Small Bites…Adventures in Downsizing

By Jan Kinzel

As all that is familiar seems to be in the rear view mirror and the settling-in process is nearly complete, unfilled time emerges. Strange…life was so busy before. All of the established communities are no longer nearby—church, neighbors, family, shopping areas. One friend who moved from one coast to the other says she is not plugged in even after two years. We discussed the need to have a place of service and how important that is. Social interactions help but aren’t really enough, although they are a great starting point. They can be a pathway to finding deeper meaning to life in a new place.

It was a friend who led me to a wonderful project. CityServe is a nonprofit in my area funded by a city grant and various donations from community businesses and groups. Various churches in our area have membership in CityServe. “We find needs. Needs find us” is CityServe in a nutshell.

The particular ministry I do with CityServe is cooking and serving breakfast to the students, faculty and staff at our local alternative high school. The students are here for various reasons—none of them ideal. However, the love and care given to the kids helps them feel successful and accepted, no matter what their problems.

This project hits all of my sweet spots. Being a morning person, and with breakfast my favorite meal to cook and serve, it’s a perfect match. I get to dabble in menu creation, recipe development, organizing a serving team, and last but not least, as a former classroom teacher, return to a school setting. I have never felt more productive!

Two favorites we served were Breakfast Pizza and Breakfast Ranchos Huevos Walking Tacos.

Almost any savory dish can be transformed into a breakfast entrée by adding eggs, and in these cases, egg substitutes. And, of course, both of these dishes are loved by grandkids!

 

BREAKFAST PIZZA

Frozen Cheese Pizzas (Kirkland brand from Costco are perfect. They come four to a box.)

Egg substitutes (Find these with the regular cartons of eggs.)

Toppings of your choice, such as cooked sausage, pepperoni, bacon, ham, pineapple…

 

Remove pizza from package and place on a baking sheet lined with nonstick foil.

Beginning at the center of the pizza, spread a half cup of the egg substitutes. Leave a half-inch margin around the edge, as the eggs spread a little.

Add any of the toppings you desire.

Bake at 400 degrees until the eggs are set. Cut and serve!

 

RANCHOS HUEVOS WALKING TACOS

Taco and Corn Chips (any flavor) 2-ounce size

Mexican Blend Cheese, shredded

Ground Beef or Turkey or both

Onion, diced

Fire-Roasted Tomatoes in cans

Fresh Salsa (Find in refrigerated case at market.)

Taco Seasoning Packets

Southwestern flavor egg substitutes

Toppings you desire, such as mango salsa, avocado, sour cream…

 

Spray skillet with cooking spray and brown the meat and onions. Stir in the seasonings.

Add the tomatoes, including all of the liquid. This mixture needs to be very juicy.

In a separate skillet, cook the egg substitutes until set. Treat as scrambled eggs.

Open the chip bags by cutting straight across the top and as close to the top as you can.

Since the bags are the “bowls,” leave as much space as possible to contain the “taco.”

With 2 squeezes, slightly crush the chips in the bag.

Place 1/3 cup of the cheese over the chips in the bag.

Cover with hot meat mixture, causing the cheese to melt into the chips.

Top with the eggs.

Add any additional toppings you desire.

Stick a fork in the bag and enjoy the “walking tacos”!

These can be used for meals other than breakfast by eliminating the eggs.

 

More school stories, breakfast menus and recipes next month.

 

Tip: Wherever you go, there you are, so make it count. Unimagined things can happen!

Can you find a place to serve using your talents and skills as never before?

“Your people shall be my people” (Ruth 1:16, NKJV).

 

Jan Kinzel resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, Chris. They have three married children and five grandchildren. A former classroom and music teacher, Jan now enjoys her church, serving other in Christ’s name and all things creative. Downsizing has opened many new opportunities for her to pursue activities she loves: writing, teaching cooking classes and finding inventive ways to live in a much smaller space which she has delighted in making cozy and charming.