Mercy Street Lunch

Cooking for a crowd is a challenge. If you have not done it, I suggest trying it -- just for the experience!

This week, I did a mini cooking demo and prepared lunch for 45 people at Mercy Street. It was definitely interesting considering the fact that A) I drive a Fiat so it was hard to fit everything in my car and B) I work full time...

So, the goal was to demonstrate and serve a meal that was a healthier version of some of their favorite foods. I did a take on fried chicken and mashed potatoes.

I served up breaded and baked chicken with a chilled potato salad and coleslaw (without mayo!). The funny part was that the oven was too small for all the chicken! So, we ended up pan frying it anyways...

Chicken:

Ingredients:

Chicken Breast

Mayo (olive oil or eggs work as well)

Bread Crumbs

French Onion Soup Mix

Process

-Preheat oven to 350

-Mix bread crumbs and soup mix together

-Slice (or pound) chicken breasts (this allows for faster cooking time and they go farther!)

-Dip chicken in mayo (or eggs/olive oil) and coat with bread mixture

-Bake on cookie sheet or in a baking dish (9x13) for 30 minutes

To pan Fry:

-Heat skillet on the stove with a drizzle of olive oil. 

-Cook chicken for 5 minutes (more or less depending on size) on each side

Potato Salad:

Ingredients:

2 1/2 pounds potatoes (any variety)

1/3 Cup Olive Oil

3 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar

1/3 Cup finely chopped red onion

1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard

Salt and Pepper to taste

1/4 Cup Chopped Parsley 

Process:

Quarter potatoes and boil (no need to wash or peel

Strain and once cool enough to handle, peel off skins

Mix together everything for the dressing and toss over potatoes

Coleslaw:

Ingredients:

1 Package Coleslaw

1/4 cup Apple cider Vinegar

Juice of half a lime

2 Tablespoons honey

2 Tablespoons Chopped Cilantro

2 - 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1 Clove garlic; chopped

Salt & Pepper to taste

 *best if made ahead

Process:

Mix it all together!

It's not easy to talk, demo, and cook at the same time! Not to mention trying to be fun and interesting! But, I'm learning more every time and it's always a blessing to be able to serve in the community :)