admin, Author at Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos

Treasures In Heaven

November 30, 2015 By admin Leave a Comment

Spiritual Enrichment: November 2015

“I make myself rich, by making my wants few.”
Henry David Thoreau

In America, November is a busy time. People are getting ready to spend time with family around the Thanksgiving table and prepare for the bustling Christmas season. During this time of year, it can sometimes feel like to to-do list is never ending. On top of the daily routine, there is pressure from television ads, social media campaigns, magazines and so much more, reminding us to ensure these special days go according to plan. With all of the musts, needs, desires and feasts, it is important to turn our thoughts and focus on God.

Henry David Thoreau said, “I make myself rich, by making my wants few.” We as Christians can relate to this quote because according to Matthew 6:19-21, we are told: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

But lay up for yourself treasures in heaven.
Matthew 6:20

If we pull ourselves away from all of these things that marketing gurus, commercials, neighbors, and even families say that we “need” for the holidays, we can focus more attentively on what Christ did for us. This is the real reason for the season: we are celebrating a new life that began over 2000 years ago and billions of human beings have faithfully honored and cherished Him to the end of time. Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to thank God for our many blessings of family, friends and the provision of basic needs.

Christ came to this earth to die for us because he loved us before He knew us. He came into the world, taking on human flesh, in order to save us from our sins and give us the gift of eternal life. Even though we are in a time where our social engagements seem to take over our lives, and even though this time is wonderful and exciting, the church instructs us to prepare spiritually. On November 14th the advent fast begins which encourages us not only to anticipate with joy the coming of Christ at Christmas, but to be thankful for what we have, to deny ourselves things we want and enjoy, and to participate in almsgiving.

Elle Pappas
Hellenic College Graduate Student

Reading: Matthew 6
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us focus our minds and hearts on the precious gift you gave to the world, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our guest author is Elle Pappas, a first year Graduate Student of Theology at Hellenic College Holy Cross. Elle and her husband Jack were recently married in May 2015 and are from St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Elle hopes to one day be a professor in the arts and theology.

Greek White Beans Salad

November 27, 2015 By admin Leave a Comment

Greek White Beans Salad

Prep time

25 mins

Total time

25 mins

Author: Ladies of the Atlanta Metropolis Philoptochos

Recipe type: Side Dish

Cuisine: Greek

Serves: 8

Ingredients

1 15 ounce can Butter or Cannellini Beans
¼ cup chopped parsley
3 tbsp olive, vegetable or canola oil
1 tbsp sherry vinegar
1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
1 tbsp lemon juice
salt and pepper

Instructions

Rinse the can of beans thoroughly and combine it with the chopped parsley and oil in a medium bowl.
Add the vinegar, the grated lemon zest, the lemon juice and mix thoroughly.
Add salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΣΑΛΑΤΑ ΜΕ ΛΕΥΚΑ ΦΑΣΟΛΙΑ

ΥΛΙΚΑ
1 κονσέρβα 15ounce (425γρ) φασόλια γίγαντες ή φασόλια κανελίνι
¼ της κούπας ψιλοκομμένο μαϊντανό
3 κουταλιές της σούπας ελαιόλαδο ή λάδι κανόλα ή άλλο φυτικό λάδι της αρεσκείας μας
1 κουταλιά της σούπας ξίδι σέρι
1 κουταλάκι του γλυκού ξύσμα λεμονιού
1 κουταλιά της σούπας χυμό λεμονιού
αλάτι και πιπέρι

ΕΚΤΕΛΕΣΗ
1. Ξεπλένουμε καλά τα φασόλια και τα ανακατεύουμε καλά με το μαϊντανό και το λάδι σε ένα μεσαίο μπολ.
2. Προσθέτουμε το ξύδι, το ξύσμα και το χυμό λεμονιού και τα ανακατεύουμε όλα μαζί πολύ καλά.
3. Τέλος προσθέτουμε αλάτι και πιπέρι σύμφωνα με την προτίμησή μας.

Theological Reflections On The Changing Of The Seasons

October 27, 2015 By admin Leave a Comment

Spiritual Enrichment: October 2015

Dazzled by the color palette of her native New England landscape, Emily Dickinson styles the natural delights of autumn in the following prose:

The Morns are meeker than they were,
The Nuts are getting brown:
The Berry’s cheeks is plumper,
The Rose is out of town. The Maple wears a gayer scarf,
The Field a scarlet gown.

