Bacon & Spinach Pizza

Last night for dinner I got a little more creative with my homemade pizza than just the regular mozzarella, tomato sauce & pepperoni. Don't get me wrong, we love that stuff! It's just that I didn't have any of those ingredients on hand BUT I had lots of bacon :)

So, here is the ingredient list and method...

Ingredients:

• 5 slices of bacon
• 2 cups raw spinach
• 1/2 white or yellow onion (finely chopped)
• 1 medium tomato (diced)
• 4 basil leaves finely chopped
• 3/4 cup of Trader Joe's Quattro Formaggi (or any other four cheese blend)
• Garlic infused olive oil (OR make your own by mixing some 1 clove pressed garlic in a bowl with about 2 tbsp olive oil) 

Method:

• If using a pizza stone, place it in a cool oven and pre-heat oven and stone to 350 degrees
• sautee bacon in a frying pan on med-high heat until cooked through and crispy. Set aside on paper towels to cool. Turn heat down to medium.
• drain most of the bacon grease from the pan, but reserve about 3 tbsp of it in the pan. 
• Add chopped onions to frying pan and bacon grease. once onions begin cooking and have started "sweating" add the raw spinach. Cover and let cook for about 8 minutes.
• Once pre-heated, remove pizza stone from oven
• Place your already rolled out dough on pizza stone and brush with the garlic olive oil
• sprinkle about 2 tbsp of quattro formaggi cheese on dough as the base layer
• add died tomatoes and chopped basil leaves as the next layer
• spinach and onions should be cooked - onion will have a transparent look and spinach will be wilted. Add spinach/onion mixture as the third layer of your pizza.
• Crumble bacon over pizza in an even layer. 
• Add the remaining cheese as the top layer...completely covering all other ingredients.
• Place pizza in oven on 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until crust is the consistency you like it.

Enjoy!!!

(this is not the actual pizza I made - we ate it too fast - BUT it looked very similar)

Sweet Potato Bisque (in less than 30 minutes!)...

There are SO many reasons to try this easy bisque recipe I just made. I guarantee it will satisfy your cravings for those fall flavors you've been pining over all summer and it's SUPER easy and fast. Also, it tastes great and who doesn't love sweet potatoes? They're packed full of vitamins and nutrients and still taste good...any excuse I have to eat sweet potatoes, I’ll take!

Here’s the recipe list and method…

Sweet Potato Bisque =

2 lbs of sweet potatoes

2 tbs. chopped green onion (reserve a few pinches for garnish)

2 tbs. chopped sweet red pepper

1 tsp. curry powder

pinch of salt and pepper (to taste)

2-2 ½  cups vegetable or chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

Method =

Using a sharp knife, pierce each sweet potato several times before placing them on a paper towel and microwaving for 10 minutes on HIGH. Let cool for 5 minutes before handling.

Scoop the meat of each sweet potato into a food processor or blender, add 1 ½ cups broth, onions and sweet red peppers. Puree until smooth.

Pour pureed mixture into a large saucepan and add the remaining broth, 1 cup heavy cream, curry powder and salt/pepper. Whisk until smooth.

Simmer over medium-high heat for 7-10 minutes. When ready to serve, garnish with green onions.

This is great with croutons or shredded cheese on top OR you can really go all out and make a yummy grilled cheese sandwich like I did.

Perfect start to the fall cooking season!

                               

More Alive Than She's Ever Been...

A friend sent this commentary about Mary Magdalene to me over a year ago...the author is Sharon Jaynes (who I've never even heard of) but I noticed it again as I was reading through my old emails and it jumped off the screen in a new way. 

Jesus loved the women who followed Him faithfully just as much as He loved the men, called His disciples, who we read so much about in scripture. Let's not forget the women and their faithfulness to the Savior as well...

"She was just a normal little girl frolicking about the house, toying with the goats, and sticking her fingers in her mother's rising dough. After her father died, Mary's mother tried her best to raise the child on what little her husband had left behind.  But when puberty began to bloom, a poisonous weed began to take root in Mary's mind.  With each passing year, her behavior grew more and more erratic. 

Often she was seen banging her head against the wall of their modest home, screaming curses to unseen shadows, crawling like an animal through the yard, and cutting her arms with sharp edged stones.  Mary's mother was almost relieved when the deranged young woman ran away to live among the tombs.  "Now I won't have to deal with her craziness," her mother breathed.

Mary Magdalene was an outcast, demon-possessed lunatic - unwanted, unclean, untouchable, and unapproachable. But all that was about to change.

