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Have You Entertained Angels?
"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."-Hebrews 13:2
Stress Management for the Hostess
If you're feeling notably stressed, politely excuse yourself from
your guests and find a private area such as a bathroom or bedroom. Spend a
minute or two breathing deeply and asking God to fill you with His peace. Ask
for His help in meeting the physical and emotional needs of your guests.
Remember the words of Peter, one of Jesus' apostles: "Cast all your anxiety on
him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). You'll have a renewed sense of
peace and a greater ability to minister to guests, instead of focusing on your
own insecurities.
Last Minute Hospitality
by Brenda King
The
Bible describes an exemplary
women as one who is well
known for good deeds such
as bringing up children and
showing hospitality (1
Timothy 5:9-10). Hospitality
can be in the form of
entertaining friends,
extended family, and even
strangers (Hebrews 13:2) in
the privacy of our homes.
We all love
the concept of hospitality.
The reality, however, can
be intimidating --
especially if hospitality
means unexpected or
last minute visitors for
dinner. What to do? By
following a few common sense
guidelines you can meet
the culinary needs of
unexpected guests with
poise, confidence, and ease.
Take steps to be prepared
for unexpected company.
Keep a few tasty but quick dishes in your repertoire of recipes. Choose family pleasing fare such as spaghetti and meatballs, using canned sauce and frozen meatballs; a casserole that can be assembled with simple kitchen staples and baked in less than an hour; and bean and cheese burritos made with canned refried beans, shredded cheese, and canned salsa. If all else fails, everyone likes grilled cheese sandwiches. Simple foods are often the most nutritious and the most comforting. With a loaf of fresh bread and bowls of hot, steaming soup you can feed anyone.
Keep a few tasty but quick dishes in your repertoire of recipes. Choose family pleasing fare such as spaghetti and meatballs, using canned sauce and frozen meatballs; a casserole that can be assembled with simple kitchen staples and baked in less than an hour; and bean and cheese burritos made with canned refried beans, shredded cheese, and canned salsa. If all else fails, everyone likes grilled cheese sandwiches. Simple foods are often the most nutritious and the most comforting. With a loaf of fresh bread and bowls of hot, steaming soup you can feed anyone.
The freezer
is the hostess's best
friend.
Frozen food can give you a head start for speedy meals. Keep your freezer stocked with meatballs, browned ground beef, cooked and shredded chicken, frozen bread dough, shredded cheese, uncooked ground beef formed into patties, and cubed ham. Most homemade cookies freeze well and there are countless recipes available for frozen ice cream desserts. See below for more freezer tips.
No matter what happens, maintain a positive perspective.
When you hear that knock on the door, don't fret if your home isn't immaculate or if you're only planning a simple dinner. It's not fancy food or fine china that will make a lasting impression on your guests. It's the way they feel in your home -- the way you and your family make them feel. They won't remember the toys strewn across the living room floor, the pile of dirty dishes in the sink, or the fact that they didn't receive a four course dinner. They will remember the flood of warmth and love they found within your home. They will remember the willing attitude of the hostess as she welcomed them into her kitchen.
Frozen food can give you a head start for speedy meals. Keep your freezer stocked with meatballs, browned ground beef, cooked and shredded chicken, frozen bread dough, shredded cheese, uncooked ground beef formed into patties, and cubed ham. Most homemade cookies freeze well and there are countless recipes available for frozen ice cream desserts. See below for more freezer tips.
No matter what happens, maintain a positive perspective.
When you hear that knock on the door, don't fret if your home isn't immaculate or if you're only planning a simple dinner. It's not fancy food or fine china that will make a lasting impression on your guests. It's the way they feel in your home -- the way you and your family make them feel. They won't remember the toys strewn across the living room floor, the pile of dirty dishes in the sink, or the fact that they didn't receive a four course dinner. They will remember the flood of warmth and love they found within your home. They will remember the willing attitude of the hostess as she welcomed them into her kitchen.
Freezer Tips
- Allow
hot food to cool to room
temperature before
freezing.
- Foods
with a high fat content,
such as meat and
shredded cheese, usually
freeze well.
- Make
a list of food that is
in your freezer. Store
it in an accessible
area and keep it
current.
- Avoid
freezing the following
foods. They will change
in color and texture, or
separate during the
freezing or thawing
process.
- Salads or desserts containing gelatin
- Raw salad vegetables such as radishes, lettuce, tomatoes, and carrots
- Raw eggs in their shells, or hard-cooked eggs
- Icing made with egg whites, boiled frostings, or cakes with cream fillings
- Raw potatoes or boiled white potatoes (They will blacken.)
- Instant rice (It will dissolve and become mushy. Regular cooked rice can be frozen.)
- Custard pies, cream pies, or meringue pies
Rapid Recipe
This
easy ice cream
dessert can be
made ahead of time,
then pulled out of
the freezer 15
minutes before
serving.
Frozen Peanut
Butter Pie
Chocolate Crust:
1 1/2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs, divided
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 1/2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs, divided
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
Filling /
Topping:
1 quart softened vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
1 cup Cool Whip®
1/2 cup peanuts for garnish
1 quart softened vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
1 cup Cool Whip®
1/2 cup peanuts for garnish
Instructions:
To prepare crust, set aside 1 tablespoon of wafer crumbs for garnish. Combine sugar and remaining crumbs. Add butter and stir until combined. Press into the bottom and up the sides of greased 9" pie plate. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until set. (Note: A traditional graham cracker crust can also be used in this recipe.)
To prepare crust, set aside 1 tablespoon of wafer crumbs for garnish. Combine sugar and remaining crumbs. Add butter and stir until combined. Press into the bottom and up the sides of greased 9" pie plate. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until set. (Note: A traditional graham cracker crust can also be used in this recipe.)
Combine ice cream
and peanut butter.
Fold in Cool Whip.
Pour into pie shell.
Top with reserved
crumbs and peanuts
if desired. Cover
and freeze for at
least 2 hours.
Remove from the
freezer 15 minutes
before cutting.
About the Author:
Brenda
King is the director of
PositivelyFeminine.org. She and
her husband Mike live in Ohio
and have one son. In her
spare time she enjoys reading,
writing, hiking, and working on
the computer.
About the Author:
Brenda
King is the director of
PositivelyFeminine.org. She and
her husband Mike live in Ohio
and have one son. In her
spare time she enjoys reading,
writing, hiking, and working on
the computer.