My Favorite Recipes: Meet Sam Bryson

One of the best things about writing the My Favorite Recipes column is getting out into the different communities throughout Whitman County and meeting so many wonderful people. It is definitely a perk of the job and makes the community feel a little more like home with each person that I meet. Occasionally, I get to write about someone I am already familiar with and is near and dear to my heart. This week, as Christmas approaches, I have the privilege of featuring my own son. People often approach me and ask questions and are curious about the adventure that he has embarked on. If the public wouldn't mind indulging this mom, maybe writing about him will make it feel like he is a little closer to home at this time of year.

Growing up, Sam Bryson was consistently passionate about a few things. He loved music and he loved to study anything to do with law. Sam took violin lessons for nine years and enjoyed playing with the Palouse Suzuki Strings for several years, then later played with the Greater Palouse Youth Orchestra. He also enjoyed playing the bass guitar with the Colfax Jazz Band. Sam started college classes when he was 16 years old at Spokane Community College/Pullman campus, with the goal of obtaining a law degree. He is currently 19 years old.

Growing up, Sam was also always insistent that he was going to be a missionary some day. Sam still plans on pursuing that law degree, but he decided to put his education on hold and serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He submitted his paperwork, and he was willing to serve anywhere in the world. Sam was both thrilled and surprised when his call arrived to serve for two years in the Philippines at the Tacloban City mission. He was asked to learn the Cebuano language and teach the people of the Philippines about Jesus Christ, as well as doing community service for the people of the Philippines. He worked several jobs over the last year with the goal of earning $10,000 to pay for his own mission, along with the financial assistance from his family. Missionaries who serve agree to dedicate their time to teaching and serving the people in their communities. They write home each week, but only call home twice a year. One phone call on Christmas and one phone call on Mother's Day. It is a great sacrifice for both the missionary and the family they leave behind.

Sam is currently serving in an area called Basey, in eastern Samar. It is a small town, but by American standards it would be considered a jungle. He is currently without a few American luxuries, such as a shower, toilet and toilet paper, as well as many other items. It is a balmy 90 degrees and thunderstorms and rain storms are a daily occurrence. Prior to arriving in the Philippines, Sam spent six weeks of intensive study in a missionary training center beginning to learn the Cebuano language. Upon arrival in the Philippines, he found that the Cebuano language he studied was not the language that is spoken in Basey. He needed to learn a language called Waray-Waray. He also discovered that in his mission area, there are six languages that are spoken and he was encouraged to learn them all over the next two years so he could better serve the people.

Sam has always loved Christmas. He has a tradition of racing his little sister to get out the Christmas decorations and play Christmas music beginning at midnight on Halloween. The people of the Philippines love the Christmas season and begin celebrating in September, continuing until January. Children gather together with their homemade instruments and sing Christmas carols at the top of their voices. Sam is finding their love for Christmas delightful. His family looks forward with anticipation to the phone call from the Philippines that they will consider to be their best present of all.

Recipes

Kolache

Kolaches are Czech pastries made of a yeast dough and usually filled with fruit, but sometimes meat and cheese. It is a traditional dish in the Bryson home that Sam loves to make.

3 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. yeast

1 cup milk, heated

1 egg

1/4 cup butter-flavored Crisco shortening

Mix in blender or by hand until a smooth. Pinch off dough and roll into small dough ball. Slightly flatten and place a small piece of sausage, cheese and jalepeno on it. Wrap dough around the meat, cheese and jalepeno. Let it rise for 30 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Brush butter on top of baked bread and sprinkle with garlic powder. Enjoy.

Filipino sweet macaroni salad

Submitted by Fedelina Dag-uman Shaw, originally from the Philippines

3/4 lb. elbow macaroni

1 pack Lady's Choice mayonnaise, 220 ml (1 cup)

1 15 oz. can fruit cocktail

12 oz. pineapple chunks

1 14 oz. can condensed milk

3/4 cup raisins

3/4 cup kaong

3/4 cup nata de coco

6 oz. cheddar cheese, cubed

2 quarts water

Cook the macaroni by boiling water in a pot. Add the macaroni. Stir and cook for seven minutes. Drain the water and arrange macaroni in a large bowl.

Add fruit cocktail, pineapple, kaong, nata de coco, cheese and raisins. Gently mix all the ingredients.

Pour in condensed milk and then add mayonnaise. Fold until all ingredients are well blended. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least two hours.

Remove from the fridge and serve. Share and enjoy!