Cranberry Scones - Gluten Free

These scones are soft and moist on the inside and crispy on the edges with great flavor!
Your own favorite dried fruit can be substituted for the dried cranberries.

Ingredients

• 2 rounded tbsp. cottage cheese
• 1 egg
• enough milk to made one cup
• 1/4 butter
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 3/4 cup german pancake mix (recipe found here - scroll down for the mix recipe )
• 1/4 Arrowroot starch
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp. xanthan gum
• 3/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries

Method

1. Mix together dry ingredients and set aside.
2. Put egg and cottage cheese into measuring cup and fill with milk to measure 1 cup.
3. Put into blender and mix until smooth.
4. Cut butter into flour mix
5. Add liquid to flour and mix together lightly.
6. Drop by tbsp onto baking sheet .
7. Bake for 20 minutes at 375' .. or until golden brown.

It's Friday and all is Well

To all our friends. .

Just wanted to let you know that everything is fine with us.

Blogger on the other hand had some major issues the past 24 hours and we were not able to access our blog to prepare the recipe for today.

It seems that all the comments on Anneliese's beautiful Baked Alaska have been removed by blogger.

Please scroll down to her recipe and have a taste of something beautiful before you leave.

Everything should be back up and running for tomorrow.

In the meantime. ..

we wish you a wonderful Friday. .

the weekend is here. .

the sun is shining. .

and  the flowers are blooming.

All for now. .

with love,

Lovella

Baked Alaska

I love the fun in this dessert! Who would have thought that you can put ice cream in the oven? The trick is to make sure the ice cream is totally sealed with the meringue. This is better than an ice cream cake.

Ingredients:

Base (sponge cake):
3 eggs
6 Tbsp sugar
6 Tbsp flour
3 Tbsp baking cocoa

Filling:
6 cups ice cream - double chocolate almond or any favorite

Meringue:
3 - 4 egg whites
1/2 cup sugar

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 425 F. Grease 8 inch round pan. Line with wax paper (use bottom of pan to make template and cut out) and grease again. If you use a Springform, only grease well, you do not need to line.
2. Beat eggs and sugar until thick and pale.
3. Sift the flour and cocoa together and carefully fold into eggs.
4. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until springy to touch. Turn out on wire rack and peel back wax paper, if using. Cool.
5. Meanwhile, allow ice cream to soften in fridge.
6. Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the sugar and continue beating until thick and glossy . . . peaks form when lifting beaters.
7. Place the cake in a pie plate to serve like pie or on a baking sheet on parchment paper, so you can transfer it to a serving plate later.
8. Pile ice cream in a dome shape on top of cake.
9. Spread the meringue over the ice cream, making sure it is completely enclosed. Swirl and dab with back of spoon for design. At this point, freeze the cake until just before serving.
10. Return to 425 F oven for 7 minutes, until meringue is just golden. Serve immediately.

Persian Kotlety

One of our favorites growing up were Kotlety. We used to call them Russian hamburgers. A recipe for a more Russian version of these is in our cookbook but I wanted to share this recipe that has a Persian twist.
Ingredients:
1 lb. of ground meat
1 cup grated onion
1 egg
1 slice bread soaked in milk
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. oregano
1-2 cups fine bread crumbs or Panko breadcrumbs
2 tbsp. butter and 2 tbsp. olive oil for sauteing the patties
Put first 9 ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Form patties with this mixture. You can choose round or oval. Roll the patties in bread crumbs and saute them in butter and olive oil flipping half way through the cooking process till they are cooked through. Serve with your favorite sides. I used panko this time instead of fine bread crumbs and I liked the result.

I served them with my mother’s rice and a salad but the cutlet would pair nicely with potatoes in any form. My mother always formed the patties in this oval shape. These are also great cold in a sandwich form.

Potato Salad ~ crowd size

Picnic season is upon us...and what's a picnic without a potato salad?  The crowd-size version of this salad is a recipe we used often at church functions in years gone by...where we prepared potato salad for 300.  The recipe given here serves 50...though it can easily be doubled to serve 100.  If you are planning a slightly smaller picnic...I've included the recipe to serve 10.  Enjoy!

Crowd Size Potato Salad ~  serves 50

• 15 pounds potatoes...peeled, cooked and cubed
• 4 dozen hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
• 4 cups diced celery
• 2 cups green onions, finely chopped
• 8 cups Miracle Whip salad dressing
• 1/3 cup prepared mustard
• 3 tablespoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper
• 1/2 cup vinegar

Potato Salad ~ serves 10

• 7-8 cups potatoes, peeled, cooked and cubed
  
• 10 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
  
• 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup green onions, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups Miracle Whip salad dressing
• 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
• 1/2 Tablespoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 Tablespoon vinegar

1. Combine potatoes, eggs, celery and green onions in large mixing bowl.
2. Mix remaining ingredients together well and pour over potato mixture...stirring until combined.
3. Cover and chill until serving.

