NO MORE CATERING!!

I recently learned a hard lesson.  At least, I think I have!!  You see, since I was a teen, I have been drawn to hospitality related events.  I love the planning & preparing even more than the actual event itself.   I really feel hospitality is my Spiritual gift.

Now for years, I seemed to equate “hospitality” with big events….weddings, banquets, school fundraisers.  When these things weren’t on the calendar, we entertained in our home, often having 20 or more folks in for dinner.

Recently, I took on an event for a friend.  I jokingly told her she is now an “ex-friend.”            ( Just kidding, Vicki)

In reality, I did feel God’s stamp of approval to do this event, & thankfully, it all turned out well.  BUT, what used to be so enjoyable, & come together so easily, NOW is burdensome.  I was still trying to get my life & house back in some semblance of order over a week later.

Ecclesiastes tells us to everything there is a season.  It has been hard for me to accept, but perhaps this season of big event planning & implementing is over for me.  It is hard giving up the thing that I felt sort of defined me in others eyes, but the frustrations & physical energy expended far outweighed the pleasure. 

I won’t quit being hospitable.  It is who God made me to be.  BUT, I will refine this area of my life.  Actually, I already have.  My dinner parties usually include just one or two friends.  I make soup & take a jar to some folks at work or church who appreciate my efforts.  I wrap up a couple of cookies with a short & sweet note.

Hospitality is simply sharing what you have.  Jesus blesses even a cup of cold water given in His name.  Here is one of the recipes I made for the aforementioned event.  It is a soft homemade roll wrapped around a cheeseburger filling.  

CHEESEBURGER BUNS
(A soft roll filled with cheeseburger flavor)
5 tsp. rapid rise yeast                                 1 egg
1/2 c. warm water (110°-115°)                    1/4 c. shortening
3/4 c. warm milk (110°-115°)                     1 tsp. salt
1/4 c. sugar                                                3-4 c. all purpose flour
In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk, sugar, egg, shortening, and
salt plus 2 cups flour. Beat with mixer until smooth.

 By hand, stir in enough flour to make a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 4-6 minutes. Placed in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. 

Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.

Cheeseburger filling
1-1/2 lbs. ground beef ,browned anddrained             1/3 c. ketchup
8 slices American cheese
1/4 c. onion, chopped


In a skillet, cook beef and onion; drain well. Add ketchup and allow to cool a bit.


Punch down dough and divide into 16 pieces. On a lightly floured surface, gently roll
out dough into 5" circle.

Fold cheese slices in half and then again, to make 4 pieces.

Place 2 pieces on center of dough, then add 3 T. of beef mixture. Bring dough edges
to center; pinch edges to seal. Place pinched edge side down on a greased baking
sheet. 

Spray with butter flavor non-stick spray, cover with clean cloth and let rise until
doubled, about 20 minutes. 

Bake @ 400° for 8-12 minutes or until golden brown.  Brush hot rolls with melted butter as soon as they are removed from oven. Yield:16  sandwiches


Note: Please try this recipe. Kids and adults just love it! A trick for determining if
dough has doubled is to put it in a clear plastic container with high sides sprayed with
nonstick spray. Put a rubber band around the container at the level of the dough.

When the dough is twice as high as the rubber band, it has doubled in size.

Confectionately Yours,

Sue