Easy Instant pot pinto beans recipe

We love our Instant Pot. We use it ALL of the time. There was one day that we used it THREE times... once to make steel-cut oats for breakfast, once to make beans for dinner, and once to make applesauce in the evening. It is so nice just to load it up and let it cook. There is no stirring until you open it. After you do open it, that is when ALL of the smells come out... the delicious aromas make us hungrier! We use our Instant Pot to make rice, potatoes (baked or prep to mash), and pork for carnitas or pulled pork for sandwiches. It is similar to a crock pot but better-- since it cooks things quicker. Not quite instantly!

My mother-in-law came up with this recipe for instant pot pinto beans. I've used black beans in place of pintos and got similar results. Only an hour and a half from DRY beans to cooked! It saves so much time, instead of taking ALL day to cook in a crock pot or on the stove.

First, I always rinse my beans. It reduces dust, but rocks and other minor things get filtered out a bit too. I've found that rinsing beans (even canned) reduces the gas caused by beans. SO NICE!

The original recipe card I wrote from my MIL

 Instant Pot pinto beans recipe

One cup of dry beans (rinsed)

2 1/2 cups of water (or 3)

Loaded up and ready to start...

Place beans and water into the Instant pot and seal. Cook on HIGH pressure for 50 minutes, using natural release (this takes up to 40 more minutes).

After opening the instant pot...

If they're too wet, you can saute them on high with the lid off to cook off some of the moisture. We always do this, and they go from being wet beans in water to much more like cooked pinto beans that are similar to refried beans! We LOVE them in our tacos. 

All done!

Since I have a lot of food sensitivities, I love knowing exactly what is in them. I usually add salt and pepper before serving. It is an EASY recipe and so delicious!

2 Samuel 17:27-29
When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileaditefrom Rogelim brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans, and lentils,  honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows’ milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become exhausted and hungry and thirsty in the wilderness.”

Ezekiel 4:9
“Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself. You are to eat it during the 390 days you lie on your side.

Easy Gluten-Free Chicken Stew

I was telling my sister recently about this stew, how we love eating it in the winter and it's easy to make. I thought I had put it on my blog, but I didn't... so here it is! Our family has fallen in love with this stew, it's so yummy. It meets my favorite cooking requirements... easy and delicious!

Yummy stew, all steamy and ready to eat! (no peas this time, I ran out!)

I'm not sure where I got this recipe. I just searched Pinterest and didn't find it, so I don't know! But it is tried and true in our house, one that I crave. When my hubby and youngest daughter were gluten-free, this was a stew that we ate a lot in that winter, and in the winters since. I also like it because it doesn't have tomatoes in it, which I can no longer eat. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

You can vary the vegetables and amounts of this stew to meet your own needs. This recipe isn't finicky, it works just about any way you do it. You can use russet potatoes (that's what I usually have) but can use red or yellow potatoes also, in fact, they hold together better in this stew.

Easy Gluten-Free Chicken Stew recipe
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 or 4 stalks of celery, chopped
4 or 5 carrots, chopped
2 large russet potatoes, diced (and peeled if you like)
2 to 3 teaspoons dried thyme
2-3 cloves of garlic, crushed ( I use roasted)
3 cups stock (chicken or vegetable-- I usually do chicken bullion)
2-4 tablespoons arrowroot powder, or corn starch (depending on how thick you like it)
1 cup frozen peas
3 or so cups of chopped cooked chicken breast (or 2-3 cups cooked beans)
large handful of fresh parsley (I use a tablespoon of dried)
sea salt or Herbamare
black pepper

Browning the chicken...

Heat a large 11-inch skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. (I usually brown my chicken in the mixture first, since I don't buy cooked chicken for many recipes. If yours if cooked, then you do not need to brown it in this step.) Add diced onions and saute' until soft, about 5 minutes. Add carrots, celery and potatoes, then saute' a minute more. Add garlic and thyme.

