Food Friday: Two Recipes! Chicken Chili and Frosted Banana Bars

Kelsey made these Tuesday to serve my gals at "A Mom Thing".  I was leery of serving bars we'd never made before, but she told me they'd had around 41 5-star ratings on Taste of Home's site.  I thought that sounded like a fairly good recommendation! :)

We weren't disappointed--we loved them.  Kels frosted them while still a little warm, and we decided we liked them that way best.  

We stored them in the refrigerator, which I'm not sure was necessary, especially for as fast as they were eaten!  They taste better at room temperature, but they will dry out quickly if left out (for instance, served on a plate), so keep them covered until ready to serve.

Note:  If you like pumpkin bars, you'll like these.  If you don't like pumpkin bars, because you don't like pumpkin, then try these and see what you think, because they're smoother(?); they have a "gentler" taste.  I think you'll like them!

Frosted Banana Bars

Serves:  3 dozen

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar

3 eggs

1-1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)

1 tsp vanilla extract (we always use pure--in fact, we get ours from Mexico--it just tastes better)

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

Dash of salt

Frosting ingredients:

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in the eggs, bananas and vanilla.  Combine the flour, baking soda and salt.  Stir into creamed mixture just until blended.

Transfer to a greased 15 x 10 x 1-inch baking pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cool in pan on a wire rack.

For frosting, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy.  Add powdered sugar and vanilla.  Beat until smooth.

Chicken Chili
Serves:  6
Ingredients:
1-1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup chopped onion
3 Tbsp oil (we usually use olive oil, but you can use canola, too)
1 can (15 oz) white kidney or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained (I thought I had these, but I didn't, so we used red kidney beans instead)
1 can (14-1/2 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (14-1/2 oz) diced tomatoes with mild green chilies, undrained (or just use regular diced tomatoes, and add more chili powder or cayenne pepper)
1 cup frozen corn
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp celery salt
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp pepper
Sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese, optional


Directions:
In a large skillet, sauté chicken and onion in oil for 5 minutes or until chicken is browned.


Transfer to a 5-quart slow cooker (we used a 6-quart crockpot, but it was way too big; I think I would try a 4-quart one next time).  Stir in the beans, tomatoes, corn and seasonings.  Cover and cook on low for 5 hours or until chicken is no longer pink.  Garnish with sour cream and cheese, if desired.

Notes:
We almost never measure seasonings, so adjust these to your family's tastes.  This chili isn't very spicy, so if you like things spicy, add cayenne pepper, or chili powder or something like that. We started this at about 1:00 p.m. and were able to eat by 5:30 by putting it on high for about an hour, and then turning it to low.  Be careful to stir this, because it seems to get really hot, really fast.


We served the leftovers the next day, and had a guest at our table (who, by the way, does like things spicy), so I needed to make it go a little further.  I cooked some more canned kidney beans, and tomato sauce, adding some cayenne pepper, and garlic powder, and then added the leftover chili to the large pot on the stove. No matter how low I had the heat, I had to watch it to make sure it didn't burn! It doesn't take long to reheat.


I served it with brown rice and tortilla chips, (to put the thick chili on top of), grated cheddar cheese and sour cream, and dry roasted peanuts to sprinkle over the top, and placed chili sauce on the table for our guest.


Serving it this way, made it a VERY filling meal.  You could make it go a LOT further this way, and you should warn your family or guests, because if they take a normal portion, they're going to be too full.


We also served corn bread along with it. And we had the bars for dessert!

Thankful Thursday: Thankful That God Has Won The Victory

It's Thankful Thursday.  I had to sit and think about what I should write today. Not that there aren't many things to be thankful for, but what has the Lord been trying to teach me this week.  Friends, there's a battle being waged against me--against my family?--a spiritual battle.  How do I know?  Well, I see God at work in and through us--God's opened up opportunities for us to serve and disciple, and He's showing us our sin, and placing within a yearning for more obedience, more submission to His will--but I also am experiencing an unusual amount and kind of temptation or oppression.

All week my dreams have been disturbing.  On the internet, inappropriate photos came to my eyes in places where I wasn't expecting them, and our filter didn't prevent them.  I've been feeling it was difficult to do what was the norm for me (and tempted to throw off disciplined living), and it was an uphill fight to keep on keeping on, to think and do what I knew the Lord wanted all week. I did, but feeling a weight pushing against me.  I have been crying out to the Lord, and asking Him to bind and rebuke satan and his emissaries all week, in the Name and by the power that raised Jesus from the dead. 

