Cheesecake Pecan Pie

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

Pastry for 9 inch pie – homemade or store bought

Cheesecake Filling

8 oz. cream cheese – softened

1 large egg

1/2 cup sugar

1 t. vanilla

1/4 t. salt

1 1/4 cups chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350^.  Place the oven rack at the bottom position.  Butter the bottom and sides of a 9 inch pie pan.  Fit pie crust into the pie pan.

Using a mixer on medium speed mix all of the above ingredients, except the pecans and until smooth.  Pour into pie shell and then top with the pecans.

Make Pie Filling

1 cup light corn syrup

3 large eggs

1/4 cup sugar

1 t. vanilla

Mix all together and pour over the pecan mixture.

Place pie pan on a baking sheet.  Bake 50-55 minutes or until pie is set.  Cool on wire rack for about an hour.  Cover and chill if not serving immediately.

I have not tested this recipe, but all of the ingredients and procedures sound like they would work.  I will be testing this soon.  Let me know what you think.

Overnight Chicken Bake

Isaiah 32:16  “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undistrubed places of rest, ” Says the Lord.

It has been a long time since I last posted.  So sorry I have neglected this blog.  Thank you to everyone who has continued to visit.  This is a recipe that is great for busy people.  We used this at our Saturday Free Meal program.  You just need to multiply the amounts and fix each casserole.  Each casserole feeds 12-15 in a 9 x 13 pan.

2 cups UNCOOKED macaroni – that’s right uncooked, that is what makes it so easy

2 cups water

2 cups cooked chicken

4 hard boiled eggs – optional

2 10oz. cans of cream of mushroom or chicken soup

1/2 lb. Velveeta cheese – cubed

Combine all in the refrigerator overnight.  Bake uncovered 1 hour at 325^.  You may need to add some additional water while cooking.

Variations:  You can use ham instead of chicken and use cream of mushroom or celery soup.

Mid-year Update

Manna well be entering year number FIVE beginning in September.  I am constantly amazed at how God is working through Manna.  None of this would have been possible without all of the many volunteers and contributions from the NUMC family, community and other organizations.  I just completed some figures for a funding request for the Beef Cattle Association.  They have been wonderful supporters of Manna from the first year.  From July of 2011 to July 2012 we have served 9821 meals.  That is an average of 182 meals per week.  Because of the wonderful donations from God’s Hands Food Pantry, God’s Pantry and others who have donated meats and fresh produce, etc. we have been able to reduce our meal costs to about $.75 cents a meal.  This is down from last years costs of $1.25.  The increase last year was due to the increased number of take outs and the cost of the take out containers.  We have served a total of 24,078 meals through July 14th since we began the program in September of 2008.  If we average the number of diners that we have had so far this year we will serve over 9500 meals this year alone.  We could hit 10,000 meals this year, because two of our largest meals (Jamboree and Christmas) usually have more than the average number of diners.  With our average number of diners we are experiencing an increase of 18 diners per week over 2011.  New Beginning is continuing to serve the community with their clothing give away each month.  Fresh Start has given away as many as 80 bags of toiletries recently.  Together we are making a Difference in the community in God’s name.  We can always use more volunteers.  You will be more blessed than the time that you give.  Our volunteers range in range from 90+ to toddlers.  There is something for everyone to do.  Come and join us and help to expand the Kingdom here on Earth.

Help name the New Cookbook

Psalm 119: 32  I run in the path of your commands, O Lord, for you have set my heart free.

I have finished editing my newest cookbook.  I will be selecting the cover, design, etc.  The only problem is that I don’t have a NAME for this new book.  It will contain 250 recipes that I have prepared for my family on Sunday dinners, church pot lucks and regular dinners.  The first book was “Family Favorites”, which is currently sold out.  This book has many of the recipes from Family Favorites, but many new recipes as well.  Let me know your creative titles.  If I choose your Title you will WIN a FREE cookbook when it is published.  Looking for some creative ideas.  Get Ready – Set – Go – Get Creative.

New Business Venture

Philippians 4:13  I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible and so appropriate for this post.

My daughter has just started her own company.  She strongly believes in trying to help small businesses to reach their full potential.  Her company:   JMS Marketing Solutions has been developed to help those businesses gain exposure through internet and social media avenues.  If you have a business:  Do you have a website, do you have a Facebook and/or Twitter account, can you send out a newsletter?   If you have a small business and you do not have a web presence you are not in tune with the modern generation.  Contact JMC Marketing to find out how they can help you expand your business.  Their rates are very reasonable.  Their web site is:  www. jmsmarketingsolutions.com  Check out the link on My Blogroll.

Carrot Casserole

2 Thessalonians 3:3  The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you form the evil one.

This was a dish at a recent Pot Luck.  I ask for the recipe and repeated it today for a family dinner.  It was a big hit.

2 cans carrots – drained and mashed with a fork or a pastry cutter

1/2 medium onion – sauteed in 3 T. margarine until translucent

1 box corn bread stuffing mix

1 stick margarine or butter – melted

1 can cream of mushroom soup

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Mix all together and place into a greased 2 quart casserole.  Bake in a 350^ oven for 30-35 minutes.  Great way to sneak carrots into your children’s diet.  This is a wonderful casserole.

Raisin Cider Sauce for Pork or Ham

Proverbs 15:1  A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

I catered a banquet last Thursday and prepared this sauce for the roasted Pork Loin and everyone said it was Great.    At our Church’s Free Meal today we also served this over Ham.

Equal parts of Apple Cider and Brown sugar

I used 1/2 gallon of Cider and 1 lb. of brown sugar – this made a LOT of sauce (enough for about 50 people)

1 large box of raisins ( use how many you like)

Heat the cider and brown sugar until the sugar melts.  Add the raisins.  Allow to sit overnight or cook for several minutes for the raisins to “plump” up.

Add cinnamon  and vanilla to taste.  You could also add other spices if you want:  ginger, cloves, etc.

I made a “slurry” of cornstarch and cider to thicken the sauce.

Several people took home the leftover sauce.  I think it would be excellent warm over vanilla ice cream and it would also make a good topping for Bread Pudding.