Food with Intention

Several years ago, I had just watched the film Like Water for Chocolate and was very intrigued by the idea that our intentions and feelings can be transferred to food as we make it. I decided to make my husband a wonderful feast. It would look great, taste wonderful, and convey my love for him. It was mid-summer and the garden was bountiful. All day long, I went from garden to kitchen creating with joy and love.
The two things that stand out best in my memory were the appetizers and the cheesecake. It was to be a plain New York style cheesecake with fresh peach compote on top. It took all day long to set. I finally opened the oven thinking it had to be done by now and was moved to tears by what I saw. A perfect heart had cracked in the center of the cheesecake. I couldn't have done that on purpose if I had tried. As the cake had decorated itself, we had the peach compote on the side.
Now the appetizers I made really knocked my socks off. I don't even like eggplant or tomatoes. I tried to like tomatoes every year for 21 years. They always let me down until I grew some for my husband. There is nothing tastier than a fresh home-grown tomato. This simple recipe was one of my best spur of the moment, fresh from garden ideas ever. I hope you enjoy!

Eggplant Medallions

1) Take any eggplant (I grew small fuschia ones that year) and slice 1/2 inch thick. Arrange in a dish and sprinkle with salt all over. Use a good deal, you will wash it off. This leaches bitterness from the eggplant.
2) Slice tomatoes 1/4 inch thick. Tomatoes should be same or smaller in radius as eggplant.
3) Slice thinly as much smoked gouda cheese as you want to use.
4) Rinse eggplant and arrange single layer on greased baking tray.
5) Top each eggplant round with slice tomato then gouda cheese.
6) Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
7) Broil until done. Keep an eye on them 5-10 minutes depending on broil range.
Serve warm and eat up the compliments.

Quilting with Community

This quilt was made by the community for the community. Over a dozen artists helped in this quilt project. It was my honor to be the quilter.

As a quilter, there are many ways to give to the community. I think quilters in general are very giving, loving, caring people. That is why so many wonderful foundations have been formed where quilts are collected and given to people who need them. There is something very special about receiving a quilt that was handmade. Quilts have value beyond compare because of the love that is in every stitch. Quilts can also be made by several hands. The making together bringing people together. Maybe you can find something in your community that could use your hands and heart.

I want to share my local project that is dear to my heart. It is a youth garden group. The kids range in age from very small to 18 years. The older kids plan, grow, and sell at the farmers market. This teaches them so much. They also learn how to prepare their produce and share that knowledge with others. They give to the local food share progam. I've just barely covered the surface of how great I think this program and the kids are. Every year, they hold a benefit dinner. I make a quilt to auction using the youth's artwork. I give them fabric and markers and tell them to show what the Cultiva Project means to them. It is amazing what they returned to me this year. I pieced the quilt using my husband's tie-dye fabrics and then quilted it heavily. It is a challenge to work with others artwork. You want to define and add to it but not distract from the original artwork. I was so pleased with how it came out. I wonder what next years will be.

I hope you are inspired now. Speaking of teaching children, I just came across a great book I thought I'd let know about. It is an ebook called Cookin Kids. If you want to have a great time spreading love in the kitchen, you should really check out this ebook. You can find it at the link in the sidebar. Enjoy the holidays with children you know. They do warm the soul. We can all do so much to make this a brighter, cozier world.

Until next time, happy quilting and cooking.