So, how does this relate to Thankful Thursday, you ask? Well, I am so thankful that Jesus Christ has won the victory!! I am so grateful that the war has already been decided and I'm on the winning side!  These are satan's last ditch efforts at a losing battle.

There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man:  but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

(1 Corinthians 10:13)

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(1 Corinthians 15:57)

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

(1 John 5:4)

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

(1 John 4:4)

I would be remiss if I didn't also say how thankful I am for you, dear friends and brothers and sisters in Christ, who pray for me.  Your prayers are powerful in taking down strongholds.  And your friendship is very precious to me. 


To participate and read other thankful thoughts, visit Lynn, at Spiritually Unequal Marriage. Thanks, Lynn, so much for hosting this month!

Timely Tips on Tuesday: My Newest Menu Plan

French Beef Stew
(photo courtesy of Taste of Home)

We were getting a little bored with the same old recipes, and so I sat down and made up a Menu Plan, incorporating new recipes which I found at Taste of Home online.  We have registered, so we can keep a recipe file.  But that's not what I love best! I love being able to pick from the highest rated and award-winning recipes.  I headed straight to the Top Recipes of 2010.  And I love reading the reviews.  Other cooks' ideas for tweaking the recipe and what substitutions they made and how it worked for them, plus how well their family liked the recipe, is so helpful. I also LOVED the Top Cheap Meals category, including info on how much per serving each recipe cost!

My Menu Plan:

Sundays: Special Meal

Mondays: Beef

Tuesdays:  Chicken

Wednesdays:  Non-Meat or Fish

Thursdays:  Cook's Choice

Fridays:  Cheap Meal

Saturday:  Eclectic (Whatever we feel like:)

I immediately clicked on the Top Slow Cooker Recipes! I don't know why, but somehow cooking in the morning, when there's no pressure to get it done FAST (I guess that's the key) and when I also have more energy, makes the whole process seem easier.  My kitchen is on the east side of the house, too, and the area is sunnier in the morning, which encourages my mood, especially in the winter.  Funny how little things like that can affect a woman!


I also chose and printed out some of the Top Chicken Recipes (and also narrowed the results to only the low-fat ones) and of course, chose the Quickest recipes.


I thought you might like to see a few of the recipes we're going to try in the next few weeks.


Slow Cooker Recipes:

• French Beef Stew: Highly rated recipe; normal ingredients, plus two I had on hand: tomato juice and tapioca!
• Indonesian Peanut Chicken: Sounds delicious with peanut butter, chili sauce, served over rice and sprinkled with peanuts and sweet red pepper. It came with a tip for preparing it ahead and freezing it to really save time!
• Squash 'n' Chicken Stew: I've been wanting to incorporate more orange vegetables, and my husband loves squash, so this one's perfect.  They say its a favorite with kids, too! Good thing, since my kids don't especially "love" squash:)
• Beefy Vegetable Soup:  My husband loves beef vegetable soup.  This recipe adds kidney beans and optional cheddar cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips, which my daughter and I love, and has a little "kick" to it, with chili powder.  You can always add more or less of this ingredient to your own family's taste.

Quick Beef Recipes:

• Beef and Asparagus Stir-Fry:  I have a bunch of steaks of different kinds in my freezer, because we ordered a hind quarter of beef from a local farmer a while back.  But my husband doesn't like steak! So, I've been looking for some ways to use the steak that he would like. This uses top round steak.  It also incorporates a number of vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and red or green pepper, which in the winter time is a great thing.
• Teriyaki Finger Steaks:  This one should be fun, as I can grill it--hopefully we won't get a ton of snow, and I can find a day above freezing:)  Good thing the grill's right outside the sliding glass door.

Chicken Recipes:

• Orange-Maple Glazed Chicken:  At $.99 per serving this is a winner!  Uses maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard, with orange peel. Grilled. Sounds delicious!
• Forgotten Jambalaya:  Ok, this one might be tricky, as my family doesn't like shrimp (but I LOVE it!) but I'm hoping that I can just have them take out the shrimp.  Another slow cooker recipe.
• Chicken Chili:  I like to eat beans at least once a week, and we love chili, but this will give us a new twist on that traditional dish, with chicken.  Also done in the slow cooker, an added plus.

