Amazing Vegetable Panang Curry

    Thai curries are easy to make.  I didn't always think so especially when I first started making them!   That's why when I rewrite a recipe, I like to combine the ingredients with the directions.

    I learned about vegetable panang curry when I saw a box of it in the freezer section of a local store. I did a Google and found out more about making what typical ingredients go into it on a website called  Food, and other musings.   I've made this one a few times, and it is delicious!  

Amazing Vegetable Panang Curry

1.  Prepare veggies:  

(1)  Cut up 3 carrots on the  diagonal.

(2)  Cut 1/2 of an onion in thin slices. 

(3)  Slice 1 red  and green pepper into thin slices, 

(4)  Slice 1 zucchini and yellow squash  into half moons.  

(5)  Chop up 2 bok choy or kale leaves.  

(6)  Drain 1 can of Chinese baby corn.

2. Make curry sauce: 
(1)  Put 2 T oil in a wok or large skillet and add 4 - 5 T of panang curry paste and stir-fry on low about 1 minute or until fragrant.  
(2)   Then add 1/2 can of a 14 oz of regular coconut milk and mix with the paste until the oil beads up on the top of it.  
(3)  Then add the rest of that can of coconut milk and another one. 
(4)  Stir in 2 T sugar, 2 T gluten free fish sauce, and 2 kaffir lime leaves snipped into small pieces.   I've made this recipe without lime leaves, and it still is delicious!
(5)  Add all the vegetables except the bok choy or kale.  Let them simmer in the sauce about 5+ minutes until they are crisp-tender.
(6)  Then add the bok choy leaves and  kale and stir until they're wilted.
(7)  Taste and make any adjustments in flavor--more curry paste? More fish sauce? More sugar?

Serve over rice.

Check out some of the other curries on this blog!

Tasty Thai Red Curry   (Modified  recipe from back of curry paste & Thai recipe)

Fantastic Thai Green Curry (Modified a recipe from back of curry paste & Thai recipe)

Rose's Authentic Chinese Yellow Curry  (From a Taiwanese friend who brought this to dinner)

Thai Salmon & Vegetables in Green Curry  ( Modified recipe from Internet search)

Massaman Chicken Curry with Yams & Pineapple (Modified  recipe from back of curry paste & Thai recipe)

Spectacular Chicken Panang Curry (Modified  recipe from back of curry paste &  recipe)

Amazing Vegetable Panang Curry (Modified recipe from back of curry paste & Thai recipe)

Gluten Free Thai Chicken & Pumpkin Curry  (From Internet search)

Other Thai Recipes on This Blog 

Making Gluten Free Pad Thai With a Thai Student (A combination of recipes & student's know how!)

Gluten Free Thai Basil Beef    (From Internet search)

How to Make Your Own Thai Fresh Rolls   (From Internet search)

Rachel Ray's Thai chicken with Basil & Pineapple   (From Internet search)

Gai Pad Prik (Chicken with Peppers) in a Peanut Sauce  (From Internet search)
A Great Thai Soup - Gluten Free & Vegetarian Tom Yum Soup  (Modified from Internet search)
Delicious Gluten Free Thai Wraps  (From Internet search)

Coming to the Lord in His Word - Taking a Look at John 5:39

     How many times have you read the Bible on autopilot?   I know I've done it, and many times I'll have the inward feeling that I just read the word of God just like a newspaper.  Did anything touch me?  Did I meet God in the verses I just read?  On Friday night we talked about this with the college students, and we all had similar stories.  I guess it all boils down to did you touch the Lord in His word? I want this to be my daily aspiration.

     The verse that we read was John 5:39 "You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that testify concerning Me.  Yet you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life."  Hidden in this verse is the Lord's heart that when we read His word we would come to Him.  This past week I was listening to a message while making some banana bread and the person was talking about being believers that are constituted with the truth in God's word.  He said the written word of God is like a container, but within it is hidden the divine life.  Even the Lord made it clear to them, "Yet you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life." 