Berry Apple Crisp Bar for a Crowd

If you still have berries in the freezer from last summer and have a crowd to feed. ..this is a great and very tasty option for a dessert.  Apples are a great addition to the berries as they add a mellow flavour to the mix.

This crisp serves up almost like a fruit bar.  Using some of the crumbs for a base helps to ease in serving the dessert evenly and makes a chewy base with a crispy topping.

• 15 cups frozen mixed berries (blueberries, blackberries and raspberries)
• 6 large apples peeled, cored and sliced
• 3 cups white sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 6 cups old fashioned oatmeal
• 2  cups brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 1 1/2 cup butter 
• 2 cups chopped walnuts

1. Mix together the frozen berries  and apples in a large saucepan or a large microwaveable bowl.  Warm the berries until they are thawed and begin to release their juices.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar and cornstarch. 
3. Add to the berry/apple mix.  Heat until the cornstarch begins to clear.  Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, combine the oatmeal, sugar and flour.
5. Cut the butter in with a pastry blender or use your hands until coarse crumbs form and the butter is well distributed.
6. Add the walnuts.
7. In a large rectangular non stick roaster or regular roasting pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray, scatter 3 cups of the crumbs to cover the bottom.  
8. Spoon the berry/apple mixture evenly over the crumbs.
9. Sprinkle the remaining crumbs to cover the berry mixture.
10. Bake in a 350 oven about 1 1/2 hours.  The edges should be bubbling up berries and the crumbs should we golden brown and crisp. Before declaring it done, take a small spoon from the center and dig into the berries to make sure they are bubbly and the cornstarch has cleared.
11. Serve warm or rewarm at 300 for 15 minutes before serving. 
12. Cut into 30 pieces. Use a egg lifter to remove squares. Serve with ice cream.
13. Refrigerate the leftovers. Since it will set once it chills you can serve the leftovers like a bar.  

Speaking of crowds. . we'd  love to see you at the Book Launch Party at House of James tonight.  We've been enjoying book signing this last weekend meeting  so many of you already and would love the opportunity to meet more of you.  We'll sign your book and serve up some samples from the book.  To see what we've been up to. ..scroll down the page to read our personal blogs.

Bread for the Journey

Her children rise up and call her blessed!

Proverbs 31:28

As I read about the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31, it is my mother that comes to mind. For her, beauty was not about outward appearances...but came from within. She was generous, kind and hospitable. She worked tirelessly from morning until night...with a strength that never seemed to fade. Everyone was welcome in her home...there was always room for one more at the table. She was a wonderful homemaker...and skilled with her hands. She sewed, knit and crocheted for all of us...and turned out needlepoint pictures that were works of art. She spent her life giving...with hardly a thought for herself. Even in the last few hours of her life, she reminded us that she had prepared a lot of food...we should be sure to cook the cabbage rolls and the pies that were in the freezer. Always thinking of others...always giving to us...and sometimes with hardly a word of thanks in return!

She left us far too soon...and with little warning. In July 2000 she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer...and three weeks later she was gone.  There have been so many moments since then that I would have loved to share with her. I wish I could thank her today for all she meant to me.  If you have words of blessing for your mom...share them with her while you still can!

We here at MGCC are a group of ten women...only four who still have a mother that can be honoured in person today.  The rest of us pay tribute to our moms by sharing the memories.  Here's a few wonderful words about our mothers on this Mother's Day...

My mother is probably the most unselfish person I have known and, adding to that, she is trustworthy, honest and faithful. There are women who are more concerned about charm and beauty, which is fleeting, but she is to be praised for fearing the Lord.  ~Anneliese

My mother loved to cook and bake, nothing made her happier than having the family home for meals. She loved people and had a great sense of humour..I miss you Mom.  ~ Betty

My mother worked hard at allowing her 2 girls to be who they were called to be.  She only ever praised my homemaking skills even though they left much to be desired at times.  She supported my sister and I in all our activities. She was as quick to admit her faults and ask for forgiveness as she was to forgive when we hurt her. She was wasn't afraid to try something new and was a bundle of energy. She also exemplified hospitality and knew how to make each guest feel very special.  I miss her so much.  ~ Bev

I am one of the four that is blessed to still have their mother.  I am so thankful for her generous gift of hospitality and her tender heart toward God.  In spite of her own health being compromised she still carries on in the kitchen blessing others as she can.  Thank you for your true example to us mom, we love you. ~ Char

