A dash of the classic, a splash of the new

Greetings to you all.  I'm sure you're with me when you think, "Seriously, Thanksgiving already?" And Christmas is nipping at Turkey Day's heels.  Just the other weekend I met my friend Kate at Crabtree Valley Mall, and I couldn't believe all the Christmas decorations.  I remember adults (I know I'm one now, but I still like to think of myself as not quite there) saying that the holidays come faster every year, and I guess this is one way I know I am an adult.  They DO come faster every year.

I digress.  I think that's another sign of adulthood.

Let's chat food.  I returned to an oldie but goodie last week.  One of the local restaurants in my hometown of Knoxville has a soup that does that whole "warm your soul" thing.  A bowl of Calhoun's White Chili will literally transport you to a cozy window seat complete with blanket, roaring fire, window with snow falling outside, and general serenity.  At least that's where my mind went as I spooned up this soup for lunch in my window-less workroom at school (a far cry from that cozy window seat).  The flavors are great, but what satisfies me most about the chili is its economic value.  All ingredients totaled approximately $14.00, and I ate this soup approximately ten times.  That's money well spent, particularly for someone who loves leftovers as much as I do.  Topped with shredded cheese, fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream (I hear that Daisy commercial singing in my head as I type), this bowl of goodness can take you to your own version of a cozy window seat.

The next dish I made this week is a combination of a recipe I found online and the remnants of my pantry.  Pinch My Salt is one of the food blogs I follow, and when it posted a savory recipe for sweet potatoes, I knew the destiny of some I had bought the other weekend at my neighborhood's farmer's market.  Cumin-scented Sweet Potato Hash seemed like a fun way to use one of my favorite starches.  Since the upcoming holiday usually defers to their sweeter side, I was glad to break out the salt grinder.  But that's not all I broke out.  In an effort to utilize some more items in my pantry and fridge, I added fresh garlic (one clove, minced), a can of black beans (drained and rinsed), a can of diced green chiles, and chopped cilantro.  Basically, I wanted to add some protein and use up the rest of my cilantro from the white chili.  Mission accomplished.  The only other element I think I needed was a good squeeze of fresh lime juice; otherwise, this mish mash was a success.

And before I sign off, allow me to share a bit of my weekend with you.

The happy couple at another wedding back in August

Aren't they cute?  Last night my friends Correy and Chancey became Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe, and I can honestly say this wedding was one of the most beautiful I have been to. Held outside at Duke Gardens, a truly gorgeous site, there were so many thoughtful fall touches, from caramel covered apples for wedding favors to the persimmon pashmina shawls worn by the bridesmaids, but that's not where the beauty of this wedding came from.  The beauty on display had everything to do with Christ, for He has done such a work of mercy and redemption in Correy and Chancey's lives.  The Lord's glory was on brilliant display throughout the evening.  It has been my distinct privilege to witness their relationship, and I am confident in how the Lord will continue displaying His beauty through their marriage. 

Adrienne and Correy, doing that whole glowing bride thing

Correy's bouquet, compliment of David @ Whole Foods in Durham (I have to plug him...he's fantastic!)

Non-foodie Nugget: AFTERMATH

If you've been on my Facebook page at any point the last two months or so, you've noticed my profile pic has featured something regarding the 11.9.10 release of Aftermath's debut album, "The Aftertaste of Abandonment."  Finally, the wait is over.

I'm not one for delay, so at about 5:46 a.m. yesterday, I logged myself into iTunes and downloaded the album.  In spite of my computer's incredible slowness, my iPod synced successfully.  I then put my iPod into my iHome (my goodness, the world might soon be iWorld, with little "i"s for everything) and played the album.  Classified as rock/alternative/acoustic, the lyrics are insightful, the choruses compelling, the melodies intricate.  I just love it.  Yes, Jonathan Edwards is my friend and there's inherent bias in that fact. But truly, what I love is the music's sheer honesty.  The album's title clearly communicates its focus: the brokenness of abandonment, a very real, very personal, very painful experience.  Abandonment has far-reaching consequences, consequences that can render you hopeless and heartbroken, but for the believer, the Lord's arm is not too short (Isaiah 59:1).  I'm grateful to Jonathan for using his artistry to display his brokenness and thereby proclaim the gospel's power over and through it.  We serve a God who pursues us through all circumstances, a pursuit that is after our wholeness and ultimately His glory.

