Helping the Homeless and Hungry

Here are the angels packing up the boxes of food that are going to help the hungry families right here in Orange County.  Our church is so wonderful in its ministries to help the poor and needy.  Being that our family's mission is the same, we of course had to share in this donation.  Every time we encounter a volunteer outside of a store asking for donations, both of my children light up with eagerness and determination to help.  "Mommy, we have to give to that!", squeals Giovanni, to which Sophia responds, "Yes, Mommy, we absolutely do!"  I am confident that this blog project has achieved its initial objective of raising their awareness, and is now venturing on into the world of active giving.  I planted the seed, it sprouted, and is growing more and more each day.  I couldn't be more proud, and I couldn't be more honored to watch my children unfold into the generous charitable souls that they were intended to be.

I know that I have not had too many vegetarian recipes on here, so here is an AWESOME one...great for a party buffet.  This is published in the "THE BEST OF fine cooking FRESH & QUICK 2010"; No. 37.

tomato salad with feta, olives, and mint

6 oz. feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint, plus sprigs for garnish
4 large ripe tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick
Kosher salt
1/2 lb. cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into small dice
1/2 lb. bite-size tomatoes in assorted colors, halved
1/2 cup Nicoise or Kalmata olives (about 15), pitted and halved
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest
4 tsp. fresh lemon juice
Freshly ground black pepper

Crumble the feta into a small bowl.  Add the chopped mint and toss; set aside.
Season the tomato slices with salt and then arrange them, overlapping slightly, on a serving platter.  Sprinkle the cucumber over the tomato slices.  Season the bite-size tomatoes with salt and scatter them over the cucumber.  Sprinkle the olives on top.
In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil, lemon zest, and lemon juice.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad. 
To serve, scatter the feta over the salad, garnish with the mint sprigs, and serve immediately.
Serves 6.

"Give A Little Bit..."

So in church this past Sunday, I was so happy when I heard its message for that day!  The message that was broadcast to thousands was that if we all just gave a little, just think of what a difference that can make!  In the very first entry of this blog, I mentioned that not only would that make a difference, but just think how "possible" that is!  I think that too many think along the lines of, "Well, I don't have much, so I really cannot make that much of a difference."  YES, YOU CAN!  There are so many ways to be giving and charitable.  Perhaps it entails buying a hungry person a meal, or cleaning out your closet to donate clothes to the impoverished, or leaving a bit of an extra tip to a food-server who may be barely able to pay their bills in this economy...no matter what the action, the value lies in the fact that you took the time to embark on it.  We have all heard that "Every little bit helps," and it is true.  Provided that it is being given to the right people, the right organizations, every little bit makes a positive difference.  Without action, there can be no change. 

Our church, Mariners, has embarked on a ten-year journey, and has challenged its members to hop aboard and give a little bit more to see if we can change the poverty levels in Orange County so that no child goes hungry, no child goes uneducated, and no one is left homeless.  With God, this is possible.  But, I believe that God uses people to fulfill his purpose.  That is the concept of "free will" -- surely, He can intervene at any time and utilize His majestic power to make things as He wants them to be, but He is hoping that we will figure it out.  Some may call it a test, I call it following His desire.  Now I know that there may be Agnostics or Atheists reading this and you may be uncomfortable or in disagreement with my references to God, but please know that we are all in this world together and we can all do our part to make it a better place.  My beliefs belong to me, and I would never purport to tell another "what to believe"; However, I would be remiss if I did not give praise where I believe praise is due...I have been blessed and I am forever grateful for the abundance that has been given.  So please do not be turned off by my faith, because it won't make a bit of difference to the world if we have a disagreement as to what we believe.  What will make a difference is if we can together alleviate suffering, hunger, or strife in the life of another by choosing to be generous. 

In giving, even if you don't think that you have made a difference, I promise you that you have.  One of my favorite quotes is, "To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you just may be the world!"

So here's to the courage to believe that you can change even the slightest bit of some one's life in a positive and magnificent way by giving a little, no matter how small!  And for you, the blessings shall unfold...

"Waste Not"

In deciding what to make for last night's meal, I inquisitively scanned my pantry for "ideas"...ideas based on what ingredients I already had in my possession.  I saw an unopened box of manicotti, which was left over from a huge Italian family dinner, as well as the knowledge that I had tons of frozen Italian sausage and fresh Ricotta cheese left over as well.  I then went to the Internet and searched  for a recipe of "Sausage-Stuffed Manicotti" and I found one that was not only easy to prepare, but delicious at the same time.  Giovanni yelled, "Mama - I LOVE IT!...This gets a HUGE thumbs-up from me!  Sophia and Giovanni both had two helpings as did their Daddy.  He quoted that this was "really" good!

