Elements of Josh

Melissa's Dark Chocolate Bananas

2012-08-17T14:08:00.002-07:00

My brother (Jesse) and Sister-in-law (Melissa) are a very health conscious couple. Melissa is always looking for delicious treats that are healthy, but also satisfy her sweet-tooth. A couple of nights ago, I decided to make Melissa a treat she might be able to enjoy, hence, Melissa's Dark Chocolate Bananas.

You'll need:
5 ripe bananas
12 oz dark chocolate (I prefer Hershey's Special Dark)
1 cup chopped peanuts or any other nut you like

First, start by peeling the bananas and cutting them in to equal lengths. You should cut out any dark or discolored sections.

Place the banana pieces on to a piece of wax paper on a cookie sheet. Place the cookie sheet in your freezer until you're ready for the bananas.

Take your peanuts (or favorite nut) and crush them coarsely in a bowl. Set aside.

Next, finely chop the dark chocolate on a cutting board. The more finely it's chopped, the more even it will melt.

Using a double boiler, add approximately 1 1/2 cups of water in the bottom pot. Turn on heat to medium-low and bring the water to a simmer. Place the top pot over the water, making sure the water level doesn't touch the bottom of the top pot.

Place your finely chopped dark chocolate into the double boiler and stir with a rubber spatula. Make sure you keep an close eye on the chocolate so that it doesn't burn. Stir frequently, this is a situation where, if the chocolate burns, there's no turning back.

Now you will want to set up your assembly line. This is what I suggest...

Bananas -> Melted chocolate (still in double boiler) -> Bowl of peanuts -> Cookie sheet with wax paper

Using a fork or a skewer, pierce the banana. Place it in the chocolate and cover as best as possible. Using a spoon, sprinkle the nuts on top. Now place the banana on the wax paper/cookie sheet.

When you have finished coating all of your bananas, you'll want to move the cookie sheet back to the freezer. Allow about an hour for everything to set properly. If you're going to leave them over night, place the bananas wrapped in the wax paper in a zip top bag once the chocolate has hardened.

I hope this treat works for you. It seems to be a healthy alternative for Melissa. But not Jesse....Jesse hates bananas! :)

Perfect baked potatoes

2012-08-14T17:30:00.000-07:00

Tonight I didn't really feel like making anything complicated or labor intensive. I looked through the kitchen to figure out what we had that might be easy, then I found the bag of russet potatoes. I remembered that we had left-over bacon from Sunday breakfast, so I went for it.

Here's, what I consider, the perfect baked potatoes:

I started with 4 large russet potatoes.
Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.
You have to make sure that you scrub the skins thoroughly if you plan on eating them.
A stiff bristled brush and cold water will do the trick.
Don't use hot water because the outsides will begin to cook before the insides, resulting in uneven doneness.
Next I rolled the spuds in a few table spoons of vegetable oil and sprinkled the outsides with sea salt.
Place the potatoes on the middle rack and set your timer for 1 hour.
When the time is up, check the spuds with a fork.
If it slides in easily, you're done. If not, put them back in for another ten minutes.

After I let them cool for a few minutes, I topped with the left over chopped bacon, light sour cream, and reduced fat mexican blend cheese and Steakhouse seasoning from McCormick.

All in all, it was a good dinner. I wound up pretty full and satisfied. Give it a try and mix up some new toppings. Let me know what you think!

Chicken and Cheese Empanadas

2012-08-07T19:23:00.001-07:00

On today's menu here at the Bender household will be chicken and cheese empanadas. They turned out fairly tasty and even had enough dough to make some apple and carmel empanadas.

First we'll start with the list of items you'll need for the dinner course:

4 cups vegetable oil for cooking

Chicken:

1.5lbs of chicken breast or tenderloins (skirt steak or even pulled pork would also be great)

1 packet of fajita seasoning (I like the Taco Bell one)

1/4 cup of vegetable oil

1/4 cup cold water

2 teaspoons lime juice

1 jar of your favorite queso (or 1/2 pound of your favorite cheese)

Dough:

3 cups flour

1/2 cup cold water

1 egg

1 egg white

1 teaspoon vinegar (I used rice wine vinegar)

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons shortening

First start by whipping together the water, egg, egg white and vinegar in a small bowl.

Set aside.

Now mix together the salt and flour in a large mixing bowl.

Using either a pastry blender or stiff spatula cut in the shortening.

Now make a crater in the flour mixture for the wet ingredients.

Pour the egg/water mixture into the crater and blend until stiff.

Take the dough and turn out onto a lightly floured counter top.

Knead the dough until all of the flour is incorporated.

At this point I took the dough and rolled it into a tightly formed dough.

I sprayed the inside of a gallon sized zip-tight bag with non-stick spray and placed the dough ball inside.

Once you close the bag, place the dough in the refrigerator for at least an hour (I went 2 hours)

If you're going to go more than 24 hours, it would be best to place the dough in the freezer.

