Praise to the God of All Comfort!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”   (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV)

This ministry is designed to help make one day a bit easier for individuals or families who are in a crisis or emergency situation, such as returning from surgery, sudden illness, or in a bereavement situation.  The Comfort Meal Ministry will provide a simple entrée, created by caring hands from individuals of our St. Michael family. 

Careful consideration will be given to requests based on time limitations and availability.  Delivery or pickup will be arranged after discussion between the family and our ministry coordinator, Sheila Ward.

Do you wish to contribute by supporting with a cash donation? 

Do you want to volunteer as a driver, or as a support for meal coordination?

Do you want to volunteer to cook?  Do you have a heart to provide food items for church families in crisis?  Sharing our blessings with a simple entree can touch others at a time when they need it most.  This is a caring gift we can provide to remind them of God’s love for all of His family, and especially when they are hurting.  Volunteers will occasionally provide an easy or favorite entree. If you wish, we’ll also provide some tasty recipes to make for under $10.

Disposable dishes will be used.  A special pre-designed Comfort Meal Ministry card will be available for use to be attached to the dish with baking/heating instructions; or you may wish to add a personal uplifting note to the card.

If you have the desire to support this ministry in any way, please contact Comfort Meal Ministry coordinator, Sheila Ward, email wards1973@gmail.com or 239-267-4646.

Resources

Need help finding a delivery site?     http://www.mapquest.com/

Note card to be attached to entree; please click here and print, then fold in fourths to make a card.

Volunteer Chefs:

Some web link ideas for those simple, easy-on-the-budget recipes:

http://www.cooks.com/

http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/ten-meals-on-10/detail.aspx

http://www.momswhothink.com/easy-recipes/easy-recipes.html

http://www.bettycrocker.com/

http://www.easycookrecipes.com/

Vegetarian sites:

http://www.cooks.com/rec/search?q=vegetarian

Heart Healthy sites (low sodium, low fat)

http://www.cooks.com/rec/search?q=heart+healthy

Examples of suitable dishes to prepare

Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie (Bisquick)

• 1 pound ground beef

• chopped onion to taste
• 1/2 teas salt
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4oz)
• 1/2 cup Bisquick
• 1 Cup Milk
• 2 eggs

1.  Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Grease pie plate.  Cook beef and onion in skillet over med heat til browndrain.  Spread in pie plate, sprinkle with cheese and salt.

2.  Stir remaining ingredients till blended.  Pour over ingredients in pie plate

3.  Bake 25 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Let stand 5 min until serving.

Tator Tot Hot Dish

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 8-10oz. pkg frozen mixed vegetables — or any vegetable of choice
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can cream of celery soup
• 1 16oz. pkg. frozen tater tots

Brown the ground beef, onion and garlic; drain. Combine vegetables, and soups. Put in an 8x11-inch baking dish (approximately) or other casserole dish. Top with tater tots and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. Tots should be crispy.

 Easy Mexicali Dinner

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1/2 c. chopped onion
• 6 oz. (3 c.) med. noodles, cooked & drained
• 1 (1 lb.) can tomatoes
• 1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
• 1 1/2 c. shredded sharp cheese
• 1/2 c. sliced black olives
• Salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp. dried basil (crushed)
• 1/8 tsp. pepper
• Oil for frying

Cook meat and onion in large skillet until onion is tender. Stir in noodles, tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 cup of cheese, olives, and seasonings. Turn into a 2- quart casserole. Top with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until hot.  Makes 6 servings.

Stroganoff Style Chicken

• 2 Tbl. vegetable oil
• 1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 2 c. sliced mushrooms (about 6 oz.)
• 1 med. onion, chopped (about 1/2 c.)
• 1 can Campbell's Healthy Request Cream of Chicken Soup
• 1/2 c. plain nonfat yogurt
• 1/4 c. water
• 4 c. cooked egg noodles (about 3 c. uncooked)
• Paprika

In medium skillet over medium-high heat, heat half the oil.  Add chicken in 2 batches and cook until browned, stirring often.  Remove chicken from pan and set aside. Reduce heat to medium.  Add remaining oil to pan.  Add mushrooms and onion and cook until tender.    Add soup, yogurt, and water.  Heat to a boil.  Return chicken to pan and heat through.  Serve over noodles.  Sprinkle with paprika.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

• 1 Tbl. vegetable oil
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into pieces
• 2 c. corn
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 can tomatoes w/ green chiles, undrained
• 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 jalapeno
• 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can chicken broth (or chicken stock)
• Tortilla chips

Heat oil in a 3 qt saucepan over medium-high heat until hot.  Add chicken, cook and stir about 5 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.  Add remaining ingredients, except tortilla chips.  Heat to boiling.  Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Sprinkle with tortilla chips.

**This soup can be spicy, so for a less spicy version, omit the cayenne pepper, and only put in a small amount of jalapeno.**