Indian Butter Chicken & Recuperation

Happy Wednesday everyone! 

We are halfway through the week. 

My fellow teachers and friends who have summer's off--it is FLYING BY! 

I can't believe that it's almost July. 

Only 34 days left before we go back to work (cue the tears). 

Today, I have an amazingly delicious recipe to share with you all plus a little update on what's been going on here of late. 

Indian Butter Chicken

What you need:

2 tablespoons ghee or butter

2 pounds boneless chicken thighs (we used breast), cut into bite size pieces

1 yellow onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon freshly minced ginger

2 teaspoon garam masala (whole foods carries this spice)

1 teaspoon tumeric

½ teapsoon cayenne pepper

½ teaspoon cumin

½ teaspoon salt

2 (14 ounce) cans of full fat coconut milk

1 cup tomato sauce

cilantro, to garnish

lime wedges, to garnish

coconut cauliflower rice (we used wild rice for convenience--for it to be truly paleo you would need to make her coconut cauliflower rice--I provided you with the link). 

What you do:

Add ghee (or butter) to a large sauté pan over medium heat. 

Add chicken and a pinch of salt and cook on all sides until chicken is browned but not fully cooked through, about 10 minutes. 

Remove and set aside.

To the pan, add onion and garlic and cook for about 3-4 minutes, until onion becomes translucent. Add ginger, garam masala, turmeric, cayenne pepper, cumin, and salt. 

Mix with a wooden spoon, scraping the bottom of the pan for about 30 seconds.

Add coconut milk and tomato sauce and bring to a low simmer for about 5 minutes, then add chicken back to the pan and let cook for 10 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.

Serve with coconut cauliflower rice (or wild rice), cilantro and squeeze fresh lime juice on top.

Original recipe found here. 

This recipe was AMAZING. Jason and I love Indian food (we are big, BIG Spice Avenue fans) and this dish hit the spot. 

In other news, the tooth fairy still comes to see you when you're almost 27 years old and you get 3 of your permanent teeth removed 

When I was about, 10 (I think--possibly younger) we went to the Dentist for a routine cleaning, x-rays, and all that jazz. It was that day that we were told that I have little to no root in my upper teeth. Before I start this up, let's keep in mind that I am no dentist and I'm just sharing what I've learned over the years from dealing with all of this "tooth mess". Most people's roots in their teeth are super long and are part of what hold your teeth in your head. I found myself googling "tooth x-ray of someone with little to no roots in their teeth" and found nothing that looks remotely like mine. I'll have to upload them for you all one day so you can see what I'm talking about.

Simply put, because of my lack of roots, my permanent teeth were not stable--with some more loose than others. In February 2008, I got my first tooth implant. Then, Monday, I got my 2nd one, along with removing 3 of my permanent teeth for a future implant bridge. 

So now, all four of my front teeth are G.O.N.E. I look like a 1st grader who lost all those teeth at just the right time ;) Thankfully, dentistry can work magic and I am NOT walking around with my front, four teeth missing. I do have a retainer with some teeth attached to it to get me through the next few months. So now, we are waiting 6 months for my gum to heal and for some bone to...set??...(not sure of the right words for that?) and then, will come the final teeth. 

We have been praying over and waiting for this (what we hope to be) final step for many, many years now and it's a little scary and makes me a little nervous, but I am thankful that it's even an option and hopeful that I will love the outcome! 

My sweet, sweet husband has been the best caretaker while I'm recovering and I am so very thankful for him and all he's done/is doing. 

For the time being, I'm sleeping, watching movies, catching up on TV and relaxing. 

Ship Island (3) & Father's Day Weekend

Jason & I had such a fun Father's Day weekend at Ship Island.

I love this sweet tradition and am thankful to be a part of it!

We had really nice weather--it was overcast and not too terribly hot which is what one can wish for when they are going to spend a day on an island. 

Crabs! We saw SO MANY CRABS and it was so fun. 

I've never seen so many crabs all over the sand. 

 You never know what kinds of things you'll find on the shore. 

 It was a great, low key, fun weekend. 

Until next year!

I can't end a Father's Day post without sharing this picture of Dad with his gift from Jason & I 

I am forever so thankful that The Lord saw fit to bless our family with him as our earthly father. His sense of humor, kindness, and love for The Lord are just a few of the things that make him such a wonderful father to us!

Love his gift? You can order one from Etsy here. Their shop was so quick to respond and very pleasant to work with.  This item shipped quickly and turned out so great. I will absolutely be using them again for future gifts! 

Order Up!

Guys. 

My first, full meal cooked all by myself. 

My hubby is a mean, mean beast when it comes to being in the kitchen (the good kind of beast). He can cook anything and it always turns out tasting amazing. 

Me on the other hand, I over salted oatmeal the first time I tried to make it by myself--let that sink in and give you an idea of what kind of cook I am. 

But, this week--I did it! 

Wifey accomplishment.

I've done single dishes before. But, never three things at once! I even timed them fairly close. 

I am a proud woman right now! 

I'm not sure I could have made it through without my Cupcake: Red Velvet Wine though ;)

I wanted to share the chicken & squash recipes with you all--they were really good & different. The green beans were just, nothing special, good ole' green beans.

Honey Sriracha Chicken topped with Crushed Pineapple
What you need:
3-4 chicken breasts
1 garlic clove, minced
3 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium if you choose)
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons sriracha (I did 2.5 because we love sriracha)
3 tablespoons water
can of crushed pineapple (soaked in pineapple juice)

What you do:
In a large ziplock bag add garlic, soy sauce, honey, sriracha and water.
Close and shake to combine.
Add in the chicken (I flattened the chicken before doing so--just preferential) and place in the refrigerator--let sit for an hour (when I made this, I didn't plan too well and wasn't able to marinade for an hour--mine only marinaded about 15 minutes and were still really, really good).
Take chicken out of the marinade and put it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. I poured the marinade over the chicken on the sheet as well.
Top each piece of chicken with crushed pineapple--I did a good bit, but I love pineapple on chicken.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Place in the oven and cook for about 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.


