Church of the Cross (PCUSA)
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Veggie Dip - Submitted by Rev. Julie Peterson
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  • 1 cup Miracle Whip
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup onions
  •  ¼ cup parsley (scant)
  • ¼ cup water chestnuts (chopped)
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (gluten free)
Mix all the ingredients with a spoon.


Thanksgiving Charcuterie  - Submitted by Sue Letterer
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​​
  • 8 0z. cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tsps. House seasoning (suggest garlic powder, onion powders, sweet paprika, kosher salt and
  • ground black pepper in equal parts)
  • ¾ cup shredded Gouda cheese (grate right before using)
  • ½ Cup green olives, chopped
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • Kosher salt
  • ¾ Cup toasted pecans, chopped
  • For the charcuterie board:
  • Small circular slices of salami
  • Celery and carrot sticks
  • Cheddar cheese cubes
  • Yellow, orange and red pepper slices (reserving some for snood and wattle)
​
​Make cream cheese turkey body on Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

  • ​Beat cream cheese and seasoning in a bowl using electric mixer at medium speed until creamy.
  • Stir in Gouda, olives, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Use plastic wrap to shape mixture into pear shape to resemble a turkey body and refrigerate
  • for one hour.
  • Meanwhile place chopped pecans onto work surface. Unwrap the cream cheese and roll into
  • the pecan pieces until well coated. Return to refrigerator wrapped in plastic wrap.
On Thanksgiving:   Select large rectangular board to assemble charcuterie turkey.  Place 4 in celery sticks across the bottom to resemble the grass. Center the turkey body (pear-shaped cream cheese ball) just slightly above the grass. (celery)
Make turkey feet from carrots or orange pepper. Arrange small circles of salami around the turkey body. Use a pepper for the snood and a red or orange pepper for the wattle. I used edible eyes which can be found in the bakery section or you may make them by piping small circles of mayo and them a very small wedge of black olive to use as the iris. The edible ones are a bit sweet, but only one person will know that). Around the salami, I place small rectangular shaped cubes of sharp cheddar cheese. Then the small carrot sticks, and finally yellow, orange, and red pepper slices as the feathers on the outside. Serve with crackers and small knives (spreaders) for the cream cheese body.​

Salad Dressing – Submitted by Rev. Julie Peterson
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  • 1 cup canola oil
  • 1/3 cup white or rice vinegar
  • 1/8 cup onion
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ​ dry mustard
  • 2 tablespoon water
Mix all the ingredients in a blender.
​Baked Chop Suey (Mary Meade’s Modern Homemaker Cookbook pg. 139) and Sue's Perfect Fluffy White Rice​ - Submitted by Sue Letterer
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Ingredients:
  • 2 pounds diced meat, (beef, veal, pork) lean, cubed into ½ inch portions`
  • 2 small onions, sliced thin
  • 2 cups celery, sliced [I substituted bok choy that Linda had given to me]
  • 1 small green pepper, seeded and chopped [I substituted edamame]
  • 1 can (1 lb.) chop suey vegetables, drained, liquid reserved
  • 1 can (1 lb.) bean sprouts, drained, soaked in cold water
  • 1 can (4 oz.) mushroom stems and pieces, drained, soaked in cold water
  • 1 can (8 oz.) water chestnuts, sliced thin, drained, soaked in cold water
  • 1 pkg. onion soup mix
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon  salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch


Instructions:
​

I cooked in slow cooker, added chopped onion and meat sprinkled with onion soup mix on high for 30 minutes. Once meat turned slightly brown, I added drained vegetables, drained mushrooms, and drained water chestnuts. In a small bowl, add cornstarch and a few spoons of reserved vegetable liquid to make a smooth slurry. Pour over meat mixture. To the remaining reserved vegetable liquid, add 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon seasoned salt (or just some dried parsley), ½ teaspoon pepper. Stir to dissolve and pour over the mixture in the slow cooker.  Cook on high heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Turn down to warm for several hours and bump to low for last 15 minutes before serving with fluffy white rice. 

​Sue’s perfect fluffy white oven rice:
1 cup white rice, soaked for about an hour, drained of liquid for 5 minutes. Butter oven proof casserole with tight fitting lid. Add the prepared rice. And a 2-cup measure that has had soy sauce added (about 1 tablespoon) and water to make up to 2 cups liquid. Bake in 350-degree oven for 45 minutes, turn off oven and let coast to absorb the water for 15 minutes before serving.

