Get Cooking©

Special Offer! Get Cooking by Lynn Lilja

Photo by Julias Torten und Tu00f6rtchen on Pexels.com

There are certain things a cook needs in his or her kitchen. Essential ingredients for busy-day meals. Trusted tools that save time and money. Your list may be different, but here’s a list of five things a kitchen needs. (Get Cooking contains my entire list of 20 Things A Kitchen Needs)

  1. A large saucepan (one handle) with fitted lid without a nonstick surface. Use for mashing potatoes or making a great batch of Calico Chili (recipe below).
  2. A good quality microwave large enough for a four-quart casserole. Some features that save time are the auto-vegetable setting—either fresh or frozen—and the automatic baked potato setting. On a busy afternoon, bake up a few potatoes in the microwave, let them cool slightly, and grate or rough chop for quick hash browns or fried potatoes.
  3. The best knives you can afford. A French knife is the most used knife in my kitchen. I keep a paring knife close at hand as well as a serrated bread knife.
  4. Cookbooks. There’s a saying, “Cooks learn from books.” I did. One I often use is The Joy of Cooking Cookbook. It is more than just a collection of recipes. There are directions for every aspect of cooking.
  5. The most important thing in the kitchen is YOU. Your kitchen may look pretty and be well-stocked, but without you, it’s only a storage room. Please go into the kitchen, open a cookbook, and Get Cooking!

Calico Chili

1 pound chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks, Or 1 pound ground turkey

2 stalks celery, sliced or chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped 

    1/2 cup chopped onion (I prefer green onions)

    2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

    1 15-ounce can black beans, undrained

    1 15-ounce can red kidney beans, undrained

    1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained

    Chili powder to taste (1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons)

    Salt and pepper to taste

    1/4 cup honey

    Place chicken or turkey in a large saucepan or Dutch oven.  Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons chili powder.  Cook and stir over medium heat until light pink.  Add celery, bell pepper, onion, and garlic.  Cook until meat is fully cooked, and vegetables are crisp tender.  Add black beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas.  Continue to cook on medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes.  Add salt and pepper and additional chili powder to taste.  Stir in honey just before serving.  

    Special Offer!

    Order my book, Get Cooking New LOW Price $5

    Free Shipping Through September 2024!!

    Email Special Offer to agoldilockslife@comcast.net

    Go for Gold!

    Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Pexels.com

    The Paris Olympics 2024 kept us glued to our TV most evenings. Steve and I are sports lovers, and there was plenty to love. The gymnastics competitions found me at the edge of my seat as American athletes faced stiff competition from all around the world. Brody Malone improved with each performance. Stephen Nedoroscik, aka Superman, sealed the bronze medal for the US men’s team with his pommel horse routine. It has been sixteen years since any US men won a medal in gymnastics.

    The women’s gymnastics team, led by Simone Biles, secured gold at the Olympics, and the athletes thrilled me with their talent and positive attitudes. It’s official—Biles is now considered the Greatest of All Time by extending her record to ten medals won in three Olympics.

    Consider how hard these athletes train to compete for and win medals in various sports. They are seeking something that no one can take away from them—an Olympic medal. In four years, another athlete may win that medal. Those who won medals at the Paris Olympics will always be winners, though not many athletes win multiple times.

    Living God’s way may be compared to competing in a race. First Corinthians chapter 9, verses 24 and 25 says, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”  

    One way we may show people around us that God is real in our lives is by going for another kind of gold—living out The Golden Rule. In Luke 6:31, Jesus sums it up: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” He tells us in verses 27-30 to love our enemies and do good to people who hate us. He commands us to bless people who mistreat us and give to everyone who asks. It may seem like a big ask, but by God’s power in us we may show love and mercy to the people the world tells us to hate. After all, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?” verse 32.

    Jesus gave His life and rose from the dead three days later for a world full of sinners, including us (John 3:16 and Romans 6:23). If we want to go for gold that will last, have faith in Jesus. Later in the Luke 6 passage, Jesus promises, “your reward will be great…” Eternal life with Him is the shiniest golden prize anyone could ever gain, all paid for by our merciful Savior.

    Show Jesus’ love to everyone, even people who don’t like you. Give to anyone who asks. Trust the Lord to help you shine His golden light by showing love and telling others about God’s love. He promises the greatest reward that never ends—eternal life with Him. “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) Let’s go for Gold!

    Happy Birthday, Dear Darling Daughter

    Happy birthday to my Dear Darling Daughter! We’ll celebrate soon, and really, I can’t wait. When our children are grown, getting together isn’t easy since we all have busy lives.

    What a blessing and privilege it is to be a mom. Not every woman is able to bear children, and how difficult that must be for those who can’t get pregnant for whatever reason. I was twenty-seven years old when she was born just a week or two past her due date. By then, I couldn’t turn over in bed, my feet and lower legs were swollen, and I was scared about the process of giving birth. Labor was long, but once she was in my arms, I forgot all about it.

    I loved being at home with my baby girl, and when my extended maternity leave ended after six months, I sure wished it wouldn’t. I found great sitters for her and adjusted to working full time and caring for a child. Her dad and I made more than our share of mistakes, being too lenient about some things and too harsh about others. We loved her the best we could.

    I thank the Lord for allowing me to be your mother. Have a wonderful day celebrating you, Honey. I love you.