Next Door Savior

I just finished reading Next Door Savior by Max Lucado. I haven't been able to read as much as I used to for the last few years, & reading this reminds me how much I enjoy Max Lucado books. He's just got such a way with words.

"Jesus has been there. He experienced 'all the pain, all the testing' (Heb.2:18 MSG). Jesus was angry enough to purge the temple, hungry enough to eat raw grain, distraught enough to weep in public, fun loving enough to be called a drunkard, winsome enough to attract kids, weary enough to sleep in a storm-bounced boat, poor enough to sleep on dirt and borrow a coin for a sermon illustration, radical enough to get kicked out of town, responsible enough to care for his mother, tempted enough to know the smell of Satan, and fearful enough to sweat blood."
(Next Door Savior by Max Lucado page 16)

And I got a kick out of this:
(to set this up, he's talking about when Jesus was glorified on the mountain)

"Has a more austere group ever assembled? Moses, the lawgiver. Elijah, the prophet. Peter, the Pentecost preacher. James, the apostle. John, the gospel writer and revelator. The Bible's first and final authors in one place. "
(page 133)
I just thought that was cool. That thought had never crossed my mind. Moses, the author of the first five books of the Bible, & John, the author of the last book of the Bible, both witnessing the transfiguration of Jesus. Cool. :)

Broiled Chili Cheese Burgers

Although I called this Broiled Chili Cheese Burgers, I haven't really come up with a good name for it. It's an open-faced bun broiled for a few minutes, using Steak -N- Shake canned chili. So there's really no meat....or hamburger in it, so the 'Burgers' part in the title doesn't seem to fit.

On the other hand, pizza burgers aren't 'burgers' either.

So, we've discovered Steak N Shake chili in a can. LOL

YUM!

Makes great chili cheese dogs and

THE BEST Chili Cheese Burgers (real hamburgers cooked on the grill, add a big spoonful of this chili in a can & you've got a sloppy, delicious hamburger!)

Now the newest recipe for this culinary find:

Broiled Chili Cheese Burgers:

2 or 3 cans of Steak N Shake Chili

1 chopped onion

shredded cheddar cheese

package of buns

Open the buns & place on large baking sheet.

Spread with canned chili & onions.

Top with cheese.

Bake for 5-7 minutes at 450, then broil for 2 minutes.

Cool a bit. Have plenty of napkins handy! Enjoy!

LJ's Brownies

1/3 cup melted butter

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup cocoa

2 eggs

1/4 t. salt

3/4 cup flour

1/2 t. baking powder

1 t. vanilla

Combine sugar & cocoa. Add melted butter & stir well. Stir in egg. Sift together flour, salt, & baking powder & add to batter. Add vanilla, beat until smooth. Fold in nut if you desire.
Spread into buttered 8x8 pan. Bake 350 for 25 minutes.

*I double this & use a 9x13 pan.

I grew up eating these brownies plain. The are chewy/yummy/delicious! We would sometimes spread peanutbutter on them. (individual brownies, not the whole pan) One of us would always say, "Hey, you got your chocolate in my peanutbutter!" To which the other would say, "Hey, you got your peanutbutter in my chocolate." We'd take a bite & proclaim them delicious! (re-enacting the 70's tv commercial for reeses penutbutter cups). LOL

Last evening I also made a small batch of mint icing. Again, to be applied to individual brownies & not the whole pan. 'Cause some folks just love these brownies plain with **nothing** on them.

Mint icing:

2 T. butter

1 cup powdered sugar

1 T. milk or cream

1/2 t. peppermint extract

green food coloring

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl until smooth.

This icing sets up more once refrigerated for a while.

Best when eaten warm, right out of the oven. But be warned: you may eat more than you mean too. I always do!

Steak Cobbler

1/3 c. flour
2 t. salt (divided)

fresh ground black pepper

2 pounds round steak (cut into 1/2 inch chunks)

2 T. vegetable oil (I use canola)

1 large onion, diced into chunks

1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced

1 package (10 or 12 ounces) frozen mixed vegetables (could use fresh steamed)

1 cup beef broth

1/2 t. garlic powder

1/4 t. ground red pepper (optional)

1 t. browning and seasoning sauce

1 package (12 ounces) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (10-12 biscuits) (can use homemade)

1. combine flour, 1 t. of the salt, & black pepper on a plate. Add the meat pieces & toss to coat.

2. In large skillet, heat oil over med/high heat. Add the beef chunks. Saute until browned.

3. Add 1 cup beef broth, cover & cook approx. 90 minutes until beef is fork tender.

4. Add diced onion & sliced mushrooms. Cover & cook until onions & mushrooms are tender, 10 minutes or so.

5. Add frozen vegetables & cook until heated through. (I usually pre-cook the frozen veggies in microwave so I don't add them frozen). Also add 1 t. salt, garlic powder, & red pepper. Also add the browning & seasoning sauce. (I use Kitchen Bouquet)

6. Should be the consistancy of beef stew. If it is a little runny, add some flour & stir until thickened.

7. Pour into greased 9x13 pan. Top with biscuits. Cook at 375 for 16-18 minutes until biscuits are golden.

Ephesians 5:31-32

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Ephesians 5:31-32

Psalm 25:4-5

Make me know Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
For You I wait all the day.
Psalm 25:4-5