Hello Blog Friends!
As you will see from the above photos, I am determined to pretend that spring has arrived, despite the need to still bundle up with cosy hats and scarves, before venturing outside!
We are now well and truly launched into Lent. Later today, the final episode of this season’s Cook-Along will be happening, after which our next big event will be the Alumni Lenten Mini Retreat, that heralds in Holy Week. Woosh… soon it will be Easter, EEK!!!!
The past week has seen some decent progress in various areas of the Day Camp Ministry. Former committee member, Jillian, has come to the rescue of the Manual and she and I are pulling together a draft copy, which can then be uploaded, with desktop publishing software, and sent out to proofreaders, before a final copy is published.
The Acceptance package is ready to go out and, next week, will be circulated. I have completed 2 more Creative Activity samples, taken photos and am starting a folder that will, eventually, be part of the program’s Resource Package. Committee member, Ruth, has also done a fine job of making all the Scrambler Afternoon Program samples, so her images have also been uploaded, Yay!!
Meanwhile, the draft template of CTM’s quarterly newsletter “Networks” is almost ready to be sent to subscribers, I just want to add a final photo to the image gallery in the Cook-Along article and then, this evening, Guylaine will do a last proofing before we hit the “send” button.
Next week, a proper start needs to be made on assembling the AGM documents. These are collated into a folder that is shared with all the CTM members and needs to go to them at least 2 weeks before the date of that meeting. Of course we also have a Board meeting on March 15th, the agenda for that is currently being reviewed by our President and I plan to distribute it tomorrow, so members have a week’s notice.
All in all, it has been a full week, following on the heels of last weekend’s “Changing of the Decorations”, which was a pretty intense couple of days!!
As mentioned earlier, this afternoon will be the final Cook-Along episode so, right now, I need to finish off the Bake and get ready to log on. Today, Chef Syndi-Belle will be making “Chicken & Mushroom Soup”, YUM!!
One night, this week, I tried a new version of Okonomiyaki. It uses Ramen noodles instead of a batter with flour and I really enjoyed this variation!.
Noodle Okonomiyaki
- 1 block organic brown rice Ramen noodles
- 4 eggs
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 Tbsps. Tamari
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
- ¼ of a Seville cabbage, thinly sliced
- 2-3 Tbsps. olive oil
- Sesame seeds
- Okonomiyaki sauce
- Mayonnaise (preferably homemade)
Place the Ramen in a heatproof bowl and cover with 3 cups of boiling water, allow to soak for 7 minutes. Drain and separate the noodles with tongs. Meanwhile, break the eggs into a medium bowl and whisk them with the Tamari, sesame oil, salt & pepper. Add the noodles, cabbage and ¾ of the green onions and toss with a wide spatula, making sure everything is evenly coated with the egg mixture. Heat a heavy, 7” skillet over medium heat and add oil to coat the bottom. Ladle in half the noodle mixture and flatten evenly. Cover with a lid and cook, undisturbed, for 4 minutes. Loosen the edges of the pancake, place a flat plate on top and flip onto the plate. Add a bit more oil to the skillet and slide the pancake back into the pan. Cook, uncovered, for a further 4 minutes. Place in a shallow bowl and keep warm while repeating the cooking process with the other half of the noodle mixture. Plate the second pancake and garnish with Okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, sesame seeds and the remaining green onions. Serves 2.