As a native to the sunny beaches of Florida, the four seasons have long possessed something of a fabled character. For us Floridians, the palm trees never changed color, and we had “hurricane days” off from school instead of snow days. And speaking of snow, the only “white stuff” we ever saw on the ground was the powdery sand that separated us from the Gulf of Mexico. By northern standards, Florida is an endless summer.

But here at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, a true New England fall is upon us. This means stunning foliage, crisp air, and warm, spicy scents. And of course, the end of Daylight saving time (don’t forget to set your clocks back on Sunday, November 1st).

While our natural environment is in perpetual flux, the centerpiece of our campus— the Chapel of the Holy Cross remains constant. Finished in 1963, construction of our chapel was charged by Archbishop Michael of America, and made possible through the fundraising efforts of GOYA chapters from across our nation. It is modeled after the 11th century Church of the Holy Apostles, which is nestled in the archaeological site of the ancient marketplace (agora) in Athens, Greece (and still functions!). And most fittingly, as it is said, the great cross which crowns the golden dome of our chapel occupies the highest point, not just of our campus, but of the greater Boston area. Just as a great beacon shines forth its light to illuminate the way for ships that pass by night, so too do we strive to shine the Light into the world from atop of our Holy Hill.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

In the communion of faith, the triune God has revealed Himself and speaks to us. And it is in this ordinary ebb and flow of the seasons that we many times hear Him so clearly. As we who live in New England (unfortunately) know, winter is coming. Soon the beautiful gold, amber, and crimson leaves will become brown and gray. The crisp, cool air will give way to harsh and frigid temperatures. And we will begin to long for the scent of roses, fresh cut grass, and coconut oil. And while we get to sleep in an extra hour, we lose many hours of light and sunshine.

But amidst these changes, our chapel will be there; unchanged; a bastion within the bedlam. St. Paul reminds us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Although the days grow shorter, and the natural world around us decays, we are ever hopeful for the coming spring—when the sleeping flowers and trees will be awakened in renewed splendor, and when the light of the day overtakes the darkness once again. In this majestic way, even nature itself proclaims the power of the resurrection of Christ. And always looking above, from wherever we stand on campus, we look up to the cross and are reminded that it is in that chapel that we receive the Light that is never overtaken by darkness.

Menios Papadimitriou
Seminarian

Reading: Ecclesiastes 3, Matthew 5:14-16
Prayer: Dear God, we thank you for Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

Menios Papadimitriou is a third year Master of Divinity student at Holy Cross Seminary. He is from Clearwater, Florida and has a BA in Philosophy and Political Science from Florida State University. He serves as the coordinator for the Harvard chapter of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship, is employed by the MIT department of student life, assists with youth programming at St. Constantine and Helen Church in Cambridge, MA, and is a teaching fellow to Fr. Eugen Pentiuc, Holy Cross Professor of Old Testament, Hebrew and Semitic Languages and Dean of Academic Affairs.

Bless The Lord You His Angels

October 10, 2015 By admin Leave a Comment

Dear Philoptochos Sisters in Christ,

By the time you receive this letter we will have entered our new Ecclesiastical Year. This marks the end of summer and the return to our daily routine with its many challenges. I trust you had an enjoyable summer and that you have come back fully charged with love and enthusiasm to embark into new ventures that will benefit you, our beloved Philoptochos, our parishes and our Holy Orthodox Church.

As we all begin a new term we start another new page in our Metropolis Philoptochos history, we thank God for the last two years that has passed and look forward to the next two years. I have truly enjoyed these last two years serving as the President of the Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos Society and look forward to working with each of you again as the President for 2015 – 2017.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your chapter for your continuous, generous support of the Metropolis Philoptochos programs and our philanthropic endeavors. Whether you gave of your precious time or generous donations, please know it is God’s work and your donations have gone to assist the less fortunate, as we are indeed friends of the poor.

Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word.
Psalm 103: 20

I have truly enjoyed these last two years serving as the President of the Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos Society and look forward to working with each of you again as the President for 2015 – 2017.

As you know new boards were elected on the Metropolis and chapters levels. Please support both the new Metropolis Board, your chapter board and sister chapters with your time and energy as you have always done in the past. We are all one family in our Atlanta Metropolis. When we all work together we can accomplish much of the work the Lord wants us to complete in our mission here on earth for those in need.

Everything, we have achieved could not have been accomplished without all of you, my sisters in Christ. Thank you for your commitment to Philoptochos and our church. May God always bless you as you continue to work in His name.

