The Prayer Porch

Tag: recipe

  • Homemade Sourdough Pasta Recipe

    Homemade Sourdough Pasta Recipe

    Sometimes the most comforting things come from the simplest ingredients. Flour, eggs, a little salt, a splash of olive oil, and a spoonful of sourdough starter that’s been faithfully waiting in the fridge. There’s something grounding about making pasta by hand -slowly, gently, without rushing. It invites us to pause, to press into the rhythm of kneading and rolling, and to remember that nourishment doesn’t always begin in the kitchen but often in the quiet places of the heart.

    Homemade sourdough pasta has a way of reminding us that even scraps, the “discard” we might have thrown away can become something beautiful and satisfying. God does this with us too. Nothing is wasted in His hands.

    So if your days have felt hurried or heavy, let this be an invitation to step into a slower moment. Tie on an apron. Dust the counter with flour. Let your hands remember the ancient work of turning simple ingredients into something warm and sustaining.

    Here is a pared-down, easy version of sourdough pasta you can make on any cozy afternoon.

    Simple Sourdough Pasta

    Ingredients

    3 cups all-purpose or whole wheat flour (or a mix)
    ⅓ cup sourdough starter discard (unfed sourdough starter)
    2 large eggs
    1 tablespoon olive oil
    1 teaspoon sea salt
    1–2 tablespoons water

    Instructions

    1. Mix the dough
      Place the flour in a mixing bowl. In a smaller bowl, stir together the sourdough discard, eggs, olive oil, and salt. Pour the wet mixture into the flour and stir with a fork until clumps form. Add water a teaspoon at a time until the dough comes together. It should feel firm, not sticky.
    2. Knead
      Turn the dough onto a clean counter and knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Shape into a ball and wrap tightly, let it rest for an hour or two on the counter.
    3. Roll it out
      Divide the dough into 2 pieces, keeping each wrapped until needed. Roll out one piece at a time using a rolling pin. Dust with flour as needed to prevent sticking.
    4. Cut your pasta
      Slice into noodles or your desired shape using a knife, pizza cutter, or pasta cutter. Lay the pieces on a board or drying rack for about 30 minutes before cooking.
    5. Cook and enjoy
      Boil in salted water until tender, usually just a few minutes. Serve with butter, olive oil, or your favorite sauce.

    As you roll out each piece of dough, may it be a small reminder that God is always shaping and stretching us – not to overwhelm us, but to make us more tender, more open, more able to receive His goodness. Even simple things like flour and eggs can become a gift. And so can quiet moments in our kitchens.

  • The Gift of Hunkering Down

    The Gift of Hunkering Down

    There is something sacred about the first real cold snap of winter.
    The kind that makes you pull your sweater a little tighter.
    The kind that sends you searching for that favorite blanket.
    The kind that whispers, slow down now.

    Winter never apologizes for asking us to hunker down. It simply arrives, quiet and insistent, and extends an invitation we didn’t even know we needed: to turn inward, to rest, to be still.

    The Quiet Permission of Winter

    Our world rarely gives us room to withdraw, to cocoon, or to let the rhythm of our days match the shorter light and longer nights. Yet winter offers this permission freely if we choose to receive it.

    When the cold settles in and the world outside grows hushed, something in us remembers an older rhythm. A rhythm that knows rest is not laziness. A rhythm that understands that some of the most important work happens in the quiet.

    What Fills the Soul in Winter

    So what do we do with these cold, cozy days? What truly nourishes us when we hunker down?

    We light candles and watch the flame dance. There is something nearly prayerful about it – how the steady glow pushes back the darkness.

    We wrap our hands around warm mugs. Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon, cocoa in the evening. Each one a small ceremony of comfort, steam rising like our unspoken prayers.

    We finally pull out the books we’ve been meaning to read. We get lost in stories, or found in the words of poets and wise guides.

    We cook slow meals that warm the whole home. Soup simmering all afternoon. Bread rising on the counter. Food that quietly says you are loved, you are cared for, you are home.

    We create with our hands. Knitting, drawing, writing, building – whatever allows the soul to speak without words.

    We sit in the silence and simply breathe. We hear the wind at the windows. We watch the snowfall if we are blessed with it. We let ourselves be still, without agenda or achievement.

    The Deeper Invitation

    But winter isn’t only inviting us to cozy moments. It is calling us deeper.

