“I have made that, and it’s good,” said our daughter Lee when I told her about the recipe I have for you this week. I had never cooked this.
Apparently the writer of Ecclesiastes was correct: “There is nothing new under the sun.” I have discovered several similar recipes, all new to me but not to others. Today’s recipe is from Judy S. Humphries of Laurens.
She and her husband David, both Laurens natives, are retired educators – she as a school guidance counselor, and he from teaching auto mechanics. They have three children. Their son Andy and his wife Holly have two children, Isaac and Lilly. Their son Christopher is married to Christy, and their youngest, David, is engaged to Darcie and they will marry next March.
They are members of Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church in Laurens, a large church located immediately outside the city limits of Laurens. Rev. Jim Osteen is serving as the transitional pastor while the search committee is at work. Chestnut Ridge is a member of the Laurens Baptist Association and was established in 1821.
Judy and David team-teach the “30s” Sunday school class.
But that’s not all. They have a “heart for missions,” as the phrase goes. Their first trip was to Virginia in the 1980s with 15 church members. They went to Liberia in 2005 with a group from Chestnut Ridge. Another time, they were with Campers on Mission, sponsored by the North American Mission Board.
In 2007-2009, they spent two years in Liberia with Water of Life International, working with others who dug and repaired wells that provided clean drinking water, and helping establish three orphanages.
Eighteen years ago, Judy and David, along with another couple, were co-founders of the Straight Street Youth Center in Laurens. Open on Fridays and Saturdays, the center is for young people ages 13-19. The meetings always have a devotional period, followed by games, etc. Until recently, they had continued to work with the project, but it is now under the leadership of Wayne French.
Another one of their projects has been the Bar None Cowboy Church, in cooperation with the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Because many of the members are involved in shows and competitions on weekends, the cowboy group meets on weekdays in Owings (near Gray Court) and David serves as worship leader.
Judy S. Humphries
Judy also loves photography and horseback riding.
This recipe, which Judy says is one she modified from other similar ones, is a good recipe to complement beef, chicken, pork, etc. Assemble and bake the rice dish before you go to church. It will stay warm until you get home again and, if not, you can reheat it a bit and it will be just right for your … Sunday Dinner.
Brown Rice
1 10¾-ounce can beef consommé
1 cup regular rice
Chopped bell pepper to taste (about ¼ cup)
1 10¾-ounce can cream of mushroom soup
Chopped onion to taste
¾ to 1 stick butter or margarine, melted
Combine all ingredients and place in a bake-and-serve dish. Cook at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour. Serves 6-8.