Your Sister in Christ,

Dee Nicolaou, President
Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos

God Is Love

October 9, 2015 By admin Leave a Comment

My dearly beloved in Christ,

I greet you with joy and love in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as we begin a new Ecclesiastical Year! I would like to thank the Philoptochos President, Mrs. Dee Nicolaou, for allowing me to address myself to the ladies of the Philoptochos Society, and all the Faithful who give time to this beautiful publication.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8

Since it is the beginning of the new Ecclesiastical Year, I would like to share with you the importance of love. Number one, love means our God and God is love. If we are born of God, then we should feel love in our hearts for not only Him, but those created by Him. Love is a virtue that we all need to receive and give so that we can feel God’s true gift, and the meaning of our existence.

The first epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians chapter 13 gives excellent insight to the meaning of love in our Faith:

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

Love is above our expectations and power, and only with the Grace of God, we can practice it. Whenever in life we feel criticism and negativity from other human beings, we should remember the words St. Paul shares with us and the importance of love, even with our enemies. It is easy to react to criticism, especially criticism that is unjustifiable, but if we hold our breath and remember to be kind to our neighbors no matter whom they may be, then we are practicing love.

Speaking of love, I feel endless gratitude in my heart for the ladies of the Philoptochos Society for the great amount of dedication they so selflessly give to our Church each and every day. The Ladies of this beautiful Society have been given the honor to express love to others in a way that is so obvious, and in a way that everyone in our Faith is so thankful for.

With this, I wish all of you a happy Ecclesiastical Year, and I ask that you continue working to express your Christian Faith by sharing love with others. Share and receive love without any fear or condemnation, while remembering always that we are all God’s creation. God bless you all, and God be with us always.

Paternally yours, I remain,

+ Metropolitan Alexios
+ ALEXIOS Metropolitan of Atlanta

Salmon With Capers And Tomatoes

October 9, 2015 By admin Leave a Comment

Salmon With Capers And Tomatoes

Prep time

35 mins

Cook time

12 mins

Total time

47 mins

Author: Ladies of the Atlanta Metropolis Philoptochos

Recipe type: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Serves: 4

Ingredients

3-4 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
½ cup chopped fresh parsley
2 Tablespoons capers rinsed
Zest and juice from a lemon
2 garlic cloves minced
2 Tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt and pepper
Four 6-ounce salmon filets

Instructions

Prepare your grill for medium heat or preheat your oven at 400 degrees.
In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, parsley, capers, lemon zest and juice, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.
Season the salmon on both sides with salt and pepper. Place each piece of salmon on a piece of aluminum foil and top it with a few tablespoons of tomato mixture.
Fold the foil into packets trying to seal them well. (You can make the packets ahead of time and keep them in the refrigerator until time to grill or cook).
Place the packets directly on the grill or on a baking sheet if you will bake them in the oven. Cook 10-12 minutes for medium salmon or a little longer for well done.

Notes

ΣΟΛΩΜΟΣ ΜΕ ΝΤΟΜΑΤΑ ΚΑΙ ΚΑΠΑΡΗ

ΥΛΙΚΑ
3-4 ντομάτες ρόμα ψιλοκομμένες χωρίς σπόρους
½ κούπα φρέσκο ψιλοκομμένο μαϊντανό
2 κουταλιές της σούπας κάπαρη
Χυμό και ξύσμα λεμονιού
2 ψιλοκομμένες σκελίδες σκόρδο
2 κουταλιές της σούπας ελαιόλαδο
Αλάτι και πιπέρι
4 φέτες φιλέτο σολωμού των 6oz (170γρ)

ΕΚΤΕΛΕΣΗ
1. Προθερμαίνουμε το γκριλ για μέτρια φωτιά ή το φούρνο στους 400°F(200°C).
2. Σε ένα μέτριο μπολ, ανακατεύουμε τις ντομάτες, το μαϊντανό, την κάπαρη, το χυμό και το ξύσμα λεμονιού, το σκόρδο και το ελαιόλαδο και προσθέτουμε αλάτι και πιπέρι κατά την προτίμησή μας.
3. Αλείφουμε με αλάτι και πιπέρι το σολωμό και από τις δύο πλευρές.
4. Βάζουμε κάθε κομμάτι ξεχωριστά σε αλουμινόχαρτο και γαρνίρουμε με λίγες κουταλιές από το προηγούμενο μείγμα και τα διπλώνουμε καλά. (Μπορούμε να τα φτιάξουμε από πριν και να τα διατηρήσουμε στο ψυγείο μέχρι να έρθει η ώρα να τα ψήσουμε).
5. Βάζουμε τα πακέτα κατευθείαν στο γκριλ ή χρησιμοποιούμε χαρτί ψησίματος αν τα βάλουμε στο φούρνο.
Ψήνουμε για 10-12 λεπτά ή λίγο παραπάνω αν το θέλουμε καλοψημένο.