    It reminds us that we too are part of creation’s rhythms. That we need seasons of dormancy and rest. That sometimes growth happens underground, in the dark, where no one can see.

    Winter asks gentle questions.
    What needs to fall away?
    What needs to rest?
    What is God nurturing in you that is not yet ready to bloom?

    These cold months give permission to let some things lie fallow. To stop striving. To trust that spring will return, but for now, this stillness is exactly where you are meant to be.

    A Prayer for the Cold Days

    For the shortened days and lengthened nights,
    For the cold that sends us seeking warmth,
    For the quiet that settles over everything,
    Thank You.

    Teach us to hunker down without guilt.
    To rest without apology.
    To find You in the stillness,
    In the candle’s glow,
    In the steam rising from our cups,
    In the peace of simply being held.
    Amen.

    As the cold weather settles in around you, I hope you’ll accept winter’s invitation. Pull on your coziest socks. Light a candle. Make a slow, comforting meal. Open a good book. And remember that in the hunkering down, your soul is being tended.

    You are exactly where you need to be.

    What will you do this winter to fill your soul?

    Soul-Warming Chicken Soup

    Speaking of slow meals, here is a simple, forgiving chicken soup that fills the house with warmth. It tastes like comfort and makes the whole home smell like a hug.

    Ingredients:

    2–3 lbs bone-in chicken pieces (thighs and breasts work beautifully)- a rotisserie chicken works well too
    8 cups organic chicken broth
    3 carrots, peeled and sliced
    3 celery stalks, chopped
    1 large onion, diced
    3–4 cloves garlic, minced
    2 bay leaves
    1 teaspoon dried thyme (or a few fresh sprigs)
    1 teaspoon dried parsley
    Salt and pepper to taste
    1 ½ cups egg noodles or your favorite pasta
    Fresh lemon juice (optional, but lovely)
    Fresh dill or parsley for serving

    Instructions:

    1. In a large pot, add the chicken, broth, bay leaves, and a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer 45–60 minutes, until the chicken is tender.
    2. Remove the chicken and set aside to cool. Leave the broth simmering.
    3. Add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic, thyme, and parsley. Simmer about 20 minutes, until everything is tender.
    4. Shred the cooled chicken, removing skin and bones. Add the meat back to the pot. If you are using a rotisserie chicken, it’s a much easier process as it is already cooked and will just need shredding!
    5. Add the noodles and cook according to package directions.
    6. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add lemon juice if you like a bright finish.
    7. Serve warm with fresh herbs and crusty bread or in a bread bowl. My favorite bread bowls are from the Healing Slice website.

    A little note: it tastes even better the next day. 📖☕

    “Winter is the season when warmth comes from within.” 🕯️

    With love, from the porch,
    Laura

  • Homemade Porch Tarts

    Homemade Porch Tarts

    There’s something lovely about making a treat that slows you down. These little hand pies are buttery, jam-filled, and made with simple ingredients. They are sweet reminders that joy often comes from the quiet work of our hands.

    Ingredients:

    Crust:

    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup cold butter, grated
    • ½ cup sourdough discard along with a few tablespoons of ice water (a little more if needed)or ½ cup ice water if you are not using any sourdough discard
    • 1 egg, beaten with a splash of water

    Filling:

    • 1 cup strawberry jam or preserves

    Icing:

    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 1–2 tablespoons milk
    • Sprinkles (optional)

    Directions

    1. Make the dough:
      In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Cut in the cold butter with a fork until it looks crumbly. Add the sourdough discard and/or ice water and mix until the dough just comes together.
      Split into two balls, flatten slightly, wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
    2. Shape and fill:
      Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
      Roll one dough ball out on a floured surface into a thin rectangle (about ⅛ inch thick). Cut into small rectangles.
      Spoon a little jam onto half of the rectangles, leaving space around the edges. Place the remaining rectangles on top, and press the edges with a fork to seal.
    3. Bake:
      Brush the tops lightly with the beaten egg mixture and bake for 22–30 minutes, until golden. Let them cool on the pan.
    4. Finish with icing:
      Stir together powdered sugar and milk, then drizzle over the cooled tarts. Add sprinkles if you’d like.

    Porch Reflection 🍂

    Lord, thank You for the sweetness of small things. Thank You for time to rest and to create. We remember that joy often rises from humble, handmade moments. Amen.