      At the end of the passage we were reading was a great prayer:  "Lord Jesus, I come to You.  I want to know You as my life.  I want to see who You are from this printed page.  This is not merely a book; this is a revelation of Yourself.  Lord Jesus, shine on Your Word and anoint every line that I may see You and contact You."

Blog update 5/8/13:   This video segment published by Bibles for America entitled  A Time with the Lord which is based on a booklet by the same name that is published by Living Stream Ministry has some neat fellowship on spending time with the Lord.  

Blog Update 5/22/13:   You can order your own free copy of this booklet from Bibles for America.

Blog Update 7/25/13:  I heard a new song from the New York City Young People's CD Into My Heart entitled I am the Living Bread based on John 6:51.

Other  College Student Dinner Fellowships on This Blog:

Do You Have the Assurance of Your Salvation? 

What are the Securities of Your Salvation?

Hearing God - Dinner Fellowship with College Students

Why Should a Believer Get Baptized?

Why Should We Read the Bible?

Coming to the Lord in His Word

Did You Know God Made You With Three Parts?

What is the Key to Experiencing Christ? - A Fellowship with College Students

Calling on the Lord Makes a Difference! 

What's the Secret the Third Generation of Mankind Found?

Why Are Just 2 Trees Mentioned in Genesis 2?

Discussion with College Students--What is the Church?

Why are There Two Trees in Genesis 2 Anyway?  Part 1

Why are There Two Trees in Genesis 2 Anyway?  Part 2

Authentic Gluten Free Chinese Hot Pot

     In February 2011 our international student from Taiwan asked if he could invite his friends over to make a hot pot for the Chinese New Year.  I let him and his friends take over my kitchen, and it was fun to watch them all chopping and working together.  This year the students we have from China have made hot pot a few times already.  They told us back home their families frequently make a hot pot because it is very warming during the cold winter months.  

     I'm always looking for ways to make things from scratch to reduce gluten and MSG which is a popular Chinese spice found in hot pot paste.  The recipe I'm sharing today is also based on what I learned  from A Spicy Perspective, and the author says on her webpage that she picked up the broth from her travels in China.   When Yingying a student from Hunan tasted the broth, she added a large piece of cinnamon bark, 5 star of anise, 1/2 T of black peppercorns, and 3-5 red chili pods. When she tasted it at  dinner, she said it was great.

Authentic Chinese Hot Pot

1.  Veggie Prep:  Cut up 1 onion in slivers, 1 bunch of green onions--cut the ends small and the green parts in 1" pieces, cut up 2 cups of nappa cabbage, 4 bok choy leaves, 2 potatoes cut in large cubes, 1/2 a bunch of spinach, 8 oz of sliced mushrooms,  1  daikon radish cut in strips or cubes.  Then cut 1/2 of a container of firm tofu cut in large cubes and set aside until the last 5 minutes of cooking.  I've seen on some websites that some Chinese like to put all the veggies in separate bowls and let people use their chopsticks and hold the vegetables they've picked out over the hot pot 1-2 minutes until cooked.

2.  Meat prep:  Typically, the Chinese have a selection of thinly sliced raw meat that they put in individual bowls and then let people hold it over the hot pot with their chopsticks  and then add to their own bowl before serving. What our students from Hunan like to do is add the meat to the pot and let it all cook together.Slice in thin strips top sirloin steak, chicken breasts, and lamb.  The Chinese also like to add beef balls, shrimp, fish balls of all sorts, and individual chunks of fish.   

3.  Hot pot base from scratch:   In a soup pot add 12 cups of water.  When I make Chinese soups, I cut off the breast meat for stir fry and remove the legs, thighs, and wings for making teriyaki, etc. In another pot put in the the back and breastbone and add enough water to cover and bring it to a boil and let it cook a few minutes and then pour off this water.  Add these bones to the large pot of water, and then add:  1 T of rice mirin,  1/3 cup of gluten free tamari, 1 1/2 T of sesame oil, 2 green onions sliced in 1" pieces, 3-5 slices of ginger, 5 cloves of minced garlic, 1 large piece of cinnamon (you buy this from an Asian market), 5 stars of anise, 1/2 T of black peppercorns,  3-5 red chili pods (add according to how much heat you like), and 1 T salt.  Let this come to a boil and then simmer for 2 hours.  Skim off any foam.  

