I made one of my absolute favorite recipes for supper this evening. Many of my friends know it as my Mexican Chicken recipe, because I make it often. In truth, it’s really my Mam-ma’s. It was one of my favorite meals when I was a child – and it still is one of my favorites today. Even though I know it by heart, almost every time I prepare it I drag out my copy of the Morrilton Assembly of God cookbook and turn to page 58, middle of the page. The recipe, just as Mam-ma wrote it years ago, is there for me to follow. I always smile when I get to the sixth ingredient listed – “½ of a 43 cent package of Taco Flavored Dorito”. In case you ever stumble onto this cookbook (which is not likely!) and want to prepare Mam-ma’s Mexican Chicken – let me translate that for you… The “43-cent” means the 9¾ ounce package – and it will cost you around $3.00 today.
I was only a toddler when this old cookbook was published and sold. To have one of my own, I had to run photocopies of my Mother’s cookbook – and I’m so glad I did. The recipes are treasures – and so are the names listed inside and faces they cause me to recall. Preparing this old casserole recipe brings so many precious people and wonderful memories to my mind. It connects me to people and places that I enjoy thinking about.
Cooking is like that for me. It connects me to others in a lot of different ways. Recipes that have been passed down, meals that have been enjoyed…..they all link back to people. When I make Mexican Chicken, I think of my Mam-ma. She was a driving force in my life, and I was so blessed to have her with me for my first 21 years on this earth. Mam-ma’s recipe originally required boiling and deboning a chicken – a task I’ve never really enjoyed. This past year, I purchased the Magnolia Table cookbook. Now, I follow the “Poached Chicken Breasts” recipe on page 85 – and I am grateful to Joanna Gaines and her team for the wonderful shortcut. What a great time-saver – and another connection. I also think of many great evenings when I served this dish to different guests and we spent time around the table laughing and talking.
Several weeks ago my pastor, Billy Burris, shared a brief devotional before our communion service that has really stuck with me. He talked about the significance and the intimacy of sharing a meal with others. When we eat together, bonds of friendship and/or family ties are strengthened. He talked about the importance of making meals special – of setting the table nicely, of preparing things well, of setting aside time to listen and connect. At mealtime, he said, we become vulnerable. We serve one another. We desire to share with others that which nurtures us. Bro. Burris’ message was a good one, and I have thought of it often since. Meal time is important!
Having a meal with someone is often a game changer. Acquaintances become friends. Friendships grow closer. Family ties are strengthened. Memories are made.
I remember seeing a T.V. interview with Dr. Maya Angelou many, many years ago. Oprah Winfrey was conducting the interview and she started enthusiastically talking about the fabulous meals she had eaten at Dr. Angelou’s table. Maya Angelou smiled and stated that preparing a meal for others is a very important task – because sharing a meal is a most intimate experience. She talked about the importance of every ingredient – and how she thinks carefully about her guests and what they would like. She talked about the opportunity you have to make others feel special by preparing a meal for them. I have remembered it until this day. Meals can be important events – with joy, strengthened bonds, and treasured memories as a result. People will remember the good experience!
Here’s an example. My Mother is almost famous for her tacos. (Its because they are incredible!) She has made thousands of them through the years – and people still (routinely!) ask her to prepare them. They are really, really good! In fact, several years after my Mam-ma passed away, her husband Harry (my mother’s stepfather) called to ask a favor. Would Mother be willing to drive down to North Little Rock and make tacos for him? He was getting older, he said, and he would just love to have her tacos one more time. He mentioned that he had tried to explain to his new wife how to prepare them, but they just weren’t the same.
That next weekend, I rode with Mother down to Harry’s. We carried in all the groceries and she settled in and went to work. When she got ready to fry the tacos, Harry (who usually always sat in the den watching T.V. until the food was ready) was this time sitting at the table waiting eagerly for the delicious meal he was anticipating. Mother heated the grease and dropped the first taco in to fry. The hot grease sputtered and began to sizzle loudly. I saw Harry’s face just light up. He looked at his wife beaming and said, “There! That’s it! That’s the way they always sounded!” It makes me smile now thinking about it. Those tacos brought Harry a lot of joy that day – and we all had such fun sitting at the table eating and sharing.
