Who Says You Can't Eat Turkey in February? Try Out Jeremy's Spatchcocked Turkey

    Who says you can't have turkey in February?  For several years I've been buying two turkeys at Thanksgiving so I can have one on New Year's, but this year I was out of town.  So I kept it until my son came to visit and we could celebrate three February birthdays. 

So my son told me he had a great new way of cooking turkey, and would I let him try it.  He assured me that this would be the moistest turkey I had ever eaten. I was like really? 

 For years I've been cooking my turkey in a roasting bag and I've not complained. So I was a bit skeptical, but I watched him  and took notes just in case it came out incredible.  He told me this was like a spatchcocked chicken just without the lemons. 

Anyway, after the turkey bakes for one hour, he took it out and sealed it with two layers of aluminum foil. It sat on a trivet for an hour and then he sliced it. When he handed me a piece and I popped it into my mouth, I was so surprised!   It was totally moist--much more than anything I had cooked in a bag before. 

So we did the whole nine yards for that meal--mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green beans with toasted almonds, cranberries, and even  a pumpkin pie.  So about 17 people feasted on that turkey, and everyone was raving about it.  My son-in-law Jer whose Italian and Greek recipes I've posted on this site (and you can some in the list below this recipe) said that it was the best turkey he had ever eaten! 


1.  Prepare spices:
(1)  Peel 10 cloves of garlic.
(2)  Mix together  spices: 1/2 cup each of thyme, sage, rosemary and any other herbs you'd like to try to make a rub of, and 2 T of salt, 2 tsp. of black pepper. 2.  Prepare turkey:  Get out a roasting pan


(1) Take out your turkey and let it sit out for 30 minutes.
(2)  Cut off the legs, wings, thighs, and each breast, but do not remove the skin.
(3)  Rinse and sit in a bowl.

(4)  Squiggle olive oil over the bottom of the roasting pan.
(5)  Scatter garlic cloves around the pan.
(6)  Rub olive oil under the skin and on the top of each piece of turkey and place it in the pan as close as you can to each other.  Some parts may overlap like a chicken wing or leg.
(7)  Rub spices underneath the skin.
(8)  Scatter any remaining spices over the top.

3.  Bake at 400 for 1 hour without a cover.  Check meat temperature and if it's not ready, roast another 15 or 30 minutes.

4.  Take turkey out of oven and put on a hot pad and seal the turkey tightly with aluminum so it can continue cooking. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

5.  Carve and put on a platter. 

 List of  chicken recipes on this blog:

Asian:
Authentic Chinese BBQ Chicken  (From my friend Rose)
The Real Deal GF Teriyaki Chicken  (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)
Gluten Free Sweet & Sour Chicken (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)

Make Your Own G.F. Teriyaki Bowls  (From a collection of my recipes)

Italian & Greek:
Make Your Own Gyros With Jer D.'s Chicken Souvlaki   (Marinade for chicken from my son-in-law)
Gluten Free Chicken Cacciatore With Peppers & Mushrooms  (Modified from my mother-in-law)
Delicious Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan   (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)
My Son-in-Law's Own Recipe for Greek Chicken (Another Jer D. recipe)
Delicious Chicken Florentine Lasagna  (From my church cookbook)

Mexican:
Pollo Guisado (Mexican Braised Chicken)  (From a church friend in Phoenix)
Belizean Chicken, Black Beans & Rice, and Belizean Coleslaw  (From my daughter-in-law's  family reunion cookbook)
Make Your Own Chicken Burrito Bowls (From a collection of my recipes)
Jer D.'s Mexican Lime Chicken  (From my son-in-law)

American Favorites:
The Best Gluten Free Oven Fried Chicken   (From my sister-in-law)
Curried Mushroom & Apple Chicken  (From my church cookbook Come & Dine)
A Gluten Free Twist on Tarragon Chicken (From my  church Come & Dine cookbook)
Chicken & Mushrooms in Wine Sauce  ( From my church Come & Dine cookbook)
Summery Lemon Chicken - (From my daughter-in-law's family cookbook)
Pulled Chicken Sliders  (Modified recipe from my daughter)
Jer D.'s Special Rub for Roast Chicken  (From my son-in-law)