I had a comforting feeling as I prepared this meal knowing that we were utilizing what we had in our cupboards and refrigerator, rather than allowing it to go unused, which sometimes tends to happen.  I am always attempting to make the children aware of how we should not waste, and how we need to remember how blessed we are.  Blessed with the ability to buy food, the blessing of shelter and family, and blessed with our health.  That awareness went into each step of preparation for this meal, and we mentioned it in our blessing beforehand.

We are closing in on September and we have roughly $85.00 in our jars.  We are going to donate to Families Forward this month since they are so wonderfully successful in helping families that are experiencing struggle of many sorts.  If every family who is blessed with good fortune were to donate something to a family less fortunate, I am convinced that it would make a difference.  It leaves a mark on some one's soul when they know that they are cared about in perhaps their lowest moments.  I believe that such an experience is never forgotten, rather remembered forever.  Often times, it is the catalyst to a future good deed by the one that was helped in the first place.  For instance, on a recent date night with my husband, he mentioned that he had bought a homeless person on the street a hamburger while on a business trip.  He said, "You know, Jenn, honestly I don't know if I would have stopped to take the time to do that before this blog.  You have me thinking about it!"  To which I replied, "Honey, I love that!  And to think of how he was once some one's newborn...what is his story?  What happened during his life to which led to his homelessness?"  Joe replied, "You know, that is a good point...the next time I do that, maybe I'll sit down and have a conversation with that person."  That made my heart smile.  Sure, if one is intoxicated and obliterated, or mentally ill on the streets, sitting down and having a conversation is not going to be productive or perhaps "safe", but there are many that are sober and hungry and lost.  Caring about another goes much farther than our eyes can see.

Here is the recipe for you all to enjoy:

"Laurie's Stuffed Manicotti"

1 lb. mild bulk pork sausage (For all the vegetarians, you can simply skip this ingredient and it would still be delightful!)
2 (15 oz.) cans Hunt's Italian tomato sauce
1 ( 6 oz.) can Hunt's tomato paste
1/4 c. water
1/2 TBSP. packed light brown sugar
1 (15 oz.) container ricotta cheese
3 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 egg
1 tsp. parsley flakes
12 manicotti noodles, cooked, rinsed, and drained
Grated Parmesan cheese

In a large saucepan, brown sausage, drain.  Remove half of sausage, set aside.  Stir tomato sauce, paste, water and brown sugar into sausage, simmer 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine remaining sausage, ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella, egg and parsley.

In a 9x13x2 inch baking dish, pour 1/3 of sauce mixture.  Stuff manicotti noodles with ricotta mixture and place on top of sauce.  Pour remaining sauce over stuffed noodles.  Top with remaining mozzarella, sprinkle with Parmesan.  Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

"Courageous Souls"

"Courage" is a word that often describes one's attempt at something frightening or uncomfortable.  However, it also describes one's heart or one's soul.  I have been blessed to know many courageous people in my life...one of which is our dear friend, Paul Snyder.  He is the most loving, generous, and compassionate soul. He endured a horrible bicycle accident three and a half years ago that left him partially paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair.  He has had numerous setbacks due to extreme pain and complication -- something that as he puts it, "...just goes along with every spinal cord injury."  He is optimistic and is married to "Sally Lou" whom I admire and love more than words can express.  These two individuals are the epitome of friendship and love.  Both Paul and Sally are true humanitarians who have been involved in so many philanthropic endeavors.  The world needs more like them for sure!  I pray for Paul's recovery and I have had several dreams that vividly show him walking again.  For those of you that know me, I have been known to have many a "psychic moment", so I choose to believe that this will happen.  I pray for it often.

I also pray for those miners trapped in Chile.  My friend (and overly-generous contributor to this blog project), Nancy, shared the story with me of what these men have endured.  I make it a point not to read the newspaper because it is depressive and pessimistic all around...not how I like to begin my day! Nancy is another one that exemplifies a gorgeous human spirit!  I just knew that when she met Paul and Sally, they would just hit it off!  Nancy called me after a recent get-together, where Paul and Sally were also present, and she said, "I just LOVED them!"  I do not believe that anyone would ever say otherwise.   Those poor miners in the caves of Chile must be so scared, and I am praying that they have the courage to believe in their rescue and survival...thank God that they are alive, and I just hope that the heroes involved in the rescue attempts also allow their courage to prevail!

