Tag: Pasta

Gorgeous Risotto

On By The DiscernerIn Daily Devotions7 Comments

…Did I just call my risotto gorgeous? Yeah, I did. And for good reason too! This butternut squash risotto wasn’t only a delight to the palette, but very pleasing to the eye as well.

This creamy butternut squash risotto contained walnuts, goat cheese, raisins, dried apricots, portobello mushrooms, and fresh sage, among other things. All together in one dish? Bliss on my tongue. It was my first time making risotto, and I was pleased with the results! And it went perfect with a fresh loaf of olive oil, rosemary, and sea salt bread.

Come…into…my…mouth, you gorgeous thing, you. Yeah. Okay, I’m weird.;)

Oh, the scents radiating through my home that day was half of the reward in itself!

My cousin and his wife and kids were to come over for dinner that night, and I thought, what a better dish than a staple made at our Italian family gatherings when we were growing up. Kind of brought up a bit of nostalgia. :’) Not only that, it was such a perfect and warm dish for the stormy blizzard weather outside. This was all around a great one-pot dish to serve a family.

One of the things I’ve vastly come to appreciate is the presentation of beautiful food. The beauty in food is half of the enjoyment that comes from food. Our eyes gaze on the colours and combinations, and we can’t help but look at it with appreciation. I wasn’t at all like that before. I didn’t really care or appreciate these things, because I didn’t see the meaning behind it all. But now I do. Boy, do I ever! I love, love, love the beauty in food. And it’s because I love, love, love the Creator of that food.

Food is something we’ve been given to appreciate and receive joy from.

And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. Ecclesiastes 3:13

God wants us to experience joy! And you know why? Because He’s a God full of joy.

The LORD your God among you is powerful— he will save and he will take joyful delight in you. In his love he will renew you with his love; he will celebrate with singing because of you. Zephaniah 3:17

We have a God full of joy and abounding in pleasures!

God knew what He was doing when he created the abundance of beauty, tastes, and nutrients in foods that we have been given. Food is not only meant to sustain, but to heal our bodies. Food is not only meant to fill us, but food is meant to please us as well. We’re not only meant to receive food, but to give as well. It connects people together. Some of the greatest joys in human life revolve around food, and it was by no coincidence. God is a pleasing God who is full of joy, love, and great abundance. He’s not a boring God like so many might think.

He is exciting, thrilling, incredible, beautiful, and pleasing beyond measure.

All you have to do is look at the things He creates, and you can easily see who He is through His creation. Look at the sunset! Isn’t it glorious? It is stunning artwork before your eyes. Bite into a juicy, ripe peach on a warm, sunny day and taste its refreshing, delicious flavor that is so pleasing to the tongue. Look out at the colours from a cliff on a fall day, and bask in the majesty of it all. Feel the cool raindrops on your face and look out at the sky to see a bright rainbow.

I’m sure lots of wonderful thoughts about who God is will come to your mind if you open your eyes and your heart to see it. It does to mine, every day.

So making this risotto, I’d have to say the beauty in its presentation was my greatest reward. It’s just so pretty! Take a look.

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I swear, my eyes are turning into the shape of hearts as we speak. Look at all of those beautiful whole and natural ingredients. Look at the vibrant colours! My heart swells when I look at this. Because I’m connected to the God who created this, and I love Him more than life. I see this as a reflection of Him and I’m in awe.

People so easily take for granted the beauties of this earth. It has become common, and I find that to be a great tragedy, because it is anything but. One of my deepest passions to the core of my heart is to reverse the commonality of the endless beauty and make the Creator and His splendor known. 

I loved making this recipe, and I definitely plan on making it again. It was a one-pot wonder dish – the kind you throw everything in the pot raw and uncooked, along with the water, and the result is a creamy, delicious dish.

Having my cousin and his family over for dinner was such an incredible, intimate, and special time. In the past, I’ve veered away from inviting people over for gatherings and dinner parties because my apartment is oh so tiny! But I have come to realize that I care more about opening my home up for people and good times than I do about a small space. And really, the closer the better, right?

