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Peanut Butter Cookies

September 15, 2015 • 14 Comments

Some bakers favor making bread. Some bakers favor making cake. But this baker has and always will favor making — and eating — cookies. Especially peanut butter cookies.

When I’ve had a stressful day, when I need to focus, when I need to do something life-giving, I often turn to prayer and making cookies. As soon as I grab ingredients out of the pantry, I’m instantly transported back to my mama’s kitchen, where we often whipped up her famous chocolate chip cookies and talked about life, love and faith together.

In my mama’s kitchen I learned more than just how to bake. I learned everything I needed to know about the fruits of the spirit (Galatian 5:22-23). I learned how love can be demonstrated through acts of service. I learned to be joyful for all the Lord has given me. I learned that peace is something that’s available to us 24/7 in Jesus, if we are willing to tap into it. I learned to be patient and not grow angry when things didn’t go my way (particularly when I messed up the cookies). I learned that goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are not just words to throw around but a lifestyle to adopt.

Baking can teach so much about life, love and faith.

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I love the lessons that baking and kitchens can teach us about life. Advanced baking requires exercising the fruits of the spirit and reminds me to put those fruits into action outside of my kitchen too. When I think about kitchens, I am also reminded of their warm and inviting character — something I strive to mimic in my daily life.Read More

Remembering September 11 and Remembering to Pray

September 11, 2015 • 6 Comments

I remember I was playing Roller Coaster Tycoon the morning it happened.

I remember hearing dishes fall to the floor as my mother stood in the kitchen, speechless over what she watched on the TV. I remember asking lots of questions and not understanding the severity of what was happening. I remember thinking it was a movie. I remember being scared and running into the fold of my mother’s embrace.

But on Sept. 11, 2001, I also remember our family immediately bowed our heads in prayer for everyone involved in the 9/11 attacks, for this nation, and for our world.

14 years later I am amazed at how quickly many of us — including myself — have forgotten to pray for this nation and the world. Though trouble surrounds us just as much as it did then, many of us are silent, or worse, indignant.

In the last few years, amid new terrorist threats and passed legislation, I’ve heard many Christians say, “this nation is going to hell in a handbasket.” When I hear these kinds of statements I cannot help but acknowledge that yes, these do remain dark and difficult times for the United States, especially for Christians. And yet at the same time, I am convicted because in my heart I know that if this nation is going to hell, as many say it is, then what are we doing to stop it from getting there?

We can complain about our nation’s circumstances, but if we lack faith or fail to pray, we are of no good because we are not contributing to a solution.

Friends, let us not forget the power of prayer. On this day, Sept. 11, 2015, may we remember to pray fervently for this great nation and our world. Always. Let us remember that we have the power of the Holy Spirit, who is on our side. Always. Let us remember to be the loving hands and feet of Jesus Christ that we are called to be. Always.

may we remember to pray fervently for this great nation and our world. Always.

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And let us not forget that God is in control. Ask God to intercede on behalf of this nation. Ask God to turn hearts back to Him. Ask God to bring peace where there is chaos and love where there is hate. Ask God to strengthen our churches, families and friendships. Ask God to continue to help us become more like Jesus.

Let us not forget that God is in control.

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“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 1 John 5:14 (NIV)

Tangled Thai Salad With Peanut Dressing

September 10, 2015 • 13 Comments

Thai. Chinese. Vietnamese. Indian.

Lately that’s all I’ve been craving and eating. It’s a good thing my favorite Indian and Thai restaurants are not conveniently on my drive home, because if they were I would be spending all of my money there.

Instead, I’ve been getting crafty and creative at home. First with these Banh Mi Bratwursts, and now with this Tangled Thai Salad. Guys, I have no words for this salad. No words. Just love. This might be the most colorful and delicious salad I have ever made. And the peanut dressing? After you try it you’ll want to put it on everything.

The other thing I like about this salad is that it is honestly one of the first totally raw things that I’ve made that I (and the Mr.) devoured. I’m not going to lie … I don’t like 100% raw foods 100% of the time. I know they are healthy for you and all, but I tend to be more of a sautéed, roasted or grilled veggie fan.

