3 year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina…

As many of you know, I had to postpone my trip to New Orleans because of another impending storm.  I am now scheduled to be there the weekend of September 26th.  I’ll be posting a diary of my trip upon my return.   In the meantime, there is still so much that needs to be done, and every little bit helps, so if you can donate your time, money, etc., you know it will be used and appreciated.

Thank you,

A-

www.katrina.com August 28, 2008 Dear Friends …   It is so hard to believe that tomorrow will mark the 3 year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.  No one knew how this storm would affect thousands of victims in the furious path nor did anyone have any idea how many millions of people around the world would be affected and so giving to those in need.   We are still using this site to mentor and encourage those who lost everything and are starting all over.  My site is now 10 years old – but 3 years ago – became reborn as a ray of hope for our Gulf Coast Neighbours.   If you wonder how Hurricane Katrina can teach you to “Love thy Neighbour” – then you have to read our book.   The website is in full swing again this year with our Hurricane Katrina Angel Tree.   The needy forms are coming in and we will once again ask our neighbours from around America and the world to adopt a family – encourage them – help them get back on their feet and take a little time and energy to send them a Care Package and let them know you care!   If you need help – PLEASE fill out our VICTIM form. If you want to adopt a family – PLEASE fill out our ADOPTER form.   May God Bless each one of you and please visit our website … www.katrina.com.   With much love – Katrina Blankenship Mission Work    Where you a part of a church or team of relief workers that have gone to the Gulf Coast to aid those in need?  If so, please write us and tell us your story – we would love to share it with the world.   Please send pictures also if you’d like.   Visit www.katrina.com to submit your story. Hurricane Katrina … love thy neighbour   I have had the privilege of getting to know thousands of you through my website www.katrina.com – whether you were a victim, or an adopter, or just wanted to pray for those in need – your lives have touched my husband and I and our family in ways you can’t imagine.   Over the past 3 years, we ourselves have been through each step with you and many have asked for me to please write how a plain ol’ country girl named “Katrina” from Virginia could be a part of such a huge disaster and relief effort.   Read how one family, struggling to find God’s Will in their life, takes root in their simple, old-fashioned Amish way of life to raise their family of 6 babies while rallying to the needs of total strangers devastated by Hurricane Katrina.  From rescuing victims from roofs and out of rising water to reuniting lost family members, from hearing the cries of those who had nothing to matching them up with those willing to give of their time, their love, and their care – this book will show you just how God used our love for mankind … to show you how to love thy neighbour.   “Hurricane Katrina … love thy neighbour”. The sale of this book will go toward the continued maintenance of this website and we would value your support to keep us helping those who are still struggling to survive.  We have never received anything for this site and have paid for it and all the expenses for 3 years ourselves.  It is a lot of work to keep everything going and we send Bibles and letters to each family asking for help. Thank you for helping us.    “Hurricane Katrina … love thy neighbor” by Katrina F. Blankenship $20.00 USD plus tax & $5.00 S/H (allow 2 weeks for delivery)   with paypal or with your credit card.       or send your request to: Curtis & Katrina Blankenship 1612 Jeter Road Powhatan, VA  23139 Please include check or money order for $20 plus $5 Shipping.  Personal checks need to clear the bank before books are mailed.   Katrina Blankenship www.katrina.com

Recipes from the Oprah Winfrey Show!

Here are the two recipes that Curtis and I made on the show, enjoy!!

Earth Sandwich

    

Serves 8

Ingredients:

·     1/2 onion , coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)

·     4 cloves garlic

·     1 tsp. ground coriander

·     1 tsp. ground cumin

·     1 tsp. paprika

·     1 tsp. salt

·     1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

·     1 cup drained canned chickpeas

·     1 cup drained canned pinto beans

·     1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves

·     1/2 cup fresh Italian parsley leaves

·     6 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

·     1 tsp. baking powder

·     Canola oil for deep-frying

·     1 bulb fennel , very thinly sliced

·     1 cup green cabbage , very thinly sliced

·     1 cup red cabbage , very thinly sliced

·     8 4-inch-diameter pita breads , warmed in oven

·     Tzatziki Sauce

·     Cilantro Pesto

 Combine the onion, garlic, coriander, cumin, paprika, salt and cayenne in a food processor. Pulse until the onions are finely chopped. Add the chickpeas, beans, cilantro and parsley and pulse just until the mixture is blended but chunky pieces of the beans still remain (do not overblend this mixture). Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the flour and baking powder. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. 

