Inspired by India

What next?  In so many quiet moments throughout the day, it is quickly where my mind goes.  On January 27th,  I returned from eleven days in India.  The first eight of them were spent visiting the ministry sites of an organization called Share in Asia.  It began 18 years ago as the American arm of a 70 year old ministry based in Southern India.  They plant churches, build and run orphanages and schools in the poorest areas as well as widows homes and lepers homes .  They participate in mercy outreach of every kind.  Each day of those eight I saw desperate need and overwhelming joy, often in the same moments. Children laughing with joy as they ate what may be their only good meal that day, provided by the school.  Girls orphaned by the Indian ocean tsunami of 2004, beaming with smiles as they danced and sang, secure in the provision of their orphanage.  It is the children that hit us the hardest.  They are the most vulnerable.  We can't judge them, which would create distance from their plight.  They are the clearest victims, yet with the purest thankfulness.  And it was at the orphanages and schools of Share in Asia that I saw the most hope.

My husband Zack has traveled to Haiti on a mission in the past and offered me some knowing advice before I left; ”Remember, God hasn't blessed you to feel guilty."  Those words floated in my mind as I faced so much need.  So why has God blessed me?  Why do I have everything I need and more?  I am blessed to be a blessing.  We all are.  I've known this for a very long time - it is how my parents lived.  I have haltingly and very imperfectly operated from this perspective for most of my adult life.  But India brought a whole new application of that truth.  In India, my eyes saw poverty and need on a whole new level, coupled with the power of help and hope to change lives, and the impact of relatively small contributions of time and money. I'll never be able to unsee these things.  I'll never get the little girl out of my mind.  We pull off the bumpy, crowded road to buy a snack of fresh coconut and we meet her. She is 2, maybe 3.  She lives in a tent made of a tarp with her brothers and sisters. I don't know where her parents are.  She has no clothes.  We buy them all giant wedges of watermelon for pennies.  She stares over the top of hers, its wider than her precious head.  Eyes fixed on mine while she eats.  Here she is with the other children.

Every child is precious.  Made in the image of God with dignity, value and worth.  If I have blessing, is it not for her?  Is it not for whomever God puts before me?  For my husband, for my friends, for family, for the hurting and needy in my own community and now, for Indian children in orphanages and schools half way around the world.  I cannot begin to help them all, that much is obvious.  But I can take a step, make a change, choose to bless.

So, a few days ago, I had an idea.  A little way to help, for now.  Valentine's Day is coming up.  Ostensibly, this day is about love.  Share the Love began running through my mind.  A pop-up shop selling Valentine's treats maybe? A Valentine's gift shop?  NO!  Valentine's Day gift boxes!  Each box would contain lovely things to give someone you love on Valentine's Day, AND the love would be shared!  Every donation would go to blessing the orphans I met and fell in love with in India.  Their orphanage is in a flood prone area and was recently damaged. Their bathrooms are incredibly spare and simple.  There are so many needs.  I can't adopt those children and bring them home with me, but can I adopt their orphanage? Can I inspire others to join me in this?  I don't know where this is all leading or if its just one holiday and one effort, but I'll start right here.  I can take this step.

So, this Valentine's Day, love your Valentine well AND share the love with an orphanage in need. Every penny of your donation for this Valentine's Day gift will go to the Share in Asia Tsunami Orphanage in Southern India. 

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UPDATE!  This fundraiser earned more than $1800.00 for the Share In Asia Tsunami Orphanage!  Thank you to everyone who cared and gave!

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SHARE THE LOVE FUNDRAISER

Your fully tax-deductible suggested donation of $60 includes this gift.  (additional $20 suggested for delivery)

A Valentine's Day gift box filled with lovely things...

• Fresh cut tulips wrapped in festive tissue
• Homemade treats from me and my friends: Chocolate truffle cookies, Peanut butter chocolate bon-bons, Indian chai-spiced shortbread hearts
• Choice of:  Sozo wine, French Sparkling Apple Cider or Gourmet Coffee Beans
• A picture of the children and note of thanks for Sharing the Love
• Set in a box with lovely packaging
• A custom note from you

NOTE:  The deadline for box ordering is passed, but if you'd still like to donate any amount, that would be so amazing.  Go to www.shareinasia.org 

I'll be sure to keep you all posted on how this goes!  

May Memories: Party at Book Larder

May was a busy month at The Joyful Kitchens.  Too busy in fact, something it seems we all need to learn and relearn NOT to do to ourselves.  Sometimes though, you're just on the ride and there are some twists you don't expect but you just gotta hold on tight and it will be over when it's over!  So here we are in June and looking forward to a slower pace but want to look back and reflect on a very busy and wonderful month as a new little company.

