Soaked

I tried a new healthy PC recipe last night. The name is boring but the dish delighted us enough that it was on both my husband's and my minds first thing when we woke up. I'd call that a winner...

Harvest Pasta Skillet. It's a one pot dish where the multi-grain pasta cooks in a pumpkin (canned) & wine laced broth. Quick and easy, just the way I like 'em. Send me your email and I'll send you the recipe!

It calls for white mushrooms but all I had in the house was dried shitake which I soaked in boiling water for 3 minutes, saving its broth to add to the skillet later. It always amazes me how quickly something hard and dried can become soft and supple again, just as the Spirit softens us in every way when we take a few moments to soak our souls in God's purifying graces.

Next time someone tells you to go soak yourself, don't take offense. Remember the mushroom and give yourself a few moments with the Master Chef. We're so much better softer. May I remember this next time I get irritated!

Cooking Lessons for Life

Good decisions in the kitchen can lead to good decisions in life. Let's examine the basics one you'd encounter in a Cooking 101 class.

1. Plan ahead.
What are you going to eat? What do you want to eat?
What are you going to do? What do you want to earn?
Know your recipes. Know your numbers.

2. Shop.
Find the ingredients you need.
Look for opportunities, future business relationships to foster, store (as in your business pantry for staples).

3. Stock the pantry.
Buy and have on hand staples to build future meals/life.
Freeze (shelve) what you don't need immediately.
Save leftovers to build sauces/stock/future business.

4. Prepare
Prep several recipe steps when you have moments of time (e.g. veggies, meat marinade, pre-bake crusts, pre-measure ingredients - store in prep bowls)
Thaw that which is frozen (meat, mind.
Check ahead of time that you have all ingredients.
Bake ahead (e.g. pies day before holiday.
Pray ahead.

5. Delegate
Teamwork is important. Jesus had disciples! Do the part you love or need to do, delegate rest (sweeping floor, setting table, buying groceries, unloading dishwasher, chopping salad, mail, bills, customer communication newsletters).
A harried cook is not a happy cook.

6. Cook
Home cooking is one foundation of a strong family and healthy body.
Sometimes love and faith are a successful kitchen's most important ingredients.
Get your timing right. Know when to cook low and slow (caramelized onions, long-term investments, responses to anger); when to cook hot and fast (seared tuna, blanched vegetables, business opportunities, new leads); when to leave things alone (souffle, retirement monies); and when to stir constantly (risotto, customers, acquiring knowledge and skills).

Bon Appetit!

Impressive Pan Fried Feta with Red Pepper Salsa

I made this impressive appetizer recipe for a crowd last night and if I hadn't grabbed the first bite to make sure it was seasoned properly, I wouldn't never have gotten any! This recipe always goes like hotcakes,it's that good. I'll email it to you if you request a copy...

It's healthy, easy, delicious and fast. A jar of roasted red peppers is chopped and cooked down with some olive oil, garlic, a secret Greek rub, and parsley. The feta cheese is sliced horizontally, dredged in flour, tapped off, and pan fried 3 minutes in a little olive oil. Garnish with pine nuts and sliced kalamatta olives. very yummy!

Now, I'm off to make the Sweet Potato Cake (see Dec. 09 post for recipe) substituting pumpkin for sweet potato. Gonna be another yummy night!

Happy cooking!