The River Goes On

“Woman can change better’n a man. Man lives in jerks–baby born, or somebody dies, that’s a jerk–gets a farm, or loses one, an’ that’s a jerk. With a woman it’s all one flow, like a stream, little eddies, little waterfalls, but the river it goes right on. Woman looks at it like that.” ~Speech of Ma Joad in Grapes of Wrath

As our school community deals with the loss suffered by two of our teachers when their son/stepson was killed in a vehicle accident in Tacoma Saturday night we are doing the things that people, especially women, do when there’s a death or illness. We cook. We know that grieving families don’t need to be cooking, but need food regardless of what they think. Our sunshine committee at school is organizing meals-in-wheels. The year I was in the hospital for ten days with pneumonia and off from work for a month, the staff at my school kept Dave and the children from starving. It’s only right that I give back.

Previously I posted my Aunt Sandra’s Quick Chicken recipe, but I’m including it again because it’s what I’m making for our neighbors. It’s strictly comfort food and if there ever is a time that people need comfort and comfort food it’s when there’s been a death in the family.

Aunt Sandra’s QUICK CHICKEN DISH
1. 2 or 3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2. a pkg. of sliced Swiss cheese (preferably lowfat)
3. a can of mushroom soup
4. 1/4 cup white wine
5. 1 box StoveTop Stuffing (chicken flavor
6. 1/4 cup melted butter

Spray a 9 x 13 pan. Heat oven to 325. Slice chicken lengthwise and cover the bottom of the dish with raw slices of chicken. Cover the chicken with slices of Swiss cheese. Combine soup and wine and pour over all. Add the melted butter to Stuffing to moisten Stuffing. Sprinkle on top of dish. Bake for 1/2 hour uncovered. It can be left in the oven longer. Can also be assembled ahead and refrigerated until baking (same day).