Perfect to feed a large family for TWO meals or to feed a crowd.  Makes your grocery budget happy too!

In My rice cooker I place:

6 cups rice

6 1/2 cups chickenbroth

8 oz of raw bacon (chopped up small)

1/4 cup fresh chopped chives (small)

1 Tbsp chopped garlic

1/2 tsp cumin (we like 1 tsp, but you have to like cumin to use more)

S & P to taste (use less salt if you use chicken broth cubes verses fresh stock)

1/2 stick of butter or vege spread (if need dairy free)

** 4 cups of cooked Kidney Beans-  add at end

Set rice cooker to white or brown rice depending on what you used.

Usually takes about 40 minutes to cook unless you use a really harty brown rice. Then it takes longer.  When finished I toss in beans.  Serve hot.  Makes a huge amount.   For our family, we use half one night and the other half I put in the fridge so I don’t have to cook on the next day.   You could top with Feta goat cheese. mmmmmmm (an excuse to use Feta)

* About the beans… this is an approximate amount.  I cook my beans in large batches in lightly SALTED water.  Then I bag up the beans in zip lock and throw them in the freezer.  This is especially helpful in the summer to reduce humidity.  Then I have them ready to use to throw into a cold pasta salad or soup.

The bacon just adds flavor.  I also buy my bacon in large packages and chop it up and divide it and place some in the freezer ready to use for the next meal.

So I think I have promised 10 different people that I would some day post this…..ahhh finally!

3 cups whole wheat flour

2 cups rolled oats (thick)

2 Tbps baking powder

1 cup sugar

1 Tbsp salt

1 cup vege oil

1 1/2 — 2 cups water*

I cup dried fruit (any kind) & spice***

* The amount of water is approximate. I use fresh ground flour and thick rolled oats.  If you use grocery store flour and instant oats, then you will use less water.  You want the mix to be very thick.

*** I change the dried fruit depending on what I have in the pantry. Sometimes I add nutmeg or cinnamon too.  It is really good with shredded carrots also.  I just do not use any “juicy” fruits.

We just made some with rye flour, caraway seeds and raisins…mmmmmm

Mix all ingredients together. Spray a large cookie sheet or two. Plunk out mix onto sheets.  I generally make mine large ovals- they look like little footballs that I could hold in my open hand.  It makes 10-12 scones.  Cook at 375 for about 15 min.

Last week our Daddy had knee surgery. The funny part was that he couldn’t go up and down stairs!

We made him his favorite- BUCKEYES, to cheer him up.  Mom says they are just chocolate peanut butter balls with less chocolate. We love them both ways.  Here’s our recipe.

1 Jar (40 oz) creamy PB

2 sticks butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 box/bag (16 oz) Powdered Sugar

***Soften butter first.  Mix four ingredients together until smooth. Scoop into small balls. We use a melon ball scooper.

1 large bag Choc. Chips

1 stick Parafin Wax (found in baking isle)

Melt choc. chips and wax together to dip the PB Balls in. Place on wax paper and refrigerate.

**If you don’t have Parafin wax, then the chocolate is very thick. But you can still make them and just put the chocolate on the bottom. Makes enough for our family!

Keeps in fridge- not long because you eat them fast.

ENJOY

Get ready!  This coming Saturday is National Pie Day! (January 23rd) This is a holiday that is great to celebrate.

Eat pie all day long- you could invite friends over to celebate.

Breakfast- Egg pie (quiche) with bacon and cheddar cheese- yummy

Lunch- Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Pie

                        We cook ours in deep dish pie pans with lots of cheese, sausage, sause and spinach. 

We put the cheese first (on the bottom-but on top of the dough) so the pizza crust doesn’t

get soggy and more cheese on top. You don’t need a recipe, but you do have to cook it

 longer for about 35 minutes or a little more.

Snack- Apple Blueberry Pie. 

We make a regular apple pie and mix in half a bag of frozen blueberries. Yummy.

Dinner- Shepherd’s Pie and Pumpkin Pie

Shepherd’s Pie:

3lbs ground beef- cooked

1 bag frozen corn- family size or two little ones

5 tomatoes chopped up

1/4 c Ketchup

2 tsp minced garlic & basil

salt, pepper

1/4 c cold water mixed with 2 Tbsp corn starch

**after you cook the meat, mix everything together and put in a large oven pan (we use our big lasagna pan because it is really deep) Then we pile up a layer of mashed potatoes on top and cover with cheddar cheese. Bake 350 for 30 – 40 minutes. You can make the day before, but then you have to bake it longer because it will be cold from your fridge.  One time we didn’t have potatoes and my mom made instant polenta with cheddar cheese- that was really good too.

Have a yummy day!

Why “eraser” brownies.  Well one bite will answer it for you! But in case you are wondering in advance, sometimes a gift of comfort plus encouragement helps us to “erase” our bad day.  When someone you know is having a bad day, make them some Eraser Brownies with a personal note of encouragement.  Include the verses Rev 7:17, Psalm 68:19, and Gal 5:1 in your note to them!  (Oh in case you are skeptical of the marshmallows…..we promise you, you will not be disappointed!)

Ingredients:

1 box of brownie mix

2 sticks of butter

1or 2 eggs (depending on box directions)

1 bag of choc. chips

1 bag of mini marshmallows

1) Follow box directions for brownies, except replace the oil with 1 melted stick of butter. Cook in 9×13 according to box.

2.) Let cool

3.) Melt stick of butter and chocolate chips in bowl.  Be Careful not to overcook them or the chocolate will become lumpy and loose it’s gloss.  Fold in 3/4 of the bag of mini marshmallows.

4.) Spread on top of brownies. Let cool. Cut and wrap.

You will come to learn that we LOVE food! It is a wonderful aspect of life- really! There are so many hobbies, past times, and activities that people do, but few last a lifetime. The love of cooking and hospitality can stay with you FOREVER.  It is great for learning, teaching, building relationships, numerous “life skills”, and an excellent avenue for hospitality and showering blessings on others!

It is our desire to share with you our favorite recipes and “food ideas” that you and your family can use to bless other people through your gifts of love, hospitality, and of course food!  Please, if you have any ideas for blessing- do share!