My mother taught me by example that it is worthwhile to make sacrifices for your family. She worked hard to feed and clothe us with very few resources. To this day her greatest example is her love, respect and loyalty to my father.~Ellen

I am thankful to still have my mother - at 87 she is still in good health and active. I do not remember my Mom ever being idle.  She was a hard worker and nothing that could be done today was left for tomorrow.   The huge vegetable garden she planted every year always yielded a bumper harvest.   Meal times were important and the family was always together around the table.  She has lived her life focused on her family - their needs always came before her own -  and I know how much she loves her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. ~ Julie

I am thankful for the  many character qualities my mom modeled for me. As her own family grew when the four of her children married and the grand kids came along, it was her desire to allow everyone to be who they were and to accept each of us for who we were. She was not a woman who sought attention for herself, but thought of others and showed grace and love in relationships. Today I thank my Heavenly Father for my mom, who I look forward to celebrating life with again one day in heaven.  ~Kathy

My mom let me get my hands in the dough when I was still little and she got a kick out of serving my odd shaped buns to company ..declaring them just fine. She valued teaching me to have an obedient and sensitive heart to Jesus and made me feel loved and cherished. If I love my children unconditionally ..it is because I learned from her example. I am thankful for my mom who is waiting for me at home. ..her heavenly home.  ~Lovella

When I think of my mother, I think of her as someone who loved unconditionally and extended a heart of grace.  She had a heart to share her life with others and more than that, she wanted to listen to others and offer them hope and encouragement.  A cup of coffee was always offered to her guests or family in a very simplistic way, but filled with hospitality.   She was always there for me.   I miss her dearly. ~ Marg

And so today we honour these ten godly women who are our mothers.   We could each have written a lovely tribute to our moms-in-law today as well.  How blessed we all have been to have such wonderful women in our lives!

To all of you who are mothers...I wish you a very Happy Mother's Day!  And be sure to 'rise up and bless' the special mothers in your life. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Ganache Torte

We have a book signing at Winks today between 9 and 2:30 . .

and Lepp Farm Market between 11 and 4. 

We'll be taking turns at the two places so that you can come buy your book for Mother's Day.

For more information please check the book information page by clicking on the link on your right.

There is also a book launch Party at House of James on Monday evening at 7 pm. 

Hope to see you all there!

All of you  :)

My girlfriend gave me this recipe years ago and I had it posted on my personal blog and now was asked by another friend where that recipe was and so I'm posting it here . .

so we all know where it is.

It is naturally Gluten free and smooth and easy to make for your Mother's Day dessert.



• 3 cups whole pecans
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup melted butter

1. Put the pecans and sugar into a food processor and pulse until the pecans are ground into crumbs.  Add the melted butter and pulse several times to combine.
2. Pour the crumbs into a large spring form pan or more preferably a tart pan with a removable bottom.
3. Press the crumbs to the sides up 1/2 inch and on the bottom.
4. Put the pan on a cookie sheet and Bake at 325 for 30 minutes or until the crust is lightly browned.

• 3/4 pound good quality chocolate chopped
• 1 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 egg yolk

1. Put the chopped chocolate and the cream into a large microwave safe bowl. Heat on low and stir every minute until it is melted.
2. Stir until silky smooth.
3. Add a bit of warm chocolate to a beaten egg yolk in a small bowl ..add a little more until you have a total of 1 cup of warm chocolate and egg.  Add this back to the full amount of chocolate and continue to stir on low heat  on low heat for about one minute until it takes on a slightly custardy consistency.
4. Pour into the crust and refrigerate.

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

1. In a small saucepan heat over medium heat the butter and the sugar, stirring constantly.
2. Continue to stir until it turns a caramel color.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the cream.  Keep stirring until it is nice and smooth.  If it doesn't turn smooth, put it back on the heat but only just to warm it again. .keep stirring.
4. Let cool and serve over the ganache torte.

Carne Asada Marinade

Today is Cinco de Mayo so I wanted to share a Mexican recipe with you.

Carne Asada (or Pollo Asada)

This is a great marinade for steak. You can use it for chicken, too, Pollo Asada. Use skirt steak or flap meat, but any thin cut steak would work. This recipe is for up to 4 pounds of meat. Plan ahead because the meat will need to marinate for several hours. You can use 4 pounds of chicken breast meat also.

The dry seasoning combination in this recipe also is great for Chili.

