Recipe Swap Sunday: Winter Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
You know those seasonal recipe magazines that flood the check-out lanes? If you’ve ever fallen victim to the impulse, you know they’re usually a hit or miss. You may spend $4-6 to get just a handful of decent recipes. One purchase, however, has been the exception to the rule.
I bought the magazine — Holiday Menus from Cuisine at Home — around 2007 and still reference it regularly. Every recipe in it (that I’ve tried) has been tremendous! Including this one. The magazine featured it as a “Christmas Eve” soup, but we enjoy it all winter long.
As always, I have made a couple changes to the original recipe. Instead of using all wild rice (as the recipe called for) I use a combination of brown and wild rices. I use portabellas instead of button mushrooms and add a little extra bacon. Also, I omit the sour cream (my husband abhors sour cream) and use reduced fat instead of whole milk.
Wild rice takes a long time to cook, so be sure you make the necessary allowances. This soup is great the day after, too! Keep your leftovers. They’re worth it.
Winter Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
- 3/4 c dry wild rice blend (or 2 c cooked wild rice)
- 4 strip thick-sliced bacon, diced
- 8 oz. portabella mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 c onion, diced
- 1/4 c carrot, diced
- 1/4 c celery, diced
- 1/4 c flour
- 4 c chicken broth
- 2 c chicken, shredded or diced
- 2 t fresh thyme, minced
- 1/2 c milk
- 1/2 c heavy cream
- salt and pepper to taste
- sliced scallions and toasted almond slivers as garnish
Prepare the rice as directed on the package. If there are no instructions, combine 3/4 c rice with 2 1/2 c water in a small saucepan. Simmer for about 45 minutes, or until the grains are tender and start to split open. (This may be done a day ahead. Chill the cooked rice until ready to use.)
Saute bacon in a large pot over medium-high heat until crisp, 8-10 minutes. Scoop out bacon (leaving drippings in the pan) and drain on paper towel-lined dish. Add mushrooms to drippings and saute over medium-high until soft, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add onion, carrot and celery; cover and sweat until the onion is translucent, about 5 more minutes.
Remove lid and increase heat to medium. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Slowly add chicken broth, making sure to scrap up bits from the bottom of the pot, then add chicken, cooked rice and fresh thyme. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes.
Add milk, cream, reserved bacon, salt and pepper to soup. Gently simmer about 1 minute or until heated through. Garnish each serving with scallions and toasted almonds. ENJOY!
Serves 8 as a first course or 4 as a main dish.
1 comment February 7, 2010
Read with Me: I’m still reading!
It’s Thursday night. I have a busy Friday morning planned and we’re supposed to get more snow tomorrow (which will only complicate things), so I’m posting early.
HOWYA DOIN? Is everyone still with us? I don’t want to lose anyone! I’ve not yet had the time to email each member individually, so if you’ve got a few minutes, check on your friends. Email a note to those who’ve been missing the last couple weeks. If you need a reminder of who’s who, check out this post. You’ll find a list toward the end.
Last Friday I posted that I was determined to be caught up before February. Well, I was determined on Friday. On Saturday I was a total bum who sat around folding laundry and watching TV all day. On Sunday I remembered my determination, but too late. I read as much as I could (finished Genesis and caught up in Matthew) then fell asleep. Come Monday, I decided to start the February schedule and backtrack to January when I could. The point is this: I’m still reading! I may not be where the paper says I should be, but I’m still moving forward, and that’s better than sitting still.
Your turn! Feel free to link up or just comment below. I want to hear from you!!
12 comments February 4, 2010
A Book Review: Angels by David Jeremiah
Do you believe in angels? Everybody kind of believes in angels. The real question is whether our beliefs in angels or spirit messengers or guardians matches truth. Are our perceptions accurate? Do they align with Scripture?
We’ve all heard stories of angel encounters. Jungle natives come to Christ because soldiers in shiny uniforms protected the missionaries the tribe had planned to murder. Someone is pulled from a burning car by fearless men who instantly disappear once the victim is safe. A whole family sleeps peacefully while a fatal gang fight rages literally on their front porch. I’ve shared a story of my own here on this blog.
Do we believe the stories? Are they really angels or is it our simple way of explaining what we don’t understand?
I’ve been reading David Jeremiah’s book on this subject and must say it is an excellent resource. Angels does exactly what the subtitle suggests; it lays out “what the Bible reveals.”
Now, the Bible doesn’t tell us a lot, but it reveals much. Let me explain what I mean. The Bible contains over three hundred direct reference to angels, but it doesn’t have a specific book or passage that explains exactly how angels work or why God uses them. It doesn’t even expound upon the relationship or responsibilities between us and them. There are clues. There are stories. There are glimpses. David Jeremiah pieces all these together to offer an accurate picture in a condense and approachable package.
