Thursday, October 2, 2008

Slow Cooking Thursday - Oct. 2nd & a movie review

Well, the movie night was great. (See yesterday's post.) We had a nice dinner at home then meandered out the door to the theater down the street. It wasn't packed, but there were surprisingly quite a few people there for a Wednesday night. I knew this was a low budget movie (500K) so I told myself not to critique it left and right like I usually do. I have a horrible tendency to critisize everything in movies and TV shows from props, bad editting, makeup on the actresses to predicting every ending to each situation. I did notice that both Caleb's father and the doctor are left handed...I made myself stop picking out dumb things like that. Going to the movies with me annoys myself; I can't imagine what it's like to go with me. lol

The acting at first was distracting to me. I thought Kirk Cameron did a fabulous job and as I got into the movie I also got into the other characters. Really, this was a great movie that relayed the Message in a way that every American couple can appreciate. We all view firefighters as heros, but the way one lives his/her life at home when nobody else is watching is the true judge of character.

The part I loved the most was the love of a father for his son. He never gave up on him....perfect analogy for the Lord's love for all His children. The way Caleb's father put it about how someone can love another while being rejected all the time...well, I shouldn't say more - GO see the movie. :)

My husband and I have led classes in the Marriage Ministry at our church and we could see this movie as being a wonderful tool to use. I highly recommend this one to any and all couples. There were two surprises at the end that I shed a tear or two over. My husband really enjoyed the movie as well. I just may purchase the DVD when it comes out. I'll start finding the coupon for it early. ;-)

OK, time for the food ...



Apple, Cheddar & Turkey Meatballs



I got this recipe from Crock Pot 365: A Year of Crock Potting. This is a FABULOUS site to get tons-o-yummy crock pot dishes. I drop by her blog on a regular basis. Thank you Stephanie for this one!

Recipe & directions by Stephanie...
1 1/2 pound extra lean ground turkey
1 egg
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp onion powder
1 green apple, peeled and shredded
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar
1/2 cup dried unsweetened cranberries

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, mix the ground turkey with the ingredients. I used my hands.

Make golf-ball sized meatballs, and drop them into your crockpot. I used a 6 quart crockpot, but you could use any size over 3 quart, probably. These made enough meatballs to feed our family of 4 for dinner, with 8 leftover for breakfast and lunch. If you have a large family, or would like to cook enough to freeze, double or triple the recipe. You can definitely stagger-stack the meatballs on top of each other.

Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for 5-9---the cooking time will depend on how many meatballs are in the crock, and the size of your machine. The more full it is, the longer it will take to cook.

I cooked 1 1/2 pounds of meatballs in a 6 quart for exactly 4 hours on high. I could have left them in a bit longer to brown the ones on the very top, but we were hungry.
While they cook, juice will collect on the bottom of the crock, and the meatballs will start off getting bright white and slimy looking. Don't be alarmed---they will continue to cook and will begin to brown. They (miraculously enough!) don't seem to stick together in a big blob---you'll be able to separate them.

Head over to Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for more Slow Cooking recipes and to participate in Slow Cooking Thursday!

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Question of the Day
Are you a movie critic or
are you the one shushing the critic? lol

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Neither....I never get that into a movie. I see it if I want to see it. If it stinks, I kinda kick myself for wasting a gazillion dollars at the theater. But, that's as far as it goes for me.

I am glad you had a great night!

BITRCountryGirl said...

I'm a little bit of both. Another great movie by this movie company is "Facing The Giants." I was a little skeptical about it at first because of the use of High School and football in the same sentence but I really did love the movie. It has a great message in it too. I dont want to give too much away for anyone who hasn't seen it.

Debie Napoleon said...

Thanks for letting us know more about this movie. I now want to go see it.

I am not a reviewer, I sit quietly and enjoy. Except for Mamma Mia, which I sang along with. And cringed when Pierce sang. :)

Kristen said...

I'm so excited about the crockpot recipes! Hubby and I love our slow cooker, but we have all of two things to cook in it. I'm looking forward to trying new things. Thanks for the recommendation!

~Trish~ said...

I make my own opinion, poo on what others think :)

Judy @ In His Grip said...

Our small group is planning to attend Fireproof and then have discussion afterwards. I am gald to hear that you liked it.

Ash said...

I'm afraid I am the shushing-the-critic type of person. Wouldn't we make an interesting pair at the movies?

I can totally suspend belief for at least a good three hours. I've yet to meet a movie I couldn't sit through - though the latest installment in the X-Files franchise was quite painful. Two precious Mama hours completely wasted. And I LOVE me some David Duchovny.

Congrats on a fun night out with the Hubby. Very glad it was so nice.

Em

tiarastantrums said...

oh - I spot all the errors in movies - in a mila-second! Drives hubs crazy!

