Spice Up Your Speech!

Thursday, May 2, 2013 by Teresa Ambra

I was in my forties before I first sampled Tex-Mex cooking. Friends encouraged me to try jalapeño peppers, fajitas, quesadillas, enchiladas, nachos, and everything else I now enjoy. I am also learning to like foods seasoned with curry, coriander, turmeric, saffron, and other Middle Eastern spices. Spices, herbs, and seasonings are what make recipes work. Recipes that are bland are not memorable and rarely enjoyed. It’s only when we add flavoring—even something as simple as salt and pepper—that foods become tasty. Life is a lot like spicy foods. My life and witness can be a fragrant or pungent aroma to others. It can be spicy in a good way as my example pricks the hearts of the lost with the gospel. But my life can also be spicy in a negative way. Just like too much spice in food becomes inedible, too much spicy “kick” in our lives and conduct can be offensive, hypocritical, and certainly ineffective in reaching others for Christ.

 

There are two ways I can model the spice of life. One is to make sure my words are respectful of others. My words shouldn’t be so spicy that they offend others with curtness, gossip, critical or judgmental attitude. Nor should my words demean others so that they are viewed less honorably or considerately. When my words diminish another’s character or reputation, or judge another’s motives, I have crossed the line and my words are no longer honoring to God. Rather, my words should be “seasoned with salt and full of grace” (Col. 4:6). I can be a shining light to others when my speech is kind, Spirit-led, full of godly wisdom and insight, encouraging, and beneficial to others.

 

In the same way, I can model the spice of life when I seek to build others up rather than tear them down. Satan constantly seeks for ways to discourage God’s people; I should seek for ways to encourage, hearten, and cheer others who have been beaten down by life’s hardships. Sharing stories of how God has answered prayers in my life is a way to gladden the hearts of others and increase their faith in an All-Powerful God. Instead of trampling others down with my words, I can inspire, uplift, and strengthen them as they walk through the valleys and tribulations all of us must face. As Biblical Women let’s follow David’s heart, “Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin” (Ps. 17:3). Additionally, let’s resolve to make sure that our words are the spice of life like the Psalmist declared, “Pleasant words are like the honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Prov. 16:24) and, may our words be “aptly spoken” which are like “apples of gold in settings of silver” (Prov. 25:11). In this way, we can be the spice of life to both fellow believers and those who don’t know Christ. Following these “spice of life” principles will enable us to be the Biblical Women Christ wants us to be.

 

I’ve included a few of my favorite spicy Tex-Mex recipes! Mexican Lasagna is a wonderful casserole with the spiciness of chilies and salsa. Mexican Corn Casserole also has the bite of chilies, but with the added bonus of hot sauce! Sopapilla Cheesecake is a sweet dessert that is easy to make and delicious to the tastebuds. You will inhale the wonderful flavors of cinnamon-sugar wafting through your house as it bakes.

 

Mexican Lasagna: http://cantstayoutofthekitchen.com/2012/06/28/mexican-lasagna/

Mexican Corn Casserole: http://cantstayoutofthekitchen.com/2012/09/03/mexican-corn-casserole/

Sopapilla Cheesecake: http://cantstayoutofthekitchen.com/2012/06/14/sopapilla-cheesecake/

 

Teresa Ambra loves cooking and experimenting in the kitchen! Over the years she has tried thousands of recipes and now shares them on her blogwww.cantstayoutofthekitchen.com! She also loves to prepare meals for others no matter what the occasion. Teresa graduated with her Master of Divinity in Church History and Biblical Languages from Southwestern Seminary last May. Connect with her on Facebook,Twitter and her blog!

 

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The Lasagna Bomb

Tuesday, February 19, 2013 by Teresa Ambra

I was telling a friend today that, even though I’ve been cooking for my family for almost 35 years, every now and then I still lay an egg. My latest bomb was about six months ago when we had company over for dinner and I overcooked the chicken and vegetables so we had to chisel everything out of the pan. Yikes!

My most memorable disaster, however, came shortly after my husband and I were married and I was just learning how to cook. We laugh about it now – but it wasn’t funny then. I was trying out a recipe for lasagna from my trusty Fanny Farmer cookbook. The instructions in the recipe noted that about a tablespoon of sugar could be added to the sauce to take the acidity out of the tomatoes, so I tried it. I thought it helped the taste of the sauce…so I added some more sugar. Then I added a little more…and a little more. You get the idea. I think I added close to a cup of sugar before it was all done!

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The “Two-Bite” Rule: Teaching Gracious Table Manners

Monday, February 18, 2013 by Teresa Ambra

It happened again yesterday. The house was full of company, the table was set, the food was on the island buffet-style, and all gathered together to pray. No sooner had the “Amen” been said, than one of the kids piped up, “This looks awful,” and another said, “Mom, this is gross, I’m not eating any of this!”

