The Tater You Choose

Posted on by

Tater salad

Spring is upon us and soon we’ll be planning our outdoor pool parties, games of croquet, badminton, or corn hole, and some great summer picnics! And there’s no better contribution to a picnic than a great bowl of potato salad!

As you begin to prepare your potato salad, keep in mind the most essential part of the salad is the tater you choose! Did you know the best varieties for potato salad are Yellow Finns, Yukon Golds, and red potatoes? Their high moisture content gives the salad a more pleasant texture when cold, and they hold up better to chopping and tossing with the dressing than drier, more mealy potatoes, like Russets.

So let’s make a bowl!

Tater Salad
Serves 10-12

Ingredients:
5 pounds red potatoes
1 cup mayonnaise
½ cup Miracle Whip
1/3 cup milk
1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
salt and pepper to taste
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1 bunch radishes, cleaned and sliced
2 celery stalks, chopped
3 kosher dill pickles, chopped
½ red onion, chopped fine
6 hard-cooked eggs, sliced
Paprika

Peel (if desired) and cut the potatoes in half. Boil until tender about 20 minutes. (They’re tender when you can easily stick a fork into the potato.) Drain.

While the potatoes are boiling, in a large bowl blend mayonnaise, Miracle Whip, milk and the mustards until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Cut the potatoes into cubes and add to the dressing, folding carefully as you add them. Add green onions and radishes, celery, pickles, and red onion and blend well. Layer the hard-cooked egg slices on top for a pretty presentation. Sprinkle with paprika. Chill well to let the flavors blend and then serve!

Food for ThoughtFOOD FOR THOUGHT:
Just as the type of tater you choose contributes to the quality of your potato salad, there are also “taters” that impact the quality of your spiritual life.

Are you an “Ampu-Tater”?  Often you’ll come across a tater with a bad spot and rather than throw the whole thing away, what do you do? You cut it out! Mark 9:47 says “And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell”. When Jesus said this, I doubt it was his intention for this instruction to be taken literally because eyes, hands and feet cannot, of and by themselves, commit sin. Instead, Jesus is using a descriptive analogy to show us how important it is that we should not tolerate sin as a primary part of our lives. If we have a sinful habit, we should overcome it, even though the process may be as painful as the loss of an eye, because it is far better to forsake a sinful pleasure than to lose our salvation! We need to be “Amputators”!

Are you a “Spec-Tater”?  1 Corinthians 12:12, 15-18 says “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. Now if the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ I t would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” Jesus doesn’t want us to be “Spectaters”, sitting on the sidelines, not entering in, not sharing the gifts he’s given us to minister to and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ. Without you, the Body is incomplete. Don’t be a “Spectator”!

Are you a “Reins-Tater”?  Have you ever gathered up a handful of taters to drop them into the cooking pot, and one falls on the floor?  Rather than toss it away, I rinse it with fresh water until it is clean and then toss it in with the others!  Matthew 18:15 says “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” And James 5:19-20 tells us “My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”  We are called to be “Reinstators”!

Are you a “Hesi-Tater” or a “Facili-Tater”?  I read a story not too long ago about a famous aerial acrobat who had lost his footing and fell from the high wire to the ground below. A reporter, who interviewed him after the accident, suggested that once he returned to the wire, he might be afraid of falling again. The acrobat responded “I did not fall because I was afraid. I fell because I hesitated. Hesitation is the number one killer in our business.” And it is the number one reason why people do not accept Christ. No one plans to perish. Many perish because they think there will be a better time or another opportunity or need. So, they hesitate.

There is another kind of hesitation that we, as followers of Jesus Christ, must also always keep in mind. There are some we know and love who may perish, not because they hesitated, but because we hesitated to witness to them and share God’s love and plan of salvation. As Christ’s messengers we must seize the moment. Rather than being a “Hesitator”, we need to be a “Facilitator”. Jude 1:21-23 tells us “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” 2 Corinthians 6:2 says “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” Let’s always be “Facilitators”!

—    Cheri Henderson

Feeling a Little Fowl

Posted on by

turkey corn chowderI’ve never been one to only bake a turkey on Thanksgiving. In my opinion, turkey isn’t just for Thanksgiving anymore!  Anytime is a good time for my kitchen to be filled with the aroma of a baking turkey, sweet potatoes, and a green bean casserole! And the great thing about baking a turkey is the leftover turkey I can use in another one of my favorite dishes!

