Doxologies

To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen. (Rev 1:5b–6)

Quinoa and Spinach Patties

I really like quinoa.  I am still searching for a good recipe to try for creamed quinoa (like the dish from Zig Zag and La Nueva Palomino).  If one of my recipe blogs that I follow features a quinoa recipe, I am usually a sucker to bookmark it and try it.  This year, one of our interns is a vegetarian, this recipe popped up one day, and I couldn’t resist adding it to my menu for the week.

I got some non-excited responses from Greg and the kids, but after lunch, the reaction changed.  It was a hit!  Even Manuela, who shared with me a month ago that she has never liked quinoa in her 50+ years of living here, liked it and asked for the recipe.  Success!

I will just post the link to the recipe: Quinoa and Spinach Patties

My patties looked exactly like the picture.  I used fresh spinach that I just steamed in hot water.  One note is to prepare the quinoa ahead of time (it is supposed to be cooled when you add it to the mix).  I bought the perfect-sized little wheat buns, added a slice of melted cheese and barbecue sauce, and we went to town.

She suggests serving it with an avocado salad.  I did just that.  I have no clue what salad recipe she uses, but here is the one we like here in Peru:

Avocado Salad

• 1 large avocado, peeled and diced
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 2 small cucumbers, peeled and diced
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 small block of mozzarella cheese, cubed
• olive oil
• salt and pepper

1.  Mix avocado, onion, cucumbers, tomatoes, and cheese in a small bowl.

2.  Drizzle with olive oil and add salt and pepper to taste.  Serve immediately.

Five Minute FridayBeautiful

How can I not think of my three children when I hear this word?

The courage of Ana living in a foreign country.  She is such a good big sister.  She is so kind to our Peruvian family, but her courage shines through when she cries for her grandparents and cousins back home.  She knows sacrifice is involved in living our lives here, and she is at an age where she really gets it.

The sweetness and tininess of Maggie Kate when she comes and asks to sit in my lap.  I really think that the “middle child syndrome” is seen as reality in her life.  She is strongly independent and desires to make her own way.  I think that is beautiful.  She wants out of the shadow of her sister and wants to make her own sombra.

Cohen is my little “principe,” as the Peruvians say.  And he is.  He is a momma’s boy through and through.  But I already see so much of his daddy in him, and that makes me so full of joy.  He is sweet natured but all-boy at the same time.

 

Maggie likes to touch my belly that is stretched out from having three children.  I tell her, “This is my beautiful belly.  You know why it is beautiful?  Because three beautiful children began their lives in this belly.”

Stop.