Imagine how mortified and humiliated the hostess felt after spending an entire day—at least eight to ten hours—cooking, preparing, and making sure everything was just right—not to mention days of cleaning beforehand—only to be confronted by unappreciative, unruly, or ungracious guests.

…That hostess was me!

As Christian parents we have the responsibility to teach our children Christian virtues that will attract others to the gospel of Jesus Christ. When our children are orderly, well-mannered, and respectful to others—especially their elders, they display Christian qualities, “so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive” (Titus 2:10). One simple way we can build Christian character into our children is to teach them gracious table manners—whether they are eating meals in our own homes or elsewhere.

My friend, Jean, taught me this many years ago. We were working together as church secretaries when Jean told me about her “Two-Bite Rule.” No matter what was served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, each child was required to eat at least two bites. Anytime they ate at someone else’s home, a restaurant, the school cafeteria or any place else, the rule still applied. In that way, Jean made sure her children were never rude, whiny, fussy, or ungracious whenever they ate meals.

Parents can start teaching their children gracious table manners early. Very few children will like everything put in front of them. However, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try everything. A “Two-Bite Rule” effectively gets your children to taste every food. They can eat more of what they like, and only two bites of any food they really dislike. When our oldest son was about 15 months old I noticed he only wanted to eat grilled cheese sandwiches and had stopped eating anything we served for dinner. It was shortly after Thanksgiving in 1983 when I made Turkey and Dumplings. He refused to eat it for dinner that night. So I wrapped up his bowl with plastic wrap and served it to him again for breakfast the next day. He refused to eat it. Same story at lunch. By dinner time he was famished and he ate the whole bowl. He never refused to eat anything after that and we enforced the “Two-Bite Rule.”

Teaching good table manners is an essential part of raising godly children. The “Two-Bite Rule” is not just for eating out. It needs to start at home. If all your children learn to eat is Macaroni and Cheese they will never learn to be good guests in someone else’s home. Teaching your children courteous and considerate manners at the table—whether at home or dining elsewhere—will not only make them welcome dinner guests but it will help them have principles to pass on to their own children later on.

Take the initiative and teach your children to eat for the honor and glory of God (1 Cor 10:31).

Here’s the recipe for my delicious Homemade Turkey and Dumplings. Today, it is one of my oldest son’s favorite dishes!

Teresa Ambra loves cooking and experimenting in the kitchen! Over the years she has tried thousands of recipes and now shares them on her blogwww.cantstayoutofthekitchen.com! She also loves to prepare meals for others no matter what the occasion. Teresa graduated with her Master of Divinity in Church History and Biblical Languages from Southwestern Seminary last May. Connect with her on Facebook,Twitter and her blog!

 

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Serving Friends Through Food

Tuesday, September 4, 2012 by Teresa Ambra

I will never forget the kindness of my friend Debbie Rambaum. She was a neighbor who lived across the street from us in Largo, Florida, when we were in those early child-rearing years. Debbie was not a believer at the time, but she brought a meal to us the day we brought our son Jared home from the hospital almost 30 years ago. Even though we had believing family members in the area, they never even thought about providing a meal for us when we came home from the hospital. But Debbie did. I can still remember most of it. She made beef stroganoff, noodles, corn, a salad, and some home-made chocolate chip cookies. It was wonderful. That was my introduction to hospitality ministry—the birth of a child.

The second time—eight years later—was when the delightful Marge Currin, the wife of the executive director for the Baptist Convention of New England at the time, brought over a delicious dinner for our family the day we arrived in Massachusetts. We were moving into our new home in the dead of winter with snow on the ground and young boys in tow. She had made a tasty Calico Beans casserole, salad, and a lemon pound cake. Here we were, exhausted from the efforts of carrying furniture and boxes up and down two or three flights of stairs, and here comes Marge with this much appreciated meal.

God used those two experiences in my life—and by this time my love for cooking—to begin a ministry of hospitality by taking meals to people in times of need. I’ve learned to keep a full pantry and stuffed freezers so if I hear about someone needing a meal I can usually provide a hearty meal without even having to go to the store.

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Cooking for the Culinary-Challenged

Thursday, August 2, 2012 by Teresa Ambra

You don’t have to be a fabulous cook to practice hospitality!

Quite frankly, most people you invite into your home aren’t going to care what you serve. They will just be thrilled with an invitation into someone else’s home. The opportunity to establish connections with others is one of the greatest needs of our society today and certainly a need of the church. I applaud the newer generation of young adults who emphasize making connections and forming relationships with others by doing community, service, Bible study and discipleship, and many times meals with one another. It is a direction the church has needed to explore for a long time. Practicing hospitality can be as simple as having a few friends over for hotdogs, chips and outside games, or something like a supper club where everyone participates by bringing a dish and then playing games or just talking afterward.

