Last Thursday evening, Jim and I had dinner with 45, give or take, of the nicest women.
The occasion was a Women’s Ministry meeting of First Baptist Church of Willow Park. My neighbor, Susan Mutina, had invited us to attend and told me I would have a chance to pick up some good recipes from the Baptist women. My grandfather always said, “if you want some good food, Baptist women are the best cooks.” He may have said that because my grandmother was a Baptist and could literally make anything taste delicious. He knew which side his bread was buttered!
Jim grabbed his camera and I put my notebook in my purse and off we went to Willow Park.
We got there early enough so that Jim could check out the food while I talked to the women. The tables were beautifully decorated by the ladies. They used colorful spring flowers and angels were on the tables with candles. Two items caught our eyes. There were two beautiful quilts on display. One was made by Debbie Murray and the other was made by her mother, Fern. The stitches were even and you could see the love that went into the sewing of these quilts.
The menu was a simple one but a good one. There was homemade chicken salad, green salads, banana and pumpkin bread with cream cheese and three kinds of pastry tarts. The food was put on the table and the women helped themselves to the food.
Debbie Murray shared her recipe for banana bread and Karen Hannah had made old-fashioned pumpkin bread. The breads were moist and full flavored. After baking, they had spread one piece of bread with cream cheese and covered it with a second piece. It made for a simple, quick sandwich.
Banana Bread
2 cups sugar
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 teaspoon soda
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup oil
4 bananas, mashed well
1 cup coconut
1 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 cup buttermilk
Mix all dry ingredients. Add beaten eggs, oil and vanilla. Mix, then add buttermilk and remaining ingredients. Pour into greased and floured loaf pans or 1 tube cake pan. Bake at 325 degrees for approximately 1 hour. Don’t overcook. Test with toothpick for doneness.
Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Bread
3 cups sugar
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoon soda
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup pecans, chopped
1 cup salad oil
4 eggs, beaten
1 No. 303 can pumpkin or 2 1/2-3 cups fresh pumpkin (in season)
2/3 cups water
Sift sugar, flour, soda and salt and spices into large mixing bowl. Make well in the center, add nuts, oil, eggs, 2/3 cup water and pumpkin. Blend well, pour into large greased and floured angel food cake pan or two-three small loaf pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour 10 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
I met so many women that night by the end of the evening names were circling around inside my head. I believe it was Judy Sims who was in charge of the chicken salad. If I’m wrong, forgive me, please ….
Chicken Salad
2-3 large chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
1 cup celery, chopped
1 apple, peeled and chopped
3/4 cup sweet pickle relish
1 cup seedless grapes
3/4 dried cranberries
1 cup pecans, chopped
Miracle Whip, light
These ingredients can be mixed any way that suites you. Taste can be your guide as to amounts. If there are ingredients you don’t like, omit them. It’s as easy as that.
The chicken salad was moist and delicious. It had the crunch of the pecans and celery and the sweetness of the other ingredients. The salad on a cracker or fancy bread made for an elegant sandwich.
After eating, the group was entertained by Dale Pilcher, who not only played the harp but he made the harp he played. The harp had a good tone. I kept expecting to see angels float through. He plays his own music and is currently incorporating his music with a book he is writing.
His music was enjoyed by all. Tish Smith and Patricia Harder kept the program moving along nicely. Tish explained the purpose of the Women’s Ministry is to promote godliness in the women of the church through bible studies and to offer encouragement to others to become a part of the church’s activities and teachings.
Jim and I were welcomed by all the women and we enjoyed ourselves immensely.
Next week, I will be telling you about the delicious tarts the women made and served. So don’t miss next week. You’ll be sorry if you miss the recipes.
All in all, it was a good Thursday night.
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Janis may be reached at: HYPERLINK “mailto:jks4417@aol.com” jks4417@aol.com