If only each and every one of the fortunate individuals on this planet could be courageous enough to trust that when one gives, they receive so much in return.  It is as if God just opens your heart and douses it with love -- it is a great feeling.  And, I truly believe that the reason it feels so good is because it is exactly how He wants it.  God's greatest gift is the ability to love and care for others.  Sorry for any atheists or agnostics out there -- obviously we will disagree on this point, but I invite you to put it to the test -- what do you have to lose?

CHEESY VEGETABLE POLENTA

Ingredients:

2 cans (14.5 oz. each) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup pesto

1 medium-size onion, chopped

1 medium-size green pepper, seeded & chopped

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 tube (18 oz.) prepared polenta, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices (about 14)

3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1 1/2 cups shredded Italian-blend cheese

4 cups chopped radicchio

2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced

1.  In a large bowl, stir together the beans, 2 Tablespoons of the pesto, onion, green pepper and Italian seasoning.  Place half of bean mixture in bottom of slow cooker.  Layer half of polenta slices over top, pour 1/4 cup chicken broth over polenta then sprinkle with 3/4 cup cheese.  Repeat layering one more time.  Cover and cook for 2 hours on HIGH or 4 1/2 hours on LOW.

2.  Stir together remaining 2 Tablespoons pesto and remaining 1/4 cup chicken broth.  Pour pesto mixture into slow cooker, add radicchio and gently stir to combine.  Place tomato slices on top and continue cooking for another 30 minutes on HIGH or LOW.  Serve immediately. 

(Makes 8 servings).

"Meaningful Mail"

So I received a post-card in the mail addressed to "Jennifer Fambito", and I had to chuckle..."Family" is the most important thing to me, and it is funny that when I read "Fambito", I quickly resorted to the copy-guy on Saturday Night Live and muttered to myself, "Fambito....Fambaroni...Fambarito...FAMBITO!"...and then I quickly realized that it resembled "family".  So feel free to call me "Jennifer Fambito" anytime so long as you are referring to me as family-oriented.  Upon closer look, however, I noticed that it was a post-card from the American Red Cross informing me that our donation to Haiti was received and acknowledged.  Little do those wonderful Red Cross members know that we also sent that additional $200.00 to our new friend Johanne's mother so that a newborn baby will have milk to drink.  So, we have contributed doubly to Haiti...now we pray that everyone can do the same and that God will just "double" the blessings on those affected by that horrible tragedy.  So much suffering goes on in this world, both locally and globally...if only every single able-minded person could realize that even the slightest bit of help can make a difference....this world would surely be a different and much better place.

So, here is a wonderful recipe that we enjoyed not too long ago, from the "Cooking With Paula Deen" magazine, July/August 2010 edition, titled "OVEN-FRIED POTATO CHIP-CRUSTED CHICKEN"...needless to say, it was heavenly, and I only wish that I could have fed it to the people who really need it.  Perhaps someday I will have that opportunity.  Until then, we will continue to contribute locally to the hungry from the costs of our cooking, and hopefully make some sort of difference in that realm.

1/3 cup Dijon mustard

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 (5 oz.) bag thin and crispy potato chips, finely crushed

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 Tablespoons minced fresh rosemary

1 teaspoon salt

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2-inch thickness

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.  Place a cooling rack over baking sheet; spray with nonstick cooking spray.

In a shallow dish, combine mustard and melted butter.  In a separate shallow dish, combine crushed potato chips, cheese, rosemary, and salt.

Brush chicken breasts with mustard mixture.  Dredge in potato chip mixture to coat.  Place on prepared cooling rack, and let stand for 20 minutes to set crust.