Combine the stock and arrowroot powder (or corn starch) and whisk well. Add this mixture to the pan. Cover and simmer for about 10-15 minutes.

Add peas, cooked chicken (if needed) and parsley. Cover and simmer for 5 or so more minutes or until veggies are cooked to your liking. Add sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.

Enjoy!

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I think my kids like this recipe because of the thyme in it. It makes it taste so good! I have run out of thyme because I have used it in this recipe so often. 😃

Let me know if you make this recipe, I'd love to hear your review. It cooks up pretty quickly, so it is a nice meal for a weeknight.



Genesis 25:29-30
Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” 

2 Kings 4:38
Elisha returned to Gilgal and there was a famine in that region. While the company of the prophets was meeting with him, he said to his servant, “Put on the large pot and cook some stew for these prophets.”

Wild Rice and Chicken Casserole

This is a meal that I found recently during our gluten free stage. We liked it, and I've made it several times since then, even though we are not strictly gluten- free anymore. We generally like casseroles at our house, and we like chicken and rice. I had a wild rice and BEEF casserole that we used to love, but it has tomato soup in it, which I can't eat anymore since it hurts my mouth. 😒

I'm not sure where I found this recipe, it may have been Pinterest...? But no matter, it is delicious and easy, which are my requirements for cooking! 😉 I also like that it uses ingredients that I usually have in my house! (My comments below are in italics)

Onions, celery and chicken...

Wild Rice & Chicken Casserole

1 box Uncle Ben's Long Grain and Wild Rice (or microwave package)

1 can cream of mushroom soup (I use cream of chicken)

2 cups cooked chicken cubed (or any other meat)

1 1/2 cups frozen vegetables

1/2 cup cream or milk (I've used dairy-free)

1 tablespoon butter (I've used dairy-free)

1/2 onion diced

1/2 stalk celery diced

salt

pepper

about 1 cup grated cheese, any kind you have (she says Swiss sliced cheese)

1/3 cup slivered almonds (she says to toast them, but I usually do not)

Rice mix, soup and veggies...

After adding the almonds( one daughter doesn't like them)

Instructions

Cook box of rice according to packaged directions. In skillet, melt butter and sautee onion and celery over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Once cooked, spoon rice into large bowl. To the rice, add cream of mushroom soup, chicken, vegetables, cream, cooked onion and celery, and salt and pepper. Spread into a casserole dish. Top with cheese and almonds. Cover with foil and warm thoroughly at 300 degrees for at least 30 minutes (and up to 60). Serve with a side salad.

Ready to go in the oven  (no cheese for the non-dairy people)

You can find the original recipe here. 

I hope you enjoy this recipe too, and if you make it, be sure to come back and let me know what you think! 

Matthew 23:37
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.

Proverbs 15:17
Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.

Romans 14:2
One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.

Recipe: Ham & Cheese Sliders

Over Christmas, my mom made ham& cheese sliders from a Pinterest recipe. They were wonderful, even though I helped make them! :-D  They were devoured by the family, and I've wanted to make them ever since. I had thought about making them for the SuperBowl, but we planned other meals instead. When we were at Sam's Club, I found a large package of Hawaiian dinner rolls. They fit perfectly in my 9 X 13" pan!

Here is the link for the recipe. I have added the recipe here, but it is not my own.

Hot Ham & Cheese Sliders

1 pkg. Hawaiian Rolls, split entire pan of rolls length-wise (don't separate rolls)

18 slices (approx) Your favorite deli ham, shaved

8 slices (approx) your favorite cheese,sliced,  Swiss, cheddar, Colby jack, or pepper jack

5 Tbsp. Butter

1/2 tsp. onion or garlic powder

1 Tbsp. Mustard (I used hot and sweet mustard)

3 packed tsp. brown sugar

1/2 tsp. Worchestershire sauce

1/4 tsp. salt

Poppy seeds

Keep in mind, as you assemble to treat it as one big sandwich.  Once you slice the whole pkg. of rolls in half lengthwise (without breaking them apart), lay the bottom half in a preferably 8x11 in. pan, (9x13 works too) and evenly pile ham and cheese all over.  Top with the other half of the rolls.

