Cooking with C.A.R.E?

Good morning daughters of grace.  As many of you know I am the owner of a business called Cooking with C.A.R.E.  I was very prayerful and specific when developing and naming my business.  I wanted to not only teach people how to cook but also how to bless their families with delicious, healthy meals.  I wanted cooking to become less of a burden and more of a ministry.  C.A.R.E is an acronym that is very special to my heart.  Every cooking class, nutrition class or cooking video I provide starts with this in mind and I do believe today, it will be a blessing to you!  Let me give you a little more detail.

C: Confidence – Many of us don’t have confidence in our cooking.  Either we never really learned how or we have only a few staples recipes and that’s it.  We don’t feel comfortable with our skills, tools or knowledge.  We have picky kids we just can’t please or a husband who can’t decide what he wants.  Sometimes we are just too tired to think of anything new and a pizza becomes the way to go.  Ladies, let me tell you what God says: “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” - Phil 1:6 God desires for you to be confident, even in your meals!  You don’t have to be a professional chef but I encourage you that you can and will prepare meals that will bless your family.  Try one new dish each week and keep at it!  Don’t get discouraged! 

A: Artistry – Huh? I know that you are thinking “Chef Robin, please don’t tell me I have to become a food artist!” No, I’m not here to stress you out.  I’m here to help you understand the art of food.  Artistry is simply defined creative skill or ability.  For example always have at least 2-3 colors on your plate.  That not only makes the plate beautiful but it also helps to provide different vitamins and minerals for your family!  That’s a two for one deal for you!  It could be as simple as adding red peppers and carrots to your steamed spinach, fish and baked potato.  Isn’t that prettier than a white potato, cauliflower and fish?  You’re also giving your family vitamins A, C, E, K,B-2 & 6, fiber and a host of others!  All that in the name of a pretty plate - art!  (See the pretty plate at the side!)

R: Resourcefulness – Most people talk about how expensive healthy eating is.  I like to look at it more as an investment.   It’s an investment in the health and future of you and your family.  Did you know that diabetes, heart disease, certain forms of cancer and stroke are all related to your diet and exercise?  That said we must be resourceful so that we are able to choose the best for our families.  A few tips: Make at least one meal a day meatless.  Meat is normally the most expensive part of our plate.  Choose another cheaper source of protein such as beans or nuts so that you can afford more fruits and vegetables.  Shop in season!  It’s fall, apples and pears are the “in” fruits of the season.  Berries and watermelon are out for now.  Eat healthier, local and CHEAPER!

 

E: Ease – Last, but certainly not least for busy moms is ease.  Even though I’m a chef I don’t always "count it all joy" over being in the kitchen for hours.  Sometimes you just want something healthy yet simple.  One way to do this is by freezing meals.  Make a batch of something for another day and freeze it.  On those busy days all you have to do is grab it out of the freezer.  Today I’m giving you a recipe for lasagna rolls.  When you prepare them just make extra and freeze them uncooked for another day.  You can pop them in the oven at 325 for about 20 minutes longer than required and it’s like a tv dinner only so much better! 

I do hope you’ve learned a little more about what I do and my heart for cooking and I hope these tips will bless you and your family.  I leave you with the main scripture for my business “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ – Matthew 25:40  When you take the time to prepare healthy and delicious meals from a heart of love for your family you are blessing the Lord as well.  It’s just like you are doing it for Him!  The Lord loves your cooking too!  How precious is that?!  Ministry starts at home!!  

Stay tuned in a few weeks for some wonderful thanksgiving recipes and be sure to join me and my TMS sisters at The Mom Squad Holiday Luncheon on the 22^nd of November!  I will have a cooking demo and Josh Booth and I will talk food and I will be giving 5 tips only the professional chefs know that will make your life easier!  PLUS Josh will have a crock pot prize pack to give away!  Click here for tickets and more info!

Lasagna Rolls

6 lasagna noodles

1 cup mozzarella (fresh), sliced thinly

1 cup parmesan

1 small onion chopped

1 pepper (your choice of color), chopped

3 cloves of garlic

8 ounces of spinach

1 jar pasta sauce 

1 can diced tomatoes, low sodium

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Cook noodles according to package directions

In a pan saute onions, garlic and pepper.  Add spinach, tomatoes and sauce and simmer.

Spread mozzarella on noodles and top with a little sauce and parmesan cheese.

Roll up the noodle and place in a baking pan sprayed with cooking spray.

Once complete cover with remaining sauce and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Bake covered for 20 minutes.  Remove top and bake an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is brown and bubbly.