Turkey Corn Chowder
Serves 10

Ingredients:
4 slices bacon
1 cup chopped onion
4 cups cubed pared potato
¼ cup margarine
2-1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup Half & Half
2 (10 oz) packages of frozen whole kernel corn – thawed
2-1/2 teaspoons salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 cups of milk
2 cups of cooked turkey in large chunks (if you don’t have the time to bake a turkey, you can use pre-cooked packages of diced chicken instead and the chowder will be just as delicious!)
2 tablespoons chopped parsley

In a 5-quart dutch oven, sauté bacon until crispy; remove and reserve. Sauté onions in bacon fat. Add the potatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Simmer, covered for 30 minutes or until the potatoes are tender, but not mushy. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine the corn, margarine, salt, pepper, turkey and milk. Simmer covered for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the corn mixture to the potato mixture, along with the Half & Half. Cook, stirring occasionally until hot. Do not boil. Sprinkle in crumbled bacon and parsley and serve!

Food for ThoughtFOOD FOR THOUGHT:
In the same way that turkey isn’t just for Thanksgiving anymore, thanksgiving is never just for Thanksgiving in the life of a believer!  The apostle Paul, a man who learned the meaning of true thanksgiving even in the midst of great adversity, said “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)  Here was a man, unjustly accused, imprisoned in chains, separated from his friends, and brutally treated. If ever a person had a right to complain, it was Paul. But instead of complaints, his lips sang words of praise and thanksgiving.

In spite of whatever circumstances we’re enduring, we still have much to be grateful for.  Our sins have been forgiven through Jesus’ death on the cross, we’ve been adopted as children of God, and we are unconditionally loved by the Father, the Maker of heaven and earth!

Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” (Psalm 107:8-9)

O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever! (Psalm 107:1)

“As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6-7)

A spirit of thankfulness is an attitude that is independent of circumstances. We are called to give thanks to God even if our situation is bleak. Storms may rage in our lives, but God is good all the time, turning even the worst circumstances into blessings. In fact, some incredible things can happen in the midst of thankfulness!

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household. (Acts 16:25-32)

So if you’re having a “fowl” day, count it all joy . . . and give thanks!

– Cheri Henderson

“You’re such a Rube!”

Posted on by

???????????????????????????????

 

If you are a Reuben Sandwich lover, you’re going to absolutely flip over this Baked Reuben Casserole recipe!

It’s incredibly delicious and fairly easy to make!

Baked Reuben Casserole
Serves about 6

Ingredients:
3 slices of rye bread – cubed
3 slices of rye bread crumbled (use a blender or food processor)
1 pound thinly sliced corned beef
1 cup rinsed and well-drained sauerkraut (press or twist to remove the liquid)
3/4 cup dill pickle relish
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
4 cups shredded Swiss cheese
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup stone ground mustard
1/4 cup Thousand Island dressing

(Before preparing the casserole, I prefer to cook the 1-pound piece of corned beef.  It’s simple.  You just place it in a large pot along with the liquid and spices that accompanied it in the package. Pour in enough water to cover the beef, and then bring the water to a boil on the stovetop. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and cover the pot. Check the meat occasionally, adding more water if necessary. The beef is ready when it pulls apart easily. A one-pound corned beef will take about one hour to become perfectly tender.  If you want to take a short-cut, you can use deli-sliced corned beef instead.)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 11×7-inch baking dish, an 8 x 8 inch square baking dish, or a 9” round pie plate. Line the bottom of the dish with the bread cubes. Cover with half of the corned beef. Make additional layers in this order: all of the sauerkraut, pickle relish, and caraway seeds, 2 cups of the Swiss cheese, and then the remaining beef, and the remaining cheese. With a whisk, mix together the eggs, milk, mustard and Thousand Island dressing until well mixed. Pour over the casserole. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the top of the casserole. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until set in the center.

Food for ThoughtFOOD FOR THOUGHT:
As a point of interest, did you know the name “Reuben” is of Hebrew origin and means “Behold, a son”?  It’s a biblical name from the Old Testament, where Reuben was the eldest son of Jacob and Leah and the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.  “Rube” is another name derived from the name Reuben.  According to Vocabulary.com, calling someone a rube is another way of saying, “You sound like an idiot and you don’t know what you’re talking about.” This word implies a lack of sophistication, manners, education, and culture. It is a form of insult.

How typical of the world to take a name like Reuben and pervert it. It kind of reminds me of some of the words the world has come up with to replace the word “Christian” . . . such as “bible thumper”, “homophobe”, “goody-two-shoes”, “narrow-minded wacko”, or “religious buffoon” to name a few.