Prepare sauce by heating in a small pan, the butter, sugar, Worchestershire, mustard, onion or garlic powder, and salt.  Whisk just until it's all smooth and melted.

Evenly drizzle the butter glaze all over the sandwich. Use a knife to spread evenly, if need be.  Sprinkle generously with poppy seeds.

Cover the pan with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes and remove foil and bake 5 minutes longer.  I like the cheese to be gooey and the tops slightly toasted.  Pull each little slider apart to serve. Serve warm and enjoy with fresh veggies and chips!

Let me know if you try it, I'd love to hear your review!

Genesis 6:21
You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.”

Ruth 1:6
[ Naomi and Ruth Return to Bethlehem ] When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there.

Psalm 104:27
All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time.

Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Casserole

This recipe is my sister's, one that I had at her home last summer and I really enjoyed. I finally remembered to ask her for the recipe, and here it is! A big thanks to my little sister!!

Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Shredded cheddar cheese

1 onion, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

Cooked chicken (canned, rotisserie or cook yourself)

1 can of Rotel tomatoes

1 can of cream soup (mushroom, chicken, etc.)

8-inch tortillas

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. 

2. Chop the onion and green pepper. Sauté in a little oil. 

3. Mix in the Rotel tomatoes. 

4. Add the soup and mix well. Add the chicken and mix well. Heat through. 

5. Spray a 9x9 or 8x8 baking dish. Layer like a lasagna – tortillas, cheese, then mixture. Reserve some cheese for the top. 

6. Bake, covered for approximately 45 minutes.

7. Uncover, sprinkle with remaining cheese, and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until bubbly.

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“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. (Luke 13:34 NIV)

When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given the first dream such a positive interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I had a dream, too. In my dream there were three baskets of white pastries stacked on my head. The top basket contained all kinds of pastries for Pharaoh, but the birds came and ate them from the basket on my head.” (Genesis 40:16, 17 NLT)

Recipe: Taco Soup

Recipe: Taco Soup

Several months ago, at a MOPS meeting, we discussed recipes at a small group table. There were lots of dinner suggestions tossed around, such as potato soup (which I make and love) and taco soup. That was not a soup I made, so I tucked the note away until I had time to find a recipe. About this time of winter, I get tired of the same casserole and soup recipes that I've been making for two months, and want to try something new. (I may look into other suggestions from that same meeting soon too!)

I found this recipe on Allrecipes.com here. I liked it because it is basic and easy. Quick + easy= winner for me!! This recipe is similar to the chicken chili recipe that I make, but different enough to be a new blend of flavors. Our family loved it! (Well, 5/6 of us, but my son doesn't like 3/4 of what I make, so we can't hardly count him in that mix.)


Quick and Easy Taco Soup
Recipe makes 8 servings

Ingredients

1 (14 ounce) can vegetable broth (such as Swanson®)

2 (15.25 ounce) cans Mexican-style corn with red and green peppers

2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (10 ounce) container chunky salsa

1 (8 ounce) package tortilla chips

1 (8 ounce) package shredded Mexican cheese blend


Directions

Combine vegetable broth, corn, black beans, and salsa in a pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.

Crush tortilla chips into individual bowls and top with Mexican cheese. Ladle soup over chips and cheese.

It will definitely be one that I will make again! I used regular frozen corn and cheddar cheese as a substitute (since that's what I had) and it was just scrumptious!

Let me know if you try it, I'd love to hear your review! (Even though it's not an original recipe!)

Proverbs 15:17
Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.

Daniel 1:12, 16
“Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.
... So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

Romans 14:2
One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.

Recipe: Chicken Scampi

This is an old recipe that my college rookie Julie gave me a while back. She made it a few times when we lived together, and it always reminds me of her when I make it, and those good old college days. She originally got the recipe from the Creme de Colorado cookbook, and altered it to fit her own tastes and ease.

