Savory Crockpot Beef Stew

Source: Me
Prep time: 20-25 minutes
Ready in: 6-8 hours in slowcooker

Ingredients

1 lb stew beef

2 zucchini

2 squash

5 large carrots

8 whole mushrooms (1 pint)

3 russet potatoes (medium)

2 jars beef gravy

2 Tbsp thickener (corn starch, arrowroot or white flour)

seasonings (to taste):

• 2 tsp ground savory


• 1 Tbsp dried parsley


• ­­½ tsp garlic powder


• 2 tsp fresh rosemary


• 1 tsp thyme


• 1 bay leaf


• 2 tsp dried chopped onion (optional)

Directions

1. Thick-slice all vegetables (peel carrots and potatoes first)


2. Place vegetables in slowcooker


3. Place stew beef in slowcooker


4. Pour on gravy


5. Add seasonings


6. Stir


7. Cover and cook on high for 6-8 hours, until beef is fork-tender


8. Just before serving, place thickener (corn starch, arrowroot or white flour) in about 2 Tbsp of water and pour into stew while stirring. Leave slowcooker on high for this.


9. Stir until thickened and serve.

Complements

Serve with Breadbeckers' Whole Wheat Cheddar and Herb Drop Biscuits

Resurrection Day Cookies

Source: Unknown; Mom gave it to me

Note: These cookies are to be made the night before Resurrection Day.

Ingredients

1 c. whole pecans

1 tsp. vinegar

3 egg whites

pinch of salt

1 c. sugar

ziploc bag

wooden spoon

tape

a Bible

Directions
Preheat oven to 300 degrees (This is important—don't wait until you're half-done with the recipe)

1. Place the pecans in the ziploc bag and let your children beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.


Read: John 19:1-3


2. Put the vinegar into a mixing bowl. Let each child smell the vinegar. Explain that when Jesus was on the cross and became thirsty, He was offered vinegar to drink.


Read: John 19:28-30


3. Add the egg whites to the vinegar. The eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life so that we could have life.


Read: John 10:10-11


4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand and let them taste it. Put the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers and the bitterness of our own sin.


Read: Luke 23:27


5. So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add one cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know that we belong to Him.


Read: Psalm 34:8 & John 3:16


6. Beat the egg whites with a mixer on high-speed for 12-15 minutes, until stiff peaks form. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.


Read: Isaiah 1:18 & John 3:1-3


7. Fold in the broken pecans. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax-paper-lined cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where the Body of Jesus was laid to rest.


Read: Matthew 27:57-60


8. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and TURN THE OVEN OFF.



9. Give each child a piece of tape and "seal" the door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.


Read: Matthew 27:65-66


10. Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight and that Jesus' followers were sad when the tomb was sealed, too.


Read: John 16:20-22


11. Resurrection Day morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow. On the first Resurrection Day, Jesus' followers were amazed to find that His tomb was empty.


Read: Matthew 28:1-9


12. Now, go to church. Rejoice! He is alive!

Quick and Delicious (No-Knead) Whole Wheat Bread

Source: my friend, Samantha
Prep time: about 15 min.
Knead time: NONE!!
Rise time: two rises: 1½ hour rise, and 45 min. rise
Cook time: 45 min. to 1 hour

Ingredients

³/₄ c. sugar (can use ¹/₂ to ³/₄ c. honey, instead)

3 c. warm water

4¹/₂ tsp. yeast (if instant yeast, use slightly over 1 Tbsp.)

¹/₃ c. melted butter

1 egg

1 Tbsp. salt

8-9 c. whole wheat flour (freshly ground, if available)

Directions

1. Combine sugar/honey, water and yeast in mixer. Let stand 4-5 min.


2. Using regular mixing beaters, add melted butter and egg to yeast mixture, until egg is beaten.


3. Add salt and 3 c. flour, and mix until flour is well incorporated.


4. Add 3 more cups of flour and mix well.


5. Add enough flour (2-3 c.) to make a soft, sticky dough. Will be very soft and sticky, but not so sticky that it sticks to your fingers.


6. Place in large oil-coated bowl, cover with plastic wrap coated with cooking spray or oil, and allow to rise until doubled. (about 1.5 hours)


7. Punch down dough with greased hands. (My boys LOVE this part!) Recover and let rise about 45 min., until doubled.


8. Shape two large loaves, or one pizza crust and about 20 dinner rolls.


9. To cook as loaves, bake at 325°F for 45 min. to 1 hour.
   To cook as pizza crust or rolls, bake at 400°F for about 15 min.