But, “Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.  Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:11-12)

So rejoice and be glad!  We know who we are . . . and we know whose we are  . . . no matter what the world tries to call us!

-Cheri Henderson

Punch it down! And let it rise!

Posted on by

009I’ve found that some of the best recipes, especially homemade breads and rolls, require a lot of time and patience.  Endurance and strength are also needed if you opt to forego the modern short-cuts like “breadmakers” and “dough hooks” and knead the dough by hand!  For me, I’ve always preferred the old-fashioned, “hands-on” approach to making breads and rolls. There’s something really satisfying about taking a globby mess of dough and using your elbow grease to push and pull the mess over and over until it becomes pliable and soft by your very own hands. It’s a great work-out too! Plus, did you know, a loaf of homemade bread costs less than 20 cents to make?!

As a young girl, I remember my mother doing the same. Often, the wonderful aroma of just baked bread would greet us as we entered the house after school. There was nothing better than a warm piece of homemade bread, slathered with peanut butter as our mid-afternoon snack.  Mmmmm. I can almost taste it now! The heat of the bread would start to melt the peanut butter and each bite became a warm, gooey, delicious treat.  And while this may sound silly, the best part of every bite was the taste of my mother’s love.  I had seen her make it and, though I was a young girl, I knew the time and physical effort it took her to make a single loaf of bread for us.  With 6 children . . . 3 in grade school and a 1 year-old, 3 year-old and 5 year-old still at home, she would take the time and expend the effort to create something that brought the family great pleasure and, at the same time, contribute some savings towards the bottom line for my hard-working father.  I could taste her love.

So join me, won’t you?  Let’s make some homemade bread!

White Bread from Scratch
Prep Time:  2 hours, Yield: One loaf

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups hot (110-115 degrees) water
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/4 teaspoon yeast
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons lard (Crisco, oil or butter can be used if you prefer, but moister with lard)
4 cups all-purpose flour

Measure the water into a bowl. Add sugar and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes to let the yeast activate. In a mixing bowl, add 3-1/2 cups flour and salt. When your yeast is activated, pour over flour. Add lard. Stir together (it’s ok if the lard doesn’t melt all the way), adding more flour if needed to make a thick mass of dough that’s still doughy, but with no extra flour in the bowl. (Sometimes you need a little more than 4 cups when making it in humid weather.) Sprinkle flour on the counter on which you’re going to dump your dough. Begin kneading –pull from the top, fold over and push back to the top with the heels of your hand, turn a quarter of a turn, and repeat. Keep this up until it is nice and pliable and soft, usually about 10 minutes. Grease the mixing bowl that you used to mix everything in, put the dough back in, and turn over so every area of the dough is greased. Cover with a dish towel and let it sit in a warm area until the dough is doubled in size. Punch all the air out, shape into a loaf, place in a greased bread pan, and let rise again until double in size. Bake for 20-25 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

Let sit for 10-20 minutes. Slice and cover with butter or peanut butter.  Heavenly!

Food for ThoughtFOOD FOR THOUGHT:
My choice to forego the modern short-cuts in breadmaking is somewhat similar to the choice I’ve made in my walk with Jesus. I want to forego the world’s shortcuts to happiness and always keep my eyes on Him.  “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)  “But this one thing I do—forgetting everything which is past and stretching forward to what lies in front of me, with my eyes fixed on the goal I push on to secure the prize of God’s heavenward call in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:3-14)

As I “punch it down”, I’m reminded of the scripture in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 where it says “Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”

And as I “let it rise”, I’m reminded of the lyrics from “Beneath the Waters” by Hillsong Live:

I will rise
I will rise
As Christ was raised to life
Now in Him
Now in Him
I live

I stand a new creation
Baptised in blood and fire
No fear of condemnation
By faith I’m justified

I rise as You are risen
and declare Your rule and reign
My life will confess Your lordship
And glorify Your name

Your word it stands eternal
Your kingdom knows no end
Your praise goes on forever
And on and on again

No power can stand against You
No curse assaults Your throne
No one can steal Your glory
For it is Yours alone

I stand to sing Your praises
I stand to testify
I was dead in my sin
But now I rise
I will rise
As Christ was raised to life

Now in Him
Now in Him
I live!

John 6:35 says “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

Eat up!  You’ll taste His love!

–  Cheri Henderson

Warm those innards!

Posted on by

flat_iron_steakchili

Well, it may be mid-April, but it looks like we’re in for a couple more days of below normal temperatures!

