Salsa

When I see "salsa" it conjures an image of a very specific tomato based chunky sauce, but all salsa is is sauce. Salsa = sauce = salsa = sauce = salsa.

That being said, salsa is obviously the sassier and more adventurous version of sauce. Two syllables, not an English word, etc. Especially once you get it out of your head that salsa = some form of Pace Picante Sauce. For example, this recipe for a Mexican salsa uses allspice as a flavoring. And seeds to help thicken it up and give it some roasty good flavors. Never before had I thought of allspice as a flavor in Mexican food, but, as I'm finding out, there's a lot more to mexican food than tacos.

So, this salsa. You start by dry roasting sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds along with some allspice and whole dried peppers. Say, a couple handfuls of the seeds, a few tablespoons of whole allspice berries, and maybe a fistful of dried peppers. I like pasillos and guajillas. Roast them over medium heat till they start smelling better. Add some already hot water to cover before the start burning.

A word about dried peppers. Pasillos and guajillas in particular aren't spicy, but they pack a lot of flavor. You want to find ones that are still leathery and pliable. Completely dried out ones aren't as tasty.

Halve a few pounds of tomatillos/tomatoes. I generally make this with just tomatillos,  but adding a tomato or two is tasty as well. You want enough in there so all the tomatillos are at least touching the hot simmering water and peppers and seeds. Let it simmer for a few minutes. Don't cook it too long, just enough so part of the tomatillos starts to get a little soft. You still want some freshness there. Take it off the heat and puree the whole mess. Season with salt, pepper, Goya all purpose, chicken broth powder, whatever works. Stuff with MSG works best. Taste it. If it's a little bitter add a bit of sugar, piloncillo (shavings from the cone of dried sugar cane juice you find next to where you got your dried whole peppers) is best, puree again and taste again.

This stuff is the bomb. Works great as an enchilada sauce, sauce for tamales, "mexican casserole" (I know, I know, but both my family and my wife's family have a casserole they call that, and this sauce is even tasty on those culinary stereotypes), huevos rancheros, rubbed on my face in the throes of a culinary coma, etc. Be creative.

I'll leave you with how I did huevos rancheros: preheat pan with bacon grease, fry corn tortilla a little, put the egg on tortilla, add salt and pepper and the salsa you're gonna make after you stop reading this, cover till whites are set, stuff it in your face, and sooth the pain of eating it before it's cooled down with the symphony of gustatory pleasures dancing across your taste buds.

1440

Regardless of how clever I am, I only have twenty four hours in each day.  I cannot delegate my way to more.  I cannot multitask my way to more.  I cannot expect that God will alter the course of the solar system to give me more. I cannot get more by force of will or superior argument.  Twenty four hours.  One thousand four hundred forty minutes: that is all anyone has to work with in the daily cycle.  

Subtract seven hundred twenty minutes for meals, hygiene, prayer, sleep.  Leaves seven hundred twenty minutes to do things.  

Each day.  

Only seven hundred twenty.

An eight hour job is usually longer at five hundred twenty two minutes.  One hundred ninety eight is all that’s left.

Subtract fifty one minutes for driving  to and from work .  One hundred forty seven remain.

Laundry, dishes, floors and such take another sixty six minutes leaving eighty one.

If I have meal prep, subtract thirty three.  Forty eight remain.

Forty minutes for Facebook (this is the American average): Eight left.

Fifteen minutes on necessary email. Nothing is left. Not even nothing.  Less than nothing.  

…

And I have not talked with you, yet.

Immigrants

The Great Hunger lasted from 1845 to 1852.  It is also known as the Irish famine.  The grandparents of my paternal grandfather came over then.  Over three hundred fifty Mahoneys came through New York in 1850 and 1851, the years my kinfolk came through.

I was sorting through the records for Daniel in 1850 and Katherine and Ellen in 1851.  So many records, so ...flexible the sense of names and dates.  I have not been able to identify their entry dates with any degree of certitude, yet seeing all of those names had its effect.

At that time, in our republic, Catholics were suspect of loyalty to the Pope more than to the country, especially the rebellious Irish.  Catholics were a problem for this country even in Maryland.  Yet, they came.  They answered the open invitation of liberty.  "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breath free...."

It was not an easy assimilation.  "No Irish Need Apply" was not an uncommon sign.  Yet this idealistic country opened the borders to these refugees with all the risks of disease and insurrection.  

***

Today we see the flood of immigrants from the middle east.  Peoples whose countries are ravaged by an Islamic analog to the Reformation in western Europe and the destruction of many of the functioning governments.  These people, Muslim and Maronite, pose potential harms to the west, to these United States.  ...And yet...

Though they are despised even as my ancestors were despised on their entry to this land, even so, the call of Liberty still rings true.  

Sunday Pancakes!

This is derived from the wonderful More with Less Cookbook.

This is enough for six to ten people depending on appetite and other things: eggs, bacon, sausage, oj, coffee....

Preheat the griddle to 325 F.  Find your digital kitchen timer. (The timer is really important if you have a short attention span!)

Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl.