One of the highlights of the month was catering an event at Seattle's amazing one and only cookbook book store, Book Larder.  Have you heard of it?  It really is a special place.  My dear friend Dana, who is a prolific and long time food blogger, personal chef and cooking class instructor, is the culinary director.  On May 24th, Ted Allen (of Chopped and other Food Network shows) would be in town for a book signing and talk.  She had a cooking class that evening, so she asked me to step in to cook up some items from his book, In My Kitchen.  Turns out his book is awesome.  I made quite a few items including the beautiful pickled vegetables above.

My favorite recipe from the book so far is this North Carolina Pulled Pork.  It had a vinegary sauce that scared me at first but turned out to be absolutely tongue tingling.  I also had my first experience with low and slow cooking on the grill (versus in the oven).  Six hours and lots of hickory chips later I had my first ever smoke ring.  Such a gratifying feeling!  I served it up on warm homemade brioche buns with pickled red onions.

Ted's Devilish Chipotle, chive and white cheddar eggs.

This is some really delicious butter pecan brittle.  I got myself a pretty horrendous burn making it though.  Zack promptly purchased me these afterwards and asks me if I'm going to wear them just about every time he sees me in the kitchen.  He is very protective and that is sweet.  I'm kind of a rub-some-dirt-on-it girl when it comes to injury, but he looks out for me.

  

Honey and Toasted Coconut Marshmallows rounded out the menu.  Homemade marshmallows are always a hit.  Ted was funny and generous and the event went great.  Be sure you get on the Mailing list at Book Larder if you enjoy cookbooks and culinary events!

Stay tuned later in the week for highlights from our Southwest Cooking class!

The Joyful Kitchen Dinners: Southwest Flavor

We're excited to invite you around our table for the first of hopefully many family-style dinners, each with a different theme.  The setting will vary, but will always be lovely, inviting, comfortable and inspiring to your palette!  The menu will invite you to experience something unique each time and offer you the bold-flavored food that we truly want to eat and most like to share.  For our first offering, we knew it had to be Southwest.  Your response to that cooking class was enthusiastic!   Here are the details!

NEXT EVENT IS AVAILABLE FOR SIGN UPS!

DATE:  Saturday, July 28th at 6:00pm.
LOCATION:  Julie's home on Queen Anne
COST: $45 includes meal, drinks, tax and gratuity (all-inclusive) 
SEATS:  Email julie@thejoyfulkitchens.com to purchase seats. 

THE MENU

Upon Arrival
Margarita Ice Pops
Chunky Guacamole
with warm homemade corn tortilla chips

The Meal
White and Red Sangrias
Navajo Fry Bread Indian Tacos with Slow Roasted Carnitas, New Mexico Red Chile Sauce
and many toppings
Corn Pudding with Roasted Poblano & Caramelized Onion Cream Sauce

For the Sweet Tooth:
Honey Lavender Ice Cream
Spiced Pinion Nut Brittle
Cinnamon Sugared Sopapillas

Space is limited so reserve soon!

Ultimate Dessert Championship

So, as I'm sure all my readers know (because all my readers are personal friends and family, to my knowledge!) I am a committed member of an incredible church called Mars Hill. I attend its Downtown Seattle campus. One of the main ways I serve at church is through throwing, coordinating, planning, hosting, whatever is needed...events.

I have been an event planner since I was old enough to formulate a to-do list, I'd say about 7. In my early 20's, I followed this passion into the professional world as an event planner for a wonderful catering company. Since then, I have planned events professionally for a number of different companies, as a service to my church or community and as a personal entertainer - pretty much non-stop! There is always the next event on the horizon and I like it that way. So this leads me to last Saturday. Well, lets start in January. My pastor asked if I had ideas or could help him plan an event geared towards the single people at our campus, of which there are many. I said yes, and as is typical for me, I have taken a bite of this need and I haven't let go. The first event was a bit weak and we were determined to create a better experience the second time out. After much deliberation with the team, the Ultimate Dessert Championship was born. A knock down, drag out dessert bake-off, where only one comes out standing! At least that was the idea behind the marketing (think UFC). :)

Anyway, I was so happy with the event, because I really felt it broke a lot of ice and helped everyone meet someone new. 110 people attended and 30 of them baked and entered desserts. The guests ate dinner, competed in trivia and other competitions and judged desserts. They really got into the scoring and had a great time. We shook up the evening by having the guests sit at tables with people they didn't know, using a fancy arbitrary placement system (yeah right, we put numbers on the bottom of their paper plates that coordinated with what table they had to sit at). Now, in my experience with these competitions, a cheesecake always wins, UNLESS, there is a molten chocolate cake of some type. In which case, no one else even has a chance. This winning chocolate cake was even better than the normal molten gooey goodness, because she used almond paste as well. Chocolate and almond, OH MY! This was the high scoring, absolute winner and I'd definitely recommend it if you really want to impress someone with dessert!