Ground Beef Barbeque  - Submitted by Julie Peterson  ***NEW***
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Ingredients:
  • 1 lb hamburger (96% fat free)
  • 1 tsp prepared mustard
  • 1 Tbsp vinegar
  • ¾ cup ketchup
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar
Serving size:
​1 sandwich (¼ recipe + 1.5 slices bread Canyon House gluten free Country White bread)
  • Calories: 390
  • Protein: 27 g
  • Carbohydrates: 41 g
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Sugar: 19 g
  • Sodium: 580 mg

Julie's Vege Bake  - Submitted by Julie Peterson   ***NEW***
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​Note: all measurements are approximate – edit to your taste
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup onion-chopped
  • minced garlic to taste
  • 2 zucchini – chopped
  • 1 ½ cups sliced mushrooms-chopped
  • 1 lg can diced tomatoes (about 1 lb)
  • 1 can tomato sauce (8 oz)
  • ½ head cauliflower-chopped
  • ¾ of 10 oz bag shredded carrots
  • ¼ cup chopped parsley
  • 1/tsp basil
  • 2 tsp oregano leaves
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 ½ cup dry elbow macaroni
  • 1 lg cottage cheese (22 oz)
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • 1 ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions:
​

Heat oil in a deep/wide frying pan.
Add onion, garlic, zucchini and mushrooms.
Cook, stirring frequently, for 15 minutes.
Add tomatoes and their liquid, tomato sauce,
carrots and cauliflower. Bring to a boil, then
reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 30
minutes. Uncover and continue cooking
until sauce is thick.
Cook macaroni (any kind) in large kettle of
boiling water. Drain and rinse.
Stir together in separate bowl: parsley, basil
oregano, salt, cottage cheese, mozzarella
cheese and Parmesan cheese.
Layer sauce, noodles, and cheese mixture in 9
x 13 baking dish. Cover top with extra
mozzarella cheese.
Bake uncovered in a 400o oven until hot and
bubbly (30-45 minutes).
Crumb Coffee Cake by Elsie Shoebridge [can be halved into 8 x 8 pan for 35 minutes] - Submitted by Sue Letterer
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​Ingredients:
  • 4 Cups flour
  • 2 Cups sugar
  • 4 teaspoon Baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • 1 1/3 Cup vegetable oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
Instructions:

​
Sift dry ingredients into a large bowl and add the oil and vanilla. When gently mixed, take out 3 cups of mixture (this will be the crumbs – add 4 teaspoons. Ground cinnamon to the crumb mixture). To the remaining mixture in large bowl, add 2 eggs and 1 cup of milk and beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Pour this batter into a greased 13 x 9” greased or buttered pan and then spread the crumbs evenly over the top covering completely. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

​Wacky Cake - Submitted by Sue Letterer  
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​Ingredients:
  • ​1 ½ Cups flour
  • 3 tablespoons Dutch process cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ​1 cup water
Instructions:

​
Sift all the ingredients into a 8 inch square cake pan and mix.  ​​YES there are NO EGGS!
Make 3 depressions in flour mixture; pour 6 tablespoons oil into one well, 1 tablespoon cider vinegar into second, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into third well. Pour water over all, then stir with a fork until well blended.
​Bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Cool on rack 10 minutes. Tap the sides of the pan until cake looses and turn out onto plate. May be dusted with powdered sugar or prepared canned strawberry frosting or any of your favorite icings.
​

Wacky cake is made without milk or eggs and is a moist, dark, and delicious chocolate cake. A brainchild of the Depression era when ingenious cooks developed a cake that could be made without expensive and scarce ingredients. 

Gluten Free Oatmeal Monster Cookies (makes 8 dozen) - Submitted by Laurie Ulrich
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​Ingredients:
  • 1/2 pound Butter or Margarine
  • 1 pound Brown Sugar
  • 2 Cups White Sugar
  • 6 Eggs
  • 1/2 tablespoon Vanilla
  • 1/2 tablespoon White Karo Syrup
  • 4 teaspoons Baking Soda
  • 3 Cups Peanut Butter
  • 9 Cups Quick Oatmeal
  • 1 large bag of M and M's OR  4 cups M & M's  OR 1/2 pound chocolate Chips
Instructions:

​
Mix all ingredients together. Use a small ice cream scoop and drop cookies onto cookie sheet. Flatten slightly.
Bake 12 to 15 minutes at 350°​

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies - Submitted by Laurie Ulrich
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Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 Cups Peanut Butter
  • 4 tablespoons no-sal butter
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups King Arthur Flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions:

​
Stir together first six ingredients.  Mix flour, salt and soda together in another bowl and stir into peanut butter mixture.  Dough will be lumpy
Form balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Smash gently with fork and bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes or until brown on edges.
​Cool on rack.