BBQ:
The Best Homemade Chicken BBQ Sauce  (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Amazing BBQ Chicken    (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Blackberry BBQ Chicken - A Tasty Sauce You'll Have to Try! (Off a package of blackberries)
Ray's BBQ Chicken - (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Country Style BBQ Chicken - (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Great for Summer BBQ - Lemon Rosemary Chicken Legs  (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)
Fantastic Gluten Free Chicken Kabobs  (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)
Jeremy's Original BBQ Rub For Thighs  (My son's very own concoction)

Chicken Casseroles
Chicken Divan  - (From my Come & Dine Cookbook)
Chicken Pot Pie - (A combination of 3 different recipes!)
Our Family's Fall Favorite - Chicken & Zucchini Casserole with Gluten Free Biscuit Topping - -( From my church Come & Dine cookbook)
Savory Chicken Mornay - (A classic chicken broccoli casserole from my Come & Dine cookbook)

Looking at the Major Truths in the Minor Prophets - Did You Know Christ's Death & Resurrection were Prophesied in the Minor Prophets?

        As I was reading through all the Life-Studies of the minor prophets, I realized that embedded  in these books  were many major truths presented in the New Testament.  Even CHRIST'S INCARNATION is hidden there because in Micah 5:2 it says that Christ’s goings forth are from eternity. I read in chapter 23 of the Life-Study of Micah that this means that even in eternity Christ was preparing to come forth as a man so that He could die on our behalf.  Also in this verse we learn that the LOCATION OF CHRIST'S BIRTH would be Bethlehem.

First blossoms of spring!

       In the  book of Jonah we see that Jonah’s spending THREE DAYS IN THE BELLY of that great fish was a picture of the Lord being in the heart of the earth for three days before His resurrection.  And we know this because the Lord compared Himself to Jonah in Matthew 12:40. 

      In the Life-Study of Jonah Witness Lee also points out that Jonah's PREACHING THE GOSPEL TO THE GENTILES in Ninevah is similar to the Lord's preaching the gospel to both the Jews and Gentiles (Matt. 12:17-21).

     Then hidden in the book of Joel are some verses about the POURING OUT OF THE SPIRIT. In the Life-Study of Joel I learned that after the Lord’s resurrection, He came to His disciples in John 20:22 and breathed  the Holy Spirit into them. And in Acts 2:1-4 we see that on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit was also poured out upon the disciples for their preaching the gospel.  All of this was foretold in Joel 2:28-29, 32 hundreds of years before it even happened. 

     Then I learned by reading the chapters in the Life-Study of Haggai that this prophet's main burden was to turn the Israelites from being so wrapped up in their own houses to CARE FOR GOD'S HOUSE which was lying waste.  Haggai inspired the people to give so the temple could be repaired. All of this is a picture of how we need to give ourselves to built together so that God can have a testimony through His church.

      Even many events that will occur in the future are foretold in the books of the minor prophets.  I read in the Life-Study of Obadiah that this prophet spoke about THE DAY OF JEHOVAH when God will come to judge the nations after the great tribulation (Obadiah  1:15-16). 

This is the first bloom in my front flower bed.

     Then back in the Book of Joel in chapter 3:2, 12, 14 I saw that this judgment will take place in the valley of Jehosphaphat.  Can you imagine even the outcome of this final battle is actually foretold in Joel 3:9-13, 16-21?    
 

     In the Gospels the Lord spoke many times about the Kingdom of God, and that we should pray that God's kingdom would come to this earth.  This hidden truth is proclaimed in Joel 3:16a, 17, and 21b  where Joel states that CHRIST WILL REIGN IN THE CITY OF JERUSALEM DURING THE MILENNIAL KINGDOM.

     Now isn't the Bible a wonderful book?

