Recipes – Page 2 – Janis Van Keuren

A Feast Fit for Watching the Royal Wedding

It was pure feminine indulgence. Both in taste and viewing. A couple of girlfriends came over for an English Tea Party and viewing of the “Royal Wedding.” (click on highlighted area to read more) Well, I’m not sure how English the genteel food was but it definitely qualified as feminine, light, frilly, and accented with an assortment of tea and a variety of teacups. To start things off, one friend brought a tray of sliced cheese and turkey trimmed … Continue reading →

Italian Easter Bread–A Tradition that Captures the Meaning of Easter

Each year on Holy Saturday, we have a family tradition. The making of Italian Easter Bread. This mildy sweet breakfast bread with its creamy, sweet glaze and five colored eggs poking up is a symbol of the Risen Christ. For our family, for my parents before me, and for my grandparents before them, it was a sacred Holy Saturday tradition to prepare the bread for Easter morning. Much like Christ’s body was prepared for burial–only to rise on that … Continue reading →

Apricot Chicken–At Last

Our Oldest had been requesting Apricot Chicken for nearly a year. Yes, that very same son who said that if he was engaged to a girl and she served chicken–the wedding was off. However, this chicken dish topped his favorites list. So, after a year of putting off frying chicken (with little oil) in the deep frying pan, I made the time for one of Oldest’s delectable dishes. Approved by the American Heart Association and listed in their cookbook, … Continue reading →

Wearin’ of the Green~Happy St. Patrick’s Day

It’s been years since I’ve had a shamrock cookie cutter to make the green sprinkled sweet treats. And if I remember correctly, the cutter I used was really shaped like the club on a deck of cards. Not exactly the mystical symbol of the Trinity found in the design of the three-leaf clovers used by St Patrick to explain God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (I didn’t realize baking cookies could be such a spiritual experience.) Once again, … Continue reading →

Orange Loaf and A Giveaway

Mom’s Orange Loaf Rich aromas wafted from the kitchen up to the computer area and I suddenly became aware of the tasty orange loaf I had baking in the oven. This was one of my mother’s favorite recipes that we make each year with orange juice squeezed from fresh-picked fruit in our backyard. This year we are especially blessed to have this pound-cake style treat as our citrus were damaged severely by freezing temperatures. The aromas carry … Continue reading →

Aunt Mary’s Enchiladas

I tucked him in the baby car seat, snuggled in a warm blanket on a chilly fall night. We were making the trek from the San Fernando Valley to the Los Angeles International Airport area about 25 miles away. Hubby’s Aunt Mary was making enchiladas and had invited us for dinner. Even better, she was going to teach me how to make this family’s most requested dish for the holidays. Hubby was away on business so just little one, my mother, … Continue reading →

Great Friends, Great Food, “Tres Leches” Dessert

Life tossed us a curve ball when more than an earthquake uprooted hundreds of us women from our carefree family lives in California. We were driven across the mighty Colorado, actually just a meandering river at the Interstate 10 state border, and transplanted into the blazing desert sun of Arizona. But have no fear, we were told, “It’s a dry heat.” No kidding! We only saw water in washes swollen from the summer monsoon deluges. Those were few and … Continue reading →

Gobbling Up Holiday Leftovers–Repackaged

Holiday leftovers are still making the rounds at our home. It’s one of the pleasures of this season that our family looks forward to. When the mounds of wrapping paper are wadded up and the lights on the tree are quiet, a slower pace descends upon our home. A time of reflection and a return to home-cooked meals enters as we try to restore energies spent in loving, giving, laughing, clinging to the treasure of family from California to … Continue reading →

Amy’s Fruit Salad Pudding with a Twist

When I worked at a Christian School in California, the teachers had the most delicious recipes that they all shared. I incorporated many of them into my holiday baking, sweet delights and Hors D’Oeuvres‘. This year for Thanksgiving, I made a fruit salad pudding from one of the teachers who is also a friend of mine. I call it Amy’s Fruit Salad Pudding. However, I decided to add an extra touch of heaven that fluffs up the fruit … Continue reading →

Italian Pancakes–A Holiday Tradition

Right after stuffing the turkey and tucking it in the oven to roast succulently, I begin our age-old Thanksgiving family tradition. The stretching and frying of the bread dough for Italian pancakes. When I was a child, Mom would go to the local bakery and order a pound of sweet bread dough. Excitement welled up just at the thought of going to the bakery. I knew it meant a delectable breakfast treat the next morning. It was … Continue reading →

Janis Van Keuren

Writing Heart Filled Moments

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