~4 c. flour (whole wheat, bread flour, white... fresh ground is best)
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tbsp baking powder

Wisk the wets together in a separate bowl that is big enough for the whole batch.

8 tbsp cooking oil
4 eggs
4 c. sour milk or buttermilk  (To make sour milk add 1 tbsp of cider vinegar per cup of milk.)

Add the drys to the wets and wisk until there are no lumps.  The consistency should be thick and rich like a milk shake.  Adjust with more flour or milk if necessary.

A word about cooking:  temperature controls the brownness of the pancakes, time controls the doneness.  Whole wheat pancakes require about three minutes per side.  All purpose flour pancakes take only about a minute and a half per side.

I usually use a quarter cup measure per pancake.  No additional oil should be needed on the griddle.

Pour the pancakes on the griddle and start the timer.

Watch the first round of pancakes closely.  Use the first round to adjust time and temperature to achieve the best results.

Stack them on a cookie sheet and cover them in a warmed oven until you are ready to start eating.

Serve with butter, maple syrup, whipped cream, powdered sugar, peanut butter, jam, yogurt, applesauce,... and thanksgiving!

Advent Is Coming

I've been thinking about advent.  Usually it just gets lost between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Advent.  It is similar to Lent, although you wouldn't know it for all the commerce stirred by Jingle Bells and tinsel.  Similar to Lent: a time of reflection, of penance before the coming of the Christ Child.

So, I am going to give up the news for advent.  I am a news junkie.  It is my favorite distraction.  It is easy to saturate on a dozen international news streams: web, icecast....  Too easy to ignore the blessings and challenges of here and now for a handful of distant awefuls.  

So, pray for me that I may be faithful and renewed in this small self discipline.

Ideas

Ideas are important. Growing up, I was surrounded, for the most part, by people who had the same center to their ideas: Christ. I grew into that and accepted Christ as my own Savior, the center of all my ideas and beliefs. For a while, I did not encounter anything so different from that on a regular basis.
And then, I went to college. Now on an almost daily basis, I sit and try to learn in an atmosphere not Christ-centered for the first time. I find myself constantly on my guard and extremely hesitant to accept any ideas being taught without inspection because I do not want to integrate false and dangerous ideas into my belief system. I do not want to base my life on unstable and false ideologies. But, it's hard, and sometimes I feel like giving up and shutting down completely, not accepting anything. To try to find the truth and the good amidst the perverted and off-center curriculum constantly is tiring. I get angry at the statements that focus on irrelevant issues and forget the real problem. When the obvious truth may not be spoken for fear of offending someones sensitivities, I wonder if anything can or should be learned in this class. I have become more cautious, even to the point of cynicism, when certain topics are brought up.
In all this, I yearn to find a break from this in church. That is where I go to worship and fellowship with fellow believers, to be built up in Christ. However, I have become suspicious of everything I hear there as well. I have heard some statements, even from the mouths of trusted church leaders, in our local congregation and on the denominational level, that are...well, worrisome. As a younger Christian, I hesitate to criticize Christians who are older than myself. I believe God intends for younger folk to learn from the elders. However, when I hear statements that imply a doctrine that is blatantly anti-scriptural, it throws me into doubt and questioning. More than I would be afraid to learn some wrong theory about the brain, I would shrink from accepting any even potentially heretical theology. If I cannot trust church leaders, who are major instructors in the faith, who can I trust to teach sound, scriptural doctrine. Now, I realize that rejecting the church because of statements of a few people would be wrong. Christians are made to live in community as the body of Christ, not on individual little self-controlled islands. I am learning the (should-be-obvious) truth that God works through faulty people as He is working in them. They will not be perfect. The body of Christ is not yet perfected and God is working. I will not reject the church because of the faulty people in it. I happen to be one of them and unified is the only way the church will grow and improve.
But, back to ideas outside the church.
When I am participating in secular amusements like movie-going and other things, I have found myself struggling to enjoy them because of my concern about accepting any bad ideologies. I could simply separate myself entirely from anything secular to try to escape unsavory ideas, but, like I noted earlier, I would not be able to escape them all by running to the church, even though I would be in an atmosphere in which people would be (or at least should be) trying to learn and grow closer to God's truth. Currently, I know God has me where I am, going to college, studying psychology. In my studies I have confronted and will continue to confront faulty and even lethal ideologies. However, I have faith that God will strengthen me to be able to face them, weed out the truth from them, and be able to fight the lies.
Yes, ideas are important and good ones may seem hard to come by. But the most important thing is to keep God at the center of all ideas and beliefs. From there, everything else will come into line. When every idea, thought, belief system is measured according to God's truth, one will be able to tell what is good and what must be discarded as falsehood.

Living Water

What does the phrase "living water" signify?

Now we might think of living water in connection with Jesus conversation with the Samaritan woman; living water than is the gift of the Holy Spirit, perhaps, leading to eternal life as was described in his conversation with Nicodemus.