I don’t know about you, but when the weather gives me the shivers, there’s nothing I like better than a delicious bowl of hot Flat Iron Steak Chili to “warm the innards”!

Ingredients:

1-1/2 lbs. flat iron steak cut into 1″ cubes
2 (16 ounce) cans mild chili beans
2 (16 ounce) cans spicy chili beans
2 (14-1/2 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes, drained
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped green bell pepper (about 3 cups)
1 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons of Fajita or Mexican seasoning
1/2 cup sour cream
shredded cheddar
chopped green onion

Place the first 7 ingredients in a 6-quart slow cooker, stir well. Cover with lid and cook on high-heat setting for 1 hour. Reduce to low-heat setting and cook 7 hours.  Ladle chili into soup bowls, top with sour cream, shredded cheddar and chopped green onion.  Serves eight 1-cup servings. Mmmm . . . a great meal to ward off the shivers!

Food for ThoughtFOOD FOR THOUGHT:
In a similar way, sometimes the trials we encounter or the current news events of the day can “give us the shivers”. In fact, in Matthew 24:12-14, the Lord tells us “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”The world is cold to the things of God — but as followers of Jesus Christ, we need to keep our eyes focused on Him so we do not allow the world to numb us with its coldness. Rather, as we continually “feed” on His Word, pray, and immerse ourselves in His presence, He can use us to melt some of the frozen ones around us!  “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32)  Just like an empty bowl on a shelf doesn’t give off any heat on its own, when that same bowl is filled with a hot, nourishing meal, the warmth radiates out to the one who holds it . . . and very quickly the warmth and aroma of its contents entice the cold, hungry one to partake.  And he is filled.

“For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” (Psalm 107:9)

For those of us who are shivering spiritually right now, remember, the Lord our God is our sun and shield (Psalm 84:11)!  His warmth will fill us and will radiate out into the lives of others if we will continually abide in His Presence.

— Cheri Henderson

Molto Delizioso!

Posted on by

chicken & mushroomsObviously, one of my favorite pastimes is preparing a great meal in my own kitchen! However, there are times when a delicious meal at a local restaurant is equally gratifying.  Dominic’s Italian Restaurant in Dayton, Ohio, was a perfect example.  Though the owners retired from the business and closed the restaurant several years ago, it was, at one time, one of my husband’s and my favorite places to dine. The moment you walked through the doors, you were greeted by a rich blend of aromas: basil, garlic, oregano, melted cheeses, toasted breads, and chardonnay.  Mmmm.  Every entrée was “molto delizioso”, and we never had a meal we didn’t like.  One entrée, in particular, was overwhelmingly “delizioso”, and I remember the evening my husband gazed into my eyes with great desire as he asked . . .“do you think you can make this?”  From that point on, we tasted and analyzed each bite, trying to pinpoint every ingredient that made up this incredible masterpiece.  With time and a little practice, this entrée has now become one of our favorite homemade recipes!

Ingredients:

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup of flour
4 garlic cloves
Seasoning salt & pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ lb. jarred sliced mushrooms (drained)
1-1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
4 tablespoons of Chardonnay (or white cooking wine)

Directions:

With a meat mallet, pound out the chicken breasts.  Pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil into frying pan and begin heating on medium high heat.  Dip chicken breasts in flour and place in pan. Sprinkle lightly with seasoning salt and pepper. With a garlic press, press one garlic clove over each breast and brown for a minute or two.  Flip the breasts and continue to brown for a minute or two. (Add more olive oil if necessary.) Turn heat to medium. Drain mushrooms and pour on top of the chicken. Pour lemon juice over the chicken and then pour over the cooking wine. Turn heat to low. Cover. After 10 or 15 minutes, turn heat to simmer. Continue cooking for another 15-20 minutes.  Serves 3-4.

Food for ThoughtFOOD FOR THOUGHT:
Because my husband and I were totally captured by the flavor of this restaurant entree, we wanted to be able to experience the same in our own home . . . and although Dominic’s is no longer a place we can visit, the joy of what they introduced to us remains.  In the same way, as followers of Jesus Christ, the fruits of the Spirit should be so evident in our lives, that a hungry world would crave to experience the same . . . to taste and see that the Lord is good!  That such a sweet fragrance of Jesus Christ would greet the spiritually malnourished who “walk through our doors”, they would be captured by our aroma and overwhelmingly drawn to the Bread of Life!

Oh, may this be our song of praise!  “Let us give thanks to God, who always puts us on display in Christ and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14), and one day when were are no longer here, the everlasting joy of what we have introduced to the formerly hungry will remain and multiply!

