woman for the DayBook project.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly

Ann’s writing often moves me, telling me truth in poetic words that sink deep into me, convicting me and pointing me to The Savior.
Read today’s post at A Holy Experience.
I was convicted by this phrase: “So I do it. I grab the angriest, messiest heart and hold it close.”
How often I want to push away the angriest, messiest heart in our home! How often I let that one turn me into the one who is the angriest, leaving a bigger mess that is so much harder to clean up than the one left by one littler, simpler… “take the log out of your own eye…”

We are memorizing a passage of Scripture as a family. We desperately need to renew our minds with the truth of God, I need it most of all.

Here is what we are working on.

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:12-16

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Valentine's Day Menu & a Recipe

For our annual Valentine's Day supper Shayna and I made Prime Rib Roast (bought marked down at the commissary).

We made mashed potatoes to go with and they were very yummy:
Yummy Yellow Taters
8 medium yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced
1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
Place the potatoes in a large pot, and fill with enough water to cover by 1 inch. Add the onion, garlic and basil, salt & pepper and bring to a boil. Cook until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
Drain the contents of the pot in a colander, then transfer to a large bowl. Add sour cream, butter and milk. Beat with a mixer until light. Adjust milk if needed. Do not beat long, or the potatoes will become stiff and pasty. Taste and adjust salt & pepper before serving.

We also had cooked carrots and spinach salad with orange sections, walnuts & feta cheese.

For dessert Shayna and I made Delicious Baked Fudge from Pioneer Woman Cooks. We served it with a little scoop of Ice Cream.
Dinner was definitely a success!