Hope for the Future & Barbecue Chicken

What a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning! Eddie and I couldn't wait to get outside and run around (for him) and take pictures (for me.)

For as long as can remember, since my very first week of existence, my Sunday mornings have been Jesus-filled instead of lazy. Ok, so I can't actually remember my very first week of existence. I'm sure I went to church, though.  9-12 AM on the first day of the week is always spent in Sunday School, church, and the inevitable 30+ minutes of talking (or, as a kid, waiting for mom to catch up with Mrs. Such-and-such, Mr. What's-his-name, the Joneses, and their next door neighbor. And the next-door-neighbor's cousin. And anyone else within a 12-foot radius)

Are there times when I've resented having to get up early, get dressed up early, and stay awake through an entire church service the morning after a wild night of Disney movies and countless sweets (or, in last night's case, ding-dong ditching on crutches - exhausting!)  Of course what human being wouldn't? But I always walk out of there with a better attitude and at least a slightly more sunny outlook on life that when I entered - and don't we all need just that?

That's why I've chosen to bring a bit of my Sunday to you in the form of a little flip book that's sat on our windowsill for as long as I can remember. (Which, by the way, does not begin with my very first week of existence.)

Today's devotion is called "Hope for the Future." It reads:

"...But i say to you boldly, your future is not determined by your past or your present! 

"Believe that with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26 KJV). With man some things may be impossible, but . . . we serve a God Who created everything we see out of nothing.  Give Him your nothingness and watch Him go to work.  All he needs is your faith in Him.  He needs for you to believe, and He will do the rest . . . "

Regardless of your faith, it's food for thought, is it not?

Speaking of food. . . another of my favorite parts of Sundays is the afternoon, which more often than not I spend whipping up some knew experiment in the kitchen.  Today's no different - I'm planning on making barbecue chicken pizza sliders (as long as I can avoid being banished to the couch.  ) I'm going to make them with a whole wheat crust to accommodate my guests this evening - a group of lovely, athletic girls who are always conscious of keeping a healthy diet.  Which is wonderful, except that it's made them completely useless for polishing off a tempting plate of Samoas or bag of chips.

Barbecue Chicken Pizza Sliders
Ingredients
Crust:
  2 1/2 Cups whole wheat flour
  2 T olive oil
  rosemary leaves
  onion salt
  1 t white sugar
  1 0.25 oz packet active dry yeast
  1 cup warm (110 F) water
  honey
  additional olive oil for topping
Toppings:
  1/4 onion, chopped
  2 large chicken breasts, thawed
  1/2 bottle barbecue sauce (I like Sweet Baby Ray's)
  cheese ( I used shredded cheddar/jack)

To make the crust, first dissolve the white sugar and yeast in the water in a medium bowl. Preheat the oven to 300 F

  

 Let the yeast dissolve for about 10 minutes, until the mixture is creamy. While you're waiting, combine the flour, salt, and a pinch each of rosemary leaves and onion salt.

Then, add in the olive oil.

After 10 minutes, the yeast should look like this on top:

 Combine the yeast mixture and the flour mixture.

Mix together until the dough is smooth and there are no flour pockets.

Let that sit for 5 minutes, then lay it out on a lightly floured surface.

 Roll the dough into 8-10 small balls.

 Pat them into discs 1/4 inch thick using the side and heel of your hand.

 Pop the discs onto a lightly greased pizza pan. Mis together 2 T olive oil and a drizzle on honey. The honey complements the barbecue flavor really nicely!

Use a rubber brush to lightly cover each disc with the olive oil-honey glaze. 

Congrats, your dough is ready to go!

For the topping, use place the chicken breasts in a deep pan. 

Smother them with your favorite barbecue sauce. 

 Add the chopped onions and bake the whole thing for 10-12 minutes in the 300 F oven.

 When the chicken has been cooked thoroughly, use two forks to pull apart the meat. Up the heat in the oven to 450 F. Use one fork to hold the meat down and one fork to pull bite-sized pieces off.

 Top your pizzas with the cheese, onion, and chicken. Bake for 16-20 minutes and enjoy!