–Cheri Henderson

Simple and Nutritious

Posted on by

Taste & See

Sometimes the most delicious and nutritious eating experience isn’t dependent on long hours spent in the kitchen or following a complicated recipe!

Oh taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him. (Psalm 34:8 AMP)

A Perfect Combination!

Posted on by

019

A while ago, I came across a recipe for “Ethiopian Cabbage”, and since it sounded delicious, I thought I’d give it a try. But after preparing it and serving it up, I found it to be less than satisfying. Even though it was good, it just wasn’t great. It needed something more, and so I decided to introduce Ethiopia to Poland by adding some polska kielbasa, as well as some potatoes and chicken broth. The result: perfection!  This combination is now one of my family’s favorites!

Ingredients:

½ cup olive oil
4 carrots, thinly sliced
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
½ head cabbage, shredded
5 potatoes, peeled and cut into1-inch cubes
2 – 1 lb rings of polska kielbasa cut into ½” slices
1 can chicken broth

Directions:

Bring a pot of water to a boil. On another burner, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the carrots and onion in the hot oil about 5 minutes. Stir in the salt, pepper, cumin, turmeric, and cabbage and cook another 15 to 20 minutes. At the same time, add the potatoes to the boiling water and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes and then add them along with the kielbasa and chicken broth to the cabbage mixture. Cover. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until warmed through.

Boiled cabbage all by itself is a bland side dish with an unpleasant odor . . . a potato without water is just another hard spud . . . and chopped onion alone will often make you cry. And while some may think polish sausage is tasty all by itself, combine it with other flavorful ingredients, and you will have a delicious masterpiece that evokes a wonderful aroma!

Food for ThoughtFOOD FOR THOUGHT:
In a similar comparison, some may think a particular talent is not as important or valuable to the Body of Christ as another, but we’re all a part of the Body, and each part matters. There are no insignificant people in the family of God. Each person’s gifts and talents are not meant to be in competition with one another, but they are to be complementary. Each part is needed to complete the whole. You may think you’re just a “cabbage head” or another “hard spud”,  but each of us has a unique function to perform in the Body of Christ that, when combined, will result in one beautiful, flavorful, fragrant composition.

So, be encouraged!  Don’t be hesitant or ashamed to share the talents God has given you! Use what you have been given to bless not only the Body of Christ, but the people around you. Use your talents, your time, your patience, your teaching, your organizing, your baking, your designing, your music, whatever talent the Lord has given you, and put it to good use. Glorify Him in all you do . . . and lend some Christ-like flavor to your world!

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” (1 Corinthians 12:4)  “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved” (1 Corinthians 2:15)

— Cheri Henderson

Give Me the Real Deal!

Posted on by

Crabmeat SaladThere’s an old saying, “Imitation is the highest form of flattery”, and perhaps that’s true when it relates to actions that bless and encourage others, but not so much when it applies to food. Imitation means it’s not the real deal . . . and a good case in point is crab meat. Fake crab meat does not contain any crab meat at all. It’s actually a processed food that contains various artificial ingredients, flavorings, sodium and monosodium glutamate, or MSG. The nutritional value and overall quality of imitation crab meat is inferior to real fish and seafood because of its ingredients. A 3-ounce serving of imitation crab provides 51 calories, 6.5 grams of protein, 0.4 gram of fat, 13 grams of carbohydrates, and 715 milligrams of sodium, which corresponds to about a third of all the sodium you should eat in a day.

So what do you say we use some real crab meat and put together a fantastic tomato-stuffed crab and avocado salad?

You’ll need the following ingredients:

4 Alaskan crab legs
½ cup mayonnaise
1 stalk of celery, finely chopped
2 tablespoons of snipped fresh chives
1 dash Tabasco sauce
salt and pepper
2 ripe avocados
The juice from a fresh lemon
2 sprigs of fresh dill

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the crab legs in a shallow baking pan in a single layer. Place hot water in the pan about 1/8 of an inch deep. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake the crab legs for eight to ten minutes. Remove and set aside to cool. Mix the mayonnaise, celery, chives, Tabasco sauce, a sprinkling of salt and pepper and set aside. Cut avocados in half lengthwise, separate the halves by gently turning them in opposite directions and remove the pits. Using a spoon, remove the avocado meat and dice. Immediately sprinkle with the lemon juice and set aside.

