Love the Unlovable...

December 23,2011

This time of year is bittersweet for so many. Our hearts turn to home and all that it means. This is the sixth year of the passing of our father. Who knew the impact it would have on our family. His loss was devastating at best.

He taught us so many things. He and our Mother are shining examples of what is good in the world.

This year we wanted to share with you one of our Dad's virtues. (he had many). I think he may have really taken to heart the scripture John 13:34.some say it about sums up the whole bible.. “As I have loved you, love one another.” . A very short meaningful song. One of our favorites.

And so what follows is a little bit about “Whiskey Bill” that was his AA speaker name. We just called him Dad.

Generosity and the desire to always do for others is a gift in and of itself. It is the true meaning of Christmas. It’s a helping hand and a giving heart. To want to provide for others and expect nothing in return. Sometimes it is just a kind word or a smile, that will warm a cold heart.

Love the unlovable, they too have their story....I must of heard my Dad say that a hundred times...Dad had a million sayings, and this was one of them. Dad was a speaker in Alcoholics Anonymous...he traveled all over to speak. I can attest to Dad loving the unlovable. He picked up some VERY unlovable people and loved them sober...he showed such compassion and love and forgiveness to those broken people.. I can't remember how many times driving down the driveway of their farm and seeing an old beat up car or van in the driveway. I would go in the house and ask who that was out there, Mom would say “oh someone Dad is trying to help get sober. I truly never could understand how he could be so persistent and forgiving to some of the dastardly people he helped. Perhaps he saw a little of himself in those people he helped.  He had been one of those drunks that had been taken down by his disease. I think maybe one of his greatest attributes was his ability to put himself in their spot and feel their pain, a rare quality indeed. Something we could bear working on. ..

But now that Dad is gone I hear his words like a loud speaker in my ears...LOVE THE UNLOVABLE.... Why is it we seem to act the most unlovable when we need to be loved the most?... You see the unlovable everywhere you go...they can be the folks who have everything, but most times they are the people who are down on their luck...the people who's life has been hard. Who are friendless and their families have closed the door on them. It is the people that have lost their way. We all want to be heard, and understood. Maybe they burned too many bridges behind them to ever get back...they are out to take all their hurt and anger out on someone else...sometimes you might be the one that gets in their way...just love the unlovable they too have their story... It is easy to love the lovable, but can you love the unlovable?

We wish you the Merriest of Christmas's and a New Year filled with peace and contentment. Prayerful always that God will see that you have all that you need for health and happiness. Debbie and Mary

Cheers to Happy !!

Steak Sauce...

This recipe is almost to good to be true...I love to eat steak with steak sauce...I didn't used to, I wondered why anyone would cover up steak with a sauce...I never ate ketchup with fries either, but that is another story...I can see where you could easily tweak this recipe to make it very custom to your liking...but it was great as it is...

Steak Sauce
1/2 cup of raisins
1/2 cup of water
1/4 cup of ketchup
2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons of Worcestershire
3 tablespoons of white vinegar
salt and pepper to taste....

bring the water and raisins to a boil and turn off and let cool for 5 minutes, add them to a blender with the other ingredients and blend until smooth...That's it!

boil raisins with water and then let cool...

put all the ingredients in the blender with the raisin and water...whirl...

that is it!!!

now that was faster than finding the car keys and running to the store!! and so flavorful and good!!!

Cheers to Happy  !!

Gluten Free Pizza...

Oh how I love pizza and surely miss it since going gluten free...I have hesitated making it from scratch...I have been eating Garlic Jim's GF Pizza and it is great...I knew that anything homemade, even Gluten Free, is better that boughten...so today was the day to give it a try....oh so good!!! So much better than anything you can buy in a store...and you can customize it just for you!!!! Make it the way you like it....you will not be sorry, promise...

Pizza Crust

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp agar powder or Gelatin

3 tsp yeast

8 oz all purpose Gluten Free Flour

Place the salt, sugar, agar, and yeast in a bowl and add 3/4 cup warm water...whisk and let stand for 10 minutes...then add the flour mix and let stand for another 10 minutes....oil a pizza pan or baking sheet with olive oil...place the pizza dough on the pan and then put a piece of plastic wrap on the top of the dough and  spread the dough out with your hand to a 12 inch pizza shape...let stand for another 10 minutes. 

