Christian Quote of the Day

The soul which gives itself wholly and without reserve to God is filled with His own Peace; and inasmuch as we are prone to grow like that to which we are closely united, the closer we draw to our God, so much the stronger and more steadfast and more tranquil shall we become.

... Jean N. Grou

RECIPE of the Day - 1/24/2007

This is one of my very favorite entrees. It is not only delicious, but very elegant and a perfect dish to serve guests for any occasion. I would recommend a good Australian Shiraz wine. The dryness together with the oak undertones and fruity essence add just the right touch.

Beef Bourguignonne

3 1/2 to 4 pounds stew or chuck meat, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon plus 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 bottle dry red wine
1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
1 14.5-ounce cans (3 1/2 cups) low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 small yellow onion
1 whole carrot, peeled
8 cloves garlic, peeled
1 pound whole carrots, peeled and cut into strips, or baby-cut carrots
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 pound fresh or frozen pearl onions
1 pound button mushrooms, sliced

Heat oven to 300° F.

Season the meat on all sides with 1 tablespoon of the salt and the pepper.

Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or large ovenproof pot over medium heat. Cook the meat in batches, turning to brown all sides. Transfer to a plate.

Add the wine to the drippings in the pot and bring to a boil. Cook for 3 minutes, using a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot. Add the meat, tomatoes, and 2 cups of the broth and bring to a simmer. Add the yellow onion, whole carrot, and garlic. Cover tightly and transfer to oven for 1 hour.

Add the baby-cut carrots or carrot strips, cover, and return to oven until the meat is fork-tender but not falling apart, about 30 minutes more. Skim any fat from the surface.

Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pearl onions and the remaining broth. Simmer until the liquid almost completely evaporates and the onions are tender, about 15 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally to coat the onions with the liquid. Transfer to a plate.

Clean the skillet, then melt the remaining butter over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and toss to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid released by the mushrooms almost completely evaporates, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat and add the remaining salt.

Meanwhile, place the pot of beef stew on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Using a slotted spoon, remove and discard the onion half and the whole carrot. Simmer the stew, uncovered, until it thickens to the desired consistency, 10 to 20 minutes. Add the pearl onions and mushrooms and simmer for 5 more minutes. Spoon onto plates.

In Advance: Beef Bourguignonne's flavor improves with time. Make it 1 or 2 days ahead of time, then cover and refrigerate it, keeping the onions and mushrooms separate from the stew. The next day, skim any fat from the surface. Reheat the stew over a medium-low flame for 45 minutes.

Yield: Makes 8 servings

NUTRITION PER SERVING
CALORIES 554.28(41% from fat); FAT 25.15g (sat 8.82g); PROTEIN 46.42mg; CHOLESTEROL 143.46mg; CALCIUM 90.38mg; SODIUM 835.8mg; FIBER 2.26g; CARBOHYDRATE 20.87g; IRON 6.02mg

FREEBIES of the Day - 1/24/07

Xerox Color Media sample pack. They send you 5 sheets each of several different types of their paper. For your free paper samples, click here!

Sensodyne Toothpaste sample. This is one of the more trusted, more expensive brands. Scroll down and click get a free sample on the left hand side. For a free sample of a great product, click here!

Your choice of an angel or flag pin from Joycraft. They are both nice - the flag pin has colored stones and the angel pin has clear stones. They will send you the pin and a free catalog for their jewelry. For a really nice pin, click here!

The Miracles of Jesus booklet from RBC Ministries. For a very meaningful free sample, click here!

Downloadable Christian Software - everything from Bible Study help to office applications. For your free software choices, click here!

Top Ten Christian Songs of the Week

1. Chris Tomlin - Made To Worship
   
2. Jeremy Camp - What It Means
   
3. MercyMe - Fast Peak
   
4. Casting Crowns - Does Anybody Hear Her
   
5. tobyMac - Made To Love
   
6. Needtobreathe - Shine On
   
7. Echoing Angels - You Alone
   
8. Bebo Norman - I Will Lift My Eyes
   
9. DecembeRadio - Drifter
   
10. Newsboys - Wherever We Go

Sherri's Helpful Hints

Tips for making Candy

Try to make your candy on dry days.

The candy does not set as well on humid or rainy days.

Use the best quality sugar when making candy

Always use a wooden spoon when making fudge.

What is the difference Between Sugars? Granulated sugar, Powdered sugar, XXXX sugar, Brown Sugar?

Granulated sugar is the most used sugar in making candy.

Powdered sugar is less sweet and finer than the granulated sugar.It also dissolves quicker.

Confectioners sugar is also called icing sugar. It is also known as XXXX sugar. This sugar is the finest form of white sugar.

Brown sugar is a less processed sugar than white sugar. It is lighter in weight and also contains more moisture than white.

Light Brown sugar is sometimes called Coffee sugar and it is also called C sugar.

Christian Quote of the Day

If I be bound to pray for all that be in distress, surely I am bound, so far as it is in my power, to practice what I pray for.