4.  Add the vegetables:  Add all the chopped vegetables and let them simmer in the soup about 30 minutes.  

5.  Preparing bean thread noodles: Put some boiling water in a pyrex pan and add 8 oz of bean threads and let them soak until tender about 5-10 minutes.  Drain them when done and put in a covered dish for people to add individually to their bowls. 

6.  Add the meat or keep it for cooking at the table. At this point you can either add all the meat and let them boil a few minutes before taking the pot to the table.  Taste the broth and make any adjustments you like by adding more salt, pepper, tamari soy sauce or sesame oil.  OR you can  put an electric cooking element on the table with an extension cord and arrange the bowls of vegetables and meats around it and let everyone individualize their servings.  

7. Individual Dipping sauce:  If you like to have some additional seasoning to dip your vegetables and meat in, you can make individual dipping dishes:   Mix in a glass bowl  2 t tamari, 1/2 T rice vinegar, 1 t sesame oil, 1/2 of a sliced green onion, 1 t of chopped cilantro.  You can also add 1/4 t of chill garlic sauce.  

If you are putting everything in the pot, then just increase these measurements and put them in a bowl and pass it around and let everyone put some into their bowl. 

You can get the meat and fish balls as well as the unique spices from an Asian market. If you ever tried making this before, let me know what you've learned!

Blog update 3/27/12:  Today I made this recipe again for  hot pot.   I let the chili pods cook on low with the chicken for about 5 hours.  The broth was a bit hot and Yingying told me that in China the heat of the broth is regulated by how long you keep the chili pods in.  So next time I will probably put them in half way.  

Other Chinese recipes on this blog:

BEEF RECIPES:
Delicious Gluten Free Beef Broccoli Stir Fry
The Best Gluten Free Mongolian Beef Stir Fry
Gluten Free Ginger Beef Stir Fry

CHICKEN RECIPES:
Gluten Free Chinese Almond Chicken Stir Fry
Amazing Gluten Free Chinese Cashew Chicken Stir Fry
Gluten Free Garlic Chicken Stir Fry
Gluten Free Chinese - Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry
Gluten Free Chinese - Spicy Kung Pao Chicken Stir Fry
Gluten Free Chinese - Authentic Chinese BBQ Chicken
Rose's Chinese Yellow Curry with Chicken & Vegetables
Gluten Free Chinese - Fantastic Soy Sauce Chicken

TOFU RECIPES:
Tofu & Vegetable Stir Fry

FISH RECIPES:
Steamed Scallion Ginger Fish with Stir-Fried Bok Choy
Fantastic Mahi & Vegetable Stir Fry

NOODLES & RICE:
Gluten Free Gluten Free Chinese Fried Rice

SOUP RECIPES:
Chinese Chicken Soups  - Boy choy chicken, chicken & spinach, and chicken & cabbage
Gluten Free Chinese Hot Pot
Chinese Egg Drop Soup
Chinese Egg & Tomato Soup

SALAD RECIPES
Gluten Free Chinese Chicken Cabbage Salad
Roses's Refreshing Cucumber Salad
Chinese Mandarin Salad

Have You Seen Jesus the Friend of Sinners in Luke 5?

     Would you touch a leper? Would you eat dinner with the most despised person in your city? Would you let a sinful woman massage your feet with ointment? Jesus did. Most of the time the Pharisees and the scribes accused the Lord of breaking the Jewish rituals because He did all these things. What was the Lord’s point in doing this? As I’ve been reading the Life Studies of Luke I’ve been keeping track of these accounts.


