The Galactic Kitchen was established as part of the Galactic Enterprise to allow everyone to share recipes and inspirational thoughts. When we share ideas, people come together in friendship.

 Sharing recipes brings us together as we get a taste of another culture, and that bring us another step closer to becoming true brothers and sisters.

You can find lessons in life everywhere, if your willing to look. You can gain wisdom from the wind as it blows through the leaves of a tree, or in a question from a child. How much knowledge has passed us by because we weren't looking for it in our hurry to do something or to be somewhere? Move fast, but do not hurry. Take time to ponder life daily. Learn to look for all the little lessons in life. Do this and you will be surprised at all the wisdom and knowledge you can find.

STEAK SAUCE OVER RICE

1.15 lb. Round Steak 1 small Onion

1 14 oz. bottle of Ketchup 3/4 cup of hot water

1 small can of mushrooms 2 Tbs. of Cornstarch

7 Tbs. of Soy Sauce 2 Tbs. of hot water

2 tsp. of Sugar

Chop onion into small pieces. Cut steak into small pieces. Brown meat. Add mushrooms, onions, ketchup, sugar, and soy sauce. Add 3/4 cup of water to make it soupy. Dissolve cornstarch in 2 Tbs. of hot water, stir into sauce. Simmer for 1/2 hour. Serve over rice.

Tips and Variations:

Add more mushrooms if you like them.

A good dream does little good if that is all it is, a dream. A good plan does nothing if all it does is sit on the drawing table. Action by itself is of little consequence and wanders aimlessly about. But, put them all together, and the dream becomes, a plan, which in turn gives, action, a direction to go. If the dream is good, then things get built and the accomplishments of man takes another step forward.

CAMPFIRE CORN

Corn with husks

Butter or margarine

Salt and pepper

Carefully peal back the corn husks taking care not to detach the husk from the corn. Remove the corn silk. Fold the husks back over the corn and place them in a bucket of water. Soak the corn overnight.

Remove the corn from the bucket of water. Carefully peal back the husks from the corn once again. Butter the corn generously on all sides. Add salt and pepper according to your taste. Fold the husks back around the corn and wrap in aluminum foil.

Place around the edge of the campfire. Turn often. Cook for 30 min. or more. Do not worry about over cooking the corn; the husks help keep the corn from burning.

Always share with others. There may come a time when you will need others to share with you.

NEIMAN MARCUS CHOCOLATE COOKIES

Ingredients

•1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

•1 cup brown sugar

•3 tablespoons granulated sugar

•1 egg

•2 teaspoons vanilla extract

•1/2 teaspoon baking soda

•1/2 teaspoon baking powder

•1/2 teaspoon salt

•1-3/4 cups flour

•1-1/2 teaspoons instant espresso powder, slightly crushed

•8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Cream the butter with the sugars until fluffy.

2. Beat in the egg and the vanilla extract.

3. Combine the dry ingredients and beat into the butter mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips.

4. Drop by large spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes, or 10 to 12 minutes for a crispier cookie. Makes 12 to 15 large cookies.

PINTO BEANS AND RICE SOFT TACOS

  The pinto beans and rice replace the traditional taco meat

  Makes six to eight servings.

 Ingredients:

  1 cup cooked brown rice

  1 1/2 cups cooked pinto beans, warmed

  6 to 8 small flour tortillas, warmed per package instructions

  shredded cheddar cheese

  your favorite taco toppings, such as salsa, avocado, diced tomatoes, diced onions, etc.

 Directions:

  Layer the rice, beans, cheese, and toppings on the flour tortilla and serve.

MEAT LOAF

  Total:1 hr 25 min

  Cook: 1 hr 25 min

  Yield: 6 servings

 Ingredients:

  2 cups chopped yellow onions (3 onions)

  1 cup of shredded carrots

  1 cup chopped bell peppers

  2 teaspoons kosher salt

  1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, or ketchup, or BBQ sauce

  1 tablespoon tomato paste

  2 1/2 pounds ground chuck (81 percent lean)

  1/2 cup oats or instant rice

  2 extra-large eggs, beaten

  1/2 cup ketchup

 Directions:

  Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

  In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, the onions, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, oats, and eggs, and mix together thoroughly. Don't mash or the meat loaf will be dense. Shape the mixture into a rectangular loaf in a square cake pan covered with parchment paper. Add a little water to the pan. Spread the ketchup evenly on top during the last 30 minutes. Bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, until the internal temperature is 160 degrees F and the meat loaf is cooked through. (Don't let the water boil out.) Serve hot.

CHEESE CAKE TARTS

Blend 1lb. cream cheese, 2  eggs, and 3/4 cup sugar, until creamy.  Pour into Graham Cracker tart crusts.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes. Chill overnight. Top with fruit  flavor before serving.