Living in Community

^"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

- Ecclesiastes 4:12

There have been several things that have happend over the last week that God used to show me the importance of surrounding yourself with individuals who know you well. Last week was a pretty difficult week at work for multiple reasons, and I can't tell you how much it blessed me to have friends who followed up with me or how much I smiled when I got a hilarious card in the mail to brighten my day.
This same realization hit me last night when I took a meal to a friend who is sick. 

Contrary to what society models and teaches us, we are not meant to live isolated and completely independent lives. While it is well and healthy to be indepdent, we all need help and we cannot do everything on our own. Having a person/people who you allow to know you and care for you can do more for your heart, soul, and mind than you realize. After all, the picture God gave us is loving and serving each other - so what better way to experience His love than by doing following that example!

The Bet - Buffalo Chicken Sandwhich

A few weeks ago Nate and I made a bet. If I won, he would do the laundry for a week, and if he won I would make him a homemade buffalo chicken sandwich (complete with shredded lettuce, friend chicken, sesame buns, ranch dip mix, and steak cut fries). He won... and since the meal actually turned out pretty good (which was difficult because I don't really eat buffalo sauce), I thought I would pass it along:

Buffalo Sauce (I actually used another recipe which didn't turn out very good, so I switched to this one which Nate loved):

Buffalo Fried Chicken:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons smoked paprika, plus more for seasoning
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
• 1 tablespoon cracked black pepper, plus more for seasoning
• 1 cup self-rising flour
• 1 egg
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce

1. Season the chicken with smoked paprika, and salt and pepper, to taste. Put the flour, 2 tablespoons of paprika, 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of pepper in a shallow dish. In another shallow dish add the egg, buttermilk, and hot sauce and whisk together.

2. Dredge each piece of chicken in the buttermilk mixture and shake off any excess, then dredge into flour mixture.

3. Fry until the chicken is cooked through, about 4 to 6 minutes until cooked through the middle.

Sauce Ingredients:

• 8 tablespoons Louisiana hot sauce (Frank's is the best, but Tabasco or Chalula works also)
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter or margarine
• 1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (I used smoked paprika in it's place)
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• salt to taste

Mix all the ingredients in a saucepan, and over low heat bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and then turn off. The mix will be a little thin. Toss fried (or grilled) chicken in sauce). Serve plain or on bun/roll.

So for those of you who like a little heat.. Enjoy!