Filling a Need

On the Sandwiches on Sunday menu today, like last March, was chicken and rice. Within that description the preparers had broad latitude. Those who were pressed for time picked up rotisserie chicken from Safeway or Costco. Others spent hours in the kitchen. I was in the latter group.

On Thursday I bought 10 pounds of drumsticks--about 30--from Costco for $12.77 and marinated them in soy sauce and garlic.

The water will be absorbed by the rice

On Sunday morning I spread 10 cups of washed rice into a large roasting pan and poured over a mixture of 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup, water, and grilled onions. Next I browned the drumsticks and covered the pan with foil.

Into the oven for two hours at 325 degrees on timer, et voila! Baked chicken and rice. (The dish can sit in the cooling oven for a couple of hours; it won't overcook.)

The cost of all the ingredients was less than $20, under $1 a serving. The 60 people in line finished everything. As long as there's a need--we've been doing this for 16 years--we'll keep coming back.