Fish Tacos

I am writing a seasonal cookbook. Here's one of the recipes that will be included.
This is one of those recipes where you don’t really need a recipe! You can prepare the fish with a breading of your choice—or you can grill or broil it.

1 pound cod fillets
1 c. flour
salt and pepper
oil for frying
4 (8-inch) whole wheat flour tortillas
shredded or chopped lettuce
diced fresh tomatoes
fresh cilantro
fresh lime juice
salsa
tartar sauce (dill or sweet, see below)

Dredge fish in flour seasoned with salt and pepper to taste; cook in fry pan in 1 tablespoon oil over medium high heat; turning once; until cooked. Place a serving size piece on tortilla, top with desired condiments. Serve immediately.
For dill tartar sauce: Combine ½ c. real mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp. finely chopped dill pickle and a dash of garlic powder.
For sweet tartar sauce: Combine ½ c. real mayonnaise and 1 Tbsp. sweet pickle relish.

Cranberry Cole Slaw

This is a great change from heavier mayonnaise-type slaws.

6 c. shredded cabbage (green or red/green combo)
3-4 sliced green onions
¾ c. dried cranberries
⅓ c. apple cider vinegar
⅓ c. oil
⅓ c. sugar
pinch salt
1 tsp. whole celery seed

In a large bowl, combine cabbage, onions and cranberries. Whisk together remaining ingredients. Pour over slaw; mix; cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Serves 4-6

The "Wonder Meal" did not work!!

Nicole Koglin enjoyed the "Wonder Meal", however, she must not have eaten enough! Emma was born 6 days after she had the meal.

"Diane's Wonder Meal"

I have made many a meal for pregnant friends whose babies were overdue. Sometimes...my meal brought on a much awaited labor! Fox6 anchor, Nicole Koglin, is overdue, and was greeted with my "Wonder Meal". Time will tell....if it works!!

Round Steak with Mushroom Gravy

This simple recipe is great served with mashed red potatoes.

1-1 ½ pounds round steak, trimmed and cut into serving size portions
¼ c. flour
Salt and pepper
1-2 Tbsp. oil for frying
1 can (4 oz.) mushrooms, drained
1 can cream of mushroom soup

Place steak on cutting board. Sprinkle with a little flour, salt and pepper. Tenderize both sides with “waffle” side of meat mallet. Brown steak in oil over medium high heat about 3 minutes per side. Add mushrooms and soup, cover and continue cooking over medium low heat for about 1 hour or until steak is tender. Serves 3-4

I like making mashed potatoes out of red potatoes. Simply wash them (don’t peel). Cut into even size chunks; add water to cover. Boil until soft; drain water; mash; add butter and milk or cream and seasonings.
Did you ever have your potatoes boil over? It won’t happen if you place a wooden spoon across the top of the pot!

It is after you have lost your teeth that you can finally afford to buy steaks.

Wild Rice Soup

1 medium onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, diced
2 carrots, diced
½ c. butter
½ c. flour
4 c. low-sodium chicken stock
2 c. cooked wild rice
1 c. milk
3 T. chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper to taste
2 c. diced cooked turkey or chicken, optional

In a large soup pot, sauté onion, celery and carrots in butter until tender, about 15 minutes. Add flour; stir to combine. Gradually add stock, stirring constantly until mixtures boils, over medium high heat. Lower heat to medium, boil for 1 minute. Add cooked rice, milk, parsley, salt, pepper and chicken if desired.

Footprints in the Snow

Living in Wisconsin in the winter—think snow!—and sometimes lots of it! We try to walk on the trails in the woods. It can be hard, especially when you’re the first to walk on the trail after a large snowfall and sink down in the knee-high snow! If, however, someone walks before you, and blazes a trail, it makes it much easier. One can then follow in his steps.

So, too, in life. I have several mentors. They have walked the steps in life before me. They have shown me how to live. In some cases, they, having gone to be with the Lord, have shown me how to die. I don’t need to be the first one to walk through the “deep snow”. I’ve been blessed to have others who blazed the trail for me. Their example of faith, hope and love give me strength and courage to keep going. The apostle Paul tells us to follow his example, as he follows the example of Christ (I Cor. 11:1). Hebrews 12:2 admonishes us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…”

Find a mentor. Someone who is a follower of Christ, and desires to live for Him. Someone who can encourage you on your life-journey. Someone who will blaze the trail before you. Then, someday, you be a mentor for someone else. Be that “trail blazer” that shows by word and deed, how to live and give glory to God.

Baked Oatmeal

This is a great stick-to-your-ribs breakfast for the cold winter.

2 eggs
¾ c. brown sugar
1 c. milk
1/3 c. butter, melted
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla
1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
3 c. old fashioned oats
1 c. dried fruit, optional

In a bowl, beat eggs; add sugar, milk and butter. Mix well. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Turn into a greased 8 x 8 pan. Bake uncovered at 350˚ 30-35 minutes, or until set in middle. Serve hot with milk, if desired.

Have a Blessed New Year!

Wise Men Still Seek Him!