  • 🦪 A Taste of Tradition: Our Annual Oyster Evening

    🦪 A Taste of Tradition: Our Annual Oyster Evening

    Each year, as summer fades and the air turns crisp, my husband and I set aside a night away. This time is reserved for a simple but sacred ritual — oysters. It’s become our quiet tradition to visit our favorite restaurant and share a platter of briny East Coast oysters. There’s something about that first taste. It brings a rush of ocean air. The salt and sweetness feel like a prayer of gratitude for another season together.

    This year, I wanted to bring that feeling home. If you love oysters too, here are three simple sauces that elevate them beautifully. Each sauce balances the sea’s natural flavor with a touch of brightness and spice.

    🥂 Classic Mignonette Sauce

    Ingredients:

    • ½ cup red wine vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons finely minced shallot
    • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
    • A pinch of salt

    Directions:
    In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, shallot, pepper, and salt. Let it rest at least 30 minutes before serving – this allows the flavors to mingle and mellow. Spoon just a bit over each oyster before that first briny bite.

    🍅 Homemade Cocktail Sauce

    Ingredients:

    • ½ cup ketchup
    • 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish (or to taste)
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • Dash of Worcestershire sauce
    • Optional: a few drops of hot sauce for extra kick

    Directions:
    Stir all ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Chill before serving. Adjust the horseradish or hot sauce to your liking – some like it fiery!

    🌿 Fresh Horseradish Sauce

    Ingredients:

    • ¼ cup freshly grated horseradish root (or prepared horseradish)
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • Pinch of salt

    Directions:
    Whisk everything together and chill for at least an hour. It’s creamy, sharp, and perfect for anyone who loves a little zing with their oysters.

    Traditions don’t always have to be grand – sometimes, it’s the small, shared rituals that hold our hearts steady. A plate of oysters sits on the table. The flicker of candlelight dances across the room. Laughter spreads across the table, reminding us how precious the ordinary can be.

    What small tradition do you and someone you love hold sacred each year?

  • Easy Sourdough Peach Galette Recipe

    Easy Sourdough Peach Galette Recipe

    There’s something special about gathering simple ingredients, working with your hands, and watching them become something beautiful. This sourdough peach galette is just that. Rustic, free-formed, and filled with the sweetness of ripe summer peaches. Perfect to serve on the porch with a cup of coffee or tea.

    Ingredients:

    For the Sourdough Pastry:

    • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 tbsp sugar
    • 1 tsp salt
    • ½ cup unsalted butter, chilled
    • ½ cup cold sourdough discard
    • ¼ cup ice water

    For the Peach Filling:

    • 6–8 ripe peaches
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 tbsp lemon juice
    • 2 tsp cinnamon
    • pinch of salt
    • 1 ½ tbsp cornstarch

    For the Topping:

    • 2 tbsp heavy cream
    • 1 tbsp granulated sugar

    Directions:

    Make the Pastry:

    In a small bowl, stir together flour, sugar, and salt.

    Grate the chilled butter and toss it into the flour mixture.

    Add the sourdough discard and ice water. Use your hands to gently bring the dough together into a ball. If crumbly, add a teaspoon or two of extra ice water.

    Knead lightly (don’t overwork). Wrap and place in the freezer for 15–20 minutes while you make the filling.

      Slice peaches: cut in half, twist to remove the pit, then thinly slice.

      Place slices in a bowl and toss gently with sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, salt, and cornstarch.

        Assemble the Galette:

        Preheat oven to 375°F.

        Roll the chilled dough into a 12–14 inch circle on lightly floured parchment paper.

        Arrange peach slices in the center, leaving a 2-inch border.

        Fold the dough edges up and over the peaches, patching as needed.

        Brush the crust and peaches with heavy cream, then sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.

        Transfer parchment and galette onto a baking sheet.

          Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes. Lower heat to 350°F and bake another 30 minutes, until peaches are bubbly and the crust is golden.

          Cool slightly before slicing. Enjoy with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream!


        1. How to Make a Perfect Latte at Home

          How to Make a Perfect Latte at Home

          There is something about a latte that feels like both comfort and ritual. The swirl of milk meeting espresso, the warmth of the cup in your hands – a small, everyday grace.
          The good news is you don’t need a café to enjoy a latte. With just a few simple steps, you can make a creamy, cozy latte right in your own kitchen.

          Ingredients:

          • 1–2 oz freshly brewed espresso (or strong coffee)
          • 6–8 oz milk of your choice (whole milk makes the creamiest foam)
          • Optional: cinnamon, cocoa powder, or nutmeg for garnish

          Steps to Make a Latte:

          Brew your espresso directly into your favorite mug so it’s hot and ready.