The content includes discussion about:
- What angels are
- God’s relationship with angels
- How they work
- How they worship
- Jesus’ relationship with angels
- When they appear
- Our relationship with angels
- Famous angels (and lesser known ones)
- Fallen angels and Satan
- Eternity with angels
There are several things I like about this book. The conversational, easy-to-read nature is one, but two attributes stand above the rest.
It is flooded with Scripture. Bookstores contain hundreds of books about angels, miraculous sightings and spiritual encounters. Experience is valuable, but its interpretation is subjective. I want to know the truth and the only way to know that is to study God’s Word. This book does contain relevant stories, but its focus is more on what Scripture teaches us about these heavenly beings.
Its purpose is to glorify God. From the very beginning through the middle and into the end of this book the author repeatedly shines the focus on God. Let me prove this with a few quotes from the book.
“The writer of Psalm 73 shows the right heart when he tells God ‘Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.’ Besides God there is no one on earth and no one in heaven — not even angels — who can give your soul true fulfillment.” (p. 23)
“That, in fact, is the only sufficient aim in a study of angels: that you might draw closer to God. If you study angels and the result is anything less — if you build up only a file of information about angels or a fascination with them or even a supposed relationship with one, but haven’t encountered at least a tug toward humble submission to the Almighty God … you’ve totally missed what angels are all about.” (p. 25)
“Angels can help lift our eyes from this troubled and temporal earth. But they are meant to draw our gaze to the Lord, not to themselves. All glory is due to God, and he has no intention of sharing it with angels … as we go honestly and carefully into a deeper study of angels, our spirits cannot help but experience the desire to worship. If you remember any words at all that you’ve heard angels speak in Scripture, remember especially these two: Worship God!” (p. 56)
“God’s angels always point us to God … [Ezekiel] isn’t being shown this vision just to learn about cherubim, but rather to hear a word from the Lord.” (p. 145)
“Again and again in Scripture we see this pattern: Those who are given the privilege of a direct visible or audible ministry from angels are those with mature hearts who want to encounter God — not angels. … No one got excited about seeing angels. They were excited about what the angels said.” (p. 192)
You can currently purchase the book from Amazon.com for $10.19. It’s a great read, one I highly recommend.
Please note this is a 2009 repackaging of Dr. Jeremiah’s book What the Bible Says About Angels, published in 1996. This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
4 comments February 4, 2010
Come so far to the same spot
I found an old letter in the bottom of a cluttered closet yesterday.
“Every year I intend to get out hand-stamped Christmas cards complete with letter and photos, and every year I crumble under the pressure of time and responsibility. We’re setting more realistic expectations now as you hold in your hands our ‘Happy Groundhog’s Day!’ family update!”
The paragraphs that follow detail the news of 2005: Zach’s birth, an update on Rick’s job, Ellie learning to walk and then breaking her leg on Christmas day. It talks of the personality contrasts between our two kids and Zach’s perpetual ear infections and severe eczema. (I wrote this just weeks, perhaps days, before we learned of Zach’s food allergies.)
“If these are the biggest of our problems (runny noses and earaches as opposed to hurricanes and tsunamis), we are indeed very, very rich!”
It’s funny how much and how little changes in five years.
The last paragraph was about me.
“And then here am I. My life may not seem glorious or even notorious, but it is definitely full and challenging. I am constantly overwhelmed by the responsibility God has granted me. It is an honorable charge! To raise these two to know God and His Truth in a world that rarely recognizes His existence … I am humbled by the task, and grateful that Rick is leading the endeavor.”
I could have written this today. It’s amazing how I’ve come so far to the same spot. Perhaps that’s God’s intention. We grow and we work, but every day we must face the truth: we can do nothing without Him. It doesn’t matter how much I learn about parenting or homemaking or writing or speaking, because in the end it’s all Him.
Don’t misunderstand me: this is not a license for apathy or complacency. Rather, it is cause to praise His name! No matter how far we have to go, He always meets us where we are and draws us to Himself that we might receive the life He has for us.
Mama loves grace.
2 comments February 2, 2010
Read with Me: January Milestones
Twenty-nine days ago we kicked off a challenge: read the entire Bible in 2010. It started with a link and soon grew to three friends. Before we knew it we have more than 35 people participating from all around the country! GOD IS GOOD. Now, we’re at the end of the first month. Let’s check our milestones.
If you’re using the Piper recommended Discipleship Journal reading schedule, you could have finished January’s assignments early this week! If, like me, you’ve used your grace days, you may have a little more to go. And if you’re using a different schedule, you could be anywhere!
So, HOWYA DOIN? Is everyone still with us?
