Biscuits & Chocolate Gravy

Craving chocolate, I sought to find some in the house. I couldn't find anything stashed away, but remembered a recipe that came in my email yesterday for Chocolate Gravy. I found it and adapted to my own vegan and gluten free version. Served over fresh, hot gluten free biscuits and sprinkled with chocolate chips, it was delicious! It's creamy, rich smoothness hit the spot.

Chocolate Gravy

3 tablespoons of gluten-free flour blend
2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
4 tablespoons of granulated sugar
2 cups of soymilk
2 tablespoons of Earth Balance margarine
1 teaspoon of vanilla

Combine dry ingredients and place in a small saucepan. Whisk in soymilk, blending until lumps are gone. Cook on medium high heat until mixture thickens and bubbles. Remove from heat and add Earth Balance margarine and vanilla. Stir until completely blended. Serve over hot biscuits. Also good on pancakes, crepes, toast with peanut butter, or waffles.

Enjoy!

Flower Garden Journal

Note: Today I discovered several crocus blossoms in my garden. Spring is nearing. The crocus will look pretty with the snowdrops that are still blooming.

Creamy Corn Chowder

Corn chowder has been called the "king of farmhouse chowders". Throughout the history of America, corn and salt pork have been staples farms across the nation, and it's these ingredients that have been central to corn chowder recipes. Historically, the first mention of corn chowder was in a cookbook was in 1884 when it was listed in the Boston Cooking School Cookbook. Noted cookbook author Fannie Farmer later published the recipe which incorporated her method of using canned corn. Shakers, highly regarded for their culinary skills, were known for their delightful and rich chowders. Traditionally corn chowders are abundant in butter, cream, condensed milk, thickened flour or egg yolks, and
salt pork for fat and flavor.

Cooking methods and trends evolve throughout the years. Resources, health trends, and food preparation techniques all play a role in this evolution. A very healthy, easy, and economical version of corn chowder can be obtained without losing it's element of mellow, sweet flavor and beautiful color. This vegan and gluten-free version is an ultimate comfort food and loved by both young and old.

My version comes from the bulk foods section of the health food store. To use, I simply add hot water and any other ingredients that I might have which I feel would enhance the blend (in the photo illustration you can see I added chopped spinach). The ingredients contained in this bulk mix are:

dried yellow pea flakes
dehydrated corn
salt
dehydrated onion & carrots
vegetarian chicken-style seasoning
canola oil
parsley
celery seed

How simple is that? It's a dairy-free, gluten-free and low fat version of a delicious and creamy soup! In addition, it's economical, costing less than $2.00 for four servings. It's a simple, quick, and comforting way to relax at the end of a busy day --- a hot bowl of healthy corn chowder. Yummy!

42Leaf

It seems that my love of 'all things tea' is contagious. Youngest son has started his own tea blog. How interesting it is for me to visit and to view his perspective on the world of tea. Please stop by 42Leaf and be sure to tell him that LaTeaDah sent you.

Thanks!

A Proper Greeting

A newsletter we receive quarterly from a missionary family to Africa arrived today with the most wonderful greeting. It's so gracious --- I just had to share it with you. I think you'll see what I mean when you read it ---

"Greetings to you from our family. How are your mother and father? How is your spouse? How are your children? How are your grandchildren? How is everyone in your town? How is your whole family? May God grant you peace. May God provide for the needs of your family. May God grant you health. May God bless you.

We praise God that you are fine. We praise God that our children are well. We praise God that our family is fine. We praise God that our whole town is fine. Everyone sends their greetings to you."

Isn't it beautiful? It is a normal and proper greeting in Mali. Consider yourself greeted. Wouldn't it be well if we all memorized this greeting and used it each day to those around us? I'm sure I would get tongue twisted, but the sentiments are lovely.

I hope you are enjoying a blessed day!

Photo: The Spanish lavender is blooming on the Oregon coast. Unbelievable!

Lovingkindness in the Morning

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

Psalm 143:8