Here is the delicious recipe:

Chicken Scampi
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup onions (green or white)
1 Tbsp minced garlic
juice of 1 lemon (or 1/4 cup juice)
2 lb chicken breasts-- boneless, skinless and cut into 1/2" pieces
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
1/4 cup fresh parsley (or several Tbsp ground)
1-2 tomatoes, or one 15 oz can
1 bell pepper, chopped
RICE or buttered noodles

Directions:
In skillet, hear together butter and olive oil, and sauté onions and garlic. Add lemon juice, chicken, salt, pepper and parsley. Continue cooking, stirring constantly for 5-8 minutes, or until chicken is done. Add tomatoes and peppers. Heat through. Serve over noodles or nice. Serves 4-6.

Let me know if you try it! I'd love to hear your review!


One of my favorite Bible stories of oil...

1 Kings 17:7-15

Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”

12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”
13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’”
15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.

Recipe: Pizza Soup

This is not my original recipe, I got this easy, delicious soup recipe from my friend Dionne. You can find her blog here. I was telling her that I am getting tired of tomato soup and grilled cheese and she told me about this family favorite at her home.

Pizza Soup
Ingredients:
Campbell's Tomato Soup (organic/ other brands OK too)
Tbsp Italian seasoning or Oregano
Hormel pepperoni (she does no nitrates) or Browned sausage
Grated cheese
Crumbled Ritz crackers or similar or French bread
Sauteed veggies (optional)

Directions:
Add the soup to a Dutch oven or large pot, adding Italian Seasoning/ Oregano. Add the pepperoni (I cut my pieces into 1/4's). Heat until it is hot. After pouring soup into bowls, add cheese and crumbled Ritz on top.

Enjoy! My family liked it! Thanks for the recipe, Dionne!

Genesis 27:1-20

When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau his older sonand said to him, “My son.”

“Here I am,” he answered.

Isaac said, “I am now an old man and don’t know the day of my death. Now then, get your equipment—your quiver and bow—and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me. Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die.” Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau,  ‘Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.’  Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies.”

 Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “But my brother Esau is a hairy man while I have smooth skin. What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing.”

 His mother said to him, “My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say; go and get them for me.”

 So he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and she prepared some tasty food, just the way his father liked it. Then Rebekah took the best clothes of Esau her older son, which she had in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob. She also covered his hands and the smooth part of his neck with the goatskins. Then she handed to her son Jacob the tasty food and the bread she had made.

 He went to his father and said, “My father.”

“Yes, my son,” he answered. “Who is it?”

Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing.”

 Isaac asked his son, “How did you find it so quickly, my son?”

“The Lord your God gave me success,” he replied.

Lunch menu questions

As a homeschool mom, I get to have my kids home for lunch with me each day. I do enjoy that, but the kids always want to have a sweet when they are done. I found myself asking them each the same questions about what they ate for lunch every day. I am trying to teach them to eat a balanced, healthy meal instead of only carbs every day.

Then I had an idea, "Why don't I make a printable for it?" I looked around online and found nothing like what I wanted. So I made my own, this is what it looks like:

FOR LUNCH, DID YOU HAVE...

PROTEIN? (sandwich, nuggets, meat, peanut butter)

FRUIT? (apple, orange, grapes, raisins, banana) 

OR Veggie?(carrots, snap peas)

DAIRY? (yogurt, cheese, milk)

GRAIN? (bread, chips, crackers, macaroni)

I added some graphics I found online for each item to place on the left side as an example, especially for my preschooler. I then laminated the sign for durability. I like this fridge sign because I can point them to that, and they are learning what they need to eat. Now most days they tell me, "I ate everything I needed to" before asking for a sweet. Some days we don't have sweets around. But when they eat well and ask nicely, I don't mind giving them a little something. My son Caleb actually told me, "That's such a great idea, Mom!" Thanks, son, thanks!

Try it-- you might just like it in your home, too!