"Peter," Jesus spoke as he led the troupe of men toward the cemetery on the fringes of Magdala, "I need to stop by here for a moment." 

"But why," John questioned.  "Do you have a relative's grave you wish to visit?"

"Not a physically dead relative," my friend, "but a spiritually dead sister who needs me."

With confused looks on their faces, Jesus' friends knew not to argue with Jesus' travel plans.  It seemed he always had an agenda that they didn't know about.

As soon as the band of disciples neared the tombs, a half-dressed woman in tattered rags bolted from the brush.

"We know who you are," the woman hissed.  "You are the Son of God.  What do you want with us?"

The disciples recoiled at the sight and stench of this mad woman, but Jesus drew near. Certainly this was not the sister he mentioned.  With a shout, Jesus directed his words toward the woman, but rebuked the demons within. "Come out of her!"

The woman fell to the ground in a violent seizure.  After a few moments of blood curdling screams and obscene curses, she lay perfectly still.

"Is she dead?" James asked. 

"No, my friend," Jesus replied.  "She is actually more alive than she has ever been."

Jesus knelt down beside her, brushed the hair from her eyes and extended his hand.  "Mary, Daughter of Abraham, rise to newness of life."

The disciples stared wide-eyed as Mary stood to her feet and in her right mind. Her crazy countenance was replaced by perfect peace.

"Thank you, thank you," she cried as tears of freedom and joy coursed down her weathered cheeks.

Jesus turned to walk away to his next assignment, but rather than stand and stare in awe, Mary ran to follow.  The disciples waited for Jesus to send her away.  They were quite surprised when he did the opposite and motioned for her to come along. From that day on, she would remain among the disciples to do whatever she could to further the ministry of Jesus.

We don't know much about Mary Magdalene's encounter with Jesus and her deliverance from demons. A closer look at her emancipation only allows us to examine one solitary sentence. "The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out..." (Luke 8:2).

For most of my life, I pictured Jesus traveling about with his twelve disciples.  After all, isn't that the picture in the Sunday school books? It was only recently that the landscape in my mind changed dramatically.  I had to walk over to the easel in my mind and paint a new picture on a fresh canvas.  Jesus didn't travel about with only the twelve men.  Luke lets us know that there were women who travelled with them as well: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others.

"...and many others."  I just love that.  These were women who had been healed, delivered, saved and empowered by Jesus.  Where have they been all my life?  They've been there all along, but somehow I've missed their influence and impact on Jesus' earthly ministry.  I've allowed ancient artists to paint the pictures of Jesus and his entourage in my mind rather than Scripture. 

Now we are a part of "...and many others."  In Jesus' day, women were not allowed to study under a Rabbi's teaching, attend temple services in the same room with the men, or even talk to men in public.  But Jesus came to change all that.  He showed great love and respect for God's female image bearers and risked his reputation to save theirs. He flung open the doors to His classroom for them to learn and the doors of the Kingdom for them to serve.

I hope you know just how much God loves you today.  Jesus is proof of just how much He does."

 Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples. 

(Luke 8:1-3)

Thanksgiving Menu Rundown!

This Thanksgiving was an eventful one in the kitchen for me. I came across a lot of great recipes and, with a few tweaks, made them my own.

I am not a follower of the belief that once December rolls around you can't cook with the ingredients of fall like pumpkin, squash, caramel, cinnamon, etc.

I say bring 'em on...

Apple Sourdough Bread Stuffing = super flavorful and moist. I especially loved the apple flavor!

- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried sage
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- salt and pepper
- 2 apples (peeled, cored and diced - I used braeburn apples)
- 2 celery stalks (chopped)
- 1 tsp fresh parsley
- 4 cups sourdough bread (day old and cubed)
- 1 cup chicken broth (warmed in microwave)
- 1 yellow onion (chopped)

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Add the onion, apple and celery and saute until soft (take a DEEP breath in because this smells SO good!)
Add the herbs and stir to coat. Transfer to a large bowl and add the cubed sourdough bread and warm chicken broth.
Toss to combine and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Transfer stuffing to a baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
*Variation: add 1lb. of ground sausage (browned) to the large bowl and toss to coat with stuffing


Harvest Bisque = I took a recipe I had used for butternut squash and altered it a bit - YUM!

