Sunday School Teacher Gifts-Free Printable

It's that time again.

The time of year to express our gratitude to all those who work so tirelessly for the benefit of others.

Last year, these are the little tokens offered to our Church School to express the sentiment.

Here's how I made them.

Thai-Inspired Spring Rolls

40 Days-40 Days of Lenten Recipes

Ok, admission here. 

I am not a fan of Chinese take-out. 

There I said it!

I don't love Chinese food.

I am a fan of Thai and Vietnamese, a BIG fan. 

It's the flavors that attract me, you can have something that's simple or with flavors that are much more complex, and sometimes really HOT! I remember a time, I took a family member out to my favorite Thai place and the challenge was on of who could handle the hottest dish.  We had tears rolling out of eyes not only from food but because we were laughing so hard. Good times.

These spring rolls are easy, flavorful and healthy for you.  They are not hot, but are so good they could be considered "hot." They are a "go- to" snack and admittedly can be filling enough to be dinner.  

Check out here, my rolling technique needs help, still tasty.
With these I was in a rush and overfilled them.

Rice paper makes a huge difference. Won ton wrappers and eggroll papers are too thick. It does make a difference.  Rice paper is thin and actually comes dried and is so thin it needs to be rehydrated. All you need to do, is fill a shallow dish with warm water and place the rice sheet in it for about 10-15 seconds. Carefully lift it out and start layering your veggies. You can use any combination you like and get creative.  

Ingredients

Rice paper

Bag of shredded broccoli coleslaw mix

Julienned carrots

Bean sprouts

Sliced julienned cucumbers

small pieces of fresh basil

Optional: small pieces of tofu or shrimp)

Peanut Sauce ( buy it  or this is a good recipe)

I rolled these tighter, you can see the difference.

These are fresh and light and yummy.

Not just Lenten yummy but anytime of the year.

What do you think?

What's your fave cuisine from the Far East?

Chinese, Thai, Korean or Vietnamese?

Am I missing something?

Share the Day

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BoogieboardCottage

Lemongrass Basil Soup

40 Days-40 Days of Lenten Recipes 

Looking for something a bit more hearty for dinner?

Here is my version of Lemongrass soup with Basil.

This is the Fields of Basil, afterall.

True Summer Refreshment- 10 Homemade Ways to Flavor Lemonade

Is there anything better than lemonade in the summer?

Not much is as refreshing?

We love to make homemade versions and thought we would share.

Fields of Basil and Light

Today is May 21st, and it is the day, we celebrate Saints Constantine and Helen. Saint Constantine was victorious in battle after seeing the cross in the sky made of light, with the words, "NIKA," meaning "with this you will be victorious." Saint Helen, his mother and my own patron saint, raised her son in a christian atmosphere which was not popular at the time and set out to find the true cross. 

She found it in a field of basil. 

Source

This year as I was at vespers, I was blessed to be in a church of Saint Constantine and Helen. It  felt so  peaceful to me. During the service, I kept thinking about how beautiful it must have been, to be in the field of basil and to find the cross. This led me to thinking about how each of at times struggles in our lives, and how sweet it feels when that burden is lifted like the cross in the field, as it's lifted the sweet aroma wafts up and around you, encircling you like an embrace. The cross is one of sacrifice and love and each of us has our own to carry, but we can love each other and in those moments there is the beauty of the light and the sweet aroma of blessings. 

Sweet blessings to all celebrating today!

BTW, making this for the day.

Share the Day!

40 Days-40 Lenten Recipes #20 Scallops with a Basil-Caper Sauce

Scallops with a Basil-Caper Sauce

This is one of my faves. Not only is it easy but feels so rich and satisfying.

But also it is so delicious, and I love the way these flavors blend together.

So gather your ingredients, you need,

2 lemons

3 garlic cloves, minced

4 tsp capers

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup white wine 

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

(remember if you wouldn't drink it, don't cook with it)

1-2 dozen sea scallops, thawed or fresh

Mix the first four ingredients together and set aside.

Place wine in a saute pan with scallops.

As they cook, add 1/2 of the mixture to the pan. 

Saute and turn the scallops over to coat them in the sauce.

Once they are cooked, add remainder of mixture and basil, 

mix and saute for 1-2 minutes and remove from heat.

Serve over rice or pasta.

Share the Day!