Love, Bella

Reblogged

Sometimes it takes a good kick in the behind to get you moving in the right direction.

Sometimes it takes a good kick in the knee.

For the last few days (8, to be exact. Yes, 8.) an unfortunate collision during a soccer game imprisoned me to the red leather couch in our living room from the moment I walk in the door until I can dream up some way of escape.  My mother, the ever-faithful warden, is very clever at blocking any attempt at freedom.  Never have I had such a desire to clean up,  drink enough glasses of water, explore all the books on the shelf, or walk the dog. Never have I been more willing to do the dishes, run errands, or stand up to change the channel on the T.V.  Although our couch is extremely comfortable and still smells pleasantly leather-ish after all these years,  it's as if I've been stuck in time-out. Or jail.

Fortunately, the one freedom I'm allowed is internet connection and my laptop, where I've discovered that I seem to be in good company - I've stumbled on chefs, models, celebrities, mothers, and politicians  who seem to have done time on their own couches, resulting into the delightfully diverse world of blogs.

Which inspired me to re-start my own blog. I've been reblogged.

Since I've been limited to 3 cushions, 2 armrests, and a bag of frozen peas today, I'll share some of the gems I've uncovered that, one day after my release, will be acted on. Until then . . .

Food: Joy the Baker's Shrimp + Grits + Cocktail post has my mouth absolutely watering!

Fashion: The Londoner's polka dot-inspired cool-girl look has me itching to get up and walk a mile in her shoes!

Fitness: Fit Bottomed Girl's weekly workout routine has me motivated to get moving any way I can.

Love, Bella

Secretly Healthy Cookies

I don't think there's much of an argument to the fact that everyone loves cookies. You meet your occasional cake-hater, a nonchocoholic here and an ice cream criticizer there. However, the one thing that all of those people will have in common is that they like cookies. I'm guessing that most of those people (myself included) could also stand to get a few more veggies and a few less calories into their diet. Impossible, you say? Just wait until you try these delicious treats! 


In this recipe, the apple and the carrot add the moisture and sweetness that would normally come from butter and sugar - cutting the added sugar in half and reducing the fat by one third! Heart-healthy olive oil is substituted for butter, and white flour for a more substantial whole grain flour. The dark chocolate chips sweeten the deal and deliver antioxidants. 


Ingredients
1 cup oats
1 cup finely chopped apple
1 cup finely chopped carrot
2 cups whole grain wheat flour (or substitute white whole wheat flour for a smoother texture)
2/3 cup olive oil
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
2 eggs


Procedure


Preheat oven to 375 degrees F


Combine sugars, salt, baking soda, and flour in a large mixing bowl. Lightly beat egg and add. Add all other ingredients and stir well until fully incorporated. 


Drop tablespoon-sized portions of batter onto a greased cookie sheet. 


Bake for 10-12 minutes per batch. Makes about 2 dozen. 


Tip


Cookies may be dropped fairly close together on baking sheet as they do not spread much.

Brownies in 5

Chocolate is, in my opinion, one of the most delicious - and most workable - ingredients ever. I recently discovered exactly how workable it is as I was trying to concoct a recipe that was gluten-free and delicious for my wheat-intolerant dad and brother. This recipe is what I came up with! It's a variation on a flourless chocolate recipe, but without the cocoa powder these brownies are a little more fudgy while still having a great chocolate flavor!


Ingredients
2 cups     chocolate chips
3/4 cup   sugar
1 tsp       baking soda
1 tsp       salt
3            eggs


Procedure
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


Grease an 8x8 or 9x9 pan. 


Melt chocolate by placing it in a heatproof bowl resting on the rim of a small pan of simmering water. The steam from the water will rise and heat and melt the chocolate.


When chocolate is melted, beat together with dry ingredients until combined. Add eggs a little at a time until batter is smooth. 


Pour batter into pan and bake for 25-35 minutes. Let cool for at least minutes before eating.


Variations
Extra chocolate: Add 3/4 cup of unmelted chocolate chips to batter.


Peanut butter cup: Replace 1/2 cup of chocolate chips with 3/4 cup peanut butter. 


Spicy: And 2 tsp of chili powder.