Touching the Leper -  When the Lord touched the leper in Luke 5:12-13, you can see His deep sympathy–this was His human virtue that was full of divinity. Then when Jesus healed this man, He wanted people to see that He was there as the very God.

Calling Matthew - Then the Lord purposely chose Matthew who was a despised tax collector for the Roman government (Luke 5:27-39).   Once again the Lord’s human virtue shines out. He speaks to a person everyone hates, and not only that He calls him to be His follower. Do you see the Lord’s human virtue here? The Lord’s divine attribute of mercy in choosing Matthew touches all of our hearts. If the Lord can call Matthew, then He can call me, and He can call you.


Forgiving the Sinful Woman - The story of the woman who cried as she anointed the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair (Luke 7:36-50) is very touching. Simon didn’t get it, and his complaint showed that he didn’t think the Lord should let that woman touch Him.
But the Lord as the incarnated God shows in this account His tender affection for a sinner. And when He says “her sins which are many are forgiven” (v. 47), we can see He is indeed the very God who alone can forgive man’s sins. It deeply touches me that our Savior was willing to touch the leper, eat with the despised, and allow a sinner to cry at His feet.  



Other blogs on the Life Study of Luke:

You can listen to excerpts from the Life Study of Acts along with excellent commentary by tuning into the Life Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.

What Kind of Savior is Revealed in the Gospel of Luke?
Have You Seen Jesus the Friend of Sinners in Luke 5?
Who Did the Samaritan Find on His Journey in Luke 10:33-37?
Why is Persistent Prayer Important in Luke 18:1-8?
A Great Gospel Illustration - How is Man Like a Glove?
From the Life-Study of Luke - Not Reading the Bible Superficially

What Happens When You Read the Bible?

     Have you ever thought about what happens to you when you open up the Bible and start reading it? I was a sophomore in high school when I began to read my Bible every morning while I ate my bowl of cereal before dashing outside to catch the bus. Over the years I've had days where I've missed or times where I was in autopilot and didn't really get much out it, but I've kept reading. The Bible is an amazing book--every time you read it, you get something.

A farm near my daughter's home.

     On Friday night we talked with the college students that have dinner with us about reading the Bible. We started off by reading together Matthew 4:4 which says, Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Tonight my husband was talking to a student who has been a believer about three months, and he asked what is this verse talking about? Right away she pointed out that bread is referring to physical food, but you also need food for your spirit.Then we read around the table verses from Psalm 119 that show what happens when we read the Bible. Here are a few of the ones that I liked:

• The Bible enlivens us: Psalm 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has enlivened me. When we're being sawn in two by our circumstances, we desperately need the word of God to enliven us!!

• The Bible gives us light: Psalm 119:130 The opening of Your word gives light, ... This has been one of my favorite verses in this psalm because sometimes I'm confused, I don't get what's going on, and I need God's word to give me a ray of light.

• The Bible keeps us from sinning: Psalm 119:11 In my heart I have treasured up Your word that I might not sin against You. This verse shows us the power God's word has over our hearts to keep us from doing anything that compromises our stand as a believer.

• The Bible nourishes us & is sweet to our taste: Psalm 119:103 How sweet are Your words to my taste! Sweeter than honey to my mouth! This really goes along with Matthew 4:4--but it's not like God's word is like eating eggplant which is something I never liked as a child.  God's word is sweet to our hearts. 

Other  College Student Dinner Fellowships on This Blog:

Do You Have the Assurance of Your Salvation? 

Getting Spiritual Food From God's Word

What are the Securities of Your Salvation?

Hearing God - Dinner Fellowship with College Students

Why Should a Believer Get Baptized?

Why Should We Read the Bible?

Coming to the Lord in His Word

Did You Know God Made You With Three Parts?

What is the Key to Experiencing Christ? - A Fellowship with College Students

Calling on the Lord Makes a Difference! 

What's the Secret the Third Generation of Mankind Found?

Why Are Just 2 Trees Mentioned in Genesis 2?

Discussion with College Students--What is the Church?

