EASTER BRINGS TO MIND-RESURRECTION COOKIES AND THOSE STATUES!

Good Morning Foodies!

Here we are getting ready for HOLY WEEK to begin! Today, I am going to talk about two things that I remember growing up in my ITALIAN family. The first was the RESURRECTION COOKIES! This is a great little tradition to start with your family. It helps kids, stop and think, about the real meaning of EASTER. It helps them to realize it is not just about EASTER BASKETS, ETC. The Easter Story Cookies begin on the evening before Easter Day. I will copy and paste the whole story so you can copy it for your own records. It also helps create memories in the kitchen. It gives you the opportunity to praise them along the way. Any time, you can bring people together, in a kitchen, it increases conversation and helps enhance relationships. Never pass up these moments!
Now for the STATUES! I can promise you most Catholic families always had one of those relatives, especially an AUNT that was so religious. You know the one that always had a rosary in her hand no matter what—WE OFTEN WONDERED WAS SHE BORN WITH IT IN HER HAND! This AUNT also had those STATUES in her home that represented the HOLY FAMILY AND HER FAVORITE SAINTS. As a child, these STATUES seemed to be life-like in size. We all knew that when you passed through that room, you were respectful and even did a little bow and genuflect. 
There were two things this wonderful AUNT would always say that I still remember today:
1-“WHEN LIFE GETS TOO HARD TO STAND—–KNEEL!”
2-This was my most memorable statement from her—“IT WASN’T THE NAILS THAT HELD CHRIST TO THE CROSS—IT WAS HIS LOVE FOR US!”
I think that if this great lady were alive today, just to keep up with modern times, she might say—“PRAYER IS THE WORLD’S GREATEST WIRELESS CONNECTION!”

Here is the recipe and directions for those RESURRECTION COOKIES!

RESURRECTION COOKIES!!!!

The Evening Before Easter, Gather the Following:

1 c. whole pecans
1 t. vinegar
3 egg whites, pinch of salt
1 c. sugar
Ziploc bag
Wooden spoon
Tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300. THIS IS IMPORTANT—DO NOT WAIT UNTIL LATER TO HEAT OVEN!

Place pecans in Ziploc bag and let children beat with wooden spoon and break into small pieces. EXPLAIN THAT AFTER JESUS WAS ARRESTED, HE WAS BEATEN BY THE ROMAN SOLDIERS!
Read: John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 t. of vinegar into a mixing bowl.
EXPLAIN THAT WHEN JESUS WAS THIRSTY ON THE CROSS, HE WAS GIVEN VINEGAR TO DRINK.
Read: John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.
EXPLAIN THAT JESUS GAVE HIS LIFE TO GIVE US LIFE.
Read: John 10:10-11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.
EXPLAIN THAT THIS REPRESENTS THE SALTY TEARS SHED BY JESUS’ FOLLOWERS AND THE BITTERNESS OF OUR OWN SIN!
Read: Luke 23:27

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing.
Add 1 c. sugar.
EXPLAIN THAT THE SWEETEST PART OF THE STORY IS THAT JESUS DIED BECAUSE HE LOVES US. HE WANTS US TO KNOW AND BELONG TO HIM.
Read Psalms: 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
EXPLAIN THAT THE COLOR WHITE REPRESENTS THE PURITY IN GOD’S EYES OF THOSE SINS THAT HAVE BEEN CLEANSED BY JESUS.
Read ISA. 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
EXPLAIN THAT EACH MOUND REPRESENTS THE ROCK TOMB WHERE JESUS’ BODY WAS LAID.
Read: Matthew 27:57-60

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
EXPLAIN THAT JESUS’ TOMB WAS SEALED.
Read Matthew 27:65-66

NOW GO TO BED!
EXPLAIN THAT THEY MAY FEEL SAD TO LEAVE THE COOKIES IN THE OVEN OVERNIGHT. JESUS’ FOLLOWERS WERE IN DESPAIR WHEN THE TOMB WAS SEALED.
Read John 16:20 and 22

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow!
EXPLAIN ON THE FIRST EASTER, JESUS’ FOLLOWERS WERE AMAZED TO FIND THE TOMB OPEN AND EMPTY!
Read Matthew 28: 1-9

I hope you all have a most wonderful and blessed EASTER! KITCHEN WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL THROUGH MONDAY, APRIL 22ND, and with GOD’S BLESSINGS, will be back, TUESDAY, APRIL 23RD. HOPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!