          Steam or froth your milk until velvety and hot (about 150°F/65°C). If you don’t have a steam wand, gently heat your milk on the stove. Use a milk frother or whisk until you see soft, creamy bubbles.

          Pour the milk slowly over your espresso. Hold the cup at a slight angle. Let the foam rise to the top. If you want some artistry, lower your pour near the end. Give a gentle wiggle. You could surprise yourself with a heart or leaf!

          Dust the top with cinnamon, cocoa, or nutmeg if you’d like, then sip and enjoy.

          Brew Tip:

          For the classic latte, pour the espresso first and milk second. If you reverse the order—milk first, espresso second—you’ve made a latte macchiato, which has a lovely layered look.

          ️

        2. Sourdough Babka with Strawberry Jam

          Sourdough Babka with Strawberry Jam

          Baking Blessing ❤

          ️May your kitchen be filled with the warmth of the oven and the joy of creation.
          May the work of your hands nourish both body and soul.
          As this bread rises and bakes, let your heart rise too.
          Be grateful to the One who gives us our daily bread.

          Ingredients:

          Dough:

          • 3 1/2 cups bread flour
          • 1/4 cup sugar
          • 1/2 cup whole milk
          • 1 1/2 tsp salt
          • 4 large eggs
          • 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
          • 1 cup active sourdough starter

          Filling & Finish

          • Strawberry jam (enough to spread thinly over two 10×14-inch rectangles)
          • Sweetened cocoa powder, for dusting (optional)
          • 1 egg + 1 Tbsp water, for egg wash (optional)

          Plan Ahead:

          Feed your starter the night before so it’s nice and bubbly by morning.

          Directions:

          In the morning, combine the flour, sugar, and milk. Add the salt, eggs, butter, and active sourdough starter. Knead until the dough is smooth and glossy, about 10–15 minutes. It will come together as it kneads.

          Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size. This should take about 6–8 hours.

          Once risen, refrigerate the dough for a few hours or overnight so it’s firm and easy to shape.

          When ready to shape, turn the chilled dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into two equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 10×14-inch rectangle.

          Spread a thin layer of strawberry jam over each rectangle, leaving a 1-inch border on one short end. If you like, dust lightly with sweetened cocoa powder.

          Starting from the opposite short end, roll up each rectangle into a log. Use a sharp knife to slice each log lengthwise. This will expose the layers. Then twist the two strands together. Make sure to keep the cut sides facing up. Tuck the ends under gently.

          Place each twist into a greased standard 1 lb. loaf pan. Cover and allow to rise until puffy and nearly doubled, about 4 hours.

          Preheat your oven to 350°F. Brush the tops with egg wash if you’d like a glossy finish. Bake for 40–45 minutes, until golden and set.

          Let the loaves cool in their pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a rack. Slice and enjoy warm, or let cool completely for cleaner slices.

          This sourdough babka combines tender dough with the brightness of strawberry jam. It’s a loaf that feels just right for sharing over coffee. It is also perfect for gifting to a friend or lingering over in a quiet afternoon moment.

        3. Chocolate Zucchini Bundt Cake

          Chocolate Zucchini Bundt Cake

          There’s something tender about baking a birthday cake for one of your children – even when they’re all grown up. Somehow, it feels like just yesterday I was lighting candles on dinosaur cupcakes and wiping frosting off tiny fingers.

          Birthdays have a way of marking time. They remind us how quickly the seasons pass. They also invite us to pause. We think about the beauty of growth, the gift of life, and the One who renews us daily.

          As we celebrate another year of life, I’m reminded of an even deeper truth. In Christ, we are made new not just once a year, but every day. When we surrender our hearts, our plans, and our worries to Him, He meets us with grace. He begins again. What a beautiful reason to celebrate.

          As the rich scent of chocolate fills the house, so do the memories. I find myself giving thanks for all of my children, now grown, yet always close to my heart. I’m grateful for the years that have shaped their lives. I am ever thankful for God, who faithfully makes all things new.

          “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
          —2 Corinthians 5:17

          Ingredients:

          • 1/2 cup unsalted butter

          • 1/4 cup cocoa powder, and a little more to dust the pan

          • 1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar

          • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

          • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

          • 1/4 cup olive oil

          • 2 large eggs, at room temperature

          • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

          • 1 teaspoon baking soda

          • 1/2 teaspoon salt

          • 1/2 cup vanilla full-fat yogurt

          • 2 cups grated zucchini

          Directions:

          Preheat your oven to 325°F.
          Generously butter a Bundt pan. Dust it with cocoa powder to help the cake release beautifully.