Shepherds gathered their flowing robes to hurry to Him; the Magi braved deserts and mountains to find Him; in the blazing noonday sun a defeated Samaritan woman came to Him; a skeptic exclaimed, “my Lord and my God” when he found Him. And today millions on every continent acknowledge with the Apostle Paul that He is “the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Wise men still seek Him; and those who seek find more than they ever imagined. For in Jesus Christ, and Him alone, are to be found forgiveness, inward peace, joys in life today, the promises of life eternal.

The Magi found Him as a young child with Mary His mother. We find Him today as the living Christ, clothed with glory and honor and seated at the right hand of His Father in heaven. He is there because He finished the work He came to do on earth. Of His coming the Bible says, “He was made in the likeness of men: and… He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him… that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:7-11).

While it is true that wise men still seek Him, it is more wonderfully true that He still seeks us--whoever we may be. Now, today, from His place in the heavenlies comes His divine invitation: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).

If the President sent you an official invitation, you would surely accept. The Babe of Bethlehem who is now the Christ of Glory is inviting you today. The door is the door of your heart. May you know what it is to respond; and may all His spiritual blessings be yours this Christmas.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Christmas Blessings Snack Mix

This makes a great table favor at Christmas!

2 c. Bugles corn snacks
2 c. “tiny Twists” pretzels
1 c. cinnamon “red hots”
1 c. peanuts
1 c. M & Ms

Mix the above ingredients together in a large bowl. Divide as desired; place into cello bags; attach the following explanation to the bag with ribbon or raffia.


Christmas Blessings Snack Mix

Every ingredient in this mix is symbolic:
Bugles remind us the joyful message of the Heavenly Host,
announcing peace on earth, good will to men.
Pretzels are the symbol of a mother’s loving arms; as Mary wrapped
her Son in swaddling clothes and laid him in the manger.
Red Hots symbolize the holly berries which represent the
shed blood of Jesus, who came to save us.
Peanuts are the symbol for planting seeds for peace on earth like
the angels sang.
M & Ms symbolize memories of family and friends who have
enriched our lives.

“He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Christmas Gifts from the Heart That are Fast, Fun and Frugal!

Here are 2 segments from Fox 6's Real Milwaukee show with ideas for a simple, home-made Christmas.

YOU Decide!

Two similar recipes: Oven Caramel Corn and Caramel Pops. Every time I take an "independent poll", it's a 50/50 vote. So, you decide, which do you like better?!

OVEN CARAMEL CORN

I prefer white popcorn over yellow. It pops smaller, but it is not tough like the yellow.
This is for a very large batch, divide ingredients by 3 for a smaller amount. Caramel corn is great for gift-giving.

45 c. popped corn—white is best
3 c. brown sugar
3 sticks real butter
3/4 c. light corn syrup
1 ½ tsp. salt
1 ½ tsp. baking soda
popcorn salt

Divide popped corn between 4 -13x9 pans. Salt lightly with popcorn salt. In saucepan heat brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt. Cook and stir until bubbly around edges. Continue cooking over medium heat 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in soda. Pour on corn and stir until coated. Bake 2 hours at 200˚ stirring every 30 minutes. Store in tightly covered container.


CARAMEL POPS

Corn pops, sometimes called corn puffs, are found near the potato chips/popcorn in the grocery store.

1 bag (8 oz.) corn pops
½ c. real butter
½ c. light corn syrup
1 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. baking soda

Preheat oven to 250˚. Place pops in a large bowl. In a medium saucepan combine butter, corn syrup and brown sugar. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until bubbly around edges. Remove from heat. Stir in baking soda. (This will foam up). Pour caramel sauce over corn pops and stir until pops are coated. Pour into 2, 13 x 9 pans. Bake 250˚ for about 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer to waxed paper. Break apart into smaller pieces.

Linda's Meatballs

One of my best friends shared this recipe (and many others) with me. Linda is an encourager and truly has the gift of hospitality.
These meatballs would be great as an appetizer during the Christmas season, or served as a main dish along with Cheesy Potatoes.

Sauce:
1 jar (12 oz.) chili sauce
1 jar water
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. canned whole berry cranberry sauce
1 c. sour kraut, rinsed quickly under water and drained

Meatballs:
2 # ground beef
1 pkg. dry onion soup
2 eggs
1 c. plain bread crumbs

Mix meatballs ingredients. Form into small balls. Place them in a sprayed 13 x 9 pan. Mix sauce ingredients and pour over raw meatballs. Bake 325˚ 2 hours, uncovered. Drain grease. This recipe can be made the day ahead, and then just warmed in crock pot.
Makes about 48 meatballs.

Timely good deeds are nicer than afterthoughts.

Thanksgiving: A Time to Count Your Blessings

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over-head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish… you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.

If you have your own computer and can surf the net… you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness…you are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day.

If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation…you are ahead of 700 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture of death… you are envied by and more blessed than, three billion people in the world.

If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm… you’re unique to all those in doubt and despair.

So count your blessings and thank God for all that He has given to you and done for you!

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 106:1