"Do not forget to entertain strangers for in so doing, some people have
entertained angels without knowing it."
Hebrews 13:2
I've made a new friend from Africa who has been living in Canada for a short time. When I met him he was very surprised that I had been to his country. I invited him over for dinner with family members to show some hospitality.
The first dish is antipasto or some before meal nibbles. I included some salami meat rather mortadella on the dish because I wasn't sure how my guest's taste buds would be. Moses loved all the vegetables and gamely tried things he didn't know of like the marinated artichokes. I learned that the eggplant is known in Ghana as "black beauty". I think that is a much nicer name than "eggplant".
I grilled some home made hamburger patties on my indoor grill. These burgers are not burnt, they are just black from the grill.
Another common summer food here is the potato and egg salad. I let this one marinate over night in the refrigerator and added some red onions for colour and extra flavour.
Last, but not least for the main course, we had some baked chicken. I marinated these chicken pieces in lemon grass marinade overnight. Lemon grass is not traditional to Canada but I have grown to love it in Vietnamese cooking. I thought it would make a good variation on baked chicken which is a good Canadian dinner staple. It was delicious and not too strong in lemon grass flavour.
Dinner was capped with drinks of ice tea and other beverages brought by our guest. We also had a dessert of fresh blueberries mixed with bananas. I made a biscuit which we cut and put whipped cream mixed with the berries inside the biscuit. Then the biscuit was topped with more berries and cream.
All in all my guest paid the highest compliment by saying he felt right at home and very comfortable. He also ate everything he put on his plate. I appreciated that very much as sometimes I have guests who won't eat this or won't eat that and they leave too much food on the plate. Those of you who entertain know what I'm talking about.
I am glad I was able to entertain a stranger and in doing so have now made a new friend.
15 comments:
I love that verse!! I can see why he ate everything on his plate (and I know just what you mean)- I'm sure you made him really comfortable.. that's the most important thing I think! The food looks outstanding- What a nice variety! I've grown an eggplant called black beauty! They are so good!
Hi Regina, thank you for your kind words. I share your love of that verse. On my trip to a church in Nairobi this verse was quoted after the Pastor asked the visitors to stand and encouraged the congregants to welcome us. But I have loved this verse long before, lol. I see you know about "black beauty". This was the first I'd heard of it. You learn something new every day :-)
Lovely to read about the delicious dinner and your making a new friend, and I'm sure the whole family will appreciate your friendship too.
Yes I like guests who eat everythign with appreciation too.
Hugs and Blessings,
Jan
How thoughtful of you to extend this hospitality to your new friend...
Your meal looks delicious...and I LOVE red onions in potato salad....
I think if ever I find myself in Canada I will look you up, and you can be sure I will eat everything you put before me!! Lovely article
Hi Jan, lovely to see you. Hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead! Blessings :-)
Karen, thank you for your visit and your kind words. I'm so glad someone else likes red onion in their potato salad.
Otieno, you pay me a great compliment. I hope we have the chance to share a meal someday in Vancouver or in Nairobi!
Oh I am on my way for dinner too, it all looks so good, I know this man was very happy and very made at home, hugs my friend, Barbara
It looks like the meal was a roaring success - the food looked so delicious ! I know what you mean about hosting a meal and people not finishing everything on their plates - clean plates always make me happy :)
So very nice of you...
...and I love the 'black beauty' too...
What a feast you have prepared for your friend from Gahana! I am sure he appreciated.
What a feast you have prepared for your friend from Gahana! I am sure he appreciated.
I think if ever I find myself in Canada I will look you up, and you can be sure I will eat everything you put before me!! Lovely article
Hi Regina, thank you for your kind words. I share your love of that verse. On my trip to a church in Nairobi this verse was quoted after the Pastor asked the visitors to stand and encouraged the congregants to welcome us. But I have loved this verse long before, lol. I see you know about "black beauty". This was the first I'd heard of it. You learn something new every day :-)
It looks like the meal was a roaring success - the food looked so delicious ! I know what you mean about hosting a meal and people not finishing everything on their plates - clean plates always make me happy :)
I love that verse!! I can see why he ate everything on his plate (and I know just what you mean)- I'm sure you made him really comfortable.. that's the most important thing I think! The food looks outstanding- What a nice variety! I've grown an eggplant called black beauty! They are so good!
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