Awhile back, I was expecting out of town guests during a very busy time. I was trying to finish up a work project, make the house presentable and do mountains of laundry before they came. Priscilla called to see how I was doing and she must have heard the exasperation in my voice because she immediately said, “I’m bringing you and your guests dinner tonight.”
Period. The end. No arguments. She would not hear it.
Don’t you love friends who don’t let you argue over stuff like them bringing you dinner?
I said, “Well, then. If I can’t win, please swing by someplace like KFC and do it the easy way.”
“I’ll do it my own way, thank you very much,” she gave me that look over the phone. I know she did. “See you at 6 pm.”
She arrived with a car load of the best food you could imagine. Baked chicken that was so tender it melted in your mouth. Wild rice, ham, green beans with almonds, and the most amazing corn bread I’ve ever eaten. I know there was dessert, but the memory of the cornbread has made me forget what it was. Actually, I think I ate the cornbread for dessert, after I’d had it with my meal – it was that good.
We were so blessed by her gesture of mercy! It had to have taken all day to prepare – which was very humbling to know that a friend had given such a delicious gift of time and effort. My guests kept saying, “Now, WHO is this friend of yours? She must really love you.”
Yep. She does. And I sure felt it that day – all the way down to my toes.
I asked Priscilla for the recipes, and she is delighted to share them with you, too.
Corn Bread
*measurements are approximate
1 Box Jiffy Corn Bread
1 Egg
3/4 can Cream Corn
1 Tbs Corn Meal
1 Tbs Sugar
Milk
1 Tbs Vegetable Oil
Pre heat oven to 375. Add all dry ingredients and mix well. Then add the egg, corn and oil. Mix well. If necessary, add milk to desired consistency. Bake until golden brown and cooked through (about 20 minutes). This makes enough for 6-8 people.
CHICKEN
*This recipe is a bit messy as you have to deal with a whole chicken with your bare hands but it is pretty easy once you get the hang of it!
One Whole Chicken
Garlic Salt
Lemon Pepper
Olive Oil
Pre heat oven to 400. Clean Chicken and cut in half down the back (from back of neck down). Dry thoroughly and lay flat in a shallow baking dish with rib bones facing down. (You will have to break breast bones as you press into baking dish to get the chicken to lay flat) Pour a generous amount of olive oil on front and back and rub in with hands. Season the underside first with garlic salt and lemon pepper and rub in. Turn chicken over and repeat seasoning. Bake at 400 for 1 hour.
Do you have some favorite dishes to prepare as “gifts of mercy?” We’re often called upon to bring a meal to a new mom, or someone who is sick, and sometimes it’s hard to come up with something good. We’d love to hear your meals-on-wheels ideas AND recipes today! Just talking about this is inspiring me to prepare something for a friend in need…..
Looking forward to your ideas! Rachel
PS I loved all the “on your own” meal ideas last week! I’m well armed for the next time and can’t wait to shop for all the goodies!
