As we continue on our Daniel Fast, one thing I have realized is that we don't need to spend time complaining about all the things we are not able to eat.   Instead we should be celebrating all the wonderful things we can eat.   We have found some incredible new recipes and have had some wonderful flavors.   Eating less of the processed food and more of God given, fresh foods seem to be a good life change....not just a Daniel Fast!!!

 

Made this sandwich today.  It was awesome!!  I also think that the chickpea mixture might make a good guacamole substitute with a little diced onion and tomato in it (I love but am allergic to avocado).  Can't wait to eat it again!     - Greg

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  GREEK SALAD SANDWICH                                   

• Yield Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves (or 1/8 cup dried)
• red onion, thinly sliced
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 3 ounces crumbled feta
• 8 slices rustic bread or olive bread
• cucumber, thinly sliced
• tomato, thinly sliced
• lettuce leaves

Directions

1. In a food processor, pulse chickpeas, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and parsley until it becomes a course mix. In another small bowl, mash feta with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Spread chickpea mixture thickly on 4 slices bread. Top with cucumber, tomato, lettuce and onion; season with salt and pepper. Spread feta mixture on 4 more bread slices and place on top of sandwiches.  We lightly toasted the bread before making sandwiches. 

 

Everyday Food, March 2011

I have to admit - I am a breakfast girl.   I think the Daniel Challenge is going to be hard at breakfast.   What to eat?  This morning I had this recipe minus the almond milk.   It was really good.   I am grateful to have other options that are so tasty.   What other breakfast ideas have you come up with? - Pastor MJ

 

Nutty Fruit Cereal

1 banana, peeled and sliced (about 1 cup)

1/3 cup fresh blueberries

1 tablespoon chopped almonds

1 tablespoon chopped walnuts

1 teaspoon unsweetened coconut flakes

½ cup unsweetened almond or rice milk

Instructions

Place banana slices in a bowl and top with blueberries, almonds, walnuts, and coconut flakes. Pour in almond milk.

Yield: 1 serving (serving size: about 1 1/3 cups)

Looking for a good recipe without meat?   Here's one for those who are not giving up dairy products:

Fettuccine with Broccoli

10 fresh basil leaves
3 sprigs of parsley
4-5 green onions
2 small cloves garlic
3 TBSP Dijon Mustard
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 large crowns of broccoli (about 1 pound)
1 TBSP olive oil
salt and black pepper
1 pound whole wheat fettuccine
10 (or so) cherry tomatoes,  for garnish

Directions:
1.  Put a large saucepan of water on to boil for the pasta.   Finely chop the basil and parsley.   Trim the green onions.   Finely slice the green tops and set them aside (for garnish), then slice the rest.   Peel and crush the garlic.
2.  Blend the mustard and butter in a bowl, then stir in the herbs, white part of the green onion and garlic, crushing them against the bottom of the bowl to release their flavors.   Set aside.
3.  Trim the broccoli into florets.  Add the oil, salt, pasta and broccoli to the boiling water, return to a boil and cook for 4 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.
4.  Meanwhile, halve the cherry tomatoes.
5.  Thoroughly drain the pasta and broccoli.   Quickly melt the flavored butter in the pasta pan.  Return the pasta and broccoli to the pan and toss them gently in the butter over medium heat until the pasta is well coated, but do not allow it to fry.
6.  Transfer the pasta onto a serving platter, season and garnish with the green onion tops and the cherry tomatoes.

YIELD:  4 large servings.

Join the Daniel Challenge!

The Daniel Challenge consists of you making a choice of a 3, 7, 10, or 21 day experience. You can choose to do one or all of the challenges: Change your diet, pray, take courageous stands. Please join us in this challenge. We will be posting specifics about how to follow this challenge in each of the three categories. Let us know if you have or are going to take this challenge by posting here on this blog  share your experiences on our Facebook page - First Christian Church Galesburg.  Let us know how God is working in your life through this challenge.