Ultimate Dessert Champion of the World: Almond Chocolate Torte
(pictured in main space above) by Megan Behrmann

For Cake:

1 tsp instant coffee powder
2 Tbs hot water
4 oz semi-sweet coffee
1 Tbl shortening
3 eggs seperated
1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup almond paste
1/2 cup flour
a pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 8 inch round pan and sprinkle with
cocoa.

Mix instant coffee and hot water together. Melt the shortening and
semi-sweet chocolate together over a double boiler or glass bowl over simmering water and cool. Stir in coffee.

Whip egg whites into soft peaks.

Cream butter and sugar. Add almond paste, egg yolks, salt and flour. Add
chocolate coffee mixture and mix until fully incorporated. Fold in egg
whites in thirds.

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until tester pierced 1 inch from the edge comes out clean (note: the center will still be quite gooey and delicicious). Cool
for 10 minutes and then turn out. Allow to cool completely and then top with
glaze and let sit for 2-4 hours.

For Glaze

1 and 1/2 oz unsweetened chocolate
2 Tbl butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
2-3 Tbl warm water
a pinch of salt

Melt chocolate and butter together. Whisk in sugar, salt, almond and
vanilla. Add warm water to thin as needed. Pour over cake and allow to
harden.

Winemaker Dinner: Produttori at Cantinetta

In January, the inaugural Golden Piglet was awarded. That prize (for what its worth!) went to Cantinetta restaurant, a wonderful Tuscan dream in Wallingford that takes me back to that beautiful place while at the same time giving me only the best local, seasonal ingredients.

So, occasionally, this dear place hosts winemaker dinners. I absolutely must call your attention to a very special one coming up on Tuesday, June 23rd, featuring my favorite red Italian style, Barbaresco. Produttori is a legend in Italian wine making, with an outstanding reputation for unwaivering quality and integrity in their production. This dinner features not only its exemplary wines, but also its most well known representative, winemaker Aldo Vacca. This is a very intimate enviroment to taste through many of his outstanding wines and also the sigh-worthy culinary delights of Cantinetta. To wet your appetites, the menu...

~Aperitivo~

Broglia Gavi di Gavi "La Mierana" 2007

Avocado, grapefruit, oil cured olives, chilies

~Antipasti~

Produttori Nebbiolo Langhe 2007

Arugula, tuna, fagioli, tomato, egg, balsamic

~Primi~

Produttori Barbaresco 2005

Casoncelli, pancetta, amaretti, sage

~Secondi~

Produttori Barbaresco Riserva "Ovello" 2004

Hanger steak, walla walla onions, porcini

~Dolce~

Marenco Moscato d'Asti or Brachetto d'Acqui 2007

Bombolini, mascarpone, citrus sage

Zack and I wouldn't miss this and we'd love to invite any of you to join our table! The evening is $85 for all courses and paired wine, excluding tax and gratuity. In my experience, this is a great value for this quality of wine and food. And what better way to experience a Golden Piglet, and one of my favorite desserts in the city, BOMBOLINI!



Cantinetta info:
3650 Wallingford Ave N, Seattle 98103 | 206-632-1000
Please call or email trevor@cantinettaseattle.com for reservations
Event Date: Tuesday, June 23 6:30pm

Wine Tasting: Luscious Vino Values!

Attention fellow foodies and vinophiles! On June 11th from 6:30 - 8:00pm, I am hosting a private wine tasting event at Seattle Wine Outlet. The store is reserved and store owner Richard Kinnsies will be hand selecting 5 wonderful wines under $15 a bottle for us to taste! It is a great opportunity to meet other food and wine lovers, as well as find some fabulous wine values. Cheeses and my chocolate dipped marshmallows will also be served. Stop in after work or stay for the duration but don't miss the chance for great community, plus wines and insight from one of Seattle foremost wine experts. There will even be a little friendly competition with vino prizes. :)

COST: $12 Paid in cash or check at the door. This simply covers the cost of the wine tasting, space rental and light snacks. You may buy additional wine directly from The Wine Outlet with your Visa or MC.

RSVP: Please, PLEASE RSVP to goldenpigletmail@gmail.com if you plan to attend, so that I can plan accordingly.

LOCATIONS: This is at the Wine Outlet's Interbay store: 946 Elliott Avenue West