Today I would love to have some real discussion about our journeys so far. What are you learning? What characters or segments of Scripture have fascinated, surprised or convicted you? If you have a blog, please post over there then link up here. If you don’t, take over the comments section below.
Penny was so excited to weigh-in, she commented on last week’s post before I could get on here this morning! Way to go, Penny!! Here is what she said:
“I have really enjoyed this week. I am actually ahead with both Genesis and Psalms and current in Mathew and Acts. What struck me most this week was how when Jacob was blessing his sons before he died, Genesis 49 said,”this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him. I have two daughters, one of whom struggles greatly with “fairness”. I need to remember that “What is appropriate” to each of them is often better than fair or equal.”
Personally, I’ve had a lot of thoughts about genealogies and favoritism. Last summer I taught a class that included the life of Tamar. I love Tamar. I named my laptop after her. I think this reading through, however, has tied a lot of loose strings between the significance of Tamar, Dinah, Bilhah and other women often overlooked with the prominent stories of Joseph, Jacob, Rueben, Judah and even, by extension, Christ. The seemingly insignificant details are not useless. Rather, they hold vast implications when considered equally with the whole.
More to come on these thoughts. They’re still brewing. 
In the meantime, I want to say I’ve really enjoyed this. I’ve had my bad days and I am still behind. I’m still trying to find a consistent reading groove that works with this schedule. But I have completely finished Genesis and am nearly finished with my January readings in Matthew and Psalms. (I’m pretty behind in Acts. I’ve had trouble reading that the same time as Matthew since it involves some of the same people and not the same timeline.) I am determined to be all caught up before February begins.
Your turn!
9 comments January 29, 2010
Trouble right here in River City
I’m told that’s called an “ear wig.” You know, when you start a song that promptly embeds itself in the brains of everyone who hears (or reads) it. I’ve never been to River City and I say “IoWA” instead of “IoWAY,” but I have had trouble and that starts with ‘T’ and that rhymes with ‘C’ and that stands for COMPUTER!
‘T’ also rhymes with ‘V’ and that stands for VISION.
Both my corneas are infected — which means lots of headaches, blurred vision and very painful steroid/antibiotic eye drops (four times a day!) — and my computer is giving me trouble — which means scattered internet, a slow processor and silence on my blog.
While I get all this straightened out, feel free to drop by my Bookshelf (both HERE and HERE). I didn’t quite meet my goal of 50 books in 2009 (probably because I started twice as many books as I finished), but the list is there along with a new list for 2010. You may also want to check out CCBR. We always have new reviews there. We also did a special feature last week on cookbooks for kids.
4 comments January 27, 2010
Living with Less Contest
Here’s a fun opportunity for you.
To celebrate the release of Hearts at Home’s newest book: Living With Less So Your Family Has More, by Jill and Mark Savage, the Hearts at Home blog is launching the Living with Less Contest.
Email Hearts at Home a story or money-saving tip that gives a peek into your daily experiences representing the humor, richness, or spiritual aspects of what it’s like to live with less.
Many of the money-saving entries — possibly yours! — will be posted on the Heart’s blog throughout the month of February. The top five entries will also receive a free book; one winner will receive a basket filled with goodies from the Hearts at Home shop!
For contest details go here!
2 comments January 24, 2010
Surviving Week 3 (Read with Me)
I warned you at the beginning of this journey that there would be weeks I would need your encouragement. This is one of those weeks.
I just don’t feel like reading. Let me clarify: I don’t feel like reading my Bible. I want to read, but … not that. And I feel TERRIBLE admitting this because there is absolutely no reason for it! When I have time to read, I simply grab something else. I even keep my Bible on top to make sure I grab it first, but this week I’ve performed impressive acrobatics to get around it.
Maybe I’m bored. Maybe I’m more ADD this week than usual. Maybe some dark forces are working overtime to keep me from knowing God better.
Or maybe I’m just rebellious.
My grace days are gone. Tell me I can do this. Tell me I must do this.
So, how are YOU doing?
Special Note: Next week will be our last “Howya-doin” for January. It will mark us finished 1/12 of our objective. Woo-hoo! If you have a blog, please post something that day about what you’ve been learning. Write about a truth revealed in new light or a character you had previous overlooked, but now find fascinating. Write about the discipline of following a schedule or why you like the schedule you’re using. Write anything that relates to our journey and link up here. We can rejoice together over our progress!
12 comments January 22, 2010
Dug Down Deep
Do you remember the first time you saw a 3-D movie?
I think I was eight. Our family went to Orlando for a week. We sat in this giant theater at one of the parks. Somebody gave us the flimsy little red and blue glasses with the big white frames. I refused to put them on. My older brother (he was sixteen) kept telling me “Just do it. Just do it! Put ‘em on!”