Chicken Chili(photo courtesy of Taste of Home)

Under "Cheap Meals" we're going to try Roast Pork with Apples and Onions.  Though we rarely eat pork, at $1.10 per serving, it sounded great.  Other cheap meals I love to make are the breakfast-type, like French Toast and Scrambled Eggs, or Poached Eggs in Milk on toast.


My favorite help in the kitchen is using my slow cooker (actually I have several of different sizes).  Knowing supper's all taken care of early in the day just takes a huge load off of my mind.  The aroma wafting through the air throughout the day of a delicious home-cooked meal is very encouraging.  It keeps on saying to me all day, "You're doing a great job! See, you've already got supper done!"  And, it says "Welcome Home" in a lovely way to my husband the minute he opens the door (and sometimes before he opens the door) from work.  What are your favorite tips for getting out of a cooking rut?

Food Friday: Recipe for White Velvet Cutout Cookies

I know it's not Christmas anymore, but I've been looking for an excuse to post photos of the beautiful cookies that Kelsey made at Christmas!

And there's another holiday coming up:  Valentines Day

is just around the corner!

Wouldn't you like to make heart-shaped cutouts for your husband and children to show them how much you love them? This would be a fun activity to do together, too!

Or maybe you're signed up to bring something to a Valentines party?  Everyone will be so impressed with these cookies!

Not only are they beautiful, but they are delicious!

I don't know about you, but in the past I haven't had the best of luck with making cutout cookies. But, over Christmas, Kelsey found this recipe, and they were amazing.  The dough was so easy to work with and was a luscious consistency and made the most perfect cutout cookies.  I really hope you like them!  Here's the recipe for:

White Velvet Cutouts

Yield:  3-1/2 dozen

Ingredients:

2 cups butter, softened

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

2 cups sugar

2 egg yolks

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Directions:

In a bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy.  Add sugar, egg yolks and vanilla; mix well. Gradually add flour.  Cover and chill 2 hours or until firm.

Roll out on a floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness.  Cut into 3-inch shapes; place 1 inch apart on greased baking sheets.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until set (not browned).  Cool 5 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool.

Glacé Frosting 

1 lb powdered sugar (about 3-3/4 cups)
6 Tbsp whole milk
6 Tbsp light corn syrup (6 Tbsp  is equal to 1/4 C plus another 2 Tbsp)
1 tsp extract (almond, peppermint, vanilla)
Combine sugar and milk until smooth (no lumps!) Then stir in corn syrup and extract.

Kelsey didn't have good luck with the consistency of the frosting for piping (maybe you'll have better luck) though, when she tried it this night, she added lots of powdered sugar, the frosting still wasn't thick enough, so she opted to decorate with colored sugar and sprinkles!  Especially if you make these with your children, they'll enjoy the sprinkles option better anyway! :)

I'm sure your family and friends will feel very special and everyone will be so impressed with all the love you poured into your gorgeous cutout cookies!

Enjoy!


(This cookie recipe originally came from Taste of Home online and the frosting recipe from ourbestbites.com)

Thankful Thursday: Encouragement from Other Bloggers

The day didn't start off well.  And honestly, I felt like crying.  Nothing really wrong, and I knew it.  I just felt discouraged--in a spiritual battle.  I reluctantly kept putting one foot in front of the other. Then I read a post by my good blogging friend, Sharon, over at Sharon Sharing God.  It was on the subject of Encouragement.  You have to go over and read it.

She points out quite aptly how we sometimes think we're encouraging someone when we come along and say, "That's alright, everything will be better soon."  That may feel good sometimes, but that would have been inadequate to what I needed today.  In her post today, she not only wrote of the deeper meaning of encouragement, but exemplified it.

She came alongside me where I'd fallen on the muddy battlefield, wiped the mud off of my face (it made it easier as it was mixed with my tears:), helped me to my feet and handed me my sword. Then she lifted me to action beside her, as we charged off to fight the enemy once more.  Wiping tears from my eyes, I got up from the computer and went to my room and knelt by my bed and talked to the Lord.  I, with renewed courage, put on the whole armor of God.  I remembered and recited many verses of truth to myself, wielding my trusty Sword of the Word of God, and could fairly SEE the enemy stagger with the wounds it inflicted!