Now on to the chicken:

First, take the chicken and cut and fat or skin from the breast or tenderloin and place in another gallon zip tight bag.

Next combine the seasoning packet, vegetable oil, water and lime juice in the same bag.

Seal and shake well so all the chicken is coated. (Not too hard to do considering it should be enough liquid to cover everything)

Place this zip-tight bag in a bowl or tupper-wear container to prevent any "chicken juice" from leaking in your fridge.

Place the chicken in the refrigerator for, at least, an hour to marinade.

When the time is up on the marinaded chicken, remove from refrigerator and cook in a non-stick skillet.

Once the chicken is done, chop finely on a cutting board and place off to the side.

Now remove the dough from the refrigerator and lightly flour the counter top.

Using a rolling pin, roll out dough until approximately 1/8" thick. (Side note: Alton Brown of Good Eats has a brilliant solution for this measurement...place a thick rubber band on either side of rolling pin and it will measure out the thickness perfectly)

At this point you will want to use a 6" diameter circle cookie cutter or, as I did, a lid from a tupper wear container that was close to that size.

Punch out as many circles as you can from that sheet and remove extra dough, combining it into another dough ball.

Taking the dough circles, you may want to stretch them out a little more... using either your fingers or the rolling pin.

Now bring out your chopped chicken and your queso.

With your dough stretched, place a thin layer of queso on HALF of your dough circle.

Spoon about 1 tablespoon of chopped chicken on top of the queso (or cheese).

Fold over the other half creating a half circle.

With the tines of a fork, press together the two halves. If it's not sticking, you may want to slightly wet one side with water or egg wash.

Place the empanada on a plate off to the side and repeat.

In a separate large skillet, heat your vegetable oil for cooking.

Bring to about 350 degrees.

Place 4-6 empanadas in the hot oil.

In about 1 minute, flip over.

After about another minute, remove and place on a cookie sheet to drain the excess oil.

Garnish with some sour cream and some cilantro and there you go!

If you have some extra dough, you might want to try spooning in some pie filling and using the same steps. We used apple pie filling, a cinnamon/sugar mixture, carmel drizzle and vanilla bean ice cream. In my opinion, it was even better than dinner!

Chik-fil-A

2012-08-01T17:27:00.002-07:00

So, today was "Support Chik-Fil-A" day started by Mike Huckabee in response to the media jumping all over the owner for his views on gay-marriage. I enjoyed a spicy chicken sandwich and some waffle fries as I sat and watched the "supporters" flow in. I find that this whole situation ,though, is only further polarizing us as American citizens.

It's not a matter of agreeing with Chik-Fil-A. What's at stake here is the ability of a person to express his point of view and stand behind his faith. I think we quickly forget what Chik-Fil-A has already done for the community. Reaching out, with out discrimination I might add, to multiple charities that help inner city students and low income families. All of these things might as well be thrown out the window when the media comes across something that they don't agree with. Once again, it drives a spike between the two sides of this country. I feel that this country knows more about what we, as Christians, are AGAINST than what we are FOR! I know that we need to show more love and compassion, like Christ has commanded us. I know that we can not judge. Only God can do that. I know that these words that I type now mean nothing if they aren't met with ACTION. May I live as Christ has ordered us. I pray that my heart will break for the hurting and suffering, no matter what their political stances are. May I realize that I am a sinner just like the people I tend to look down upon. And may I do my best to better myself and the world around me.

Why I have Faith

2012-07-27T12:54:00.001-07:00

Writers Block

2012-07-26T17:35:00.003-07:00

As I sat today to think about what I wanted my next post to be, I realized that I had no good ideas today. I've already run into writer's block. So I figured I would write about that. What do you do when you come across a lack of inspiration? How do you push through it. I'd love you hear from you. Let me know what you think or what your methods are!

Jesse in the Hall of Fame

2012-07-25T18:24:00.001-07:00

Today I am VERY proud to announce that my brother, Jesse Tyler Bender, was elected into the Point Park University Hall of Fame in his FIRST year of eligibility! Jesse spent four years with the Cross Country team at PPU. The whole time breaking ALL of the schools cross country records and setting several course records. I've never seen some one work so hard at something or be more deserving of such an honor. Good for you little brother! We love you!

Strawberry Spinach Salad

2012-07-25T18:06:00.000-07:00

Things at the Bender house are busy. As I'm sure they are in most homes with kids. Jill and I try to sit down and eat together most nights, but that doesn't mean we're putting together a four course meal. Nights like tonight, we want to eat something quick and easy, but also tasty. I elected to whip up a strawberry spinach salad this evening. I think you'll find it's quick, easy, healthy and pretty tasty.

