CLOVES

CLOVES are the aromatic dried flower buds of an evergreen tree native to Indonesia and used as a spice in cuisines all over the world. Cloves can be used in cooking either whole or in a ground form, but as they are extremely strong, they are used sparingly. Cloves can easily overpower a dish, particularly when ground, so only a few need be used.

PINCH OF WISDOM: How interesting that something so familiar to us takes on an entirely different aspect when we consider it as corresponding with human nature. So often the extremely strong individual can overpower an entire group. Much like using too many cloves, too many strong words or actions can spoil a conversation or a meeting. A few soft, wise words interspersed in a conversation or decision can have more influence than many words spoken without thought or knowledge. We need to be careful in any group that our actions and our words are used as ground cloves-sparingly to flavor the conversation.

TASTE OF SCRIPTURE:  “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”  Colossians 4:5-7

RECIPE OF THE DAY

CLOVE  ‘N  CINNAMON SPICED BUNDT CAKE

            1 Cup unsalted butter

            2 Cups granulated sugar

            3 Eggs, beat slightly

           

            3 Cups all-purpose flour

            1 TBSP ground Cinnamon

            2 Tsp ground Cloves

            3/4 Tsp (.75) baking soda

            1/4 Tsp (.25) salt

            1Cup Buttermilk

           

Grease and flour a Bundt Pan—Heat oven to 350F degrees

Soften the butter, add the sugar and cream together. In a separate bowl, combine well the flour, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda and salt.

*To the creamed mixture add some of the dry ingredients then some of the milk until it's all mixed together.

*Put it in the Bundt Pan and bake for about 50 Minutes. Insert knife or toothpick and if it comes out clean it's done. Sprinkle powdered sugar on cake after cool.