 

A Winter Time Fav - Classic Date Nut Bread

Dates are so good.   I grew up in California, and loved it when my parents bought Hadley dates. My brother was born in Palm Springs, and last April on our way to Arizona, we all stopped in at Hadley's. They are definitely a  great place to stop and grab some yummy snacks for the trek across the desert. 

In the past I've made scones with dates and hermit cookies which contain finely chopped dates, but today I'm showcasing classic date nut bread. This recipe comes from a fundraiser cookbook from the first school I taught at.

So this morning one of my daughters came over, and while the snow was falling, we read out of the book we're going through and enjoyed some date bread and tea.  Ahh, now that's one of my favorite ways to spend a winter morning!

Classic Date Nut Bread

1.  Prepare dates - In a small mixing bowl put and let sit while mixing the dry ingredients:
 1 cup of boiling water and 1 cup of chopped dates.

2.  Prepare dry ingredients - In a large mixing bowl put:

(1)  2 cups of your favorite gluten free flour mix- I usually use 2/3 cup of white rice flour, 2/3 cup of sorghum flour, and 2/3 cup of tapioca flour.
(2)  Stir in 1 tsp. of baking soda and 1/2 tsp. of salt.
(3)  Then add 1 cup of sugar (I usually use 3/4 cup) and 1 cup of chopped walnuts.

3.  Beat 1 egg

4.  Melt 3 T of butter in a small pan. (I used olive oil yesterday, and it came out great!)

5.  Combine ingredients:
(1)  Add the date mixture to the flour mixture
(2)  Then stir in the beaten egg and the melted butter.
(3)  Mix until combined.

6.  Grease a loaf pan or you can use 3 mini loaf pans.  Bake at 300-325 for 45 minutes or until a knife comes out clean.

Breads & Coffee Cakes: 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)
Claudia's Blueberry Coffee Cake (Made Gluten Free!)   (From a former neighbor)
Here's a Zucchini Bread with a Hawaiian Twist! Gluten Free Pineapple Zucchini Bread (From my Syre School Cookbook)
Dot's Old Fashioned Pumpkin Bread   (From my father's friend)

Looking at the Major Truths in the Minor Prophets - Seeing Human History in the Book of Joel

     The Ethiopian eunuch told Stephen in Acts that he couldn't understand what he was reading in Isaiah 53 unless someone helped him.  I often feel this way when I read the Life-Studies--I appreciate the clear exposition and spiritual applications  contained in these chapters. 

We had a beautiful January snow this year.

     For example, the book of Joel begins by talking about the stages of a locust.  Without the insight from the Life-Study of Joel, I'd probably just gloss over it. But I learned that these locusts parallel Nebuchadnezzar's great image in Daniel 2.  That's worth a wow.  When I read the Life-Studies of Daniel, I learned that each part of this image from the head of gold which represented Nebuchadnezzar as well as each of the other parts portrays the major empires in world history!!

     In chapter 15 of the Life-Study of Joel I learned that within the history of these empires is a divine history.  Here's that excerpt on pages 99-100:

We should not think that man has a history but that God does not have a history.  In this universe there are two histories: the history of man, the human history, and the history of God, the divine history.  We may liken the history of man to the shell of a walnut and the history of God to the kernel within the shell.  In the Minor Prophets the "shell" is clearly defined, and the "kernel" is revealed in some detail....In Daniel 2 this history is signified by a great human image, with the four sections of this image corresponding respectively to the Babylonian Empire, the Medo-Persian Empire, the Grecian Empire, and the Roman Empire. Although it is easy for us to see the shell, which is something outward and physical, we must have a kind of intrinsic insight in order to see the kernel within the shell, to know the divine history within the human history  (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of the Minor Prophets.  Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1993, Print). 

           Who would have thought the Minor Prophets contain this lens to view all of human history?  In this chapter Witness Lee also points out that the Lord's incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection are all parts of the divine history that took place during the history of the Roman Empire.  And even the church that the Lord died for on the cross is a part of this divine history that is even now being worked out in human history.  Isn't that incredible!  I would encourage you to click on the above link and read this entire chapter for yourself.