So I laid out a beautiful spread of risotto, along with my favourite olive oil, thyme, sea salt artisan bread, and some red wine that they had brought over. With the candles lit, it was such a wonderful atmosphere to enjoy each others company and share our lives together.

Go then, eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works. Ecclesiastes 9:7

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This dish turned out lightly sweet with a sour touch and earthy undertones; the goat cheese balanced out the flavours together very well.

In case anyone would like to make this amazing dish, here is the recipe:

  • 1 pound butternut squash, peeled and cubed
  • 4 cups of water
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh orzo, uncooked
  • 1/2 cup of walnuts
  • 1 shallot, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1 tbs. honey
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp. sea salt
  • 1 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 portobello mushroom, diced
  • Goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots

Bake the squash first, then peel and cube. Combine in the pot your squash, 4 cups of water, orzo, honey, shallot, apple cider vinegar, salt, sage, thyme, and mushroom. Bring to boil over high heat, and reduce to simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, uncovered, stirring frequently. Add water if necessary (if you need more moisture). Once creamy and thick and water has boiled off, take off of heat and add your apricots and goat cheese! This recipe was used from topateyourplate.com.

Bada bing, bada boom. Deliciousness in one-pot and pretty to serve.

Clinging to God all the days of my Life

On By The DiscernerIn Daily DevotionsLeave a comment

I reigned in my 31st birthday (hands covering my eyes) :’) with none other than homemade mac and cheese. Because, you know, it’s adult and I’m hip like that.

But really, this is not like your old-fashioned kids macaroni and cheese. This is the most adult mac and cheese I’ve ever seen in my life. Not even over-exagerating. In fact, it’s so adult, I doubt children would even like it. Yes, you heard me! This really is adult mac and cheese, so you can feel proper while eating it. Haha.

Made with edamame and mung bean fettuccine noodles, with a legit mixture of cheddar, goat cheese, and a special truffle mustard I found in a small Italian shop, this adult mac and cheese turned out golden – figuratively and literally.

I was able to eat some healthier-version comfort food while actually going into my 30s. Before, I was just 30. Now, I’m in my 30s. As you can see, big difference.;-) But in all honestly, I love it and couldn’t care less. Bring 40 on! Better yet, bring 55!

Falling in love with God and beginning a real relationship with Him completely abolished any ‘age-issues’ that many people face. I know what it’s like, because I had age issues myself, before Christ. Getting older into your adult years puts many in a panic, because life is so short. It seems long while you’re in the moment, but when you look back over the years, it’s like the snap of your fingers. An uncle of mine told me that as you get older, it only goes faster. He’s 56 and can’t believe how old he is. Many don’t like aging, and there’s a deep rooted reason that is planted well into our hearts as to why this is. And it’s not as superficial as one would think.

It’s because we don’t like endings. People have serious fears of aging, getting wrinkly, getting older, dying, not accomplishing what we think we should have accomplished by a certain age – and all of these things consumed me before I met God. I can tell you with a great deal of confidence that if I didn’t have my Saviour to cling to while turning 31, I would literally be running in a panic with no peace in my soul.

He gives me peace.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3

The peace He gives is like no other. Nothing in this world can give us humans the peace He gives. Nothing even compares to it.

I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

The peace the world gives is temporal, circumstantial, and physical. The perfect peace that God gives is eternal, steadfast (unwavering), and intangible. Nothing can move it. Nothing can move you.

He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved. Psalm 62:6

After He filled me, all of those concerns and fears drifted away and vapored into nothingness as I set my eyes on the real reason for living. Him. He’s our constant Rock through everything we face in life. He never changes, we do. Clinging to Him gives us peace and love that we simply can’t find anywhere else. The most awe-stricken thing is that He, the majestic powerful God, wants us to cling to Him. Reading the bible, I can’t even count how many times He has told His people to cling to Him. Isn’t that beautiful? It melts me, totally melts me. He’s such a tender, sweet, loving, caring God. He desires to be close to us in deep fellowship and intimacy.

My soul clings to you. Your right hand supports me. Psalm 63:5

He supports us. He holds us.

