{Be Nourished} Pumpkin Souffle & Traditions

As we held our tea mugs and talked about the week past and the week to come, it came up… the tradition that has become unwanted. We shared our hearts about some of the dreaded family gatherings, and the anxiety towards those we are not too eager to see. Because that is what we do on a weekly basis, we get real with each other. We talked about the labels we stick on others and the judgments we can dangerously hold on to. And the irony that some of us would give anything to be able to gather with our families, and some of us would give anything to not have to.

And I shared how much I love traditions, how I miss many of them. How I am all for traditions, but for many years went through the motions and they became something I had to do rather than what I wanted to do. How they slowly became more about the decorations, the menu, the gift list, and while trying to get it all perfect I missed the real meaning. How they sort of scare me because they can put our hearts in “auto mode” and as we navigate through the same old, we overlook anew significance.

We hold on to traditions, we set a date in the calendar, but we miss the people behind them.
We hold on to feelings and to grudges, but miss the chance to minister.

We hold on to comforts, we get set on our ways, but forget He has already made a way.

A way through love, that requires we do nothing but.

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

As we head into a season of traditions, as we rekindle old ones and embark on new ones, we lovingly challenged each other…

To go beyond the habit and be intentional about the action.

To go beyond the scheduling and the planning, and meet others right where they are at.

To go beyond bringing up Christ during prayer at the table, and bring a Christ-like identity to the table.

“Love does not dishonor others. The way we treat the people we disagree with the most, is a report card on our faith.” Bob Goff

All about improving traditions this year… Even pumpkin pie.

Pumpkin Souffle with Goat Cheese & Hazelnut Streusel

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In a med bowl, beat together the  6 large eggs, 1/2 cup greek yogurt and  1/4 cup sugar, then add 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted melted butter and 1/2 cup coconut milk and continue to beat until mixed.
3. Then add 1 15 oz (1 can) pumpkin puree and 1 tsp of pumpkin pie spice and mix thoroughly.  
4. Pour into a 8″ x 8″ oven-to-table dish and bake for 35-40 minutes.
5. While the souffle is baking make the streusel… Mix 1/2 cup all purpose unbleached flour, 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts, 1/3 cup light brown sugar, 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice and 1/2 tsp salt in a medium bowl until evenly mixed. Add 4 TBSP unsalted butter {at room temp cut in pieces} and mix in with fingertips until small moist clumps form. 
6. Spread mixture on rimmed baking sheet and once your souffle is ready, pop it in the oven and bake for about 5 minutes. Stir, then continue baking for about 5 minutes longer until golden brown.
7. Once ready, let streusel mixture cool completely until it becomes crispy and cools then combine with 8 oz crumbled goat cheese {make sure you buy it crumbled already, crumbling whole goat cheese is really difficult}.
8. By the time you are done making the streusel, your souffle should be cool enough and you can top it with the streusel and optionally pop under a low broil for about 3 minutes.  Please be careful if you decide to broil, it will burn quickly.  
9. Let settle for about 1 hour before serving.