Liz's Church Salad

I don't know about you, but I'm always in need of a good recipe for church functions!  Recently, my good friend, Liz, invited me to lunch and to spend time praying as a group with another friend, Jodina.  She served this pasta salad.  It was delicious!!  But even better than the salad, was the time spent praying with two good friends.  It just reminded me how important hospitality really is--you don't have to use your best china or dishes--I usually use paper plates!  But Liz has the gift of hospitality and her lunches usually look like this.  Doesn't it do something for the soul?  I love how we all have unique gifts and when we use our own gifts, it's always going to look differently.

Liz's Church Salad

1 (16 ounce) package fusilli (spiral) pasta

3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 pound provolone cheese, cubed or shaved

1/2 pound salami, cubed or sliced

1/4 pound sliced pepperoni, cut in half

1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces (or Liz used three colors of peppers)

1 (10 ounce) can black olives, drained

1 (10 ounce) jar pitted green olives, drained

1 (8 ounce) bottle Italian salad dressing

Grate parmesan cheese over the top.

Mix and allow this salad to chill over an hour.  

The longer it chills, the more the flavors will marinate. 

This is the Italian dressing Liz used:

Liz served her salad with crackers and muffins.  As we ate, we talked about how good bread sticks--or pepperoni bread sticks--would be with this salad, too.  It's an Italian salad, after all!

Liz always offers her best--and it's as pleasing to the eye as it is to the stomach.

I've prayed with Liz & Jodina for over 20 years.  We no longer live in the same town, but when we get together, it's like we never left off.  And God always meets with us when we dedicate our time to Him.

My prayer is that each of you will find good, good friends--friends who will allow you to be yourself and open your heart--and friends with whom you can pray.  I have several friends like this.  It's worth risking your heart and developing that kind of trust--I promise!!