Biscuits

Posted on by under Recipes

P1070534What can be easier than some biscuits and honey to complete a meal? I love to use these to top a creamy double recipe of chicken and biscuits!

Biscuits

  • Servings: 10-12
  • Difficulty: medium
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2 cups flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder (aluminum free)
2 teaspoons sugar or 1 teaspoon maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter or lard, not melted
2/3 cup milk

Combine dry ingredients. Cut in butter. Add milk and mix it together. Spoon 1/2 inch thick rounds onto an ungreased cookie sheet or cured baking stone.

Bake at 450 for 10-12 minutes. Makes 10-12 biscuits.

Another option: Spoon onto filling for chicken and biscuits.

Notes: At 350 it takes about 20 minutes to bake. If using freshly ground flour, these will not be cutable, but an all-purpose flour biscuit can be halved. I like to form my biscuits by hand, but you can flatten the dough and use a caner ring for a more uniform final product. Also, I often forget to pull the butter out, which makes it more difficult to mix… Cutting the butter in pats reduces the bother when cutting in.

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Pie crust

Posted on by under Recipes

I love butter pie crust, but can no longer stand the hydrogenated oils in a shortening crust. That can ruin heart health too quickly. Want to see why butter and lard are actually good for you, borrow Nourishing Traditions or Lard from the library.

Butter Crust

  • Servings: 6-8
  • Difficulty: medium
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2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter or lard
1/2 cup ice water

Combine flour and salt. Cut butter into flour mixture. Add a tablespoon of ice water at a time until a loose, not too sticky, ball forms. Divide in half. Roll out to make two flat 12 inch circles. Refrigerate until ready to use.

One tip if you don’t have a rolling pin or want small kids to try this – place dough between two pieces of wax paper and roll out will a round bottle.

Bake at 425 for up to 45 minutes or until golden. It is wise to cover the edges with foil if you don’t like overly brown crust.

Chicken and Biscuits

Posted on by under Recipes

P1070527Baking, cooking, warming up the house, eating yummy food… Can you think of a better way than to spend a wintery spring day? Yes we woke up to spring and by the end of devotions there were two inches of snow on the ground. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Minnesota has no seasons.

Here’s a family favorite recipe that can be prepared two ways – either as chicken pot pie with pie crust on top or chicken and biscuits with biscuits on top.

Chicken Pot Pie

  • Servings: 6
  • Difficulty: medium
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Prepare pie crust or biscuits. Set aside.

The filling:
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup onion, chopped
1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk
2 cups cubed chicken, cooked
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed or combination of similar fresh veggies that you have on hand (be sure to cook them with the onion and butter if they are fresh)

Directions
Heat oven to 350°F.
In large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion (and fresh veggies if using); cook 3 minutes, until tender. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Gradually stir in broth and milk, until mixture is bubbly and thick.
Stir in chicken and mixed vegetables. Remove from heat.

I like to use a single crust on top. If you prefer a bottom and top crust, be sure to place the bottom in a 9 inch pie plate first. Pour filling in, then top with another crust.
Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

If using biscuits, pour filling in a 9 x 9 pan or comparable deeper dish then drop spoonfuls of dough on so that the top is covered.
Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes, basically until center biscuits are browned and are not doughy. *I have found that setting aside about four biscuits worth and cooking separately makes a better biscuit to filling ratio. You can always make them smaller if you have more than four people to feed.

Note: Eliminate extra dishes and make the filling in an oven-able pan.

I will glory

Posted on by under Worship

So I was pretty grumpy yesterday. Maybe it’s because I’m tired. Maybe because I’m still sick. Maybe because there’s no one besides my family, who knows I’m not good, to act good for. Well finally everyone except my little Josiah was outside so I could clean up the floors. As I was working a song, that my boys have been choosing most mornings since Easter, popped into my head. My focus slowly dropped off myself. The gospel isn’t about me, it’s about a savior who knew no sin. A savior that gloriously worked out his plan from the beginning to share himself with us. A savior that conquered sin and death. My sin felt pretty yucky after thinking about this holy Judge. However, I’m not hopeless and I didn’t remain grumpy and self-centered that day, o.k. I grumped a few times, but I kept short accounts.