Genesis 4:3-4
In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering,

John 6:33-35
For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Recipe: Wild Rice and Beef Casserole

This recipe is one of our family favorites. I haven't posted it on my blog since my sister-in-law had it posted on hers. But it is such a family favorite at our house that I decided to post it here too. I make this casserole fairly often in the winter and the kids like it! 

Wild Rice & Beef Casserole  

(I got this recipe from Betty Crocker's Simple Winter Meals.)

Serves 4-6.

Ingredients:

1 lbs ground beef (can use turkey too)

1 can tomato soup

1/4 cup milk

1 boxes fast-cooking wild rice mix (I like Uncle Ben's)

1 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

First prepare the rice according the box's instructions, omit butter.  If you have the quick cooking version, it should take 5-10 minutes. While rice is simmering, brown beef in a skillet.  When the rice is finished and the meat is browned, mix that all together with the soup and milk.  You will need an 8x8  or 9x9 "pan.  Spray with cooking spray and ladle in the meat and rice mixture.  

The casserole can go covered in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbling. Remove foil and top with cheese for the last 10 minutes, bake until cheese is melted.  We like to serve this dinner with a salad and french bread.  Delicious!

My sister-in-law has this posted on her blog too, and she shows how she doubles the recipe pretty easily. You can find her post here.

Let me know if you try it, I'd love to hear your review!

Genesis 7:14

They had with them every wild animal according to its kind, all livestock according to their kinds, every creature that moves along the ground according to its kind and every bird according to its kind, everything with wings.

Isaiah 43:19

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Luke 3:4

As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.

Baked Potato Soup & Beer Bread Recipes

These are recipes that I was given after we received this as a dinner gift after one of our babies was born from our friend Kim. I don't make it often, but when I do, it is a hit! A perfect meal for a cold winter night.

Baked Potato Soup
4 baked potatoes
3-4 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/2 cup green onions with tops, thinly sliced
16 oz chicken broth
1 1/2 cup milk
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup sour cream

Topping= shredded cheddar cheese

Cook and coarsely mash potatoes. Transfer to a stock pot (I microwaved mine and mashed them in the pot). Add broth, milk, celery, onions, garlic, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in sour cream and bacon. Garnish servings with shredded cheese. Delish!

Beer Bread
Mix: 3 cups flour
3 3/4 tsp baking powder
3/8 tsp salt

Stir in: 1/2 cup sugar
12 oz. beer (light is best)

Grease loaf pan. Pour batter into pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Yum!

Let me know if you try these recipes, I'd love to hear your review!


Numbers 11:5

We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks,onions and garlic.

Job 23:12

I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

Proverbs 30:8

Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.

Creative (crazy) sandwiches!

Recently, my son had a creative sandwich. He made two peanut butter and cinnamon sugar sandwiches, put PB between them, stacked them, and put PB on top. Think he likes peanut butter much?

On another day recently, my daughter Bethany wanted a peanut butter sandwich. I asked her what else she wanted on it, and she looked in the fridge. She pulled out the black olives, one of her favorites. I said, "No, that's not for a sandwich!" But she was not swayed, and stuck the black olives into the PB. She ate every last bite. I guess it was salty... I was not convinced it was as delicious as she said!

My kids really like alternatives to strawberry or grape jam on their peanut butter sandwich. Some favorites are honey, and cinnamon sugar. I remember having a lot of peanut butter and cinnamon sugar sandwiches growing up. PB and agave nectar doesn't always work-- it's too runny!

I remember one time when I was growing up that my mom let us have crazy sandwiches for dinner. We put together all different combos, and some were good. But some were bad. Very bad. Peanut butter and ketchup, anyone? Ew yuck! Oh well, at least we learned and tuned up our taste buds!

My hubby when he was growing up tried peanut butter and popcorn sandwiches. My son likes PB and chips. They were all good sandwiches! We like BLATs- Bacon, Lettuce, Avocado, Tomato sandwiches-- delicious!

