The Sunday Dinner That Almost Didn't Happen
Sometimes the best meals aren't the ones we planned. They're the ones we made with what we had.
Now, let me tell y'all something.
There was a time when Sunday dinner was serious business. You didn't just wake up Sunday morning and decide what you were going to cook. Honey, that meal had been on your mind since Wednesday!
But one particular Sunday, everything that could go wrong decided to show up at my house before noon.
I had planned fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, cornbread, and a little peach cobbler.
A beautiful meal, if I do say so myself.
Well, Saturday evening, I discovered I didn't have enough chicken. Sunday morning, I realized somebody had used the last of my potatoes. And those peaches I thought were in the pantry?
Gone.
I stood in that kitchen looking in the refrigerator like the food might multiply if I stared long enough.
Then my husband walked through and said, "Ruby, what we eating today?"
I said, "Right now, we're eating whatever the Lord provides, and you better hope He provides it before one o'clock!"
He turned around and walked right back out.
Smart man.
I had three pieces of chicken, a little rice, two onions, a can of green beans, and enough cornmeal to make a small pan of cornbread.
So I did what women in my family had been doing for generations.
I browned that chicken, cooked those onions down until they were tender, made a little gravy, and let everything simmer together. I cooked some rice, warmed those green beans with a little seasoning, and baked the cornbread.
By the time everybody came through the door, that kitchen smelled like I'd been cooking all morning.
My daughter took one bite and said, "Mama, this is better than what you usually make!"
Now, I didn't know whether to thank her or get offended.
But everybody ate. Everybody laughed. And wouldn't you know it, there wasn't a spoonful left.
That afternoon, sitting around the table, I realized something.
Nobody complained about the missing mashed potatoes. Nobody asked where the peach cobbler was.
They remembered the laughter, the conversation, and being together.
And that brings me to something I've learned over the years.
A little food can become a wonderful meal.
A little time can become a treasured memory.
And a simple Sunday afternoon can become a story your family tells for years.
Now, don't misunderstand me. If somebody comes to my house this Thanksgiving and tells me we don't need dressing because "it's all about togetherness," we're going to have a conversation!
Some traditions are not up for negotiation.
Ms. Ruby
What's on Your Table?
Pull up a chair! Sometimes one little question can bring back a whole lot of wonderful memories.
Did someone in your family have a special way of making a meal out of just a few ingredients?
What's one dish you remember eating growing up that you hardly see on tables anymore?
What's one piece of kitchen wisdom someone taught you that you still use today?
Share your answers with a friend or family member. Every kitchen has a story worth telling!
Ms. Ruby's Sunday Chicken & Onion Gravy
A simple home-style meal inspired by today's story.
What You'll Need
- 3–4 pieces of chicken
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1½ cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- Black pepper, garlic powder, and seasonings to taste
- Cooked rice for serving
Let's Get Cooking
- Season the chicken with your favorite seasonings.
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the chicken on both sides.
- Remove the chicken and add the sliced onions. Cook until softened.
- Sprinkle flour over the onions and stir for about one minute.
- Slowly add the broth or water, stirring until a gravy forms.
- Return the chicken to the skillet. Cover and simmer gently until fully cooked. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve over warm rice.
My Shopping List
Check off what you already have before heading to the store.
Before You Shop: Take a look in your pantry first. You may already have most of what you need!
This is an illustrative home-style recipe. Adjust ingredients for your household's needs. Follow your healthcare professional's guidance about dietary restrictions.