Honoring Georgia Tassopoulos

October 8, 2015 By admin Leave a Comment

“Bold, strong, decisive” are the words past National President Aphrodite Skeadas attributed to “Philoptochos women.” For many years at the Annunciation Cathedral in Atlanta, ninety-five-year-old Philoptochos member Georgia Tassopoulos has been just that…bold, strong, decisive.

Georgia’s strong commitment to Philoptochos started when she and her sister Helen attended a seminar at St. Basil’s Academy, the “new” school established by Philoptochos to care for Orthodox children at risk. She “saw how much St. Basil’s Academy needed help,” and so she joined Philoptochos faithfully supporting many Vasilopita celebrations and activities to benefit the children.

As a young member, Georgia helped with war relief and bake sales. She recognized the need to expand programs and was “impressed by the older woman who had the courage to take on new projects.” She followed, determined to strengthen their lead. She visited and supported Our House, a safe place for needy children to spend the day while mothers trained for a job. Boldly, she reached out to the Atlanta Union Mission, a growing inner-city shelter for homeless men and women. She volunteered at the Savannah Street Mission to feed the hungry of the surrounding neighborhood.

Georgia’s talents were evident. She helped plan the first Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon held in Atlanta. On the chapter board, her decisive leadership enriched Membership programs and broadened Social Service efforts.

Though a strong “friend of the poor,” Georgia was devoted first to serving her church. She served as Co-Director of the Sunday School and was also a Sunday School teacher. Her innovative “summer” Sunday School class invited parents and children new to the area to come together for fellowship and a hands-on Bible lesson.

In later years, she and her husband Harry lovingly volunteered as Sunday “Greeters.” Together they also were active members of the first Annunciation Stewardship Committee.

Georgia Tassopoulos, a legacy of Philoptochos…definitely “bold, strong, decisive!”

Georgia lives in Atlanta. She and her husband Harry raised two sons, Kerry and Tim. Kerry lives in Dallas, TX with his wife Katina and their children Harrison, Cynthia, and Alexander. Tim and his wife Maria live in Atlanta with sons Luke and Nicholas.

Marty Driscoll

The Lord Calls Us To Help Those In Need

October 7, 2015 By admin Leave a Comment

September is a new beginning on the Church’s Calendar as we reinvigorate all our ministries in the parishes. It is also a time to reinvigorate our Philoptochos chapters around the Metropolis. This is the time to personally invite our parishioners (both men and women) to participate in philanthropy. The Lord calls us to help those in need and we are now offered a new opportunity to respond. In this way, we will be following in the tradition of the Early Church. It was the love which united the Christians and their compassion for the suffering people around them that inspired others to want to become Christians. This love derives from the love of Christ for us, who was willing to lay down His life for our salvation. This is the Truth of God revealed to humanity and we need to present it to the world through our life and actions.

“This is the time to personally invite our parishioners (both men and women) to participate in philanthropy. The Lord call us to help those in need and we are no offered a new opportunity to respond.”

As Orthodox Christians we have the special repository of Tradition that goes back to the Apostles. We have been entrusted with the Truths of the Christian Faith as lived and experienced by countless generations over the last two thousand years. Let’s offer these treasures to those thirsty souls that seek them. We should not force our views on others, but we should witness to the Truths of the Faith, proclaiming with our mouths, but also with our lives that Jesus Christ is our God and Savior, whose example of love and sacrifice we are following.

In Christ’s Love,

† Fr. Panayiotis Papageorgiou Spiritual Advisor
Spiritual Advisor of the Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos

Fr. Panayiotis was born on the island of Cyprus. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from City College, New York, a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Divinity from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Brookline, MA and a Ph.D. in Early Christian Studies from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
He has served as a priest in the U.S. and Cyprus and taught Orthodox Theology and Spirituality in Cyprus, Jerusalem, Canada and the US.
Currently, he is serving as pastor of Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, in Marietta, Georgia. He serves on the Atlanta Metropolis Council and Archdiocesan Presbyters Council.
Fr. Panayiotis continues to pursue research in the Late Antique Roman History and Theology and is the author of many articles. He has recently published the book: Homilies on Romans by St. John Chrysostom, Volume 1, (modern English translation) Holy Cross Press, 2013.
Fr. Panayiotis is married to Presvytera Catherine. They have two children, a son (Efstratios) and a daughter (Olympia), ages 23 and 20.