We like grilled cheese with tomato soup for dinner sometimes. Sometimes instead of grilled cheese, I'll do string cheese (1/2 a piece or whole) crescent rolls with a slice of pepperoni in there too. It is pretty yummy for a quick dinner with soup on a baseball night!

So maybe if you are bored with your everyday sandwich, you just need to spice them up! You never know when you just might find a delicious new combination!

Luke 11:3
Give us each day our daily bread.

John 6:33-35

For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Acts 27:35
After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.

Pasta Al Fresco

 A few weeks ago on our anniversary, we went to a new noodles restaurant in our hometown. We found the food to be delicious and the atmosphere pleasant, but the prices a little too high. I had a bowl of pasta, and I tried to imitate it for dinner last night, and found it to be pretty close!

Here is my rough recipe:

1 package of Penne pasta (whole grain or white)

1/2 of a large red onion

1/4 bag of Spinach

1/2 of large ripe tomato

Two grilled chicken breasts, cubed

Several cloves of roasted garlic (or minced fresh)

Olive Oil

Salt and pepper, each sprinkled well

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain water and add olive oil, coating the pasta well. Add fresh veggies and chicken. Serve!

We all enjoyed this warm pasta dinner with fresh veggies. It was easy, especially since my hubby grilled the chicken for me! (and extra chicken for later this week!) We topped it with parmesan cheese.

Let me know if you try it, I'd love to hear your review!

So glad we have a variety to eat, but I do wonder what manna was like...

Numbers 11:4-6

The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna! ”

Leviticus 2:13
Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.

Mark 9:50
“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

Veggie Pizza Recipe

This is a simple recipe that I got from my friend Julie several years ago. It is a nice recipe to make in the summer because it doesn't require much time heating up the oven.

Veggie Pizza
2 packages crescent rolls
ranch dressing (approx. 1/2 cup)
Veggies: chopped broccoli, carrots, cherry tomatoes, celery, onions, green peppers, etc.,

Press crescent rolls flat onto a bar baking sheet. Be sure to seal all of the roll divisions, so it is one large flat piece. Bake according to package directions (11-13 min. at 375 degrees). Allow to cool. Top with ranch dressing and veggies. Serve cold. Cut with pizza cutter.

Easy and delicious!

Confetti Corn Quesadillas {Recipe}

This is a recipe that I found in Family Fun magazine, and I tried it. I don't do that very often, but I was quite pleased with this one. This recipe is best in the summer when veggies-- especially the CORN!-- are fresh, especially the corn. It worked in the winter for us since we used frozen corn and veggies that we could find. :-D

Here is the recipe:
Confetti Corn Quesadillas
(Serves 4-6)
1 cup fresh corn kernels (from ~2 ears)
1 cup shredded zucchini, squeezed dry (I substituted tomatoes, since we had them)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 jalapeño pepper, seeds & ribs removed, chopped (I used green bell pepper)
1 1/2 cups drained and rinsed can of black beans (15 oz)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
1 tsp chili powder
8 oz shredded Monterey jack cheese (2 cups-- I used cheddar)
8 large burrito size flour tortillas
2 Tbsp vegetable oil

*I added onions and avocado- which I shouldn't have cooked, but it was yummy!

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine corn, zucchini, cilantro, jalapeños, beans, salt, pepper, and chili powder. Toss gently to mix. Stir in the cheese.

Preheat stove burner. Set tortillas on work surface, fill one half of tortilla with filling. Spread to edge & fold tortilla over the filling. 

In a large, non-stick frying pan, heat 1/2 Tbsp oil over med. heat. Add 2 loaded quesadillas to pan & cook. turning once, until cheese melts, about 2 min. per side. Remove from pan and keep warm in warm oven. Repeat in batches with hot oil and quesadillas. Cut into wedges and serve.

*Great with salsa for dinner or as a snack!*

They were delicious, a little fancier and more filling than just a quesadilla. 

Mark 9:50
“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”


Colossians 4:6
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

James 3:11
Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

Let me know if you try it, I'd love to hear your review!