- 3 or 4 butternut squash
- One 15 oz. can of pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling - I made that mistake once and I'm trying to spare you!)
- Three 14 oz. cans of vegetable or chicken broth (I like veggie in order to make this a vegetarian dish)
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups of half-and-half

Halve squash and remove seeds. Place squash halves, cut side down, on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Turn cut sides up and bake for another 20 minutes until squash is tender.
Scoop squash pulp out of peel and place pulp in batches in a blender. Cover and blend until squash is smooth, adding the broth as needed to make the mixture smooth (you'll want the consistency to be creamy and not liquidy)
Stir together pureed squash and remaining broth in a large saucepan. Add ginger, salt, pepper and cinnamon and mix. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and stir in half-and-half.
Heat through, but do not boil.
That's it!! SO easy and YUM!! (makes about 10 servings)

Pioneer Woman's Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust = OMG!!!!! This was heavenly and probably one of the best cheesecakes I've ever had - you must try!

CRUST
- 12 oz of gingersnap cookies (I used Trader Joe's because, well, they're the best)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 6 tbsp butter, melted
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- dash of salt
FILLING
- Four 8 oz packages of cream cheese (I used 2 regular and 2 light and it tasted fine)
- 1 1/2 cup sugar
- One 15 oz can of pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 4 eggs
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1/2 of caramel topping (I used the Smucker's ice cream topping because it's easy to spread)
- extra chopped pecans
- extra crushed gingersnaps

CRUST PREP - In a food processor, crush gingersnaps. Add chopped pecans, melted butter, brown sugar and salt. Pulse until thoroughly combined. Press into bottom and sides of a 10 inch springform pan and chill for 30 minutes (I chilled in the freezer)
FILLING PREP - In a mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy (about 15 minutes). Add pumpkin and spices and mix for another 5 minutes or so. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing for 20 seconds between each addition. Add cream and mix until combined.
Remove crust from fridge or freezer. Sprinkle with extra chopped pecans. Gently pour cheesecake filling into pan and even out the top with a spatula.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cake should not be soupy but it should still be somewhat jiggly - hahaha :)
Cool on your counter for 30 minutes. After cooled, pour about 1/2 jar of caramel topping over the top and smooth with a spatula.
Cover and chill cheesecake for 4 hours or overnight. When ready to serve, sprinkle each slice with extra crushed gingersnaps.

Happy Holidays from my family to yours! ENJOY!

Be assured that from the first day I heard of you, I haven’t stopped praying for you...I pray that you’ll live well for the Master. I pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy,thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that He has for us. - Colossians 1:12 

Almost 2 months ago I went to Haiti. When I was first approached with the idea, I didn't see any reason for me to go. Sure, I had heard about the struggles of the Haitian people - especially after the January earthquake - I knew there was a lot of devastation and hurt, but why did I need to go? I had prayed for them and even donated to the relief efforts. What more did I need to do?


I've traveled to Croatia, Guadalajara, Malaysia and many other countries on mission trips and seen much poverty and need. Why did I need to go to Haiti? How would it affect me differently than these other countries had? 


These questions, and my own doubts about raising $1,000 in one month and taking time off work, caused me to turn down the offer to travel to Haiti. As far as I was concerned, it was impossible. 


Well, God has a funny way of dealing with our claims of the impossible. 


Only 30 minutes after I said "no" to Haiti, God and I got into a conversation about my hasty decision. It went a little something like this...


God: "Did you even ask me if I wanted you to go to Haiti?"


Me: "Well, no...but, what about the cost and my work schedule and the short notice? It just seems impossible!"


God: "Aren't you always telling other people, 'All things are possible with God'"?


Me: "Yes..."


God: "Then show Me you really believe that."


Needless to say, I had no doubt I was meant to go to Haiti. God had called out my unbelief and hastiness to answer a call without seeking His will. 


About a month later I was on a plane from Charlotte to Miami to Port au Prince and my life has changed forever. 


Not only did I learn a stronger sense of obedience to God, but I fell in love with a country that is not easy to love. There is devastation, hurt and extreme poverty. It's often ugly, smelly and uncomfortable. I don't speak Creole, I don't struggle with finding clean water or food, I have a warm bed to sleep in and safe home to live in. All in all, Haiti and I are a strange match.


But, we have the hope of Jesus and the promise of strength from God. It's because of these commonalities that I will always be connected with the people of Haiti and do what I can to share their beauty and struggles with my sphere of influence. 


I'm going back in March...and this time I'm certain of why I'm going and Who is sending me.

Here are some of my photos from Haiti...I'll keep adding more but these are my favorites so far...

I'm Going to Haiti!

Click here to find out why....