... George Herbert

RECIPE of the Day - 1/23/2007

These are a great accompaniment to a pasta dish or hearty soup. They are very easy to make and are really delicious. Try dipping in a garlic butter sauce or pesto for a tasty snack.





Italian Bread Sticks

2 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon dry yeast dissolved in 3 tablespoons warm water
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup lukewarm milk
Sesame seeds

Place 1 cup flour in mixing bowl. Blend in yeast mixture. Knead until smooth. Put in floured bowl and cover with damp cloth. Leave in a warm place until double in bulk.

Mix remaining ingredients into a smooth paste. Place on floured board and add risen dough; knead until smooth and satiny. Put dough into a large floured bowl, cover and let rise to double in bulk. Turn and knead until it doesn't stick to unfloured board.

Divide into 14 parts. Shape each by rolling between hands into a rope six to seven inches long. Place on buttered baking sheet one inch apart. Brush with milk and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake at 425 degrees F for 6 to 7 minutes.

FREEBIES of the Day - 1/23/07

Free Johnson & Johnson Parent's Pack. Just call this free number (1-866-565-2229 - it’s totally automated) and you can get a free Parents Pack. They say the pack comes with 2 free $5 coupons for baby products, a sample bottle of Johnson’s baby wash, and other coupons and samples. If you're a parent of a baby or even a toddler, call for your free package.

Neutrogena Rainbath Shower Gel sample from America's First Source. Just answer a short survey and they will send out a sample. For your free shower gel, click here!

Walmart samples. Degestive Advantage for lactose intolerance (adults and children's formulas.) For your free sample, click here!

2007 Space Camp DVD package with Anniversary bracelet and activity book. This is a pretty cool program for kids. To help your kids reach for the stars, click here!

Sherri's Helpful Hints

For a sugar substitute, use 3/4 cup honey if a recipe calls for 1 cup of sugar.

Run out of ketchup?Use 1 cup tomato sauce, 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons vinegar. Mix well.

How to make powdered sugar: Mix 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Place in a blender at medium speed for about 1-2 minutes.

Try to use fresh herbs whenever possible-They are loaded with antioxidants! Dried Herbs are good, but fresh is better!

To stop the meringue from shrinking away from the sides of a pie, be sure that when you put the meringue on top, you make sure it touches the pastry all around the edge. This way, it will bake onto the pastry and will not shrink!

When making cookies, always use unsalted butter, never margarine. The unsalted butter gives the cookies a lighter texture.

Do you have a recipe for cake flour, but you only have all purpose flour on hand? Take your all purpose flour and sift the flour about 5 times! It does the trick.

Christian Quote of the Day

Who rises from prayer a better man, his prayer is answered.

... George Meredith

RECIPE of the Day - 1/22/2007

This is a very good muffin recipe. I prefer to use half buttermilk and half apple cider. The combination works well to give you a rich apple flavor.

Apple Muffins

1/2 cup butter (at room temperature)
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 1/4 cups buttermilk
4 cups flour
3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups peeled McIntosh apples, sliced in
1/2-inch pieces (2 to 3 medium)
Additional brown sugar to top muffins

With rubber spatula, cream butter and sugars by hand until fluffy. Add eggs and cream; beat until fluffy. Blend in buttermilk.

Add flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Mix until all lumps have dissolved; do not overmix. Add apples. (Batter will be thicker than typical muffin batter.)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat muffin cups measuring 3 inches across top and 2 inches across bottom (jumbo size) with nonstick vegetable cooking spray. Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling to top. Top each muffin with brown sugar.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until done.

FREEBIES of the Day - 1/22/07

Weekly planner from Alegro Software. This is a mini planner that is perfect to take with you or just to keep on your telephone table. For your free planner, click here!

EmerginC skin care samples. They give you several selections for different products from head to feet. For your choice of skincare samples, click here!

Eucerin Calming Cream sample. This is a really great product that I have tried and use. It makes your skin feel wonderful. For a product that really helps your skin, click here!

Konsyl Pharmaceuticals is sending out a free sample of their fiber and a convenient shaker cup to mix it in. I have tried this and it is very similar to metamucil. For your free fiber sample and cup, click here!

Coupon for a free carton of Tropicana Juice. They are coming out with some exciting new flavors like: Mango Orange, Triple Berry and Pomegranate Blueberry. They sound really delicious and you can't beat free juice. For your coupon, click here!

Sample package of note cards from James verDoorn. If you love impressionist art, you will love these gicl`ee print notecards. For a really cool sample, click here!

Grandmas Recipe for a Loving Home

4 cups of love
2 cups of loyalty
3 cups of forgiveness
1 cup of friendship
5 tablespoons of hope
2 tablespoons of tenderness
4 quarts of faith
1 barrel of laughter

Take love and loyalty, mix it thoroughly with faith. Blend it with tenderness, kindness and understanding. Add friendship and hope. Sprinkle abunduntly with laughter. Bake it in sunshine.