          Cream the butter in a large mixing bowl until it’s smooth. Then, mix in both sugars. Add the vanilla. Drizzle in the oil and mix until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. It should look airy and inviting.

          Crack in the eggs one at a time, stirring just enough to mix them in gently.

          In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. If you’re like me and doing this all by hand, use a fine-mesh strainer. It works just fine to get rid of any lumps.

          Add the dry mixture to your wet ingredients, stir, then add some of the yogurt. Keep alternating flour and yogurt until everything is nicely mixed. Don’t worry about perfection. This is a rustic, heartfelt cake.

          Fold in the grated zucchini. Make sure it’s evenly spread throughout the batter.

          Pour the thick batter into your prepared pan. Give it a few gentle taps on the counter so it settles into every nook and cranny.

          Bake for about 45-50 minutes, or until a tester comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Let the cake rest in the pan for about 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a serving plate. Dust the top with cocoa or confectioner’s sugar for a beautiful finish ♥

        4. Homemade Oatmeal Bread

          Homemade Oatmeal Bread

          There’s something sacred about the rhythm of baking bread. The quiet moments of mixing, kneading, and waiting as the dough rises. This humble oatmeal loaf was once my daily bread. It is soft and golden. There is just enough molasses to lend a gentle sweetness. It’s not flashy or fussy, but rather the bread that feels like home.

          Ingredients:

          • 1 cup old-fashioned oats
          • 2 teaspoons salt
          • ½ cup light molasses
          • 1 tablespoon butter
          • 1 3/4 cups boiling water
          • ½ cup lukewarm water
          • 1 package (or 2¼ teaspoons) dry yeast
          • 5 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

          Directions:

          Grease a 5 x 9-inch loaf pan and set aside.

          In a large bowl, combine the oats, salt, molasses, and butter.
          Pour in the boiling water, stir gently, and let the mixture stand for 1 hour to cool and soften.

          In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm water. Let it sit until bubbly, about 5–10 minutes.

          Add the yeast mixture and flour to the cooled oat mixture. Mix well until a sticky dough forms.

          Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes or until smooth and elastic.

          Place the dough in a well-greased bowl. Cover it with a towel. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.

          Punch down the dough, and shape into a loaf.

          Place the loaf in the prepared pan and let rise again until doubled.

          Bake in a preheated 350º F oven for 45 minutes, or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.

          Cool in the pan for 5–10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

        5. 🍎 German Apple Cake

          🍎 German Apple Cake

          This recipe comes from my father-in-law’s father and dates back to the 1940’s. It was a time when home baking was a treasured ritual. Recipes were passed down by hand, heart, and memory.

          During that era, many families in the U.S. found comfort in simple, resourceful cooking. The 1940’s were marked by both the hardship of war and the strength of community. Cakes like this were made with basic pantry staples and the seasonal abundance of apples. They became humble expressions of love, resilience, and gathering.

          Baking this cake now feels like more than just making dessert. It’s continuing a legacy. A quiet way to honor those who came before us, and to create new memories with every warm slice.

          Ingredients:

          • 4–5 apples, sliced
          • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
          • 1/2 cup sugar
          • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
          • 2 eggs
          • 2 teaspoons baking powder
          • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
          • Juice of 1 lemon
          • Cinnamon and sugar (for sprinkling on the apples)
          • Confectioner’s sugar (for dusting after baking)

          Optional: Homemade Whipped Cream

          • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
          • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
          • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

          Directions:

          Preheat your oven to 375ºF.
          Slice the apples and sprinkle them with a cinnamon and sugar. Set aside.

          In a mixing bowl, beat the butter until soft and fluffy.
          Add the flour, eggs, baking powder, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Mix until a soft batter forms.

          Grease a 9-inch Springform pan.
          Spread or press the batter evenly into the bottom of the pan.
          Arrange the apple slices neatly on top of the batter, pressing them in just slightly.

          Bake for 40 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
          Allow to cool, then dust with confectioner’s sugar before serving.

          🍰 Homemade Whipped Cream (Optional)

          In a chilled bowl, combine the whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla.
          Whip until soft-to-medium peaks form. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.