I will glory in my Redeemer
by Steve and Vicki Cook

“I will glory in my Redeemer
Whose priceless blood has ransomed me
Mine was the sin that drove the bitter nails
And hung Him on that judgment tree
I will glory in my Redeemer
Who crushed the power of sin and death
My only Savior before the holy Judge
The Lamb who is my righteousness
The Lamb who is my righteousness”

View full lyrics by clicking here

When all is well

Posted on by under Hospitality, Musings

When we think we have it all running smoothly, sometimes we are thrown a curve ball. A few days ago I wrote a post called doubling our size, how we’re hosting some young men this week. Thursday I was sick as could be, couldn’t hardly move without hurting. I had gotten some stitches out from getting a large mole removed and it felt like infection had set in. I slept most the day and took probiotics later in the day, thanks to Mat’s suggestion, which seemed to help immensely. Today I am feeling much better.

So what did I think of first when I wasn’t able to wake up and make lunch or supper? God has a lesson for me here. This work that we are doing is not dependent on me. Things may run a little more smoothly and people may get fed in a more timely manner, but they get fed, they have a good time.

So, if you think you need a clean home, a well planned meal, and perfect health to show hospitality, I just proved that notion wrong. 3 John 1:5-8 is an encouragement to me in showing hospitality among believers.

“Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.”

Our little rock

Posted on by under Family
Another fine day in the lake ... just before the attack.

Another fine day in the lake at the cabin.

Our Peter was born seven years ago today. We’ve seen him grow in wisdom and stature especially over this last year. There is a lot to love about this boy and a lot to learn from him. “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young but set an example for the believers.” 1 Timothy 4:12. He has definitely challenged us with his energy and strong will. He has blessed us with who God has made him to be.

The ways of Peter that we love:

  • He is an excellent big brother. 2.5 years ago Silas trained him and with lots of encouragement in gentleness he has become a much better leader. The change has been seen with Josiah. He is still an intense boy, but so loving and playful with his brothers.
  • He inspires all sorts of people to follow him.
  • He is understanding. When we heard seemingly undecipherable toddler mumbles from Silas, Peter would understand and interpret.
  • He sees things we don’t. When Josiah is grumpy, he often knows why when we don’t.
  • He is great at making others smile.
  • He is innovative. Whether cutting paper, using Duplos or Legos, or just some sticks and mud, he is always creating.
  • He keeps pushing through obstacles. Though he doesn’t always like the work he is doing (like learning to read or fill the dishwasher) he does it.
  • He learns from his mistakes. Sometimes slowly.
  • He is strong. Physically, yes. Mentally, yes. Strong willed, yes. He knows what he wants.
  • He is witty. I love his silly jokes and his love for April fools day.
  • He loves to work. Especially on jobs that requires strength and exertion.
  • He is curious. That leads to great questions, experiments, concoctions, and little boy messes that bring such joy when we are not looking to our own comfort and convenience.
  • He is adventurous and often lets Silas in on fighting dragons and bad guys of all sorts. Josiah, at 6 months, has even been able to join some Imaginext adventures.
  • He rises early and has learned to do so quietly.
  • He loves board games. His favorites include Eureka, Agricola, and Ticket to Ride.
  • He loves his brothers in more ways than one. Silas still has a little potty. The other day we found Peter and Silas just sitting on their respective toilets talking.

May the Lord take all of these passions and character traits and use them for His glory!

The moment of the attack!

The moment of the attack!

It's a deadly sea turtle!

It’s a deadly sea turtle!

No worries, Peter's got it under control!

No worries, Peter’s got it under control!