I didn’t want to. I insisted I already knew how to watch a movie, and sliding these weird-looking things over my already goofy eyeglasses was not part of the deal.
When the movie started, I could see the screen, but it wasn’t right. Bright colors vibrated around familiar shapes, but instead of being entertaining, it was annoying, blurry and visually too loud.
Finally I slunk down in my seat, made sure my bossy brother wasn’t watching me, then slid on the glasses. WOW. It was like nothing I’d ever experienced! Instead of being a bystander, I became part of the movie. It swirled toward and around me, inviting me further and further into the life the filmmakers created for me.
That experience — the moment seeing-but-not-seeing turns into something unbelievably tangible and beautiful and right — that’s what Joshua Harris’s newest book is like. Dug Down Deep takes the seemingly abstract subject of doctrine and reveals it in it’s full form. Instead of blurry images of old men arguing irrelevant details, it becomes clearly seen as the absolute foundation to living a Christian life. Instead of boasting intellectualism void of action, it becomes evident as the catalyst toward compassionate evangelism and social responsibility.
He writes: “It matters not because we want to impress people, but because what we know about God shapes the way we think and live. Theology matters because if we get it wrong then our whole life will be wrong.“
If you’re already a student of theology, much of this book may be review for you. However, the personal narrative, the ease of application, and the simple flow of this book make it a great read for any Christian, regardless of where they are in their spiritual training.
In the over two hundred pages, one part struck me more than the rest. Toward the beginning of the book Harris talks about the wise and foolish builders. I’ve read that story hundreds of times; I’ve even taught about it, but his perspective has haunted me ever since that first reading. The “rock” in the story isn’t Jesus; it’s solid theology. You may already know that Jesus told this parable believers about believers. The story doesn’t contrast Christians with non-Christians; it contrasts those who follow Jesus’ instructions with those who don’t. But the wise man who dug down deep to find the rock, dug to make sure his life was founded on solid, accurate teachings. Both worked to build a life that would honor Christ. Only one made sure he started with the right foundation.
Do we live this Christian life because it’s what we’ve always known? Because it makes us happy? Because we like the culture or the people in it?
That’s why I like this book. It urges believers to (as the subtitle suggests) unearth what we believe. It reminds us why what we believe is so very important to our everyday life.
About the Author:
Joshua Harris is senior pastor of Covenant Life in Gaithersburg, Maryland, which belongs to the Sovereign Grace network of local churches. A passionate speaker with a gift for making theological truth easy to understand, Joshua is perhaps best known for his runaway bestseller, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, which he wrote at the age of twenty-one. His later books include Boy Meets Girl, Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is), and Stop Dating the Church. The founder of the NEXT conferences for young adults, Joshua is committed to seeing the gospel transferred to a new generation of Christians. He and his wife, Shannon, have three children.
2 comments January 21, 2010
Fighting Paralyzation
So much swirls around me. I ache to do something, yet I don’t know where to start. A friend is living through, almost literally, the first four chapters of Job. Another watches her mother deteriorate from Alzheimer’s, that bitter and heartless thief of a disease. One works countless hours and still can’t seem to make ends meet. Another watches helplessly as a beloved child suffers from seizures seemingly without cause or end in sight. Divorce. Cancer. Rebellion. And then there’s Haiti, not to mention the innumerable other tragedies around the globe. What can I do? Where do I start?
I am overwhelmed. This gnawing hole in my heart longs to fix something. Anything. Yet I know I am utterly incapable. That is, without Him.
He is the Creator, the Sustainer, the Lord of all who live. He is GOD. I don’t claim to understand Him. I don’t even claim that all happens for a reason. I only know that HE IS GOOD. And He loves all of His children, even those who do not yet acknowledge Him. HE IS SOVEREIGN. He will make Himself known.
Now, what steps can I take toward that end? When I look at the swirling mess around me, I feel paralysis taking root. I shudder and quake, not knowing what to do or where to turn. But when I look at HIM, then I can see small steps. An encouraging note sent here. An unexpected visit there. A hug. A coffee. A heap of prayers.
It may not sound like much, but the God who fed five thousand from a couple fish and a few loaves can do anything. This is my offering. Lord God, multiply it!
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”
– Ephesians 3:20-21 (NASB)
As a final note, if you have not yet donated to the relief efforts in Haiti, please consider how you can help. There are several organizations right there, primed and ready: Compassion, World Vision and Samaritan’s Purse are just a few. If you cannot give monetary help, consider what else you may give. Hope for Haiti is a site that allows people to auction off what they can — services, crafts, products and more. All proceeds go to The Red Cross and Compassion. Can you give ad space on your blog? List something you’ve made? Offer photography lessons? Check it out.
1 comment January 20, 2010