Serve daily with generous helpings.

Serves one entire home forever.

--Anonymous

Sherri's Helpful Hints

Minimize bacon shrinkage by running bacon under water before frying. This reduces shrinkage by about 50%.

Never boil corn for more than 3 minutes. Be sure to place the corn in boiling water, and do not add salt. You will find the flavor is much better than cooking for 10 minutes or more. Corn will never get soft, no matter how long you cook it-it will only lose its taste.

Has your bag or box of brown sugar turned hard as a rock? Try this helpful hint: Place a slice of fresh bread in the package of sugar and close securely. Let set for a few hours and your sugar will be as good as new!

Fill a bowl or pan with cold water and add some salt. Place the egg in the water. If it sinks to the bottom, it is fresh. If the egg rises to the top, the egg is no good. Save yourself a tummy ache if you are unsure when you last bought your eggs!

Christian Quote of the Day

Here he tells us that the new birth is first of all "not of blood". You don't get it through the blood stream, through heredity. Your parents can give you much, but they cannot give you this. Being born in a Christian home does not make you a Christian.

... E. Stanley Jones

RECIPE of the Day - 1/21/2007

Truffles are one of the most delicious gourmet treats that you can serve your guests or your family (the truffles candy, that is.) They make an elegant presentation and are very easy to make as well.

Chocolate Raspberry Truffles

1/3 cup whipping cream
8 ounces finely chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup seedless raspberry jelly
Sweetened cocoa or ground almonds

In large saucepan, heat cream to a simmer and turn off heat. Add chocolate and butter to hot cream and allow to melt. Whisk until smooth. Add jelly and mix until blended. Allow to cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until firm.

Roll chocolate mixture into balls of any size you prefer. Roll each in cocoa or nuts. Transfer to paper candy cups and chill. May be stored in an airtight tin in refrigerator for 2 weeks or frozen up to 1 month.

FREEBIES of the Day - 1/21/07

Sample of Keebler Cookie ice cream. They send it out within 2 business days. Who doesn't love ice cream? For your tasty sample, click here!

Sample of Acidophilus Pearls from Enzymatic. Acidophilus is healthy bacteria found in yogurt. It helps with digestion. For your free healthy sample, click here!

Degree Ultra Clear Deoderant. This is a great product for so many reasons. To get a really great deoderant sample, click here!

Zhena's Gypsy Tea sample. They send you their choice for a sample, but you can't go wrong with tea. For your tea sample, click here!

Sherri's Helpful Hints

To clean the carafe of your drip coffeemaker, make a paste of 2 tablespoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt and a teaspoon or so of lemon juice. This will make the carafe sparkling clean.

If your silver earrings need polishing, but no silver polish - try sensitive formula toothpaste. It will make them look like new. Make sure you do not use the whitening formula, this is too abrasive and may scratch slightly.

To clean ceiling fan blades effectively without a lot of dust "fallout", use your vacuum extender hose with the brush fitting and just simply brush the dust away.

If you have problems with razor burn when you shave your legs, take a hint from the barbers. Take a towel and saturate with fairly hot water, being sure to wring out well. Wrap the towel around each leg for 1 minute prior to shaving. This softens the hair and makes for a smoother shave. Be careful, though, not to use water that is too hot.

Before you tweeze your eyebrows, rub the area with an ice cube that you have run under water for 2 seconds. This will slightly numb the area and make the whole process less painful.

Christian Quote of the Day

God has promised forgiveness to your repentance, but He has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination.

... St. Augustine

RECIPE of the Day - 1/20/2007

You can hardly go wrong with chocolate and cheesecake in one dessert. These are not only easy to make, but really delicious. To make it extra special, use the flavored cream cheeses. My favorite is raspberry and it complements the chocolate quite well. For an elegant presentation, melt raspberry jam and drizzle over a dessert plate in a zig-zag pattern and then drizzle chocolate sauce in the opposite direction, placing the bar in the center.

Brownie Cheesecake Bars

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1-2/3 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

3 eggs

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

4 teaspoons all-purpose flour

1 egg

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate pieces

1. In a saucepan, melt the unsweetened chocolate and butter over low heat. Remove the mixture from the heat.Stir in 1-1/3 cups of the sugar and the 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Cool the mixture for 15 minutes. Beat in the 3 eggs and the 3/4 cup flour.

2. In a mixing bowl, mix the remaining 1/3 cup sugar, the cream cheese, the 1 egg, the 4 teaspoons flour, and the 1/4 teaspoon vanilla.

3. Coat an 8x8x2-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Spread 2/3 of the chocolate batter in the pan. Spoon cream cheese layer over batter. Dollop with remaining chocolate batter.

4. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with chocolate pieces. Bake for 12 minutes more. Cool. Cover; store in the refrigerator. Let the chilled dessert stand at room temperature for 30 minutes to serve. Makes 16 servings.