 

Heat 3 inches of oil to 375° in a deep fryer. Form the chickpea mixture into balls about the size of small walnuts (using about 1 1/2 tablespoons of mixture for each). Working in batches, fry the balls for 2 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

Toss the fennel, green cabbage and red cabbage in a medium bowl. Trim the top 1/2 inch from each pita bread to expose and open the pockets. Stuff each pita pocket with the fennel mixture. Top with the falafel balls and drizzle with Tzatziki and Cilantro Pesto (recipes for the Tzatziki and Cilantro Pesto to follow).

 

 

Surf Sandwich

Serves 8

Ingredients:

For Tartar Sauce:

·     1 cup mayonnaise

·     1/4 cup diced, peeled, cored Granny Smith apple

·     1/4 cup finely chopped dill pickle

·     1/4 cup finely chopped onion

·     2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

·     2 Tbsp. drained capers

·     2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

·     2 tsp. chopped fresh tarragon

·     Salt

·     Freshly ground pepper , to taste

For Sandwich:

·     1/4 cup mayonnaise

·     1/4 cup minced green onions

·     2 large eggs

·     2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

·     1 Tbsp. finely grated lemon peel

·     4 tsp. finely chopped fresh Italian parsley

·     2 tsp. finely chopped fresh tarragon

·     1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

·     1 pound Alaskan king crabmeat

·     2 cups panko breadcrumbs , divided

·     4 Tbsp. unsalted butter

·     2 Tbsp. canola oil

·     8 3-inch-diameter hamburger buns , split in half

·     2 cups mixed baby green lettuce

 

To make tartar sauce: Whisk all the ingredients in a medium bowl to blend. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 2 days.

To make the sandwiches: Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Whisk the first 8 ingredients in a large bowl. Mix in the crabmeat and 1 cup of panko, breaking up the crabmeat slightly. Let stand 15 minutes. Place the remaining panko on a small rimmed baking sheet. Form the crab mixture into 8 3-inch-diameter patties. Press both sides of the patties into the panko. Transfer the patties to the waxed-paper-lined baking sheet. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.

 

Melt 1 tablespoon of butter with 1 tablespoon of oil in each of 2 heavy large skillets over medium-high heat. Add the crab cakes to the skillets and cook until golden on both sides, adding more butter and oil as needed, about 5 minutes total.

Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons of butter on a flat griddle pan over medium heat. Set the buns on the griddle, cut side down, and cook until heated through and toasted on the bottom.

 

Set the crab cakes on the bottoms of the toasted buns. Top with the tartar sauce, then mixed greens and the bun tops.

 

ENJOY!!

 

(c) 2008 Harpo Productions, Inc. / All Rights Reserved. /

Another day in Paradise!

Hope everyone has been enjoying their summer, I know I sure have!  Still cranking out the cookbook, which is proving to be quite the challenge.  It’s a lot harder than it would appear, and that’s because when I cook, I don’t measure.  A thing.  I cook, taste, cook, taste, and make adjustments accordingly.  So now, having to measure everything out is proving to be…well, this whole thing has been a learning exercise for me!  But I’m still smiling, and plugging along…that is when I’m not at the beach.

Well, I’m slowly getting completely organized, again.  More time for more fun things, but I have to stay focused because it’s hard when you live in a beach community and all, always something going on.

The Olympics are here, and what a wild ride it has been already.  Michael Phelps = not human…have you heard how many calories he eats a day – 12,000!!!!  I couldn’t even get my head around that one!  He’ll swim tonight.  Hopfully the DVR will be nice and record the whole thing this time.  Me and technology are slowly becoming friends, haha!!

Thanks to everyone who have been super supportive and patient.  I really appreciate all of your help!

A-