A Recipe, In Honor of Tim

It was just a little over a week ago when I got the call that a wonderful member of our church passed away suddenly from a massive heart attack.  Tim was a kind and gentle man and a good friend whom I had known for more than 20 years. In fact, his wife was in the process of calling me when he collapsed.  I was so grateful that I was able to be there for my friend as her husband was rushed to the hospital and during the days that followed.

Tim was an amazing chef who loved to cook wonderful meals for his family and friends.  He was always creating something new and delicious to share for a church gathering.  So when, I was asked to bring something to share for the reception after his memorial service, in his honor I chose to make this pasta salad that Tim shared with us many years ago.  It was one of his famiy's favorites and mine too, so simple yet elegant on any buffet table, I have no doubt that if you were to make it, your family would love it too.

  

Tim's Bow Tie Feta Pasta Salad

Start with one box of Farfalle Pasta, cooked to packaged directions. Cool and pour into a large bowl.

Mix together Mayonnaise, Olive oil,and granulated garlic until well blended and pour over the pasta.  Mix well.

Saute sliced almonds in butter until nicely toasted.  Pour the almonds along with the butter into the pasta and mix well.

Next, pour in the cheeses one at a time, mixing well in between.

Finally, add chopped green onions and mix into the salad..  Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight.

 I poured the salad into a beautiful crystal bowl the next morning to take to the service, but I forgot to take a picture.  I am sure you understand.  I am grateful to be able to say it turned out lovely and helped in the sharing of memories of happy times around the table with Tim.

Bow Tie Feta Pasta Salad

1 Box Farfalle Bow Tie Pasta                                1 c  Mayonnaise

1 (6 oz) box Feta Cheese, crumbled                      1/2 c  Olive Oil

1 (8oz) bag Parmesan Cheese                               1/4-1/2 tsp Granulated Garlic

3 stalks Green Onions, chopped                            2-3 TBSP Butter 

1 (6-oz) bag, sliced almonds, browned                  

 

 ~~~~

 

As it turned out, the visiting pastor who gave the sermon that first day after Tim's passing shared the story of the ten virgins who went out to meet the bridegroom after falling asleep.  Five were not prepared to greet the bridegroom with enough oil to light their lamps and had to go back to purchase more.  Meanwhile the five who were prepared went into the banquet hall with the bridegroom and the door closed behind them.  There they were able to join in the feasting and celebration while the other five were left behind.

All of us who knew Tim knew his lamp was full to overflowing.  I rarely met a more wise man who loved the Lord more.  He is rejoicing with the bridegroom now.  And even as we grieve we have hope.  May we learn from his legacy to keep our own lamps filled and ready for the great celebration that is coming. 

On a brighter note.  I hope you give this salad recipe a try.  It truly is delicious, but as you can see from all those rich ingredients a little goes a long way.  So invite over a few friends and create some wonderful memories of your own.  All blessings to you, and be sure to let me know if you decide to give it a try.

Happy Saint Patricks Day

My dad's father was Irish and his mother was German which made him half Irish and me a wee bit Irish. 

  I'm not sure who enjoys celebrating St. Patrick's Day more, the Irish or the Irish Americans.  Did you know that the first St. Patrick's Day Parade was held in New York City in 1792?  And that the original soda bread was made by the Native Americans right here in North America hundreds of years before it made it to Ireland?  Wherever it came from the Irish have made it their own.  It's just not Saint Patrick's Day without leprechauns, shamrocks and Irish soda bread.

I used to have a wonderful recipe for Soda Bread which I used to make and bring to school each year in celebration of the patron saint of Ireland, but then several years went by when Saint Patrick's day didn't fall on a school day and over time I lost my recipe.  This year, I decided to revive the tradition but I needed to find a new recipe.  Last night I put it to the test.

 

This is my loaf all ready to go into the oven.  There are several traditional reasons given for why the cross is cut across the top.  Some believed it was to allow the devil to escape the bread while it baked and thus bring good luck.  Others say it's just so the bread can be easily broken into four pieces.  Still others believe it to be the Christian cross.

Here it is all crusty and warm from the oven...

and finally all sliced and ready to share with friends.  I hope you enjoy the day.  Don't forget to wear green and put an O' in front of your name.  After all everyone is a wee bit Irish on Saint Patrick's Day.

May the road rise to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face

The rain fall soft upon your fields

And until we meet again

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

 

 

Harvest Apple Pancakes

We are at the peak of apple harvest time at our house.  Over the past weeks I have baked apple bread for the freezer.

I have also canned applesauce.

This morning I made apple pancakes for breakfast. 

I just mix the batter and pour onto the griddle.   Then top with thin slices of apple.  Sprinkle on cinnamon sugar and dot with butter.

When the first side is done flip over and continue cooking until the pancake is done.

When they have finished cooking just flip them onto a plate.

 

And there is breakfast.  Quick, easy and absolutely delicious.

 

Rasberry Almond Cookies

I was raised in that American era when middle class dads went off to work and most moms worked at home taking responsibility for raising the family. Meals were usually home cooked and lots of home baking took place.  And boy, did I ever have a mom who loved to bake.  She was constantly mixing something together; pies, cakes, breads and pastries and a vast array of cookies.  There was almost always a plate of cookies ready to be eaten with a glass of milk after school. One of my favorite snacks was a wonderful sugar type cookie with Jam in the middle called "Split Seconds."  I couldn't get enough of them when I was growing up.  So when I found a recipe for these raspberry shortbread bars I just had to try them.  I was not disappointed.  Not only are they absolutely delicious but they are pretty to look at too.  I loved the red jeweled look of the jam and the sliced almonds piled on top. 

My mom still loves to bake  So whenever I stop by for a visit there is sure to be some baked treat waiting for me to enjoy with a cup of tea.  Now I have something new to share with her too.

Waterfront

This morning The Investigator and I went back to the Waterfront for another visit to the market.  The weather is still unseasonably warm but already in just the couple of  weeks since we have been here,  there is a hint of fall color to be seen.

The first signs of pumpkins and squash were appearing as well.

 

Passing the market we continued on through the marina with a plan of enjoying some fish tacos at one of the dockside restaurants.   Along the way there were so many different boats to look at.

 

Once we arrived at our destination we discovered that brunch was being served so no fish tacos today.  Instead we had this lovely plate of fresh fruit and fresh baked blueberry coffee cake with cinnamon butter.  Delicious!

 

 Followed by good old-fashioned scrambled eggs with bacon.  

I didn't notice that one little potato off to the side at the time.  Isn't interesting how we see only what we expect to see?

 My Investigator chose a plate of fish and chips which was a little more in keeping with where we were.

As we enjoyed our al fresco brunch we could look out over the harbor entrance.

And watch the boats coming and going.

As we returned back to the market we stopped at the flower stall to enjoy the bright golden hues of the sunflowers.  The Inspector thinks we should plant some next year. 

And so as this lovely outing comes to an end I have brought my own little piece of Indian Summer home with me. 

"Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin. And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed as one of these."  Matthew 6:28-29