I went on to win the victory, energized to accomplish and defeat the "to-do list," which had been like a giant standing over me daring me to get up and tackle it at the beginning of the day. I didn't finish everything on the list, but with each new item I crossed off, my courage rose higher.  I was even able to encourage another! I could feel the prayers that were being offered up for me. What might have been defeat for me, and victory for the enemy, was turned around!  And I am thankful for Sharon, and every one of you, my blogging friends, who are doing the work of God out there!  Thank you for being faithful, and using every tool available to you, which is given you by our Mighty God and Loving Father, the King of Kings.
 
Link up and read other thankful posts at Lynn's blog, Spiritually Unequal Marriage. Without even knowing it, the Lord led me to write today about friendship in my online world, which is the subject matter of Thankful Thursday this week! Isn't He amazing?! What are you thankful for today?

Words

I cannot read this verse from Proverbs often enough.  This post is a response to Ann Voskamp and Holley Gerth's open invitation to write a post "about words."  Go to Holley's site to read weighty words on the subject of our words, written by many thoughtful writers. They will touch your heart.  (I have linked up, too.)

She openeth her mouth with wisdom;

and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Proverbs 31:26

Am I My Husband's Teacher?

I respond with resentment and irritation whenever my grown children speak to me as though I were their child. Why?  My thoughts go something like this, "Don't they know who I am?  I'm the mom.  It's not respecting my position when they try to tell me what to do, or speak to me in that condescending way as though I were a small child!"

Where do they get that from, anyway??  Well, I don't have to look too far for an illustration from my own life, of where they get that from.  How often do I, as a wife, try to "teach" my husband some very simple, and "obvious" lesson, using dripping sarcasm, a rebuke, a putdown, or a tone I would reserve for a five-year-old?  How often, indeed?

Chastened, chagrined, I purpose in my heart, while asking forgiveness and help from the Lord, to speak less, and when I do speak, to let God teach my husband, and not me.

Do you know what "henpecking" is?  You may not be able to define it, but I know that you've seen it.  Perhaps you've winced when in the presence of a wife treating her husband in this reprehensible manner.  What it comes down to is this:  we are trying to do the Holy Spirit's work in our husband's life.  I often picture the Holy Spirit, with arms crossed, saying to me, "Just let me know when you're finished."  He is not going to move in my husband's life with me in the way.

"Lord, please put a guard at my lips, and cause me to pause before speaking, to ask if this is a necessary word for me to say.  Is this the time, the place and do I have the attitude of Christ?  Make the law of kindness to rule my tongue, Lord, and may my words never henpeck or belittle."

Silence Is Golden? May Be!

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

Proverbs 10:19

"There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health."
Proverbs 12:18

What I Am Doing Now

I decided to post one of those "What I Am Doing Now" posts, but with a twist.  For me, January is a month that's a mix.  First, we live in Minnesota, so it can be gray and very cold, and I used to get somewhat depressed during January, being all cooped up, and not seeing the sun.  But I have realized in recent years that January is one of two months in the year--the other is July--when I have almost nothing on my calendar, and if I don't recognize that and use the month well, I've missed a golden opportunity! 


I now look at January as though I'm sitting at the top of the roller coaster of the year.  I'm about to go down and things are going to pick up speed rapidly!!  So, in January, at the top, I try to look ahead and see into the distance, and prepare.  Having to stay at home has its advantages:  it saves a lot of money on gas! And, you can get a lot done when you stay home.  Here are some of the things I'm preparing for, and questions I'm asking myself to try to be on top of things when spring comes!

• Figure out Baby gifts--I know of about half a dozen babies being born in the next few months, so I'll be on the lookout for sales on baby clothes, both boys and girls, and stock up my gift shelf. I usually choose 12 months or older. I also love to give great children's books, which I already have on hand.
• Graduation and wedding gifts and cards--there are always quite a few of these.  I have already stocked up on wedding gifts by ordering from Mikasa's online clearance site, when they had free shipping, and I got some really nice things for great prices.  So, now for grad cards and gifts. 

Will I make cards by hand, by computer, or buy them? I do have stamps, but I recently purchased a year's membership to American Greetings, so I can make printable cards.  It's really cool, because I can edit the cards, change the font, add pictures, personalize the card, and even rewrite some of the writing inside, if I want to!  Lots of things you can print, like invitations, too.  With a box of parchment paper, and a box of greeting card sized envelopes, which I already have, I'm set.  So, I'll probably do that.
Will I give money (much easier) or find something inexpensive, but special, that will actually be cheaper and more personal than cash? I'll keep my eyes open online.