This chicken was amazing--I can't wait to make it again when I actually marinade it the full suggested time.

Original recipe found here. 

Sage Butter Summer Squash with Dill Garnish
What you need: 
2 pounds Yellow Summer Squash
1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
5 sage leaves (I didn't have leaves so I looked up a conversion to the ground sage and uses 1/8 tsp)
2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (I didn't use fresh, I used dried)

salt
splashes of lemon

What you do:

Wash and chop the yellow squash into medallions.
Put a saute pan on the stove top burner at medium-high heat.
Add the butter and sage leaves.
Allow the sage leaves to infuse the melting butter for approximately 5 minutes, stirring on occasion to avoid frying the leaves (since I used the sound sage, I didn't do this. I just let the butter melt and then added in the sage to have it mix well).
Add the chopped garlic and yellow squash to the saute pan.
Mix the ingredients to incorporate butter, garlic and squash.
Saute and cook until soft, approximately 10 minutes (fairly sure I cooked mine closer to 15 mins).
Once cooked, sprinkle on the fresh chopped dill, season with salt to taste and, if desired, sprinkle on juice from a fresh lemon.
Mix and serve.

Original recipe found here

Oh and don't worry, the green beans were really good too--but they were just simple, yummy, fresh green beans!

Happy Eating to you all!

Mama Carol's Lamb Burgers

My sweet Mom & Dad had Jason & I over for dinner last night and let me tell you something...Mama Carol tore it up in the kitchen. 

She cooked THE BEST lamb burgers I've ever had. They were awesome. 

After bragging sharing my picture of those delectable things, I talked her into writing up the recipe so I could share it with those who were interested. 

Here goes nothing...

Mama Carol's Lamb Burgers with Comeback/Feta Topping:

What you need:

2 lbs. of ground lamb (this made 5 patties-4 larger, 1 a little smaller)

For seasoning the lamb: 

**For each lb. of ground lamb add:**

¼ tsp. ground cumin

¾ tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. all spice

2 cloves of minced garlic

1 ½ tsp olive oil

Chopped, fresh rosemary to taste

Feta cheese crumbles

Comeback dressing of your choice (we used Crechales)

Hawaiian Burger Buns (large gourmet)

Optional toppings (we used:)

Bibb lettuce

Fresh tomato

Grilled onions

Sweet pickles

What you do:

Earlier in the afternoon, add in all the seasonings to the ground lamb, mix well. 

Once mixed up, shake in a bit more all spice & cumin. Let marinate in the fridge for about 4 hours prior. 

Form the burgers and put them on the grill. 

Grill for 6 minutes on each side—test for doneness. 

For the feta/comeback topping: just add your choice of comeback dressing atop the feta. 

Once the burgers are almost finished, add the feta mixture to the top while still on the grill for a few minutes. 

Mom also put the buns on the grill for a minute or two as well. 

Fix up your burgers, serve and enjoy!

As a side, we had baked, chopped sweet potatoes, red bell pepper, and onion and it paired perfectly with the burgers. 

For dessert? A nice, juicy, summery, watermelon. 

20 Years at LPC for Papa Steve

Sunday, June 2, 1996.

20 years ago. 

I was going to start the 1st grade that August.

20 years ago, my Dad preached his first sermon at Lakeland Presbyterian Church. 

Little did we know what this church and this church family would mean to our family. 

My siblings and I grew up going to Sunday School under the teaching of Mr. John High. Walking around after church to find Mr. Lonnie to snag a peppermint--red or green? Many summers spent at VBS, first attending and then volunteering. Countless Wednesday night fellowship meals. We've seen this church and this body of believers grow like wildfire. We've seen the building itself grow with a family life center and the most recent educational building addition. 

This church holds so much our family's lives and is at the core of so many wonderful memories.

The church where I was married, Mary Claire was married, and Aaron was married--all weddings that my Dad officiated. 

The Lord has ABUNDANTLY blessed our family through this church and all that He has done through this "little white church" on the corner of Lakeland Drive. 

 I will end this post with what my Dad shared this morning on a Facebook post: 

"20 YEARS AGO on the first Sunday of June, I preached my first regular sermon at Lakeland Presbyterian Church! I was 44 years old (and yes, I had hair, and it was dark)! The years have literally flown by, and now I have ministered at Lakeland PCA for as long as my Father ministered to the congregation at Bay Street Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg, MS! What’s so encouraging is how blessed my family and I have been to be part of such a wonderful congregation! We’ve absolutely loved living here with you in the Brandon / Flowood area for all these years. Leading worship, preaching, teaching, marrying, baptizing, “funeralizing”, visiting, counseling, befriending, discipling, praying, and most of all just being blessed by your consistently gracious, generous love and unwavering support has been for us an amazing experience. I look forward once again to ministering the Word to you this coming Lord’s Day, June 5, 2016! Lord willing, the best days in the life of the church family that IS Lakeland PCA are yet to come (Philippians 1:3-6)! To GOD be the glory! Great things HE has done! I LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH!

In Christ, Pastor Steve Jussely"

6/5/16 update: Thankful that my Mom snapped this snapshot of Dad this morning to document his 20 year milestone at Lakeland Presbyterian.
Again, what a multitude of blessings our family has received through The Lord's provision of this church and church family. What a joy and a privilege it has been growing up listening to my Dad preach The truths of the gospel. Thankful today, and everyday for God's goodness and faithfulness.