Telling the Easter story with quality time in the kitchen

The Sunday before Easter has become a tradition of sharing a couple of favorite Easter recipes with you. This year is no exception, as I have already been asked several times if I was going to put it in the recipe column again. Absolutely I planned to, in hopes that it will make some great memories to families who choose to prepare them.

These two recipes were always a tradition as our children were growing up, and they loved making them. The best thing is, while they are learning kitchen skills, they are also learning about the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ; the most important story on earth.

I hope these recipes add to your Easter traditions as you share quality time with your children and grandchildren.

Easter Story Resurrection Cookies

• 1 cup whole pecans
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 3 egg whites
• Pinch salt
• 1 cup sugar
• Zipper baggie
• Wooden spoon
• Tape
• Most important, "The Word of God," your Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

Read John 19:1-3. [1] Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. [2] The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe [3] and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink.

Read John 19:28-30 [28] Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." [29] A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. [30] When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.

Read John 10:10-11 [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. [11] "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 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 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup 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 Psalm 34:8 -- Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him, and...John 3:16 -- "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Isaiah 1:18 -- "Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool" ... and John 3:1-3: [1] Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. [2] He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." [3] In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Read Matthew 27: 57--60 [57] As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. [58] Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. [59] Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, [60] and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 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 [65] "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." [66] So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

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 -- I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy and John 16: 22 - So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

Read Matthew 28:1--9 [1]After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. [2] There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. [3] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. [4] The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. [5] The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. [6] He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. [7] Then go quickly and tell his disciples: `He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." [8] So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. [9] Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him.

Easter Story Resurrection Rolls

• 1 package of crescent rolls
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 8 large marshmallows
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• Holy Bible

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Open the crescent rolls and separate into triangles. Give each child a crescent triangle and explain this represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in. Read Matthew 27:57-61

Pass out a large marshmallow to each child. Explain that the marshmallow represents Jesus. Melt the butter. Have your child dip the marshmallow in the melted butter. This represents embalming Jesus Christ with the oils. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. Dip the buttered marshmallow into the cinnamon sugar. This represents the spices used to anoint the body of Christ.

Place the marshmallow in the center of the crescent roll. Fold the sides up and seal so the marshmallow is completely covered. This represents the wrapping of Jesus' body after death. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Place crescents on baking sheet and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes. The oven represents the tomb. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Now pass one roll to each child and have them open it up, reminding them that the crescent roll represents the cloth. The roll should be nearly empty; they will discover that Jesus is no longer there, He is risen! Alleluia!

Now read Matthew 28:5-8.

I hope these recipes add a little joy to your Easter plans and help to build special moments with your family. Share the most wonderful story of all while spending time together in the kitchen. Have a great week and a very blessed Easter.

Until next time, happy cooking.