• Packing away all the Christmas decorations

(Yes, I'm still doing that--I like to leave them up, except for the tree, way into January, because I love them! and they add color to my home), I'm trying to see if there are areas that need decluttering, or maybe it's easier to see and clean an area now--like the cloth on top of the piano and the valance over the window--because I've removed everything.

• Cleaning and DeCluttering

That Kitchen Pantry cupboard needs to be cleaned out once a year--maybe now?
Clear off the top of my cupboards and clean what's up there? Nothing attractive about an inch of dust!

• Year-end Financial and Budget

Put a new checkbook register in my checkbook, and print out all the statements to have in one place.
Finish checking off in the checkbook all the checks that have cleared, and look for any discrepancies. My husband takes care of the finances, but he has me pay the bills, and carry the checkbook.  He took care of all the financial over Christmas vacation, but I just like every box checked and to have a feeling that I kind of am on top of things:)

• Make a Record of Expenditures in a Spreadsheet

Become more responsible with my spending, and start a spreadsheet to record daily spending, especially in certain areas, where discretionary spending, though within acceptable limits, could be less.
Though we studied it in school with the kids, Kelsey never had to really do her own budget herself, so I'm having her make a spreadsheet, too, to keep track of spending and probably a budget later.
My husband doesn't like to keep track of every penny in areas such as spending on clothes--I'm not a big spender in this area, so he doesn't feel he needs to--but I really think it would be good to know just how much I am spending.  This is difficult to track, because it gets lumped in with so many other purchases on the credit card, and our kids buy much, if not all, of their own clothes.  So, I made a spreadsheet with this and other categories where I think we could cut some spending, and I will try to figure it out.  Could I save money in this or any other area?

• Thinking about my spending habits

One of the things about good habits is that you don't have to keep track of what you're doing as carefully! You just do the same thing as you've been doing, and you stay within budget.  However, checking to see if I could do better is something I have a little more time to do in January.

• Hospitality

Are there people that we've promised we'd have over, and haven't yet?  Call them, and set up a time.

• Books I Meant to Read?

Are there books that I wanted to read and didn't get to?  I really like to fuel my faith at this time of the year.  It helps to stave off the depression and discouragement from the weather and lack of sun.  I picked up an old book that I'd read before and that God really used in my life a few years ago, "Echoing and ReEchoing" by Faye Huntington, and have started reading it again when I have a few minutes.  She co-authored many books with Isabella Alden ("Pansy"), whose writing I love, but this is a book she wrote by herself. 


You can get other great reading for wintery months, or summertime reading, for that matter, at the Keepers of the Faith website (it's .com, not .net, or you'll get something totally different!) and then click on books.  Check out their site for all kinds of activities, and teaching skills kits, etc., to complement your family's homeschooling.
So, that's what I'm doing now.  I hope you're not too bored by my list!


So......what do you do when the weather forces you inside for awhile?

Food Friday: Two Recipes This Week! Recipe for Pasta Fagioli Soup

Because I've been pretty negligent these last few weeks over Christmas vacation in posting recipes, I'm going to try to make it up to you by posting TWO recipes this week.  Make sure you scroll down to see the recipe below for Ginger Spice Cookies!  They are so, so good.  But, for those of you who are looking for some more healthy recipes this time of year, here's a super good one for you!
My friend, Margie, makes the most delicious recipes, always using the freshest and healthiest ingredients. She puts a lot of love into her cooking, and you can taste it!
This recipe includes some of my favorite ingredients, such as spinach and beans. And my favorite spices: basil and oregano.
I hope you'll enjoy this recipe of hers, for


Pasta Fagioli Soup!
Serves:  12-16
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
8 cloves garlic, minced
2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
6 cups water
4 cups cooked navy or black beans
2 Tbsp basil
1 tsp oregano
4 cups cooked pasta (elbows or shells)
10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed
6 Tbsp Braggs liquid aminos or soy sauce


Directions:
Saute onion in olive oil 5 minutes.  Add garlic and cook 2 more minutes.  Add tomatoes, water, beans, basil, oregano, and spinach.  Bring to a boil and simmer 20 minutes.  Stir in cooked pasta and Braggs liquid aminos.  Serve hot.
Enjoy!



P.S.  I have linked up with 4 Moms: Link up with Soup and you can go there to find more great soup recipes!