You'll need

1-24oz package of fresh chicken tenderloins (I like Tyson)

1 package of your favorite marinade (I used Baja citrus)

1/4 oil

1/4 cup water

1 bag of fresh spinach (today was Dole fresh spinach)

1 quart of fresh strawberries

1/2 cup of sunflower seeds (I also love almonds in mine)

Makes approximately 3-4 servings

First you will want to marinade the chicken by combining the tenderloins (with fat trimmed off) in a zip lock bag with the 1/4 cup of vegetable oil, 1/4 cup of water and the marinade package. Once it's in the bag, shake well so that all the chicken is well covered. I would let this sit in your refrigerator for, at least, half an hour. I say 2-4 hours would be best.

Once your chicken has marinated, you'll want to heat up the grill. If you're using charcoal, allow yourself 15-20 minutes for the charcoal to come up to the proper temperature.

Once your grill is rolling hot (around 350-375 degrees) you will want to put the chicken on the rack right above the heat for 3-5 minutes per side (depending on the thickness of the tenderloins). At any rate, I would shoot for approximately 155 degrees allowing for 10 degrees of carry-over once removed from the heat.

As the chicken cooks you will want to rinse and slice your strawberries and spinach. Some people prefer the stems off of the spinach, but I don't mind. I hear there may be some issue with the digestion of the stems, but I have yet to come across that problem.

Once your chicken is cooked through, you will want to cut into chunks. Place the spinach, strawberries and sunflower seeds into a large bowl and toss. After that, add the chicken on top and flavor with your favorite dressing. I used Marzetti's Poppy Seed dressing. I imagine that a red wine vinegar dressing or even a balsamic vinaigrette would be just as tasty and possibly a little more healthy.

I hope you enjoy this quick and easy meal.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Colorado Tragedy

2012-07-23T18:37:00.000-07:00

As this world continues to move further and further away from actual social interaction (face to face/community), I wonder if we are losing connection with reality and respect for human life. Columbine, Virgina Tech, Norway, Colorado Theater...etc.

As a foot note to that comment... go out side and play at a park, catch a ball game, share drinks with some friends, join a bible study or even hug a stranger. Social media is great, but we as human beings need to invest in those kind of interactions to lead a healthy life.

Honest question

2012-07-22T15:28:00.001-07:00

Here it is... Is food "art"? I say yes, it is. Not just in presentation but in the ability to make you feel certain ways and even bring back memories.

But I want to hear from you! I don't claim to be right. It's just my opinion. What are your thoughts?

Fathead's 7/20/12

2012-07-21T19:33:00.000-07:00

Friday we hit up the joint, Fathead's, before the game. I've been there once before and thoroughly enjoyed it so I was honestly looking forward to the return. We were seated on the patio, which on a normal summer day I would have hated, but the weather was cool with a nice breeze so it was acceptable.

JP decided on a fish sandwich (as usual). He found it to be above average but not really something to write home about.

Shoes went with the Beastly Burrito. He had tried the Beastly sauce before and felt the burn. Obviously it wasn't too bad since he was willing to dive in again. The burrito must have been good because Shoes pounded the whole thing in a matter of minutes. I wouldn't mind trying that myself some time when we go.

Finally, I picked the VooDoo Firey Killer Burger. The Firey sauce is the hottest that Fathead's has but I was willing to give it a try. I'm a fan of spicy, just not "Burn Your face off" hot. This burger was right in my wheel house. The sauce was sweet but HOT. There was also pulled pork on top which was top notch. Veggies were roasted red peppers (very nice) and jalapenos. Swiss cheese to top it off. The hamburger it's self was good but nothing I haven't had before. All together, and AMAZING sandwich. I loved it and I loved Fatheads. Maybe next time I'll try some of their microbrews.

Pirates vs. Marlins Game

2012-07-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

July 20th was my second Pirates game of the year. Shoes (Ryan) got the three of us some great seats for the game. Section 113 row U. Might be the best seats I've ever had. The weather was very comfortable and cool for the game. I thought there might be a chance we would get rained out, but thankfully it held off. We Shoes, JP and I pre-gamed over at Fatheads on the South Side. This might have to be our new tradition. Look for a post on the meal over on the Food tab. The Pirates went down early 2-0. Jose Reyes knocked one out of the park on the second pitch of the game. Thankfully the Pirates rebounded in the bottom of the first with a run. In the end the Bucco's pulled of a 4-3 victory putting us 12 games over .500 for the first time this season... and the first time in YEARS. Overall it was a great night with great friends. We've got another game together coming on August 24th. Looking forward to it.

Build each other up

2012-07-21T18:51:00.000-07:00

It's important to build each other up. Continue to encourage one another. Nothing good will be gained by ripping down some one.

"As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend."
Proverbs 27:17 NLT

Beginner's Guide

2012-07-19T18:16:00.001-07:00

This blog is meant to be a doorway into what makes me (Josh Bender) who I am today and how I plan on being a better version of "me". I hope that along the way you are encouraged, inspired, enlightened and hopefully amused. Thanks for stopping by... I'd love to hear from you.