Fresh fruit is everywhere now. Here are three interesting ways to prepare it. Gazpacho with watermelon 5 C chopped seedless watermelon 1/2 C chopped yellow onion 1/2 C chopped green peppers 1/2-1 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper 1 tsp. cumin 1/2 C chopped cilantro 2 tsp. chopped jalapeno 1 TBS lime juice 1/4 tsp. chili powder 1 C finely chopped seedless watermelon, reserved for garnish 1/2-1 C finely diced avocado, reserved for garnish (optional) Puree first 10 ingredients in a blender until smooth. Adjust seasonings as needed. Chill in fridge for at least 1 hour. Stir in finely chopped watermelon…
Author: Melanie Behrens
Copper pennies are the smallest increment in our money. And now, monetarily, they’re actually worth almost nothing. Many times in stores and businesses you will see a little jar that says, “need a penny, take a penny.” It means, if you need a penny or two in paying your bill, take it. Sometimes others will just drop a penny in there from their change to help the next person. Most don’t really think much about it, because a penny won’t buy much anymore. A penny has taken on the meaning of not very much money. Penny stocks for instance, refer…
This is a good summertime dinner. Stuffed chicken 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts 8 oz. fresh mozzarella, sliced into 8 slices 1 jar (12 oz.) of roasted red peppers sliced into 1-inch pieces 1 bunch of basil, whole leaves 1/4 C fresh grated Parmesan 1 TBS Italian seasoning salt and pepper for seasoning Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9×12 casserole dish. Butterfly chicken breasts by slicing into the long side of the breast, stopping just about 1/4 of an inch from the opposite side. Lay chicken breast in casserole dish opened up. Sprinkle exposed insides of chicken breast…
Allie Spain joined the World Race as a missionary in the Far East almost 11 months ago. Now her journey has been completed, spending the last two months in China and South Korea. She is not able to share much about her time n China, but South Korea was just what she had been waiting for. Allie related: “We had learned that we were going to be working at a girls home in Seoul, South Korea, and I was excited to be with kids again. Our ministry hadn’t said anything about there being babies, so I was expecting older children.…
These are wonderful summer dessert recipes! Peanut bars (no bake) 8 TBS unsalted butter, melted 2 C graham cracker crumbs 1-1/4 C powdered sugar 3/4 C + 2 TBS creamy peanut butter, divided 1 C white chocolate chips Line a 9×13 pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. Place melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and 3/4 cup peanut butter in a large bowl. Mix until combined. Press firmly into prepared pan. Place white chocolate chips and remaining 2 tablespoons peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30 second increments, stirring between each, until melted and smooth.…
I recently came across some information of how a great retailer got its start and was surprised at the name disclosure at the end. I hope you too will enjoy this and be surprised. If you were in the market for a watch in 1880, you might not have known where to get one. Of course, you could have gone to a store, right? Well you could have done that, but if you wanted one that was cheaper and a bit better than most of the store watches, you went to the train station! That seems crazy doesn’t it? Well,…
Fried chicken is the best picnic food. This version let’s you have your fried chicken that’s really baked. Cooking chicken in the oven cuts on calories while still providing that crispy crust that everyone loves. The trick to creating a crust on both sides of the chicken is to preheat the oven with a cookie sheet inside. That way when you are ready to put the chicken in the oven, there will already be a heated surface to crisp the bottom side of the chicken. Buttermilk fried (baked) chicken 1 chicken – cut up 3 C all-purpose flour 2 tsp.…
Weather-wise, this has been a strange year for growing everything in our yard, including the grass. First, the spring was so warm, in fact way too warm and dry, but it was good for planting. I have tomatoes and flowers, you know, the usual backyard stuff and everything was doing well until about the first week in June. That’s when the monsoon season came, as we call it at our house. Soon, our backyard was a swamp and now mosquitoes are thick. They own the backyard! It is very difficult to spend much time there at any time of the…
How about this for your next dinner? Broccoli chicken casserole 2 C cooked chicken, cut into cubes 2 C broccoli florets, fresh or frozen 2 C red bell pepper, chopped 2 C cubed bread 1-1/2 C cheddar cheese, grated 1/2 C white onion, chopped 1 (10.75 oz.) can condensed cream of mushroom soup 3 TBS unsalted butter, melted 2 TBS extra-virgin olive oil 1 tsp. garlic powder kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Heat olive oil in a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat and sauté red pepper and broccoli until tender…
Who doesn’t love potatoes? Yes, they have lots of carbs, but they also have potassium, so enjoy these potato recipes! Wonderful grilled potatoes 1/4 C Italian vinaigrette dressing 1 TBS pesto 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp. paprika 1 lb. new potatoes, halved 1 small red onion, coarsely chopped 3 slices cooked bacon, crumbled Heat grill to medium-high heat. Mix first 4 ingredients in large bowl. Add remaining ingredients; toss to evenly coat. Spoon onto 4 large sheets heavy-duty foil; fold to make 4 packets. Grill 35 min. or until potatoes are tender. Cut slits in foil to release steam…
I have locked my keys in the car a couple of times, most recently at a gas station. I must have bumped the automatic door lock as I got out. When I finished pumping the gas and realized the problem, I went inside to use the phone to get help for an extra set of keys. The people in charge said no one was allowed to use their phone. What? That was their company policy. I then pointed out my car would be blocking their pump for many hours otherwise. It took the two small-thinking people running that place five…
A couple of months ago I told you the story of losing my purse and having it returned with everything intact. I considered it a wonderful random act of kindness, that someone would help me in this way. There are many other random acts of kindness, like buying food for the person behind you in the drive-thru and buying pizza. What do I mean by this pizza thing? My story began at a local restaurant which serves pizza in a large outdoor setting. We arrived late on a Friday night, the band was playing and there were more than 100…
Lemons are a wonderful refreshing addition to any dish. Here are three lemon desserts. Lemon delight 1 C all-purpose flour 1/2 C plus 2 TBS chopped pecans, divided 1 stick butter, softened 1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened 1 C confectioners’ sugar 1 8 oz. Cool Whip, divided 2 3.4 oz. pkgs. lemon instant pudding mix 2-2/3 C milk Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine flour, 1/2 C pecans, and butter in medium bowl and mix well. Press onto bottom of an 11×8-inch baking dish. Bake until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Let stand to cool. Place cream cheese…
The summer months of June and July are very big birthday months for our family and friends. In fact, I almost go crazy trying to keep all the dates straight – who is how old and do I have the proper gift? There’s always a cake or fancy dessert of some kind in the celebration and usually a candle that the birthday person can blow out, signifying their wish will come true. Of course, just like in all families, we sing “Happy Birthday.” Many might say my voice is not so good, but I still continue to sing and my…
Fruit is good for us, so these desserts, made with various fruits, must be good also, right? Layered banana split 2 C graham cracker crumbs 1/2 C butter, melted 8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1/4 C granulated sugar 2 TBS + 3-1/2 C cold milk, divided 16 oz. Cool Whip topping, divided 1 (23-oz.) container frozen sliced strawberries, thawed and drained well 1 (20-oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained well 2 (3.4 oz.) boxes banana cream pudding instant pudding chocolate syrup maraschino cherries (optional, but encouraged) nuts (optional) Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish; set aside. In…