Rose-Pistachio Cookies with Cherries and White Chocolate - Submitted by Julie Peterson   ***NEW***
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(Yield: About 21 cookies. Serving size: 1 cookie.)
Estimated Nutrition (per 1 cookie)Calories: ~210 kcal
Total Fat: ~10 g
Saturated Fat: ~2.5 g
Carbohydrates: ~29 g
Sugars: ~18 g
Fiber: ~1 g
Protein: ~2 g
Sodium: ~90 mg
Ingredients:
  • ​6 TBLS brown sugar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 TBLS butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup cream cheese
  • 6 TBLS vegetable oil
  • 1/2 tsp lemon extract
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 3/4 cups plus 1 tablespoon all‑purpose flour(I use Bob’s Redmill Gluten Free 1:1)
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp table salt
  • 1 TBLS crushed dried edible rose pedals
  • 1/2 cup shelled pistachios, chopped
  • 1/2 cup tart dried cherries, roughly chopped
  • 1/3 cup white chocolate, chopped
  • 1–4 tsp dairy‑free milk, if needed (I use Almond Breeze Original Unsweetened milk)
Instructions:
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or line two baking sheets with parchment.
  • Beat together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, vegan butter, and vegan cream cheese until smooth.
  • Add the vegetable oil, rose extract, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
  • In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the sugar mixture and mix until just combined.
  • Mix in the crushed rose, pistachios, dried cherries, and white chocolate. If dough seems dry, add 1 tsp milk at a time until cohesive.
  • Scoop 2‑inch balls of dough (about 2 tablespoons each) onto the prepared baking sheets. (I roll into balls)
  • Bake 15–17 minutes.
  • Cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
  • Store well wrapped at room temperature for several days or freeze for longer storage.



Emancipation Breakfast Cake - Submitted by Julie Peterson     ***NEW***
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Streusel Topping:
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/16 teaspoon (pinch) table salt
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (I use Bob’s Redmill 1:1 Gluten Free Flour)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
  • 6 tablespoons cold butter
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, finely chopped
Cake:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (I use Bob’s Redmill 1:1 Gluten Free Flour)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon table salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 4 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup milk (I use unsweetened almond milk)
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 cups (340 g) blueberries

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or line a 9-inch square pan with parchment paper. 
Make the Streusel: In a medium bowl
mix: 
sugars, salt, flour & spices
Work the cold butter into the mixture until evenly crumbly. Stir in the chopped walnuts. Set aside
Make the Cake Batter : In a large bowl or stand mixer bowl, combine: 
flour, sugar, salt, baking powder
Cut the butter into small pieces and add to the dry ingredients. Beat on low speed until the mixture looks sandy.
Add Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl whisk together: 
egg, milk, almond extract, vanilla extract, lemon zest.  Add the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Note: The batter will be very thick.
Fold in Blueberries: Using a spatula, carefully fold the blueberries into the batter.
Assemble and Bake: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the batter. Gently shake the pan so the topping distributes evenly.  Bake for 45–50 minutes, until the top turns golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool and Store: Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before serving. Store covered at room temperature for up to 1 week. Freeze for longer storage
​COTC Gluten Free/Dairy Free Communion Bread
- Submitted by Rev. Julie Peterson
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3 ½ cup Pamela’s Bread Mix
1 tsp xanthan gum
1 packet active dry yeast
2 eggs
1/3 cup canola oil
Warm water
​

Put Pamela’s Bread Mix, xanthan gum, and active dry yeast in mixing bowl. Mix. Measure 1/3 cup canola oil in two cup measure cup, add two eggs, then fill with warm water up to 2 cups liquid plus add 2 TBSP additional water. Add to dry mix and beat for 3 minutes on med/high.
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Liberally spray baking sheet with olive oil spray (regular Pam has gluten). I use a 14x18 inch baking sheet. If your sheets are smaller use two and just don’t spread to the edge. Dump bread dough onto the pan. Place two lengths of wax paper on the table and spray liberally with olive oil spray. Flip sprayed wax paper over onto the dough and spread dough evenly across the baking sheet.
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Leave wax paper on! Using pizza cutter, score the dough through the wax paper into 1 inch or less squares. Once done, remove wax paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes Let cool. Break into pieces and freeze. Bread will raise oddly because of the scoring. (Note baked bead on left appears lighter than in person.)
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Church of the Cross (PCUSA)
475 W. Higgins Road
Hoffman Estates
IL 60169

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