Rosemary Red Potatoes

Easy and quick!

Rosemary Red Potatoes
3 medium red potatoes, cut into wedges
2 T olive oil
1 T rosemary
1 1/2 t garlic salt
1 t pepper

1. Preheat oven to 425*.
2. Mix everything but the potatoes in a gallon-sized bag. Add potatoes and toss until potatoes are coated in mixture.
3. Spread potatoes evenly on a slightly greased baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Bruschetta

I don't like paying for food I can make myself, especially when it's a pricey appetizer that I love!

Bruschetta
1 loaf french bread, cut width-wise into about 36 slices
2 T olive oil, separated
2 1/2 c chopped tomatoes
1 (4 oz.) pkg. feta cheese (Athenos brand, with basil & tomato, is what I use), finely crumbled
1/2 c red onion, finely chopped
3 T fresh parsley, chopped
1 T olives (black or green, or both), finely chopped
1/4 t ground black pepper

1. Preheat broiler.
2. Place bread slices on foil-lined cookie sheet and broil each side for about 2-3 minutes, or until lightly toasted.
3. Brush each side of toast slices with 1 Tablespoon of the olive oil.
4. Mix remaining 1 Tablespoon olive oil with the rest of the ingredients; spoon on to toast just before serving.
Refrigerate leftovers.

Ocean Water

Have you ever tried the Ocean Water slush at Sonic? Well, here's the yummy recipe!

Ocean Water
3 T water
2 T sugar
1 t coconut extract
2 drops blue food coloring
2- 12oz cans Sprite, cold
crushed ice

1. Combine water and sugar in small bowl. Microwave for 30-45 seconds and stir to dissolve sugar. Allow this mixture to cool.
2. Add coconut extract and food coloring to cooled mixture. Stir well.
3. Pour Sprite into a pitcher, and add blue mixture. Pour over ice.

I used green food coloring in honor of St. Patrick's Day, and I put the ocean water (with ice) in the blender to make it more like a slush.

Resurrection Cookies

These are a great tradition for Easter!

Resurrection Cookies
1c whole pecans
1t vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch of salt
1c white sugar
ziploc bag
wooden spoon
heavy-duty tape
Bible

1. Preheat oven to 300*.
2. Place pecans in zipper baggies and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
6. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.
7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isa.1:18 and John 3:1-3.
8. Fold in broken nuts. Drop the batter in teaspoon-sized lumps onto a cookie sheet, with wax paper on it. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.
9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.
10. Go to bed! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in there overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20, 22.
11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9.

This is a borrowed picture.