This Tangled Thai Salad however, has been a game changer for me. Raw golden beets, cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, edamame and chickpeas come together to make an irresistibly healthy meal. The Mr. even ate the leftovers in his lunch the next day. This is coming from a guy who hate leftovers, so even I was amazed!

Tangled Thai Salad With Peanut Dressing

Ingredients

[b]For the salad:[/b]
1 large English cucumber
1 large golden beet, peeled
1 large carrot, julienned
¼ cup chopped red bell pepper
¾ cup cooked edamame
¾ cup chickpeas
Cilantro and lime for serving
[br]
[b]For the peanut dressing:[/b]
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoons white distilled vinegar
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon Sriracha

Instructions

Cut the ends off of the cucumber and golden beet then discard.
Using a spiral vegetable slicer (or spiralizer) slice the cucumber into vegetable noodles.
Place the noodles in a large bowl and continue with the golden beet.
Add in carrot, chopped red bell pepper, edamame, and chickpeas and toss until combined.
[i]For the dressing: [/i]Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl until well blended.
Top with cilantro, fresh squeezed lime juice, and dressing.

Why Jesus is the Greatest Shepherd

September 9, 2015 • 10 Comments

Last week a team of Australian animal welfare officers discovered a giant wooly sheep on the outskirts of Canberra. The merino sheep not only looked distraught, but it also struggled to walk under the weight of its enormous coat (it’s estimated he had five years of wool on him!).

Turns out some breeds of sheep, like merinos, never shed their wool and have to be sheared in order to survive. In the end, it took shearers 45 minutes to remove 88 pounds of wool from the overloaded animal, which has now been named Chris.

Whenever I see sheep, I think about our Savior, the greatest Shepherd and how many times he refers to you and I as His sheep throughout scripture. That is why, after hearing this story, I couldn’t help but notice the striking similarities between Chris and you and I. We have much in common with Chris, the overgrown sheep struggling to survive.

“All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.” Isaiah 53:6 (NLT)

Similar to merino sheep, which need a shearer to survive, we need a Shepherd to care for us and lead us through life.

When hope is lost and our spirit is downcast, we need a Savior to give us a name, just like the shearers gave Chris a name.Read More

Bánh Mì Bratwurst

September 8, 2015 • 14 Comments

Shake things up at your next cookout with these Bánh Mì Bratwursts!

Two summers ago, I had my first-ever Bánh Mì experience at Jasmine Deli, a little restaurant on Eat Street in Minneapolis. It was totallllly love at first bite. What exactly is a bánh mì? It’s Vietnamese for bread and a byproduct French colonialism in Indochina. Combine Vietnamese ingredients — pork, cilantro, cucumber, pickled carrots, and jalapeño — with a French baguette and you get a bánh mì!

These sandwiches aren’t just pretty to look at. They are finger-licking, wipe-your-plate, may-I-have-another good. Whether you’re celebrating a big sporting event or having a summer cookout, these Bánh Mì Bratwursts are a fun alternative to the burgers and hot dogs that usually make an appearance at parties.

Did I mention it’s also a sneaky way to get your vegetables in? Total bonus right there.

Lemon Artichoke Pesto Pasta

September 3, 2015 • 8 Comments

Have you ever walked through a mall without stopping in the Williams & Sonoma store?

I sure haven’t. It doesn’t matter who I am with or whether or not we are done shopping — if there is a Williams & Sonoma nearby I must go in. I want to sample the coffee and whatever is cooking in the test kitchen. I want to see the newest kitchenware. I want to make and dream about my Williams & Sonoma wish list. There’s just so much to love.

One of my favorite sections of the store is the foods section, where you can find gourmet baking blends, sauces, noodles, etc. In the Gaskill household, the Artichoke Pesto is by far our favorite. We don’t buy it every time we are in the store, but my husband points it out and talks about it often. (I’ve come to understand that this is husband code for “I really like this, why don’t you make this for us more often.”)Read More