That's My King!

I dare you to watch this video and not be moved!
Do YOU know Him?

We laughed and laughed

Actual sign spotted during our Spring Break trip to Carolina Beach. Guess how many times I told the children "Continue cut'n up and I will tan ya hide?"

Grab a tissue!

If you have a few minutes, watch this video.
What did I take away? I can thank God EVEN for the obstacles in my life and the lives of my children.
http://vodpod.com/watch/1165857-walk-on-espn-video

Same ingredients, different recipe

So...How did the muffins turn out? I would love to hear about some new variations you try. Try adding strawberries or chocolate chips.

Now, there are many recipes using these same basic ingredients. Remember, always keep these stocked in your pantry: Dry milk, all purpose flour, baking powder, and margarine.







Here is a family favorite:
Garlic Bread Sticks
3 cups flour
1t. salt
1t. garlic powder
1T. dry parsley
1T. baking powder
1 cup milk
1 stick margarine

In large bowl mix flour,


salt,

garlic powder,

parsley,

and baking powder.

Mix the dry ingredients well.

In a 9x13 baking dish, melt the margarine.

To the dry ingredients, add milk.

Don't be afraid to get your hand dirty. It becomes tough to mix it with a spoon so use your hands.

Knead the dough 5 or 6 times until it holds together. The dough will not be "pretty", it will look pretty rough. That's okay. Keep going.

Roll the dough into an approximate 9x13 shape. Doesn't have to be perfect.

My rolling pin is a good measure.

Place the rectangle of dough in the pan on top of the melted magarine.

Cut thin strips in the dough. The margarine will seep up between the strips. This is a good thing!! I happen to have this handy Pampered Chef cutting tool, but I've used a pizza cutter or a knife.

After all the strips have been cut, it should look like this.

Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes or until brown.

Serve with Marinara Sauce or alongside your favorite Italian meal.
YUMMY!!

This batch lasted about 30 seconds.

Next recipe: Homemade Buttery Biscuits

The family needs to eat, therefore, I cook.

I've never enjoyed cooking. It's just not my thing. As a newlywed, I prepared crunchy lima beans, undercooked turkey and a meal that was so bad that my husband still brings it up from time to time and has a hearty laugh. But over the years, I've improved. I will never be a Paula Deen but, trust me, you will leave my table content.

Not only have I had to learn how to cook tasty meals, I've had to learn economical, satisfying, and quick meals. Feeding a family of nine can be expensive but I've learned a few tricks to make it manageable.

One important tip:

These are basic staples you should always have stocked in your pantry.

I mean, really, does it get any more basic than this? This may seem like an obvious thing, but folks, I didn't know what to do with all of these. If it didn't come in a box with specific directions, I was lost. So if you already know how to make basic muffins, bread sticks, homemade biscuits, then ignore me. But I'm posting this in case it will be a blessing to someone just as it was to me.

Today I will give you the recipe for Basic Muffins with some variations. These are a favorite in our house. Oh the freedom! If I do not have french bread or dinner rolls to go with a meal, I just whip up a batch of these. They are fantastic. AND...I always have the ingredients on hand. If you are out of milk, just reconstitute dry milk. You cannot tell the difference.

Basic Muffins

1/4 cup oil

1 egg

1 cup milk

1/4 - 1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon baking powder

2 cups flour

Combine oil, egg, milk, sugar and salt. Mix well. Add baking powder and flour. Mix until moistened. Do not over mix. Spoon batter into 12 well oiled muffin cups. Bake 400 degrees, 20 minutes.

Cornmeal muffins: Replace 1 Cup of flour with cornmeal. Use 1/3 cup of sugar.

Cinnamon Raisin Muffins: Add 1/2 cup raisins and 1 -1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Use 1/2 cup sugar.

Cheese muffins: Add 1/2 cup to 1 cup of shredded cheese. Use only 2 tablespoons of sugar.

Breakfast Meat Muffins: Add 1/2 - 3/4 cup of finely chopped, cooked ham or 6 slices of cooked, crumbled bacon or 1/2 cup finely chopped, cooked sausage. Add 1/2 cup shredded cheese. Use only 2 tablespoons of sugar.

Corn Muffins: Add 1 cup well-drained, cooked corn. Use 1/4 cup sugar.

That's it...Easy, huh?

If you try these, let me know what you think!

Tomorrow...a favorite afternoon snack.

Garlic Bread Sticks