Welcome friends to the Cranford kitchen!
This week we will focus on how to serve with families in providing meals for mission.
Before providing a meal, I like to step back and consider the meals that are my favorite to eat and create. My favorite meals are at home with my family at the table. These meals include favorite dishes and authentic conversation. I apply these same principles in mission. The meals I prefer to provide to neighbors in need use the same ingredients and recipes I prepare for my family and friends.
Over this past year, our family has provided meals for a local shelter. Whenever there was a need, we saw the request as an opportunity to serve. Sometimes we served several meals in a row so the 'ole saying “many hands make light work” was put into practice. Discover a simple way our family serves together to create meals for mission.
This week, each person in our family used their individual gifts to make two homemade meals for our neighbors without a home. My husband boiled 160 eggs which provided an excellent source of protein. Whenever I boil a few eggs, the egg shells always seem to crack. However, Reed has a great recipe. Out of 160 eggs only one shell cracked.
For the first day of meals, I baked banana and pumpkin bread. Then, I sliced the loaves of bread into large portions for each guest.
The second day, my oldest daughter made delicious blueberry muffins, which provided a serving of fruit and a little sweet to start the day.
My youngest daughter provided inspirational messages in the breakfast bags.
Water bottles were added and the meals were delivered.
I have found the best meals to serve in mission are the meals that come from the heart. We provide these meals to our family and friends, and likewise when a need arises, these are the best meals to provide to our neighbors in need.
Are these meals perfect and stress free? Absolutely not.
Similar to the frustrations of shopping for your family, there are frustrations in preparing or serving the meal to neighbors. When I went shopping for the ingredients, I had to go to three stores rather than just one store. When I asked my family members to help, I received a few rolled eyes and sighs of regret.
Yes, there are frustrations in serving, however the benefits far out weigh the frustrations.
While preparing and packaging the food in the home, there is time to pray for the neighbors in need and for those who are serving alongside you in the kitchen.
While delivering the food, connections are made with staff and guests.
While spending time with family, a shared experience brings us closer together rather than further apart.
The next time a request occurs to prepare food for those in need, pray about a favorite meal you and your family can provide.
Watch how God leads you to use a favorite recipe from your grandmother or while shopping you notice all the needed items are on sale.
God’s provisions go before us, may we be ready and willing to answer the call.
Take a simple step this weekend with your family, by providing a meal to a neighbor in need. Take care and blessings to you this day.
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Reed's recipe for boiling eggs "crack free."
Place eggs in stock pot with cold water.
Slowly bring water to a boil.
Once the water boils, add ice to stop the boiling water
Bring water to a boil again and set a timer for 9 minutes.
Drain water and enjoy!
Grandmama's Banana Bread Recipe
Oven Temperature - 350 degrees
Baking time - 50-60 minutes
Ingredients
1 stick of margarine
1 cup of sugar
2 eggs
2 c. self-rising flour
1 tsp. vanilla
2-3 ripe bananas
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Cream margarine and sugar together in bowl. Slowly add eggs, flour and other ingredients. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Slice and enjoy.
River's Blueberry Muffins Recipe
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1 cup blueberries (frozen or fresh)
Combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder. Then add oil and egg. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top, sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.
Crumb Topping:
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup butter cubed
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Mix together ingredients with fork and sprinkle over muffin batter before baking. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated over, or until done.