Bake for 35 to 50 minutes or until chicken is golden brown and cooked through.  Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Making a Difference

On a recent trip to a San Diego Marriott with my husband and children, I ran into a Marriott employee who I met and became friendly with on this summer's teaching travels.  His name is Paulo, and we had great conversations back in June about this blog project and how making a difference in the lives of others is so necessary!  He became a follower of this blog, and I haven't seen him since our initial meeting.  So, obviously when seeing him on this short visit to San Diego last week, I was so happy to introduce him to my family.  He is a great young man, who has a giving heart and who made a comment to me this last week that revealed how this project is working...one small step at a time.  Paulo said to me, "You know, I have to tell you, that ever since meeting you, every time I have gone to McDonald's, I have bought a hamburger for a homeless person outside and thought of you."  I screeched, "Paulo - that is wonderful!!!  That is what it is all about!"  We both acknowledged how good it felt to feed someone in need.  Paulo, if you are reading, thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so generous...you have shared your story with me and it has fueled my mission even more.

Here is a great summer recipe that I made the other day which was so fitting for an outdoor barbeque:  It is from the Food Network magazine, September 2010 issue.  It was so delicious!  It is called "Anne Burrell's Super-Zesty Potato Salad".

Ingredients

2 pounds red bliss potatoes

3 cloves garlic, smashed

2 tablespoons olive oil

6 slices bacon, cut into lardons

1 red onion, diced

3 ribs celery, diced

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

Kosher salt

1 1/2 cups homemade mayonnaise (recipe to follow)

1/2 cup Dijon mustard

Directions

Cut the potatoes in quarters and place in a large pot, add the garlic and cover the potatoes by about 2 inches with water. Season generously with salt. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are fork tender, about 20 minutes.

While the potatoes are cooking, put 2 tablespoons olive oil into a saute pan, add the bacon and bring to a medium-high heat. Cook the bacon until it is brown and crispy. Remove from the heat and add the onions, celery and vinegar. Season with salt and reserve.

When the potatoes are fork tender, drain them from the water and transfer them to a large mixing bowl. While the potatoes are still hot add the bacon-onion mixture. Stir to incorporate. Add the Mayonnaise and stir to combine. TASTE for seasoning and stir in the mustard. Add more salt, if needed.

Zesty!

Homemade Mayonnaise:

*2 egg yolks

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Kosher salt

1 1/2 cups neutrally flavored oil (vegetable, canola, peanut)

Place the egg yolks in the bowl of the food processor and add the vinegar and mustard. Season with salt, to taste. Turn the machine on and VERY slowly start to drizzle in the oil. Drip, drip, drip until the mixture starts to look like mayonnaise, then a slow steady stream of oil can be added.

Cook's Note: If the mayonnaise is too thick add a few drops of water or if it is not thick enough, with the machine running, add a little more oil.

"Homage to Haiti"

Today we mailed money to our friend Johanne, from Haiti, whom I recently met on a business trip to Chicago.  If you are following this blog, then you know her story.  She is currently living in Chicago with a host family so that she can attend school, and she is one of nine (9) children in her family from Haiti.  In our first conversation, Johanne informed me that she has a 16 year-old sister who is pregnant as a result of rape, and this sister is living with the remainder of Johanne's family in a small village in Haiti.  This unborn, innocent soul is scheduled to be born this August, and Johanne informed me that her mother was very scared about not being able to feed this baby.  Johanne's family lives in a small village, and they are very poor.  Well, I believe it to be no accident that we were assigned seats next to one another on this recent business trip.  My desire to help others with less than me, combined with the sole purpose of this blog project all just came together in perfect harmony.  If you notice the quote at the top of this blog: "Nourishing the hungry while feeding my family...", this story just couldn't have been scripted any better!  I was determined to send our next donation to this village in Haiti so that this baby at least had some nourishment from our efforts.  I was apprehensive about sending a money order directly to her mother, as I am unaware of how Customs or the Haitian government operates, and I feared that she might never see it.  I discussed this with Johanne, and she informed me that they have a family friend who is in Chicago who will be soon be traveling to Haiti to see Johanne's family.  This friend will be visiting Johanne soon in order to receive things to take to Johanne's mother when said friend goes to Haiti at the end of this month.  So, call it foolish, but we sent cash directly to Johanne to be given to her friend to deliver to her mother.  The passing of the baton so to speak.  We had $160.00 in our "Donations Jar", and we added an additional $40.00 so that we sent $200.00 in total.  Johanne's words:  "Oh, Jennifer, my mother is going to be sooooo happy -- she can at least have some peace because of you...you beautiful person."  To which I replied, "It is my sincere pleasure to help in some small way, and you are actually helping me and my children by giving us this opportunity."  We agreed to talk soon, and I hung up the phone with such a complexity of wonderful emotions...it is true that when you give, you are the one being blessed.