Stepping Beyond The Margins Of Life

October 6, 2015 By admin Leave a Comment

When a teacher returns school work back to the student, often the assignment will have the teacher’s markings within the margins. Although important, those markings make no sense unless someone has read the material on that page. So it is with books: there are those people who mark notes along the margins of the pages. However, unless you actually read what was originally written on those pages, you are never certain if you understood the text.

Our spiritual life can be seen in a similar way: A Christian can hear about Christ, but that is no guarantee that they have Christ in them. To be an Orthodox Christian is not simply having a Bible, hearing about the saints and teachers of the Church, and submitting to the sacraments. One who is truly Orthodox reads their Bible with interest, follows the teachings and examples of the saints, and lives a sacramental life. Being Orthodox does not require our perfection, but it does require dedication and commitment to our Lord and His teachings. We cannot simply sit around the ‘margins’ of life, staying behind the perimeter, as if we were spectators in a stadium.

In fact, we must actually step beyond the margins and enter into the competition that is our spiritual warfare. To remain in the stands as an observer appears easy, yet doing so is to conform to the desires and machinations of the evil one. We are called to let the Logos, the Word of God, not only be in our life, but actually guide our life and give our life the meaning for which we were created. We are to let Him, according to His will, guide us around, or over, or help us to cope with whatever snares are along our path.

One who truly loves God cannot simply be a wanderer in His Vineyard, but desires to be a trustworthy laborer in His field; to be a good steward with the gifts from above placed in our care. Let no angry thoughts, no slothfulness, no ill-advised comments, foolish actions, or bruised egos, stemming from actual or perceived affronts, become your obstacle.

“Being Orthodox does not require our perfection, but it does require dedication and commitment to our Lord…”

We are called to embrace Christ with fear, faith, and love. We cannot afford to take our relationship with Him for granted. According to the venerable Elder Amphilochios of Patmos, “Christ often comes and knocks at your door and you invite Him to sit in the living-room of your soul. Then, absorbed in your own business you forget the Great Visitor. He waits for you to appear and when you are too long in returning, he gets up and leaves. At other times, you are so busy that you answer him from the window. You don’t even have time to open the door.”

Therefore, let us walk with Christ throughout each day. It is only when we are within the Body of the Logos, active in a positive and constructive way, that we show ourselves to be true followers of Christ. As Orthodox Christians, we are to live with Christ within, enthroned on our hearts and encamped in our souls, reining over our thoughts and words. As reflected upon by Saint John of Kronstadt, “The human mind is given the rational power of God – we have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16), says the Holy Apostle Paul. To the human heart, the heart of Christ is given. The perish able is made immortal. Those naked and wounded by sin and by passions are adorned in Divine glory. Those who hunger and thirst are stated and assuaged by the nourishing and soul-strengthening Word of God and by the most pure Body and Divine Blood of Christ. The inconsolable are consoled. Those ravaged by the devil have been – and continue to be – delivered.”

Being removed from the sidelines, having stepped beyond the margins of life and completely engaged in the fullness of Christ, may we (to paraphrase Saint Maximos the Confessor) cleanse our minds from anger, the remembrance of evil, and shameful thoughts, that we might witness how Christ dwells within us; and may His mercy and compassion and love shelter us from the snares of the enemy, receiving his blessings.

† Rev. Anthony Stratis Protopresbyter
Saint George, Knoxville Tennessee

Rev. Anthony Stratis Bio: Father Anthony Stratis is the Protopresbyter of the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Knoxville, Tenessee.