Elisabeth said...

I'm a shusher...but I do like to think about it on my own...sometimes discuss, but not typically.

Mari said...

The meatballs sound wonderful and thanks for the movie review. I can't wait to see it!

Jen said...

great recipe. I am so in the need of slow cooker recipes. I will go and check them out.

Tabitha Blue said...

I've heard such great things about the movie from people in our church... haven't made it out to see it yet. I'm looking forward to it though, especially after hearing more great reviews.

I love movies! Almost any kind... if it's not scary. I'm not too harsh of a critic though, I notice things and sometimes say it, but otherwise just remind myself it's a movie and I want to enjoy it... it shuts me up :)

Dinner sounds good! Maybe I'll try that one. Crockpot's are heaven sent! Such easy cooking. Gotta love that!

Jess said...

I'm a total critic.

I typically can figure out a movie within the first 30 minutes, so it drives people nuts to go with me. :)

Keeper of the Skies Wife said...

I'm a critic!
We saw this last night with our bible study. It was soooo good. We cried a little, too.
I think I'm going to make these meatballs this weekend.

Brooke said...

I agree with Trish! Usually if the critics say it is horrible, I still watch it and lots of times, I love it. Does that mean there is something wrong with me?? NO! :)

tommie said...

I don't think I am either....I would have to actually go to a movie to do one of the two! LOL

Renee said...

Your recipe wounds wonderful! I can't wait to see the movie, Fireproof. Have a great weekend.

Sandra said...

Meatballs sound great :) Thanks for the movie review, I can't wait to watch it.

Ashley said...

I am so glad that you liked the movie!! You can rent the other FACING THE GIANTS from blockbuster or go buy it from walleyworld or Target! Thanks for putting a post on your blog about it!
And thanks for the crock pot recipes!! I NEED them! I use my crock pot at least 1x a week and I am always looking for good recipes!

Holly said...

Ohmygoodness, I *have* to make these meatballs! Thankyouthankyouthankyou.

And how lucky are you to have a cinema in walking distance?

Anonymous said...

Yum...I love anything turkey!

So glad you enjoyed the movie and now I have to go and see it! I love Kirk...haven't seen him in a long time.

Thanks for the wonderful comments on my site...very sweet.

oº˚ Homeschool Mom˚ºo said...

Ok I told you the other night we were married to the same man well I think we may be the same person. I am the same way with movies everyone tells me to be quite. Love the recipe thanks for sharing. Did you see you made it onto my buzzin' blog list. Much Love
Anissa

Tyne said...

I have heard good things about that movie. I am so in a cooking funk... I just scrolled right past that delicious sounding recipe

Gaspegirl said...

Hey there... so glad that you enjoyed the movie and you have convinced me to go and watch it! I can't wait...

As for your question, I took a film class in University and I have never watched a film the same since... always critiquing the movie. From continuity mistakes, to foreshadowing and the list continues... usually the second time I watch the film I can watch without observing!

Have a great weekend!

Gaspegirl said...

Hey there... so glad that you enjoyed the movie and you have convinced me to go and watch it! I can't wait...

As for your question, I took a film class in University and I have never watched a film the same since... always critiquing the movie. From continuity mistakes, to foreshadowing and the list continues... usually the second time I watch the film I can watch without observing!

Have a great weekend!

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

Too funny....since my brother is a producer, I have become way too much of a critique. Never used to be, but when you see what goes into a movie from start to finish, and then still see things that bother you, I think...could they not have edited that.
Do it with worship music as well....grrr at myself.

Marie said...

That recipe looks YUMMY!

I'm a critic...of sorts. I am the type that ruins the movie for my husband because I can see the plot twist a mile away and usually have it figured out. No wonder my husband sneaks off to the movies without me...I ruin it for him. I can't help myself! lol

Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet said...

I heard the movie is great. I'd love to go see it. We definitely need a date night. :D

THanks for sharing that recipe. YUMMY!

OklahomaMomma said...

I can't wait to see this movie as well!!! We'll probably have to wait until it comes out on DVD since date nights don't happen very often.

I'd say I am a little of both... I can be critical but my husband is usually harsher so I try to let him know it's just a movie.

Melodie said...

I'm a total critic. But I don't spout off during the movie. Ususally, anyway.

Momma Trish said...

Hello. I found you through SITS, and I'm hooked! That recipe looks fantastic, so I'll check out the link too.

Out of curiosity, hot did you get the links (i.e. subscribe, add to blogroll) at the bottom of your posts? Those are great!

Laural Out Loud said...

Sold! On both the movie AND the meatballs. I can't wait to make them!

-Bridget said...

Yea for another cool crockpot recipe! I can never have too many. I've been seeing advertisements about that movie but didn't really know what it was about. The wedding rings in the logo got my attention. I'll have to go see it now.