Archive from September, 2009

Village blessings

Sep 14, 2009 by     1 Comment     Posted under: blessings, Blogroll, Grocery Challenge, saving money

John and I arrived Friday afternoon to begin our work with Domingo in the book of Hebrews. I had so many leftovers that we’ve been eating those almost exclusively except for our new Friday night ritual of a NEW pasta dish (see postings below for recipes). By Saturday I had used all my lettuce  and Sunday I used the last bit of frozen peas I had.  Sunday night I sliced the last 1/2 of the cucumber and a tomato to go with our pickled fish and sardines. I went through the cupboards and found a small can of peas, shredded beets and some pickled peppers for today. I confess, I asked the Lord for vegetables. I’ve learned that when I fully depend on Him and am in constant prayer for people and circumstances throughout the day, it encourages me to see Him provide. He is always faithful to me and I love to feel His blessing.

Here is my answer to prayer:

We have been enjoying them all day and I’m preparing and freezing all the peaches for a pie in the future.

It really is the small things that gives me joy.

Friday Pasta Night #3

Sep 12, 2009 by     1 Comment     Posted under: Blogroll, recipes
pasta

pasta

This week, I tried a rather common recipe, although I myself have never made it.

I’ll serve this to Spanish guests as a 1st plate.

*For the next day, I used the leftover Fettuccine alla Carbonara along with some spaghetti sauce (with hamburger) + mozzarella cheese, mixed together to make another meal.

Fettuccine alla Carbonara

3/4 pound uncooked fettuccine or spaghetti

4oz. pancetta (Italian bacon) or bacon cut in pieces

3 cloves of garlic (cut in halves)

1/4 cup dry white wine

1/3 cup heavy or whipping cream

2 eggs

2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided

generous dash of pepper

fresh oregano leaves for garnish

  1. Cook fettuccine in large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions, just until al dente; remove from heat, Drain well, return to pot
  2. Cook and stir pancetta and garlic in large skillet over medium low heat 4 mins or until pancetta is light brown. Discard garlic & remaining drippings.
  3. Add wine to pancetta mixture; cook over medium hear 3 mins or until wine is almost evaporated. Stir in cream; cook and stir 2 mins. Remove from heat.
  4. Whisk eggs on top of double broiler. Place top of double boiler over simmering water. Whisk 1/3 of cheese & pepper into egg mixture; cook and stir until sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Pour pancetta mixture over fettuccine in pot, toss to coat. Heat over medium-low heat until heated through. Stir in egg mixture. Toss to coat evenly. Remove from heat. Serve with remaining 1/3 cheese. Garnish, if desired.

Friday Pasta Night-2

Sep 4, 2009 by     2 Comments    Posted under: Blogroll, recipes
Pasta Night!

Pasta Night!

Tonight I’m fixing this ‘lite’ pasta dish. In our house what constitutes ‘lite’ is no meat or seafood.  Since I’m on a strict budget, I have to look for cheap fun anywhere I can.

Ok… so here is the recipe for tonight:

Pasta House Pasta Con Broccoli

This is the acutal recipe (not a copycat) as posted on their website and as printed in the St. Louis Post Dispatch. THE REAL DEAL HERE MY FRIENDS (there are others posted on this website, but none of them are this exact recipe). This is so yummy and is a St. Louis tradition. This recipe serves 2, so feel free to double or triple it to feed your family. Serve as a main dish (as they do) with a Pasta House Salad on the side! It also makes a nice side dish to grilled chicken.

20 min | 5 min prep

SERVES 2

  1. Cook pasta until half done (about 4 minutes); drain. Return pasta to the pot.
  2. Add cream, butter, garlic, tomato sauce, broccoli, salt and pepper. Bring to a hard boil.
  3. When noodles are fully cooked and sauce is starting to thicken, add mushrooms and stir to combine.
  4. Remove from the heat; add cheese.
  5. Toss and serve.

* the only change I will make is the mushrooms. Instead of fresh I will used the dried ones I have softened in water 1st.