Missions week at ACA

This week the kids were studying about different countries during Mission Week. Gabriel had to research Netherlands and Brandon’s grade did Brazil. We found AND tried these two recipes and they are wonderful. We can’t invite you over for a tea, but we can teach you how to make them…
Have fun, just like we did.

Anise Cookies - Netherland
4 eggs
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp anise seed
Grated lemon rind

1. Preheat oven to 325F.
2. Beat eggs and sugar together.
3. Sift flour with salt and baking powder. Add to the egg mixture.
Blend in the vanilla, lemon rind and anise seed.
4. Spoon into a greased long (about 12") poundcake tin. Bake about 40 minutes, until light brown.
5. Slice while warm into 1/3" pieces. Place on a large cookie sheet and toast in the oven until golden. Turn over and toast other side.
Makes about 20.


Pao de Queijo (Cheese bread)

A famous bread from the state of Minas Gerais served at most steak houses in southern Brazil. Unusual in that the recipe calls for manioc starch (available in some Latin groceries) rather than wheat flour. Leavening is from steam during baking, similar to the way eclairs are leavened. These rolls do not hold well and are best consumed while warm, directly from the oven. In Brazil these rolls would be made with Queijo de Minas, a mild, white cheese similar to Muenster in texture - but quite different in taste. They are addictive.

16 ounces Manioc starch (polvilho) - 3 1/2 cups
1/2 cup Sunflower seed oil
3/4 cup lowfat milk
3 eggs, large
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1-3/4 cups Mild cheddar, grated
Bring milk and oil to a boil in a small saucepan. Add to the manioc. Mix and allow to cool a little. Incorporate the eggs, one at a time. Add the cheese and blend well.
Divide into pieces the size of a walnut or small plum. Place a little oil on the hands and round dough into balls. Arrange on a baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees Farenheit until done, about 10 to 12 minutes. Serve warm.

The kids ate these almost as fast as popcorn!

Tomorrow we have an international dinner. There are usually about 400 people there. Since there are many different countries represented at this school everyone has to make typical foods of their own country. It is amazing! There are Koreans, Chinese, Paraguayans, South Africans, Americans, Mexicans, etc. Last year they counted 20 different countries represented at the dinner. The teachers make the desserts!
After dinner there is a special prayer for each country and it is even translated in 4 languages!
It makes me wonder what heaven will be like...all these different people and languages...all praising the same FATHER.