And J-Dawg, He is getting glory.

I'm not sure I can really pick a favorite song, but if I had to choose right now, I'd designate "Hold on to Me."  This song voices our heart's desire to be valued, loved, and chosen.  In relationships, we often put the question to another, "Will you hold on to me?" And the truth is, the person to whom we pose this question can't do it.  Why?  He/she isn't created to do so.  But God is.  As the song moves to its bridge, reflecting on what would happen in the relationship if you walk away or if the other walks away, clearly communicating the paralyzing fear of such moments, the chorus comes back and powerfully proclaims what I perceive to be the Lord's voice: "I will hold on to you."  Such truth sets us free from making others the source of our contentment and joy and places God in His rightful position.  Beyond our circumstances, beyond our feelings, beyond our thoughts, God is good, and He is holding on to you and me.

So have you downloaded the album yet? 

Aftermath CD Release Show
       featuring Jess Ray and the RTA, Daniel Renstrom, and Jordan Sasser
       Friday, November 19 @ 7:00 p.m.
       The Summit (Brier Creek campus)

Here are some other reviews:
Trevor Atwood
JD Greear
Danny Franks
Sam Fisher

I Heart Foster's Market

Outside the Market

As I've mentioned many a time before, I absolutely love Foster's Market.  As I was telling some friends the other day, if I could live in the world of Foster's Market, a world of shabby chic furnishings, eco-friendly practices, relaxing Adirondack chairs, and scrumptious Sunday brunch specials, I simply would.  Set me up a cot in the bakery, an armchair by the salad case, a Crazy Creek on the porch...let's call it home.  And I must say, I do think that the Chapel Hill location is great, but it's the Durham one that has won my affection with its charm and coziness.

Welcome to shabby chic food paradise!

So, to further develop my love of Foster's, I have made good use of my cookbook, the first of Sara Foster's three publications.  I've used a number of her recipes, and one of the go-to goodies is her recipe for scones.  What I appreciate about this recipe is that she gives you the base, and then she gives you some suggestions for various flavors, from Key Lime to Espresso Chocolate Chip (the web version only lists three varieties; you'll have more in the actual book).  Previously pictured on my blog, I began with the peanut butter banana variety, and though the prep work created a royal mess, the result was fantastic, and I've continued making them as opportunity arises.

And such an opportunity arose this weekend.  My dear friend Correy is about to become Mrs. Chancey Wolfe, so a bridal shower was in order.  Everyone attending was asked to bring something, so I thought, without hesitation, SCONES!  After asking Correy which variety she'd prefer (and she voted anything with chocolate), I plowed ahead with my own variation (combo of two that the book suggests): Pumpkin Chocolate Chip.   Allow me to give you the variation instructions.  Use 3/4 cup of buttermilk and whisk in 1 cup of pumpkin puree.  To the flour mixture, add 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves.  Then combine the buttermilk/pumpkin mixture to the flour mixture (prepare your arm muscles for this portion), and there you have it.  I did add about 3 more tablespoons of buttermilk for additional moisture, so just gauge the dough's consistency.  While I normally turn the dough out into 2 to 3 rounds and cut triangles (with the handy dandy pizza cutter) from there, this time I decided to use a biscuit cutter for nice, uniform, circular scones.  In hindsight it would have been better to use a smaller circle, but oh well.  They were scrumptious.  My fork really appreciated the gooey chocolate, as you can see.