Paul exhorted the Roman Christians to practice hospitality. So what does that actually mean for us today?

The original language indicates the idea of pursuing, striving for, seeking after, or aspiring[1] to be hospitable to others—especially strangers. Yet, how many of us can truthfully say we are fully and earnestly engaged in the practice of hospitality in our churches, in our neighborhoods, or even in our own homes? In what ways can the Biblical Woman practice hospitality—especially if that is not her spiritual gift?

Practicing hospitality is not something my family did when I was growing up. I was introduced to the concept through my husband’s family who always had company over for periodic dinners and cook-outs. They also included non-family members in holiday traditions which was a new concept for me. So, practicing hospitality can certainly be a learned accomplishment. It does not need to arise because of a spiritual gifting, nor is it necessary that you or your family practiced hospitality when you were growing up.

Practicing hospitality also does not mean you have to have some gorgeous or expensive home you want to showcase to others.

When we started having people over to our home in the first few years of our marriage, we lived in an apartment with beautiful yellow-gold shag carpet! Well, maybe it wasn’t quite so beautiful. We had a small, galley kitchen which no more than two people could be in at any given time, and everyone had to climb three flights of stairs to get to our apartment. “Home” was extremely modestly decorated with used furniture and cheap wall furnishings. But nobody seemed to mind. We would eat and laugh together and sometimes play games together. And, did I mention that I could barely cook at this point in my life? You don’t have to be some elaborate, gourmet cook, have a large, beautiful home, or even have experience with the custom of opening up your home to others.

If you’re ready to start opening your home but don’t know how to cook, fret not! One of the first steps is to start building your recipe repertoire. Here are a few suggestions I would recommend to today’s less-than-kitchen-savvy Biblical Woman to get started practicing hospitality in your own home:

1. Learn to cook a few basic recipes.

If you are like me and your mother failed to teach you how to cook, find someone who cooks well and ask them to tutor you. There is nothing quite like being in the kitchen with someone and learning their shortcuts, how to follow or adapt recipes, and what all the different culinary terms mean. Ask them if you can help them in the kitchen for a couple of hours a week. You can also take a cooking class. Or maybe you will be fortunate like I was and your husband will teach you how to cook. (Side note: I made sure both our kids learned how to cook when they were growing up so they didn’t start out as inept in the kitchen as I was).

2. Find three or four different “go-to” dishes.

Main dishes, three or four different kinds of salads, three or four types of side-dishes, a few diverse ways to fix potatoes or rice, and seven or eight ways to make desserts. Ok, you are asking yourself, where am I supposed to find these recipes? Go to the good cooks in your church, or if you have family members or relatives who cook well, go and ask them for some of their easy but delicious recipes. This is even better if you have actually tasted the recipes so you know how they should turn out. My personal blog, Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen, has dozens of excellent recipes that the Biblical Woman need not be afraid to try even if she is brand new to the realm of cooking. Check out out my Strawberry-Kiwi Spinach Salad, Italian Cavatini, and Strawberry Twinkie Dessert (3 ingredients – SO EASY) for starters!

3. Practice your timing and get cooking!

After you find several good recipes, learn how to time your preparation and cooking time so everything is done at the same time. Then, start inviting people over for dinner. Don’t feel like you have to invite the whole Bible study group over at one time. Start with one couple, or a couple of friends. Most people will ask if they can bring something. If you already know what you’re going to be serving ask them to bring a side dish or salad, garlic bread, or even a dessert if you don’t have time or the inclination to prepare it along with everything else. You will also find that when people are bringing something there will rarely be cancellations to your dinner!

Practicing hospitality is a spiritual gift but it is also an exhortation in Scripture. As Biblical Women, we need to be involved in it; it is one way God’s kingdom grows and multiplies. My husband John and I have one rule of thumb: “Rarely will you fight with someone you have had over to your home for a meal.” Practicing hospitality by eating meals together builds unity, love, friendship and fellowship, cohesion and connection that cements and strengthens relationships in your church,  in your neighborhood, and in extended family. You don’t have to be Martha Stewart or the next Food Network Star to cultivate this practical and meaningful ministry!

 

Teresa Ambra loves cooking and experimenting in the kitchen! Over the years she has tried thousands of recipes and now shares them on her blog www.cantstayoutofthekitchen.com! She also loves to prepare meals for others no matter what the occasion. Teresa graduated with her Master of Divinity in Church History and Biblical Languages from Southwestern Seminary last May. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and her blog!

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