Cook 2 cups of elbow macaroni in boiling salted water till tender; drain.  In saucepan, melt 3 TBS butter; blend in 2 TBS all purpose flour, 1/2 tsp salt, and dash pepper.

Add 2 cups milk; cook and still till thick and bubbly.  Add 1/4 cup finely chopped onion and 8 ounces cheddar cheese or mixed cheeses, cubed.  (This is the secret... we use only really good flavorful cheeses). Stir till melted.
Mix cheese sauce with macaroni. Turn into 1 1/2 quart casserole.  Sprinkle 1 sliced tomat

Put all the following ingredients in a blender:

1/3 cup mayo
2/3 cups plain yogurt
2 TBS Olive Oil
1 TBS Lemon Juice with a splash of cider vinegar
1 smashed or cut clove of garlic
1 medium handful of chives or green onions (about 3 medium size with the white bulb)
1 handful of fresh basil leaves
1 handful parsley without the stems
1/2 tsp salt

Blend on medium - taste and adjust herbs and seasoning.

“The way is humility, the goal is truth.  The first is the labor, the second the reward” (p.29).  These evocative words of St. Bernard from his treatise, The Steps of Humility and Pride, offer us a picture of what the monastic is to be about in the ‘school of the Lord’s service’.  Encompassing the learning and the labor involved in this daily walk of humility and t

Adapted from 'Spinach Rice Casserole' in Mollie Katzen's Moosewood Cookbook,  1977, published by Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, CA


This casserole takes about 1 1/4 hour to prepare and serves 6 +.

Prepare ahead of time:  2 cups raw brown rice cooked in 4 cups of water

2 pounds raw, chopped chard
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
2 or more cloves of garlic.  (We always use more)
3 TBS butter
4 beaten eggs
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella or che

This recipe is from Twelve Months of Monastery Soups by Br. Victor-Antoine d'Avila-Latourette, 1996,  Triumph Books, Liguori, Missouri.

Served at Redwoods for Supper at Guest House Opening evening and several guests asked for the recipe.  Enjoy!

Makes 6 servingsIngredients
1 pound dry white beans
12 cups water
2 onions
2 carrots
2 leeks
1 celery stalk
some garden greens (spinach, chard)
4 cloves garlic
6 TBS olive oil
2 bouillon cubes (we