Happy Rustic Chicken

The kitchen was quite busy Sunday. Courtney, one of the girls in my small group, came over for dinner, and together we cooked some more Foster's Market recipes.  Our entree was Sauteed Chicken Breasts with Artichokes, Lemons and Capers, and wow...this dish was delish.  A relatively simple list of ingredients produces what looks deceptively fancy.  If you like bright, lemony flavor, this one is for you.  As we waited for the sauce to reduce and thicken, Courtney commented that it had a rustic look to it, and I agree.  We served Classic Mashed Potatoes and wilted spinach alongside the chicken.  Can I say wow again?  The mashed potatoes were fantastic.  On their own, the dish is simply the happy marriage of butter, milk, salt & pepper to starchy russet potatoes.  But what takes these mashed potatoes to a level beyond the norm is the Chive Oil.  Mmmhmm.  Drizzling this magic green goodness over the potatoes transforms them, adding just the right amount of herby flavor.  Make these potatoes and discover the magic of chive oil.  You won't be disappointed.  Plus, it gave Courtney the chance to use the immersion blender, my kind of power tool.  And the wilted spinach is just as simple as can be: heat one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil  in a pan over medium high heat. Add one clove of minced garlic to the pan, stir, then add one bag of baby spinach.  Stir and in about one minute or so your spinach will wilt, and as soon as it does, promptly remove from heat.  Season with salt and pepper.  You'll make Popeye proud.

The last events of the kitchen (it's taking a big ol' nap today because I kept it so busy yesterday) were the production of Hot Russian Tea (first batch of the season!) and Paula Deen's Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake, both of which are for small group tonight.  And can I just say, you know you're making a Paula Deen recipe when you run out of butter.  I had to make a late night trip to Food Lion, braving the cold air nonetheless, because I realized too late that I only had one stick of butter.  Yup.  The recipe calls for two!  I always knew that Paula's not kidding around about butter, and clearly, if butter is in the recipe title, she's really not kidding.  Now, I'm a huge fan of butter and wouldn't dare use anything resembling margarine, but I would suggest you ignore the serving suggestion listed in the recipe.  I'm going to cut this up into small, brownie-sized portions, for that's MORE than enough gooey butteriness for one person.  (sorry, no picture...perhaps next post)

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I am looking for any and all opportunities to use pumpkin puree, as my recent blog entries clearly indicate.  And you know what?  My skin might be turning orange...oh well.  No need for bronzer.

Halloween Cooking Club 2010

The trio was back in culinary action this weekend.  Oh, how we have missed cooking with each other!  With Grace Anne studying up a storm @ ECU in Greenville, we can't just get together any ol' day.  Thankfully she was able to drive in for the weekend, and so on Saturday, we descended upon Amber's kitchen with gusto.  After prepping ingredients (those onions brought many a tear to the eye), going to Summit for the 4:15 service, spending a total of $10 for three Halloween costumes (see my Facebook profile pic), we returned to Amber's kitchen and made our feast.  Following a toast of Red Hook's Late Harvest Autumn Ale, we munched on our Pumpkin Cheese Ball.  Yes, this one was a bit different from last year's Great White Pumpkin Cheese Ball, and I think we actually liked it better.  Between the paprika and the cayenne, this pumpkin packed a punch (I know, I couldn't resist that alliteration opportunity...total English dork).  And isn't it cute?  I think it'd look great on your Thanksgiving table.  And the apples with it?  Yum. 

Amber and Grace Anne showing off Mr. Cute Pumpkin Cheese Ball

The rest of our menu consisted of the goodies from last year's cooking club.  Yup, we returned to them because they were simply good, and who can really resist Witches' Brew Chicken Soup and Penne with Pumpkin Cream Sauce?  Both of these dishes are flavorful and satisfying, especially as they are warm and the temperatures have finally dropped over here in Raleigh, so warm food is most welcome.  And do note that despite its holiday-limited name, the soup is good any time.

 Grace Anne and I working on the pasta.  She loved grating the fresh nutmeg into the sauce.

The whole spread!  And yes, Amber, those are the most adorable soup bowls ever.

Hopefully the three of us will be back in the kitchen together soon, for we are truly a force to be reckoned with.  In all seriousness, how blessed I am to have these girls in my life.  Cooking with them is pure joy, and I look forward to more fun times in the kitchen.  God is so good.

I rounded out my Halloween weekend with a watching of both Garfield and Charlie Brown's Halloween specials.  Yup, I have them both on DVD because I am that cool.  I snuggled up with a blanket and laughed my way through both, a truly perfect way to end the evening and bid adieu to Halloween.  I hope all of you enjoyed your tricks and treats.