Now clinging to Him, climbing up the ladder in years matters to me not even in the slightest! Because I know where I’m going.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. Revelation 21:4

Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting? 1 Corinthians 15.55

Not even scared one bit. Not even slightly. Bring life on.

What freedom that Jesus Christ gives one who calls out to Him as his or her Saviour!

People fear things like this, because we don’t like endings. The ending to a good book, a good movie, a good trip, saying goodbyes, and the end of a life. We don’t like these things, these endings.

Do you know why?

Because God put eternity in our hearts.

We weren’t meant to like endings. We’re eternal beings, and when you trust Jesus Christ for forgiveness and believe that He is the God who came down to put on human flesh and be the sacrifice – the only sacrifice – for our sins so that we may live with Him in Heaven forever, you will experience the true joy, peace, and fearless unending love in life that all humans yearn for.

Endings feel unnatural, and many don’t know why this is.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

The temporal on earth will only last a short time until we’re with Him forever in Heaven. If you put your trust in Christ and receive Him into your heart, putting all your hope in Him, He will give you the greatest gift. This gift is so beyond our human comprehension, that our life in paradise has never even been thought up by a human being. We can’t conceive it.

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

Oh, those who call on Him in their hearts and who love Him are in for a treat beyond our wildest dreams. It’s outside anything we could ever think up in our minds. It will be glorious.

Back to my birthday, another interesting thing that has changed is that birthdays used to be so important to me. It was my day. The day to celebrate me. Birthdays are surely fun and they make us feel special, but all of that tension to have a really important day for myself just disappeared into thin air. And it’s all because of Him. When he enters your heart, the things you used to care about – the things of this world that hold no value or security – aren’t held the same in your heart, mind, and spirit as they used to. Because you have Him, you have all of the security, value, worth, love, and feelings of being special…all in Him.

He makes you feel abundantly, crazily, passionately, and perfectly loved. He makes you feel valuable, cherished, beautiful, protected, cared for, shielded, set apart, and in His hands. He makes you feel embraced, unique, thought of, and He loves you perfectly and satisfies your heart completely. Therefore, the need to put so much heaviness on one day just literally melts away. The fear of aging is no more. The fear of death is not even around you. In fact, when you belong to Him, death is used as a means to serve you. Death brings you into transition from living in this world, to living with Him forever in His presence. Everything you held onto in this world vanishes, as you fall into His arms and His warm, sweet embrace. You realize there’s only one true thing that matters in this life, and it’s the One who made you.

Plus, who cares about gifts and balloons when you have the God of all that exists. ❤

Going back to my mac and cheese, I really enjoyed making and eating this. It was a last minute late dinner idea, and it turned out rich and mouthwatering.

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The beauty of these noodles is not only are they made with whole foods grown from the ground, but they are certified organic, vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, and pure. Meaning, the ingredients are literally edamame and mung beans. That’s it, that’s all. Kinda makes my heart happy. :’)

In addition, the mixture of goat cheese, old cheddar, and truffle mustard (raw and fermented) was a superb blend, adultifying (Yes, I just made a word up!) traditional mac and cheese. The result is golden crispy heartiness in a bowl.

 

I made this recipe completely my own, once I gained the fundamentals (amounts of milk, cheese, pasta) from a basic mac and cheese recipe found on the internet. Here is my recipe:

  • 1/2 pound of edamame and mung bean pasta
  • tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons of flour
  • 3 tablespoons truffle mustard
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups of unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 cups old cheddar, shredded
  • 1 cup goat cheese

Preheat oven to 350. Cook pasta. While pasta is cooking, take a large deep saucepan and melt coconut oil. Whisk in the flour and mustard until a thick sauce forms. Pour in the milk, whisk fast and continuously until sauce thickens. Add salt and pepper. Stir in cheeses until all melted. Pour in the cooked, drained pasta, stir altogether, and pour entire mixture into a glass baking dish (8×8 works for this recipe).Bake for 30 minutes, or until brown and bubbly on top.

And be ready for a treat.