1/4 Cup butter or margarine, melted
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 T Worcestershire sauce
2 T soy sauce
2 t dried oregano
1 t garlic powder
6 skinned chicken breast halves – I used a cut up fryer
Combine first 6 ingredients. Place chicken in an ungreased oblong baking dish. Pour half of butter mixture over chicken.
Bake at 375 for 45 minutes, and pour remaining butter mixture over chicken.
Bake 15 more minutes or until no longer pink.
Remove excess fat from pan drippings with a fat separator, and serve the pan drippings over hot cooked rice, if desired.
Here was another new recipe – Burger Boats. This is good for a quick, easy supper or lunch.
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 cup water
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 16 oz. loaf French bread
1/2 C shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
Brown ground beef, green peppers, and onions in large nonstick skillet, stirring until beef crumbles; drain fat.
Add soup and next 4 ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium high heat; simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally; set aside.
Cut a wedge of bread from the top of the bread loaf. Remove pieces of bread from inside of loaf, leaving a 1-inch shell.
Position knife blade in food processor bowl; add bread pieces and wedge. Process until crumbs are fine and uniform in size; spread evenly on a baking sheet.
Bake bread shell and crumbs at 350 degrees until lightly toasted; cool.
Stir 1 1/2 cups toasted breadcrumbs into ground beef mixture; reserve any extra breadcrumbs for other uses.
Spoon meat mixture into bread shell; top with cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees until cheese melts. (For a softer loaf, wrap in aluminum foil before baking) Yield: 4 servings
I made our Valentine Dinner on Saturday because we have plans to be away for “V”Day. =)
Menu
I used ginger ale instead of beer, since we don’t drink it or buy it, and they didn’t turn out as great as the reviews! Oh, well, live and learn!
Toasted Parmesan Bread
When I made the asparagus, I did NOT boil it. I simply added it to the pan that the breadcrumbs had been cooked in, added a little olive oil and cooked for about 3 minutes. I like my asparagus on the crisp side. This was a good side dish.
And for the Grand Finale’… Chocolate Cherry Cake
So, now tell me, what’s been cookin’ in your kitchen?
Happy Valentine’s Day,
Celebrating Your Love
In case you still need some ideas for Valentine’s Day, here are Twenty-six more good ideas.
Amorous words are not outdated. Write your husband a poem, sing him a song, buy him a romantic card.
Bake his favorite dessert and serve it by candlelight after the children are in bed.
Compliment him – on his looks, his dedication to the Lord, his way with your children.
Drive the next time the two of you go somewhere, and let him relax and enjoy the scenery.
Enumerate his fine qualities, using this modified line of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s” “Why do I love thee? Let me count the whys.” Tape the list to the mirror.
Fish, golf, hunt with him – or at least read up on his hobby.
Give him the gift of time: do a job usually his.
Hide encouraging Scripture verses or personal notes in his coat pocket, his wallet, his sock drawer, or on the steering wheel.
Indulge him with the luxury of breakfast in bed-served on a decorated tray.
Join him for a day at his work – in his office, classroom, or just for lunch.
Kiss him goodbye when he leaves for work. It’s easy to get out of the habit in the rush of life.
Learn more about him. Do you know his favorite childhood memory? The best Christmas present he ever received? His favorite record? The time he was the most afraid?
Meet him for lunch. Use fast-food coupons. or pack a sack lunch to share.
New photos of the two of you can make the ordinary a day to remember. So get out the camera and frame the results.
Old, cherished wedding pictures can help you remember when your love was new.
Prepare his favorite meal.
Quips and cartoons can lighten his day. Cut them out and give them to him on a day he needs a lift.
Read a book together. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “It is a tie between men to have read the same book.”
Smile when you see him.
Thank him for the routine things you tend to expect him to do.
Uphold him in prayer.
Valentines aren’t just for February. Give him a little gift – a pen, a magazine he likes, a favorite candy bar – along with a love note.
Wash and wax the car for him.
Xercise to keep yourself looking good.
Yes, let’s do it!” Make that your answer when he suggests things to do – a walk, watching the sunset, taking a day to go somewhere, whatever.
Zzzzzzzzzzzz. Let him take a long undisturbed nap while you entertain the children elsewhere.
One great way to celebrate your love is going to church to worship together. I pray you’re making plans to be there this Sunday! See you there!
With love,
The Power of a Woman’s Words
For many years now, it has been my habit to read the chapter in Proverbs that corresponds to the date of the month. The Lord teaches me something every day from that practical book. Recently the Holy Spirit has shown me the power of a woman’s words.
Last week as I read chapter seven, the Holy Spirit showed me that the Strange woman (the adulterous woman) uses her words to seduce a man. Listen to what this passage says about her speech:
- She is loud – Verse 11
- With an impudent face (she) said unto him,
I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.
Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. Vs 13-15 - With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. Verse 21
Yesterday as I read chapter nine, I saw once again the power of her words
- A foolish woman is clamorous: (vigorous in demand) she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, To call passengers who go right on their ways: Vs 13-15 - Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell. Verses 16-18
We see the negative affect a woman’s words can have on a man. Men desire to be admired, sought after, and respected. The woman that uses these kinds of phrases and words to a man that isn’t her husband is treading in dangerous waters. She’s capturing his heart, and she knows what she is doing.
However, a wise woman should read those verses and be reminded that each of us needs to be using our words to build up and admire the man that God gave to us as our husband. He needs to hear fair speech at home! “Honey, I’ve looked for you to return home all day today. I missed you while you were at work!” “You look tired, and I’ve prepared your favorite meal and have made plans for a restful evening for you.”
Let’s take our cue from this woman and use right speech at home so our husband will be anxious to return each day. What kind of speech did you use this morning? Do you need to make things right? Do so, then love him the rest of the day with your words!
Now for a Valentine idea:
For a simple Valentine table decoration, how about using your heart-shaped cookie cutters as napkin rings? I have several of varied sizes. I simply tied a rustic cloth ribbon around the heart, then slipped the napkin through the fabric.
Here are two: one that looks old, and the bottom picture, that really is old. Cookie cutters are cheaper than napkin rings. I’m thinking this would be cute with stars for Christmas or July 4th. Leaves or apples cutters would be pretty in the fall. The possibilities are endless!
With love,
Prepared for His Coming
Yesterday morning I had my head in the sink, washing my hair and my husband stepped near and said, “Oh, no. They weren’t supposed to be here today.” My heart jumped.
“Who? Who’s here?”
“The exterminator. He was supposed to go to the church today, but the guy’s here now. Just close the door. He won’t come in here.”
Relief washed over me. I was so thankful that my husband was there to answer the door when he could have already left for his appointment at hand. I was thankful, too, that I had started the day early. I’d had my devotions, then fixed my husband’s breakfast so he could head out. The dishes had been done (by him), and I had made the bed, emptied the trash cans and started a load of laundry. Everything had been given “the morning once-over” and I was relieved that this man – okay, just the exterminator – but a guest, would not find my home turned upside down! Some mornings at 8:50 that’s exactly what he would have found! Sometimes dishes are in the sink, the dirty laundry is sorted on the laundry room floor, trash cans are waiting to be emptied, and the bed unmade. Yes, I was thankful that I had gotten up on this day and faithfully done what needed to be done when this surprise visitor came to my door. After all, it’s not like he just steps inside the door; he walks every inch of the house – every room, spraying and de-bugging! No secrets are kept from him!
As I washed my hair, behind my closed door, I thought of how surprise guests can un-nerve us. Then I thought about the verse that tells us that Jesus will return as a thief in the night. On that day when Christ returns, an even greater relief will come if we have been faithful to be busy about His business. When He comes, will find our house in order? No rooms filled with unforgiveness and bitterness. No grievances and critical spirits stacked up. Our Bible isn’t dusty because it’s been used every day. We’ve not been sleepy and sluggish, but alert to the spiritual needs of those around us. For even more with the Lord, there are no hidden secrets.
He could come today. Will I be embarrassed or relieved at His coming? How about you? We know He’s on His way, so there’s no need to be surprised. Let’s stay faithful and ready!
On another note, to encourage you just five days before Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d give you an idea or two to help you celebrate with your husband.
A winter picnic is so romantic! If you can’t do a lunch picnic on the 14th, plan one for Saturday or Sunday after church (leave the children home!). Pack a couple of warm blankets, some candles, a thermos of hot soup, crusty bread, and a chocolate dessert. Find a cozy picnic area and wrap up in the blankets and enjoy your meal together.
Have you made plans for Valentine’s Day? What romantic ideas can you share with us?
With love,
What’s Cookin’ in the Parsonage?
Sorry I missed posting yesterday. Let me make Tuesday my Monday post and fill you in on what has been and what will be cookin‘ around here!
Chicken – it’s probably our favorite meat. My husband says that many chickens have gone into the ministry on his account! Roast chicken is really an easy meal – for Sunday after church or any day! I have several different herbed chicken recipes, but last week I decided to use a jar of a spice I purchased – Herbes de Province – instead of pulling out varied spices from my cabinet. Herbes de Province is a mixture of many herbs and spices – lavender, thyme, basil, savory, etc. I found this jar at TJ Maax for $2.99.
I loosened the skin on the chicken, then gave it a rub down with Olive Oil. I then sprinkled it inside and out with the Herbes de Province. It’s a delicious combination and made the meat really flavorful. The jar says that this is especially good on chicken; I agree! It also really simplified the preparation!
I added quartered potatoes and baby carrots around the chicken. The herbs from the meat seasoned the vegetables. I thickened the pan juices to make a gravy for the meal. Mmm!
Since it was just the two of us, I had more than half the chicken left. To “reinvent” the meal for the next night, I used the leftover chicken breast to make Chicken Enchiladas.
I love to take the leftovers and disguise them in another dish! This was super simple.** New Recipe – Will share recipe later
RefreshHer 