31 Days of Life Around the Table
The table. Almost every home has one in some shape or form. A fancy dining set with matching chairs, a square card table with metal folding chairs, a glass-topped round one or one from Ikea with mismatched chairs surrounding it. They come in all shapes and sizes and are found everywhere and something about this piece of furniture fascinates me. In many families the table is the centerpoint of life. Sure, meals are partaken here but so much more happens around a table. Homework and school projects, play dough and water colors, board games with friends, cookie decorating at Christmas time and pumpkin carving at Halloween. So many memories are made as we come together with others around these pieces of furniture. "Write about something you know and love," they say. I love food and I love kitchen tables. Ours isn’t fancy and it isn’t large, it’s a table my husband built when he was in his later years of college and it’s traveled across the country and back to Florida with him. It seats 4 comfortably yet we have managed to squeeze up to 8 around it for various events. It fits perfectly in the dining area we have in our home and it’s been the centerpiece of bridal showers, baby showers, pizza dinners, barbecues with friends and fancier meals for holidays. It’s not the piece of furniture itself I’m attached to, it’s the life we’ve lived around this piece of furniture that means the world to me.
For this writing challenge I could think of nothing else I’d rather write about than Life Around the Table. For the next 30 days I’ll share a story or a reflection about life lived around a table. If you stick with this series you’ll find stories of the healing power of baked ziti, of a quiche that literally changed the direction of my life and what happens in the kitchen when dad’s in charge. Stories from my childhood, college days and stories of hosting friends and family as an adult around my own table. I’ll share reflections on food that grounds us in places and seasons of life, on what it means to be a person who believes in the Bread and the Wine of the communion table, and what happens when the oven breaks on Thanksgiving day. I’ll offer thoughts on the magic of take out from Trader Joes, the power of artichoke dip to bring friends together, and tips for cooking & menu planning now that little ones and picky eaters are part of the picture. As a fun “bonus,” each post will include a recipe that connects with that day’s story—recipes that have shaped my food related memories from my earliest days (or just recipes I’ve come to love so much I believe everyone should try them!). I pray these stories make you chuckle or inspire you to try a new dish, but more than anything I hope and pray these stories invite you to remember your own table tales. What are the meals that have shaped your life? Where has God met you around a table? What tables have you sat around that changed your life—through the community you discovered as you broke bread or through the joy you found while feeding others? Thanks for taking this journey with me, friends, and may you be inspired to invite someone to your table this month as you come and join me at mine.
Today's recipe is one of my kid's favorite--and mine! It uses one skillet, is pretty fast and who doesn't like pasta??
Skillet Lasagna
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound Italian Sausage, Italian Turkey Sausage or Lean Ground Beef
1/2 medium onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
28 oz can whole peeled tomatoes, crushed tomatoes or diced tomatoes
1 8 oz can of tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 9 oz packages of Buitoni four cheese ravioli, from the refrigerated section
8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Flat leaf parsley for garnish
Add olive oil to large skillet.
Sautee onions and garlic, over medium heat, until onions are soft and translucent.
Add sausage and cook, breaking up with wooden spoon while it browns.
Once sausage is cooked through, add tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, and ravioli.
If using whole peeled tomatoes, use kitchen shears to chop them up while still in the can before adding to skillet.
Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer over medium heat.
Simmer until ravioli are tender and sauce has reduced and thickened, 15-20 minutes
Remove from heat and stir in mozzarella and parmesan.