     And all of this can even be brought down one more level.   At the end of this chapter our brother reminds us that when each of us got regenerated, we were reborn into the divine history.  So he leaves his readers with this heart-searching question--"Are we living in the divine history or are we living merely in the human history?"  May God continually show us where we are!



    .

It's That Time of Year Again - Why Not Make Your Own Cold, Cough & Flu Brew?

               How I Got Into Making My Own Tea

      Twenty years ago I lived next door to a horticulturist who had a flower shop in downtown Seattle.  Eventually she made both her front and backyards into different types of flower gardens.  When her fight with a brain tumor was almost at an end, she told me I could dig up any of the plants I wanted.  Besides some beautiful perennial plants,  I chose some lemon balm, peppermint, feverfew, sweet woodruff, and daisy. 

      A few years after planting them, I began doing some research to check out  their medicinal benefits.  I learned how to dry peppermint and lemon balm.  Over the years I researched some of the other plants I got from her garden like daisies and sweet woodruff, and I found out that they were also great for colds and coughs.  Then I found out that certain roses can be dried and some of them have both antibacterial and antiviral properties. So because in the Northwest we have a rugged winter, I began  putting together all the herbs that treat  colds, coughs, and flu and I made them for my family and gave them also as gifts.  Every year since then I have dried herbs and medicinal flowers so I could make a fresh batch of this tea. 

HERBS & FLOWERS FOR COLD, COUGH & FLU TEA

 

Click on the link below on how to dry herbs for more details but basically herbs are placed on racks, cardboard, or paper towels or plates for about two weeks.  They should be dry to the touch and easy to rub off into a jar or bowl.



(1) Calendula:  Reduces a fever, soothes a sore throat, stimulates the immune system, flavonoids prevent infection and inflammation. 

 

(2)  Daisy:  Colds, cough, bronchitis and reduces a fever.

(3)  Dandelion leaf:  Antibacterial and antiviral properties.  Make sure you pick these in the woods or a clearing where there are no pesticides. 
  

(4)  Feverfew:  Use for wheezing and coughs.  Also an energizing herb.   Pain reliever; helps with asthma, fever, and sinus congestion. I usually dry it in vases.

 

(5) Lavender:  Helps relieve headaches and nervous exhaustion common when ill.
 
(6) Lemon Balm:  The tannins and polyphenols in lemon balm extracts have antibacterial & antiviral effects.  Used in treatment of colds, flu, and cold sores. Contains eugenol a natural pain reliever. 
 

(7) Nettle:  Colds, bronchitis, stimulates the lymphatic system. (I pick these from a nearby forest.)

 

(8) Rose:  Antibacterial and antiviral, clears lungs, flushes toxins and soothes a sore throat.

 

 
(9) Yarrow:  Contains antiseptic qualities that fight bacteria.  Good for colds, flu, and fever.  Helps detoxify the body  Good for soothing a sore throat. 

Update July 15, 2023 - Over the past few years I have continued to research herbs that are good for colds, cough, and flu.  Yesterday I was putting together a batch of herbs that I dried and I had about 22 of them! Besides the 9 listed here, you can also dry on racks or cardboard the following herbs that I've learned in recent years also help tackle colds and coughs: 

1.  Peppermint  - antibacterial/viral

2.  Raspberry leaves  -  an immune system booster

3.  Sweet woodruff  -  antibacterial/viral/fungal

4.  Lavender - good for the common cold and coughs

5.  Sage  - antibacterial/viral/fungal

6.  Oregano - antibacterial/viral/fungal and an immune system booster!

7.  Hyssop - for the common cold, bronchitis, and a fever reducer

8.  Catnip Mint - antibacterial/viral and good for coughs

9.   Rosemary - Good for respiratory problems and an immune system booster!

10. Chamomile - good for the common cold

11.  Bronze Fennel - Good for congestion

12. Red clover blossoms - Good for a bad cough

13. Marjoram - Antimicrobial, good for common cold and coughs

14.  English ivy - Congestion and bronchitis

Have fun doing some of your own research and make your own brew! The strong flavor of peppermint and lavender generally masks the stronger tones of oregano and sage. 