In this study that I am working through there was this as the first question for chapter 4: "4:10. What two levels of meaning does the expression "living water" have?  Look up Is 12:3, Ezek 47:1-12, and Zech 14:8.  How do those passages use the idea of living water?"
Well, another meaning of living water could be flowing water; think of the woman's first response to Jesus (basically "where's your bucket? and where is that water you're going to get?")  but I went on to read the scriptures and the passage from Ezekiel really took my attention.  It is beautiful.
Ezekiel is being lead around the temple, but there is water coming out "from under the threshold of the house eastward: ..., and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar."
and similarly the water is coming out of the north side.  They start measuring the width of this water, and the water goes up to his ankles at first.  As they keep measuring, though, the water gets deeper and deeper.
 "and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen,"
They "return to the brink of the river."
7 Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.
8 Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.
9 And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.
10 And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.
11 But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.
12 And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.

Every thing that lives, which moves, wherever the rivers shall come, shall live:
I got to thinking about those trees and the work of the Holy Spirit and how WE are called to bear good fruit, and WE are called to live in the Holy Spirit.
back to Jesus--"but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water I shall give him will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
Let us echo, but with understanding and confidence, "Sir, give me this water."

Hard things

I never thought of John as a hard gospel; it is beautiful, and Jesus says hard things sometimes, but it isn't hard book.  I began a Bible study on John that I was very excited about getting.  It is rich.  The booklet has the whole gospel of John along with extensive notes on the translation, the words, the historical and cultural background, interpretations through the church, et cetera; then, in the back it has questions for understanding and for application for each chapter of the gospel.

This is where it becomes difficult, with questions like, "How unconditionally do you do whatever Jesus tells you to do?  Do you ever try to place limits on what he can tell you to do?"

That is not the most difficult, but neither is it the most easy.  Two chapters into the study and both times the "application" questions take longer than the "understanding" ones and both times have found me feeling...well, let's just say I am more aware of my failings and more aware of the work I need to let God do in my life.  That is a good thing, but it is hard.  I would not have described myself as shallow, but perhaps I was deceived by listening to much to people's admiration.  Perhaps I was deceived by comparing myself to the world around me even though I didn't see myself doing that.  I tried to live a righteous life; I was aware of my dependence on God; but I too was aware of having higher moral standards than many of my generation.  It slips in so easily, Pride.  There is no room for pride in the body of Christ.  It corrupts.  But, just as Christ drove out the merchandisers and animals from the outer courts of the temple, He can cleanse my  mind and heart. So, with a bit of stinging may this corruption be taken away so that I can more fully reflect God's grace and truth.

Continued Creativity

After I got started the six word stories kept coming so here are more of my six word stories.

Running through the woods, fond memories!

Family's packed. Long roads. Happy times.

Late night's and long talks- inspiration.

Heartbreak. bitter tears. forgiveness. healing comes.

Mother's comforting hugs soothed my crying.

Lost my way!  Frustrated! ... New opportunities.


Okay... it's enough. Sleep has overtaken.

Six Words

My father shared a blog on six word stories.  It caught my attention, because the stories were short, some were profound, and all were to the point.  As one of my sisters and my father pointed out, though, they were all sad, some of the heart wrenching.  I, personally, feel like there is a need for more positive things in this world, so I challenged my oldest sister (one of the most creative people I know) and the others to create happy, cheerful, or otherwise positive six word stories.

Although, I have a difficult time with anything having to do with the arts: writing, drawing, music making, ect, I will try to write a story.

Feet slip. Look up. He's there.

Wild times were had. Friends endured.

Anyway, that's my shot... or two. :)

What about you?  Any positive, or thoughtful story?

A Scratch Rendang Recipe

Chicken Rendang

The ingredients:
1/2 kilo chicken, cut into chunks
Oil for frying
5 kaffir lime leaves
1 stalk lemongrass
1/2 cup coconut milk
3 tbsp of desiccated coconut (kopra)
1 spoon of salt and sugar

For the spice paste:
5 bird's eye chillies, soaked in warm water
5 fresh red chillies (remove the seeds if you want it less spicy)
1 stalk of lemongrass
7 shallots
1 clove garlic
1/2-inch peeled galangal
1 teaspoon each of coriander seeds / turmeric powder / salt / sugar

How to make:

1. Grind coarsely the spice paste in your food processor. 
2. Toast the grated desiccated coconut (kopra) with a little oil in a heavy-bottomed pan until brown and set aside. 
3. In the same wok, heat another spoon of oil and fry the kaffir lime leaves for 10 seconds. 
4. Now add the spice paste and fry on a slightly high flame until the colour changes. 
5. Add the chicken and mix well, letting the meat coat and soak in the spice mix. 
6. Add salt and sugar. 
7. After the chicken is cooked on low heat, add the coconut milk and the toasted coconut. 
8. Let it boil for a few seconds and turn the flame off immediately.

Serve with hot rice.
From TheHindu

For the New Year

Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val’s great prayer for humility might be the ground zero of our efforts at restructuring. Many people will immediately dismiss the notion, but imagine what the world would be like if people spoke these words, every day:

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, hear me.

From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, deliver me, O Jesus.

From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, deliver me, O Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may, increase and I may decrease, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should,O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

 -Quoted from Elizabeth Scalia