1 - Lime juiced
1 - Lemon juiced
1/2 Cup - Orange Juice
2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
1-l/2 Tablespoons Dried Oregano leaves
2 Tablespoons Ground Cumin
5 Cloves of Garlic chopped
1/2 Cup Red Wine Vinegar
4 Tablespoons Olive oil
1 teaspoon Salt
1/2 Bunch Cilantro, chopped (not stems)

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk together then pour the marinade into a 1-gallon ziploc bag.
   
2. Add meat, seal and massage marinade into meat. If you don't have a ziploc bag you can put the marinade in a shallow baking dish and add the meat and massage the marinade into the meat and cover with plastic wrap.
   
3. Marinate in bag for up to 24 hours, turning and massaging frequently. 4-6 hours for beef and 2-4 hours for chicken would work fine, also.
4. Grill to medium rare for beef and of course for chicken till it is cooked thoroughly. It wasn't grilling weather when we made this so I just cooked it under the broiler for about 8 minutes on each side. It was well done. For rarer meat adjust the cooking time.
   
5. Serve whole portions with rice and beans, sliced, or diced for tacos or burritos!

Oat Bran Date Chip Cookies

Chopped dates and chocolate chips pair well together

for a coffee break treat.

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup oat bran
• 1/2 cup rice krispies
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup finely chopped dates (or raisins)
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Method:

1. Cream butter. Add sugar, egg, water and beat well.
2. Add flour, oat bran, baking soda and baking powder. Beat until incorporated with butter mixture.
3. Add rice krispies, chocolate chips and dates.
4. Bake at 350º for 9-11 minutes. Remove to cooling rack immediately. Yields 2 dozen.

Quick Pizza on Naan

Naan bread is a type of flat, leavened Indian bread. I'd like to try making it on our grill sometime, but since it's readily available in our area, I buy it ready-made and like to have it on hand, either in the freezer or fridge... to make quick individual pizzas.

Ingredients for four:

• 1 pkg naan bread (4 servings)
• 1/2 cup spaghetti or pizza sauce
• 12 thin slices smoked sandwich ham or turkey, coarsely chopped
• 2 cups grated mozzarella and cheddar cheese
• dried basil
• dried oregano

Method:

1. Spread bread lightly with your favorite sauce. ( I usually have a started jar of spaghetti sauce in the fridge)
2. Top with chopped ham and/or turkey slices and cheese.
3. Sprinkle with dried herbs.
4. Bake at 400 F about 5-10 minutes, until cheese bubbles.

Dill and Cheese Bread/Buns

Friday is often soup day around here and I like serving different breads along with the soup. This dill and cheese bread is a nice change, if you like the flavor of dill. If you do not have a blender, don't worry. I don't think I would use a blender next time, I like to see the cheese and onions in my buns.

In a blender combine the following:

• 1/2 cup of very warm water
• 1 cup of creamed cottage cheese
• 2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons dill (I used 1 tbsp. dried)
• 1 tablespoon oil

Mix together in a bowl:

• 2 cups of flour
• 1/3 cup of wheat or oat bran
• 1 tablespoon quick rise yeast

1. Stir the dry ingredients until mixed through
2. Pour the blender ingredients over the dry ingredients
3. Knead for a few minutes adding a bit of flour at a time so the dough is not to sticky, about 1/4 cup in total is what I needed.
4. Put the dough in a greased bowl and let rise til double.
5. Make into buns or place it all into a greased casserole dish for a loaf of bread.
6. Again let rise until double, about an hour.
7. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 40 minutes for the loaf and 18-20 minutes for the buns.

Bread for the Journey

I fought back unexpected tears as I stepped over the threshhold of this home.  One sees photos of people living in shacks or one may even pass them by when travelling, but to actually step into one, is something I've never really thought about.

Our daughter, with her family, lives in Indonesia where they serve with a non-profit organization. When we went to visit them recently, she took me to this home (their neighbors) to take some things for the new baby. In this shack lives a woman, her daughter, about 6 teenagers/young adults and now a newborn baby. They told my daughter that their home (another island  - where they come from) is many days away by ship. To have them understand how far Canada is, she told them that it is about 2 months away by ship! They were shocked.

In reflecting about this my daughter wrote, "Really, that's not very far ... when I think about where Jesus came from. He left perfection, absolute beauty, endless love, holiness, streets of gold ... and came to sin, filth, hate, brokenness and walked these dirt roads with sandalled feet. How far He came."

I've been thinking about this. We just celebrated Easter and the fact that Jesus came from heaven to walk on this earth and die for our sins, so that we can live in the home He is preparing for us.  How far am I willing to go to let others know of the hope they can have? God is no respecter of people. He loves us all. No matter what mess we live in, He invites us to come to His banquet table. 

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me." Revelations 3:20

Jesus paid the price.