For years, my son kept a little card on his bulletin board. It was a list of sayings that were allegedly copied from the humble lodgings of Mother Teresa. It reminds us to always love and push ourselves despite what is going on in the world around us.
Mother Teresa’s card included these:
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you. Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight. Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway.
With all humility and honor to the good Mother, I have put together another list of excuses we face, but my list is about entertaining and hosting friends and family. We have real excuses and reasons not to host events but we just need to do it.
My house is a mess. Host anyway.
I have no idea what to serve and I cannot cook. Host anyway.
We are too busy and SO tired. Host anyway.
I do not know my neighbors and what if they do not like us. Host anyway.
It is too hot. Host anyway.
It is too cold. Host anyway.
What if it rains? Where will everyone sit? Host anyway.
Groceries are so expensive. Host anyway.
Entertaining is so much trouble with allergies and food preferences. Host anyway.
My things are not nice enough and my house is not big enough. Host anyway.
Without a doubt, loneliness, depression, and mental health concerns are on the rise. People need other people and we need to gather and share real conversations. Stop your normal routine and simply host a gathering - a family dinner, a cocktail hour, a lunch after church, a brunch or breakfast for a new acquaintance. It does not need to be complicated, expensive, or fancy. I promise, your guests will enjoy it anyway.
The menu described below is NOT the fanciest or most impressive menu you will ever see. But I will let you in on a little secret. Entertaining is not really about the food, decorations, your house or how clean it is; it is about the people. It is about kindness and friendship. It is about hosting people and showing love.
Do not make it complicated, do not make it fancy, and do not deep clean your house before the party. Yes, pick up things and everything will be just fine. It will take a little effort but plan a simple menu and start with just a couple of friends.
Love anyway. Host anyway.
“Company” Meatloaf
I have never thought of meatloaf as a party food. It is just good, weeknight home cooking. However, this meatloaf is Paul Prudhomme’s recipe and it is worthy of a celebration or any fine dinner party. It is fantastic and to me the best meatloaf recipe around.
Cajun seasoning mix:
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper or red pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Mix all and set aside
For the Meatloaf:
4 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon hot sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup ketchup
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1/2-pound ground pork
2 eggs
1 cup fine breadcrumbs (or oatmeal if you want it gluten free, insuring you get a brand that it has not had any cross contamination with gluten)
In a large sauté pan, melt butter and add onions, celery, bell peppers, green onions, garlic, Tabasco, Worcestershire, and seasoning mix. Sauté until mixture has cooked down or for about five minutes, stirring occasionally and scraping the bottom of the pan. Add milk and ketchup and continue cooking for two additional minutes stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, remove bay leaves, and allow mixture to cool to room temperature
Combine beef, pork, eggs, breadcrumbs or oatmeal, and cooled vegetable mixture. Mix until thoroughly combined. Shape mixture into a loaf shape or use a loaf pan. Bake uncovered in 350° for 25 minutes. Raise the heat to 400 and continue to cook until done, about 35 minutes longer.
Whipped Mashed Potatoes
6 large baking potatoes, cleaned, peeled, and cut into 1-inch pieces
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup milk
Salt and pepper to taste
Boil the potatoes in salted water for about 15 minutes until potatoes are fork tender. Drain and return the potatoes to the pan. Add butter and about 1 cup of milk to the hot potatoes. Using a mixer or electric beaters, whip the potatoes until light and fluffy adding additional milk if necessary. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Lizzy’s Green Beans
One useful aspect of this bean recipe is that you can easily half the recipe or double or triple it. It is easy to adjust.
1 large bag frozen, whole green beans
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup soy sauce (can use lite)
1/2 stick melted butter
Put all ingredients in a baking dish, cover and cook for 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Crunchy Romaine Toss
I cannot imagine the number of times I have made this salad. It is always a hit and I love the sweet and sour dressing. My father is diabetic and often times I will make the dressing using a sugar substitute, such as Splenda.
For the dressing, mix:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Blend all ingredients making sure that the sugar is completely dissolved.
For the salad:
1 cup walnuts, chopped (I have used every kind of nut)
1 package Ramen noodles, uncooked, crushed or broken up with the flavor packet discarded
4 tablespoons butter
1 bunch broccoli, coarsely chopped into small pieces
1 head Romaine lettuce, washed and torn into small pieces
4 green onions, chopped
Brown walnuts and Ramen noodles in butter, cool on a paper towel. Mix noodles and walnuts with broccoli, lettuce, and onions. Toss with salad dressing.
Key Lime Pie
This pie is simple and delicious and needs to be prepared ahead of time. If time is short, purchase a graham cracker crust and can of whipped cream to top it.
For the crust:
About 14 graham crackers or 1 1/2 packages
8 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon of sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
For the filling:
4 large egg yolks
1 -14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons finely grated lime zest, plus more for garnish
3/4 cup fresh lime juice, key lime juice if available.
A pinch of kosher salt
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup Greek yogurt, not low fat
Preheat oven to 325°. Crush graham crackers in a bowl of a food processor or on the countertop until course ground. Add the melted butter, the sugar, and salt, and pulse until blended. The mixture should resemble wet sand.
Transfer crushed cracker mixture to a nine-inch pie dish and using your fingers or a flat measuring cup, press mixture evenly into the bottom sides of the dish. Bake until it is set or for about 12 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
To make the filling:
Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the egg yolks and condensed milk until mixture is pale and almost doubled in volume, or about five minutes. Whisk in two teaspoons of the lime zest, lime juice, and the salt. Pour mixture over the cooled crust and bake until filling set and begins to puff around the edges or for about 15 to 20 minutes. Allow mixture to cool completely.
When ready to serve, whip the heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Gently whisk in yogurt until completely mixed. Top whipped cream mixture on a cool pie creating peaks. Garnish with additional lime zest.
Store in the refrigerator until ready to use and serve cold.
You can even make the meatloaf in the crockpot and prepare the mashed potatoes ahead of time and pop them in the oven. Also, consider a simple cheese cake for dessert. All these can be made ahead and ready to serve after work. Host anyway.
Lisa can be contacted at LisaIreland2013@gmail.com .
