news from the tasting

Thanks so much to everyone who came out to the beer tasting on Tuesday night! It was a success, in my opinion, and I think--I hope--everyone had fun.
Anyway, I just wanted to share two recipes from the evening. I'm glad that the black bean hummus I made was a hit, and Kenny's "Cracked out Crackers" are probably the best thing ever, and they're both super easy recipes. So here ya go.


Kat's Black Bean Hummus

• 1 15oz can each chickpeas & black beans
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 Tbsp dried parsley
• 1 Tbsp fresh cilantro

Process spices, garlic, olive oil, & lemon juice as finely as possible. Then add beans a little at a time. Don't rinse the beans, or your hummus will be too dry. In fact, I'd save some of the water in the cans in case it's too dry anyway. That way, you can make it the exact texture you like.


Kenny's "Cracked out Crackers"

• 1 1/3 c canola oil
• 1 pkg dry ranch (1 oz)
• 2 tsp crushed red pepper
• 2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 4 sleeves saltine crackers

Put all ingredients except crackers into a 2 gallon ziplock bag and shake until fully mixed. Then add all four sleeves crackers to the bag and shake gently until fully coated. Let sit in the bag for two hours or so. When you take the crackers out of the bag, they should be pretty much dry. Just throw them in whatever serving tray you'd like.
Yep. I know. No baking. It's crazy. But it's true.

A little more info & a beer tasting invitiation!!

A couple people pointed out that I forgot to tell you where to send money on the last post. To receive a receipt for your tax-deductible donation make your check payable to Lutheran Campus Ministry at Clemson, PO Box 1337 Clemson, SC 29633. Please remember to put "Kat - YAGM" in the memo line.

I also wanted to let you know that the tavern where I work is hosting a beer tasting for me tomorrow night. It's going to be a total blast. I hope, if you're any where near Clemson (or if you feel like a weekday road trip), you might come by.

Oh the Places Beer Tasting
Tuesday, 25 May, from 5:30-8:30 P.M.
@ Nick's Tavern & Deli
107-2 Sloan Street, Clemson

FEATURING:
Romulan Ale, Guatemala
Tusker Premium Lager, Africa
Negra Modelo Amber Lager, Mexico
Xingu Black Lager, Brazil
Mönchshof Schwarzbier, Germany
Coast HopArt IPA, South Carolina
Fuller's London Porter, Great Britain
Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout , Michigan
Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar, Oregon
Highland Seven Sisters Abbey Style Ale, North Carolina
Dogfish Head Midas Touch Ancient Ale, Delaware

Prices include finger foods, a tasting glass from Foothills Brewing and 3 oz. tasters
$25 for all eleven beers ~ $15 for any six beers

"Why these places?" you may ask. The beers we've chosen for this tasting represent some of the countries and states where I have lived, plus a couple of my favorite beers. The profits from this Beer Tasting will help raise funds for my stipend and in support of the Young Adults in Global Mission program.

a letter & an invitation

I’m excited to have accepted a year-long missions position with Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) in Mexico. YAGM is a project of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) for young adults aged 19-30 to participate in a year of service around the world. This August, I will depart to the city of Cuernavaca, which is about an hour south of Mexico City. Nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring,” Cuernavaca is best known as a vacation spot for the most affluent of Mexicans & many famous Americans as well. However, in order to support tourism and resort living, there are many who flock to the city in hopes of opportunity, only to find themselves in desperate need of the most basic human services. I will be joining a team of six Young Adults who will be carrying out the Church’s mission with these children of God.

I have agreed to give a year of my life to work with this project. I am asking you to help the Church fund the work we will be doing. The total cost of a YAGM year is $10,000—only $30 per day. Over $6,000 of this cost is provided by the ELCA, while my commitment is to raise $4,000 toward supporting the program before I leave in August. Please consider sponsoring a day on your birthday, anniversary, or perhaps a day in the life of someone else you know who shares my passion for caring for others.

I will be entering the community of Cuernavaca in order to explore with the people there how my gifts might best be put to use there. This year’s YAGM will be involved with a variety of issues, including domestic violence, drug rehabilitation, financial empowerment, wheelchair accessibility, and education. More information about the Young Adults in Global Mission Program can be found at the Global Missions website.

Two events will be taking place in Clemson in order to gather together prior to my departure. Tuesday, May 25^th there will be a special beer tasting at Nick’s Tavern & Deli from 5:30-8:30pm. On June 20^th, University Lutheran will host a hot dog lunch after the 11am worship service. Donations received prior to this date will be eligible for a 1-to-1 matching grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. I hope you will be able to join me on one or both of these occasions.

Please continue to keep my family, my host community, and me in your thoughts and prayers, as I’m sure this experience will contain ups and downs for us all. You can continue to contact me by email now and during my time in Cuernavaca. You can also keep up with me via this blog, or by signing up for my newsletter mailing list. If you have questions about any of these, please leave a comment below including your contact information.

I recently had the opportunity to meet the wonderful collection of 43 gifted and passionate young adults who will likewise be leaving their homes in August. I am honored to be included in this impressive Global Missions team. I hope you will also join in the partnership with us by offering your prayers, posting comments on our blogs, and offering whatever financial gifts you are able. Thank you.