While you heat the oven up to 430 degrees, get your toppings ready...I chose pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, olives and mushrooms...you choose what you like...I spread  pizza sauce over the bottom...you could use an olive oil also....bake for 25minutes and then you have heaven on a plate!

the sponge, sugar, salt, yeast, agar and water...add the flour and stir...

wait 10 minutes and the let the party begin!...make the pizza the way you love pizza...for me it is pizza sauce....

then fresh mozzarella, mushrooms, olives and pepperoni...

25 minutes later and you have pizza!!! So Good!!!

the crust is thin and good, it does not have that 'slippery' feel that some GF bread products have...

this crust is a great vehicle for the toppings...

I so LOVE pizza, I topped this one off with fresh basil when it came out of the oven....it is so good...and as easy and fast as calling out for pizza delivery....go ahead and give it a try!!!!!!

Cheers to Happy  !!

Roasted Cranberry Sauce...

I have always loved cranberry sauce...all kinds, whole berry and the jellied that you cut off both end of the can and push out on a plate and slice...but when you have more that a minute and you are making a special dinner, it is fun to make a special sauce...This is a cross between cooked and raw cranberry sauce...it is the perfect sauce for roasted meats..you can make it ahead of time and store in the refrigerator until dinner...I could literally just eat it by the spoonfuls...you could put in a good port or red wine or nothing if you would like, just the orange juice. it is the roasting of the orange, cranberries and the sugar that make the wonderful rich flavor...

Roasted Cranberry Sauce
1 orange
1 lb. fresh or thawed cranberries
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp. kosher salt
a heavy sprinkle of cardamon powder
4 whole cloves
2 sticks cinnamon
2 tablespoons grand mariner
2 tablespoons fresh squeezed orange juice
1. Heat oven to 450°. Using a peeler, remove peel from the orange, taking off as little of the white pith as possible. Cut peel into very thin strips about 1 1⁄2" long. Squeeze juice from the orange; strain and reserve 1 tbsp. juice.

2. In a bowl, combine peel, cranberries, sugar, olive oil, salt, cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon. Toss and transfer to a parchment paper–lined baking sheet. Roast until cranberries begin to burst and release their juices, about 15 minutes.

3. Transfer cranberry mixture to a bowl; stir in reserved orange juice and grand mariner. Let sit for at least 1 hour so that the flavors meld. Remove and discard, cloves, and cinnamon before serving.
MAKES 2 CUPS

gather the few ingredients..

cut the peeling off, try not to get the pith (is that a word)

squeeze the orange....

slice the peels very thin...

put it all in a mixing bowl and toss...

spread on a baking sheet that you can line with parchment...

house smells great...

scrape it all in a bowl...

add the juice and grand mariner...stir and let sit at least an hour...

ENJOY!!!

Cheers to Happy  !!

Peanut Butter Topping...

I hadn't heard of this before, peanut butter sauce for ice cream......had not even heard of purchasing a peanut butter sauce....I saw it done and knew I had to make this...my picky daughter loved it and my granddaughter who doesn't even like peanut butter wanted seconds...so I would definitely say it was a huge hit! this would be a great addition for the holidays...tastes like the inside of the peanut butter cup...so good!

Peanut Butter Topping...

300ml can of sweetened condensed milk (10 oz)
3/4 cup unsweetened/natural peanut butter
3/4 cup whipping cream or heavy cream
1/3 cup butter
1/4 tsp

1. Combine the condensed milk, peanut butter, whipping cream, and butter in a pot over medium heat.

2. Stir until the ingredients melt together then stir in 1/4 tsp salt.

3. Let the sauce come to a gentle simmer and remove from heat. Let cool to slightly warmer than room temperature before using. You can store the topping in a jar or container in the fridge for up to a week. To heat it up just pop it in the microwave for 10 seconds at a time until it is the consistency you desire.

