Cindy's Recipes and Writings

Feed a child. Nourish a mind. #TheLunchboxFund Bloggers Unite

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Cindy Kerschner

Feed a child. Nourish a mind.

Remember lunch break? Next to recess it was the best time of my school day!

I didn’t need to think about if there was going to be something to eat or not when the 12:00 bell rang.

I’d grab my lunch bag, dig out my nickel for milk and get in line. We would proceed, single file downstairs to the lunch room aka gym, multi-purpose room and basement. I’d plop my nickel in the milk machine and grab the fallen 1/2 pint and pick a seat.

Half of a spiced ham sandwich, maybe a cookie or piece of fruit. We didn’t have much, but I always had lunch.

Bugsly here, will feed a child by kicking lunch up a notch with a red pepper, cherry and date for a head. Celery slathered with peanut butter or cream cheese and raisins, carrot legs make his body and a few broccoli pieces for a grassy feel.

Who doesn’t love that face?

Not all kids can look forward to their own Bugsly or lunch at all.

If your child were hungry, could they concentrate in school? Children who don’t have enough to eat don’t have the capacity to work towards a proper education.

For some children, @thelunchboxfund provides their only meal of the day.
The Lunchbox Fund has been feeding impoverished and orphaned schoolchildren since 2005. It brings communities together with the help of small local businesses and entrepreneurs, and provides vulnerable students with healthy meals that nourish their bodies and minds.

The Lunchbox Fund from Leigh Wood on Vimeo.

OUR GOAL

Join me in lending a hand to The Lunchbox Fund. Our goal is to raise $5,000 to provide a daily meal to 100 South African school children for an entire year. Fundraising will take place on Causes from 2/10-2/16.

How much are we asking you to give?

That’s easy. Give what you can. Tally up a week’s worth of lattes (Think about losing all those calories) or skip that dessert or appetizer on your night out to dinner.
Go to Causes.com and donate.I did!

THANK YOU!

Stay Connected:

The Giving Table

Twitter: @thegivingtable / #feedsouthafrica
Facebook: facebook.com/givingtable
Instagram: #feedsouthafrica
Causes: Campaign Page

The Lunchbox Fund

Twitter: @thelunchboxfund
Facebook: facebook.com/thelunchboxfund

REMEMBER. Feed a child. Nourish a mind.

Posted in #TheGivingTable, lunch, vegetables, vegetarian, veggies, What's For Dinner? | Tagged #thegivingtable, #TheLunchboxFund, end hunger, lunch | Comments Off

Chocolate Marshmallow Duet for #SundaySupper recipes for Two

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Cindy Kerschner

What can I say about Valentine’s Day? We have a love-hate relationship. Some of my best memories stem from February 14th and some of my worst. Cupid doesn’t have the best aim.

I almost didn’t participate this week because I wasn’t sure how to approach writing my post. Angel on one shoulder, Devil on the other. 😉
I needed to focus on the positive. First, I positively love chocolate. Second, I positively love being part of Sunday Supper!
That made it a little easier. I chose to make a recipe adapted from my first acquired cookbook, called Cooking for Two. I bought the cookbook 40 years ago when it was popular to start a “hope chest” and fill it with things you need when you first get married. Stuff like dishes, cooking tools, pots and pans, towels, et cetera. You get the picture. I still have the real cedar chest, too. Now it is filled with pictures and memories.

Thanks Susan for hosting this week! You can find her most days at The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen where she makes you feel very welcome.

This light dessert has the rich flavor of dark chocolate marshmallow pudding with the texture of a mousse.

Chocolate Marshmallow Duet for #SundaySupper recipes for Two

Prep time

0 min

Cook time

0 min

Total time

0 min

Ingredients

⅓ cup semisweet chocolate chips
2¾ cups mini marshmallows
2 tablespoons water
dash of salt
1 egg, separated
¼ teaspoon vanilla
½ cup heavy cream, whipped
2 tablespoons chopped pistachios
candy hearts for decorating, (optional)

Instructions

Combine chocolate, marshmallows, salt and water in a double boiler. Melt, whisking until smooth. Remove from heat to cool slightly.
Lightly beat egg yolk.
Drizzle a few drops of chocolate mixture into egg yolk to temper before adding to the pot. Slowly whisk in egg yolk back into pot.
Cook an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly until smooth.
Add vanilla and cool.
Beat egg white into stiff peaks.
Fold whites into cooled chocolate mixture then fold in whipped cream.
Spoon into 4 dishes and chill two and freeze two or just chill all.
Garnish with nuts and candy if desired.

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Just for you, just for two menu ideas from our Sunday Supper Contributors!