Meals are important.
If you would like to try Mam-ma’s Mexican Chicken, click here for the recipe: Mam-ma’s Mexican Chicken
Special family and friends make a meal very special. Thanks Lisa!
Thank you for the comment, David! Always appreciated!
I agree! Some of the memories I treasure most are times when family and/or friends have gathered together for food and fellowship. Such a blessing!
Lisa, Love to read your memories & stories…the only thing that could have made “Meals Are Important” any better would have been the recipes!!
I thought about including the recipe when I wrote the post. I had wondered if anyone might be interested. I will add it this evening! Thank you, Kim!
This is so true! I so regret that our current culture seems to have diminished eating together as a family…Your stories make me smile!
I regret that too, Kay. It is a definite loss!
Thank you for the comment! I’m so glad to know the blog posts bring a smile!
So true! Meals cooked with love and shared are so important!
They really are, Sharla! Some of my best memories are of times with family and friends gathering for food and fellowship!
Thank you for the comment!
What a beautiful tribute to the gift of preparing food for others! I think that’s why I enjoy cooking so much…it’s such an act of service and love. Also, I’ma need that poached chicken recipe from Joanna….
🙂 You are so right, Jan! Cooking is an art form – and it is definitely an act of service and love. Very special!!! Thank you for the comment!!!
Meals do make a difference. I’ve always wanted to set the table and have the food passed around like we did when I was at home. It’s something we have never done. My kids and grands need to experience it. Thanks for sharing. Brought back great memories for me!!
I am so glad you enjoyed, Tina! I agree – there is something special about those pass-around family meals. Wonderful memories are created! Thank you for the comment!
When I read this I could just see Harry setting there waiting for the tacos. He loved to eat.
No one can make tacos like your Mother. She has blessed so people with her tacos.
I still smile thinking about how excited he was that day. It’s a good memory.
And you’re right about Mother’s tacos! She loves to make them for others!
Thank you for the comment. I really appreciate it!
Lisa, I had that cookbook, apparently it was a fundraiser, I bought mine from Jeanetta Turner. A few years back I worked at the Headlight stuffing papers on Wednesdays and I gave my copy to Charlotte Hodge, I hope it brought her the joy that yours brings to you !
Thank you for sharing that, Carolyn! It’s fun hearing more connections to that cookbook. 🙂 I thought so much of both Jeanetta and Charlotte. I am so very grateful for my Conway County roots!
Thank you for sharing!!
Thank you for reading!!!
You refer to two of my favorite dishes. I love that old church cookbook, I agree no one makes tacos like your mother. They are the best!!
I love that old cookbook too, Betty. Great recipes and great people….and Mother’s tacos – delicious!!! 🙂
I really have enjoyed reading these. I could read your writings everyday. The Lords School house is about 5 houses north from where I grew up. Keep up the good work..
Thank you, Cindy! That means a lot to me! I didn’t know you grew up out by Lord’s Schoolhouse! I love that area! We always used to stop at Mrs. Ramsey’s store for black walnut ice cream when I was a little girl. 🙂
Yes!!! Mrs. Ramsey’s store. Some days I would go and help her work. We would want to walk so we would walk to her store and back. A mile and 1/2 each way.
I loved that old store! Such good memories!
What a lovely story Lisa! Family meal time is so special! I Pinned your recipe for later. Will make a great potluck addition!
Thank you for letting me know you liked the story, Nikki! I agree – family meal time is something to treasure. I hope you enjoy the recipe!!! 🙂
Enjoyed the story very much! I have several church recipe books that have so many memories with the meals because most of them are from my small community, church, family and friends. It is always a blessing to be reminded of those special times. Thank you.