for someone who lived
in our LDS ward*,
the Relief Society
serves a dinner
after the funeral
for their extended family.
As soon as the funeral is planned,
the Relief Society** President
calls the Compassionate Service Leader,
who then calls lots of
ladies in the ward,
and gives them assignments
of different dishes to bring.
Between all of us,
we can put on
a pretty darn good dinner.
More often than not,
one of the dishes
we're asked to bring
is Funeral Potatoes.
The dish was probably
originally known as
Potatoes Au Gratin
or something like that,
but in this neck of the woods,
everybody knows it as
Funeral Potatoes.
There could be lots of reasons
we always go to
this old stand-by...
it's easy to prepare,
it keeps warm well
(so you can make it early
and still attend the funeral),
and it's really yummy.
But I think the best reason
is because
Funeral Potatoes is comfort food.
And that's what this whole thing
is really all about.
Sometimes it's hard
to know how to offer comfort.
We're not sure what to say.
We're not sure how to help.
But good homemade food
is a way we can
give of ourselves,
from our hearts,
so the folks that are grieving
know they're loved.
And nothing says that better
than Funeral Potatoes.
______________________
The amazing thing
about Funeral Potatoes
is that no matter how many
ladies make them,
not one dish turns out
just like another.
Every one is good,
but each cook has
her own little twist.
Here's mine....
.
Funeral Potatoes
2 - 24 oz. bags shredded hash brown potatoes
2 cans cream of chicken soup (Campbell's is best)
2 cups sour cream
1/2 cup butter
2 cups plus shredded Sharp Cheddar cheese
chopped green onions, optional
seasoned bread crumbs
Thaw the potatoes slightly in the microwave. Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the soup and sour cream, and heat on medium-low until melted. Stir until smooth, then add the grated cheese and stir until melted. Add chopped green onions. Stir the sauce into the potatoes in a large mixing bowl. Spread into a greased 9x13 pan. Top with seasoned bread crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Serve at funerals-- or whenever you need comfort food!
___________________________
*Wards -- members of the LDS Church throughout the world are organized into local congregations called wards or branches. These congregations are organized geographically, and members attend a ward or branch near their home, meeting together each Sunday to worship and learn.
**Relief Society -- all women 18 years of age and older, as well as women younger than 18 who are married or are single mothers, are welcomed into the sisterhood of Relief Society. There are approximately 6 million sisters in Relief Society. It's purpose is to help women and their families come unto Christ.