Alluring Appetizers:

Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Ricotta from Casa de Crews
Kumquat Vanilla Marmalade from Shockingly Delicious
Southwestern Meatballs wrapped in Bacon from Momma’s Meals

Exquisite Entrees:

Almond-Crusted Sole with Mushroom Pilaf for Two from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
Bacon Crusted Beer Mac and Cheese from Melanie Makes
Baked Crab Cakes with Lemongrass-Ginger Mayo from The Weekend Gourmet
Baked Pasta with Sausage and Fontina from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
Baked Tilapia En Papillote from It’s Yummi!
Chicken and Mushroom Alfredo from Cookin’ Mimi
Drunken Snow Crabs from Family Foodie
Eggs in Purgatory from Noshing with the Nolands
Flambéed Veal Chops from MealDiva
Homemade Philly Cheesesteak Stromboli from In The Kitchen With KP
Meyer Lemon Butter Sauce Prawns with Linguine from Food Lust People Love
Pan Seared Scallops with Lemon-Basil Beurre Blanc, Pancetta, Apples and Fennel from Crazy Foodie Stunts
Pan-Seared Scallops with Linguine and Tomato-Cream Sauce from Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
Roasted Vegetable Lasagna for Two from Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
Salmon Pakoras from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Swiss Fondue for Two from Curious Cuisiniere
White Queso Mac and Cheese for Two from Daily Dish Recipes

Decadent Desserts and Drinks:

Baked Custard from Magnolia Days
Cherry Spritzer Ice Cream Float from Peanut Butter and Peppers
Chocolate Budino with Strawberry Hearts from Manu’s Menu
Chocolate Malt Bread Pudding from Alida’s Kitchen
Chocolate Marshmallow Duets from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Chocolate Pots de Crème from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Fresh Berry Parfait with Crème Anglaise from Hip Foodie Mom
Fudgy Dark Chocolate Brownies with Raspberry Sauce from La Bella Vita Cucina
Funfetti Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle from Take a Bite Out of Boca
German Rose Water Sugar Cookies For Two from Killer Bunnies, Inc.
Gluten Free Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles from Gluten Free Crumbley
Gluten-Free Deep Dish Hot Fudge Brownies for Two from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Ice Cream Stuffed Crepes with Nutella and Fresh Berries from Neighborfood
Malawian Mbatata Cookies with Coconut Cream from Happy Baking Days
Orange-scented Bread Pudding with Hard Sauce for Two from girlichef
Pecan-Crusted Coconut Custards with Brandied Banana Sauce from The Texan New Yorker
Pistachio Pudding For Two (From Scratch) from Chocolate Moosey
3 Japanese-Style Treats for Your Sweet from Ninja Baking
Valentine’s Cupcakes with a Surprise from From the Bookshelf
White Hot Chocolate from Pies and Plots

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter every Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat.

Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy! You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

Posted in #SundaySupper, chocolate | Tagged #SundaySupper, chocolate, dessert, marshmallow, mousse, Valentine's Day | 41 Comments

Valentine’s Day Treats FFF Linky Party!

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Cindy Kerschner

Welcome to this week’s Valentine’s Day Treats Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party!
This week we’re looking for your favorite Valentine’s Day treats! Share a recipe or DIY craft!

Before we start, let’s congratulate last week’s winners!

HOST FAVORITES

Now on to the Party!

An InLinkz Link-up

Posted in What's For Dinner? | 3 Comments

Mediterranean Fruit and Dipping Oil with In-shell Pistachios

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Cindy Kerschner

“I received free pistachio samples from the Pistachio Health Institute mentioned in this post. By posting this pairing I am entering a contest sponsored by Pistachio Health Institute and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.”

This month The Recipe ReDux is pairing up with The Pistachio Health Institute to share the good news about In-shell Pistachios!

According to The Pistachio Health Institute , pistachios are a deliciously simple way to snack healthy. A one-ounce serving of pistachios equals approximately 49 nuts, which is more nuts per serving than any other snack nut, and a reduced serving of about 30 pistachios is just about 100 calories.
Crack ‘em, Chew ‘em, Love ‘em, Leave ‘em: Let the Pistachio Principle be your guide! Empty pistachio shells may serve as a “visual cue” of how many pistachios you’ve consumed, so don’t discard the shells after you’ve enjoyed the treat inside.
Study participants who left pistachio shells on their desk reduced their calorie consumption by 18 percent compared to participants who discarded shells immediately after consumption.
People who consumed in-shell pistachios ate 41 percent fewer calories than those who consumed pistachios without shells. This suggests that empty shells may be a helpful visual cue as to how much has been eaten – thereby potentially encouraging reduced calorie consumption.

In-shell pistachios can stand alone as a wonderful anytime snack. Pair these delicious morsels with dried figs, feta stuffed dates, dried apricots and cranberries for a Mediterranean flare.