The Martha Syndrome and the Mary Solution

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-42 NIV

God illustrated to us the story of two well-known women in the Bible, Martha and Mary, to give us a clear view of the kind of relationship Our Father wants with each of us. The two sisters had contrasting approaches to their walk with God – and thus got different results. Martha was busy going about her busy life, anxious and un-trusting. Mary got alone with God and worshipped at Jesus’ feet.

We, mums, are so engaged with our daily realities: feeding the baby, cooking for the family, cleaning, laundry, while maintaining a full-time career. How do we ever get to come away and just breath a little?

One thing that is needful, to do what matters most: Sit at the feet of Jesus, even for a short while and get filled with His most amazing grace that refreshes the soul. Big difference.

Have you tried that today?

A glorious day to my dear Thursday group ladies! We're hitting the one-digit temps! Bundle up. We can't afford to get the sniffles. Hugs to all of you wonderful ladies!

Meat Pie

My meat pie has been reinvented through the years.  I don’t usually measure my ingredients.  Most of the meals that  I cook are sort of “eye-balled”.  However,  the measurements herein are pretty accurate. 

As much as my family love this recipe, I hope you will truly enjoy this one too!

Ings.

Ready-made puff pastry sheets or wraps, about 6 to 7, cut into 4 equal parts 

Olive Oil

½ Kl. Beef mince

½ kl. Chicken meat, minced (or us left oversteaks or last night’s roast chicken)
1/2 to 1 cup of chopped bacon
1 big spanish chorizo, cubed (optional)

1 onion, chopped

6 cloves garlic, chopped

a bunch of parsley leaves, chopped

1 small can green peas

1 small can corn kernels

1 cup melting cheese cubed (cheddar ormozzarella)

Parmesan cheese

¼ cup barbeque sauce

about 10 large large mushrooms, quartered

1 red bell pepper or capsicum, cubed

a dash of dried Italian herbs

salt and pepper to taste

1 beaten egg for egg wash

Procedure:

In olive oil (or vege oil), sauté onions until transparent. Garlic next.  Once slightly golden, add in the minced meat of beef and chicken (or add in the leftovers when meat is halfway cooked).  Make sure all meat is cooked before adding in the mushrooms, peas, corn, capsicum.  Salt and pepper to taste.  When cooked, take it off the fire and let it cool. Add in the cheeses and the barbeque sauce. 

For Wrapping:

Cut the puff pastry using a knife into 4 equal squares.  Use one square, stretch its sides a bit but not too much as not to tear the pastry.  For one pie, put in 2 heapful spoons of the cooled cooked meat mixture in the middle.    Fold halfway into a triangle, crimp the sides by folding or by pressing with a fork. Lay meat pies on baking paper an inch apart as the pastry expands during the cooking process.  Brush the top sidewith egg wash.

Bake the pies at 180 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Watch out for the melted cheese as you slice the meat pie in half.   Yields about 2 dozens.

Ultimate Winter Comfort Food

Beef Casserole

The Ingredients:

1 whole onion, quartered
1 whole garlic, chopped
1 kilo of beef cuts
2 cups (and a bit more) Beef stock
2 large Carrots, cut into pieces
2 large Potatoes, cut into pieces
3 Tomatoes, quartered
1 large Sweet Yams/Potato (Camote)
1 small can corn kernels
1 small can Green Peas
4 stalks of Chopped Celery
a handful of Mushrooms, quartered
1 Spanish Chorizo
1 cup Red wine
a pinch of chili powder
1/2 cup of tomato sauce
a pinch of italian spice
Salt and Pepper

Procedure:

Turn on oven to 200degrees Celcius.

Saute Onions and Garlic in a LARGE Dutch oven or Iron casserole (the type that you can use in the oven), add in the beef cuts until halfway cooked. Throw in the sliced chorizo until cooked. Pour in the stock, wine and tomato sauce and let it boil. Make sure the liquid ingredients are halfway to the top otherwise, add a bit more beef stock. Add in the Potatoes and yams and pop in the oven for 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, saute quickly with butter the rest of the ingredients: corn, green peas, tomatoes, mushrooms. Set aside.

Once meat in casserole is cooked and tender, add in all the sauteed vegetables. 

Season with herbs, chili powder and fresh ground pepper and sea salt. Mix well and cook for another 3-5 minutes.

Serve with toasted buttered herb and garlic slices of french bread. 

Serve immediately.

Have a YUMMY MONDAY!