Why are There Two Trees in Genesis 2 Anyway?  Part 1

Why are There Two Trees in Genesis 2 Anyway?  Part 2

Why Prayer Matters

     Why do we pray?  Because prayer matters.  Sometimes praying can be the hardest thing for you to make time for, but if you make it a part of your day, it will happen.  And then you will see how much prayer matters.  Yesterday my husband and I joined  some other believers for prayer. I enjoyed the list of verses that we had on prayer.  A lot of these verses on  from the book of Isaiah, and when they're put together, you can see why prayer matters. 

Isaiah 45:11  Thus says Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel and the One who formed him, Ask Me about the things to come concerning My sons, and concerning the work of My hands, command Me.  

Isaiah 56:7b   My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.  

Isaiah  59:16a  And He saw that there was no man, and He was appalled that there was no intercessor ....

Isaiah 62:6-7  Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; all day and all night they will never keep silent.  You who remind Jehovah, do not be dumb; and do not give Him quiet until He establishes and until He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

These verses in Isaiah really point out why prayer matters to God. He needs His children to pray according to His will. 

Mom's Go To For Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

     This recipe is my family's favorite gluten free peanut butter cookie recipe.   These peanut butter cookies are as delicious as they look. This recipe comes from my well used Heritage School Cookbook that I picked up at the first school I worked at.

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

1.  In a large bowl mix together: 3 c rice flour (I've used 1 cup rice flour, 1 cup sorghum flour, and 1 cup tapioca flour),  and 2 teaspoon baking soda.

2.  In another mixing bowl cream:
(1)  1 c butter (If you like, you can use 1/2 applesauce  + 1/2 butter to help cut down the fat),  (2)  Add 1/2 cup of white sugar, and 1  cup of brown sugar. (Recipe calls for 2 cups sugar)
(3)  Then add 1 cup of peanut butter to the creamed mixture and mix well. 
(4)  Beat in 2 eggs and 1 tsp. vanilla.  Blend all ingredients.

3.  Stir in dry ingredients:   
(1)   Now stir in the dry ingredients until well mixed.  
(2)  Chill dough for 30 minutes.
(3)  Form into balls.
(4)  Place on a cookie sheet and make a crisscross on the tops with the fork tines. 
(5)  You can put 3 chocolate chips on the top of  some of them if you like.  


4.  Bake the cookies: You can put 12 on a cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for 8-9 minutes.  
Take out and leave on the pan to cool.  This makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Other Gluten Free Baking & Desserts on This Blog:

Breads: 
Gluten free & Low-fat Banana Bread  (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Celebrate Fall With Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread   (A friend's recipe)
Delicious Gluten Free Zucchini Bread   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
My Favorite Gluten Free Cranberry Nut Bread    (From my daughter-in-law's family cookbook)

Cakes:
Gluten Free German Apple Cake   (From my grandmother)
You Won't Believe It's Gluten Free Carrot Cake    (From my daughter's husband's grandma)
Judi's Super Moist Gluten Free Chocolate Cake   (From a church friend)
Judi's Gluten Free Orange Chiffon Cake       (From a church friend)
Marilyn's Spectacular Gluten Free Oatmeal Cake    (My mother-in-law's--she's a great cook!)
Delicious Gluten Free Rhubarb Cake     (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Grandma's Gluten Free Applesauce Cake  (From an Internet search tastes like my grandma's!)
Old Fashioned Gluten Free Banana Cake      (From my grandma)
Rosie's Gluten Free Pineapple Upside Down Cake    (From my daughter-in-law's family)

Cookies:
Gluten Free Cowboy Oatmeal Cookies  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Mom's Go To For Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
The Best Gluten Free Recipe for Snickerdoodles  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Gluten Free Rocky Road Brownies     (From a church friend)
Mark's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies - Made Gluten Free!    (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Judi's Gluten Free Oatmeal Craisin & Coconut Cookies       (From a church friend)

Cornbread & Rolls:
Beth's Amazing Gluten Free Cornbread   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