Split the king crab leg shells and remove the crabmeat. (The best way to split the shells is with a good pair of kitchen shears or scissors . . . an important tool for every kitchen)! Coarsely chop the crabmeat. Gently mix the avocado and crabmeat, and then fold in the mayo sauce. Serve over a quartered tomato, garnished with a sprig of dill.  A wonderfully delicious meal, serving 4!

As I continue to share more recipes with you in the coming months, you will see I often prefer to use real food items over imitation. Imitation foods may be less expensive and caloric, but often the end result is a poorer quality and less gratifying taste! Furthermore, a reduction in calories doesn’t necessarily result in a health benefit; often the opposite is true.  A good example is butter! The ingredients of butter are cream and salt. The ingredients of imitation butter (margarine) are liquid canola oil, water, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, plant stanol esters, salt, emulsifiers (vegetable mono- and diglycerides, soy lecithin), hydrogenated soybean oil, potassium sorbate, citric acid and calcium disodium EDTA to preserve freshness, artificial color, DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, vitamin A palmitate colored with beta carotene . . . the equivalent of a Molotov cocktail for your arteries!

If I were to research other food items and their related “imitation” counterparts, I’m sure I could provide you with some equally unappealing information.  To avoid writing an expose the size of the Encyclopedia Britannica, however, I will end my research here and just recommend that when it comes to cooking, it’s best to avoid imitation products!

Food for ThoughtFOOD FOR THOUGHT:
The same holds true when it comes to living our lives for Jesus; it’s best to avoid imitation products!  “If someone comes and proclaims another Jesus other than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you originally received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. Such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.” (2 Corinthians 11: 4, 13-15) “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4) “But test everything. Hold on to the good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) “Carefully examine the Scriptures to be sure what you are being told is true.” (Acts 17:11) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; but I (Jesus Christ) have come that you may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10).

Be careful what you’re “eating”, what you’re taking into your spirit, and what you’re imitating in your daily life.  It can kill you . . . as well as the ones who are watching and imitating you . . . for eternity.

–Cheri Henderson

A Day Late and a Chocolate Dessert Short!

Posted on by

chocolate covered cherriesAny day is a good day for chocolate . . . especially on Valentine’s Day!  Apparently many people agree with me because according to economic reports, America manufactures seven billion pounds of chocolate each year and consumes almost 100 pounds of the confection per second!  Additionally, studies have shown that eating dark chocolate provides certain health benefits, such as a reduction in high blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels by up to 10 percent. Chocolate also stimulates endorphin production which gives a feeling of pleasure, and contains serotonin which acts as an anti-depressant!  It’s very gratifying to know that by eating chocolate, we can contribute to the economic health of the nation and the physical health of our bodies!

So what do you say we get busy and do our part today?

Chocolate Covered Cherries

Ingredients:
60 maraschino cherries with stems
3 Tablespoons of butter
¼ teaspoon of salt
3 tablespoons corn syrup
2 cups of confectioner’s sugar – sifted
1-1/2 lb. sweet dark or milk chocolate

Drain the cherries on paper towels. Combine butter, corn syrup and salt. Stir in sugar. Knead until smooth. Shape the dough into marble-sized pieces and mold around the cherries.  Place on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet and chill. In a double boiler over hot water, melt chocolate stirring constantly.  (Do not add water to the chocolate.)  Holding the stems of the fondant-molded cherries, carefully dip them one at a time into the chocolate, using a spoon to completely coat it.  Place on waxed paper in a refrigerator to harden. Store in a covered container in the fridge and let ripen for 2 weeks so the fondant will liquefy.  No cheating!  They are well worth the wait!

Food for ThoughtFOOD FOR THOUGHT:
Unfortunately, because today is February 15th, this creation will be “a day late and a chocolate dessert short” for Valentine’s Day!  I regret I didn’t think to do this two weeks ago, so I would have been able to enjoy my sweet reward on Valentine’s Day!  I can only blame it on poor planning and a lack of preparation on my part!  Thankfully, I’ll have another opportunity next year to be better prepared for this special day.

Let me tell you, though, there is another “special day” ahead, a “once in a lifetime event”, for which we’ll have no second chance to make things right.  It will be the day when we transition from this life to eternity.   1 John 5:12 says “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”  Are you prepared for that day? Do you have the right ingredient, a life surrendered to the Son of God as Lord and Savior, so you will be able to enjoy your sweet reward on that day?

Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” (John 14:6)

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23) “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:10) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners. Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Romans 10:9) “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:10) “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

Tomorrow could be your eternal Valentine’s Day. I pray you’ve planned ahead and are prepared for that special day!

— Cheri Henderson