You Don't Have to Cook to Serve

Hooray for the first Dish & Serve post I have been involved with! This is Cami, and I am very excited about helping to get Dish & Serve posts happening regularly. Please let me know if you would like to participate in this wonderful experience: dish.n.serve@gmail.com



I have found that almost all of us do this already, what Dish & Serve is all about I mean. We make cookies and take them to friends, we make dinner for someone who just had a baby (I did this yesterday!) or make fresh bread and deliver to someone having a hard time. But not everyone enjoys cooking or baking, and there is a good option for those who aren't so enthusiastic about having someone else try their food creation.

My good friend, Becky, shared this experience for Dish & Serve:

    The other day I was called by a friend from church and asked to bring dinner to another lady from church whom we both had never met because she hasn't attended in a while. Her brother just passed away unexpectedly and her mind has been so preoccupied that she could use some meals for her family to give her one less thing to worry about. Well my week was pretty swamped and I wasn't sure when I'd have time or what I would make as I don't cook much (for good reason)! However I guess felt obligated to say yes. I should have been more willing because it was such a sweet experience.

    Since I'm not a great cook and didn't have time to go to the grocery store, I decided I would just order her family some Chinese food. Who doesn't love take out for free? When I arrived, this woman was so sweet. She invited me into her home and introduced me to her son and told me what was going on in her family and spent some time getting to know me as well. Although I didn't stay long, I expected to just drop off the food and leave so it was a pleasant surprise. She was just so welcoming and when I left I felt inclined to give her a hug so I did and she willingly received it. It really made my day to visit this woman I had never met and it reminded me what a sweet experience it is to serve!

Becky didn't mention here that she just had a baby 2 months ago! It's not like she has a lot of time on her hands, so this shows that even when we are busy, there is always a way to help others and take the focus off ourselves. Thank you Becky for sharing this experience!

Here is a wonderful recipe I made yesterday and delivered to our friends that just had a baby boy. I am almost 8 months pregnant myself so I am not up for standing in the kitchen for hours, which is why I love my Crock-pot. This comes from the Taste of Home cookbook, but can also be found on their website, click on recipe title to go directly to webpage. 

                                                     Fiesta Chicken Burritos

8 Servings

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 can (15-1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• Dash cayenne pepper
• Dash crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese, cubed
• 8 flour tortillas (8 inches), warmed
• Optional toppings: Daisy Brand Sour Cream, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes

Directions

• Place chicken in a greased 4-qt. slow cooker. In a large bowl,
• combine the corn, beans, tomatoes, jalapeno and seasonings; pour
• over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until chicken
• is tender.
• Remove chicken; cool slightly. Shred meat with two forks and return
• to the slow cooker. Stir in cream cheese. Cover and cook 15 minutes
• longer or until heated through.
• Spoon 3/4 cup chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla; add toppings

Hope you enjoyed my first post!

- Cami