Crisps & Pies:
Lena's Rhubarb Crunch (A crisp with a gluten free top and bottom crust!) (My daughter-in-law's mother.  She's an amazing cook, which I think most of us moms become after a few years!)
Delicious Gluten Free Apple Crisp  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Ginger's Outrageous Apple Pie  (From a church friend)
The BEST Lemon Meringue Pie with Mrs. Lauralicious Gluten Free Pie Crust  (Internet)

Desserts with Fruit:
Sensational Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake   (From the back of Costco's organic sugar)

Terrific Gluten Free Strawberry & Peach Trifle  (Modified from an Internet search)
My Favorite Gluten Free Strawberry Cheesecake   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Just Like Grandma's (But Only Gluten Free) Blueberry Cobbler (My husband's grandma)

Holiday Cookies & Baking:
Old Fashioned Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies  (Modified from back of the Libby's can)
Incredible Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookies  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
My Grandkids Favorite Gluten Free Peppermint Sugar Cookies  (From Syre School Cookbook)
Our Favorite Pumpkin Pie   (Modified from back of Libby's pumpkin can)
Perfect Gluten Free Pumpkin Cheesecake  (From back of cream cheese box)
Gluten Free Polish Fruitcake   (Modified from Internet search)
Old Fashioned Gluten Free Gingerbread Cake  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

Muffins:

Banana Nutty Muffins   (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Gluten Free Tremendous Pumpkin Muffins    (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Bursting with Blueberries Gluten Free Muffins  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Toni's Outrageous Gluten Free Corn Muffins  (From back of a Bob's Red Mill package)
Sassy Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

 Puddings & Ice Cream:  

Dairy Free Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream (And other ice cream favorites!)  (From searches)

Baked Coconut Pudding  (Something I worked out from my Aunt Sue's rice pudding recipe)
Tangy Lemon Pudding   (From Internet search)

What Kind of Savior is Revealed in the Gospel of Luke?

     Have you ever compared the genealogy in Matthew to the one in Luke 3?  You'll notice how different they are.   One of the footnotes in the Recovery Version of the New Testament explains why:

    "... The genealogy of Luke's Gospel, the gospel of the Man-Savior, begins from man and traces back to God (vv. 23, 38), stressing Christ's humanity to affirm His human-divine status."

 In the first message of  the Life-study of Luke, I liked Witness Lee's description on page 8 about the Lord's human and divine natures: 

 "The make-up of the Man-Savior's being, His constitution, is a composition of the divine attributes and the human virtues.  How marvelous that there could be One in this universe with such a composition " (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Luke. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1984, Print).

    This reminded me of a message I was listening to a few weeks ago on the book of Hebrews.  It spoke of how the Lord was willing to be born as a man and made like us in all respects so that He could become a faithful High Priest.  The very God who is our Savior also knows what it's like to be human! 

     He can sympathize with us; He understands our weaknesses and shortages. It's not like He's standing aloof in some golden chariot; He is right there in the thick of our lives bearing us on His heart and caring for us with tender compassion. I'm so thankful that this is the Savior revealed to us in the Gospel of Luke. 

Blog Update 7/25/13:  I heard a song today on Youtube that reminded me of this blog on Luke.  It's called Jesus Christ You are the Man Savior. 

Blog Update 8/15/15:  Today I heard a video clip on Bibles for America's website called Who is Jesus?  It explains how Jesus is both divine and human.

Other blogs on the Life Study of Luke:

You can listen to excerpts from the Life Study of Luke along with excellent commentary by tuning into the Life Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.

What Kind of Savior is Revealed in the Gospel of Luke?
Have You Seen Jesus the Friend of Sinners in Luke 5?
Who Did the Samaritan Find on His Journey in Luke 10:33-37?
Why is Persistent Prayer Important in Luke 18:1-8?
A Great Gospel Illustration - How is Man Like a Glove?
From the Life-Study of Luke - Not Reading the Bible Superficially