Kindness

Kindness is a decision.

Please, Jesus, help me make that decision each day!  Let my loved ones feel my sweetness and tenderness for them in my daily acts of kindness.  I realize that my kindness should flow freely because of all the tenderness You have shown me.

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” -Psalm 19:14

Menu

Appetizers: Herbed Cheese Log with Pistachios, Almond Tea

Dinner: Tomato Dill Bisque

Caramelized Onion Tart

Dark 30 Salad

Nutty Caramel Cookie Tart

Cooking Mentors:  Frances Carr and Dianne Corwin
 

Herbed Cheese Log with Pistachios


3 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese (Tip: You have to buy in block and grate
yourself... it is worth it!)
2- 8oz. packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 minced garlic cloves
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried dill weed
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups chopped roasted and salted pistachios (Tip: Wal-Mart brand called World
Market sells this in a bag with the snack nuts and granola etc.) Almonds or pecans
would be good too!!

Mix everything except the pistachios at medium speed of electric mixer.
Spoon mixture onto wax paper or plastic wrap, chill and form into a roll.
Refrigerate at least 2 hours... but it is better after at least a day. Press
pistachios onto log and serve with crackers.

Tip:  Dollar tree has these spices as well as Great Value brand at Wal-Mart. You
can also buy small amounts at Fresh Market.

Almond Tea

Makes 1 gallon

1 pkg (2 qt) Crystal Light tea

1 pkg (2 qt) Crystal Light lemonade

2 tablespoons Tang or 2 splashes of Orange juice

2 teaspoon almond extract

Mix all ingredients together and add water to make 1 gallon.

Tip:  If you have Crystal Light in 1 qt packets just cut Tang and almond extract in half to make 2 quarts or double the crystal light for 1 gallon. 

Chill and serve over ice.

Tomato Dill Bisque

Makes about 7-8 cups

¾ cup chopped onions

¼ cup butter

¼ cup flour

½ tsp dill weed

½ tsp dill seed

½ tsp salt

½ tsp white pepper

1 tsp oregano

3 cup diced canned tomatoes

3 cup chicken stock

¼ cup chopped fresh or dried parsley

2-4 tablespoons honey

½ cup half ‘n half (optional)

¼ cup milk (optional)

Sauté onion in butter.  Add flour and spices.  Stir in tomatoes and chicken stock.  Bring to a boil.  Simmer 15 minutes.  Add parsley, honey and half & half and milk.  Heat thoroughly.  Serve with a sprig of fresh dill or parsley for garnish.

Caramelized Onion Tarts

Makes 10-12 tarts 3 ½ -4” or 2 dozen 1 ½ -2”

Several med or large onions, thinly sliced

3 tablespoons butter

Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and toss to coat with butter. Cover and slowly cook onions, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until a golden color is reached. Turn heat up to medium high and begin to brown the onions, stirring constantly about 10 more minutes.

2 sheet frozen puff pastry from a 17¼ oz package              

Olive oil

¾-1cup grated gruyere cheese or white cheddar or your favorite cheese, shredded

Salt and pepper                                               

2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves or rosemary, finely chopped

Parmesan cheese, freshly-grated

Vegetable oil cooking spray

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Remove the puff pastry from the freezer and allow to thaw for 20 minutes. While pastry is thawing, spray a baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray or line with nonstick foil.  Unfold the pastry on the counter and, using a biscuit cutter, cut out rounds of dough.  Place the puff pastry rounds on the prepared baking sheet.  Prick the surface of the pastry with a fork.  Brush each round lightly with olive oil and top with a small amount of the gruyere or cheddar cheese, then with the caramelized onions.  Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste over the onions, then sprinkle on a pinch of thyme or rosemary and 1 teaspoon of Parmesan cheese. Bake for about 15 minutes.  Let cool for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Dark 30 Salad

Dressing:

¼ cup apple cider vinegar                                                ½ cup sugar

¼ teaspoon paprika                                                            ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire

½ teaspoon grated onion or onion juice (or add finely chopped red onion in the salad)

1 Tablespoon poppy seeds

Combine all ingredients and whisk together. 

Salad:

1 bag/box mixed greens

Crumbled blue cheese

1-2 fresh pears or granny smith apples or other seasonal fruit

½-1 bag of crushed sea salt bagel chips

Mix all ingredients together and toss with dressing just before serving.