Cranberry Almond Biscotti

September 6, 2015 By admin Leave a Comment

Cranberry Almond Biscotti

Prep time

30 mins

Cook time

45 mins

Total time

1 hour 15 mins

Author: Ladies of the Atlanta Metropolis Philoptochos

Recipe type: Desserts

Cuisine: American

Serves: 8

Ingredients

1½ cups flour
1½ cups almond meal
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
4 Tbs cornstarch
1 cup sugar
½ cup orange juice or almond milk
3 Tbs orange juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
2 Tbs. canola oil
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup slivered almonds or pistachios

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the flour, almond meal, baking powder and salt in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together orange juice (3 Tbs) and the cornstarch. Set aside.
In a separate large bowl, whisk together orange juice (1/2 cup) and sugar. Add the cornstarch mixture and then add the canola oil, the almond extract and the vanilla extract. Cream for an additional 3 minutes. Add in the flour mixture. Stir in the nuts and the cranberries.
Divide the dough into equal parts. If dough is too sticky, feel free to add a tsp of flour to the mixture to help with stickiness. Form each halve into a log, measuring approximately 12 inches long and up to three inches wide. Place the log onto a baking sheet. Sprinkle with sugar.
Bake for 35 minutes. Remove from oven and cool the baked logs for 15 minutes. Slice the logs in a single cut. Do not use a sawing motion as it will crumble the biscottis. Place these slices on a baking sheet and bake 10 minutes on each side, or until light brown.

Notes

ΜΠΙΣΚΟΤΑ ΜΕ ΑΜΥΓΔΑΛΟ ΚΑΙ ΚΡΑΝΜΠΕΡΙ (ΝΗΣΤΙΣΙΜΑ)

ΥΛΙΚΑ
1 ½ κούπα αλεύρι
1 ½ κούπα γεύμα αμυγδάλου
2 κουταλάκια του γλυκού μπέικιν πάουντερ
¼ κουταλάκι του γλυκού αλάτι
4 κουταλιές της σούπας καλαμποκάλευρο
1 κούπα ζάχαρη
½ κούπα χυμό πορτοκαλιού ή γάλα αμυγδάλου
3 κουταλιές της σούπας χυμό πορτοκαλιού
1 κουταλάκι του γλυκού εκχύλισμα βανίλιας
1 κουταλάκι του γλυκού εκχύλισμα αμυγδάλου
2 κουταλιές της σούπας λάδι κανόλα
1 κούπα αποξηραμένα κρανμπερις
1 κούπα ξεφλουδισμένα και λεπτοκομμένα μακρόστενα αμύγδαλα ή φυστίκια Αιγίνης

ΕΚΤΕΛΕΣΗ
1. Προθερμαίνουμε το φούρνο στους 350°F (175°C) βαθμούς. Ανακατεύουμε σ’ένα μπολ το αλεύρι, το γεύμα αμυγδάλου, το μπέικιν πάουντερ και το αλάτι.
2. Σ’ένα ξεχωριστό μπολ, ανακατεύουμε καλά το χυμό πορτοκαλιού (3 κουταλιές) με το καλαμποκάλευρο.
Σ’ένα άλλο μεγάλο μπολ, χτυπάμε το χυμό πορτοκαλιού ( ½ κούπα) με τη ζάχαρη. Προσθέτουμε το μίγμα με το καλαμποκάλευρο και στη συνέχεια το λάδι κανόλα, το εκχύλισμα αμυγδάλου και το εκχύλισμα βανίλιας και χτυπάμε για 3 λεπτά ακόμα. Κατόπιν προσθέτουμε το μείγμα με το αλεύρι. Ανακατεύουμε τα αμύγδαλα με τα κρανμπερις.
3. Χωρίζουμε τη ζύμη σε δύο ίσα μέρη. Φροντίζουμε ώστε η ζύμη να μην κολλάει πολύ προσθέτοντας λίγο αλεύρι αν χρειάζεται. Πλάθουμε κάθε τμήμα φτιάχνοντας ένα μεγάλο κομμάτι με μήκος 12ίντσες(30εκατοστά) και πλάτος 3ίντσες(8εκατοστά) περίπου. Βάζουμε τα 2 κομμάτια πάνω σε χαρτί ψησίματος και πασπαλίζουμε με ζάχαρη.
4. Ψήνουμε για 35 λεπτά. Τα βγάζουμε απ’το φούρνο και αφήνουμε να κρυώσουν για 15 λεπτά. Κόβουμε σε μικρά κομμάτια προσεκτικά με μια κίνηση και όχι πριονωτά για να μην τριφτούν. Βάζουμε τα μικρότερα κομμάτια σε χαρτί ψησίματος και ψήνουμε για 10 λεπτά κάθε πλευρά ή μέχρι να ροδίσουν.

Spiritual Enrichment: November 2015

Spiritual Enrichment: October 2015

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