Top ice cream, bananas, hot chocolate, pie, cake, milkshakes, puddings, and empty spoons with the sauce for extra peanut buttery goodness.

the cast of characters! so few ingredients (I used the peanut butter with nuts)

 Put every thing in the pan...heat over medium...whisk every now and then...remember to get into the corners...the peanut butter likes to hang out there...

when finished take off heat and let cool in the pan...

store in a jar in the fridge, if there is any left.....

and Enjoy!!!!

Cheers to Happy  !!

Asian style Beef and Green Beans

This is a very easy marinade to make...it will make less expensive meat very tender and flavorful...It would be great on chicken and then BBQ outdoors.....I made a stir fry and used the marinade then put it over rice noodles... this recipe and procedure will work with any vegetables..

Asian Style Marinade

1/2 cup hoisin sauce

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup of finely chopped shallots

2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated

4 finely chopped cloves of garlic

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp of red pepper flakes

mix all together and marinate beef pork or chicken....

cast of characters!

measure all in bowl and mix thoroughly....

slice up your meat very thinly...

mix in bowl with the sauce and  marinate at least 1 hour...you can put all in a zip lock bag and marinate up to 4 hours....

heat 1 tablespoon oil until very hot...

add green beans and saute until tender crisp....

remove to a bowl....

add carrots and mushrooms to the pan and saute just until softlike....maybe 2 minutes..

also add to the bowl....

add the beef and marinade to the pan and cook on heat approximately 5 minutes, or till done....

add vegetables back in....

mix 1/2 cup of beef broth with 1 tablespoon cornstarch....add to pan...

stir until the sauce is slightly thickened....and serve...

I served mine over rice vermicelli noodles....but this would also be great on rice....Enjoy!

Cheers to Happy  !!

Guinness Hungarian Beef Goulash...

Many years ago there was a bakery in my hometown that made Goulash...When I grew up at my house we called goulash a macaroni noodle dish with tomato sauce and hamburger....The town bakery called Goulash a spicy, flavorful beef stew....the most wonderful stew you have ever eaten...we did not have much money at that time in our lives but we would sometimes splurge on a bowl of Goulash and a big piece of Black Forest Cake...This recipe is very reminiscent of the wonderful goulash from the favorite bakery....you could absolutely add any other vegetable and red peppers to this dish...red chili pepper flakes would 'kick it up a notch'....make it your own!

Slow cooker Guinness Beer Hungarian Beef Goulash

1 pound beef chuck roast trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
8 tablespoon paprika
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 onions chopped
6 cloves garlic
1 cup of red wine
1 Guinness beer
3 cups of beef broth
1/2 cups all purpose flour

Dry the beef with paper towels and then season with 1 tablespoon of paprika and salt and pepper.  heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a 12 inch skillet over medium high heat until just smoking. Brown half of the beef about 10 minutes, then add to the slow cooker. Return the skillet to medium high heat and repeat with 2 more tsp oil and remaining beef. 
Add the remaining 2 tsp oil to the empty skillet and heat over medium heat until the oil is shimmering. Add the onions, and remaining paprika, tomato paste and 1/2 tsp salt. Cook until vegetables are softened about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 15 seconds. Stir in the wine and scrape up any bits and browned pieces and cook until reduced by half ...add to the crock pot...add everything to the crock pot...add the whole potatoes, carrots and beer and beef broth...give a big stir and cook on high for 7 hours...or 9-10 hours on medium...
After 7 hours take out the potatoes and cut in half...add 1/2 cup beef broth and 1/2 cup of flour (can use gluten free all-purpose flour) and stir into the sauce in the crock pot....add the potatoes back in and cook for approximately 30 more minutes...taste and adjust any seasoning...
 

vegetables ready!

beef browned and ready to go...

put in crock and add beer....

add onion wine mixture (house smells heavenly) and beef broth....

add vegetables...

give a good stir...put on the lid and go rake leaves!

7 long hours later....cut reds in half....add the flour and beef broth mixture...give a great stir...put the lid back on cook another 30 minutes (just enough time to set the table and make a salad)...

It is seasoned perfectly and ready to go!

This is the best comfort food money can buy! Large chunks of beef, great gravy, carrots and potatoes....Heaven!!!

Cheers to Happy !!