About

Welcome to foodthatserves – a blog for Christian hospitality. Romans 12:13 says, “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality”. The last bit about hospitality, can literally be translated, “Pursue the love of strangers”. God has convinced me that he loves this world and he wants me to share his love with others using each part my life – including my family and home. My attempts to do this aren’t all that fancy, and often I need an attitude adjustment to get my goals in line with God’s. It’s my prayer that as I struggle to allow God to use my whole life for his purposes, others might be encouraged to do so too.

When it comes to hospitality in the home, I’ve found that I tend to use the same recipes over and over again- you know, the ones that are yummy, easy enough to cook for a large number of people, but don’t cost the earth to make. But I’m bored with my repertoire and it got me thinking that this might be case for lots of my gospel minded friends. So I’ve been thinking about starting a long-term project of putting together a blog of recipes and ideas that fit the bill for people trying to do hospitality in the home. My plan is to publish here a range of recipes that won’t stress me out when opening up my home and unapologetically focussed on feeding people good food that promotes genuine Christian fellowship – not so much for ‘entertaining’.

I also hope that others would use this blog to contribute their own recipes and ideas that fit the bill. If you’ve tested them out in your own kitchen and you think your recipe is a winner, I’d love to receive it at foodthatserves@gmail.com. I’m not interested in plagiarising anyone’s work, so if your recipes have a known source (person’s name, a website, a particular cookbook), please include that too. If I need to ask permission from anyone who owns a copyright, I would like to do that, so adding sources to your recipes is helpful.

I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas about this project so feel free to comment or get in touch. To God be the glory!

27 responses »

Joanna Bidwell on May 9, 2012 at 9:31 am said:

Love it! Great job sweetheart and keep the recipes coming!

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Susan Ravenhall on May 10, 2012 at 9:40 am said:

Great blog, I reckon I’ll be using some of these 🙂

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Amy on May 10, 2012 at 1:06 pm said:

Love it! I’ll send some of my ‘cheap and easy’ favourites when I have a spare minute or two!

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- foodthatserves on May 11, 2012 at 7:51 am said:
  
  Thanks, Amy – that would be awesome!
  
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Deb on May 20, 2012 at 4:19 pm said:

Love your site and I will certainly be visiting often! It’s just what I need as a reference because although I’ve been married and in charge of a household for 15 years, I still find cooking for crowds daunting.

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- foodthatserves on May 20, 2012 at 5:56 pm said:
  
  Thanks for your comment, Deb. I pray this little project might be a blessing to lots of people, for Jesus’ sake. All the best x
  
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- foodthatserves on May 21, 2012 at 8:51 pm said:
  
  Hi Deb. Thanks for dropping by and sharing. I hope you’ll find this site helpful.
  
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thinkinglivinglearning on May 23, 2012 at 9:18 pm said:

Awesome blog Jane! Jen 🙂

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- foodthatserves on May 23, 2012 at 9:35 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Jen! Hope you and your precious ones are doing well xxx
  
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Jessica on June 21, 2012 at 10:43 am said:

I found your site from The Fountainside. Thanks for sharing your recipes. As a single woman, I like the freedom I have to invite guests over to enjoy a meal together. I often search for good recipes to have under my belt. Will be visiting this site regularly – pray it’ll be a blessing to others.

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Liz on August 20, 2012 at 2:37 pm said:

I love your website – not only great recipes, but also the Christian inspiration that accompanies them. God bless you as you do it all for His glory.

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Lara Oram on October 29, 2012 at 9:49 pm said:

Hi gorgeous Jane. What a helpful blog. You have inspired me to extend my repertoire! I have been doing a lot of gluten & dairy free cooking lately for people at church who are regularly in our home…and even had to think about a number of GF & DF recipes for a high tea our church is putting on this week. I’m keen to share these on your site and get some more ideas from yourself and others. Miss you!

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- foodthatserves on October 29, 2012 at 9:53 pm said:
  
  Hi Lara! Thanks for the encouragement – I’m loving doing this! Would be thrilled to receive your recipes and am always on the hunt for good allergy free ones. We miss you guys too – must see you all before too long. Take care with lots of love, Jane xxx
  
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cookingfanatic on January 8, 2013 at 7:19 am said:

Hi there! I’ve been enjoying reading the blog – keep the recipes coming! Here’s one I found this week on bbcgoodfood.com. I blogged it here: http://cookingfanatic.wordpress.com/2013/01/07/root-veg-toad-in-the-hole/

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Naomi Fulton on February 9, 2013 at 12:40 pm said:

Jane, I absolutely love your blog and hope to send some recipes after I experiment for my latest challenge of finding meals to suit home group & family – gluten free, non-spicy & toddler friendly!

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Jacqui on July 23, 2013 at 8:18 pm said:

Hi, thanks for the recipes, I have started using your blog as a go to recipe site, love love love the muffins that taste like donuts, we have taken to calling them doufins. And am very much looking forward to trying the pulled pork. Keep them coming.

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D on April 28, 2014 at 6:17 pm said:

Thanks for your awesome blog, it has been a great blessing and inspiration!

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Lydia Smith on July 11, 2014 at 12:17 pm said:

Wow – my daughter in law just put me on to your blog and I’m planning to share it with our women’s ministry team. Thanks so much! Pot luck dinner for missionary visitors sorted!

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aussieclergyfamilies on November 25, 2014 at 12:11 pm said:

Such a great idea! I hope you don’t mind if I include your website link on my website for clergy families?! Just the sort of resource I’ve been looking for!

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- foodthatserves on December 2, 2014 at 7:20 pm said:
  
  Not at all 🙂
  
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Louise Garrett on February 15, 2015 at 7:58 pm said:

I love your blog Jane! Saved me again this morning when I needed a quick dessert to make before church for visitors coming for lunch. I made the gluten free raspberry slice (for the first time) I had all the ingredients on hand and it was quick and delicious! Thanks for sharing such great and helpful recipes!

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Jasmine on May 2, 2015 at 2:00 am said:

Thanks for this lovely blog… I’m a young Christian housewife from England who loves her brethren but sometimes struggles with the practicalities of being hospitable!
well done, and keep that inspiration going xxx

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Rev. Elaine J. C. Fragar on August 18, 2016 at 2:10 pm said:

Jane, I am your Mum’s sister, Elaine. Remember me? I am now retired, but doing lots of church services for the Uniting Church in Lismore. The service for 28th August is all about hospitality. I believe that hospitality is a fundamental Biblical issue – something we are all called to as disciples of Christ. I am delighted to see what you are doing on this web-site, as your very practical contribution and example. Thank you so much! With my love, E

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- foodthatserves on August 18, 2016 at 3:42 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Elaine!
  
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Suzie Smith on February 13, 2017 at 9:47 am said:

Hi Jane. I have a couple of recipes that might be of interest – is there an email address I can send them to? Thanks 🙂

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- foodthatserves on February 13, 2017 at 6:37 pm said:
  
  Hi Suzie. Would love to receive your recipes at foodthatserves@gmail.com. Thanks 🙂
  
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Christine on September 6, 2017 at 8:09 pm said:

Hi, Just found your blog and recipes. I have a mission for christian unity and love the christian hospitality aspect. Well done!

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