On the Menu

Last week our menu had quite a few revisions.  Joel was out of town one night and we had some illness, so we didn't really follow the plan, but we did manage to have the Sun-Dried Tomato and Feta Tri-Tip, and it was a hit with Joel and the boys.  Since it's a crock-pot dinner, it's super easy--a definite plus for me!!

This week's menu includes:

Roast Mushrooms and Kale over Mashed Sweet Potatoes  (super delicious, not super kid-friendly though)
Chicken Azteca
leftovers
Lasagna Soup
Hamburgers

Roast Mushrooms and Kale over Mashed Sweet Potatoes  (adapted from Rachael Ray)

2 pounds mixed mushrooms--cleaned, stemmed and sliced
3 cloves garlic--thinly sliced
5 Tbsps EVOO
Sea salt and pepper

5 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock
1/2 cup milk
a few dashes of hot sauce
1 1/2 cups extra-sharp cheddar cheese
1 pound kale, stemmed and coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 450.  on a large baking sheet, dress mushrooms and garlic with 1/4 cup EVOO and spread out.  Roast mushrooms for 20 minutes, then remove from the oven and season with sea salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, in a pot, combine the sweet potatoes and enough water to cover.  Bring to a boil, season with sea salt and cook until fork-tender.  Drain and return to the pot, then mash with the stock and milk.  Season with sea salt, pepper,  and hot sauce.  Stir in cheddar until melted.

While the potatoes are working, in a bowl, toss, the kale with the remaining 1 tablespoon EVOO and season with sea salt, pepper.  Arrange on a rack set over a baking sheet and roast until crisp at the edges, 10-12 minutes.

Combine the mushrooms and garlic with the kale and serve on a bed of sweet potatoes.

Print Grocery List

Menu Planning Monday

We enjoyed having a slow start to the week with the MLK holiday, especially since one of our little ones was under the weather, hence the chicken noodle soup for dinner tonight!  

Monday--Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup with Buttermilk Biscuits
Tuesday--Stir Fry
Wednesday--Cranberry Chicken and Rice
Thursday--Sundried Tomatoes and Feta Tri-Tip
Friday--Out-of-town
Saturday--Burritos

Siesta Scripture Memory Verse 2

This week the Living Proof Ministry Blog introduces a new app to help with the Siesta Scripture Memory.  Details about the app can be found here.  Joel already has an app for scripture memory that he really loves:  I'm sure there are many choices.


My second verse for January is also from Ephesians:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11


So often I try to be strong in my own strength, but, obviously, that never works.  My prayer is that I might be strengthened by HIS might which is made perfect in MY weakness.  Thankfully, His strength is more than enough for any situation I'm going to face!

Menu Planning Monday

This week's menu is in no particular order. Usually, I try to plan particular meals for particular days according to that week's schedule; however, it's really rare that I actually follow the meal plan exactly.  This week I didn't even get to the "assign one meal to each day" stage, so here are five dinners we are likely to have this week:

Chicken and Mushroom Chowder --Ok so this one we actually had tonight. Definitely one of my favorite soups!
Stir-fry
Honey-lime Chicken--(from the freezer)
Pasta
Egg and Sausage Breakfast Burritos

This week my oldest son turns nine, so we celebrated this weekend with some really yummy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes.  These are amazing!!

Book Review: Voices of the Faithful

Voices of the Faithful is a compilation of daily devotionals written by missionaries across the world relating stories of their encounters with God through times of encouragement and times of difficulty.  The stories are arranged according to themes and each ends with a prayer.

I love how this book reminds me to pray for places in the world that are usually not on my radar.  I need to be reminded to pray both for the unsaved across the world and for those who are sacrificing comfort in order to be obedient to the God's calling.

This book was provided by Thomas Nelson, but the opinions are mine.  

Book Review: Coming Back Stronger: Unleashing the Hidden Power of Adversity by Drew Brees with Chris Fabry

In Coming Back Stronger, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees chronicles how the setbacks he faced in his NFL career ultimately led him to New Orleans and to a Super Bowl victory.  When Brees arrives in New Orleans, he finds a city still coping with the initial aftermath of hurricane Katrina, while Brees himself is in the final stages of recovering from a serious shoulder injury surgery.  Brees identifies with New Orleans's determination to triumph over circumstances, and he draws upon that strength to lead his team to victory.

Admittedly, this book is not my usual fare, but with young boys who are very interested in football and football stars, I wanted a chance to point them toward a player with faith and a strong moral compass; based on this book, I think Drew Brees fits the bill.  Throughout the book, Brees clearly expresses his faith in God and his desire to follow the Lord. He is equally clear about his commitment to his wife.  There are no deep theological truths here, but this isn't a theological text.  It is simply an inspirational/motivational story. The book is filled with recaps of numerous games, which could be tedious at times, but it was a book my son and I could read and discuss together, which is always a good thing.

Tyndale House provided me with a free review copy of this book, but the opinions are mine.

Menu Planning Monday

The first menu for 2011!  This time of year I love soups and I'd have them a couple of times a week, except for the fact that some of the other members of my family don't love them quite as much as I do.  So, although I have three or four soup recipes that sound really yummy right now, I'm using all of my self-control and limiting myself to one soup dinner this week.  What's your favorite soup recipe?

Monday:  Meatballs
Tuesday:  Vegetable Bean Soup
Wednesday:  Spaghetti Pie
Thursday: Roast
Friday: Beef Sandwiches

Vegetable Bean Soup
3 cans great Northern Beans, rinsed and drained
4 cups water
2 cans garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 pkg.  (16 oz) frozen corn
1 can crushed or diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can condensed bean and bacon soup, undiluted
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon dried cilantro flakes
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 bay leaves
1cup shredded cheddar cheese

In Dutch oven, combine the first 13 ingredients.  Bring to boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes.  Discard bay leaves.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Yield: 12 servings

Siesta Scripture Memory Verse 1

This year I'm excited to be memorizing scripture along with other followers of the Living Proof Live blog.  I did this two years ago and found the encouragement to be very motivating.  For more information, go here.

Our pastors have been doing an amazing sermon series in Ephesians, which inspired the choice for my first verse:

"[G]iving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."   Ephesians 5:20-21 (ESV)

There's no better way to start the new year than memorizing God's Word.

Happy New Year!