 

Other Blogs on Making Herbal or Flower Teas:
How to Dry Herbs to Make Your Own Herbal Teas
How to Brew a Cup of Medicinal Herb Tea
How to Make Your Own Lavender Oil & Tea
How To Dry Roses & Make Your Own Rose Tea, Rose Oil & Rose Water
Make Your Own Home Made Remedies - How to Make Calendula Tea, Calendula Oil & Salve
Make Your Own Home Made Remedies - Peppermint Tea & Oil
How To Make Your Own Strawberry Leaf Tea
Did You Know That Salad Burnet Can be Made into Tea?
Make Your Own Home Made Remedies - What Can You Do With the Feverfew in Your Garden?

About Making Your Own Spices:
 How to Dry Herbs to Spice Up Your Cooking

Other Things You Can Do with Herbs:
 How To Dry Roses & Make Your Own Rose Tea, Rose Oil & Rose Water
How to Make Calendula Tea, Calendula Oil & Salve
Make Your Own Home Made Remedies - Peppermint Tea & Oil
Grandma's Recipe for Dandelion Honey

 

Major Truths in the Minor Prophets - Taking a Closer Look at Hosea

     God asked Hosea to do something seemingly preposterous.   He told this Old Testament prophet to marry the harlot Gomer.  By now you may be thinking really?!  But He did as God instructed, and in the Life-Study of Hosea Witness Lee explains on page 13 why.

"The prophet Hosea took Gomer, a wife of harlotries (1:2-9). This symbolizes that God took Israel as His wife--one who gave herself to harlotries and who departed from Jehovah.  God told Hosea to do what He himself had done, and Hosea did it" (Lee. Witness. Life-Study of Hosea. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1994, Print).

I learned that Gomer had three children, and their names symbolize different aspects of God's judgment against Israel. But even at such a low point in Israel's history, you can see in this verse in Hosea that God doesn't fully let go of His people: 

In the place where it will be said to them, you are not My people, it will be said to them, You are the sons of the living God.  Hosea 1:10b

The book of Hosea is touching to me because it shows us that no matter how far we may fall away from God, His love will reach us there.  Here we see God's loving heart and how relentless He is to pursue us and bring us back to Himself.  


As 2019 is coming to a close today, and another new year and decade is about to begin, my prayer is that all of God's people would know more the depth of God's  loving heart.  And that means that no matter what this next year brings, you will know that God's heart towards you is always good, and that everything that God allows was designed with the purpose of bringing you closer to Him.

Overcomers in Babylon - What We Learn About Prayer in Daniel 10

     In Daniel 9 we see that the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenlies are real.  Prior to that God had given Daniel a dream about four beasts in chapter 8 that left him deeply perplexed. The Bible tells us that Daniel prayed for 21 days to try to figure it out (10:2). 

    It probably surprised Daniel when an angel appeared to him and told him that at the outset of his prayer, he'd already been heard, but a heavenly battle was taking place with an evil angel, whom he calls the prince over Persia:

  But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me for twenty-one days; but now Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, I remained there alone with the kings of Persia.....And now I will return to fight with the prince of Persia; so I go forth, and the prince of Javan is now about to come.    Daniel 10:13, 20B

    In chapter 15 of the Life-Study of Daniel Witness Lee says that this scene shows that Satan has assigned evil angels over different countries. These evil princes battle against God's angels to prevent God's will from reaching the earth. He also say here that this scene shows God's people that there's always a spiritual scene behind the physical one.  This is mentioned on pages 91-92 of the Life-Study of Daniel:

"What we see outwardly is the physical world, but behind the physical world is the spiritual. In the spiritual world Christ is the preeminent One. Therefore, in chapter ten He is mentioned first (vv.4-9)....After this vision of Christ, an angelic messenger came to tell Daniel about the things behind the physical world. He told Daniel that he himself was fighting against the prince of the kingdom of Persia, a rebellious evil spirit. Then Daniel was told that there was another evil spirit, the prince of Greece (Javan). There was also the archangel Michael who was a prince fighting for Israel. At least four spirits are covered here....Apparently, all of these struggles [mentioned in the dream of the beasts in Daniel 8] are merely the activities of human governments represented by the great human image in Daniel 2. Actually, God was behind the physical world managing the entire situation. This is what we need to see as we consider chapter ten of Daniel and the vision of Israel's destiny in chapter eleven (Lee. Witness. Life-Study of Daniel. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, Print 1991).

     After reading this sometimes I've realized that an answer to prayer is probably somewhere in the space of "21 days" and God's answer is stuck because of this spiritual battle. This word has encouraged my husband and I to keep praying and not be discouraged if the answer doesn't come in a week or two. We've had situations in our family where we have prayed for over a decade before the answer came.

     I read in a book that our prayers can be likened to items put on a scale, and you have to keep praying until the scales are tipped.  God has a lot of concerns on this earth that need our prayer. This chapter showed me again that our prayer always connects us to the spiritual battle that's always going on behind the scene.






 Other posts on the Major Prophets

Life-Study of Isaiah:

You can listen to excerpts of Witness Lee's speaking the Life-Study of Isaiah on Life Study of the Bible  with Witness Lee.   You can also read the online Life-Studies of Isaiah and check out other resources available to enhance your study of the Bible on Living Stream Ministry's website.

How Can the Son in Isaiah 7:14 & 9:6 Be the Mighty God?
Seeing Christ as the Great Light in Isaiah 9:2
Why is Christ  Called the Cornerstone in Isaiah 28:26?
Taking a Closer Look at Isaiah 53 - Christ's Crucifixion Foretold - Part 1 

Taking a Closer Look at Isaiah 53 - Christ's Resurrection &Ascension Foretold - Part 2 of 2

Life-Study of Jeremiah & Lamentations:

You can listen to excerpts of Witness Lee's speaking the Life-Study of Jeremiah & Lamentations on Life Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.

Insights from Jeremiah - What Does God Consider Evil in Jeremiah 2:13?
Insights from Jeremiah - Taking A Closer Look at the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34
What Lessons Can We Learn From the Book of Lamentations?

Life-Study of Ezekiel:
You can listen to excerpts of Witness Lee's speaking the Life-Study of Ezekiel  on Life Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.

Looking at the Spiritual Meaning in Ezekiel's Visions - What's Does the Wind, Cloud, Fire & Electrum in Ezekiel 1:4 Symbolize?
Looking at the Spiritual Meaning in Ezekiel's Visions - The 4 Living Creatures in Ezekiel 1:5
Looking at the Spiritual Meaning in Ezekiel's Visions - The Man on the Throne in Ezekiel 1:28
Looking at the Spiritual Meaning in Ezekiel's Visions - What Ezekiel 14:3 Tells Us About Israel's Captivity
Looking at the Spiritual Meaning in Ezekiel's Visions - What's the Valley of Bones All About in Ezekiel 37?
Looking at the Spiritual Meaning in Ezekiel's Visions - What Do All the Measurements of God's House in Ezekiel 40 Symbolize?
Looking at the Spiritual Meaning in Ezekiel's Visions - The Vision of the Return of God's Glory to His House - Part 1 of 2
Looking at the Spiritual Meaning in Ezekiel's Visions - The Vision of the Return of God's Glory to His House - Part 2 of 2
Looking at the Spiritual Meaning in Ezekiel's Visions - Why Does a River Flow Out of God's House in Ezekiel 47?

Life-Study of Daniel:

You can listen to excerpts of Witness Lee's speaking the Life-Study of Daniel  on Life Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.

Overcomers in Babylon - Why Didn't Daniel Eat the King's Meat in Daniel 1?
Overcomers in Babylon - Lessons From Daniel & the Lions Den in Daniel 6