We Give Comfort With Our Hearts (Food Know-It-All)

I was actually doing a post about the stereotype of the Chinese & the consumption of dog but my neighbor from across the street died (RIP Boomhauer of Mars Hall) . I decided to change my focus to Funeral Repast food.

A funeral repast are the reception after a funeral. The funeral feast or repast was part of both ancient Egyptian and Roman funeral traditions. Even humans living back 12,000 years ago had funeral feasts. Repasts include a meal, which can be provided by the family or

family friends, church members, or neighbors bring a dish for all to share. The repast can be either at the home of one of the family members, at the deceased person's church or at the location of the funeral service.

Why? For the person making the meal, it’s an honest and expression of sympathy. In this busy world, taking the time to buy ingredients and prepare a meal means a lot. To the person receiving the meal it’s not only a touching gift, it also gives them one less worry during that stressful time.

I remember making my first repast meal. There was a caring feeling in making that lasagna & simple salad for the bereaved family. Plus, I knew the deceased. So, the memories hugged me as I prepared the meal as well. That has to be one ingredients in the recipe of love that folks put in those dishes.

On the other side, it is a big help. I had just taken on the chore of making my family's meals when my grandfather passed away. The fact people bring food is good. Then I paid attention to what was brought. Somebody brought KFC because they knew that was my grandmother's favorite. People brought breakfast for the morning of the services. Most people don't eat breakfast for their own health. I was prepared for dinners for days but not breakfast. In those bags, I heard love messages for my family's strength.

No matter what you bring to a grieving family, make sure you bring love. Love is the most comforting thing or ingredient needed. The "grief buffet" better have love or it won't taste good.

Alright, here is one of my favorite dishes to make. I don't know how to make it without love. It is my Lemon Pepper Roasted Chicken. The answer to "Is the chicken fried or baked", it is baked. LoL That's an insider. And it is a nice dish to bring to a repast.

Lemon Pepper Roasted Chicken
Ingredients

• 1 whole broiler/fryer chicken (3-1/2 pounds)
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt-free lemon-pepper seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt-free Italian seasoning
• 1 medium lemon, halved

Directions

1. Loosen skin around chicken breast, leg and thigh. 
2. Combine the seasonings; rub half under skin. 
3. Cut half of the lemon into quarters and place in the cavity along with rosemary sprigs. 
4. Skewer openings; tie drumsticks together with kitchen string.
5. Place chicken breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan. 
6. Squeeze the remaining lemon over chicken; rub with remaining spice mixture. 
7. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until chicken juices run clear and a meat thermometer reads 180° (cover loosely with foil if browning too quickly). 
8. Cover and let stand for 15 minutes. Remove and discard skin, and discard lemon and herbs from cavity before carving.

In the show Queen Sugar, there is a line that help sum up my feelings about repast food & festivities. "We give comfort with our hands". We prepare these meal with our hands. We buy the ingredients with our hands. We pick up the food orders with our hands. We bring the food to the bereaved with our hands. Now, trace your hands to your heart. So yes, we give comfort with our hearts.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms